Skip to main content

Full text of "Soldiers' and patriots' biographical album : containing biographies and portraits of soldiers and loyal citizens in the American conflict, together with the great commanders of the Union Army; also a history of the organizations growing out of the war: The Grand Army of the Republic, The Loyal Legion, The Sons of Veterans, and The Woman's Relief Corps"

See other formats 


W-  A 


GIFT   OF 
Gordon  L.   Smith 


t  t  '  3 


1^}OX 


-wft*     H   r  'AT*    r-7^ 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


BIOGRflPUICfllt  HliBUM 


CONTAINING 


TOGETHER   WITH   THE 


peaj;  ©or^r^andeps  of  (he  (iteioi? 


ALSO 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE  ORGANIZATIONS  GROWING  OUT  OF  THE  WAR: 

The  Qr&nd  flrmj  of  th?  "Republic, 
The  Loi?^l  Lesion, 

TK?  Sons  of  Veterans,  and 

The  Wom&n's  Belief  Corps. 


UNION  VETERAN  PUBLISHING  COMPANY, 
1892. 


BY 


UNION  YETERflN  PUBLISHING 

1892. 


W.    B.  CONKEY  COMPANY 
PRINTER*  AND  BINDER*. 


THE  BRAVE  SOLDIERS  NOW    OF    ILLINOIS    WHO  VOLUNTEERED 

TO    DEFEND    THE    FLAG    IN    THE 

GREAT    REBELLION, 

AND    SAVE    THE    AMERICAN    REPUBLIC    FROM    DISUNION, 
AND    TO    THE 

MEMORY    OF    THOSE  WHO  LAID  DOWN  THEIR  LIVES  UPON  THE 

ALTAR    OF    THEIR    COUNTRY,    THAT    THE    UNION 

MIGHT    BE    PRESERVED, 

THIS    WORK    IS    SACREDLY    DEDICATED. 


"I   Am   Content." 

A  spindle  of  hazlewood  had  I, 

Into  the  mill-stream  it  fell  one  day- 

The  water  has  brought  it  me  back  no  more. 

As  he  lay  a-dying  the  soldier  spake: 

"I  am  content! 

Let  my  mother  be  told,  in  the  village  there, 
And  my  bride  in  the  hut  be  told 
That  they  must  pray  with  folded  hands, 

With  folded  hands  for  me." 
The  soldier  is  dead— and  with  folded  hands 

His  bride  and  his  mother  pray. 
On  the  field  of  battle  they  dug  his  grave, 
And  red  with  his  life-blood  the  earth  was  dyed, 

The  earth  they  laid  him  in. 
The  sun  looked  down  on  him  there  and  spake: 
"  I  am  content." 

And  flowers  bloomed  thickly  upon  his  grave, 

And  were  glad  they  blossomed  there,. 
And  when  the  wind  in  the  tree-tops  roared 
The  soldier  asked  from  the  deep,  dark  grave: 

"  Did  the  banner  flutter  then?" 
"  Not  so,  my  hero,"  the  wind  replied, 
'  The  fight  is  done,  but  the  banner  won, 
Thy  comrades  of  old  have  borne  it  hence 

Have  borne  it  in  triumph  hence," 
Then  the  soldier  spake  from  the  deep,  dark  grave: 
"I  am  content." 

And  again  he  heard  the  shepherds  pass 

And  the  flocks  go  wand'ring  by, 
And  the  soldier  asked:  "  Is  the  sound  I  hear 

The  sound  of  the  battle  roar?" 
And  they  all  replied:  "  My  hero,  nay! 
Thou  art  dead  and  the  fight  is  o'er, 
Our  country  joyful  and  free." 

Then  the  soldier  spake  from  the  deep,  dark  grave* 
"  I  am  content." 

Then  he  heareth  the  lovers  laughing  pass, 

And  the  soldier  asks  once  more: 
"  Are  these  not  the  voices  of  them  that  love, 

That  love  -and  remember  me?" 
"  Not  so,  my  hero,"  the  lovers  say, 

"  We  are  those  that  remember  not; 
For  the  spring  has  come  and  the  earth  has  smiled. 

And  the  dead  must  be  forgot." 
Then  the  soldier  spake  from  the  deep, dark  grave: 
"  I  am  content." 


IN  presenting    this    volume    of    biographical    memoirs    of    the    soldiers    of    the    late    Civil    War 
to  the  public,  the  first  of  the  kind  ever  attempted,  the  publishers  feel  no  small  degree  of  pride  in 
the  successful  completion  of  a  work  long  contemplated.     We  took  hold  of  it  at  first  with  some 
hesitancy,  not  certam  that  we  would  receive  that  co-operation  from  the  soldiers  of  the  late  war  essential 
to  the  success  of  the  enterprise;  but  as  time  passed  on,  our  doubts  were  removed,  and  our  hearts  were 
made   glad   by   the   encouragement   of  the    veterans   and    their  substantial  support.      So  we  cheerfully 
struggled  on  to  the  end,  and  are  now  able  to  present  this  volume  to  our  patrons  and  to   the  world. 
Few  persons  comprehend  the  great  labor  and  the  many  difficulties  attending  the  publication  of  a  work 
of  this  kind;  yet  after  all,  it  has  been  a  pleasing  task,  and  now  that  it  is  finished,  we  find  there  is  a  little 
regret  at  the  parting. 

We  knew  that  the  country  has  been  flooded  with  war  literature  in  almost  every  form,  but  we  felt 
that  one  important  feature  had  been  wholly  omitted.  In  the  voluminous  pages  of  the  history  of  the 
Civil  war,  the  names  of  the  soldiers  who  carried  ti  e  muskets,  who  fought  the  battles,  and  whose  bravery 
and  patriotism  saved  the  Republic  from  dissolution,  are  absent,  and  their  experiences  entirely  ignored. 
We  believed  this  was  a  great  injustice,  that  their  names  and  deeds  were  as  worthy  to  be  perpetuated  in 
history  as  the  generals  who  commanded  them,  and  this  belief  has  been  the  inspiration  that  caused  us  to 
begin  this  work,  and  sustained  us  on  to  its  completion.  A  great  historian  has  truly  said  that:  "The 
history  of  a  country  is  best  told  in  the  record  of  the  lives  of  its  people."  So  in  these  memoirs  of  the 
soldiers  will  be  found  the  best  and  most  authentic  accounts  of  the  rebellion.  In  conformity  to  this  idea 
the  first  volume  of  this  work  has  been  prepared.  It  was  a  new  departure  in  war  literature,  but  the 
indorsement  we  have  received  assures  us  that  we  are  moving  in  the  right  direction.  The  true  history 
of  the  war  is  yet  to  be  written,  and  when  the  historian  of  the  future  shall  begin  to  write  a  correct  and 
unbiased  account  of  the  greatest  struggle  known  to  any  era  in  the  world's  history,  he  will  find  the  best 
and  most  authentic  material  in  this  series.  These  biographies  include  men  from  the  rank  and  file,  and 
those  who  reached  the  highest  pinnacle  of  military  glory;  it  represents  those  who  enlisted  as  privates, 
and  by  their  bravery  and  military  genius,  rose  to  be  great  commanders.  Some  of  the  bravest,  some 
of  the  most  heroic  acts  performed  during  the  great  conflict,  were  by  men  in  the  ranks.  They  all  left 
their  respective  callings,  their  homes  and  loved  ones,  and  went  forth  to  battle  for  the  Union,  to  lay 
down  their  lives,  if  need  be,  upon  the  altar  of  their  country.  When  the  war  was  over  those  who  were 
spared  returned  to  their  homes  and  peaceful  pursuits,  to  make  useful  and  honorable  citizens.  The 
American  soldier  had  an  individuality;  he  fought  independently,  and  often  planned  and  executed  little 
campaigns  on  his  own  account.  He  stands  out  in  bold  relief  in  the  military  history  of  the  world,  alone, 
and  without  parallel. 

In  recording  his  deeds  of  bravery,  his  endurance  and  suffering,  his  devotion  to  the  country,  we 
have  often  been  obliged  to  stay  the  pen,  appalled  "by  the  grandeur  of  the  spirit  which  controlled  him. 
Often  words  have  been  inadequate  to  express  his  noble  deeds  of  daring.  His  achievements  would  be 
worthy  of  the  inspired  pen  of  a  Homer.  Even  the  fame  of  the  heroes  of  Thermopylaj  grows  dim  before  his 
valor.  In  coming  years,  the  deeds  which  grace  the  pages  of  classic  literature,  and  holds  the  admira 
tion  of  the  student  of  to-diy,  will  pale  into  insignificance  before  the  lustre  which  time  will  give  to  the 
annals  of  the  American  Volunteer  Soldier. 

The  statistical  history  has  been  compiled  with  great  care  and  labor,  from  the  best  and  most 
authentic  sources  of  information  available.  We  do  not  claim  that  it  is  absolutely  free  from  error,  for 
in  many  instances  authorities  differ;  that  it  is  essentially  correct  is  most  certain.  The  work  has  been 
carried  to  its  completion  conscientiously,  and  no  pains  or  expense  has  been  spared  to  make  this  volume 
one  that  will  delight  the  heart  of  every  soldier,  one  that  will  be  of  priceless  value,  not  only  to  himself, 
but  to  his  children  and  descendants. 

UNION  VETERAN  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN. 

THE  sixteenth  President  of  the  United 
States,  was  born  February  12,  1809,  in 
Hardin  Co.,  Ky.  His  parents  were  both 
born  in  Virginia,  of  undistinguished  families. 
His  paternal  grandfather  Abraham  Lincoln, 
emigrated  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky,  about 
1781,  or  1782,  where  a  year  or  so  later  he  was 
killed,  whilst  laboring  upon  his  farm,  by  In 
dians.  Our  subject's  father  removed  from  Ken 
tucky  to  Maryland,  when  the  son  was  in  his 
eighth  year;  arrived  there  about  the  time  that 
State  came  into  the  Union.  It  was  then  a  wild 
region,  "  with  many  bears  and  other  wild  ani 
mals  still  in  the  forest."  His  mother  from  all 
the  evidences  that  can  now  be  gathered, 
was  an  intellectual  and  even  an  accom 
plished  woman,  and  from  her  the  future 
President  appears  to  have  inherited  his  tran- 
scendant  ability,  as  also  his  facial  and  physical 
appearance.  Reared,  as  it  were,  "a  child  of  the 
forest,"  his  environments  would  not  under  ordi 
nary  circumstances  be  looked  upon  as  likely  to 
mould  the  character,  or  develop  the  mind,  and 
qualify  an  individual  to  honorably  fill  and  suc 
cessfully  rule  the  destinies  of  30,000,000  of 
people.  Nevertheless  they  did  so. 

October  5,  1818,  when  her  boy  was  little 
over  nine  years  of  age,  the  mother  died,  and 
some  eighteen  months  thereafter  the  father 
married  a  Mrs.  Johnston,  whom  it  would  appear, 
contrary  to  all  tradition  regarding  step  mothers, 
took  a  motherly  liking  to  young  Abraham.  This 


feeling  appears  to  have  been  amply  reciproca 
ted,  as  in  after  years,  he  spoke  of  her  as  his 
"  Saintly  Mother  "  and  again  as  his  "  Angel  of 
a  Mother."  His  opportunities  of  receiving 
an  education  were  extremely  poor,  and  it 
is  asserted  that  he  did  not  attend  even  the 
poor  schools  of  his  district  more  than  one  year. 
Speaking  himself  of  the  schools  of  his  time,  he 
said  :  "  There  were  some  schools,  so  called,  but 
no  qualification  was  ever  required  of  a  teacher 
beyond  'readin'  '  writin'  and  'cipherin'  to 
the  rule  of  three.  Therefore,"  he  said  "when  I 
came  of  age  I  did  not  know  much.  Still,  some 
how,  I  could  read,  write,  and  cipher  to  the  rule  of 
three,  but  that  was  all."  In  1825,  he  was  em 
ployed  by  James  Taylor  for  nine  months  at  the 
magnificient  salary  of  $6  per  month,  as  mana 
ger  of  his  ferryboat,  running  between  the  banks 
of  the  Ohio  river,  and  at  times  assisting  upon 
his  employer's  farm.  He  had  early  formed  im 
pressions  upon  politics,  hence  every  paper 
which  came  into  his  reach  was  studiously  read; 
every  argument  carefully  weighed,  and  soon  he 
became  recognized  as  "  a  natural  politician," 
intensely  ambitious,  and  anxious  to  be  popular. 
In  contact  with  other  boys  either  with  the 
tongue  or  in  a  physical  encounter,  he  always 
was  declared  the  winner.  Few  men  were  en 
dowed  with  the  powers  of  mimicry  displayed 
by  young  Lincoln.  All  stories  reaching  his  ears 
were  issued  again,  burnished  and  brightened, 
and  made  so  laughable  as  to  be  unrecognizable 
by  their  authors.  In  the  year  1828,  he  engaged 
upon  a  flat  boat  as  a  bow-hand  and  went  to 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


New  Orleans,  and  two  years  later  removed  to 
Illinois, settling  at  a  point  ten  miles  west  of  De- 
catur,  where  he  assisted  in  cutting  and  splitting 
the  rails  used  in  fencing  fifteen  acres  of  land. 
The  great  and  rising  genius  of  Lincoln  could 
not  be  suppressed  by  his  unpropitious  sur 
roundings,  and  about  the  time  he  reached  his' 
majority,  made  his  first  public  speech,  having 
for  his  subject,  the  Navigation  of  the  Sangamon 
river.  In  1831,  in  company  with  John  Hanks 
and  John  Whinston,  he  navigated  a  flat-boat  to 
New  Orleans,  for  the  large  and  handsome  re 
ward  of  50  cents  per  day  and  $20  as  a  bonus 
upon  safe  arrival.  It  was  upon  this  trip  that 
the  horrors  of  slavery  first  became  apparent  to 
him,  which  assisted  in  moulding  his  future 
opinion  upon  that  subject. 

In  1831  he  acted  as  clerk  of  election  at  New 
Salem,  which  was  the  first  official  act  of  his 
life.  Shortly  after  this  he  served  as  first  clerk 
to  Denton  Offutt,  who  became  much  interested 
in  his  employee  and  often  declared  he  would 
become  President  of  the  UnitedStates.  A  strange 
and  apparently  improbable  prophecy,  yet  one 
which  was  not  only  fulfilled  in  fact,  but  that  he 
filled  that  high  and  honorable  position,  as  it 
never  had  been  since  the  days  of  the  immortal 
George  Washington,  is  equally  marvelous,  and 
universally  accepted  as  truth.  It  may  be  true, 
that  in  the  absence  of  the  Revolution  the  world 
would  have  heard  little,  and  perhaps  read  less 
of  Washington.  But  Lincoln  attained  to  his 
position  before  the  Rebellion,  and  therefore 
was  not  a  creature  of  the  Rebellion.  At  the 
time  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  Lincoln  was 
elected  a  captain  of  volunteers,  and  he  said  of 
that  position  that  "  it  gave  me  more  pleasure 
than  any  I  have  had  since."  A  few  weeks  later 
his  company  was  mustered  out,  consequently 
his  position  as  captain  ceased,  whereupon  he 
enlisted  as  a  private  in  an  independent  spy 
company.  The  political  party  which  he  sup 
ported  was  not  slow  to  recognize  his  rising 
genius,  therefore  they  nominated  him  as  a  can 
didate  for  the  State  Legislature  in  1832,  but 
adverse  votes  resulted  in  the  election  of  his 
opponent,  the  Rev.  Peter  Cartwright.  The  fol 
lowing  year  he  purchased,  in  company  with  a 


Mr.  Berry,  a  store,  and  was  also  postmaster  at 
New  Salem  from  May,  1833  to  1836,  when  that 
office  was  discontinued,  and  the  store  business, 
owing  to  the  bibulous  habits  of  his  partner,  re 
sulted  in  disaster  and  bankruptcy.  Lincoln, 
however,  true  to  his  instincts  as  an  honest  man, 
shouldered  the  liabilities,  and  finally  paid  the 
last  of  them  in  1849.  He  commenced  the  study 
of  law,  but  being  unable  to  continue  he  changed 
over  to  surveying,  a  business  he  mastered  in 
six  weeks,  but  in  the  fall  of  1834  he  suffered 
the  humiliation  of  seeing  his  instruments  sold 
by  the  sheriff,  to  pay  a  debt  he  was  unable 
otherwise  to  liquidate.  The  same  year,  he  was 
elected  to  a  seat  in  the  Legislature  and  was  ap 
pointed  a  member  of  the  Committee  up6n 
Public  Accounts.  He  was  elected  to  the  sanfie 
seat  at  the  three  succeeding  elections.  Whilst 
a  member,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  be 
came  a  law  partner  with  John  T.  Stewart,  and 
began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Spring 
field  in  1839.  He  soon  distinguished  himself 
in  practice  and  became  a  leader  in  his  chosen 
profession. 

He  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  circuit 
court,  presided  over  by  Judge  Davis,  who  after 
personal  observation  said  of  the  rising  attorney: 
"In  all  the  elements  that  constitute  a  great 
lawyer,  he  had  few  equals  ;  he  seized  the  strong 
points  of  a  cause  and  presented  them  with  clear 
ness  and  great  compactness."  To  his  herculean 
efforts,  in  the  conduct  of  the  defense  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  son  of  William  and  Hannah 
Armstrong,  for  murder,  has  always  been  at 
tributed  the  saving  of  that  young  man  from  the 
gallows.  November  4,  1842,  he  was  married 
to  Mary,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Robt.  S.Todd,  of 
Lexington,  Ky.  At  the  elections  of  1840, 
and  '44,  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  honor  of 
Presidential  elector,  being  frequently  opposed 
to  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in  public  debate.  ,  In 
1846  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  defeating  his 
old  Democratic  opponent  the  Rev.  Peter  Cart- 
wright,  and  introduced  the  famous  "  Spot 
Resolutions,"  directing  the  President  to  indi 
cate  the  particular  locality  of  the  alleged  out 
rages  of  the  Mexicans  upon  American  citizens, 
and  spoke  in  Congress  for  the  first  time  in  sup- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


port  of  those  resolutions.  Subsequently  he 
advocated  the  election  of  Gen.  Taylor,  as  also 
the  abolition  of  all  slaves  within  the  district  of 
Columbia,  and  a  policy  of  compensation  to  the 
owners.  He  was  an  applicant  for  the  office  of 
Commissioner  of  the  General  Land-Office,  but 
was  unsuccessful.  He  was  tendered  the  Gov 
ernorship  of  the  Territory  of  Oregon  from  the 
President,  but  declined  the  proffered  honor, 
and  in  1849,  was  defeated  by  Gen.  Shields,  in  the 
contest  for  the  United  States  Senatorship.  In 
1855,  he  withdrew  as  a  candidate,  and  became  an 
able  supporter  and  advocate  of  the  candicacy 
of  Mr.  Trumbull,  to  the  United  States  Senate, 
whom  he  helped  elect  over  Gen.  Shields,  and  it 
is  claimed  that  during  that  canvass  he  exploded 
the  sophistry  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas'  "Great 
Principle  "  by  the  words,  "  I  admit  that  the  emi 
grant  to  Kansas  and  Nebraska  is  competent  to 
govern  himself,  but  I  deny  his  right  to  gov 
ern  any  other  person,  without  that  person's 
consent."  Of  Lincoln  it  was  said,  and  the  be 
lief  was  fully  shared  in,  by  his  many  friends, 
that  he  was  "destined  by  the  Dispenser  of  all 
things,  to  occupy  a  great  place  in  the  Worlds' 
history.".  June  17,  1856,  he  received  no  votes 
at  the  National  Republican  convention  held  in 
Philadelphia,  whereat  Gen.  John  C.  Fremont 
received  the  nomination  for  the  Chief  Magis 
tracy.  In  1858,  he  became  an  opponent  of 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  for  a  seat  in  the  Senate, 
which  was  relegated  for  decision  to  a  popular 
vote.  The  two  candidates  for  the  position 
made  a  joint  canvass  of  the  State,  and  held  dur 
ing  the  campaign  seven  joint  meetings.  Dur 
ing  the  canvass,  on  June  17,  1858,  he  delivered 
his  celebrated  address,  since  known  as  "  The 
house  divided-against-itself  speech,"  which  ex 
erted  such  a  controlling  influence,  not  only 
over  those  who  sat  within  the  hearing  of  his 
voice  and  heard  his  clear,  bold  and  convincing 
arguments,  as  to  the  propriety  of  admitting 
Kansas  into  the  Union  as  a  slave  or  a  free 
State,  and  the  other  great  questions  before  the 
people,  but  it  was  heralded  to  the  remotest 
corners  of  the  Republic,  and  was  largely  instru 
mental  in  moulding  public  opinion  to  his  way 
of  thinking,  upon  the  merits  of  the  subjects 


discussed.  His  public  utterances  clearly  de 
monstrated  that  he  was  a  born  leader,  and  as  if 
to  hold  him  in  reserve,  the  State  elected  Doug 
las  to  the  Senate,  whilst  it  held  the  great  Lin 
coln  for  the  then  approaching  Presidential  con 
test.  In  February,  1860,  in  response  to  an  in 
vitation  from  New  York  City,  he  addressed  an 
immense  audience  there  and  again  in  New 
England,  taking  for  his  theme  the  action  of 
the  framers  of  the  Constitution,  in  respect  to 
slavery.  May  10,  1860,  at  the  Republican  State 
convention,  of  Illinois,  he  was  nominated  for 
the  Presidency.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Republi 
can  National  Convention,  held  in  Chicago,  it 
adopted  aresolution  denying  "  The  authority  of 
Congress,  of  a  Territorial  Legislature,  or  any  in 
dividuals,  to  give  legal  assistance  to  slavery  in 
any  Territory  of  the  United  States."  At  this  con 
vention  Lincoln  was  nominated  on  the  third  bal 
lot  as  the  Republican  candidate  for  the 
Presidency,  which  nomination  was  made  unani 
mous.  At  the  election  which  followed,  he  re 
ceived  about  600,000  more  votes,  than  was 
obtained  by  his  real  opponent,  Douglas,  whilst 
of  the  electoral  votes,  he  received  180,  Breck- 
enridge  72,  Bell  39  and  Douglas  12.  In  his  in 
augural  address  delivered  March  4,  1861, 
knowing  some  of  the  Southern  States  to  be  in 
revolt,  with  others  ready  to  follow,  he  said:  "I 
consider  that  in  view  of  the  Constitution  and 
the  laws,  the  Union  is  unbroken,  and  to  the  ex 
tent  of  my  ability  I  shall  take  care,  as  the  Con 
stitution  itself  expressly  enjoins  me,  that  the 
law  of  the  Union  be  faithfully  executed  in  all 
the  States." 

In  assuming  the  duties  of  President,  Lin 
coln  found  a  fragmentary  army  all  told  of  16,- 
OOO  men,  the  greater  portion  of  whom  were  in 
the  South,  and  if  not  Rebels,  situated  so  as  to 
be  of  little  service  to  the  Nation.  The  finances 
were  in  a  bad  condition  and  the  treasury  was 
practically  empty. 

Fort  Sumpter  being  bombarded,  he  realized 
heroic  measures  were  necessary.  He  issued  a 
proclamation  calling  for  75,000,  troops  and  the 
blockade  of  all  points  in  the  seceded  States. 
He  then  called  Congress  together  to  meet  on 
July  4th,  and  by  that  time  many  of  the  Southern 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


States  had  allied  their  fortunes  with  what  was 
then  known  as  the  Southern  Confederacy.  By 
this  time  the  requisition  for  troops  had  been  filled 
and  the  formation  of  regiments,  drilling  and 
army  organization  were  being  proceeded  with, 
as  rapidly  as  circumstances  would  permit.  The 
Union  troops  moved  Southward  to  the  scenes 
of  disturbance,  and  soon  were  engaged  in  the 
opening  battles  of  the  Rebellion.  The  first  im 
portant  engagement  was  that  of  Bull  Run, 
fought  July  21,  1861,  resulting  in  the  defeat  of 
National  troops  under  Gen.  McDowell  by  a 
somewhat  larger  force  under  Generals  Johnston 
and  Beauregard.  This  victory  was  one  of  great 
importance  to  the  Confederates  and  gave  them 
an  increase  of  prestige  on  both  sides  of  the 
Atlantic. 

The  National  Army  was  placed  in  charge  of 
Gen.  Geo.  B.  McClellan,  a  young  officer  who 
had  distingutshed  himself  by  a  successful  cam 
paign  in  West  Virginia.  The  expectations  of 
President  Lincoln  in  the  appointment  of  Gen. 
McClellan  were  not  verified  by  results.  He 
was  in  command  of  a  force  much  superior  to 
that  opposing  him,  yet  he  allowed  month  after 
month  to  pass,  without  making  those  advances 
upon  Richmond,  which  it  became  apparent  were 
capable  of  performance.  In  the  month  of 
July,  1862,  President  Lincoln  became  restive 
and  irritated  at  McClellan's  persistent  delays, 
therefore  visited  the  army  at  Harrison's  Land 
ing,  and  after  careful  consultations  with  the 
Corps'  Commanders,  became  convinced  there 
was  no  reasonable  expectation  of  a  successful 
movement  upon  Richmond,  by  his  then  com 
manding  officer.  March  6,  1862,  he  sent  a 
special  message  to  Congress,  enclosing  a  res 
olution  the  passage  of  which  he  recommended, 
offering  pecuniary  aid  from  the  General  Govern 
ment  to  States  that  should  adopt  the  gradual 
abolishment  of  slavery.  Congress  confirmed 
this  resolution,  but  in  none  of  the  slave  States 
was  public  sentiment  sufficiently  advanced,  to 
permit  them  to  avail  themselves  of  it.  The 
following  month  Congress  by  enactment  eman 
cipated  the  slaves  in  the  District  of  Columbia 
with  compensation  to  the  owners;  therefore 
Lincoln  had  the  extreme  satisfaction  of  assent 


ing  to  a  measure  that  he  had  many  years  before, 
while  a  Representative  from  Illinois,  fruitlessly 
urged  upon  -the  notice  of  Congress.  In  May, 
1862,  he  promptly  abrogated  the  proclamation 
of  Gen.  Hunter  declaring  all  slaves  in  Georgia 
Florida  and  South  Carolina,  forever  free.  In 
a  letter  to  Horace  Greely  on  August  22,  1862, 
Lincoln  said:  "  My  paramount  object  is  to  save 
the  Union,  and  not  either  to  save  or  destroy 
slavery.  If  I  could  save  the  Union  without 
freeing  any  slaves  I  would  do  it;  if  I  could 
save  it  by  freeing  all  the  slaves  I  would  do  it; 
and  if  I  could  do  it  by  freeing  some  and  leaving 
others  alone  I  would  also  do  that."  On  Sep 
tember  22d,  he  issued  his  preliminary  proclama 
tion  wherein  he  notified  the  rebellious  States, 
that  on  January  ist,  1863,  all  persons  held  as 
slaves  within  any  State  or  part  of  a  State  the 
people  whereof  should  be  in  rebellion,  should  be 
then, thence  forward,  and  forever,  free."  January 
ist,  thelongexpectedand  humane  emancipating 
proclamation  was  issued,  wherein  among  other 
things  he  said:  "I  do  order  and  declare  that  all 
persons  held  as  slaves  within  said  designated 
States  and  parts  of  States  are,  and  hence  for 
ward  shall  be  free,  and  that  the  Executive  Gov 
ernment  of  the  United  States,  including  the  mil 
itary  and  naval  authorities  thereof,  will  recog 
nize  and  maintain  the  freedom  of  said  persons." 
At  his  urgent  request  Congress,  January,  1865, 
gave  effect  to  the  Thirteenth  Amendment  to 
the  Constitution,  which  practically  did  away 
with  slavery  or  involuntary  servitude.  In  1863, 
Lincoln  asked  and  obtained  authority  from 
Congress  to  recruit  the  vast  army  of  1,000,000 
men  by  a  draft  upon  the  arms-bearing  popula 
tion  of  the  loyal  States.  This  measure  provoked 
considerable  discussion  throughout  the  Repub 
lic,  and  New  York  City  was  kept  in  disorder  and 
terror  for  three  days  on  account  of  it.  At  the 
Presidental  election  of  1864,  he  was  elected  by 
a  large  majority  over  his  opponent,  Gen.  Mc 
Clellan,  and  his  second  inaugural  address  de 
livered  March  4,  1865,  will  forever  remain, 
not  only  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of  all  his 
public  utterances,  but  will  also  hold  a  high  rank 
among  the  greatest  State  papers  that  history 
has  preserved.  Among  other  things  he  said, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


5 


"  Both  read  the  same  Bible,  and  pray  to  the 
"  same  God,  and  each  invokes  his  aid  against  the 
"  other.  It  may  seem  strange  that  any  men 
"  should  dare  to  ask  a  just  God's  assistance  in 
"wringing  their  bread  from  the  sweat  of  other 
"  men's  faces.  But  let  us  judge  not  that  we  be  not 
"judged.  The  prayers  of  both  could  not  be 
"answered;  that  of  neither  has  been  fully  an- 
"swered.  The  Almighty  has  his  own  purposes. 
"Woe  unto  the  world  because  of  offenses,  for  it 
"must  needs  be  that  offenses  come;  but  woe  to 
"  that  man  by  whom  the  offense  cometh.'  If  we 
"shall  suppose  that  American  Slavery  is  one  of 
"  those  offenses,  which  in  the  Providence  of  God, 
"must  needs  come,  but  which,  having  continued 
"throughout  his  appointed  time,  he  now  wills 
"to  remove,  and  that  he  gives  to  both  North 
"and  South  this  terrible  war,  as  the  woe  due  to 
"those,  by  whom  the  offense  came,  shall  we 
"discern  therein  any  departure  from  those 
"Divine  authorities  which  the  believers  in  a  liv- 
"ing  God  always  ascribe  to  him?  Fondly  do 
"we  hope,  fervently  do  we  pray,  that  this 
"mighty  scourge  of  war  may  speedily  pass 
"away.  Yet,  if  God  wills  that  it  continue,  un- 
"til  all  the  wealth  piled  by  the  bondsman's 
"250  years  of  unrequitted  toil,  shall  be  sunk, 
"and  until  every  drop  of  blood  drawn  by  the 
"lash  shall  be  paid  by  another  drawn  with  the 
"sword,  as  was  said  3,000  years  ago,  so  still  it 
"must  be  said,  'The  judgments  of  the  Lord 
"are  true  and  righteous  altogether.'  With 
"malice  toward  none,  with  charity  for  all,  with 
"firmness  in  the  right,  as  God  gives  us  to  see 
"  the  right,  let  us  strive  on  to  finish  the  work 
"we  are  in,  to  bind  up  the  Nation's  wounds,  to 
"care  for  him  who  shall  have  borne  the  battle, 
"and  for  his  widow  and  his  orphans — to  do  all 
"which  may  achieve  and  cherish  a  just  and  a 
"  lasting  peace  among  ourselves,  and  with  all 
"Nations." 

President  Lincoln  had  himself  accompanied 
the  army  in  its  last  triumphant  campaign  and 
entered  Richmond  immediately  after  its  sur 
render;  received  the  benediction  not  only  of  the 
colored  people  whom  he  had  set  free,  but  of  a 
great  number  of  the  white  population,  who  had 
grown  weary  of  war  and  now  began  to  rejoice 


in  the  advent  of  peace.  After  a  cabinet  meet 
ing  which  lasted  throughout  the  I4th  day  of 
April  1865,  he  attended  a  performance  of  "Our 
American  Cousin"  at  Ford's  Theatre  accom 
panied  by  his  wife,  Miss  Harris  and  Maj.  Rath- 
borne.  Just  after  the  performance  had  com 
menced  a  shot  was  heard  and  a  man  was  seen 
to  leap  from  the  President's  box  to  the  stage, 
flourishing  a  bloody  knife  with  which,  after 
shooting  the  President  he  had  stabbed  Major 
Rathborneand  shouting  "Sic  SemperTyrannis; 
the  South  is  avenged  !"  he  rushed  from  the 
building,  mounted  a  horse  and  made  his  escape. 
The  now  dying  President  was  conveyed  to  a 
house  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  where 
the  following  morning,  surrounded  by  his 
family,  and  the  principal  officers  of  his  Govern 
ment,  he  breathed  his  last.  His  assassin,  J. 
Wilkes  Booth,  was  afterwards  discovered  in  a 
barn  where  he  had  taken  refuge,  and  shot  before 
he  could  be  captured. 

Lincoln's  body  lay  in  state  at  the  Capitol 
on  April  20th  and  was  viewed  by  a  large  con 
course  of  people.  The  following  day  the 
funeral  train  started  for  Springfield,  111.,  passing 
through  Baltimore,  Buffalo,  Cleveland  and 
Chicago,  at  each  of  which  places  the  body  lay 
in  state  and  everywhere  was  received  with  ex 
traordinary  demonstrations  of  respect  and 
sorrow.  His  body  was  interred  at  Oak  Ridge 
near  Springfield,  May  4th,  and  there  on  Octo 
ber  15,  1874,  an  imposing  monument  was 
erected  to  his  memory.  Of  his  family  only 
one  of  his  sons,  Robert,  survived  him.  The 
widow  of  the  President  resided  in  Springfield 
and  in  Chicago  after  leaving  the  Capital,  and 
died  at  the  former  place  July  i6th,  1882. 


LIEUT.-GENERAL  ULYSSES  S.  GRANT. 

WAS   born   at    Point    Pleasant,  a  small 
village  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Ohio 
river,  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  April 
27,  1822.     Educated  at  West  Point,  where  he 
graduated  twenty-first  in  the  class  of  1843.    En 
tered  military  services  as  brevet  Second  Lieu 
tenant  in  the  Fourth  Regiment  United  States  In- 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


fantry,  and  joined  his  regiment  at  Jefferson  Bar 
racks,  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Was  promoted  Second 
Lieutenant  in  1844;  to  First  Lieutenant  in  1847; 
to  Captain  in  1853;  Colonel  of  the  Twenty-first 
Illinois  Volunteers,  June  1861;  Brigadier-Gen 
eral  of  Volunteers,  August  9,  1861;  to  Major- 
General  February  16,1862;  and  to  Lieutenant- 
General,  March  2,  1864.  Grant  while  at  West 
Point  behaved  handsomely,  studied  incessantly, 
and  won  the  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  asso 
ciated.  On  entering  military  services  as  a  cadet 
there  happened  to  be  no  vacancy  in  his  regiment, 
and  the  young  Lieutenant  and  future  Lieuten- 
ant-General  was  ordered  to  duty  as  a  private 
soldier.  Without  hesitation  he  cheerfully  per 
formed  all  the  duties  assigned  to  him  in  that 
capacity,  going  on  fatigue,  standing  sentinel, 
etc. 

In  1844,  the  Fourth  Infantry  was  sent  from 
St.  Louis  to  the  Red  River,  in  the  frontier  ser 
vice  against  the  Indians,  and  in  1845  ^  followed 
Gen.  Zachary  Taylor  to  Texas.  When  the 
veteran  Taylor  met  the  Mexicans  in  battle  at 
Palo-Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Lieut.  Grant 
was  an  active  participant.  At  the  fierce  assault 
on,  and  capture  of  Monterey,  he  distinguished 
himself  as  a  soldier.  He  afterwards  joined 
Gen.  Scott,  and  took  part  in  the  bombardment 
and  capture  of  Vera  Cruz,  accompanying  the 
army  of  invasion,  then  advancing  upon  the  City 
of  Mexico.  At  thebattlesof  Molino  del  Rey  and 
Chapultepec  where  the  Mexicans  were  driven, 
by  a  storming  party,  from  strong  forts  and  con 
vents  of  great  antiquity,  Lieut.  Grant  displayed 
talents  of  very  high  promise.  For  gallantry  on 
this  occasion,  he  won  promotion  on  the  spot, 
in  addition  to  the  unqualified  approbation  and 
highest  commendations  of  superior  officers. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  in  Mexico,  Capt.  Grant 
was  assigned  to  garrison  duty.  He  was  first 
stationed  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  afterwards  at  New 
York.  In  1851  his  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Fort  Dallas,  in  Oregon  Territory,  to  counteract 
hostile  demonstrations  of  the  predatory  tribes  of 
Indians.  The  beginning  of  the  Rebellion  in 
the  spring  of  1861  found  him  engaged  in  the 
leather  business  at  Galena,  111.  Without  wait 
ing  for  a  formal  declaration  of  war,  he  at  once 


dissolved  his  business  connections,  raised  the 
National  standard  in  his  own  town,  enlisted  a 
company  of  volunteers,  and  started  for  the 
capital  of  the  State.  The  Governor  of  Illinois 
was  not  favorably  impressed  with  Capt.  Grant's 
personal  appearance,  and  declined  promoting 
the  Captain,  as  proposed.  Soon,  however,  find 
ing  Capt.  Grant  a  business  man,  the  Governor 
consented  to  place  him  on  his  personal  staff,  to 
discharge  the  duties  of  Adjutant-General  of  the 
State.  The  business  of  raising  troops  went  on 
lively  under  Capt.  Grant's  supervision,  until 
twenty  regiments  were  organized.  When  the 
Twenty-first  was  full,  it  was  reported  to  the 
Governor  as  being  unmanageable  and  insubordi 
nate.  It  was  rendezvoused  at  Mattoon,  and  no 
man  could  be  found  who  could  control  it.  The 
Governor  called  Capt.  Grant,  and  asked  if  he 
thought  he  could  manage  the  turbulent  Suck 
ers.  Grant  answered  in  the  affirmative,  with 
his  usual  modesty,  and  was  at  once  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  Twenty-first  Regiment 
of  Illinois  Volunteers.  Col.  Grant  repaired  to 
the  place  of  rendezvous,  and  formally  assumed 
command  without  any  demonstration  of  au 
thority.  By  judicious  management  and  effi 
cient  drilling,  the  Twenty-first  was,  in  a  short 
time,  one  of  the  best  disciplined  regiments  in 
the  State.  Col.  Grant  was  soon  commissioned 
Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers,  and  ordered 
to  Southern  Missouri  for  the  purpose  of  ex 
pelling  the  Rebel  General,  Jeff  Thompson,  from 
that  country.  After  a  brief  campaign  in  this 
service,  Gen.  Grant  was  transferred  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  District  of  Cairo,  111. 

The  Rebels  took  possession  of  Columbus, 
on  the  East  side,  and  of  Belmont,  Mo.,  on  the 
west  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  nearly 
opposite  to  the  former  place,  and  they  could 
thus  effectually  command  the  Mississippi  River 
and  hold  absolute  control  over  its  navigation. 
To  prevent  this,  Gen.  Grant  took  two  brigades 
and  attacked  the  enemy  at  Belmont,  November 
7,  1861.  A  severe  battle  ensued,  in  which  the 
Union  forces  drove  the  enemy.  It  was  neces 
sary  to  induce  the  Rebels  to  hold  their  forces 
at  Columbus  while  an  expedition  attempted  the 
capture  of  the  other  two  forts,  Fort  Henry  on 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


the  Tennessee  and  Fort  Donelson  on  the  Cum 
berland.  A  strong  reconnoissance  was  sent 
down  the  Mississippi  with  orders  to  make  a 
spirited  attack  by  land  and  water  on  Columbus. 
While  this  ruse  was  progressing,  the  main  body 
of  Gen.  Grant's  troops,  consisting  of  ten  regi 
ments  of  infantry  and  seven  gunboats,  quietly 
sailed  up  the  river.  The  enemy  were  thus 
completely  deceived,  holding  their  forces  for 
the  defense  of  Columbus,  until  the  Union  troops 
were  at  the  gates  of  Fort  Henry,  a  hundred 
miles  away.  February  6th,  the  fort  fell  into 
our  hands.  Fort  Donelson  was  only  twelve 
miles  distant.  There  Buckner,  Floyd  and  Pillow 
now  united  in  making  it  impregnable.  To 
capture  it,  Gen.  Grant  marched  twenty  thou 
sand  men  from  Fort  Henry,  February  I2th,  and 
•encamped  at  night  in  a  military  crescent  around 
its  frowning  battlements.  Two  days  after,  the 
gunboats  arrived,  bringing  reinforcements.  The 
attack  was  begun  on  the  I4th;  on  the  I5th,  the 
enemy  attempted  by  almost  superhuman  ef 
forts  to  break  the  Union  lines.  After  a  fearful 
conflict,  the  Union  arms  triumphed  and  the 
National  victory  was  complete,  Gen.  Grant 
had  now  won  two  brilliant  victories  in  rapid 
succession,  which  were  of  incalculable  value  to 
the  National  cause,  Gen.  Grant's  army  had 
moved  from  the  scene  of  his  last  great  victory, 
and  lay  at  Pittsburg  Landing.  His  forces  con 
sisted  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  with  Lew 
Wallace's  division  at  Crump's  Landing,  six 
miles  distant.  The  enemy  had  collected  under 
Albert  Sidney  Johnston,  one  of  their  most  dis 
tinguished  and  able  commanders.  On  this  oc 
casion  the  Rebels  marched  from  Corinth  and 
made  a  sudden  and  unexpected  attack  on  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  under  Gen.  Grant  at 
Shiloh  Church,  on  the  morning  of  April  6, 
1862.  The  battle  raged  with  intense  fury 
throughout  the  day;  the  tide  being  most  of  the 
time  in  favor  of  the  enemy.  The  fighting  was 
obstinate  on  both  sides.  The  tide  of  blood 
swayed  from  side  to  side,  until  at  times  all  were 
alike  enveloped  in  carnage,  indiscriminate  and 
general.  The  united  Union  armies  took  the  of 
fensive  early  the  next  day  and  steadily  drove 
the  Rebels.  Their  retreat  soon  became  precip 


itated,  and  the  whole  Rebel  army  fled  to  Cor 
inth.  The  Union  army  pursued  the  retreating 
foe  and  invested  the  remaining  Rebel  army  at 
Corinth,  Miss.  At  this  time  Gen.  Halleck  ar 
rived  and  took  command  of  all  the  National 
forces  by  virtue  of  seniority  in  commission. 
The  siege  was  pressed  until  the  Rebels  evacu 
ated  on  the  28th  of  May.  Gen.  Johnston,  the 
Rebel  commander,  had  been  killed;  Generals 
Breckenridge,  Bowen,  Cheatham  and  Hardee, 
wounded  at  Pittsburg  Landing.  In  the  mean 
time  Gen.  Halleck  was  called  to  Washington 
City  to  act  as  Commander-in-Chief  and  Gen. 
Grant  again  assumed  command  of  the  army  of 
the  Southwest.  Gen.  Grant  then  inaugurated  a 
movement  against  Vicksburg,  in  the  very  heart 
of  the  enemy's  country.  It  was  evident  that  a 
struggle  must  be  made  of  no  ordinary  sort  to 
hold  or  capture  a  position  of  such  vital  impor 
tance.  Grant's  first  plan  was  for  Gen.  Sherman, 
in  command  of  a  strong  force  acting  in  con 
junction  with  the  gun-boats, to  descend  the  Mis 
sissippi  River  from  Memphis,  while  Grant  him 
self,  with  the  main  body  of  his  army,  should 
march  by  land  and  water,  both  in  front  and  rear. 
After  Gen.  Sherman  had  started,  and  just  on 
the  eve  of  Gen.  Grant's  co-operative  march,  an 
unfaithful  subordinate  officer  needlessly  sur 
rendered  a  large  stock  of  commissary  stores 
collected  at  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  on  which 
Grant's  army  depended  for  supplies.  This  un- 
forseen  disaster  defeated  his  plans,  and  com 
pelled  him  to  resort  to  new  strategy.  He  next 
concentrated  his  forces  at  Milliken's  Bend, 
about  six  miles  above  Vicksburg.  After  a 
fruitless  attempt  to  dig  a  canal,  it  occurred  to 
the  fruitful  mind  of  Gen.  Grant  to  march  around 
Vicksburg,  on  the  west,  cross  the  river  below, 
and  attack  Vicksburg  in  the  rear.  This  move 
ment  began  on  the  2Qth  of  March,  1863.  Gen. 
Grant's  army  met  the  fleet  at  Grand  Gulf,  sev 
enty  miles  below  Vicksburg.  Ascending  the 
Yazoo,  Sherman  made  a  vigorous  attack  at  long 
range  on  the  works  at  Haine's  Bluff,  and  suc 
ceeded  in  convincing  the  enemy  that  the  long- 
expected  attack  was  now  coming  from  that  di 
rection.  After  concentrating  the  army,  Gen. 
Grant  marched  through  the  country  to  the  rear 


8 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


of  Vicksburg,  fighting  the  battles  of  Champion 
Hills,  Raymond,  Jackson,  and  Black-River 
Ridge.  On  the  iQth,  and  22d,  the  enemy's 
works  were  fruitlessly  assailed  with  a  heavy 
Union  loss.  The  siege  was  prosecuted  with 
great  vigor  until  the  4th  of  July,  when  the  en 
tire  position,  embracing  the  city  of  Vicksburg, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Union  army.  Pre 
liminary  to  the  surrender  the  commanding  gen 
erals  met,  when  the  following  conversation  en 
sued:  Gen.  Pemberton  to  Gen.  Grant:  "I 
have  met  you,  sir,  to  negotiate  arrangements 
for  the  capitulation  of  the  city  of  Vicksburg 
and  its  garrison.  What  terms  do  you  demand?" 
"Unconditional  surrender,"  says  Grant.  Gen. 
Pemberton:  "Never,  while  I  have  a  man  left. 
I  had  rather  fight."  "Then,"  says  Gen.  Grant, 
"you  can  continue  the  defense,  as  my  army  has 
never  been  in  better  condition  to  continue  the 
siege." 

The  unconditional  surrender  was,  however, 
finally  accepted,  and  the  National  army  marched 
in,  amidst  loud  cheering  along  the  lines  of  the 
victors. 

Gen.  Grant  had  now  closed  another  cam 
paign,  lasting  sixty-four  days,  during  which  he 
had  killed  6,500,  and  captured  37,000  Rebels,  in 
cluding  among  the  number  one  Lieutenant- 
general  and  eighteen  other  generals  of  the 
Confederate  armies ;  had  captured  one  entire 
army  under  Gen.  Pemberton;  defeated  and  dis 
persed  another  under  Johnston,  and  opened  the 
navigation  of  the  Mississippi  river  from  Cairo 
to  New  Orleans. 

He  now,  and  for  the  first  time,  asked  and 
obtained  leave  of  absence,  and  made  a  short 
visit  to  his  home.  Returning  to  duty,  he  first 
visited  New  Orleans  where  he  was  thrown  from 
a  horse  while  reviewing  the  troops,  and  severely 
hurt.  From  this  injury  he  was  disabled  un 
til  the  ensumg  fall,  when  he  was  ordered  to 
take  command  of  all  the  troops  then  in  the  val 
ley  of  the  Mississippi. 

Gen.  Grant  took  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  with  headquarters  at  Chattanooga, 
in  the  fall  of  1863. 

The  plan  of  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  was 
absolutely  irresistible,  with  Hooker  on  the  right, 


Thomas  in  the  center,  and  Sherman  on  the  left. 

Having  matured  all  his  arrangements,  Gen. 
Grant,  on  the  24th  of  November,  1863,  ordered 
the  assault  on  the  enemy's  work  to  begin.  For 
the  purpose  of  weakening  the  enemy  in  the 
center,  Sherman  was  ordered  to  make  a  per- 
sistant  and  fierce  attack  on  the  left,  at  the  north 
end  of  Mission  Ridge.  Hooker  was  to  assault 
the  works  on  Lookout  Mountain,  and  at  day 
light  the  bloody  work  began. 

The  sun  rose  that  morning  through  over 
hanging  clouds  of  smoke.  All  day  the  Rebel 
cannon  rained  a  pitiless  storm  of  shot  and  shell 
on  the  Union  army  from  Lookout  Mountain  and 
Mission  Ridge.  Late  in  the  afternoon  Hooker's 
brave  boys  scaled  the  heights  on  the  right,  and 
on  the  morning  of  the  25th,  the  first  rays  of  sun 
light  revealed  to  the  troops  in  Chattanooga  the 
glorious  stars  and  stripes  planted  on  the  rugged 
steeps  of  Lookout  Mountain. 

Before  the  smoke  had  cleared  away  from 
Lookout  Mountain,  Sherman's  artillery  was 
heard  roaring  like  contending  thunder  on  the 
north  end  of  Mission  Ridge.  Stern  necessity 
had  compelled  the  enemy  to  concentrate  against 
Sherman's  terrible  assaults  on  his  right.  This 
was  the  thing  in  Gen.  Grant's  plan  on  which  he 
depended  for  final  success.  The  long  expected 
signal  was  heard  from  the  center  column,  under 
Gen.  Thomas,  to  move  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon. 

Every  man  was  eager  to  share  in  the  im 
pending  strife,  and  on  moved  long  lines  of 
blue.  Not  a  gun  was  fired  from  our  lines  as 
the  infantry  deliberately  walked  across  an  in 
tervening  exposed  plain  under  the  enemy's  fire. 
The  Rebel  rifle-pits  were  reached,  charged  and 
captured.  These  were  at  the  foot  of  the  ridge. 
A  short  distance  up  the  hill  stood  the  enemy's 
second  line  of  works.  These,  in  turn,  were  soon 
assailed,  when  a  short  struggle  ensued,  and  the 
rebels  left  in  defense  were  led  prisoners  down 
the  hill  and  across  the  plain  where  the  enemy's 
shells  fell  thickest. 

The  brow  of  Mission  Ridge  was  already 
reached,  the  Rebel  works  all  secured,  and  the 
Union  forces  sheltered  by  the  rugged  heights 
above. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


Forts  Bragg,  Buckner  and  Breckinridge  all 
fell  in  rapid  succession.  The  rout  of  the  army 
was  complete.  Five  thousand  prisoners  and 
fifty-two  pieces  of  artillery  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  Union  army. 

Two  months  previous  we  had  suffered  a  ter 
rible  disaster  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  Chick- 
amauga  was  now  amply  avenged.  December 
1 7th,  Congress  passed  a  resolution  of  thanks, 
and  ordered  a  splendid  gold  medal  to  be  pre 
sented  to  Gen.  Grant  as  a  token  of  the  Nation's 
gratitude  for  his  long  sevice  and  brilliant  vic 
tories. 

March  2,  1864,  Gen.  Grant  was  made  Lieut 
enant-General  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
United  States  troops.  On  assuming  the  re 
sponsibilities  of  supreme  command,  Gen.  Grant 
at  once  addressed  himself  to  the  practical  du 
ties  of  the  position.  His  earliest  conceptions 
were  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  of  Rich 
mond,  Va.  To  capture  Atlanta  he  ordered 
Gen.  Sherman  to  advance  from  Chattanooga  in 
command  of  nearly  a  hundred  thousand  men, 
amply  furnished  for  an  offensive  campaign.  At 
the  same  time  he  took  command  of  the  armies 
of  the  East  in  person  and  led  them  against 
Richmond.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  May, 
1864,  three  army  corps  of  the  great  Army  of  the 
Potomac  broke  camp,  and  started  on  what 
proved  to  be  one  of  the  most  protracted,  ex 
citing  and  successful  campaigns  known  in  the 
history  of  war.  Crossing  the  Rapidan  the  force 
moved  south  with  the  view  of  striking  Rich 
mond  on  the  north,  while  Gen.  Burnside,  with 
forty  thousand  men,  was  to  hover  on  the  left 
and  threaten  it  on  the  east.  Gen.  Butler,  in 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  was  or 
dered  to  demonstrate  on  the  south,  and  the 
Rebel  capital  was  to  be  invested  on  three  sides. 
A  few  hours'  march  from  the  Union  camps 
and  the  enemy's  lines  were  struck,  in  a  dense 
wilderness  of  small  trees,  bushes  and  under 
growth  of  various  kinds.  A  severe  battle  was 
at  once  begun,  in  which  the  enemy  had  many 
advantages. 

After  driving  in  the  enemy's  pickets,  and 
while  pressing  their  way  through  the  difficult 
fastness,  the  Union  troops  were  suddenly  at 


tacked  by  Longstreet's  corps  of  Rebels,  with  all 
the  ferocity  of  demons  mad,  and  the  action 
became  general,  bloody  and  doubtful  in  its 
issue. 

Next  morning  the  battle  was  renewed  with 
great  obstinacy,  and  again  continued  all  day 
with  great  loss  on  both  sides.  During  the  sec 
ond  day's  fight  Gen.  Grant  changed  his  posi 
tion,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  third  day,  ad 
vancing,  he  found  the  enemy  had  fallen  back 
and  left  him  in  undisputed  possession  of  the 
field.  Re-enforced  by  Burnside's  corps,  the 
Union  army  pursued  and  overtook  the  enemy 
at  Spottsylvania  Court-house,  where  another 
severe  engagement  was  fought. 

Having  now  formed  a  junction  with  Gen. 
Butler's  army,  a  succession  of  unsuccessful  at 
tacks  were  next  made  on  the  fortifications  in 
front  of  Petersburg.  A  severe  action  was 
fought  at  Hatcher's  Run,  October  29.  By 
spring  Richmond  and  Petersburg  were  closely 
invested. 

March  29,  1865,  Gen.  Grant  put  the  army  of 
the  Potomac  in  motion  for  the  last  campaign  of 
the  war.  Gen.  Sheridan,  in  command  of  the 
cavalry  and  one  corps  of  infantry,  was  ordered 
to  travel  west  from  Petersburg  and  threaten 
Burkville.  These  movements  led  to  a  series  of 
great  battles  between  the  contending  armies, 
in  which  Gen.  Lee  was  finally  defeated  and 
Richmond  captured. 

As  soon  as  Gen.  Sheridan  had  destroyed 
the  Rebel  communications,  he  attacked  the 
right  wing  of  the  army.  The  Army  of  the  James 
moved  simultaneously  on  the  Rebel  left,  while 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  proper  attacked  the 
works  in  front  of  Petersburg.  Two  entire  days 
the  fighting  was  incessant.  Never  did  troops 
meet  with  a  more  determined  will.  The  Army 
of  the  Potomac  had  really  fought  throughout 
its  entire  history  for  the  capture  of  Richmond. 
Truly,  the  struggle  was  more  deadly  than  when 
Greek 'met  Greek.  It  was  American  meeting 
his  brother  in  conflict;  involving  the  life  of 
a  nation.  Sheridan's  impetuous  charges  suc 
ceeded  in  breaking  the  enemy's  right  on  the 
second  day,  and,  sweeping  through  the  breech, 
he  captured  and  brought  off  upward  of  four 


10 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


thousand  prisoners.  About  the  same  time,  the 
Rebels  works  in  front  of  Petersburg  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  assaulting  Union  columns. 
The  cry  of  victory  was  heralded  from  all  parts 
of  the  Union  army.  By  the  1st  of  April,  the 
enemy  evacuated  Petersburg,  with  all  its  vast 
defensive  works,  and  fled  in  the  direction  of 
Richmond.  Richmond  was  at  last  uncovered, 
and  in  the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  April  1 2th,  while 
enjoying  the  pious  ordinances  of  a  Rebel  church, 
the  President  of  the  Confederacy  was  handed 
the  unwelcome  dispatch  from  Gen.  Lee,  that 
the  Capital  was  lost,  and  must  be  speedily 
evacuated.  The  defeated  Rebel  army  took  up 
its  melancholy  retreat,  which  was  soon  to  end 
in  its  final  ruin.  The  pursuit  was  vigorously 
pressed.  Sheridan  pushed  directly  west  with 
a  heavy  force,  and  seized  the  railroad  junction 
at  Burksville  before  the  retreating  army  could 
reach  it.  This  position  commanded  the  route 
to  Lynchburg,  and  completely  cut  off  the  last 
chance  for  Lee's  army  to  escape.  By  the  time 
the  Rebel  commander  reached  this  point,  he 
found  his  already  demoralized  army  attacked 
in  front,  in  flank,  and  in  rear.  The  fighting 
had  not  ceased  since  the  2Qth  of  March.  Hu 
man  energy  could  do  no  more,  and  on  the  gth 
of  April,  1865,  Gen.  Lee  surrendered  his  entire 
army.  In  affixing  his  signature  to  this  surren 
der,  the  Rebel  commander  signed  the  death 
warrant  of  the  Confederacy. 

Only  one  more  army  remained  in  the  field. 
This  was  commanded  by  Joe  Johnston  in  North 
Carolina,  and  was  immediately  in  front  of  Gen. 
Sherman.  Completely  surrounded,  Gen.  John 
ston  called  a  council  of  war,  and  surrendered 
his  whole  army  to  Gen.  Sherman  on  the  26th  of 
April,  1865.  After  witnessing  and  approving 
this  surrender  of  Johnston's  army,  Gen.  Grant 
returned  to  Washington.  On  the  23d  and  24th 
of  May,  the  vast  armies  of  the  Potomac,  of  the 
Shenandoah,  of  the  James,  of  the  Tennessee,  and 
of  Georgia,  were  reviewed  by  the  President, 
Lieut. -Gen.  Grant,  and  heads  of  department  at 
Washington  City. 

The  nation  on  that  day  tendered  to  Gen. 
Grant  and  his  noble  and  gallant  armies  a 
demonstration  of  its  homage  of  which  a  con 


quering  Caesar  might  be  prcud.  Gen.  Grant 
had  now  over  a  million  soldiers  under  his  com 
mand. 

We  have  now  rapidly  traced  Gen.  Grant 
through  one  of.  the  most  eventful  military  his 
tories  recorded  in  the  annals  of  the  world. 
Starting  out  as  a  citizen  from  an  humble  posi 
tion  in  life,  his  success  as  a  war-chief  absolutely 
borders  on  the  romantic. 

Grant  remained  at  the  head  of  the  army 
during  the  Presidency  of  Johnson,  and  the  Re 
publican  party  in  casting  a  vote  for  a  candi 
date  became  favorably  disposed  toward  Lieut. - 
Gen.  Grant  as  their  next  President.  In  May, 
1868,  the  Republican  National  Convention  met 
and  Grant  received  the  nomination  as  Presi 
dent,  and  at  the  election  in  the  following  No 
vember  he  received  a  popular  vote  of  over 
three  million.  In  the  electoral  college  the  vote 
stood  214  to  80. 

Upon  his  inauguration  he  devoted  himself 
largely  to  reducing  the  public  debt  created  by 
the  war  and  succeeded  in  his  eight  years'  term 
of  office  of  cutting  it  down  from  $2,588,452,213 
to  $2,180,395,067. 

In  the  treatment  of  the  Indians,  President 
Grant's  administration  showed  a  marked  depart 
ure  from  the  methods  which  had  long  prevailed. 
The  most  important  event  in  the  foreign  rela 
tions  of  the  government  was  the  negotiation,  in 
1870,  by  which  the  claims  of  the  United  States 
against  Great  Britain  for  breach  of  neutrality 
during  the  Civil  War  were  to  be  submitted  to 
an  international  Board  of  Arbitration.  It  com 
prised  representatives  from  England,  United 
States,  Italy,  Switzerland,  and  Brazil,  and  met  at 
Geneva  in  December  1871,  and  in  the  following 
year  awarded  the  United  States  damages  to  the 
extent  of  $15,500,000.  Gen.  Grant  was  elected 
for  a  second  term  over  his  opponent,  Horace 
Greeley,  by  an  even  larger  majority  than  he  had 
received,  as  a  result  of  the  first  election. 

President  Grant  was  an  active  promoter  of 
the  great  Centennial  Exhibition  held  at  Phila 
delphia,  in  1876,  which  was  designed  to  show 
what  this  nation  had  achieved  in  the  hundred 
years  of  its  existence. 

Grant's  administration  was  one  of  the  most 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


ii 


important  in  the  country.  The  wounds  of  the 
Civil  War  had  not  yet  been  healed.  The  finance 
of  the  country  had  been  in  an  unhealthy  con 
dition.  Political  power  was  gravitating  into 
the  hands  of  men  who  had  forfeited  it  for  years 
by  acts  of  madness  without  losing  their  hold 
on  their  followers.  To  guide  the  ship  of  State 
amid  such  tempestuous  political  seas  required  a 
shrewd  President,  endowed  with  a  master  mind. 
After  sixteen  years  of  unremitting  toil  in  the 
military  and  civil  service  of  his  country  he 
concluded  to  go  abroad,  accompanied  by  his 
family  and  friends,  and  visit  the  stirring  cen 
ters  of  other  countries.  On  this  tour  he  started 
from  Philadelphia  May  17,  1887,  visited  Eng 
land  where  he  received  the  honors  of  a 
sovereign,  thus  establishing  a  precedent  which 
the  rulers  of  other  countries  gladly  followed. 
After  a  visit  through  England  and  Scotland  he 
traveled  over  the  continent  of  Europe  then 
into  Egypt,  and  on  to  the  Holy  Land.  Subse 
quently  he  went  to  India,  China,  Japan,  then 
crossing  the  Pacific  Ocean  reached  San  Fran 
cisco  September  20,  1879,  where  he  received 
an  ovation  which  was  repeated  in  several  of  the 
large  centers  as  he  passed  through  them. 

At  the  convention  of  1880  many  of  his  warm 
friends  pressed  his  nomination  for  a  third  term 
as  President.  In  this,  however,  they  were  un 
successful.  After  abandoning  political  life  the 
General  removed  to  New  York,  where  his 
friends  raised  for  him  $250,000.  He  then  be 
came  a  member  of  the  famous  firm  of  Grant 
and  Ward,  which  was  entirely  managed  by  the 
Ward  partner  who  embarked  in  reckless  specu 
lation,  employing  at  the  same  time  villainous 
means  of  deceiving  his  partners,  and  before 
Gen.  Grant  was  aware  of  disaster  his  gift  from 
kind  friends  was,  on  the  failure  of  Grant  &  Ward, 
swept  from  his  grasp.  In  June  1884,  a  cancer 
ous  growth  appeared  in  the  roof  of  his  mouth, 
which  received  no  attention  until  the  following 
October.  Medical  examination  soon  demon 
strated  that  the  disease  was  malignant  and 
must  terminate  fatally.  During  the  XLVIII. 
Congress  an  effort  was  made  which  proved  suc 
cessful  in  restoring  him  to  the  United  States 
army  with  the  rank  of  general,  on  the  retired 


list.  In  the  spring  of  1885  ne  was  removed  to 
the  cottage  of  J.  W.  Drexel,  at  Mount  McGregor, 
N.  Y.  There  his  remaining  days  were 
passed  surrounded  by  his  family  and  many 
intimate  friends.  Although  he  was  watched 
over  by  most  skilful  physicians,  his  disease  had 
passed  beyond  human  control.  He  died  on 
July  23,  1885.  His  body  was  taken  to  New 
York  City,  and  on  August  8,  1885,  attended 
by  memorable  military  and  civil  procession, 
was  conducted  to  its  last  resting  place  in  River 
side  Park,  which. the  family  had  selected  for 
interment.  Gen.  Grant  was  of  medium  height, 
with  a  firm  expressive  countenance,  well 
covered  with  a  brown  beard.  He  was  constitu 
tionally  strong,  and  during  the  war  often  shared 
the  hardships  of  the  humblest  soldier.  He  was 
of  the  seventh  generation  of  Grant's  born  on 
American  soil,  and  was  a  typical  representa 
tive  of  our  American  training  and  institution. 
His  fame  will  rest  largely  upon  his  military 
successes.  Of  all  the  great  Generals,  Grant 
may  be  classified  as  the  peer  among  them. 
Both  in  the  West  and  in  the  East  he  led  the 
forces  of  the  Union  to  glorious  victory,  and 
finally  crushed  the  rebellion  by  his  broad  and 
marvelous  genius.  He  exterminated  the  con 
flagration  which  had  long  threatened  the  tem 
ple  of  liberty,  and  in  obedience  to  the  voice  of 
the  people  subsequently  directed  its  restoration 
in  grander  and  more  attractive  form.  His  deeds 
as  general,  his  statesmanship  as  President,  and 
his  example  as  an  American  citizen  have  raised 
his  country  to  a  noble  position  in  the  estima 
tion  of  the  civilized  world. 


HON.  RALPH  PLUMB. 

THERE  are  few  citizens  of  the  State   of 
Illinois  more  widely  known  or  more  ex 
tensively  beloved    than    the    gentleman 
whose  name  heads  this  sketch — a   citizen,   sol 
dier  and    philanthropist    who    is    spending  his 
declining  years  in  the    quiet   enjoyment   of   a 
life  which    has    mainly    been    devoted    to    the 
advancement  of  civilization  and  to  the  better 
ment  of  his  fellow  men.      In  the  evening   of 


12 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


an  active  career,  Col.  Plumb,  reposing  in  his 
beautiful  home  at  Streator,  a  city  which  he 
founded,  may  take  a  retrospective  view  of 
the  past  and  feel  proud  that  he  has  been 
able  to  accomplish  so  much,  that  he  has 
been  able  to  accumulate  by  the  most  rigid  prin 
ciples  of  honor  and  integrity,  a  large  fortune 
and  yet  has  been  the  means  of  securing  to 
so  many  people  prosperity  and  happiness.  He 
was  born  in  Chautauqua  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March, 
29,  1816,  and  is  the  son  of  Theron  and  Harriet 
(Merry)  Plumb.  Theron  was  born  in  Berk 
shire  county,  Mass.,  in  1782,  and  was  the  son  of 
Ebenezer  Plumb.  The  family  are  the  descend 
ants  of  the  Plumbs  who  took  an  active  part  in 
the  Revolution.  Harriet  Merry  was  the  daugh 
ter  of  Samuel  Merry,  who  was  a  native  of  Con 
necticut,  and  a  man  of  prominence  in  his  day, 
living  most  of  the  time  in  Herkimer  Co., 
where  he  was  a  judge  of  one  of  the  courts,  and 
where  Harriet  was  born.  The  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  memoir  was  chiefly  engaged  in 
farming.  He  removed  from  New  York  to 
Trumbull  Co.,  Ohio,  in  1820,  later,  to  Wash 
ington  Co.,  lowr.,  where  he  died  in  1863.  He 
had  by  his  wife,  Harriet,  ten  children  of  whom 
Col.  Plumb  was  the  fifth.  Young  Ralph  was 
raised  at  home  attending  the  common  schools 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
entered  a  general  store  at  Hartford,  Ohio,  as 
clerk.  He  seemed  to  have  been  well  adapted 
to  that  business,  and  a  valuable  clerk,  and  very 
much  to  his  employer's  liking,  for  in  a  few 
years  he  was  taken  in  as  a  partner.  He  re 
mained  in  the  mercantile  business  in  all  25 
years,  resigning  this  business  to  take  a  seat 
in  the  Legislature  where  he  served  with  distinc 
tion  three  sessions,  representing  Trumbull 
Co.  His  election  was  as  a  Free  Soiler,  in 
1855,  the  two  remaining  sessions  in  1856-7  (the 
Republican  party  having  in  the  meantime  been 
born)  as  a  Republican.  During  his  service  in 
the  Legislature  he  applied  himself  to  the  study 
of  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Oberlin, 
Ohio,  where  he  commenced  his  practice,  and 
where  he  was  at  the  time  he  offered  his  ser 
vices  in  the  defense  of  his  country.  He  was  ap 
pointed  by  President  Lincoln,  Oct.  31,  1861, 


A.  Q.  M.,  of  Volunteers,  with  the  rank  of  Cap 
tain.  He  served  on  the  staff  of  General  Gar- 
field,  commanding  l8th  Brigade,  Army  of 
the  Ohio,  from  December  i86i,to  April,  1862. 
During  this  period  the  brigade  participated  in 
the  campaign  of  Eastern  Kentucky  and  opera 
ted  in  the  Big  Sandy  Valley;  was  at  the  cap 
ture  of  Paintsville,  Ky.,  January  7th;  operated 
on  Middle  Creek  with  an  action  at  Prestonburg, 
January  loth;  was  at  Sounding  Gap,  Tenn.,  in 
March;  the  capture  of  Humphrey  Marshall's 
Camp;  later  at  Shiloh,  April  6  and  7th;  and  the 
attack  on  Beauregard,  April  8th.  Col.  Plumb 
was  then  placed  in  the  20th  Brigade,  6th 
Division,  Army  of  the  Ohio,  Garfield  and  Harker 
commanding,  from  April,  1862  to  June,  1863, 
which  embraced  the  military  operations  as  fol 
lows:  Siege  of  Corinth  from  April  30  to  May  30, 
1862;  protecting  the  Memphis  &  Charleston 
railroad,  from  June  till  August,  with  head 
quarters  at  Huntsville,  Ala;  movement  through 
Northern  Alabama,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky 
in  pursuit  of  Bragg's  army,  from  August  to 
September.  He  was  then  in  General  Rose- 
crans'  Tennessee  campaign  from  October  to 
February,  1863,  during  which  he  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Stone  River.  In  June,  1863, 
Colonel  Plumb  was  assigned  to  duty  as  Post 
Quartermaster  at  Camp  Denison,  Ohio.,  from 
which  place  he  was  mustered  out  of  service 
Nov.  11,  1865,  having  been  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  for  meritorious 
conduct.  Hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars 
worth  of  property  had  passed  through  his 
hands  and  every  dollar  of  it  was  accounted  for 
and  his  accounts  were  promptly  audited.  Dur 
ing  President  Buchanan's  administration,  he 
was,  with  others,  arrested  for  the  violation  of 
the  fugitive  slave  law,  was  imprisoned  in  the 
jail  at  Cleveland  for  eighty-four  days  when  his 
prosecution  was  nolle  pressed.  After  the  war 
a  syndicate  was  formed  of  which  Col.  Plumb 
was  a  member,  with  Hon.  W.  S.  Streator  at 
the  head,  for  investment  in  coal  property.  Mr. 
Plumb  was  made  secretary,  treasurer  and  gene- 
al  manager,  and  in  January,  1866,  going  to 
Illinois,  as  a  state  for  investment,  purchased 
several  thousand  acres  of  coal  lands  where 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


Streator  now  stands.  At  the  time  of  purchase, 
there  were  merely  cross  roads,  with  a  black 
smith  shop,  and  here  and  there  a  miner's  shanty 
scattered  through  the  timber.  That  section  of 
the  country  had  no  railroads,  in  fact  there  were 
no  ways  rising  to  the  dignity  of  an  ordinary 
highway.  The  place  was  very  properly  called 
"Hard  Scrabble."  The  work  of  developing  the 
property  and  building  up  a  town,  began  under 
the  direction  of  Col.  Plumb,  by  opening  up  the 
coal  mines,  which  have  since  become  among 
the  most  important  in  the  State.  The  follow 
ing  year  he  laid  out  the  town  site,  and  com 
menced  the  sale  of  lots.  The  policy  he  adop 
ted  was  discouraging  to  the  speculators,  but 
correspondingly  advantageous  to  actual  settlers. 
For  the  accommodation  of  the  miners  he  first 
built  ten  houses,  each  the  exact  reproduction  of 
the  other.  Subsequently  looking  at  this  matter 
from  a  humanitarian  and  philosophical  stand 
point,  having  in  view  the  advancement  and 
betterment  of  the  working  men,  he  concluded 
that  this  system  would  not  be  the  best  for  them; 
the  houses  were  too  much  of  a  sameness,  too 
monotonous;  the  tenants  would  take  no  interest 
or  pride  in  their  homes,  would  merely  exist  in 
them,  so  he  abandoned  that  plan  and  sold  the 
miners  lots  at  low  figures,  on  time,  and  encour 
aged  the  citizens  to  build  their  own  houses. 
In  this  way  they  took  an  interest  in  their  homes, 
and  in  the  town,  and  became  valuable  citizens, 
many  of  them  prosperous  and  wealthy.  For 
this  method  and  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the 
laborers  that  were  then  forming  the  nucleus  for 
the  future  city  of  Streator,  too  much  praise 
cannot  be  given  to  Colonel  Plumb.  Simulta 
neously  with  the  development  of  the  coal  mines, 
railroads  became  a  necessity  and  Colonel  Plumb, 
equal  to  the  occasion,  gave  his  energies  to  them, 
and  organized  a  system  of  railroad  construc 
tion,  all  having  the  object  of  developing  the 
rising  city,  which  was  also  necessitated  by  the 
coal  mines.  The  first  started  was  the  Ottawa, 
Oswego  &  Fox  River,  and  the  second  the 
Chicago  &  Paducah,  the  third  the  Chicago, 
Pekin  &  Southwestern,  now  the  Santa  Fe,  and 
the  last  the  Chicago  &  Strawn,  now  the  Wa- 
bash.  During  this  time  the  town  grew  rapidly, 


the  roads  progressed  and  the  development  of 
Streator  was  not  neglected.  Its  growth  was  phe 
nomenal.  The  census  for  the  last  decade  shows 
that  its  increase  of  population  exceeded  in  per 
centage  that  of  any  other  city  in  Illinois,  not 
excepting  Chicago.  It  has  a  population  now  of 
16,000.  It  has  three  national  banks,  all  strong 
and  doing  a  good  business;  it  has  the  largest 
retail  store  in  the  State  outside  of  Chicago,  and 
eighteen  churches  grace  its  populous  streets. 
An  excellent  system  of  graded  schools  has 
been  established  with  a  high  school,  the  build 
ing  the  gift  of  Colonel  Plumb.  It  has  a  fine 
opera  house  which  was  also  erected  by  him. 
Colonel  Plumb  has  been  largely  interested  in 
real  estate,  banking,  manufacturing,  in  all  of 
which  he  has  been  eminently  successful.  He 
completed  his  elegant  residence,  which  reposes 
in  the  center  of  a  large  block,  in  1869.  Here, 
having  laid  aside  his  business  cares,  he  spends 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  in  quiet  comfort, 
preferring  to  devote  his  cultivated  mind  to  such 
things  as  will  neither  overtax  his  mental  nor 
physical  forces.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
years  Colonel  Plumb  became  an  abolitionist, 
and  from  that  time  until  he  saw  the  slaves  free, 
he  was  unswerving  in  his  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  freedom.  He  assisted  in  forming  the  Liberty 
party,  the  Free  Soil  and  the  Republican  party, 
and  still  has  a  deep  interest  in  the  latter's  suc 
cess.  In  1884  he  was  nominated  and  elected 
by  the  Republican  party  to  the  XLIX  con 
gress,  was  also  re-elected  to  the  L.,  but 
declined  the  election  to  a  third  term  in  1888. 
He  was  an  active  and  effective  member  and  his 
Congressional  career  was  marked  by  his  distin 
guished  services  to  his  district  and  for  ability 
as  a  legislator.  In  1838  Colonel  Plumb  was 
united  in  marriage  at  Hartford,  Ohio,  to  Mu- 
rilla  E.,  daughter  af  Philo  and  Abigail  A. 
Borden.  By  this  marriage  they  had  three 
children:  Geraldine,  now  deceased,  who  was 
married  to  Fawcett  Plumb;  Eliza  and  Fran- 
cenia,  both  of  whom  grew  to  womanhood  and 
died.  He  has  adopted  several  children  whom 
he  has  educated  and  grown  to  manhood  and 
womanhood,  and  who  are  now  well  settled  in 
the  world  and  are  honorable  members  of 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


society,  and  are  to  him  and  his  wife  a  great 
source  of  satisfaction.  He  is  very  much  at 
tached  to  his  wife  who  he  feels  has  been  for 
over  fifty-three  years,  in  every  sense  a  true  help 
mate  to  him. 

Col.  Plumb  was  chosen  mayor  of  Streator 
in  1881,  without  a  dissenting  vote.  The  only 
society  he  belongs  to  is  the  Streator  G.  A.  R. 
Post  No.  68,  and  in  this  he  has  a  special  pride. 
No  man  did  more  to  advance  the  prosperity  of 
this  section  of  the  country  than  Col.  Plumb, 
and  none  are  more  highly  esteemed,  in  fact  he 
is  regarded  with  veneration.  For  while  he  has 
prospered,  he  has  assisted  others  to  prosperity; 
while  he  has  accumulated  a  fortune  it  has  not 
been  at  the  expense  of  the  poor.  No  man  has 
been  more  unselfish,  and  no  man  has  had  the 
happiness  and  welfare  of  those  around  him 
more  at  heart.  By  his  philanthropy  and  benevo 
lence,  by  his  charitable  deeds,  by  his  unsel 
fish  devotion  to  the  welfare  of  others,  he  has 
erected  a  monument  within  the  hearts  of  those 
with  whom  he  has  so  long  dwelt,  that  will  out 
live  those  of  marble. 


COL.  WILLIAM  L.  DISTIN,  late  Commander 
of  the  Department  of  Illinois,  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  was  born  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  February,  9,  1843.  His  parents 
were  WilliamL.  and  Anna  Semenetta  (Leh- 
manowsky)  Distin.  His  father  was  a  native 
of  Plymouth,  England,  and  his  mother  of 
Philadelphia.  The  father  of  Anna  Lehma- 
nowsky  and  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
Col.  Distin,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
John  Jacob  Lehmanowsky,  Colonel  of  the 
ninth  Polish  Lancers  in  the  army  of  Napoleon 
Bonaparte,  whose  fortunes  he  followed  for 
twenty-three  years.  This  distinguished  officer 
and  cultivated  gentleman,  after  the  exile  of 
Bonaparte  to  St.  Helena,  came  to  the  United 
States,  eventually  making  his  home  in  Indiana, 
where  he  died  full  of  years  and  full  of  honors. 
He  possessed  a  graceful  and  distingue  manner; 
remarkable  intelligence,  and  preserved  with 
scrupulous  fidelity  the  characteristics  of  his 


race  throughout  a  long  and  eventful  life.  The 
father  of  Col.  Distin  was  descended  from  an 
old  and  honorable  English  family,  and  came 
with  his  parents  to  Canada  when  but  a  child. 
They  subsequently  removed  to  Cincinnati 
where  the  father  for  many  years  conducted  an 
extensive  business  as  a  contractor  and  a  house, 
sign,  and  steamboat  painter.  Was  interested 
in  a  line  of  steamboats,  operating  between 
Cinncinnati  and  New  Orleans.  He  is  still  living 
in  Illinois.  There  were  six  children  born  to 
him:  Mary,  Amelia,  William  L.  (the  subject  of 
this  sketch),  John,  Maria,  and  Florence,  of 
whom  all  but  Maria,  Amelia,  and  Florence  are 
living.  Upon  the  death  of  his  mother,  the 
family  separated,  and  William  L.  went  with  his 
father  to  Keokuk,  Iowa,  where  he  was  put  to 
school,  in  the  intervals  assisting  his  father  in 
his  business  labors.  He  was  here  when  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion  claimed  his  services,  and 
was  among  the  first  to  enlist,  but  was  twice  re 
jected,  namely  in  1861  and  1862  by  reason  of  a 
temporary  physical  ailment.  Finally  before 
being  accepted  he  was  submitted  to  a  surgical 
operation,  performed  by  Surgeon  General 
Hughes  of  Iowa,  which  being  successful,  he  en 
listed  February  3,  1863,  in  Company  C,  seven 
teenth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  in.  He 
was  detailed  for  duty  in  the  Provost  Marshal's 
department  at  Burlington,  la.,  for  some  time, 
after  which  he  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala.,  and  with  it  participated  in  all  the  en 
gagements  that  occurred  during  the  campaign. 
The  command  to  which  the  regiment  was 
assigned  was  the  Second  Brigade,  Third  Divi 
sion,  and  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  (Forty 
rounds  and  always  ready).  Gen.  John  A.  Logan, 
commanding.  They  remained  at  Huntsville 
until  the  beginning  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  in 
the  following  spring.  He  was,  while  here,  de 
tailed  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Raum.  The  command 
was  engaged  in  several  engagements  and  skir 
mishes,  and  a  portion  of  the  Seventeenth  Iowa 
was  in  action  at  Resaca,  afterward  at  Tilton,  Ga., 
where  the  regiment  repulsed  an  attack  of  the 
Rebels  under  Wilson.  In  the  subsequent  fierce 
onslaught  of  Hood  at  Tilton,  Ga.,  October  13, 
1864,  nearly  the  whole  regiment  including  Col. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


Distin  was  captured  and  taken  to  Jacksonville, 
Ga.,  thence  to  Cahaba,  Montgomery,  Savannah, 
Blackshire  and  finally  to  Andersonville,  which 
was  reached  toward  the  latter  part  of  October. 
Col.  Distin  succeeding  in  escaping  with  one  of 
his  comrades,  was,  after  several  days,  while  going 
down  the  St.  John's  river,  and  when  within 
about  twelve  miles  of  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  re 
captured  and  taken  back  to  Andersonville 
prison.  He  was  kept  in  close  confinement  here 
until  the  last  of  March,  when  assuming  the 
name  of  a  dead  man,  he  bribed  a  guard  and 
was  permitted  to  escape.  He  was  subsequently 
apprehended  and  again  returned  to  prison, 
at  Meridian,  Miss.,  and  thence  removed  to  Jack 
son,  Miss.,  and  the  Big  Black  near  Vicksburg 
to  be  exchanged.  While  here  they  received 
the  news  of  the  assassination  of  the  lamented 
Lincoln.  From  long  confinement  in  prisons, 
the  scanty  fare  doled  out  to  them,  and  the 
various  tortures  and  hardships  thus  involved, 
Col.  Distin  and  his  companions  in  captivity 
were  when  released,  so  feeble  as  to  necessitate 
their  being  carried  across  the  pontoon  bridges 
on  stretchers.  They  were  taken  to  Vicksburg 
and  there  afforded  the  accommodations  of  a 
hospital  and  the  most  careful  consideration  and 
kind  treatment.  They  returned  home  by  way 
of  St.  Louis  on  the  steamer  "  Henry  Ames," 
reaching  there  safely.  The  ill-fated  "Sultana" 
on  which  it  had  been  intended  originally  to 
transport  them,  being  on  her  next  trip  blown 
up  by  an  explosion,  having  at  the  time  some 
2,100  Union  soldiers  on  board,  a  large  number 
of  whom  lost  their  lives.  These  gallant  men 
who  had  nobly  borne  the  varied  hardships 
of  some  of  the  most  arduous  campaigns  of  the 
war,  were  mustered  out  by  special  order  of  the 
War  Department  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  June  28, 
1865.  As  a  member  of  the  Lincoln  Rangers  of 
Keokuk  in  1861,  before  his  regular  enlistment, 
Col.  Distin  served  under  Gen.  Belknap  and  with 
his  command  participated  in  the  engagement 
at  Athens,  Mo.  Col.  Distin  having  returned  to 
Keokuk, became  associated  with  the  Des  Moines 
Valley  R.  R.  and  subsequently  with  the  U.  S. 
Express  Company  as  messenger,  and  con 
tinuing  as  messenger  and  route  agent  until  his 


entry  into  business  in  1872,  at  Quincy,  111.,  as  a 
wholesale  shipper  of  eggs  and  butter.  In  this 
relation  he  has  achieved  a  marked  success, 
having  established  an  extensive  trade  under 
highly  prosperous  conditions,  which  he  still 
maintains.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
John  Wood  Post  No.  96,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Quincy, 
and  has  been  its  Commander;  is  the  present 
Commander  of  the  Military  Tract  of  the  Sol 
diers'  and  Sailors'  Reunion  Association,  and 
was  its  Senior  Vice  Commander  in  1887,  and  m 
1889  was  elected  delegate  at  large.  In  1890, 
Col.  Distin  was  unanimously  elected  Depart 
ment  Commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.  of  Illinois, 
the  occasion  being  in  the  nature  of  an  appre 
ciative  testimonial  of  the  noble  and  self 
sacrificing  character  of  Col.  Distin,  than  whom, 
in  the  State  of  Illinois,  there  is  no  man  more 
beloved  or  more  generally  respected  where- 
ever  he  is  known.  The  mantle  thus  fell  upon 
worthy  shoulders  and  was  worn  to  the  honor 
and  glory  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
— a  heritage  to  coming  generations  when  the 
last  of  its  survivors  shall  have  answered  the  roll- 
call  in  the  ranks  of  the  dead.  Col.  Distin  has 
shown  in  his  career  as  a  soldier,  citizen  and 
merchant,  the  qualities  and  characteristics 
which  stamp  him  as  a  man  of  stern  and  in 
flexible  devotion  to  the  right  and  rejection  of 
the  wrong.  His  great  popularity  has  been  won 
through  his  splendid  heroism  and  his  un 
daunted  advocacy  of  benevolent  principles. 
In  the  Illinois  National  Guard  service,  he  has 
filled  the  following  positions,  viz:  Private,  Ser 
geant,  Commissary  of  Quincy  National  Guards, 
Sergeant  Major,  First  Lieutenant,  and  Quarter 
Master  Eighth  Regiment  .Infantry,  I.  N.  G.; 
Acting  Adjutant  Eighth  I.  N.  G.  at  East  St. 
Louis  during  the  riot  troubles  of  1877  and  for 
meritorious  services  was  promoted  Aid-de-Camp 
upon  the  staff  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  by 
Gov.  Hamilton,  August  i,  1884,  and  was  again 
re-appointed  by  Gov.  Oglesby,  on  May  I, 
1885.  Col.  Distin  was  again  re-appointed  by 
Gov.  Fifer  June  26, 1889,  and  still  fills  thathon- 
orable  position.  He  is  a  prominent  Mason,  a 
Knight  Templar  and  a  member  of  the  order  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  Past  Chancellor  of  the 


i6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Knights  of  Pythias.  He  has  been  vice  presi 
dent  and  director  of  the  Illinois  Masonic  and 
Pythian  Benevolent  Society  for  many  years. 
The  Colonel  is  a  prominent  Republican  having 
always  taken  an  active  interest  in  all  public 
affairs.  He  was  married  at  Keokuk,  Novem 
ber  22,  1865,  to  Miss  Laura  E.,  daughter  of 
William  B.  and  Anna  Smith,  and  they  have  had 
two  children — Eva  Anna  and  William  L.,  Jr.,  the 
latter  an  assistant  in  his  fathers  extensive  busi 
ness.  Col.  Distin  was  for  eleven  years  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Republican  Executive  Committe  of 
Adams  County,  being  Chairman  for  several 
years.  He  is  yet  in  the  zenith  of  his  manhood 
and  will  doubtless  attain  greater  and  more  en 
during  honors  than  have  yet  fallen  to  him, 
although  he  can  take  no  higher  place  in  the 
estimation  of  his  fellowmen  than  in  the  contin 
uation  of  the  service  he  has  bestowed  upon 
them  through  his  philanthropic  and  noble 
ambitions. 


DAVID  LESTER,  of  Lacon,  Illinois,  whose 
history  is  here  recorded,  responded  to 
the  call  for  soldiers  to  defend  his 
country's  flag,  and  enlisted  as  a  private,  August 
5,  1862,  in  Co.  F.,  !O5thOhio  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Cleve 
land.  These  soldiers  were  forwarded  to  Cov- 
ngton,  Ky.,  where  they  were  uniformed  and 
armed,  and  then  ordered  to  Lexington,  Ky. 
Mr.  Lester  with  his  comrades  was  in  the  bat 
tles  at  Perryville,  Chickamauga,  Missionary 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Atlanta, 
also  followed  Gen.  Sherman  in  that  far-famed 
march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea.  In  all  this 
varied  service,  so  long  continued,  Mr.  Lester 
fortunately  received  no  very  severe  or  danger 
ous  wounds,  although  he  had  many  close  calls 
and  narrow  escapes,  and  is  a  life-long  sufferer 
from  disabilities  consequent  upon  his  military 
service.  At  one  time  while  in  the  Kenesaw 
Mt.  fight  he  was  lying  on  the  ground, 
when  a  rebel  shot  passed  under  him,  tore  up 
the  ground,  shattered  his  haversack  into  frag 
ments,  tore  his  clothes  into  rags, injured  his  right 
arm  and  hand,  also  slightly  wounded  his  left 


elbow.  At  another  time  he  was  standing  with  his 
blanket  rolled  up  in  front  of  his  body,  when  a 
bullet  struck  the  roll  squarely  in  the  center,  but 
was  unable  to  penetrate  the  thick  mass  which 
the  blanket  made.  But  for  this  simple,  yet 
important  incident,  it  is  almost  certain  that  the 
life  of  one  more  brave  soldier  would  have  been 
sacrificed  upon  the  altar  of  his  country; 
another  place  made  vacant  in  the  home  circle, 
and  a  marked  change  made  in  the  subsequent 
history  of  a  family  and  neighborhood. 

The  iO5th  Ohio  Regiment  bravely  endured 
much  hard  service,  and  many  long  forced 
marches,  notable  among  the  latter  was  one  in 
the  attempt  to  reach  Snake  river  in  time  to 
participate  in  battle  there,  and  again  on  the 
march  from  Lexington  to  Louisville.  Some 
idea  of  the  marching  done  by  this  regiment 
may  be  gained  when  it  is  stated  by  Mr.  Lester, 
that  during  his  three  years'  service  he  did  not 
have  one  mile  of  transportation  from  the  time 
he  first  went  to  the  front,  until  he  reached  Wash 
ington  on  his  return  to  be  mustered  out.  The 
regiment  received  its  muster-out  papers  at 
Washington,  June  14,  1865,  after  participating  in 
the  Grand  Review,  and  was  discharged  at  Cleve 
land,  Ohio,  Mr.  Lester  having  the  rank  of  cor 
poral. 

David  Lester  was  born  in  Onondago  Coun 
ty,  N.  Y.,  August  5,  1832,  and  in  early  life 
learned  the  painters  trade.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  years  he  left  his  native  State  for 
Ohio,  where  he  spent  a  number  of  years,  and 
afterward  moved  to  Lacon,  111.,  where  he 
continued  the  business  of  painting,  until,  in 
hopes  of  bettering  his  condition,  he  went  to 
Somerville,  Tenn.  In  1860,  he  went  from 
Tennessee  to  Ohio,  and  from  there  entered 
the  army,  as  before  stated.  After  the  war  he 
again  located  in  Lacon,  111.,  and  resumed 
his  business  and  continued  in  it  for  twenty 
years.  Then  he  went  on  a  farm  for  five  years, 
and  subsequently,  in  1890,  engaged  in  the  live- 
ery  business  with  his  sons,  Charles  F.  and 
Myron,  at  Lacon.  Mr.  Lester  has  been  fre 
quently  placed  in  positions  of  trust  by  the  favor 
of  his  many  friends.  He  was  tax  collector 
for  a  number  of  years,  and  one  of  the  city 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


alderman  for  four  years.  He  is  prominent  in 
G.  A.  R.  circles,  and  a  member  of  Lacon  Post, 
in  which  he  has  held  a  number  of  offices.  All 
these  responsible  positions  tend  to  show  the 
esteem  in  which  Mr.  Lester  is  held  by  his  fel 
low  citizens  and  many  friends. 

He  was  married  December  31,  i86i,to  Har 
riet  E.  Clark,  at  Willougby,  Ohio,  who  was  a 
native  of  that  place.  His  wife  and  the  two 
sons  already  mentioned  constitute  the  family 
of  Mr.  Lester.  He  is  a  life-long  Republican, 
active  in  all  that  concerns  the  good  of  his 
party  and  country,  but  not  ambitious  for  office. 
As  a  man,  a  citizen  and  soldier,  he  has  ever 
been  ready  to  act  up  to  the  measure  of  his  con 
victions,  and  bear  his  part  of  the  responsibili 
ties  that  devolve  upon  every  intelligent  and 
conscientious  individual. 


JACKSON  EBNER,  of  Tonica,  111.,  was  born 
in  Pa.,  Nov.  10,  1836,  where  he  attended 
school  until  he  was  old  enough  to  learn 
a  trade.  He  selected  the  carpenters  trade 
and  continued  in  that  line  until  he  came  West, 
in  the  early  part  of  1861.  June  17,  1861,  he 
enlisted  in  Co.  C.  44th  Illinois  Volunteer  In 
fantry,  as  second  Sergeant,  and  on  the  I4th, 
left  for  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  arriving  there  on 
the  following  day.  His  regiment  was  sup 
plied  with  arms  from  the  St.  Louis  Arsenal 
and  then  marched  to  Sedalia,  Mo.,  where  it 
was  assigned  to  Gen.  Sigel's  Brigade.  They 
remained  in  camp,  drilling,  scouting  and  forag 
ing,  until  Oct.  1 3th,  when  the  army  marched 
toward  Springfield,  Mo.,  arriving  there  the  27th, 
a  few  hours  too  late  to  engage  in  the  bloody 
charge  led  by  Major  Zagonia  on  the  Rebel 
Cavalry  stationed  there,  who  succeeded  in 
driving  them  from  the  town.  They  went  into 
winter  quarters  at  Rolla,  Mo.,  the  regiment 
suffering  severely  from  sickness,  many  of  the 
men  being  mustered  into  that  ever  increasing 
army,  while  many  others  were  discharged  for 
disability.  On  the  2d  of  Feb.,  1862,  Gen. 
Curtis  assumed  command  and  the  forces 
took  up  the  line  of  march  toward  Springfield, 


where  Gen.  Price  beat  a  retreat,  as  the 
Union  Army  approached.  Leaving  that  city 
under  Government  control,  they  began  the  chase 
after  Price,  Mr.  Ebner's  regiment  being  in  the 
advance  until  it  reached  Camp  Porter,  Arkan 
sas.  There  they  abandoned  the  chase,  after  six 
days  continuous  march  in  inclement  weather, 
and  with  several  inches  of  snow  on  the  ground. 

o 

The  army  remained  here  until  the  5th  of 
March,  when  it  moved  toward  Sugar  Creek 
Valley,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day, 
its  rear  guard  was  attacked  and  forced  back  by 
the  enemy.  Thus  began  the  terrible  battle  of 
Pea  Ridge  which  resulted  so  disastrously  for 
the  rebels,  and  in  which  Mr.  Ebner,  with  his 
regiment  played  a  prominent  part.  His  regi 
ment  was  then  selected  to  pursue  the  retreat 
ing  enemy,  which  it  did,  capturing  a  stand  of 
colors,  several  pieces  of  artillery  and  several 
hundred  prisoners.  They  were  then  ordered 
to  take  up  the  line  of  march  to  Forsythe, 
thence  to  Batesville  on  the  White  river. 
May  8th,  they  crossed  the  river  en  route  for 
Little  Rock,  but  were  ordered  back  to  Bates 
ville  in  order  to  assist  in  the  siege  of  Corinth. 

They  arrived  at  Hamburg  Landing  May  6th, 
and  immediately  marched  to  within  supporting 
distance  of  the  main  army,  reaching  this  point 
two  days  before  the  evacuation  of  Corinth. 
They  were  again  sent  in  pursuit  of  the  fleeing 
Rebels  and  followed  them  as  far  as  Boonville, 
Miss.  Returned  then  to  Rienzi  and  camped 
there  until  August  26th,  assisting  in  the  build 
ing  of  fortifications  and  strengthening  the  Union 
works  during  their  stay.  They  then  proceeded 
to  Cincinnati,  thence  to  Covington,  remaining 
there  until  the  seventeenth,  and  then  moved 
on  to  Louisville,  where  the  command  was 
reorganized  under  Gen.  Buell,  as  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland,  in  its  campaign  against  Bragg 
through  Kentucky. 

Mr.  Ebner  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Perryville,  Oct.  8th,  under  Gen.  Sheridan. 
Then  followed  the  retreating  foe  to  Crab 
Orchard,  thence  to  Bowling  Green,  arriving 
there  Nov.  ist.  At  Perryville  he  had  a 
narrow  escape,  a  ball  taking  off  the  top  of  his 
cap  and  grazing  his  scalp. 


18 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


On  Nov.  4th.  the  line  of  march  was  taken 
up  toward  Nashville,  where  the  Reg.  arrived 
the  7th,  relieving  the  garrison  and  re-opening 
communication  with  Louisville.  In  the  battle 
of  Stone  River  his  regiment  took  a  prominent 
part  losing  more  than  half  its  number  in  killed 
and  wounded,  Mr.  Ebner  being  among  the 
wounded.  He  was  almost  shot  to  pieces;  being 
pierced  through  the  lung,  with  one  arm  so  badly 
wounded  that  it  was  useless.  In  this  condition 
he  was  taken  prisoner,  but  was  released  on 
account  of  his  crippled  condition.  He  was  sent 
to  the  hospital  at  Nashville,  then  to  Louisville, 
and  finally  to  Quincy,  111.,  where  he  was  dis 
charged  April  5th.  1863.  He  then  went  to  Put 
nam  Co.,  111.,  and  resided  there  and  in  Mar 
shall  Co.,  until  1869,  when  he  moved  to  La- 
'Salle  Co.,  locating  on  a  farm  near  Tonica 
where  he  still  resides,  engaged  in  stock  raising. 
Mr.  Ebner's  maternal  grandfather  was  in  the 
Revolutionary  War,  also  several  of  his  sons. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  had  two  brothers, 
Jacob  and  Joseph,  both  of  whom  were  in  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion.  His  mother  died  the  day 
of  the  Perryville  engagement.  He  married 
Maggie  A.  McPherson,  of  La  Salle  Co.,  in 
1865,  who  departed  this  life  in  the  autumn  of 
1890,  leaving  four  children,  Henry,  Luella, 
Frank  and  Eva.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  No. 
93,  G.  A.  R.  Was  a  Democrat  before  the  war, 
but  since  that  time  has  voted  the  Republican 
ticket. 

Mr.  Ebner  has  been  a  carpenter,  soldier, and 
finally  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  In  this 
capacity  he  has  succeeded  admirably,  and  has 
provided  amply  in  a  financial  way  for  his  wants 
during  his  declining  years. 


JOHN  C.  WILDBERGER,  a  member  of  the  G. 
A.   R.    Post    No.    146,   and  a  resident   of 
Bloomington,  111.,  hails    from  that   "land 
of  the  free  and  home  of  the  brave,"  Switzer 
land,  where  he  was  born  April  28,  1833,  the  son 
of  Jacob  and  Mary  (  Flach)  Wildberger.     John 
is  one  of  a  family  of  fifteen  children,  of  whom 
all  but  one  are  living.    He  received  a  good  edu 


cation  and  commenced  life  as  a  locksmith.  In 
1853,  he  sailed  for  America  resuming  his  trade 
at  Ne\v  Orleans,  subsequently  spent  several 
months  on  the  Mississippi  river,  and  the  follow 
ing  year  moved  to  Bloomington,  111.,  where  he 
learned  the  baker's  trade  and  soon  established 
himself  in  business.  In  1858,  he  went  to  Meri- 
docia,  111.,  where  he  continued  in  the  bakery 
business  until  he  wrent  forth  to  battle  for  his 
newly  adopted  flag.  He  enlisted  at  Meridocia 
in  1861,  but  was  taken  sick  and  discharged. 
Restored  to  health,  he  re-enlisted  Aug.  6,  1862, 
as  a  private  in  Co.  A.,  loist  111.  Inf.,  and 
mustered  in  at  Jacksonville,  111.,  Sept  2,  1862. 
While  here  he  served  as  regimental  baker,  and 
on  leaving  camp  he  was  promoted  to  corporal. 
At  Union  City,  Tenn.,  he  was  mustered  as 
Orderly  Sergeant,  and  in  April,  1865,  our  gal 
lant  soldier,  for  meritorious  service  rendered, 
was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant.  At  Holly 
Springs,  Miss,  he  participated  in  the  capture  of 
800  Rebels.  They  guarded  them  on  to  Vicks- 
burg,  but  finding  that  city  in  possession  of  the 
enemy  they  moved  on  and  delivered  the  pris 
oners  at  the  penitentiary  at  Alton,  111.  Return 
ing  to  Memphis,  we  find  him  doing  patrol  duty 
for  three  weeks,  then  was  engaged  in  fighting  the 
Rebel  fleet  on  board  the  signal  boat,  Gen.  Bragg, 
and  six  months  later,  he  moved  to  Bridgeport, 
Ala.,  where  the  Reg.  was  transferred  from  the 
i6th  to  the  2Oth  A.  C.  Subsequently  we  find 
comrade  Wildberger  participating  in  the  hard 
marches  and  privations  of  the  long  and  arduous 
Atlanta  campaign,  facing  the  hot  fire  of  the 
enemy,  in  the  sanguinary  battles  of  Resaca,  Dal 
las,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Jonesboro.  After  the 
victory  of  Atlanta,  and  the  last  named  battle  the 
brave  loist  was  the  first  Reg.  to  enter  Atlanta, 
where  it  operated  the  fire  engines,  being  a  post 
of  honor  given  them  by  Gen.  Sherman.  Here 
they  remained  about  a  month,  thence  onward 
again  participating  in  the  memorable  "march  to 
the  sea,"  which  meant  a  continued  series  of 
battles  and  skirmishes,  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea. 
After  the  fall  of  Savannah  the  gallant  "boys" 
rested  several  weeks  and  then  followed  the 
victorious  but  difficult  march  through  the  Caro- 
linas.  Onward,  under  a  heavy,  continuous 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


rain,  making  it  almost  impossible  to  advance. 
Onward,  wading  through  almost  bottomless 
swamps,  over  rivers,  and  through  heavy  timbers. 
On  to  Richmond,  finally  joining  the  Grand  Re 
view  at  Washington,  where  our  First  Lieutenant 
was  mustered  out,  but  not  finally  discharged 
until  June  7,  1865,  at  Springfield,  111. 

Returning  to  Bloomington,  111.,  he  con 
tinued  in  the  bakery  business  for  about  two 
months.  While  in  service  comrade  Wildberger 
contracted  rheumatism  and  chronic  diarrhoea, 
which  made  it  wholly  impossible  for  him  to  en 
gage  in  any  manual  labor.  For  four  years  after 
ward  he  was  obliged  to  use  crutches  and  for 
this  disability  receives  the  sum  of  $8  per  month 
pension,  though  his  claim  was  eight  years  in 
passing  through  the  various  "  red  tape  "  depart 
ments  to  final  allowance.  Mr.  Wildberger  was 
married  July  4,  1860,  to  Miss  Hattie  Wersch, 
who  came  with  her  parents  from  Switzerland, 
when  eleven  years  old.  By  this  union  five 
children  were  born,  of  whom  are  living,  Hed- 
wick  and  Lottie.  Politically,  Mr.  Wilberger  is 
a  Democrat.  Physically,  he  is  very  much  im 
paired  and  his  disabilities  are  unquestionably 
the  result  of  his  long  and  arduous  army  service. 
He  is  a  man  of  good  habits,  was  a  brave  soldier, 
is  honest  and  upright  in  all  his  business  trans 
actions,  and  as  a  citizen,  well  thought  of. 


HON.  JAMES  IRVIN  NEFF,  a  distinguished  at 
torney  of  Freeport,  111.,  was  born  in 
Center  Co.,  Pa.,  October  5,  1839.  He  is 
remotely  decended  from  a  Swiss  family,  his 
American  progenitors  settling  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  his  grandfather,  John  Neff,  as  well  as  his 
mother,  Mollie  Emmet,  were  born.  His  father 
Josiah  Neff,  was  a  farmer,  and  a  man  of  many 
sterling  characteristics,  which  constituted  him  a 
highly  respected  citizen,  and  a  useful  member 
of  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 

•  James  I.  Neff,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  attending 
the  district  school  until  he  was  prepared  to  en 
ter  Dickinson  Seminary  at  Williamsport,  Pa., 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1861.  In  Jan. 


1862,    he    located    at   Tiffin,    Ohio,    where    he 
became    a  student  of    the  law  in  the  office  of 
Col.  Leander  Stem.     But  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  War  interrupted  the  further  prosecution  of 
his  studies,  and  he.  in  obedience  to  the  demand 
for  volunteers,  enlisted  in  the  loist  Ohio  Inf. 
which  his  law  preceptor,  Col.  Stem,  had  assisted 
to  organize.     He    was  made  2d  Lieutenant  of 
Company   H.,  receiving  his  commission  before 
leaving  the  State.     The  loist  Ohio  was  assigned 
to  the    1st    Brigade,    ist    Division,  4th    Corps 
of  the  Army  of  the    Cumberland.     Lieutenant 
Neff  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  was 
promoted  to  First    Lieutenant,  Adjutant,   and 
Captain  of  Company  H.     He  gallantly  led  the 
regiment  into   action    at  the   battle    of  Perry- 
ville,  Stone  River,    Chickamauga,     Missionary 
Ridge  and  in  other  minor  engagements. 

He  participated  with  his  command  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign.  At  Kenesaw  Mountain  the 
regiment  lost  heavily  in  an  attempt  to  capture 
the  enemy's  position  by  a  precipitate  move 
ment.  He  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro.  At  the 
surrender  of  Atlanta,  Captain  Neff  united  with 
the  command  of  General  Thomas  in  the  pur 
suit  of  Hood  toward  Nashville,  and  bore  a  gal 
lant  part  in  the  stubbornly  fought  battle  of 
Franklin,  Nov.  30,  1864,  and  of  Nashville  Dec. 
i6th  and  i/th,  resulting  in  the  utter  defeat 
and  thorough  discomfiture  of  Hood's  army. 
Captain  Neff  was  mustered  out  at  Cleveland, 
with  his  regiment  in  June,  1865.  Colonel  Stem, 
his  original  preceptor,  was  among  the  killed 
during  the  war.  Mr.  Neff  resumed  his  legal 
studies  in  the  office  of  Lee  &  Brewer,  at  Tiffin, 
being  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
in  January  1867. 

In  the  ensuing  June,  he  removed  to  Free- 
port,  111,,  and  there  began  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  associating  himself  in  a  partnership 
with  Mr.  Thomas -J.  Turner,  which  was  contin 
ued  for  two  years,  after  which  the  firm  of 
Bailey  &  Neff  was  established,  which  existed 
for  ten  years.  In  the  fall  of  1878,  Mr.  Neff  be 
came  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Neff  &  Stearns, 
which  is  still  maintained,  and  which,  as  a  firm, 
has  during  the  past  nine  years  conducted  numer- 


20 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ous  important  cases  in  the  courts   of  Stephen- 
son  Co. 

Both  the  members  of  the  firm  are  well 
versed  in  the  law,  and  in  the  various  proced 
ures  of  its  practice,  and  are  possessors  of  the 
requisite  abilities  to  insure  a  continuance  of  the 
successes  which  have  attended  their  partner 
ship.  Mr.  Neff  has  for  fifteen  years  been  the 
attorney  of  the  Illinois  Central  R.  R.  Co.,  and 
for  several  years  has  acted  in  the  same  capacity 
for  the  Chicago,  Madison  &  Northern  R.  R. 
Co.  He  has  steadily  won  his  way  to  the  front 
rank  of  his  profession,  and  the  continual  de 
mand  for  his  services  is  a  fitting  tribute  to  his 
zeal  and  proficiency  in  legal  knowledge. 

Mr.  Neff  was  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Leg 
islature  in  1879-80,  and  rendered  valuable  ser 
vices  to  the  State  and  constituency.  He  took 
a  prominent  part  in  the  election  of  Gen. 
Logan  to  the  United  States  Senate.  In  1884, 
Mr.  Neff  was  elected  a  member  of  the  State 
Board  of  Equalization,  and  is  still  associated 
therewith.  He  is  a  zealous  advocate  of  the  G. 
A.  R.  organizations,  and  has  been  Commander 
of  the  John  A.  Davis  Post,  of  which  he  is  an 
active  and  influential  member.  He  is  also 
prominently  identified  with  the  Illinois  Com- 
mandery  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal 
Legion  of  the  United  States. 

The  marriage  of  James  I.  Neff  and  Miss 
Catherine  Rowell  was  celebrated  at  the  home 
of  the  bride  at  Freeport,  111.,  July  29,  1879. 
Mrs.  Neff  is  the  only  child  of  W.  D.  and 
Amelia  Rowell.  Of  this  union  there  have  been 
two  children  born,  Florence,  Aug.  19,  1882,  and 
William  R.,  Nov.  9,  1885.  Their  pleasant  home 
on  Stephenson  street  is  frequented  by  the  re 
fined  and  cultivated  people  of  their  city. 

Mr.  Neff  is  a  useful  man  to  his  community, 
and  to  the  State  of  his  adoption,  and  exempli 
fies  the  value  of  a  judiciously  directed  ambition 
and  an  unflagging  energy.  To  such  men  may 
well  be  awarded  the  highest  gifts,  as  being  the 
truest  and  most  reliable  conservators  of  cor 
rect  principles  and  stainless  lives. 


BYRON  FORD,  of  Tonica,    111.,    one   of   the 
prominent  representative  farmers  of  La 
Salle  Co.,  was  born  in  Green  Co.,  N.  Y., 
in  1837.     His  father  was  a  native  of  New  York, 
and    one    of   the    substantial    farmers   of    that 
State,  and  raised  his  son,  Byron,  to  that   occu 
pation.     Care   was   taken    that    he  should  not 
only  have  a  good  knowledge  of  farming,  but  a 
strong  constitution  and  a  good  common  school 
education.       Possessed    of    these    three    quali 
fications,    they  reasoned  that  their  son  would 
be  able  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  that 
he  would  be   successful    in    his    chosen    occu 
pation,  an  honorable  member  of  society,  and  a 
patriotic    citizen.      The    history    of    their    son 
proves  that  they  reasoned  well.     In    1859,    Mr. 
Ford  started  for  the  great  West  and  finally  lo 
cated  in  La  Salle    Co,,   111.,    near   what  is  now 
the  town  of  Tonica,  where  he  engaged  in  farm 
ing.     He  enlisted   at  Tonica,  August   9,    1862, 
and  was  soon  after  mustered  in  at  Chicago  as 
a  private  in  Co.  A.  88th  Illinois  Infantry,  which 
was  generally  known  as  the  "Second  Board  of 
Trade     Regiment."      Sept.    4th,    it    was    im 
mediately    ordered    to    the    front,    going    into 
camp  at  Jeffersonvijle,  and  then  was  sent  on  to 
Covington,  Ky.     Sept.    I5th,    it    was    brigaded 
with  the  24th  Wisconsin,  2nd  and    I5th    Mis 
souri,   forming  the    First    Brigade    under  Col. 
Greusel,  Granger's  Division,  Army  of  the  Ohio. 
September  2ist,  the  command  was  ordered   to 
Louisville,  where  the  88th  was  placed  in  the  37th 
Brigade  with  the  ist  Mich.,  24th  Wis.  and  36th 
111.,  Greusel  in  command,   iith  Division,  with 
Gen.    Sheridan    commanding.      Mr.    Ford    fol 
lowed  the  fortunes  of  his  regiment,  was  with 
it  in  many  of  its  hardest  marches  and  hardest 
fought  battles.     Among  the  first  of  these  were 
Perryville,    Murfreesboro,    Chickamauga,    and 
Missionary  Ridge.     His  first  baptism  of  fire  was 
the  action  of  Perryville,  where  the  Union  forces 
met  Bragg.     In  this  engagement,  the  regiment 
lost  quite  heavily.     After  Perryville,  the  88th 
marched  to  Crab  Orchard,  thence  to  Lebanon 
and  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  arriving  Oct.  30,  1862. 
The  next  move  was  toward   Nashville,  passing 
through  Edgefield  and    then    south    of    Nash 
ville,  on  the  Nolensville  Pike,  where  the  88th, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


21 


on  Nov.  2Oth,  was  placed  in  the  1st  Brig.,  2nd 
Div.  of  the  Right  Wing,  Army  of  the  Cumber 
land,  Gen.  Sheridan  commanding.  Mr.  Ford 
fought  with  his  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Perry- 
ville,  Oct.  8th,  but  during  the  action  at  Stone 
River,  or  Murfreesboro,  he  was  in  the  hospital. 
After  that  action,  the  army  went  into  camp  at 
Murfreesboro,  remaining  there  until  June,  1863. 
In  July  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  ist  Brig., 
2nd  Uiv.  2Oth  A.  C.,  and  took  the  advance  in 
pursuit  of  Bragg,  through  Tennessee.  Its  next 
important  engagement  was  at  Chickamauga, 
September  igth  and  2Oth,  after  which  it  went 
into  camp  at  Chattanooga.  Subsequently  it 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge, 
forming  a  part  of  the  assaulting  column  upon 
the  left  center  of  the  enemy's  position  and 
was  among  the  first  to  spread  its  colors 
to  the  breeze  upon  the  Ridge.  At  that  time 
Mr.  Ford  was  out  with  the  forage  train,  but 
on  returning  was  in  sight  of  the  battle. 
From  Dec.  1863,  to  Feb.  1864,  the  regiment 
was  chiefly  engaged  in  scouting  in  Tenn. 
and  Ky.,  finally  going  into  camp  at  Loudon, 
where  it  remained  until  April.  During  this 
period  Mr.  Ford  was  taken  sick,  and  was  sent 
home  (in  March)  where  he  remained  for 
about  two  months,  and  then  returned  to  Chat 
tanooga  and  went  into  the  hospital  where  he 
remained  until  about  the  ist  of  Nov.  1864,  then 
joined  the  Reg.  at  Columbia,  Tenn.  After 
rejoining  his  Reg.  Mr.  Ford  was  in  the  skir 
mishes  at  Columbia,  and  then  again  was  en 
gaged  at  Spring  Hill,  Franklin  and  Nashville. 
Hood  kept  the  Union  troops  moving,  and  after 
the  battle  of  Nashville,  they  made  him  move 
much  livelier  than  he  cared  to,  and  drove  him 
out  of  Tenn.  Later,  the  Reg.  went  into  camp 
at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  where  it  remained  until 
March,  when  it  moved  to  Butt's  Gap,  and  from 
there,  in  May  back  to  Nashville,  where  it  was 
mustered  out,  June  9,  1865.  It  was  ordered  to 
Chicago  where  it  arrived  June  I3th,  and  was 
paid  off  and  finally  discharged  from  the  United 
States  service,  June  22,  1865.  At  the  hands  of 
the  hospitable  and  patriotic  people  of  Chicago, 
the  soldiers  were  tendered  a  glorious  banquet, 
which  after  their  long  years  of  marching,  fast 


ing,  fighting  and  suffering,  they  enjoyed  to  the 
fullest  extent.  After  the  war  Mr.  Ford  re 
turned  home,  and  once  more  engaged  in  agri 
cultural  pursuits,  which  he  has  since  followed 
with  success.  In  1877,  he  purchased  the  farm 
where  he  now  lives.  He  has  a  beautiful  and 
well  cultivated  farm  in  the  suburbs  of  the 
town  of  Tonica,  where  he  enjoys  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  his  neighbors,  and  that  quiet 
peace  which  comes  to  those  who  have  acquired 
a  competence  through  years  of  honest  industry, 
and  who  have  discharged  their  duty  as  citi 
zens  and  patriots.  Mr.  Ford  is  prominent  and 
active  in  G.  A,  R.  circles,  and  was  one  of  the 
charter  members  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  93 
of  Tonica,  and  is  at  present  the  Commander. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Society, 
and  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  was  married  April 
13,  1870,  to  Siemma  Alvord,  daughter  of  Edward 
and  Charlotte  (Allison)  Alvord,  a  native  of  Illi 
nois.  Two  children  were  born  to  them — Flor- 
rence  C.  and  William  S.  Mrs.  Ford  is  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church. 


JAMES  F.  HALEN,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army 
for  the  late  rebellion,  and  was  mustered 
in  as  a  private,  in  Co.  A.,  ii7th  N.  Y. 
Vol.  Inf.  in  Aug.,  1862.  He  continued  at  Rome 
for  a  short  period,  when  he  was  ordered  to 
Washington,  D.  C.,  and  afterward  took  up 
winter  quarters  near  Georgetown.  The  follow 
ing  spring  with  his  regiment  he  was  sent  to 
Suffolk,  on  the  Nancemond  river,  to  intercept 
Longstreet,  and  participated  in  several  skir 
mishes  and  the  capture  of  Fort  Hill.  From 
Portsmouth  the  Reg.  was  taken  on  transports 
to  South  Carolina  and  assisted  in  the  assault 
upon  and  the  capture  of  Fort  Wagner  and  then 
proceeded  in  boats  to  Gloucester  on  the  the 
York  river.  Subsequently  he  went  with  the 
Reg.  on  transports  to  West  Point  as  a  blind,,  and 
thence  to  Bermuda  Hundred  where  they  threw 
up  breast-works  between  the  James  and  Appo- 
matox  rivers,  and  in  the  meantime  fought  the 
battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  afterward  those  of  Cold 


22 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Harbor,  Petersburg,  Seige  of  Petersburg,  Chap- 
in's  Farm,  and  Darbytown  Road.  Then  moved  to 
Fort  Fisher,  where  he  had  another  engagement, 
then  joined  Sherman's  army  and  marched  to 
Raleigh,  N.  C.,  and  was  present  when  Johnston 
surrendered. 

Mr.  Halen  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  March 
26,  1843,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret 
(Kelly)  Halen,  natives  of  Ireland,  who  im 
migrated  to  the  United  States  about  the  year 
1830,  settling  in  Newark  and  subsequently  re 
moved  to  Utica,  N.  Y.  They  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  three  sons  and  four  daughters, 
as  follows:  William,  who  served  in  the  rebellion 
in  the  I4th  N.  Y.  Inf.  for  two  years,  dying  in 
1887;  Ann,  wife  of  Nicholas  Eccles,  of  Auburn, 
N.  Y.;  Mary,  who  died  about  1885;  Margaret, 
who  died  in  1880;  Thomas,  a  resident  of  New 
York;  Elizabeth,  who  died  in  1872,  and  our 
subject.  The  father,  died  in  Utica,  in  1867, 
whilst  the  mother  is  still  living  in  Auburn,  at 
the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-two  years.  Mr.  Halen 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools, 
and  had  the  good  fortune  of  receiving  a  very  lib 
eral  share.  At  the  age  of  17  he  was  apprenticed 
to  a  machinist,  to  learn  that  trade;  but  the  war 
afforded  greater  opportunities  for  excitement, 
therefore  long  before  his  term  expired  he  be 
came  articled  to  Uncle  Sam,  to  study  the  soldier 
trade  and  passed  through  the  rebellion  and  was 
present  at  its  closing  scenes,  when  Gen.  John 
son  surrendered.  He  was  discharged  at 
Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  June  28,  1865.  He  immediately 
returned  to  the  apprenticeship  which  he  had 
abandoned  to  become  a  soldier,  and  served  out 
the  remainder  of  his  term  of  engagement. 

July  4,  1868,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Sarah  A.  Hosley,  a  daughter  of  John  J.,  and 
Mary  A.  (Ferguson)  Hosley,  who  were  the 
parents  of  one  daughter  beside  the  wife  of  our 
subject,  viz.,  Julia  J.,  wife  of  Lyman  Babcock, 
of  Neligh,  Antelope  Co.,  Neb.  Subsequent  to 
his  marriage  Mr.  Halen  removed  to  Auburn, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until  1873,  then 
proceeded  West  and  located  near  Warren,  in 
Jo  Daviess  Co.,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  operations,  but  soon  matters  did  not 
please  him,  therefore  he  abandoned  farming 


and  went  to  Freeport,  where  he  has  since  fol 
lowed  his  trade,  having  engaged  with  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad,  with  which  he  has 
continued  to  be  employed. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Halen  are  the  parents  of  four 
living  children,  viz;  Lena  J.,  William  J.,  Maggie 
M.,  and  Mary  A.  Our  subject  is  a  member  of 
Post  98,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  has  been  Vice 
Commander.  Mrs.  H.  is  one  of  the  active 
members  of  the  Women's  Relief  Corps,  has 
acted  as  its  secretary  and  is  one  of  its  charter 
members.  Mr.  Halen  and  his  family  are  well 
known  in  the  city  of  Freeport,  and  bear  the 
good  will  and  respect  of  all  to  whom  their 
names  are- known. 

Shortly  summarized  he  was  in  the  following 
battles,  and  his  regiment  sustained  the  losses 
approximately  as  indicated  below: 

Drury  Bluff,  killed  and  wounded  81;  taking 
of  Petersburg  Heights,  24;  siege  of  Petersburg, 
132;  Chapin's  farm,  130;  Darbytown  road,  52; 
and  Fort  Fisher  95. 


CHARLES  COWLES  SMITH  (deceased),  of 
Naperville,  111.,  was  born  Dec.  17,  1844, 
at  Austinburg,  Ohio.  He  was  the  son 
of  Augustine  A.  Smith,  who  is  now  President 
Emeritus,  of  Northwestern  College,  Naper 
ville,  111.,  who  was  born  in  the  State  of  Mass., 
Nov.23,  1806.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Austin, 
was  also  born  in  Mass.,  and  his  paternal  great 
grandfather  was  born  near  Norwich,  in  Conn., 
and  was  of  English  ancestry.  His  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Eliza  Cowles,  and  was  born 
in  Norfolk,  Lichfield  Co.,  Conn.  His  maternal 
grandfather,  Samuel  Cowles,  as  also  his  ma 
ternal  great  grandfather  of  the  same  name, 
was  born  in  Conn.  His  parents,  now  ripe  in 
years,  and  crowned  writh  honor  still  live  at 
Naperville.  Mr.  Smith  had  two  brothers- 
Henry  Cowles  and  Augustine  Tilden — and  one 
sister — Maria  Cowles,  all  of  whom  are  now 
dead  except  Henry.  His  father,  A.  A.  Smith, 
lived  in  Massachusetts  until  he  attained  his 
majority,  having  assisted  upon  the  farm  when 
not  attending  school.  When  seventeen  years  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


age,  he  was  licensed  as  a  teacher,  which  profes 
sion  he  followed  until  he  resigned  to  resume 
his  studies  at  Lenox  Academy,  Mass.,  and 
subsequently  came  West  settling  at  Oberlin, 
Ohio.  He  also  attended  an  academy  in  that  State, 
teaching  school  in  the  winter  seasons.  Then 
he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Austin- 
burg.  In  the  spring  of  1838,  after  several  years 
of  study  and  preparation,  and  not  at  all  times  un 
der  the  most  favorable  circumstances,  he  passed 
the  necessary  examination  of  the  college  near 
Cincinnati,  and  had  the  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts  conferred  upon  him.  In  the  spring  of 
1838,  he  received  the  appointment  as  teacher 
in  the  Grand  River  Institute  at  Austinburg, 
which  he  held  until  1857,  when  he  was  offered 
and  accepted  the  principalship  of  Greensburg 
Seminary  (Summit  County)  remaining  there 
for  five  years,  when  he  was  asked  to  accept  the 
presidency  of  what  was  then  known  as  Plain- 
field  College,  then  in  course  of  organization  at 
Plainfield,  111.,  by  the  Evangelical  Association. 
He  removed  with  that  institution  to  Naperville 
in  1870  when  its  name  was  changed  to  the 
"  Northwestern  College."  Declining  years  and 
an  enfeebled  constitution  suggested  his  retire 
ment  from  a  position  which  required  the 
strength  and  energy  of  a  younger  man;  conse 
quently  in  1883,  he  resigned,  but  the  trustees 
of  that  institution  rewarded  his  honorable 
record  as  an  instructor  by  retaining  him  in 
connection  with  it  as  President  Emeritus,  and 
now  only  teaches  as  his  health  and  inclination 
permit. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  enlisted  at 
Camp  Medill,  Fairfield  Co.,  Ohio,  Nov.  27, 
1861,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co. 
I,  76th  Reg.,  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.  Feb.  4,  1862,  for 
active  service  in  the  field,  and  on  the  I4th 
and  1 5th  of  the  same  month  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Fort  Donelson.  Subsequently,  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh,  April  7,  1862;  Pea  Ridge, 
April  28;  the  siege  of  Corinth;  Millikens  Bend, 
La.,  skirmish,  August  10,  1862;  Greenville, 
Miss.,  skirmish,  August,  1862;  Bowler,  Miss., 
skirmish,  same  month;  Battle  of  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  Miss.,  December  28;  Arkansas  Post, 
Ark.,  January  11,  1863;  Deer  Creek,  Miss., 


skirmish,  April,  1863;  Fourteen  Mile  Creek, 
Miss.,  skirmish,  May  8,  and  the  siege  of  Jackson, 
Miss.,  July,  1863.  He  enlisted  as  a  private,  was 
first  promoted  to  a  corporal,  and  then  to  the 
position  of  sergeant.  During  the  later  months  of 
his  life,  while  fighting  the  battles  of  his  country, 
the  hardship  incident  to  long,  heavy  and  con 
tinuous  marches,  with  the  cold  and  inhospit 
able  ground  for  a  bed  to  sleep  upon,  coupled 
with  the  mental  strain  always  present  to  a 
soldier  engaged  in  almost  daily  battle,  with 
comrades  and  foes  falling  dead  beside  him,  was 
more  than  his  constitution  could  bear.  At  the 
siege  of  Jackson,  his  growing  illness  had  de 
veloped  into  a  deathly  sickness.  Even  at  this 
stage,  his  young  life  might  have  been  saved  if 
he  had  had  hospital  care,  or  the  tender  hands 
of  a  loving  mother  to  supply  his  wants.  These 
blessings,  however,  are  seldom  realized  by  the 
soldier,  and  if  they  are,  young  Smith's  case 
stands  out  and  proclaims  itself  an  exception. 
He  was  placed  in  a  hammock  by  his  admiring 
comrades,  and  carried  from  one  position  to 
another  upon  the  field,  until  that  dread  messen 
ger,  death,  claimed  brave  young  Smith  as  its 
victim.  Always  cheerful,  brave  and  honorable, 
he  died  like  a  hero  on  the  field  of  battle,  en 
shrouded  in  his  armor,  and  with  his  weapon 
by  his  side. 


WILLIAM  E.  RICHARDSON,  of  Rock  Falls, 
111.,  was  born  at  Lockport,  N.  Y., 
August  30,  1840.  His  parents  were 
Arnold  and  Eliza C.  (Lyons)  Richardson.  His 
father  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  August  1810, 
and  died  at  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  12,  1866.  His 
mother  still  survives  and  is  residing  at  the 
old  homestead.  The  elder  Richardson  was  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  but  was  employed  in  farm 
ing  operations  for  the  greaterpart  of  his  life, 
and  for  some  time  in  canal  boating,  having  been 
the  first  to  run  a  boat  through  the  locks  at 
Lockport.  His  father,  whose  name  was  Arnold, 
was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  was  born 
from  an  English  family,  settling  in  the  United 
States  at  an  early  period.  Arnold  Richardson. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  great  grandfather  of  William  E.,  the  sub 
ject  of  this  sketch,  served  as  a  soldier  during 
-the  War  of  the  Revolution.  The  Lyons  family 
was  of  Irish  descent. 

Five  children  were  born  to  the  union  of  Ar 
nold  and  Eliza  C.  Richardson:  Charles  J.,  Wil 
liam  E.,  Sarah  J.,  Charles  C.  Lysander  L.  and  So- 
loma  E.,  all  of  whom  are  living,  except  Charles 
J.,  who  came  to  his  death  by  being  accidentally 
scalded  when  an  infant.  William  E.  continued 
with  his  parents,  attending  school  until  the  age 
of  twenty,  when  he  began  the  study  of  photog 
raphy  at  Lockport.  He  was  thus  engaged 
when  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  broke  out.  He 
was  among  the  first  to  enlist  at  Lockport,  April 
16,  1861,  as  a  private  of  Co.  K.,  28th  N.  Y.  Inf. 
Mr.  Richardson  proceeded  with  his  regiment 
to  Albany,  N.  Y.,  the  place  of  rendezvous. 
The  regiment  was  ordered  to  Washington  in 
the  latter  part  of  May,  then  going  into  camp, 
and  remaining  for  about  three  weeks,  when  they 
proceeded  to  unite  with  the  command  of  Gen. 
Patterson  in  Virginia  at  Williamsburg,  at  that 
time  operating  against  Gen.  Johnson.  On  the 
4th  of  July,  1 86 1,  the  regiment  was  reviewed 
by  President  L-ncoln,  Gen.  Winfield  Scott  and 
other  distinguished  personages. 

While  in  camp  at  Strausburg,  Mr.  Richard 
son  was  prostrated  with  sickness  and  given  a 
furlough  home,  being  absent  about  six  weeks. 
He  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Culpeppcr  Court 
House,  and  there  remaimed  in  camp  for  some 
time.  On  the  march  to  Cedar  Mountain  he  had 
an  attack  of  sun-stroke.  It  was  the  day  before 
the  battle  at  that  place  in  which  for  this  reason 
he  was  not  engaged.  He  was  the  next  day 
taken  to  the  hospital,  from  which  he  returned 
in  a  few  days  to  his  regiment.  He  was  engaged 
in  action  at  Bull  Run,  and  at  Antietam.  The 
Reg.  lost  so  heavily  at  Cedar  Mountain  as 
scarcely  to  have  enough  men  for  field  duty. 
All  the  officers  were  either  killed,  wounded  or 
taken  prisoners,  the  highest  officer  on  duty  be 
ing  an  Orderly  Sergeant.  The  Reg.  was 
now  conjoined  with  the  5th  Command  and 
46th  Pa.  At  Bolivar  Heights  the  supplies  were 
cut  off  and  the  Reg.  had  to  be  put  on  short  ra 
tions.  From  here  the  command  moved  on  to 


Charleston,  Va.,  then  going  into  camp.  It  was 
at  this  place  that  John  Brown,  the  Harper's 
Ferry  raider,  was  hanged  December  2,  1859. 
During  the  rest  of  this  service  they  operated 
in  Maryland  and  the  Shenandoah  valley,  going 
into  winter  quarters  at  Frederick,  Md.,  1862-3, 
being  included  in  the  several  expeditions  set 
on  foot  from  that  point.  The  next  import 
ant  engagement  in  which  the  command  par 
ticipated  was  with  the  I2th  A.  C.  under  Gen. 
Slocum,  the  Reg.  occupying  a  position  in  the 
center.  Just  as  they  were  being  led  into  action, 
the  whole  regiment  was  captured.  Mr.  Richard 
son  was  paroled  with  the  rest  and  sent  to  Wash 
ington,  thence  to  Albany  and  Lockport,  being 
mustered  out  at  the  latter  place  June  3,  1863. 

He  occupied  his  time  from  his  return  home 
to  1866,  in  farming,  after  which  he  removed  to 
the  West,  settling  at  Lee  Center,  Lee  Co.,  Ills., 
where  he  resumed  the  life  of  a  farmer.  After 
two  years  he  changed  his  place  of  residence  to 
Hume  township,  Whiteside  Co.,  removing 
in  a  short  time  to  Iowa,  where  he  continued  to 
live  about  eleven  years,  and  then  going  back 
to  his  old  home.  In  1889  he  returned  to  Illi 
nois,  locating  at  Rock  Falls,  where  he  has 
since  been  engaged  in  keeping  a  store  and 
restaurant.  He  was  married  Oct.  I,  1863, 
at  Wilson,  N.  Y.,  to  Martha  A.,  daughter  of 
George  T.  and  Sarah  (Dibble)  Wright,  natives 
of  New  York.  They  had  one  child,  George  B., 
now  residing  in  New  York.  Mr.  Richardson 
lost  his  first  wife,  and  was  again  married  Feb. 
19,  1871,  at  Hume  township,  to  Celestine 
L.,  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Harriet  (Correll) 
Scott,  whose  father  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and 
mother,  of  Pennsylvania.  They  came  to  Illi 
nois  in  a  boat  built  by  his  own  hands,  coming 
down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Mississippi  to  Rock- 
river  and  to  Como.  They  brought  with  them 
on  this  boat  the  necessary  materials  for  build 
ing  a  house  and  a  supply  of  furniture  and  other 
requisites.  They  are  both  living  at  Rock  Falls 
and  are  much  respected.  By  his  present  wife 
Mr.  Richardson  had  two  children,  Charles  W. 
and  Bessie  W.  Charles  W.  died  December  25, 
1878. 

Mr.   Richardson  is  a  member  of  the  Will 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


Robinson  Post  No.  274,  of  Rock  Falls.  He  is 
a  staunch  Republican,  and  both  he  and  his  wife 
arc  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is 
a  good  citizen  and  an  upright  and  honorable 


man. 


LORENZO    G.    STOUT,   of   Rutland,   111.,   the 
present  Commander  of  Rutland  Post  No. 
292,    entered  the  army  Aug.  9,  1862,  at 
Rutland,  111.,   under  Capt.  John  Wadleigh,   in 
Co.  I,  I04th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  as   First  Duty  Serg., 
and  was  promoted  to  Orderly  Serg.     The  iO4th 
Reg.  was  commanded  by  Col.  A.  B.  Moore,  of 
Ottawa,  and   went   to   the   front  at   Louisville. 
It  was  on  duty  then  at  Brentwood,  Nashville, 
Frankfort  and  Bowling  Green.     At  Hartsville, 
Tenn.,  the  whole  Reg.  was  captured  by   Gen. 
Morgan's  band,  (see  Col.  Hapeman's  sketch  in 
this  work).     Dec.  7,  1862,  and  held  for  seven 
days  before  the  men  were  paroled,   returning 
to  the  Union  lines  at  Nashville,  Tenn.     They 
were  then  sent  to  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  thence 
to    Chicago,   where   they    were    employed    in 
guarding  prisoners  until  they  were  exchanged 
in  March,  1863,  when  they  were  ordered  to  the 
front  at  Louisville,  then  to   Brentwood,   Tenn. 
From  Brentwood  the   Reg.  marched  to   Mur- 
freesboro,  where  it  went   into   camp  and   soon 
afterward  started  on  the  Chattanooga  campaign, 
participating  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.    At 
this  point  the    iO4th   was  attached   to   the    1st 
Brig.,  1st  Div.,  I4th  A,  C.  of  the  Cumberland, 
commanded  by  Gen.  W.  P.  Carlin,  Lieutenant- 
Col.  Hapeman  assuming  command  of  the  reg 
iment.     This  brigade  took  a  prominent  part  in 
the  battle    of    Missionary   Ridge,    and    in    the 
Spring  of  1864  it  started  on  the  Atlanta  expedi 
tion,  engaging  in  all  the  important  conflicts  of 
that  historic  campaign,  being  under  fire  every 
day  for  five  months.     This  detachment  of  the 
army  was  with  Gen.  Sherman   "from  Atlanta 
to  the  Sea."     Mr.  Stout,  although  suffering  in 
health  from  his  long  and  arduous  service,  never 
failed  in  any  line  of  duty,  save  for  a  short  time 
that   he    was    in    the    convalescent    camp    on 
account   of   severe   sickness.      The   last  com 


manding  officer  of  Co.   I,  was    Capt.    Willard 
Proctor,    of    whom    Mr.    Stout    speaks    in    the 
highest  terms  as  an  officer  and  a  gentleman. 
A  good  story  is  told  of  Mr.  Stout  in  connec 
tion   with   an    incident  which  occurred  at   the 
battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek.     There  was  a  little 
Irishman  in  the  company  who  was  in  the  habit 
of  bragging   considerably   of  his    bravery,    yet 
whenever  a  battle  was  in  progress,  this  "son  of 
Erin"  was    always  hiding  in  the  rear  and  could 
never  be   found   on   the   field,   therefore,   Mr. 
Stout,  at  the  battle  mentioned,  determined    to 
keep  this  man  in  the  front  during  the  engage 
ment  if  no  other  man  in  the  company  was  kept 
there,  so  he  asked  the  captain  to  look  after  the 
company  during  the  action,  as  he  intended    to 
command  that  one  man  to  fight  or  frighten  him 
to  death.     He  took  the  cowardly  man   to   the 
very  front  and  in  the  heat  of  the  engagement 
the  Irishman  attempted    to   make   his   escape, 
but  pointing  his  gun   at    him,   Mr.   Stout   said: 
"Stay  in  your  place  or  I'll  shoot  you."     This  so 
terrified  the  victim  that,  although  almost  dead 
with  fear  he  remained  in  his  place.     So    intent 
was  Sergeant  Stout  in  command  or  his  "com 
pany  of  one  man"  that  he  did   not  notice  that 
the  Union  soldiers  had   fallen    back    until    the 
Irishman  cried  out,  "We  are  alone,  the  army   is 
retreating,"    and    to    Stout's    surprise    he    dis 
covered  this  to  be  true.     Then  he  said  to    the 
man:  "You  may  go."     He  did  go  and  was   not 
seen  again  for  five  days.     Mr.   Stout   then    be 
gun  to  fear  for  his  own  escape  and  saw    in    a 
moment   that  he    had    not   one    chance    in    a 
thousand    to  get  back   to     his     Reg.     as     the 
rebels  were  pouring  a  hot  fire  across  the    field 
between  him  and  the   Union  army,   and    to    at 
tempt  to  make  his  way  through  the  raining   of 
bullets,  was  certain  death.     He  expected  every 
moment  to  be  shot  down  where  he  was,  and  to 
retreat  was  sure  death;  so  in  his  great   anxiety 
he  stood  in  his  place  trying  to  decide   what  to 
do,  not  to   save  his  country  but  his    own    life. 
While  thus  weighing  the  matter,  a  change  came 
in  the  tide  of  battle,  the  Rebels  fell  back    be 
fore  the  Union  soldiers  and  the  question  was 
decided  for  him,  as  he   was  soon  again   in    the 
ranks  of  his  company.     After  this  encounter  of 


26 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Peach  Tree  Creek,  an  order  was  issued  giving 
one  man  in  each  company  a  furlough  as  a  re 
ward  for  conspicuous  bravery  in  that  engage 
ment.  The  surprise  of  Mr.  Stout  may  be  im 
agined  when  he  was  chosen  from  his  company 
as  the  one  to  whom  the  tribute  was  justly  due. 
On  this  furlough  he  visited  home  but  was  not 
able  to  understand  what  he  had  done  to  merit 
such  honor.  When  he  returned  to  duty  Col. 
Hapeman  said  to  him:  "Orderly,  that  bit  of 
bravery  of  yours  is  going  to  give  you  a  cap 
tain's  commission."  "What  bravery?"  asked 
Stout.  "Why,  holding  the  frontline  during  the 
battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  when  the  whole 
army  had  retreated  and  left  you  standing  alone 
until  the  ground  was  regained.  That  took 
nerve  and  you  have  been  highly  complimented 
for  it."  "D — n  it,"  answered  Stout,  "that  was 
not  bravery,  I  would  gladly  have  run  but  was 
too  d — d  scared  to  run,  so  I  staid  there  be 
cause  I  couldn't  get  away.  My  Irishman  was 
braver  than  I  for  when  I  told  him  to  run,  he 
did,  and  I  was  afraid  to  do  what  I  ordered  him 
to  do."  Mr.  Stout  relates  this  incident  with  a 
merry  twinkle  in  his  eye  and  it  is  quite  certain 
had  not  the  war  closed  as  soon  as  it  did,  he 
would  have  received  a  commission  as  captain, 
for  he  was  indeed,  a  brave  and  faithful 
soldier. 

Mr.  Stout  contracted  disease  in  the  army 
from  which  he  has  never  recovered.  He  was 
discharged  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  June  6,  1865,  after  joining  in 
the  Grand  Review,  which  ended  his  term  of 
service  of  three  years,  during  which  he  was 
in  some  of  the  most  prominent  and  hotly  con 
tested  battles  of  the  war. 

Lorenzo  G.  Stout  was  born  in  Monmouth 
Co.,  N.  J.,  of  old  Revolutionary  stock,  his 
grandfather,  Abram  Stout,  Sr.,  having  been  in 
the  war  for  American  Independence,  and  his 
father,  Abr^m  Stout,  Jr.,  was  in  the  war  of  1812. 
When  he  was  eight  years  old  his  parents  re 
moved  to  Ohio,  and  in  1855,  to  111.,  locat 
ing  in  Putnam  Co.,  and  moving  in  1860,  to 
Rutland,  where  the  young  man  was  engaged 
until  the  war,  in  farming  and  working  at  his 
trade  as  painter.  Since  the  war,  Mr.  Stout 


has  been  an  invalid  a  greater  part  of  the  time, 
but  has  done  some  work  as  painter  and  farmed 
in  a  small  way.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.  Post,  at  Rutland,  and  was  one  of  its  charter 
members.  He  has  always  held  some  office  in 
the  Post  and  is  at  present  its  Commander;  he 
is  also  an  Odd  Fellow,  in  which  order  he  has  a 
prominent  position.  Mr.  Stout  has  been 
favored  with  a  number  of  important  town  of 
fices,  holding  the  office  of  supervisor  for  Ben- 
nington  township,  for  6  or  7  years.  He  has 
been  on  the  board  of  education,  and  for  20 
years  has  been  justice  of  the  peace. 

Mr.  Stout  was  married  in  1859,  and  his  wife 
died,  leaving  one  child,  who  was  named  Han 
nah  Irene,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Edward  M. 
Barrodaile,  living  in  Preblc  Co.,  O.  He 
was  again  married  in  1868,  taking  as  his  wife, 
Everilla  Wise,  a  native  of  Penn.,  who 
came  when  a  child,  with  her  parents  to  111. 
From  this  union  there  is  one  son,  William  E., 
an  active  and  promising  young  man.  Mr. 
Stout  is  called  "a  red  hot  Democrat"  in  pol 
itics.  He  severely  blames  the  Republicans 
that  they  did  not  hang  Jeff  Davis;  had  they 
done  so,  he  doubtless  would  have  worked  and 
voted  with  the  Republican  party. 


THOMAS  M.  MASON,  Adjutant  of  Seth  C. 
Earl  Post  No.  156,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Ottawa, 
Ills.,  is  one  of  the  old  guard  whose  pat 
riotism  was  aroused  when  the  flag  of  the  Re 
public  was  fired  upon  by  the  internal  foes.  He 
enlisted  at  Chicago,  Aug.  6,  1862,  in  Co.  D., 
72d  111.  Inf.  which  rendezvoused  near  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  and  was  organized  by  the 
election  of  Fred  A.  Starring,  Colonel.  It 
was  known  as  the  ist  Reg.  of  the  Chicago 
Board  of  Trade.  It  remained  in  camp  until 
August  23,  when  it  was  ordered  to  take 
the  field.  It  moved  first  to  Cairo,  where  it  was 
engaged  in  drilling  and  camp  duty  until  Sept. 
7,  when  it  moved  to  Paducah,  thence 
to  Columbus,  at  which  point  it  did  guard  and 
picket  duty  until  Nov.  2 1st.  While  there 
the  soldiers  were  almost  continuously  drilling, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


27 


the  result  of  which  was  to  make  them  one  of 
the  best  organizations  in  the  army.  When  at 
Columbus,  the  Reg.  was  out  on  two  expe 
ditions,  one  to  Clarkson,  Mo.,  where  they  dis 
persed  a  Rebel  camp  and  captured  a  number 
of  prisoners  and  horses,  and  the  other  to  New 
Madrid  which  was  not  so  eventful.  Its  next 
move  was  to  La  Grange,  thence  to  Moscow, 
Tenn.,  where  it  was  ordered  to  join  Gen.  Quim- 
by's  yth  Div.,  I7th  A.  C.  With  this  command, 
Nov.  29,  it  moved  out  to  Lumpkin's  Mill, 
Miss.,  arriving  there  Dec.  1st.  From  there  it 
accompanied  Grant  in  his  Vicksburg  campaign 
as  far  as  Yaconapatafa  River,  where,  on  account 
of  supplies  being  cut  off  at  Holly  Springs,  the 
army  was  forced  to  return.  During  this  expe 
dition,  Mr.  Mason  was  accidentally  shot  in  the 
right  thigh.  He  was  sent  to  the  hospital,  where 
he  had  his  wounds  dressed.  Recovering,  he 
continued  in  the  hospital  serving  as  clerk  at 
Holly  Springs,  La  Grange  and  Memphis,  re 
maining  at  the  latter  place  until  Aug.  5,  1863. 
From  there  he  went  to  Vicksburg  and  was  on 
duty  with  Dr.  Ridgeley  in  the  Purveyor's  office 
as  abstract  clerk,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
until  Feb.  29,  1864,  when  he  was  transferred 
to  the  Freedman's  department,  Prentice  Hos 
pital.  Nov.  i  he  rejoined  his  regiment  at 
Vicksburg.  From  there  he  went  to  Paducah, 
Nashville,  and  thence  to  Columbia.  Continu 
ing  their  march  they  had  a  severe  skirmish 
with  the  Rebels  on  the  road  to  Franklin, 
Nov.  30th.  The  following  day  the  command 
moved  to  Franklin  and  were  placed  under 
Thomas.  Here  they  were  attacked  by  Hood, 
and  the  fight  raged  furiously  until  midnight. 
The  72d  lost  9  officers  and  152  men,  who  were 
either  killed  or  severely  wounded.  That  night 
the  army  left  the  works  and  retreated  to  Nash 
ville,  and  the  Reg.  was  transferred  to  Mc- 
Arthur's  Brigade,  A.  J.  Smith's  Corps.  Mr. 
Mason,  on  account  of  his  disability,  was  left  be 
hind  at  Nashville  and  rejoined  the  Reg.  Dec. 
25,  during  the  operations  against  Hood.  While 
the  command  was  at  Pulaski,  he  was  placed 
on  detail  duty  until  April  26,  1865,  when  he 
joined  the  Reg.  on  its  march  to  Montgomery. 
He  was  subsequently  detailed  as  clerk  in  the 


Provost  Marshal's  office  with  Col.  Sexton. 
July  16,  the  war  being  over,  the  Reg.  started 
on  its  way  homeward  He  was  mustered  out 
of  service  at  Vicksburg,  Aug.  6,  sent  directly  to 
Chicago,  where  he  was  paid  off  and  finally  dis 
charged,  when  he  returned  to  his  home. 

Mr.  Mason  was  born  in  New  York  City,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  L.  and  Amelia(Murry)Mason. 
His  father  was  a  lawyer  by  occupation  and  a  very 
successful  one,  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court 
for  several  years.  He  died  in  New  York  City, 
Aug.  9,  1860,  and  his  widow  at  Long  Island 
about  the  year  1886,  aged  90  years.  His 
great-grandfather,  John  Mason,  was  Chaplain 
to  Gen.  Washington,  at  the  battle  of  White 
Plains,  N.  Y.  Seven  children  were  born  to 
them, — John  M.,  Thomas  M.,  Mary  M.,  Anna, 
Ebenezer,  Amelia  M.,  and  Margarette  B.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  raised  at  home  where 
he  received  the  benefit  of  a  good  common- 
school  education.  In  1846,  he  determined  to 
try  his  fortune  in  the  great  West.  With  this 
view  he  left  home,  and  after  looking  the  country 
over  for  a  time  concluded  that  Ottawa,  111,, 
was  a  good  place  to  be  in,  and  he  accordingly 
took  up  his  abode  there  in  1847,  an(^  engaged 
in  farming,  which  he  continued  until  he  should 
ered  his  musket  in  defense  of  his  country. 
After  returning  from  the  war,  he  served  his  fel 
low  towns-people  as  clerk  for  23  years,  and  as 
justice  of  the  peace,  20  years.  His  long  term  in 
these  positions,  is  sufficient  evidence  that  he 
discharged  the  duties  with  ability  and  fidelity. 
He  has  for  many  years,  and  is  at  present, 
giving  his  attention  to  the  drug  business. 

Mr.  Mason  was  married  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
March  24,  1847,  to  Jennie  Church.  Two 
children  were  born  to  them, — Clara  A.,  now 
Mrs.  Byron  Mosier,  of  Stillwater,  Minn.  ; 
Minnie  B.,  who  died  when  young.  Mrs.  Mason 
died  Dec.  2,  1855.  He  was  married  the 
second  time,  Oct.  8,  1856,  to  Elmira  Nattin- 
ger.  One  child  blessed  this  union,— Julia  E.  who 
was  married  to  Mr.  J.  N.  Horton,  of  Buffalo 
Gap,  S.  D.  The  second  wife  died  May  24, 
1859.  He  was  married  again  at  New  York, 
Aug.  29,  1859,  to  Caroline  M.  Hunt.  Their 
child  was  named  Carrie,  and  was  married  to 


28 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Frank  Day,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  Mr.  Mason 
believes  in  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party. 


HANSON  J.  D.  DEPuE,  the  honored  Com 
mander  of  Lacon  Post,  No.  139,  G.  A. 
R.,  enlisted  in  the  army  as  a  private, 
Aug.  11,  1862,  in  Co.  F  io5th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  and 
was  mustered  in  at  Dixon,  111.,  Sept.  2,  under 
his  uncle,  S.  F.  Daniels,  who  was  captain  of  the 
company.  His  Reg.  was  first  assigned  to  the 
nth  Corps.  Subsequently,  when  the  nth  and 
1 2th  Corps  were  consolidated  it  was  placed  in 
the  20th  Corps,  1st  Div.,  3d  Brig,,  the  latter 
commanded  by  Gen.  Benj.  Harrison.  This 
Reg.  was  sent  first  into  the  field  at  Louis 
ville,  Ky.,  and  took  part  in  the  campaign 
against  the  rebel  forces  commanded  by  Gen. 
Bragg.  '  It  also  participated  in  the  engage 
ments  at  Snake  Creek  Gap,  Ga.,  Dalton,  Ga., 
Rocky  Faced  Ridge,  Resaca,  Kingston  and 
Dallas.  At  the  battle  of  Dallas,  May  25,  1864, 
Mr.  DePue  had  his  left  arm  shattered  and 
nearly  torn  from  his  body  by  grape  shot.  The 
arm  was  amputated  but  the  wound  was  so  seri 
ous  that  there  was  but  little  hope  at  the  time, 
that  the  brave  and  daring  young  soldier's  life 
could  be  saved.  After  the  amputation  on  the 
battle  field,  he  was  conveyed  to  the  hospital  at 
Nashville,  where,  when  sufficiently  recuperated, 
was  given  a  furlough  and  sent  home.  After 
remaining  at  home  for  a  time,  he  decided  to 
secure  the  benefits  of  the  Marine  Hospital  at 
Chicago,  and  received  treatment  until  he  was 
finally  discharged  from  the  army,  Sept.  10, 
1864,  after  being  in  the  service  of  his  coun 
try  for  two  years  and  one  month.  After  an 
honorable  discharge  and  bearing  an  indelible 
badge  of  his  devotion  and  sacrifice  to  the  cause 
of  liberty. and  honor,  Mr.  DePue  located  at 
Wenona,  Ill.,andattended  school  for  some  time. 
Subsequently  he  entered  the  Soldier's  College, 
at  Fulton,  111.,  and  later  engaged  in  teaching. 
In  1873,  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  Marshall 
Co.,  and  assumed  the  responsible  duties  of  that 
important  office.  Here  he  gave  such  general 


satisfaction  that  he  was  twice  re-elected  and 
served  his  adopted  county  three  terms  in 
this  office  of  trust,  which  required  financial 
and  business  ability  of  the  highest  order  as 
well  as  an  unimpeachable  integrity.  Accept 
ing  the  office  of  county  treasurer,  necessitated 
the  removal  of  Mr.  DePue  to  Lacon,  the 
county  seat,  and  this  has  been  his  residence 
to  the  present  time.  After  retiring  from  the 
treasurer's  office,  he  gave  attention  to  his  farm 
ing  interests  until  the  election  of  Benjamin 
Harrison  to  serve  in  the  presidential  chair. 
Mr.  DePue  had  served  in  the  army  in  Gen. 
Harrison's  brigade  and  his  services,  sacri 
fices  and  ability  were  at  the  time  noted  and 
remembered,  so  one  of  the  first  appoint 
ments  made  by  the  president  was  a  commission 
as  postmaster  at  Lacon  for  Hanson  J.  DePue, 
which  was  given  during  the  first  months  of  the 
new  administration  and  was  one  of  the  first 
post-office  appointments  made  by  President 
Harrison.  Mr.  DePue  has  been  honored  with 
many  local  offices,  as  supervisor,  alderman,  and 
in  fact,  such  is  the  esteem  and  confidence  he 
commands,  that  any  office  in  the  gift  of  his 
fellow  townsmen  would  be  at  his  disposal,  if  it 
was  known  that  he  desired  it  or  .even  would 
accept  it.  Mr.  DePue  is  justly  popular  with  all 
classes  of  citizens,  as  may  be  concluded  from 
the  positions  he  has  held,  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  has  been  commander 
of  his  post  for  four  years,  and  has  also  held 
other  important  places  in  the  order.  He  is  a 
life  long  republican,  having  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Grant.  In  1879  Mr.  DePue  assisted  in  the 
organization  of  a  military  company  and  was 
elected  its  1st  Lieut.  It  was  known  as  Co. 
G.  of  the  7th  Reg.,  I.  N.  G.  May  20,  1882,  he 
was  commissioned  by  Gov.  Cullom,  major, 
in  which  position  he  served  for  five  years, 
when  he  resigned. 

Hanson  J.  DePue  was  born  in  DuPage 
Co.,  111.,  in  1846,  where  his  father  was 
engaged  in  farming.  The  young  man  was  de 
termined  early  to  fit  himself  for  a  more  con 
genial  pursuit,  so  attended  school  until  the  call 
of  his  country  for  soldiers  caused  him  to  leave 
all  and  go  in  defense  of  its  flag.  He  was  mar- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


29 


ried  in  1876,  at  Lacon,  to  Stella  A,  Bane,  and 
has  four  children,  whose  names  are  Florence, 
Fannie,  Helen  and  Georgia.  Mr.  DePue  may 
justly  be  proud  of  the  success  that  has  crowned 
his  efforts,  as  it  affords  another  example  of 
the  reward  of  patient,  persistence,  unswerving 
integrity,  and  faithful  performance  of  every 
duty. 


FREEMAN  CLEMMONS  of  Rock  Falls,  Ills., 
was  born  at  Challamont,  Mass.,  July  9, 
1835.  His  parents  were  David  and  Persis 
[Fdwards]  Clemmons.  His  father  was  a  na 
tive  of  Mass.,  and  was  descended  from  an 
English  family  emigrating  to  this  country  at 
an  early  period  of  the  settlements  in  New 
England.  His  mother's  family  was  also  of 
English  ancestry.  The  mother  of  the  elder 
Clemmons  was  of  Irish  descent  and  bore  the 
name  of  Steele.  David  Clemmons  was  by  oc 
cupation  a  basket-maker.  He  died  at  Bucklun, 
Franklin  Co.,  Mass.,  in  Oct.,  1844,  his  wife  in 
Oct.  1841. 

They  had  eight  children,  Eunice,  who  died 
when  but  two  years  old;  Robert,  Louise,  Rich 
mond  J,  David,  Freeman,  Olive,  and  Edwin. 
Edwin  died  when  one  year  old;  Olive  in  1872, 
and  Robert  in  1889.  The  others  are  all  living. 
After  the  death  of  his  mother,  Freeman  made 
his  home  with  his  uncle  at  Ashfield,  Mass., 
where  he  attended  school  until  his  I5th  year, 
and  continued  his  residence  there  until  he  at 
tained  the  age  of  21.  He  then  went  West, 
and  settled  in  Brown  Co.,  111.,  engaging  in  work 
on  a  farm.  In  the  spring  of  1860,  he  removed 
to  Whiteside  Co.,  locating  in  Montgomery 
township,  where  he  enlisted  Sept.  7,  1861,  in  Co. 
A,  34th  111.,  Inf.  They  were  at  Camp  Butler, 
temporarily,  thence  removing  to  Camp  Nolen, 
by  way  of  Cincinnati,  Lexington,  and  Louis 
ville.  While  at  Camp  Butler,  the  reg.  was 
uniformed  in  grey,  for  which  each  man  had 
to  pay  $28,  and  which  was  exchanged  at  Camp 
Nolen,  for  dark  blue  at  the  same  cost.  Subse 
quently  going  to  Camp  Wood,  they  were  com 
pelled  to  purchase  uniforms  of  light  blue 
again  being  taxed  $28  each. 


Mr.  Clemmons  was  taken  sick  while  at  Camp 
Nolen,  and  at  Camp  Wood  was  furloughed  on 
account  of  physical  disability,  returning  home. 
He  rejoined  his  command  at  Battle  Creek,  Ala., 
in  June,  1862.  The  Reg.  was  assigned  with  the 
29th  and  30th  Ind.,  and  the  77th  Pa.  to  the  2d 
Brig.,  2Oth  Div.  and  the  2oth  A.  C.  Mr.  Clem 
mons  was  for  the  first  time  in  battle  near  Frank 
fort,  Ky.,  where  his  command  was  for  a  time 
surrounded  and  in  a  perilous  situation,  but  man 
aged  to  escape  capture.  They  were  after  this 
ordered  to  Nashville  where  they  were  stationed 
for  some  time.  Leaving  Nashville  on  Christmas, 
they  moved  on  to  Triune,  skirmishing  by  the 
way,  and  charging  across  a  cotton  field  upon  a 
battery,  dislodged  it,  and  put  the  gunners  to 
flight.  They  went  into  camp  at  Triune,  thence 
moving  forward  and  participating  in  the  battle 
of  Stone  River.  Here  Mr.  Clemmons'  Com 
pany  at  the  beginning  of  the  fight  held  a  position 
on  the  picket  line.  He  does  not  regard  the 
attack  here  as  in  the  nature  of  a  surprise,  as  the 
outpost  pickets  had  twice  fired  upon  the  enemy's 
advancing  columns  before  the  engagement  be 
gan.  In  this  battle  the  24th  suffered  severely, 
the  Company  losing  several  in  killed,  wounded 
and  by  capture. 

On  the  retreat,  Mr.  Clemmons  had  the  mis 
fortune  to  fracture  an  ankle  bone,  so  disabling 
him  as  to  compel  his  temporary  retirement 
from  active  duty.  He  was  sent  to  the  head 
quarters  of  Gen.  Rosecrans,  being  afterward 
detailed  to  guard  prisoners  in  a  negro  shanty. 
But  little  attention  had  in  the  meantime  been 
given  his  ankle  which,  upon  examination  by 
a  surgeon,  was  found  to  be  in  a  serious  condition, 
necessitating  his  removal  to  the  hospital  at 
Murfreesboro,  wnere  he  was  assigned  to  the  In 
valid  Corps,  performing  garrison  duty  until 
Dec.  The  Reg.  re-enlisted  in  Dec.,  1863,  but 
Mr.  Clemmons,  being  declared  by  reason  of  his 
accidental  injury  unable  to  discharge  field  ser 
vices,  was  not  permitted  to  do  so.  He  was 
sent  with  a  detail  to  conduct  a  squad  of  men 
to  Rossville,  and  while  at  that  place  was 
transferred  to  Co.  G,  78th  111.  During  the 
Atlanta  campaign  he  followed  his  command 
in  all  their  movements  and  battles  up  to  the 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


surrender  of  Atlanta.  He  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Buzzard's  Roost,  Dalton,  Kenesaw 
Mountain  and  Jonesboro.  His  term  of  service 
having  now  expired  he  was  mustered  out  and 
finally  discharged  at  Louisville.  He  returned 
home  and  engaged  in  farming  at  Montmor- 
ency,  a  tract  of  180  acres,  which  he  still  owns. 
Retiring  from  active  farm  life,  he  removed 
to  Rock  Falls,  \vhere  he  at  present  resides. 
He  was  married  Feb.  16,  1860,  at  Dover,  111.,  to 
Elizabeth  A.,  daughter  of  Anthony  and  Mary 
(Morgan)  Nichol.  He  lost  his  wife  Dec.  2, 

1882,  and  was  married  a  second  time,  Jan.   24, 

1883,  to  Mary  F,,  daughter  of  Charles  T.,  and 
Mary  West. 

He  is  a  prominent  member  of  Will  Robin 
son  Post,  No.  274,  G.  A.  R.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congre 
gational  Church.  Mr.  Clemmons  is  a  worthy 
citizen,  respected  by  all  who  know  him  for  his 
upright  and  honorable  character. 


ELMER  BACON  of  Streator,  111.,  was  born  at 
Cortland,  Ohio,  May  6,  1838.  He  re 
mained  on  the  farm  until  he  attained  the 
age  of  15  years,  and  when  old  enough  to  do  so, 
attended  a  district  school,  and  later  a  select 
private  school,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
and  was  licensed  as  a  school  teacher.  He 
taught  one  term,  then  during  the  troubles  in 
Kansas,  in  1858,  removed  there,  and  afterward 
returned  to  Ohio,  where  he  again  taught  school 
for  one  term.  He  went  to  Kansas  a  second 
time,  then  on  to  Pikes  Peak,  Col.,  in  1859,  where 
he  remained  until  the  fall  of  that  year,  when 
he  returned  as  far  as  the  State  of  Missouri,  and 
afterward  went  on  to  Ohio,  and  engaged  in  the 
oil  business,  in  the  Mecca-Trumbull  company 
oil  field,  remaining  there  until  the  spring  of 
1861.  In  the  spring  and  summer  of  that  year, 
many  of  the  young  men  of  Ohio — acquaintances 
of  Mr.  Bacon — were  joining  the  Union  army. 
He  concluded,  therefore,  to  lend  a  hand  and 
show  to  the  world  that  he  was  as  loyal  to  his 
country  as  any  of  those  who  had  previously 
enlisted.  He  proceeded  to  Cleveland,  and  en 


listed,  Aug.  21,  1861;  was  mustered  into  the 
I4th  Battery,  Ohio  Art.  the  same  day  and  went 
into  camp  for  a  short  time.  From  Cleveland 
he  removed  to  Camp  Dennison,  where  he  re 
mained  until  about  Feb.  12,  1862,  when  his 
battery  was  sent,  by  way  of  St.  Louis,  to  Fort 
Donelson,  at  which  place  he  arrived  on  the 
evening  of  its  surrender.  He  disembarked 
here  and  remained  in  camp  for.  about  two 
weeks,  then  crossed  to  Fort  Henry,  where, 
writh  his  battery,  he  boarded  a  transport  for 
Pittsburg  Landing.  This  was  the  first  battery 
of  the  Union  troops  which  had  ever  landed  at 
that  place.  The  battery  there  drilled  and 
camped  until  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 

Early  on  April  6,  Mr.  Bacon's  battery 
bravely  responded  to  the  bugle's  call,  was 
placed  in  position  and  had  their  guns  leveled, 
when  they  descried  a  body  of  men  ap 
proaching,  but  orders  were  given  not  to  fire 
as  it  was  supposed  they  were  Union  troops. 
Corporal  Tracy,  of  Mr.  Bacon's  Company  was 
on  the  ground  and  concluded  that  it  was  the 
enemy,  whereupon  order  was  given  to  fire. 
This  battery  was  one  of  the  first  that  opened 
fire  on  the  enemy  in  that  sanguinary  battle. 
The  battery  fired  rapidly  until  enveloped  in  a 
cloud  of  smoke,  completely  obscuring  both  the 
enemy  and  the  battery.  Mr.  Bacon,  in  attempt 
ing  to  load  his  gun,  found  himself  without 
ammunition,  and  none  forthcoming,  The  gun 
ner  hastily  run  back  to  discover  the  cause  of 
the  delay,  and  not  returning,  Mr.  Bacon  him 
self  started  for  the  same  purpose  and  soon 
discovered  the  cause.  Their  Captain  and 
28  men  had  been  either  killed  or  wounded, 
and  upwards  of  70  horses  disabled.  Their 
guns  were  captured,  but  none  of  the  men 
except  the  wounded  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  Mr.  Bacon  escaped  with  one  of  the 
limbers  and  the  men  operating  at  the  guns 
and  a  portion  of  the  team,  and  did  no  further 
service  in  that  battle  as  their  guns  and  outfit 
had  been  captured.  On  the  following  Monday 
they  recovered  their  guns,  but  they  were  spiked. 
The  battery  remained  on  the  battle  field 
for  some  days,  where  it  was  refitted,  and  about 
50  men  from  the  I3th  Ohio  were  assigned  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


duty  with  it,  and  so  remained  during  the  war. 
From  there  it  moved  with  the  army  on  toward 
Corinth.  After  the  evacuation  of  the  place, 
the  Company  of  our  subject  was  sent  to  Jackson, 
Tenn.,  where  it  remained  for  about  one 
year,  during  which  time  it  was  engaged  in 
light  skirmishes  and  performed  general  camp 
and  garrison  duty.  Afterward  it  returned 
to  Cornith,  remaining  there  a  few  weeks, 
thence  to  Linnville,  Tenn.,  where  it  re 
mained  until  Dec.  31,  1863,  when  Mr.  Bacon 
with  others  veteranized,  and  was  granted 
a  furlough.  This  was  the  only  time  he  was 
absent  from  his  Company.  Mr.  Bacon  then 
went  to  Pulaski,  took  cars  for  Nashville,  thence 
to  Louisville,  and  from  there  to  Warren,  Ohio, 
where  he  remained  for  thirty  days,  or  during 
his  furlough.  At  its  expiration  he  returned  to 
Linnville,  then  marched  to  Chattanooga,  ar 
riving  at  the  Rebel  line  at  Snake  Creek  Gap. 
From  this  time  forward  to  the  fall  of  Atlanta, 
Mr.  Bacon's  battery  was  constantly  engaged, 
enjoying  only  one  day's  rest  during  that  long 
period  of  no  days.  To  some  extent  it  was 
rewarded  for  its  hard  work  and  gallant  service, 
by  receiving,  July  22d,  particular  praise  from  the 
superior  officers  in  command.  Mr.  Bacon's 
gun  detachment  suffered  severely,  his  sergeant 
being  wounded  and  a  gunner  killed.  In  the 
last  mentioned  campaign  his  battery  lost 
heavily  and  were  constantly  calling  for  troops 
to  fill  up  the  openings  that  death  had  made  in 
their  ranks.  On  the  2/th  and  28th,  of  July,  his 
battery  was  on  the  right  of  Atlanta  but  not 
continuously  engaged.  At  Jonesboro  it  was 
held  in  reserve,  after  which  battle  it  moved 
near  to  Atlanta  and  went  into  camp.  It  after 
ward  marched  back  to  Rome,  where  the  Com 
pany  turned  over  what  horses  it  had  left  after 
a  long,  heavy  march,  loaded  its  guns  on  cars 
and  proceeded  to  Nashville,  where  the  battery 
was  again  refitted  for  active  duty.  Then  pro 
ceeding  to  the  front  at  Nashville,  it  remained 
until  the  battle  of  that  place  where  his  battery 
was  slightly  engaged  during  the  early  part  of 
the  day,  but  moved  to  the  right  with  the 
cavalry. 

Afterward     it    followed     Hood    across    the 


river  and  here  several  times  engaged  in  active 
skirmishing.  Notwithstanding  it  was  the  win 
ter  season,  the  battery  had  marched  for  16 
consecutive  days,  over  heavy  roads,  in  severe, 
broken  weather,  rendering  its  position  one  of 
extreme  hardship.  The  battery  went  into  camp 
and  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  provisions  and, 
upon  their  arrival,  built  what  was  intended  to 
be  comfortable  winter  quarters;  but  when  they 
were  about  completed,  received  orders  to  march 
to  the  river,  where  it  took  transports  to  Vicks- 
burg,  embarked  to  New  Orleans;  disembarked 
and  remained  for  about  two  weeks.  From  this 
point  it  again  took  the  steamer  around  to  Mo 
bile,  Ala.,  landed  a  few  miles  out,  and  was  held 
in  reserve  until  after  the  evacuation  of  that 
place,  when  it  moved  to  the  front  and  fol 
lowed  the  enemy.  His  battery  subsequently 
went  into  camp,  at  Columbia  where  it  remained 
for  some  time,  then  proceeded  to  Ohio  to  be 
mustered  out,  which  took  place  at  Camp  Den- 
nison  Aug.  9.  1865.  Notwithstanding  the  long 
period  in  which  Mr.  Bacon  was  actively  en 
gaged  in  open  warfare,  the  many  battles  and 
skirmishes  he  passed  through,  and  the  trials 
and  privations,  which  he  endured,  he  was  never 
wounded  or  so  sick  as  to  necessitate  going 
into  a  hospital,  and  never  absent  from  his 
active  duty. 

After  the  war  he  went  in  company  with  two 
others  to  Brashear  City  where  they  opened  a 
saw  mill,  and  there  remained  for  about  one 
year.  Afterward  he  returned  North  and 
went  into  business  in  Corry,  Penn.,  there 
remaining  for  about  three  years,  when  he 
moved  to  Cortland,  Ohio.  In  the  latter 
place  he  acted  as  a  sawyer  in  a  mill  for  two 
years,  when  he  went  to  Streator,  111.,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  feed  business,  and  by  energy 
and  push  has  built  up  a  prosperous  trade.  He 
married  Aug.  26,  1867,  at  Corry,  Penn.,  Miss 
Fannie  L.  Frisbie,  by  whom  he  has  one 
child — Laura.  He  was  the  son  of  Moses  H. 
Bacon,  born  in  New  Jersey,  in  1808.  His 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Maria  Eliza  Hovey, 
born  in  Ohio.  They  had  the  following  children 
besides  our  subject:  David  H.,  Jasper,  Oliver 
C.,  Calvin,  Ellen  M.,  William,  and  by  the  sec- 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ond  wife,  Leonora,  Josephine,  and  Lucy.  His 
brother  Oliver  was  also  in  the  War  of  the  Re 
bellion,  and  is  still  living. 

Mr.  Bacon  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
order,  of  the  Patriotic  Sons  of  America,  and 
Quarter-master  Sergeant  of  the  Streator  Post 
No.  68.  He  was  also  elected  a  member  of  the 
Streator  Council,  but  resigned  after  two  years 
service.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 


JOSEPH  ENGOMAR  was  born  March  19,  1841, 
at  Philadelphia,  Penn.  He  is  the  son  of 
Joseph  and  Mary  Engomar,  both  of  whom 
immigrated  from  Baden,  Germany,  many  years 
ago,  and  settled  in  this  country.  Joseph,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  youngest  of  five 
children.  The  father  died  about  the  year  1870, 
andthe  mother  during  the  year  1877.  Mr.  Engo 
mar  remained  at  home  during  his  early  years 
and  attended  the  common  school,  where  he 
laid  the  foundation  of  a  good  common  school 
education.  When  he  had  attained  the  age  of 
fourteen  years,  he  determined  to  be  no  longer 
a  burden  to  his  parents,  therefore,  concluded 
to  fight  his  own  wray  with  his  own  exertions, 
and  win  whatever  fortune  the  fates  should  de 
clare  belonged  to  him.  He  first  went  to  New 
Orleans,  then  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  learned 
the  trade  of  a  glass  blower,  and  became  pro 
ficient  in  all  the  mysteries  of  that  business. 
He  then  engaged  in  steamboating  on  the  Mis 
sissippi  and  Ohio  rivers,  for  about  three  years. 
From  that  time  forward  he  was  engaged  in 
various  pursuits,  and  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
found  him  at  New  Orleans,  where  he  remained 
until  after  the  Mississippi  was  blockaded.  On 
March  15,  1861,  he  left  in  a  steamboat  for  the 
North,  and  whilst  en  route,  was  critically 
searched,  first  at  Baton  Rouge,  and  again  at 
Columbus,  but  on  each  occasion  was  permitted 
to  proceed,  and  continuing,  reached  St.  Louis. 
From  here  he  went  to  Louisville  and  engaged 
on  a  steamer,  plying  between  that  port  and 
Cincinnati,  and  while  thus  employed,  heard  of 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  -The  enemy's  bullet 


created  little  fear  or  dread  in  the  mind  of 
young  Engomar,  and  being  anxious  to  partici 
pate  in  the  war,  concluded  to  join  the  union 
army,  and  immediately  set  out  for  Pittsburg, 
where  he  enlisted,  Aug.  3,  i8Ci,  in  Co.  F.,  46th 
Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  on  the  25th 
day  of  the  same  month.  He  proceeded  to 
Harrisb.urg,  where  he  joined  the  regiment  and 
then  continued  on  to  Washington.  From  this 
point  his  Reg.  moved  out  to  Balls  Bluff 
where  they  engaged  the  enemy  in  battle,  on 
Oct.  21,  1861.  They  then  moved  back  to 
Phoenix  Church,  there  reconnoitered  as  far  as 
Ocoguan  Creek  and  subsequently  moved  to 
Hancock,  where  Mr.  E.  was  detailed  to  make 
a  reconnoissance  across  the  Potomac  river. 
He  was  promoted  Corporal,  Sept.  16,  1861. 
The  Reg.  next  went  into  winter  quarters  at 
Hancock,  and  during  the  succeeding  few 
months  was  engaged  from  time  to  time  in 
scouting  expeditions. 

His  next  experience  in  battle  was  at  Win 
Chester,  March  23,  where  he  received  a  bullet 
through  cartridge  box.  The  union  troops  en 
gaged  the  enemy,  but  being  overwhelmed  by 
superior  numbers,  retreated  to  W7illiamsport. 
marching  65  miles  in  two  days.  Then  Mr.  E. 
was  detailed  in  charge  of  contraband  goods 
and  negroes  at  Martinsburg,  Va.  After  making 
his  departure  from  the  last  named  place,  he 
joined  his  Reg.  on  the  Potomac  and  with  it 
was  sent  on  picket  duty,  traversing  the  ground 
over  which  he  had  previously  retreated.  He, 
with  his  Reg.  then  crossed  the  Potomac,  and 
moved  on  to  Columbia  Furnace,  Va.,  where, 
on  April  I5th,  they  destroyed  the  rebel  camp 
after  a  sharp,  hot  engagement.  Then  they 
moved  to  Gordonsville,  Va.,  thence  to  Kessel- 
town  when  another  conflict  took  place  on  April 
23d.  On  May  23d,  they  participated  in  a  battle  at 
Fort  Royal  and  again  on  the  following  day  in  the 
engagement  at  Carrenstown  and  Middletown, 
respectfully.  From  here  they  moved  to  Win 
chester  by  way  of  Williamsport,  and  at  the 
latter  place  formed  in  line  of  battle,  but  were 
not  called  into  action  as  the  rebels  acted  wisely 
by  retreating.  They  here  remained  in  camp 
until  ordered  to  Harrisonburg,  where  they  had 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


33 


an  engagement  on  June  2d.  Mr.  E.  was  here 
taken  with  a  violent  sickness,  caused  by  ex 
posure,  and  was  compelled  to  enter  a  hospital 
where  he  remained  speechless  for  thirty  days. 
On  recovering  sufficient  strength,  he  rejoined 
his  Reg.  at  Woodstock,  on  its  march  on  toward 
Blue  Ridge  Mt.  He  participated  in  the  en 
gagement  on  the  gth  of  August,  1862,  at  Cedar 
Mountain,  in  which  the  Company  lost  37  killed, 
out  of  50  engaged. 

This  \vas  in  a  bayonet  charge  when  every 
commissioned  officer,  save  the  captain  and  one 
sergeant  was  killed,  wounded  or  taken  prisoner. 

After  this  battle  he  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  his  company,  the  duties  of 
which  he  performed  until  Sept.  2Oth.  when  he 
was  promoted  to  the  position  of  sergeant. 
With  his  company  he  also  took  part  in  the 
battle  at  Manassas,  which  occurred  on  the  28th 
of  August.  His  company  with  others  were 
subsequently  detailed  to  protect  and  to  accom 
pany  Banks'  Headquarter  train,  which  was  in 
imminent  danger  of  being  captured  by  Stone 
wall  Jackson's  army — but  which  calamity  was 
averted  by  the  personal  gallantry  and  presence 
of  mind  of  Mr.  P^ngomar,  and  thus  the  train 
was  safely  escorted  to  its  destination.  On  the 
3Oth  of  August  he  participated  in  the  second 
Bull  Run  and  on  the  following  day  faced  the 
rebel  army  at  the  battle  of  Chantilly. 

Mr.  E's  next  engagement  was  on  the  I4th 
of  Sept.,  at  South  Mountain,  then  closely 
followed,  on  Sept.  i/th,  the  memorable 
battle  of  Antietam,  in  which  he  also  partici 
pated.  The  army  went  into  camp  on  Mary 
land  Heights,  and  from  there  they  marched  to 
Harper's  Ferry,  where  his  company  was  as 
signed  to  guard  duty.  While  there  he  was  de 
tailed  to  take  some  nineteen  prisoners  to  Wash 
ington  and  Baltimore,  and  on  returning,  found 
his  command  under  marching  orders  toward 
Fredricksburg — this  expedition  is  what  is  now 
known  in  history  as  "Burnside  stuck  in  the 
mud  campaign."  At  Stafford  Court  House  the 
Reg.  went  into  winter  quarters,  during  which 
time  Gen.  Hooker  assumed  command  and  re 
organized  the  army,  his  (Mr.  E's.)  Reg.  was 
placed  in  the  ist  Brig.,  ist  Div.,  I2th  A.  C.,  in 


the  army  of  the  Potomac.  On  May  ist,  2d  and 
3d  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  was  fought, 
wherein  he  and  his  Reg.  took  an  active  part, 
and  was  stationed  in  front  of  the  Chancellors 
ville  field  where  the  fight  was  the  hottest.  The 
army  immediately  thereafter  crossed  the  Poto 
mac  and  went  into  camp  at  Stafford  Court 
House,  remaining  there  until  Lee's  march  into 
Penn.,  when  they  moved  out  for  the  field  since 
known  as  Gettysburg,  and  took  their  position 
on  Gulp's  Hill  to  the  right  of  the  Union  army. 
To  accomplish  this  they  marched  without  a 
halt  from  six  o'clock  Saturday  morning  until 
late  Sunday  night  and  arrived  on  the  field  after 
the  battle  had  opened.  About  eleven  o'clock 
that  same  night,  ist  of  July,  Gen.  Early,  of  the 
rebel  army,  made  an  attack,  which  after  a  hot 
contest,  they  repulsed  the  following  afternoon. 
Williams'  Div.  was  ordered  to  the  left  center 
to  reinforce  Sickles  and  there  continued  in 
action  for  some  hours,  when  they  were  ordered 
back  to  resume  possession  of  their  works  on 
Gulp's  Hill.  On  their  return,  which  was  at 
night,  they  found  the  rebels  in  possession,  when 
his  Reg.  commenced  an  assault  which  was  dis 
continued,  owing  to  the  darkness.  The  morn 
ing  found  their  position  covered  by  rebel  guns 
which  kept  belching  forth  shot  and  shell,  kil 
ling  and  wounding  their  men,  and  causing  gaps 
in  their  ranks.  Unable  longer  to  stand  on»  the 
defensive,  the  Reg.  commenced  a  determined 
assault,  and  were  rewarded  after  a  severe 
struggle  by  regaining  position  of  their  works — 
Gulp's  Hill — and  there  remained  until  the 
battle  was  won.  During  this  assault  his  first 
Sergeant  had  his  arm  shot  off,  and  Mr.  Engomar 
was  promoted  to  the  position  thus  made 
vacant.  His  Reg.  pursued  Lee  back  to  Virginia, 
and  halted  on  the  Rappahannock  (Virginia 
side)  having  crossed  at  the  United  States  ford 
where  it  did  picket  duty.  Afterward  the  Reg. 
received  instructions  to  march  to  Brandywine 
Station  with  rations  for  eight  days,  whither  it 
proceeded,  and  arriving  there  took  train  for 
Washington.  Reaching  the  latter  point  it  was 
ordered  to  Chattanooga  with  the  2Oth  A.  C., 
under  Hooker.  The  army  after,ward  fell  back 
to  Deckard  Station  where  Mr.  Engomar  was 


34 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


again  placed  in  command  of  his  company.     He 
participated    in  nearly  all  the    battles    of   the 
Atlanta  campaign,  namely:  Resaca,  Pumpkin- 
vine    Creek,    Dallas,    Pine    Knob,     Lost    Mt., 
Kenesaw  Mt.,  and  Marietta.     In  the  last  named 
battle  he  was   wounded   in    the  breast  with  a 
bullet.     He  crossed  the    Chattahoochie  river, 
and  was  engaged  in  the  battle   of  Peach  Tree 
Creek  losing  24  out  of  48  of  the  company,   and 
also  took  part    in    the    siege    of   Atlanta,   into 
which  town  he  marched   on  the    afternoon    of 
September  1st.     At  the  battle  of  Pine  Knob  he 
was  struck  in    the   head  with    a   ball,   but  not 
seriously  wounded.     He  was   discharged  Sept. 
1 8th,  when  he  started    on    his  journey   home 
ward.       He    was    offered  a  lieutenant's    com 
mission  to  remain  in  the  service,  but  on  reflec 
tion,  desired  to  retire  for  a  short  time  at  least, 
in  order  to  visit  home.     He  proceeded  to  Pitts- 
burg  where   he  resumed   his   trade   for   a   few 
months,  then  removed  to  St.   Louis  for  a  time; 
returned  again  to  Pittsburg,  thence  to   Phila 
delphia,    where    he    remained    for    18    years. 
Removing  to  Ottawa  in  the  year   1887,   he  en 
gaged  with    the    Ottawa  Bottle  &  Flint  Glass 
Co.,    as    manager     of    their    large     manufact 
uring   business,    which     position    he    has    con 
tinued  to  successfully  fill  to  the  satisfaction  of 
his  employers.     He  was  married  at    Pittsburg 
to  Mary  Sill,    and    two   children — Joseph    and 
Laura,  have  blessed  their  union.     He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  156  of  Ottawa;  is 
also  a  member  of  the  order  of  Chosen  Friends, 
and  a  Republican  in  politics. 


DR.  FRANK  W.  GORDON,  of  Sterling,    111., 
the  son  of  Stillmanand  Rebecca(  Hough- 
ton)  Gordon,  was  born  at  Weld,  Frank 
lin  Co.,  Me.,  Feb.  11,  1837.     His  father,  the  son 
of  Samuel  .Gordon,  became  a  prominent  citizen 
of  the  State  of  N.  H.  and  a  member  of  its  legis 
lature.      The   family  of  Gordon  is   of   Scotch 
origin. 

Rebecca  Houghton,  the  mother  of  Dr.  Gor 
don,  was  born  in  Maine,  and  was  a  descendant 
of  a  worthy  New  England  family,  her  father 


being  a  prosperous  farmer  and  a  man  of  notably 
upright  principles.  The  Houghton  name  be 
longs  primarily  to  England.  The  father  of  Dr. 
Gordon,  like  his  American  progenitors,  was  a 
fanner.  He  took  great  interest  in  the  church, 
and  was  very  zealous  in  the  cause  of  religious 
education.  Seven  children  were  born  to  him, 
two  by  his  first  marriage,  the  doctor  being  the 
eldest.  The  mother  died  June  16,  1840,  and 
the  father  married  the  second  time,  Mrs.  Phcebe 
C.  Richardson,  who  was  born  at  Phillips,  Me., 
•July  4,  1820.  The  children  by  this  wife  were 
Nathan,  Rebecca  H.,  Elizabeth  S.,  and  Acidic 
E.  Samuel  E.,  a  child  of  the  first  marriage, 
enlisted  in  Co.  E.,  I5th  Me.  Inf.,  in  Sept. 

1861,  and  died  from   disease    contracted    while 
in  the  service  at  New  Orleans,  Aug.  13,  1862. 
Nathan,  a  child  of  the  second  marriage,  enlisted 
Aug.  9,  1862,  in  the  8th  Board   of   Trade  Reg., 
Chicago,  and  was  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain 
June  27,  1864. 

Dr.  Gordon  was  carefully  reared  under  the 
salutary  guidance  of  his  parents,  and  was  early 
put  to  school,  where  he  received  his  prelimi 
nary  education,  being  later  admitted  to  the 
high  school.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  was 
given  charge  of  a  school  in  the  Providence  of 
New  Brunswick,  which  he  taught  for  one  term, 
subsequently  teaching  one  term  in  Aroostook 
Co.,  Me.,  and  then  removing  to  Mass,  and 
remaining  a  few  months  in  Taunton,  and  August 
1857,  came  West.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years, 
he  located  at  Morris,  111.,  where  he  taught 
school  during  one  winter.  In  the  spring 
of  1858,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine 
under  the  preceptorship  of  Drs.  Antis  and 
Pierce,  eminent  physicians  of  Morris,  111.  He 
prosecuted  his  studies  in  this  way  until  the 
spring  of  1861,  having  in  1860  also  attended  one 
session  at  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College.  In 
the  spring  of  1861  he  began  his  career  as  a  med 
ical  practitioner  at  Tonica,  LaSalle  Co.,  Ill,,  de- 
votingmuch  of  histime  to  the  further  acquisition 
of  a  knowledge  of  his  profession.  In  Aug., 

1862,  he  entered  the  service  of  his  country  as  a 
member  of  Co.  A.,  88th  111.  Inf.  at   Tonica  and 
was  duly  mustered  in  at  Chicago,  and  remaining 
there  until  about    the    middle    of   Sept.    1862, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


35 


when  the  Reg.  was  odered  to  Jeffersonville, 
Ind.,  to  assist  in  repelling  the  threatened 
attack  of  Kirby  Smith  upon  Cincinnati.  The 
command  proceeded  to  Covington,  Ky.,  re 
maining  a  few  days  and  going  on  to  Louis 
ville,  Ky.,  where  the  Reg.  was  assigned  to 
Gilbert's  Corps  of  Buell's  Army.  About  the 
first  of  Oct.  the  Reg.  moved  on  their  march  to 
Perryville,  reaching  that  point  on  the  eve  of 
the  battle,  and  taking  position  in  proximity  to 
the  central  line.  Dr.  Gordon  was  wounded  in 
this  battle,  having  received  a  ball  in  his  left  leg 
just  below  the  knee,  which  incapacitated  him 
for  active  service  for  eight  months.  This  time 
was  spent  in  the  Louisville  hospital,  and  the 
Marine  hospital  at  Cincinnati,  being  later  on 
removed  to  Camp  Dennison,  Ohio.  He  rejoined 
his  Reg.  in  June,  1863,  at  Murfreesboro,  and 
from  the  24th  of  that  month  bore  an  active 
part  in  that  notable  campaign.  His  Reg.,  after 
the  battle  of  Perryville,  was  attached  to  the 
command  of  Gen.  Sheridan,  and  was  so  con 
tinued  until  he  left  for  the  Western  army.  In 
the  various  engagements  with  Bragg's  Army  the 
Reg.  bore  itself  well  and  bravely,  and  to  Dr. 
Gordon  personally  those  words  fittingly  ap 
ply  as  instancing  his  career  as  a  soldier. 

Crittenden's  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Cum 
berland  was  at  this  time  occupying  Chattanooga. 
On  Sept.  2,  1863,  he  was  ordered  with  his  com 
mand  to  the  vicinity  of  Rome,  Ga.,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  destroying  the  railroad  and  getting 
position  in  the  rear  of  Bragg's  Army,  but  before 
reaching  Rome  a  countermanding  order  was 
given  compelling  a  forced  march  to  reinforce  the 
main  army  at  Chickamauga,  which  was  reached 
Sept.  19,  1863.  Having  been  placed  in 
line  of  battle  during  the  day,  the  still  wearied 
troops  had  to  perform  picket  duty  at  night. 
At  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  20th  his 
Reg.  was  ordered  to  take  position  a  mile 
or  more  to  the  left,  in  front  of  the  headquarters 
of  Gen.  Rosencrans,  and  then  to  push  on  in  the 
skirmish  line  which  opened  the  battle  of  Chick 
amauga. 

Here  Dr.  Gordon  was  in  the  fore  front  of 
the  hotly  contested  fight,  and  when  Gen.  Lytle 
fell,  he  was  himself  laid  low  by  what  he  thought 


his  death  wound,  but  it  was  a  mere  scratch  from 
which  he  speedily  recovered.  Gen.  Thomas 
held  his  position  during  the  afternoon  and  when 
the  guns  were  silent,  returned  to  Chattanooga, 
and  began  defensive  operations,  putting  that 
city  in  a  state  of  siege.  In  the  several  decisive 
engagements  which  followed  Dr.  Gordon's  com 
mand  bore  a  conspicuous  part,  behaving  to  a 
man  with  the  most  admirable  courage  and  en 
durance,  and  in  the  Doctor's  own  language, 
"some  of  the  greatest  strategy  exhibited  during 
the  whole  war  was  displayed  in  these  battles, 
the  corps  of  Sherman  and  Thomas  each  in  their 
turn,  severely  striking  and  disablingthe  enemy." 
The  victories  of  Missionary  Ridge  and  Look 
out  Mt.  hailed  with  the  loud  acclaims  of 
the  soldiery,  and  the  confidence  restored,  which 
was  thenceforth  unbroken.  Dr.  Gordon  was, 
while  at  Loudon,  Tenn.,  detailed  by  Gen.  Sher 
man  for  hospital  duty,  being  placed  in  charge 
of  the  drug  department  under  the  Surgeon  in 
Chief,  and  was  soon  afterward  assigned  to 
duty  as  Assistant  Surgeon  at  the  general  field 
hospital,  having  passed  a  satisfactory  examina 
tion.  His  first  service  in  his  new  capacity  was 
at  Ringgold  and  Resaca.  From  here  he  went  to 
the  hospital  at  Big  Shanty,  to  which  the  wounded 
from  Kenesaw  Mt.  had  been  sent,  and  after 
ward  moved  on  to  the  Chattahoochie  river. 
After  the  battle  of  Atlanta  Dr.  Gordon  was 
assigned  to  a  hospital  train  to  convey  the  sick 
and  wounded  from  Atlanta  to  Louisville,  with 
headquarters  at  Nashville.  He  was  engaged 
in  this  service  for  seven  months,  and  after 
ward  as  Assistant  Surgeon,  at  Murfrees 
boro  in  the  general  hospital  No.  I.,  going 
on  duty  in  the  spring  of  1865  and  continuing 
until  Aug.  1865.  He  retired  from  service  as 
Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  and  after  visiting 
his  native  State,  returned  to  Morris,  111.  Soon 
after  reaching  home  he  again  entered  the 
Hahnemann  Medical  College  at  Chicago,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1866,  six  years  after 
his  original  matriculation.  He  located  for  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Sterling,  in  which 
he  has  achieved  both  success  and  distinction. 
His  treatment  of  disease  is  almost  wholly  based 
upon  the  homeopathic  principle. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


He  was  married  June  15,  1869,  at  Detroit, 
Mich.,  to  Miss.  Florence  V.,  daughter  of  E.  G. 
and  Roxana  I.  (Sympson)  Allen,  natives  of 
Maine,  where  also  Mrs.  Gordon  was  born.  A 
daughter,  Alice  E,  was  the  only  fruit  of  this 
marriage.  Mrs.  Gordon  died  May  27,  1882. 
Dr.  Gordon's  sister,  Mrs.  F.  G.  Mason,  con 
ducts  his  household.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  274,  and  is  its  Surgeon;  is 
also  a  member  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  the  ex-Surgeon 
of  that  organizaton;  a  member  of  the  American 
Institute  of  Homoeopathy;  the  111.  Homeo 
pathic  Medical  Association,  of  which  he  was 
President  iSSg-'gO',  the  Rock  River  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy;  the  Hahnemann  Alumni  Asso 
ciation,  of  which  he  was  President  in  i88g-'go. 

He  is  a  consistent  Republican,  and  a  devout 
member,  as  was  his  wife,  of  the  Congregational 
Church.  Dr.  Gordon  has  made  for  himself  a 
name  and  fame  which  have  endeared  him  to  his 
kind,  and  assigned  him  a  position  in  the  memory 
of  his  age  and  generation  replete  with  enduring 
tributes  of  his  genius  and  skill. 


EUGENE  BOONE,  of  Decatur,  111.,  was  born  at 
Cambridge  City,  Ind.,  April  20,  1844.  His 
father  was  Cornelius  Boone,  of  German  de 
scent,  and  born  in  Pocahontas  Co.,  Va.,  in  1812. 
His  great  grandfather  was  a  Revolutionary  sol 
dier.  His  father  was  a  settler  in  Indiana  at  a  very 
early  period  in  the  history  of  that  State.  His 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Pegg,  who  was  a  native 
of  North  Carolina.  His  father  is  still  living  at 
Decatur,  111.  He  had  four  children,  Frank 
M.,  Eugene,  Eva  and  James  F.  B.  Frank  M. 
served  in  the  36th  Ind.  Inf.,  and  was  discharged 
on  account  of  sickness,  from  which  he  finally 
died.  James  F.  B.  was  a  member  of  the  46th 
Ind.,  was  wounded,  but  recovered,  veteranized 
and  served  to  the  close  of  the  conflict.  He  is 
still  living.  » 

Eugene,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  passed 
his  boyhood  in  Indiana,  working  on  a  farm  and 
attending  district  school.  He  enlisted  at  In 
dianapolis,  Oct.  25,  1862,  in  the  23d  Ind. 
Battery  ("Ekin.")  They  remained  here  un 
til  July  4,  1863,  engaged  in  drilling,  etc., 


Here  the  battery  was  assigned  to  Gen.  Scho- 
field's  command  and  with  it  went  on  to  Knox- 
ville,  going  into  garrison  at  Fort  Smith.  The 
forage  was  exhausted  while  here  and  their 
horses  would  eat  anything  they  could  get  at, 
even  gnawing  the  spokes  out  of  the  wheels  of 
the  artillery  carriages.  They  allowed  the  poor 
brutes  to  graze  as  much  as  possible,  and  as  soon 
as  the  siege  was  raised  they  procured  a  supply 
of  provender.  The  command  passed  the  win 
ter  in  East  Tenn.,  and  early  in  May,  1864, 
started  on  the  march  for  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
being  assigned  to  the  3d  Div.  of  the  23d  Corps. 
They  were  engaged  in  battle  at  Buzzard's 
Roost,  May  8th  and  gth,  and  at  Resaca  on  the 
I4th  and  I5th,  where  the  battery  behaved  with 
commendable  spirit  and  doing  very  effective 
work  in  repulsing  the  enemy's  charge. 

After  June  I4th,  the  battery  was  actively  en 
gaged  at  Dallas  and  Allatoona.  The  next  im 
portant  battle  in  which  they  were  engaged  was 
at  Kenesaw  Mt,  June  2Oth  and  25th,  and  in  ac 
tion  at  Nurses  Creek,  June  26th  and  27th.  After 
the  siege  of  Atlanta  in  which  they  participated, 
they  were  in  the  pursuit  of  Hood,  bringing  him 
to  battle  at  Columbia,  and  thence  falling  back 
to  Franklin,  Tenn.,  where  Nov.  3<Dth,  they  \vere 
engaged  in  one  of  the  most  desperate  con 
flicts  of  the  war.  Dec.  I5th  at  the  battle  of 
Nashville,  the  battery  was  signalized  for  its 
splendid  execution,  capturing  sixteen  of  the 
enemy's  guns  and  behaving  with  conspicuous 
gallantry.  Taking  a  transport  at  Paducah,  Ky., 
then  went  to  Cincinnati,  thence  by  rail  to  Wash 
ington  and  by  sea  to  Wilmington,  N.  C.  On 
this  passage  they  encountered  a  heavy  gale  off 
Cape  Hatteras,  being  out  seven  days  and 
losing  24  of  their  finest  horses,  which  were 
smothered  in  the  hold  of  the  vessel.  They  dis 
embarked  at  Wilmington  and  for  a  few  weeks 
remained  on  Bull  Head  Island,  thence  marching 
to  Goldsboro  and  joining  Sherman's  army  with 
which  they  proceeded  to  Raleigh,  where  they 
were  at  the  time  of  Johnson's  surrender.  They 
then  moved  on  to  Washington  taking  part  in 
the  review  and  parade,  and  were  discharged  at 
Indianapolis  July  2,  1865. 

Returning  to  his  home  at  Cambridge  City, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


37 


thence  proceeding  by  way  of  Cincinnati, 
Covington,  and  Crab  Orchard,  to  Lexington. 
Ind.,  Mr.  Boone  remained  for  two  years,  thence 
removing  to  Decatur,  III.,  where  he  has  since 
followed  the  carpenter's  trade,  when  able  to 
work,  his  health  having  been  much  impaired 
by  the  military  service. 

He  was  married  in  1878,  to  Ella  Groner, 
a  native  of  Montgomery  Co.,  111.  He  had 
two  brothers  in  the  Union  army.  Mr.  Boone  is 
a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  141,  and 
the  Carpenters'  Union.  He  is  a  Republican 
and  a  faithful  observer  of  the  principle  of  do 
ing  well  whatever  his  hands  find  to  do. 


JAMES  MONROE  FITZGERALD,  of  Sterling, 
111.,  was  born  in  DuPage  Co.,  111.,  May  3, 
1849,  and  is  the  son  of  Patrick  and  Mary 
(Barry)  Fitzgerald,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Ireland,  where  they  were  married.  They 
came  to  the  U.  S.  in  1836,  settling  at  Lanore, 
N.  Y.,  where  they  lived  for  about  two  years  on 
a  farm.  They  removed  to  DuPage  Co.,  111.,  in 
1854,  and  later  to  Genesee  township,  Whiteside 
Co.,  where  he  pursued  the  avocation  of  a  farmer. 
Residing  here  until  1883,  he  sold  out  his  estate 
and  re-invested  in  a  farm  in  Colono  township. 
He  finally  located  at  Rock  Falls,  where  he  now 
lives.  His  wife  died  in  1856.  They  had  eleven 
children:  Michael  B.,  William,  Mary,  Richard  P. 
John  C.,  James  M.,  Fllen,  Fdward,  Julia, 
Francis  and  Thomas,  all  of  whom  are  living 
but  William  and  Edward.  The  childhood  of 
James  M.  Fitzgerald,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  passed  at  home.  He  attended  school  and 
assisted  in  the  cultivation  of  his  father's  farm 
until  his  enlistment  as  a  soldier  in  defense  of  the 
Union.  He  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  of 
Co.  A.,  I40th  111.  Inf.  May  19  1864,  at  Sterling, 
and  was  for  two  weeks  in  camp  at  Dixon, 
thence  removing  to  Camp  Butler,  where  they 
were  armed  and  uniformed.  Remaining  a  few 
days  at  Camp  Butler,  they  were  ordered  to 
Lafayette,  Tenn.,  where  they  were  for  some 
time  in  camp.  They  had  an  occasional 
skirmish  with  the  enemy.  Their  principal 


service  while  at  this  point  was  guarding  rail 
roads,  in  which  they  were  engaged  about  two 
months.  Their  next  move  was  to  Memphis  as  a 
re-inforcement  against  the  anticipated  attack  of 
Gen.  Price. 

After  going  to  Camp  Frye,  being  ordered 
there  to  be  mustered  out,  they  were  instead 
ordered  to  oppose  the  advance  of  Forrest  upon 
St.  Louis.  While  at  St.  Louis,  Mr.  Fitzgerald 
was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the  hospital,  but  was 
able  in  a  few  days  to  rejoin  his  reg't.,  afterward 
proceeding  to  Camp  Frye,  where  he  was  mus 
tered  out  Nov.  1 8,  1864. 

Returning  home  he  engaged  in  farming,  but 
this  occupation  being  injurious  to  his  health, 
after  a  year  he  went  to  Sterling,  where  he 
learned  the  trade  of  a  mason,  which  he  has 
since  successfully  followed,  directing  his  atten 
tion  to  contracting  and  building  for  the  past 
fifteen  years.  He  was  married  Oct.  15,  1870,  at 
Sterling,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Dennis  and 
Margaret  (Barry)  McCarty,  natives  of  Ireland, 
where  they  were  married.  They  came  to  the 
United  States,  settling  in  McHenry  Co.,  111. 
Of  this  union  there  were  born  nine  girls  and 
four  boys:  John,  Mary,  Charles,  Ralph,  Cath 
erine,  Mary,  (2)  Hannah  and  Julia,  (twins) 
Julia  (2)  Margaret,  Charles,  (2)  Ellen,  Julia,  (3) 
Henry  and  Frances,  of  whom  all  are  living  ex 
cept  two  of  the  name  of  Julia,  two  of  the  name 
of  Charles  and  Hannah. 

The  father  died  at  Sterling  in  Sept.,  1871, 
the  mother  is  still  living.  Of  the  marriage  of 
James  M.  and  Mary  Fitzgerald  there  has  been 
but  one  child,  Mary  Ellen.  Mr.  Fitzgerald  is 
a  member  of  the  Foresters,  No.  225,  of  Ster 
ling,  and  Post  No.  274,  G.  A.  R.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Catholic  Church.  He  had  three  brothers 
in  the  Union  Army— William,  who  after  serving 
for  a  year  in  the  Navy,  became  a  member  of 
Co.  G.,  1 56th  111.  Inf.;  Richard  and  John  were  in 
the  I40th  111.  Inf.,  Co.  A. 

Richard  was  mustered  out  with  the  i4Oth 
and  re-enlisted  in  the  I56th  111.,  serving  to 
the  close  of  the  war. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


DOUGLAS  HAPEMAN,  the  leading  Book  & 
Stationery  Dealer  of  Ottawa,  111.,  is  a  na 
tive  of  Ephratah,  Fulton  Co. , N.  Y.,  where 
he  was  born  January  15,  1839.  His  father  was 
John  and  his  mother  Margaret(  Smith  )Hapeman. 
The  elder  Hapeman  was  a  native  of  Germany, 
and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  at  an  early 
day,  locating  in  the  State  of  New  York,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming.  In  1845  he  removed  to 
the  West,  and  located  in  Earl  Township,  La 
Salle  Co.,  111.,  where  he  purchased  a  tract 
of  land  upon  which  he  began  improvements. 
He  continued  farming  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1854.  He  was  held 
in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him.  Mar 
garet,  his  wife,  departed  this  life  in  1848. 
There  were  born  to  them  nine  children,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  being  the  youngest.  At 
the  early  age  of  ten,  young  Douglas  left  the 
parental  roof  and  went  to  Ottawa  to  learn  the 
art  of  printing,  establishing  himself  with  the 
"  Free  Trader."  He  applied  all  his  energies  to 
the  business,  and  in  a  few  years  became  pro 
ficient  with  all  the  details  of  a  newspaper  es 
tablishment. 

From  the  printing  office  to  the  field,  when 
President  Lincoln  issued  his  call  for  75,000 
men,  to  defend  the  nation  from  internal  foes, 
young  Hapeman,  inspired  by  patriotism  and  a 
desire  to  contribute  his  mite  for  the  preser 
vation  of  his  country,  promptly  responded. 
The  electric  current  that  announced  to  the 
country  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumpter  and  the  call 
to  arms  had  scarcely  passed  away,  when  he 
was  found  enrolled  among  his  country's  de 
fenders. 

He  was  mustered  as  2nd  Lieutenant  into  Co. 
H.  nth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  April  23,  1861,  at  Ottawa, 
and  with  his  company,  was  immediately  sent  to 
Springfield,  where  the  regiment  was  organized. 
After  remaining  in  camp  for  a  time,  drilling 
and  preparing  for  the  great  struggle  before 
them,  they  were  ordered  to  Villa  Ridge,  where 
they  remained  until  about  the  middle  of  July, 
when  they  were  moved  to  Bird's  Point,  which 
was  made  the  base  of  operations  for  military 
expeditions  until  the  Tennessee  Campaign 
opened. 


He  was  in  action  at  Fort  Henry,  where 
his  Reg.  took  a  prominent  part.  Flushed 
with  the  victory  at  Fort  Henry,  the  Regt. 
arrived  at  Fort  Donaldson  to  take  part  in  that 
memorable  siege  which  began  Feb.  I3th, 
The  Reg.  was  placed  to  the  right  in  Wal 
lace's  Brigade,  McClernand's  Division.  They 
did  gallant  service  in  this  battle,  and  in  the 
sortie  made  by  the  Rebels  on  the  I5th,  suffered 
terribly,  losing  in  killed  and  wounded  102  men. 
After  several  hours  of  hard  fighting  the  Reg. 
was  ordered  to  fall  back.  This  was  ac 
complished  successfully,  the  regiment  cutting 
its  way  through  Forest's  cavalry. 

In  the  afternoon  the  center  works  were 
stormed  and  carried  by  our  forces.  Darkness 
came  on  and  the  fighting  ceased,  but  the  Na 
tional  flag  floated  cheerily  over  the  redoubt; 
a  compensation  for  the  patriotic  blood  that  had 
been  shed.  During  the  night  Pillow  and  Floyd 
quietly  withdrew  from  the  bloody  field,  leaving 
Gen.  Buckncr  to  continue  the  fight  alone,  or 
to  surrender.  The  morning  of  the  i6th,  found 
the  white  flag  floating  over  the  Rebel  fortifi 
cations.  Terms  of  capitulation  were  asked  for 
by  the  Rebel  General.  Grant's  terms  of  "  un 
conditional  surrender "  gave  the  field  to  the 
Union  troops,  with  nearly  14,000  prisoners,  65 
field  pieces  and  siege  guns,  20,000  stand  of 
arms  and  a  large  quantity  of  stores.  The  loss 
of  the  nth  Reg.  in  killed  and  wounded  was 
399.  That  of  Lieut.  Hapeman's  company 
42.  The  next  important  engagement  of  his 
regiment  was  at  Shiloh,  where  it  went  into 
action  on  Sherman's  left.  The  command  was 
hotly  engaged  on  the  6th  and  /th,  and  Lieut. 
Hapeman,  who  had  command  of  three  com 
panies,  distinguished  himself  by  his  gallantry 
and  good  judgment  in  handling  his  men.  The 
Reg.  lost  on  this  memorable  field  fifty  per 
cent,  of  the  men  in  action. 

The  next  service  of  the  Reg.  was  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  during  which  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  made  assistant  Adjutant,  which 
position  he  held  until  August  1862,  when  he 
left  the  regiment  to  accept  the  appointment  of 
Lieut.  Colonel,  of  the  iO4th  111.,  tendered  him 
for  gallant  service  on  the  field.  He  was  com- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


39 


missioned  Aug.  23,  1862,  and  joined  his  regiment 
at  Ottawa.  Subsequently  the  regiment  was  or 
dered  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  it  remained  until 
Bragg  marched  against  Buell.  It  was  placed  in 
Moore's  Brigade,  Dumont's  Division,  and  in 
the  movements  against  Bragg  the  command 
was  at  Frankfort,  Bowling  Green,  Tompkins- 
ville  and  Hartsville.  At  the  latter  place  they 
met  Morgan's  troops,  including  Hanson's  Brig 
ade  of  Infantry,  and  after  a  severe  fight  the 
i4Oth  111.,  io6th  111.  and  io8th  Ohio,  were  cap 
tured  by  the  enemy,  whose  force  largely  out 
numbered  the  Union  troops.  The  Reg.  lost  in 
killed  44,  and  in  wounded  156.  The  prisoners 
were  taken  to  Murphreesboro,  where  they  were 
paroled.  Col.  Hapeman  and  Maj.  Widmer  were 
taken  to  Atlanta  and  held  as  hostages  in  solitary 
confinement  for  Gen.  McNiel.  There  they  re 
mained  four  and  one-half  months,  when  they 
were  removed  to  that  living  tomb,  Libby 
Prison,  and  incarcerated  in  one  of  its  foul 
dungeons.  Fortunately  for  them  they  were 
removed  after  nine  days  and  taken  to 
Petersburg,  and  thence  through  the  lines  to 
Annapolis,  where  they  were  exchanged.  About 
the  middle  of  May  he  joined  his  Reg.  at  Brent- 
wood,  Tcnn.,  which  was  then  in  the  ist  Brigade, 
2nd  Div.,  1 4th  A.  C.  They  were  ordered  to  Mur 
phreesboro,  and  subsequently  participated  in  the 
Tullahoma  campaign,  after  which  the  command 
went  into  camp  at  Deckerd's  station  where  they 
remained  until  about  the  first  of  Sept.,  then  the 
movement  on  Chattanooga  began,  which  ended 
in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  in  which  the 
iO4th,  participated,  Col.  Hapeman  command 
ing  the  regiment.  The  Division  moved  out 
on  the  loth  to  Davis'  Cross  Roads  and  de 
veloped  the  fact  that  the  enemy  was  in  full 
force  in  their  front.  It  moved  back  to  Mc- 
Lemores  Cove,  where  it  remained  till  the  igth, 
when  the  I4th  Corps  made  the  initiatory  action 
at  Crawfish  Springs  to  the  great  battle  of 
Chickamauga.  On  the  2Oth,  his  command  was 
on  the  extreme  left  and  fought  the  same  troops 
they  had  met  the  day  before.  After  the  battle 
they  fell  back  to  Rossville,  then  to  Chatta 
nooga,  where  they  remained  till  Nov.  23d, 
when  they  were  called  out  to  take  part  in  the 


battle  of  Lookout  Mt.,  being  hotly  engaged  in 
the  assault  in  the  afternoon.  His  command 
participated  in  the  assault  on  Missionary  Ridge, 
being  one  of  the  first  regiments  to  plant  their 
colors  on  its  summit,  after  which  it  moved  to 
Ringold,  from  thence  to  Chattanooga  where  it 
went  into  winter  quarters. 

The  first  action  in  the  spring  of  1864  was  at 
Buzzard's  Roost,  where  Col.  Hapeman  com 
manded  the  Reg.,  having  been  commis 
sioned  Colonel  for  meritorious  services  to  date 
from  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  The  iO4th 
was  among  the  regiments  that  formed  the 
grand  army,  which  under  that  great  Commander, 
Gen  Sherman,  moved  on  to  Atlanta,  and 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Buzzard's  Roost, 
Resaca,  Cassville,  New  Hope  Church,  Dallas, 
Pumpkinvine  Creek,  Pine  Mountain,  Kenesaw 
Mt.,  Chattahoochie,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Utoy 
Creek  Battle  of  Atlanta  and  its  siege. 

After  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  Sept.  2d, 
in  which  Colonel  Hapeman's  Reg.  took  part, 
he  went  into  Atlanta  where  he  was  sta 
tioned  until  Hood's  movement  to  the  North, 
when  the  troops  moved  out  in  pursuit,  Col. 
Hapeman  commanding  the  Brigade.  They 
followed  Hood  as  far  as  Broomtown  Valley, 
when  the  command  returned  to  Atlanta.  He 
was  with  Sherman  in  his  celebrated  "  March  to 
the  Sea,"  and  with  his  Reg.  participated  in 
the  siege  of  Savannah.  Then  followed  the 
long  march  through  the  Carolinas.  He  was 
present  at  the  surrender  of  Johnson  near 
Raleigh.  This  was  an  event  he  had  long 
looked  for  and  it  compensated  him  for  his  many 
hardships.  He  was  in  the  march  through 
Richmond  on  to  Washington,  where  he  partici 
pated  in  the  Grand  Review  May  24,  1865.  His 
Reg.  was  subsequently  ordered  to  Chicago, 
where  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  June  22, 
1865.  Colonel  Hapeman  returned  to  his  home 
and  friends  at  Ottawa,  and  once  more  engaged 
in  the  newspaper  business.  He  passed  through 
the  entire  war  and  was  in  many  of  its  hardest 
fought  battles.  His  regiment  went  out  full; 
total  loss  killed  and  wounded  405;  loss  in  killed 
1 1. 6  per  cent. 

In  addition  to  his  Journal  he  opened  a  Book 


40 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


&  Stationery  store,  which  he  has  carried  on 
since,  building  up  a  large  and  prosperous  busi 
ness.  Associated  with  him  now  is  William  J. 
Graham,  the  firm  being  Hapeman  and  Graham. 
He  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  paper  in  1882. 
Colonel  Hapeman  was  united  in  marriage  at 
Ottawa,  Nov.  6,  1867,  to  Ella,  daughter  of 
William  and  Phoebe  Thomas.  Two  children 
have  blessed  this  union,  Mary  T.  and  William  T. 

Col.  Hapeman  is  a  member  of  the  Ma 
sonic  fraternity,  being  connected  with  the 
Occidental  Lodge.  No.  40,  and  the  Shabbona 
Chapter,  No.  37;  the  Ottawa Commandry,  No.  10; 
and  the  Chicago  Consistory. 

He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Seth  C.  Earl 
Post,  No.  156,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Ottawa,  and  the 
Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion.  In  poli 
tics  he  is  a  Democrat  ;  in  religious  matters  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Colonel 
Hapeman  is  an  enterprising,  public  spirited 
citizen,  taking  an  active  interest  in  all  matters 
that  tend  to  the  growth  and  development  of 
Ottawa.  He  is  President  of  the  Ottawa  Build 
ing,  Homestead  Savings  Institution;  Presi 
dent  of  the  Ottawa  Hydraulic  Company,  and 
Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  Manager  of  the 
Thomas  Electric  Light  and  Power  Company, 
all  of  which  companies  are  in  a  prosperous 
condition. 

Colonel  Hapeman  is  a  true  representative  of 
what  a  man  may  accomplish  who  is  possessed 
of  a  patriotic  love  of  country,  a  determined 
purpose;  integrity,  fortified  by  moral  principles 
and  benevolent  disposition. 


ALFRED  MATEEK,  the  present  Postmaster  at 
Rutland,  111.,  enlisted  in  Co.  D.,  4/th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.  Aug.  1 6,  1861,  at  Henry,  111. 
After  service  in  this  Co.  he  joined  Co.  A.,  as  a 
veteran  in  the  same  regiment.  An  epitome  of 
Mr.  Mateer's  war  history  may  be  given  as 
follows:  Mustered  in  as  private  he  was  pro 
moted  to  the  rank  of  Sergeant,  March  15,  1865, 
and  July  24th,  in  the  same  year,  to  Orderly  Ser 
geant.  First  sent  to  the  front  at  St.  Louis,  and 
then  to  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  his  Reg.  went 


into  winter  quarters  at  that  point  and  remained 
until  Feb.  1862,  when  it  marched  to  Otter- 
ville,  St.  Charles,  New  Madrid  and  Island  No. 
10.  In  the  first  charge  at  Vicksburg  Mr.  Ma- 
teer  was  wounded  in  the  right  arm,  but  this  did 
not  keep  him  from  his  Reg.,  and  although  he 
was  seriously  injured  and  suffered  much  he 
held  his  place  in  the  ranks  until  June  6,  1864, 
when  in  the  battle  of  Lake  Chicot,  Ark.,  he 
received  a  wound  in  the  left  thigh  and  as  the 
bone  was  shattered  the  injury  was  severe  and 
dangerous,  and  would  have  killed  a  less  power 
ful  and  determined  man.  Although  he  ex 
perienced  untold  pain  as  he  was  jolted  over  the 
rough  roads  in  a  wagon  to  the  river  where  he 
was  conveyed  by  boat  to  Memphis,  he  endured 
all  this  intense  suffering  without  a  word  of 
complaint.  At  Memphis,  Tenn.,  he  lay  in  the 
hospital  at  the  point  of  death  for  many  weeks. 
Many  times  it  was  thought  his  life  could  not  be 
saved,  yet  he  never  lost  hope  and  never  com 
plained.  Some  ten  pieces  of  broken  bone  were 
taken  from  this  almost  mortal  wound,  but  it  did 
not  heal,  in  fact,  it  was  years  after  the  war 
when  the  wound  finally  closed.  It  may  not  be 
necessary  to  state  that  he  was  rendered  a  cripple 
for  life. 

As  soon  as  he  was  sufficiently  recovered  he 
went  home  on  a  furlough,  but  after  two  months, 
although  his  wound  was  still  painful  and  un- 
healed,  he  determined  to  rejoin  the  Reg.  in 
the  field,  refusing  to  take  his  discharge,  hoping 
that  he  might  yet  be  able  to  serve  his  country 
on  the  field  of  battle.  He  was  unable  to  per 
form  any  active  duty,  yet  he  remained  with  his 
command  until  his  Reg.  was  mustered  out 
Jan.  21,  1866,  at  Sclma,  Ala.  Mr.  Matccr 
participatcd  in  all  the  battles  that  his  Reg. 
was  in  up  to  the  time  he  received  his  last 
wound.  He  was  discharged  from  the  first 
volunteer  service  Feb.  18,  1864,  when  he  re- 
entered  the  service  as  a  veteran,  serving  his 
country  with  marked  distinction  for  more  than 
four  years,  during  which  he  was  in  twenty 
different  battles,  as  follows:  New  Madrid,  Mo., 
and  Island  No.  10,  March,  1862;  Farmington, 
Miss.,  May  gth;  siege  of  Corinth,  Miss.,  May 
28th;  luka,  Miss., Sept.  igth;  Corinth, Miss.,  Oct. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


23,  1862;  Jackson,  Miss.,  May  14,  1863;  Assault 
on  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  May  22d;  Mechanicsville, 
Miss.,  June  4th;  Ft.  DeRussey,  La.,  March  14, 
1864;  Henderson  Hill,  La.,  March  2ist;  Pleasant 
Hill,  La.,  April  gth;  Clintonville,  La.,  April  23d; 
Coin  River,  La.,  April  24th;  Yellow  Bayou,  La., 
May  roth;  the  actions  at  Masura  Plains,  La., 
May  I4th;  Coffeeville,  La.,  May  I5th;  Masura, 
La.,  May  i6th;  Lake  Chicot,  Ark.,  June  6th, 
1864.  He  was  also  in  the  siege  of  Spanish  Fort 
and  Fort  Blakely  which  closed  April  9,  1865. 

During  this  campaign  of  about  three  months 
under  Gen.  Smith,  there  was  almost  constant 
marching  and  fighting,  but  the  severe  hardships 
of  a  soldier's  life  were  bravely  endured  by  the 
men  of  this  command.  Alfed  Mateer  was  born 
at  Carlksle,  Pa.,  July  29,  1840.  His  father, 
Col.  II .  W.  Mateer,  received  his  title  for  meri 
torious  bravery  at  the  head  of  a  Reg.  of 
Penn.  militia  in  an  early  day.  He  was  a 
merchant  and  Postmaster  at  Carlisle,  but  in 
1857,  with  his  family  removed  to  Henry,  111., 
where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business.  Here 
the  son  Alfred  attended  the  public  schools, 
assisting  his  father  in  the  store  ;  but  as  he  ad 
vanced  in  years  he  showed  a  preference  for 
farming. 

When  his  country  called  for  volunteers  he 
was  one  of  the  first  to  respond,  and  leaving 
home  and  all  the  associations  of  his  youth  he 
went  forth  to  battle  for  the  liberty  and  honor 
of  the  Nation.  When  he  returned  from  his 
military  service  he  engaged  in  farming,  near 
Wenona,  111.,  where  he  remained  until  he  was 
compelled  to  abandon  this  business  and  seek 
an  industry  better  suited  to  a  scarred  veteran 
in  failing  health.  In  the  latter  part  of  1871,  he 
moved  to  the  village  of  Rutland  where  he  has 
since  actively  engaged  in  business.  Here  he 
has  served  as  Town  Clerk,  Village  Clerk,  and 
on  the  Board  of  Trustees.  He  was  appointed 
Postmaster  in  1889,  previous  to  which  he  had 
been  Deputy  P.  M.  for  some  time  in  the 
same  office.  This  gentleman  is  an  enthusiastic 
G.  A.  R.  man,  and  an  Odd  Fellow  in  Lodge  No. 
163,  of  which  he  has  been  Secretary  ever  since 
it  was  organized.  He  has  been  a  life-long 
Republican  and  cannot  understand  how  Union 


soldiers  can  be  anything  else. 

He  was  married  Sept.  I,  1868,  to  Susan 
Bishop,  and  they  now  have  five  sons  and  daugh 
ters.  Mary  Eliza,  now  Mrs.  W.  G.  Sutton,  who 
is  a  Deputy  in  the  Postoffice;  Thomas  Wilson, 
a  popular  clerk  in  a  leading  bank  and  store  in 
Rutland;  John  F.,  Fannie  May,  a  clerk  in  the 
Postoffice,  and  Alfred  Thornton.  Thus  in 
comfortable  circumstances,  surrounded  by  an 
industrious  family,  this  old  soldier  and  citizen 
is  reaping  the  reward  of  the  sufferings  and  sac 
rifices  he  so  willingly  made  for  his  country  in 
time  of  its  peril. 


DR.  CHARLES  A.  BUCHER,  one  of  the  promi 
nent  physicians  of  Batavia,  111.,  hails 
from  Steuben  Co  ,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was 
born  Nov.  11,  1829,  a  son  of  George  and  Kate 
(Estleman)  Bucher.  His  father,  who  fought 
with  Gen.  Harrison  in  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe, 
and  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  was 
born  at  Harrisburg,  Pa  ,  1792,  and  died  at  Caton, 
N.  Y.  1845.  His  mother  was  born  in  1796,  and 
died  at  Caton  in  1864.  The  paternal  grand 
father  of  the  Dr.  was  Rev.  Jacob  Bucher,  a 
Lutheran  minister,  who  was  the  son  of  wealthy 
parents,  and  who  fled  from  Germany  on  account 
of  political  dissensions,  sailing  to  America 
in  his  own  vessel.  He  was  killed  by  light 
ning  at  the  ripe  age  of  92.  The  Bucher  family 
consisted  of  seven  sons  and  three  daughters,  of 
whom  all  but  one  son  are  living.  From  within 
that  home,  three  sons  went  forth  to  defend  the 
grand  "  old  flag."  James  and  Esach  both 
served  throughout  the  war  in  the  1st  N.  Y. 
Art.  The  Dr.  left  his  paternal  roof  when 
but  a  boy  of  ten  summers  and  entered  a  store, 
working  for  his  board  and  devoting  the  late 
hours  of  evening  to  studying.  He  subsequently 
attended  the  public  school  for  about  three 
years,  later,  attended  the  high  school  at  Tioga- 
Pa.  for  three  years,  and  then  pursued  his 
studies  at  Alfred  Academy,  Alleghany  Co., 
N.  Y.  After  this  we  find  our  ambitious  young 
man  clerking  in  a  clothing  store,  and  while 
the  other  boys  were  spending  their  evenings 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


having  a  "good  time,"  he  was  studying  the 
science  of  medicine.  From  1849  to  1850,  he 
attended  the  Geneva  Medical  College,  then 
went  back  to  clerking  for  a  year,  and  in  1851, 
came  to  Chicago,  shortly  afterward  locating  at 
Aurora,  111.,  where  he  engaged  as  foreman  of 
the  Peter  Annis  clothing  store.  While  here,  he 
fell  in  love;  he  found  his  wife  in  the  person  of 
Minerva  Simpson,  the  estimable  daughter  of 
Ira  and  Fannie  Simpson.  By  this  happy  union 
five  children  have  since  been  born,  of  whom 
but  one,  Eddie,  is  living.  After  his  marriage, 
he  continued  in  the  clothing  business  at  Bloom- 
ington  and  Batavia,  and  in  1857,  he  entered 
Rush  Medical  College,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  with  high  honors,  four  years  later. 
1861.  The  same  year  he  caught  the  "war  fever." 
He  bid  the  loved  ones  "  good  bye'*  and  enlisted 
in  the  service  August  6,  1862,  in  Co.  B.,  which 
he  had  largely  assisted  in  raising.  The  Co. 
joined  the  I24th  111.  Inf.,  which  was  organized 
and  mustered  in  at  Camp  Butler,  Sept.  loth, 
with  the  Dr.  detailed  by  Col.  Fondy  to  act  as 
assistant  surgeon.  Oct.  6th,  they  moved  to  the 
front  at  Jackson.  Tenn.  Nov.  2d,  they  started 
out  under  Gen.  Grant  in  the  long  march  through 
Tenn.,  and  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  finally 
returning  and  thence  on  to  Memphis,  arriving 
Jan.  21,  1863.  From  here  they  embarked  for 
Lake  Providence,  La.,  were  employed  on  But 
ler's  canal,  next  failed  in  a  desperate  attempt  to 
capture  Vicksburg,  and  finally  returning  to  Lake 
Providence  where  our  subject  was  discharged, 
Feb.  22,  1863,  at  his  own  request,  he  having 
acted  in  the  full  capacity  of  a  Surgeon  with  but 
a  private's  pay. 

-Returning  home  he  was  soon  again  attend 
ing  college.  Shortly,  he  was  flooded  with  dis 
patches  from  prominent  commanders  and  phy 
sicians  soliciting  him  to  again  enter  the  service 
and  accordingly  he  re-enlisted  June  1864  in  the 
72d,  known' as  the  the  First  Board  of  Trade 
Regiment,  111.  Inf.,  of  which  he  was  made  as 
sistant  and  later  Surgeon.  He  remained  on 
provost  duty  at  Vicksburg  until  about  Oct. 
2Oth.  Subsequently  they  moved  to  Paducah 
and  about  Nov.  I5th,  reached  Nashville.  After 
constant  marching  and  counter-marching,  we 


find  the  Dr.  participating  in  the  battle  of  Frank 
lin,  Tenn.,  November  3Oth,  1864,  in  which  his 
Reg.  suffered  the  terrible  loss  of  720  killed, 
wounded  and  captured,  out  of  a  total  of  880. 
During  the  hottest  of  the  fight  the  Dr.  was  urged 
by  a  lady  to  use  her  house  near  by  as  a  hospital, 
where  both  the  unfortunate  Union  and  Confed 
erates  received  his  care  and  medical  attention. 
About  ten  o'clock  that  night  the  Dr.  thought  it 
best  to  follow  his  shattered  command  which 
was  retreating  to  Nashville.  Accordingly  he 
set  out  on  foot,  passed  the  enemy's  lines 
safely,  and  overtook  the  rear  guard  about  2  A. 
M.  Dec.  1 5th,  and  i6th,  he  was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Nashville.  After  this  conflict  they 
went  in  pursuit  of  Hood's  forces,  and  after 
weeks  of  hard  marching  reached  Corinth. 
About  Feb.  I,  they  embarked  from  East- 
port,  down  the  river,  the  Dr.  and  Capt.  Sex 
ton  giving  their  individual  notes  for  the  quar 
ter-master's  supplies,  they  not  having  any  ra 
tions.  Up  to  this  time  they  had  subsisted  on 
scarcely  anything  but  corn,  and  reaching  Cairo 
found  the  city  guarded  against  them.  But 
they  overcame  all  resistance  and  peacefully 
raided  the  city,  leaving  it  almost  destitute  of 
eatables.  The  authorities  assessed  a  fine  of 
$40,000  but  the  "boys"  did  not  remain  to  see  it 
liquidated.  Subsequently  they  embarked  for 
New  Orleans  from  where  they  took  steamer  to 
Dauphin  Island,  Ala.  March  21,  1865,  they 
crossed  the  bay  and  moved  to  Spanish  Fort. 
After  sharing  actively  in  the  long  siege,  the  72d 
bore  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  brilliant  attack 
on  the  night  of  April  8.  Four  days  later  they 
started  for  Montgomery,  and  Aug.  i6,  1865,  the 
gallant  Reg.  was  mustered  out  at  Chicago.  The 
great  rebellion  came  to  a  close,  and  the  Doctor 
resumed  his  practice  at  Batavia,  continuing  un 
til  1879,  when,  owing  to  a  failing  in  his  eyesight, 
he  abandoned  his  country  practice  and  removed 
to  Chicago,  where  he  enjoyed  a  very  extensive 
and  lucrative  practice  for  ten  years.  Becom 
ing  a  sufferer  from  Bright's  disease,  he  returned 
to  Batavia  where  he  has  practiced  since. 

He  has  held  numerous  offices  of  public 
trust  and  honor,  among  which  may  be  men 
tioned  that  of  Coroner  of  the  County,  and  Trus- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


43 


tee  of  the  School  Board.  He  was  Commander 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  48,  of  Batavia,  and 
now  fills  the  office  of  Surgeon.  He  was  initia 
ted  into  the  Masonic  Order  at  Bath,  N.  Y,, 
40  years  ago,  and  was  one  of  the  charter  mem 
bers  in  the  formation  of  the  Elgin  Lodge,  where 
he  resided  for  a  few  months  soon  after  he 
came  West.  The  Dr.  has  passed  through  all 
of  the  offices  of  the  Batavia  Lodge,  No.  402, 
(except  that  of  Tyler)  of  which  he  was  a  mem 
ber.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Aurora  Council, 
of  Knight  Templar  No.  22;  the  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  Aurora;  and  the  American  Legion 
of  Honor.  Dr.  Bucher  is  a  man  of  fine  literary 
taste,  a  popular  and  attractive  member  of  so 
ciety  where  he  holds  a  conspicuous  place,  and 
one  of  Kane  County's  most  worthy  citizens. 


JOHN  T.  HUBBARD,  druggist  and  Postmaster 
of  Dccatur,  111.,  was  born  in  Ind.,  June 
6,  1841.  His  father  was  John  S.  born  in 
Gilford  Co.,  N.  C.,  in  1811,  of  English  de 
scent,  whose  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812.  All  of  the  early  representatives  of  the 
Hubbards  were  Quakers,  as  was  John  S.,  the 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  John  S. 
Hubbard  was  by  profession  a  lawyer  and  also 
cultivated  a  large  farm,  whose  father  moved  to 
Indiana  when  he  was  but  ten  years  of  age,  and 
settled  within  one  mile  of  where  the  son  now 
lives.  The  father  of  John  T.  still  owns  his  orig 
inal  purchase  of  80  acres  of  land.  His  mother 
was  Abigail  Henshaw,  a  native  of  North 
Carolina,  of  Welsh  descent.  Her  parents  died 
when  she  was  quite  young  and  she  was  raised 
by  a  Quaker  family  of  the  name  of  Carter,  who 
settled  in  Indiana  when  her  mother  was  but  a 
child.  She  had  been,  in  her  early  life  a 
Methodist,  but  after  her  marriage  to  John 
S.  Hubbard,  joined  the  Society  of  Quakers. 
John  T.  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  lending  a 
hand  in  its  cultivation,  attending  a  district 
school  in  the  winter.  He  enlisted  June  20, 
1862,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Indianapolis, 
Aug.  I2th,  in  Co.  D.  70th  Ind.  Inf.,  commanded 
by  Col.  Benjamin  Harrison,  now  the  President 


of  the  United  States.  The  reg.  was  ordered  to 
Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  where  they  were  located 
for  five  months  doing  guard  and  picket  duty. 
While  here  they  went  in  box  cars  to  Russel- 
ville,  where  they  charged  upon  Morgan's  men 
in  a  large  and  handsome  grove,  killing  42  men, 
and  capturing  50  of  the  finest  horses  of  the 
Kentucky  breed.  There  they  made  the  citizens 
prepare  supper  for  them,  after  which  they 
returned  to  Bowling  Green,  taking  with  them  the 
captured  horses.  In  the  fall  they  went  to 
Scottsville,  Ky.,  where  they  staid  two  weeks, 
thence  going  to  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  where  they 
were  organized  into  a  brig,  under  Gen.  Ward. 
Mr.  Hubbard  was  made  a  Corporal  and  de 
tailed  for  duty  with  the  Pioneer  Corps,  being 
'ordered  to  Nashville  and  placed  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Morton.  They  soon  after 
proceeded  to  Stone  River  where  a  part  of  the 
Pioneer  Corps  were  engaged  during  that  battle. 
They  afterward  went  into  camp  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  and  while  there  Corporal  Hubbard  had 
the  typhoid  fever,  did  not  go  to  a  hospital,  but 
during  the  Chattahoochie  campaign,  was  or 
dered  to  a  convalescent  camp,  where  he  acted  as 
Quartermaster  Sergt.  In  a  short  time  he 
was  sent  to  Nashville,  where  he  was  released 
from  his  detail  and  reported  to  his  company  at 
Nashville  with  the  reg.,  where  he  remained  un 
til  the  spring  of  1864,  when  they  marched  to  the 
Wauhatchie  Valley.  May  2d  they  started  for  the 
Atlanta  campaign  with  Ward's  Div.  of  the  20th, 
A.  C.,  commanded  by  Gen.  Joe  Hooker.  The 
first  important  engagement  on  this  campaign 
was  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  where  Corporal  Hubbard 
was  made  1st  Serg't.  They  were  here  in  a 
charge  across  an  open  field  under  a  heavy  fire 
from  the  enemy's  guns,  and  when  near  the  fort, 
Col.  Harrison,  seeing  that  they  would  be 
riddled  by  the  fire  therefrom,  commanded  the 
men  to  halt  and  lie  down. 

Immediately  after  the  firing  from  the  Eort 
had  ceased,  Col.  Harrison  ordered  them  to  rise 
and  rush  forward  to  the  fort  capturing  the 
battery.  Col.  Harrison  was  in  the  fort  about  as 
soon  as  any  of  them.  The  enemy  during  the 
afternoon  made  several  successive  charges  to 
retake  the  fort,  but  were  unsuccessful.  The 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


guns  were  removed  from  the  fort  under  the 
direction  of  Capt  Meredith.  Sergt.  Hubbard 
had  his  cap  knocked  off  his  head  by  a 
stray  ball,  which  broke  the  skin  of  his  scalp 
and  which  did  not  heal  for  14  years.  The  next 
day  the  Major  appointed  him  color-bearer,  in 
which  capacity  he  acted  for  some  time,  and 
carried  the  colors  of  the  reg.  on  many  a 
hard  fought  field.  He  participated  in  all  the 
battles  of  the  campaign  in  which  his  reg. 
took  part.  In  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek 
they  were  hotly  engaged.  They  charged  the 
enemy,  who  was  at  the  same  time  charging 
them,  Col.  Harrison  in  person  leading  the  iO2d 
111.  Inf.,  who  were  armed  with  repeating  rifles 
with  which  they  poured  so  continuous  and 
deadly  a  fire  into  the  enemy's  ranks  as  to  com 
pel  them  to  halt  and  quickly  to  beat  a  hasty 
retreat.  The  troops  moved. on  toward  Atlanta, 
taking  their  place  in  the  front  line,  and  re 
maining  until  after  Sherman  started  on  his 
march  to  Jonesville,  when  they  fell  back  to  the 
Chattahoochie,  where  they  were  encamped 
until  the  fall  of  Atlanta.  While  at  the  Chatta 
hoochie,  Sergeant  Hubbard  received  orders  to 
report  to  the  ist  U.  S.  Engineers  at  Chatta 
nooga  for  duty  in  that  department,  but  after 
arriving  at  Chattanooga,  he  was  stricken  down 
by  typhoid  fever,  being  confined  to  the  camp 
for  about  one  month.  He  then  proceeded  to 
the  performance  of  his  duties  with  the  En 
gineer  Corps  in  taking  measurements.  He  con 
tinued  in  this  relation  until  June,  1865,  when  he 
went  to  Nashville  where  he  was  mustered  out 
in  July. 

He  returned  home  to  Indiana  and  was  soon 
after  appointed  postmaster  of  the  village  in 
which  he  resided,  a  position  he  held  for  seven 
years,  afterward  going  to  Neoga,  111.,  where 
he  conducted  a  drug  store  for  three  years. 
Removing  to  Decatur  in  April,  1872,  he  re 
sumed  the  'drug  business  which  he  still  operates. 
He  was  married  at  Neoga,  111.,  Nov.  25,  1869, 
to  Miss  Emma  Stone,  of  that  place,  a  native  of 
New  York.  They  have  had  three  children- 
Charles  F.,  Clifford  F.,and  Gracie.  Charles  F. 
is  the  distributer  of  mails  in  the  Decatur  Post 
Office.  Mr.  Hubbard  was  appointed  Post 


master  of  Decatur  Jan.  31,  1891,  entering 
upon  his  duties  March  ist.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  Fraternity  and  has  been  Senior 
Warden  in  the  Blue  Lodge  and  Captain  of  the 
Host.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post  of  Decatur,  a  Republican,  and  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  Hubbard  is  a 
faithful  official  and  a  good  citizen  ever  zeal 
ously  aiming  at  the  good  of  his  kind. 


URIAH  B.  SANDERS,  member  of  the  Will 
Robinson  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Sterling, 
111.,  was  born  at  Allentown,  Pa.,  Nov. 
8,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  George  and  Rebecca 
(Brobst)  Sanders.  Both  of  his  parents  were 
natives  of  Allentown,  Pa.  The  American  pro 
genitors  of  this  family  came  originally  from 
England  and  Holland. 

Seven  children  were  born  to  George  and  Re 
becca  Sanders:  Rebecca,  Francis,  Amanda,  Ma 
tilda,  Hannah,  Uriah  B.  and  Emma.  The  subject 
of  this  memoir  was  brought  up  on  his  father's 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Allentown,  Pa.,  and  after 
the  usual  preliminary  training  in  the  common 
schools,  entered  the  Academy  at  Weaversville, 
Northampton  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  continued  his 
studies  from  Oct.,  1859,  to  the  spring  of  1861, 
afterwards  attending  the  Union  Seminary  at 
New  Berlin,  Pa.,  from  Oct.  1861,  to  June  1862. 
In  Sept.  1862,  he  served  as  a  member  of  Co.  C., 
5th  Pa.  Militia,  and  during  the  invasion  by  Lee's 
army  was  at  Hagerstown,  Md.,  on  the  day  of 
the  battle  of  Antietam. 

He  continued  in  this  service  for  two  weeks. 
During  Oct,  1862,  he  taught  a  school  at  Allen- 
town,  Pa.  He  enlisted  in  the  Federal  army  at 
Phila.,  Nov.  7,  1862,  as  a  private  of  Co.  B,  I76th 
Pa.  Inf.,  there  going  into  camp  for  drill  and 
equipment  for  duty  in  the  field.  His  regt.  oper 
ated  in  Va.  and  North  C.  until  Jan.  1863,  when 
it  left  Newbern,  N.  C.  and  proceeded  with  Fos 
ter's  fleet  to  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  where  they  per 
formed  garrison  duty  until  the  expiration  of 
their  term  of  enlistment. 

He  was  promoted  to  corporal  at  Beaufort, 
Feb.,  1863.  The  regt.  was  mustered  out  at 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


45 


Phila.,  Aug.  2O,  1863.  Mr.  Sanders  sustained 
an  accidental  injury  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  by 
falling  from  the  pier,  causing  a  compound  frac 
ture  of  the  left  clavicle,  after  which  he  removed 
to  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  in  the  Photograph 
business,  until  he  re-enlisted  March  29,  1864, 
as  a  private  in  the  3rd  Iowa  Art.,  and  was  pro 
moted  to  Corporal  of  the  1st  Detachment  of 
that  battery  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  in  Jan.,  1865. 
He  was  mustered  out  and  finally  discharged  at 
Davenport,  Iowa,  Oct.  22,  following. 

During  his  whole  period  of  service  he  was 
only  once  confined  to  a  hospital  from  sickness. 
This  was  for  two  weeks  in  Sept.  1865,  at  Fort 
Smith,  Ark.,  while  suffering  from  congestion  of 
the  brain,  and  intermittent  fever.  Returning  at 
the  close  of  hostilities  to  Iowa,  he  was  engaged 
for  several  years  as  a  school  teacher.  In  1869, 
went  to  Ark.,  where  he  taught  the  first  colored 
school  organized  in  Pope  Co.,  was  also  Deputy 
U.  S.  Marshal  of  western  Ark.  and  Indian  Ter 
ritory;  also  taught  the  White  School  at  the 
same  place  where  he  had  taught  the  Colored 
School.  In  1876,  he  was  principal  of  the  High 
School  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  and  from  1877  to  1879, 
principal  of  the  Public  Schools  at  Belle  Plaine, 
Iowa.  From  1880,  to  1887,  he  served  as  chief 
yard  clerk  for  the  B.  C.  R.  K  R.  R.  Co.,  at  Cedar 
Rapids,  Iowa,  and  in  other  relations  with  that 
Co.  In  1889,  he  was  a  Conductor  on  a  Pullman 
car,  and  in  1891,  became  the  proprietor  of  a 
book  store  at  Sterling,  Ills.,  where  he  still 
resides. 

He  was  married  April  19,  1874,  to  Maria 
Mackey,  daughter  of  Levi  and  Lorna  (Potter) 
Mackey,  natives  of  Ontario,  Canada.  Mrs. 
Sanders'  family  is  descended  from  English  and 
and  Scotch  ancestry.  Four  children  have  been 
born  to  this  union: — George  H.,  Edna  E.,  Helen 
C.  and  M.  Marie.  Mr.  Sanders  has  held  the 
positions  of  Lieut.  Col.  of  the  Reunion  Asso 
ciation  of  the  gth  Iowa  Inf.  and  the  3d  Iowa 
Art.,  and  is  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  274, 
of  Sterling,  111.,  and  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  in  his  sphere 
in  life,  whether  as  soldier  or  citizen,  has  ever 
maintained  an  honorable  reputation. 

His   mother   is   still   living.       His   brother 


Francis,  a  member  of  Co.  B.,  47th  Pa.,was  killed 
in  the  battle  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  La.  Mr. 
Sanders  has  achieved  success  as  a  merchant,  in 
which  relation  he  has  been  an  important  acqui- 
tion  to  Sterling. 


HL.  WATLINGTON,  of  La  Salle,  111.  entered 
upon  his  soldier  experiences  in  the  early 
•   months  of  the  Rebellion,  having   en 
listed  in   the  Union    army,   May  26,  1862,  as  a 
private  in  Co.  A.  i;8th  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.  at  Buffalo. 
In  his  younger  days,  our  subject,  being  a  bright, 
and    intelligent    young   man,  acquired  a  good 
education,  therefore,  he  was  soon  detached  by 
his  commander  and  made  Clerk  in  the  Adjutant 
General's   office  of  the  2d  Division,  and  filled 
that  position  for  about  one-half  of  his  term  of 
service  with  credit  and  ability,  and  to  the  full 
satisfaction  of  his  superior  officers.     He,  how 
ever,  tired  of  a  mere  clerkship,  having  enlisted 
with  a  view  of  being  actively  engaged  in  the 
handling  and  using  of  his  gun.     At  his  own  re 
quest   he  was    permitted    to    rejoin    his    reg., 
and  with  it  participated  in  all  the  battles  of 
the  Red  River  campaign,  ending  in  the  battle 
of  Pleasant  Hill.     At  the  latter  battle,  our  sub 
ject  was  wounded  in  the  left  wrist;  was  taken 
prisoner   and    confined    in    a    rebel   prison   at 
Shreveport,  La.,  for  about   three  weeks,  where 
the  young  soldier  growing  restive  under  grind 
ing  restraint,  soon  cast  about  planning  means 
of  escape.     His  courage  and  natural  resources, 
on  this,  as  on  many  other  occasions,  did  not  fail 
him.       Having   matured  his    arrangements,    it 
was  not  long  until  everything  was  in  readiness 
and,    embracing   a    favorable  opportunity,    es 
caped,  and  with  some  difficulty  and  considera 
ble  danger  reached  the  Union  lines,  rejoined  his 
reg.    at    Alexandria.      He    was     received    by 
his  comrades  with  open  rejoicings  almost  equal 
to  that  displayed — as  we  read  of  it — on  the  re 
turn  of  the   Prodigal  Son;   lacking,  of  course, 
the  killing  of  a  calf.     He  afterward  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville,  the 
siege  of  Mobile   and  the  engagement  at   Fort 
Blakely,  besides  many  other  smaller  battles  and 
numerous  skirmishes. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


At  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  he  was  re 
tained  in  the  service  of  the  Government  until 
April  20,  1866,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at 
Montgomery,  Ala.,  and  finally  paid  off  and  dis 
charged.  Immediately  after  his  discharge,  he 
received  an  appointment  in  the  Freedman's 
Bureau  at  Greenville,  Ala.,  where  he  had 
charge  of  the  distribution  of  rations,  and  held 
the  position  until  that  department  was  legis 
lated  out  of  existence  by  Congress.  We  then 
find  our  versatile  young  friend  at  Greenville, 
where  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business 
which  he  made  a  success  of  as  wrell  as  of  every 
other  enterprise  in  which  he  engaged.  He, 
however,  became  dissatisfied  with  that  business, 
and  selling  out  went  to  Birmingham,  Ala.,  and 
there  entered  upon  the  study  of  law,  upon 
which  his  thoughts  often  dwelt  and  to  which 
his  desires  often  inclined  him.  After  a  full 
course  of  energetic  study  he  was  admitted  to 
the  bar.  He  started  a  practice  and  soon  suc 
ceeded  in  building  up  a  healthy,  growing  and 
remunerative  business.  About  this  time  Presi 
dent  Garfield  offered  Mr.  Watlington  a  position 
in  the  Pension  Department  at  Washington, 
which  owing  to  the  earnest  entreaties  of  his 
many  friends,  he  was  finally  induced  to  accept, 
much,  however,  to  his  own  personal  dis 
advantage.  After  the  lapse  of  one  year  he 
resigned  this  position,  became  a  candidate  and 
was  elected  as  a  member  to  the  State  Legis 
lature  for  the  State  of  Alabama,  and  by  reason 
of  his  ability  and  zeal  in  his  party's  interests, 
took  a  leading  part  in  the  councils  of  his  State 
and  was  recognized  as  an  able,  faithful,  and 
honorable  representative,  in  whom  his  constit 
uents  always  exhibited  an  unbounded  pride. 
After  the  expiration  of  his  term  in  the  Legis 
lature  he  resumed  his  law  practice  at  Birming 
ham,  and  so  continued  until  the  year  1888, 
when  he  was  induced  to  remove  to  his  present 
home,  and  being  possessed  of  all  the  character 
istics  which  go  to  make  up  a  clever  and  successful 
lawyer,  our  subject  soon  acquired  a  large  and 
remunerative  practice.  He  takes  an  active  in 
terest  in  all  matters  relating  to  the  G.  A.  R. 
work,  and  has  the  credit  of  establishing  the 
only  Post  in  the  State  of  Alabama  up  to  the 


time  he  removed  from  there.  He  is  also  a 
Free  Mason,  and  prominent  in  all  things  per 
taining  to  the  advancement  of  the  order,  and 
during  his  membership  has  held  the  highest 
offices  of  the  lodge  in  which  he  is  associated, 
as  well  as  having  been  elected  and  served  as  a 
delegate  to  the  Grand  Lodge  which  met  at 
Montgomery  in  the  year  1884.  His  prominence 
as  a  citizen  and  lawyer  has  always  forced  him 
to  the  front  when  persons  were  wanted  to  fill 
positions  in  the  Republican  ranks.  Among  the 
many  positions  he  held  in  the  interests  of  his 
party  was  that  of  being  a  member  of  the  Execu 
tive  Committee  in  the  State  of  Alabama,  and 
which  he  held  for  several  years  until  his  resig 
nation. 

He  was  born  in  London,  England,  in  1845, 
his  father  being  a  London  merchant,  who  died 
when  the  son  was  but  a  boy  leaving  him  to 
fight  his  own  way.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  cir 
cumstances  would  permit,  young  Watlington 
hied  himself  to  the  United  States,  and  upon 
reaching  its  hospitable  shores,  determined  to 
be  one  of  its  citizens  and  adopt  it  as  his  future 
home. 

He  married  Feb.  2,  1870,  at  Birmingham,' 
Ala.,  to  Miss  Dora  Brooks  a  native  of  that  State, 
and  two  children — Eugene,  aged  19,  and  Pearl, 
aged  15  years,  have  resulted  from  the  marriage. 
A  man  above  the  average  citizen  in  ability,  Mr. 
Watlington  applies  himself  assiduously  to  in 
forming  himself  upon  all  the  sciences  and 
current  lines  of  thought,  and  being  a  prom 
inent  citizen,  and  advanced  lawyer,  possessed 
of  genial,  sociable  manners  he  has  earned  for 
himself  a  reputation  as  a  worthy  citizen,  away 
beyond  the  confines  of  the  district  in  which  he 
resides. 


HENRY   EISFIELT  of  Peru,  111.,   enlisted  in 
the  Union  army  for  the  war  of  the    Re 
bellion  atjoliet,  Sept.  26,  1864,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  service  on  the  same  day,  as  a 
private    in    Co.    A.,    44th.  111.    Vol.    Inf.       Im 
mediately  after  engaging  in  the  army,  he  went 
to  the  front  and  joined  his  regiment  at    Nash- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


47 


ville,  Term.,  and  only  a  short  time  after  faced 
the  enemy  in  the  terrible  battle  of  Franklin, 
Nov.  30,  1864.  The  conflict  was  short,  but 
one  of  the  most  desperate  in  which  the  reg. 
was  engaged.  Col.  Opdeyke,  commander  of 
the  brigade  to  which  his  reg.  was  attached, 
afterward  in  a  general  order  by  the  author 
ity  of  the  General  commanding,  gave  the 
honor  of  gaining  the  victory  and  saving  the 
army,  to  this  brigade.  On  the  day  following, 
the  regiment  reached  Nashville,  and  took  part 
in  the  engagement  fought  on  the  I5th.  and 
i6th.  of  Dec.,  when  the  rebel  forces  were 
completely  broken  up  and  forced  to  retreat, 
and  were  pursued  by  the  44th.  as  far  as  Tenn. 
River.  On  Jan.  5,  1865,  the  regiment  went 
into  camp  for  the  winter  at  Huntsville,  Ala., 
where  it  remained  until  March  28th.  when  it  was 
ordered  to  Knoxville,  Bulls  Gap,  and  Blue 
Springs;  it  continued  there  until  April  19,  when 
the  rebel  army  of  Virginia,  having  surrendered, 
the  reg.  went  to  Nashville,  arriving  there 
on  the  22d.  During  the  battle  of  Nashville, 
Mr.  Eisfielt  had  several  hairbreadth  escapes, 
having  had  six  balls  penetrate  his  clothing,  as 
well  as  having  his  canteen  shot  off.  After  be 
ing  kept  in  suspense  for  some  weeks,  was 
finally  mustered  out  at  Nashville,  June  15, 
1865,  when  he  immediately  returned  home  to 
Peru. 

Mr.  Eisfielt  was  born  in  1835,  at  Wen- 
tershousen,  Co.  of  Witzenhaus,  Prussia,  and 
emigrated  to  this  country  tn  1862,  settling  in 
Peru,  where  he  has  since  continued  to  live. 
When  a  young  man,  he  learned  the  business  of 
wagon  maker,  and  followed  it  afterward  in 
Prussia  as  he  has  since  his  removal  to  the 
United  States.  After  the  war  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Peru  Plow  Company,  and  being 
a  capable  and  industrious  machinist,  has  con 
tinued  to  serve  his  employers  with  satisfaction 
ever  since.  His  father  now,  82  years  of 
age,  resides  with  him. 

He  married  Anna   Otto,    also    a    native    of 

Prussia,  in    1862,  and    they    had    6  children — 

.Otto,  Mary,  William,  William   (2),  Mene  and 

Baby.     The  latter  a  clever,  bright  young  girl 

possessed  of  rare  charms  and  many  accomplish 


ments,  beloved  by  all,  and  the  pride  of  her 
parents,  died  in  April,  1889.  Mr.  Eisfielt  is  an 
Odd  Fellow,  a  member  of  the  S.  N.  Kirk  Post 
No.  656,  G.  A.  R.  at  Peru,  a  member  of  the 
German  Benevolent  Association  at  Peru,  and 
adheres  to  the  Republican  faith  in  political 
matters. 


WILLIAM  C.  KIER,  a  leading  and  popular 
clothier  of   Sterling,    III.,  was   born 
in  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y.,   July  7 
1837.     His    parents  were    William   and    Maria* 
(Hurd)Kier,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in 
Scotland  in    1802,    and  the   latter    in  London, 
England,  in  1804.     They  met  in  Canada  where 
both  of  their  families  previously  located,  and 
where  they  were  married. 

They  removed  to  the  U.  S.  sometime  in  the 
thirties,  and  subsequently  located  in  Morrison, 
111.,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in  Agricult 
ural  pursuits,  and  where  he  departed  this  life 
in  1844,  his  widow  following  him  four  years 
later.  They  were  the  parents  of  12  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  now  living, — James,  Dun 
can,  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  Alexander, 
Maria,  now  Mrs.  C.  W.  Douglas,  Isabel,  now 
Mrs.  H.  P.  Baker,  and  Lucy.  Amidst  the 
quiet  and  peaceful  pursuits  of  a  country  life, 
the  endearing  surroundings  of  a  happy  home, 
receiving  such  advantages  of  education  as  was 
afforded  by  the  common  schools  of  that  time, 
Mr.  Kier  was  reared.  He  was  thus  living  when 
the  rebellion  broke  out  which  interrupted  his 
quiet  home  life,  for  he  felt  that  when  his  coun 
try  called  on  her  citizens  for  aid  in  preserving 
the  Union,  that  call  included  him,  and  as  a  pa 
triot  he  was  willing  to  respond. 

He  enlisted  Sept.  2,  1861,  at  Morrison,  as  a 
private  in  Co.  C.,  8th  111.,  Cav.,  Sept!  2ist,  with 
John  F.  Farnsworth  as  Colonel.  Oct,  8th,  the 
reg't.  moved  to  Washington,  and  camped  at 
Meridian  Hill.  The  men  were  called  into  ac 
tion  and  received  their  first  experience  in  war 
fare,  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  the  result  of 
which  was  not  calculated  to  produce  a  favora 
ble  impression  in  a  young  soldier's  mind  of  the 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


"pomp  and  circumstances  of  glorious  war." 
Mr.  Kier  was  with  his  reg't.  in  all  its  battles, 
skirmishes  and  marches  until  Jan.  16,  1862, 
when  he  was  taken  sick  with  typhoid  fever,  and 
sent  to  the  regimental  hospital,  where  he  was 
treated,  and  subsequently  moved  to  the  Wolf 
St.  hospital,  at  Alexandria,  where  he  remained 
until  March  10,  when  he  rejoined  his  reg't.,  then 
on  its  forced  march  to  Fairfax.  In  this  march 
he  rode  two  nights  and  days  in  the  rain,  which 
made  him  so  ill  that  he  was  unable  to  keep  his 
saddle.  With  the  aid  of  a  comrade  he  dismounted 
and  was  then  rolled  up  in  blankets  and  laid  under 
a  tree,  where  he  laid  through  the  night.  When 
daylight  came  it  was  discovered  that  he  had 
the  measles;  the  wet  blankets  and  the  prespi- 
ration  had  brought  them  out.  He  was  again 
removed  to  the  hospital  at  Alexandria,  where 
he  remained  about  two  months,  when  he  was 
so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  report  for 
duty,  and  was  then  constantly  with  his  reg.  in 
all  its  operations  until  1864.  When  he  rejoined 
reg't.  it  was  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Custer. 
His  first  action  then,  was  at  Goose  creek,  where 
they  were  attacked  from  the  other  side  by  the 
rebels.  Custer  c"lled  for  volunteers  to  cross  the 
stream  and  dislodge  the  enemy.  Two  com 
panies  of  the  8th,  immediately  responded,  and 
crossing  the  river,  attacked  the  rebels,  charg 
ing  them  up  a  steep  embankment  killing  several 
and  driving  them  back. 

The  reg't.  during  this  period  had  frequent 
encounters  with  Mosby  and  his  band  of  bush 
whackers.  In  Aug.  the  command  moved  into 
Maryland  and  Mr.  Kier  had  the  benefit  of 
serving  the  Union  cause  in  that  campaign. 
Among  the  engagements  he  was  in,  were 
Poolsville,  Monocacy  Church,  Barnesville, 
Sugar  Loaf  Mountain,  Middleton,  South  Moun 
tain  and  Boonesboro.  At  Monocacy  they  cap 
tured  the  colors  of  the  I2th,  Va.  (rebel) 
Cavalry,  and  some  prisoners.  At  Boonesboro, 
they  captured  two  guns  and  200  prisoners. 

The  next  important  engagement  participa 
ted  in  by  the  reg.  was  the  ever  memorable 
one  of  Antietam.  Sept.  /th,  subsequently  during 
a  reconnoitering  expedition,  the  8th,  was  hotly 
engaged  for  a  short  time  at  Martinsburg.  Fol 


lowing  this  up  and  in  the  advance  of  the  army 
of  the  Potomac,  Mr.  Kier  with  his  reg't.  met  the 
enemy's  cavalry  at  Philimonte,  Uniontown, 
Upperville,  Barbers  Cross  Roads,  Little  Wash 
ington,  and  Amesville,  arriving  at  Falmouth 
the  latter  part  of  Nov.  1863.  The  next  impor 
tant  engagement  of  the  reg't.  was  at  Fredericks- 
burg,  Dec.  1 3th.  From  this  time  until  spring, 
it  was  chiefly  engaged  on  picket  duty  and  in 
scouting  on  the  Peninsula,  and  about  the  Rap- 
pahannock.  When  spring  came,  the  physical 
endurance  of  the  men  of  the  8th,  was  tested  to 
its  utmost,  to  keep  pace  with  the  new  life  and 
vigor  that  had  been  infused  into  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac;  but  the  men  had  been  severely 
tried  the  year  previous  and  had  not  been  found 
wanting. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  season,  it  was  en 
gaged  at  Sulphur  Springs,  April  14;  Warrenton 
the  17;  Rapidan  Station,  May  i;  Northern 
Neck,  May  14,  Beverly  Ford,  June  9;  Upper 
ville,  June  21,  and  at  Fairville,  June  30th. 
These  engagements  led  the  troops  through 
Md.  into  Penn.,  and  to  the  field  of  Gettysburg. 
It  is  claimed  by  the  members  of  the  8th  Cav. 
that  they  took  the  initiatory  movement  that 
brought  on  the  battle.  It  had  not  been  the 
purpose  of  either  commanders  to  engage  in 
battle  at  Gettysburg,  but  unforseen  circum 
stances  determined  that  field  for  the  great 
struggle  between  the  Union  and  Confederate 
Armies.  June  30th,  the  8th  was  sent  out  on  the 
advance  line  to  feel  of  the  enemy  and  had  a 
slight  action,  Capt.  Jones,  of  Co.  E.,  firing  the 
first  shot,  which  opened  the  battle.  The  8th, 
was  actively  engaged  during  the  battle  and 
particularly  on  the  2d.and  3d.  days  of  July,  and 
was  distinguished  for  its  effective  work.  July 
4th,  it  was  engaged  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating 
rebels  and  took  a  large  number  of  prisoners 
during  the  march  back  to  Virginia.  It  took 
part  in  nearly  all  the  engagements  on  the 
return,  among  which  were  Williamsburg,  Boones 
boro,  Funktown,  Hagerstown,  Falling  Water, 
Sandy  Hook,  Brandy  Station,  Raccoon  Ford, 
Manassas,  Warrentown  Junction,  Mitchell - 
Station  and  Ely's  Ford. 

During  this  campaign,  the  reg't.  lost  23  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


49 


killed,  116  wounded  and  27  missing.  After 
this  campaign,  Mr.  Kier  re-enlisted  and  re 
ceived  a  furlough  and  went  home.  Returning 
he  was  with  the  reg't.  in  all  its  operations  up  to 
June  1864,  which  included  the  battles  of  the 
Wilderness  and  Spottsylvania.  During  the 
latter  part  of  this  period  he  experienced  great 
pain  from  his  lung  affection  and  while  at  Fair 
fax  Court  House,  after  examination  by  the 
Surgeon  was  given  a  sick  furlough,  going  home 
as  he  supposed  to  die.  He  had  a  long  and 
severe  sickness,  and  was  finally  discharged  on 
account  of  physical  disability,  July  17,  1865. 
For  two  years  after  this  he  devoted  himself  to 
recruiting  his  health;  subsequently  went  to 
Iowa  and  opened  a  grocery  business  at  Blains- 
town,  which  he  carried  on  about  six  years, 
when  he  sold  out  in  1872,  and  removed  to  Ster 
ling,  where  he  opened  a  men's  hat  and  furnish 
ing  store,  which  he  has  since  continued  and  has 
achieved  marked  success,  building  up  a  large 
and  profitable  business. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  at  Morrison,  111., 
Sept.  27,  1866,  to  Catharine,  daughter  of  Dun 
can  Kier,  who  was  a  native  of  Canada,  and  four 
children  have  blessed  this  union  —  Carl,  (died 
in  his  sixth  year)  Glenn,  Olive,  and  Edward  C. 
Mr.  Kier  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  Lodge 
No.  3,  of  Sterling,  and  of  the  Will  Robinson 
Post  No.  274,  G.  A.  R.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kier  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  Mrs. 
Kier  being  Vice  President  of  the  Woman's  For 
eign  Missionary  Society.  He  also  holds  the 
position  of  first  Steward  and  Treasurer  of  the 
Church.  He  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  as  a  slight  compensation  for  his  de 
votion  to  his  country,  he  receives  a  pension. 
Mr.  Kier  has  by  his  affable  genial  manner,  and 
unimpeachable  character,  surrounded  himself 
with  a  host  of  friends  and  enjoys  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  the  people  with  whom  he  has 
for  so  many  years  dwelt. 


M 


R.  ].  S.  COLE,  of  Peru,  111.,  was  born  at 
Alleghany  City,  Penn.,  Feb.  19,  1836, 
and    received    his    education    at   Ann 
Arbor,  Mich.     He  was  a  son  of  Rufus  and  Isa- 

4 


bella  (Ewing)  Cole,  the  former  from  Maine 
and  the  latter  from  Pa.,  the  father  having  been 
in  the  war  of  1812,  and  died  at  Wooster,  Ohio, 
at  the  age  of  79  years,  while  his  mother  is  still 
living  at  New  Castle,  Pa.,  at  the  unusual  age  of 
87.  The  Doctor  had  two  brothers,  George  B., 
and  John  W.,  who  were  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion,  serving  in  the  i2Oth  Ohio,  the 
latter  of  whom  contracted  typhoid  fever  while 
in  the  army,  causing  his  death  at  Young's 
Point,  Miss.  The  other,  George  B.,  has  been  a 
practicing  physician,  doing  a  large  and  exten 
sive  business  at  Medford,  in  the  State  of 
Oregon. 

Our  subject,  Dr.  Cole,  enlisted  for  active 
service  in  the  United  States  army,  at  Lima, 
Ohio,  April  4,  1865,  and  was  mustered  in 
as  a  private  in  Co.  C.,  igSth  Ohio  Vol.  Inf. 
Immediately  after  his  enlistment  he  was  de 
tached  and  assigned  as  a  clerk  in  the  Adjutant 
General's  office  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  as  the 
war,  by  this  time,  was  virtually  over,  he  had 
not  the  opportunity  of  seeing  or  participating 
in  the  terrible  conflicts  which  were  waged  be 
tween  the  contending  armies  of  the  Republic. 
After  the  surrender  of  Richmond,  the  Doctor 
was  mustered  out  and  discharged,  May  8,  1865. 
Having  left  the  army,  he  engaged  in  the 
study  of  medicine,  and  after  two  terms  attend 
ance  at  a  Medical  University,  commenced  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Rowsburgh,  Ohio, 
taking  another  course,  however,  in  the  year 
1869,  and  graduating  at  the  medical  Depart 
ment  of  the  University  of  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
After  receiving  his  diploma  he  practiced  in  the 
last  named  State  until  the  month  of  April,  1863, 
when  he  removed  to  LaSalle,  111.,  where  he 
entered  into  partnership  with  his  brother 
George,  also  a  physician  practicing  at  that 
place,  which  partnership  continued  for  two 
years,  when  our  subject  removed  to  Peru,  and 
there  engaged  in  practice  upon  his  own  account, 
and  being  a  gentleman  of  commanding  pres 
ence,  agreeable  manners,  and  a  skilled  physi 
cian,  immediately  commanded  an  universal  prac 
tice,  and  entered  upon  an  unbroken  line  of  finan 
cial  successes,  enabling  him  to  accumulate  ex 
tensive  landed  interests  in  this  as  also  in  the 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


State  of  Kansas,  where  he  has  made  several  large 
and  judicious  investments.  The  Doctor,  al 
though  he  has  a  large  practice,  which  he  faith 
fully  attends  to,  finds  time  to  devote  to  other 
matters,  consequently,  owing  to  his  popularity 
and  prominence  has  become  a- leading  figure  in 
the  Masonic  order,  also  in  the  ranks  of  the  Re 
publican  party,  as  well  as  in  the  E.  N.  Kirk  Post 
No.  656,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Peru,  of  which  he  is  an 
important  member. 

He  married  at  Hayesville,  Ohio,  July,  1862, 
Miss  Ruth  A.  Smith,  a  native  of  that  place, 
and  four  children — Frank,  Minnie,  Rufus  and 
Fred,  have  been  the  fruits  of  that  union.  A 
gentleman  of  more  than  ordinary  attainments 
in  general  information  and  in  the  science  of  his 
profession,  Dr.  Cole  has  assumed  a  position  in 
the  first  rank  of  his  profession,  and  in  society 
as  naturally  as  "the  sparks  fly  upward." 


IT  is  probable  that  few  men  saw  more  active 
service  during  the  war,  and  few  possess  a 
more  interesting  and  honorable  record, 
than  does  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  Amos 
Churchill,  of  Prospect  Park,  111.  He  was  born 
in  DuPage  Co.,  111.,  March  29,  1842.  He 
is  the  son  of  Isaac  B.  and  Angeline  (Barker) 
Churchill.  His  father  was  born  in  N.  Y.  State, 
April  22,  1818.,  and  his  mother  Sept.  15, 
1820.  Both  are  of  English  descent.  One  of 
their  ancestors,  Winslow  Churchill,  being  one  of 
those  who  arrived  in  the  "Mayflower."  The 
name  of  Winslow  is  still  in  use  in  the  family, 
and  our  subject's  grandfather,  Winslow 
Churchill,  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  Amos  is 
the  eldest  of  seven  children  (4  sons  and  3 
daughters).  His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm 
and  in  attending  school  during  the  winter 
months.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war, 
young  Churchill  desired  to  enlist,  his  father 
however  warned  him,  that  his  doing  so,  might 
cost  him  his  life.  "What  if  it  does?"  was  the 
characteristic  reply,  "  you  have  two  other  sons." 
and  his  father  finally  consented.  It  was  the 
death  of  Gen.  Lyons  that  urged  him  to  de 
lay  no  longer,  and  that  night  he  saddled  his 


horse  and  rode  to  Bloomingdale,  111.  His  de 
parture  from  the  house  was  watched  by  his  sis 
ter,  who,  doubtless  thought  never  to  see  him 
again.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  D.  8th  111.  Cav., 
Sept.  ist,  and  was  mustered  in  Sept.  i8th,  at  St. 
Charles,  111.  He  was  afterward  transferred  to 
Co.  M,of  this  reg.  and  went  to  Washington  with 
the  reg.  From  there  the  12  companies,  300  of 
whom  were  sick,  were  returned  to  Alexandria, 
March  I,  1862.  While  located  at  Alexandria, 
the  pastor  of  the  Episcopal  church,  which  the 
company  attended,  asked  divine  blessing  upon 
the  rebel  forces.  At  this  Capt.  E.  J.  Farnsworth 
was  much  enraged,  and  requested  him  to  read 
the  prayer  as  it  was,  not  omitting  any  portion 
of  it.  The  pastor  refused  to  do  so,  and  Capt. 
Farnsworth  ordered  Sergeant  McKinley  to 
arrest  him.  The  congregation  murmured 
somewhat,  but  the  Capt.  announced  that  he 
would  shoot  the  first  man  who  interfered  and 
quiet  was  soon  restored. 

When  detailed  as  Orderly  to  Gen.  Sumner, 
Mr.  Churchill,  with  some  of  his  comrades, 
captured  a  flock  of  sheep,  hence  named  the 
place  Mutton  Run.  At  Alexandria,  the  reg. 
joined  Gen.  McLellan's  army,  and  went  with  it 
to  Hampton  Roads,  arriving  just  in  time  to 
witness  the  famous  naval  battle  between  the 
Monitor  and  Merrimac.  There  were  aboard 
of  transports  in  the  bay  7,500  troops,  and  the 
victory  of  the  "  Little  Cheese  Box"  was  hailed 
with  great  rejoicings  as  it  was  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  most  important  victories.  A  por 
tion  of  the  reg.  subsequently  landed  at 
Sewells  Point;  Mr.  Churchill's  company  going 
to  Fortress  Monroe,  locating  near  the  fortifica 
tions  thrown  up  by  Washington  and  Cornwallis 
during  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  at  this  time 
plainly  visible.  Later  they  were  at  Yorktown 
fronting  Johnston's  army  (Gen.  Magruder  in 
command).  May  4,  1862,  they  pursued  Ma 
gruder,  and  on  the  5th,  fought  a  severe  battle 
at  Williamsburg.  At  Fair  Oaks,  while  engaged 
in  carrying  the  despatches,  Mr.  Churchill's  horse 
was  shot  from  under  him,  but  he  escaped  unin 
jured,  mounted  another  and  went  on  his  way, 
but  was  too  stiff  to  get  off  to  deliver  his  mes 
sages.  He  engaged  in  every  battle  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


Potomac,  and  from  March  i,  1862,  to  June  9, 
1863,  he  served  as  orderly  to  Gen.  Sumner,  up 
to  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  At  the  2d 
battle  of  Malvern  Hill  he  and  30  of  his  com 
pany  were  cut  off  and  surrounded,  and  Mr. 
Churchill's  sabre  scabbard  was  shot  in  two. 
They  managed,  however,  to  secrete  themselves 
in  an  old  log  house  standing  in  a  cornfield. 
They  remained  hidden  until  about  ten  o'clock 
at  night,  when  they  made  their  escape,  our  sub 
ject  leading  as  advance  picket  until  Malvern 
Hill  was  reached.  Here  they  lost  the  trail, 
and  Mr.  Churchill  dismounted  to  reconnoiter, 
and  finally  struck  a  cow  path  which  led  up  to 
the  hill.  Remounting  and  continuing  the  path, 
merging  from  some  timber,  they  came  upon  a 
picket  guard,  who  challenged  them.  He  was 
about  to  reply  when  a  volley  from  the  enemy 
was  fired  and  a  ball  struck  his  horse,  fatally 
wounding  him.  Seeing  the  horse  was  mortally 
wounded,  Mr.  Churchill  drew  his  sword  and 
killed  it.  They  then  secreted  themselves 
until  morning  and  made  their  escape,  rejoining 
their  Co.  The  morning  following  the  battle  of 
South  Mountain,  Sept.  14,  1862,  his  reg.  charged 
the  enemy,  pursued  them  some  three  miles, 
killing  7  and  capturing  over  200  prisoners. 
Their  loss  was  one  killed,  three  wounded,  and 
two  taken  prisoners.  The  day  following  they 
went  into  camp  at  Sharpsburg. 

Sept.  17,  they  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Antietam,  and  were  under  fire  during  the  en 
tire  battle.  A  week  or  ten  days  latter,  the  reg. 
with  three  others  and  a  battery,  crossed  the 
river  to  Martinsburg,  raided  the  town,  and  pa 
roled  prisoners  held  at  that  place.  Subse 
quently  the  enemy  gathered  in  such  force  that 
they  made  a  stand,  but  were  finally  driven 
back,  taking  one  prisoner  whom  the  enemy  re 
turned  by  an  officer  the  following  morning,  be 
ing  so  disgusted  with  their  defeat  that  they 
said  they  did  not  want  him.  After  this  they 
were  engaged  in  scout  duties  until  Dec. 
13,  when  they  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Fredricksburg,  and  afterward  resumed  guard 
and  picket  duty.  They  were  also  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  May  I,  to  the  4, 
then  retreated  across  the  river  to  Falmouth, 


Va.,  where  they  did  guard  and  picket  duty. 
From  20,  to  the  28,  of  May,  they  were  engaged 
in  a  raid  on  the  Peninsula  between  the  Potomac 
and  Rappahannock  rivers  to  the  Chesapeake 
Bay.  They  captured  over  1000  prisoners,  and 
brought  in  a  train  of  provisions,  and  captured  a 
line  of  horses  and  mules,  several  miles  long. 
About  June  I,  they  started  North  to  head  off 
Lee.  On  the  morning  of  the  9,  about  4  o'clock, 
they  surprised  his  advance  guards  by  attack 
ing  them  while  camped  at  Beverly's  Ford. 
After  a  severe  fight  they  were  driven  back. 
Their  reserves  came  up,  however,  and  Mr. 
Churchill's  Co.  was  forced  to  retire.  The 
enemy  attempted  to  turn  their  left  flank,  and  in 
doing  so  almost  disorganized  his  command. 
Seeing  the  danger,  Mr.  Churchill  and  3  of  his 
comrades  attempted  to  hold  them  in  check,  un 
til  the  remainder  of  their  company  could  come 
up.  They  held  this  position  until  they  came  in 
close  contact  with  the  enemy's  line,  causing 
them  to  halt  until  the  company  was  able  to 
form  in  line.  Mr.  Churchill  was  about  firing 
his  sixth  shot,  when  a  ball  struck  him  in  the 
elbow  and  another  struck  his  horse  passing 
through  the  animal's  body.  It  lived,  however, 
long  enough  to  bear  him  from  the  field  across 
the  Rappahannock  to  the  hospital,  although  it 
required  considerable  urging  to  gain  the  op 
posite  bank  of  the  river,  and  dropped  dead 
when  it  reached  the  hospital  at  Brandy 
Station.  There  he  underwent  an  operation,  the 
result  of  which  saved  the  arm  but  made  it  three 
and  one-half  inches  shorter  than  the  other. 
Soon  after,  he  and  his  wounded  comrades  were 
taken  in  a  freight  car  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  and 
placed  in  the  Mansion  House  hospital  at  mid 
night.  The  day  of  his  arrival  at  the  hospital 
he  was  so  weak  from  loss  of  blood,  the  doctors 
were  of  the  opinion  that  he  could  not  survive,  but 
placed  him  in  charge  of  Mrs.  Brotherton,  who 
removed  him  to  her  apartments,  where  he  slept 
during  the  next  48  hours.  Upon  awakening, 
she  told  him  if  he  continued  to  improve  for  the 
next  21  days  he  would  probably  recover.  Un 
fortunately,  however,  he  contracted  a  chill 
which  somewhat  retarded  his  recovery.  The 
surgeon  believed  the  ball  had  been  removed, 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


but  Mrs.  Brotherton  thought  otherwise,  and  by 
means  of  a  string  drawn  tightly  on  the  surface 
demonstrated  to  the  physician  that  the  ball 
was  still  there,  and  at  length  he  cut  it  out  and 
handed  it  to  Mr.  Churchill  for  inspection.  One 
side  of  it,  where  it  struck  the  bone,  was  in 
dented.  Our  subject  still  treasures  the  ball 
and  his  sword  as  interesting,  though  painful 
relics  of  his  soldier  life.  He  continued  to  im 
prove,  and  Sept.  28,  1863,  he  was  discharged 
from  the  hospital  and  returned  home,  where  he 
arrived  about  Oct.  ist.  Mr.  Churchill  then 
returned  to  school,  being  desirous  of  complet 
ing  his  education.  He  attended  Wheaton  Col 
lege  until  the  President  called  for  the  enlist 
ment  of  IOO  day  men  in  the  spring  of  1864. 

He  enlisted  again,  this  time  in  Co.  H. 
I4ist  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  elected  ist  Lieut, 
of  his  Co.,  although  his  arm  was  still  dis 
charging,  and  very  painful.  In  order  to  pass  mus 
ter,  Mr.  Churchill  had  to  employ  a  little  strate- 
gem,  in  which  he  succeeded  in  holding  up  his  left 
arm  instead  of  the  right.  The  captain  of  his 
company  being  a  literary  man,  and  knowing  but 
little  of  military  affairs  the  duty  of  drilling  and 
commanding  the  company  devolved  upon  Mr. 
Churchill.  From  Elgin  it  was  ordered  to 
Columbus,  Ky.,  where  it  relieved  the  troops 
stationed  there.  After  a  time  the  reg.  was 
sent  to  Cairo,  and  from  there  embarked  go 
ing  some  250  miles  up  the  Ohio  River,  then 
returned  to  Paducah,  were  ordered  back  to 
Columbus  and  remained  there  until  the  first  of 
Oct.,  when  they  were  sent  to  Chicago  and  mus 
tered  out,  Oct.  10,  1864.  Owing  to  the  con 
dition  of  his  right  arm,  he  carried  his  sword  in 
his  left  hand,  and  during  the  whole  term,  never 
lost  a  day,  performing  his  duties  as  well  as  be 
fore  being  wounded.  Returning  home,  he  again 
attended  Wheaton  College,  during  the  fall  and 
winter  which  ensued.  In  the  following  spring, 
the  President  issued  another  proclamation  call 
ing  for  troops.  Ever  patriotic,  he  left  school 
with  the  intention  of  raising  a  company,  and 
within  a  week  succeeded  in  getting  35  men.  He 
took  them  to  Camp  Douglas  where  all  were  ac 
cepted  except  Mr.  Churchill,  his  arm  being  still 
painful,  and  the  wound  notyet  healed.  He  again 


returned  home  and  entered  Wheaton  College. 
In  the  spring  of  1866,  he  was  elected  town  Col 
lector,  serving  two  years.  He  refused  to  be 
nominated  for  the  third  term,  preferring  to  give 
way  to  some  other  comrade.  Erom  1879,  he 
was  elected  successively  to  the  office  of  Super 
visor  of  Milton  Township,  which  he  held  with 
great  satisfaction  to  his  constituency.  The  last 
year  of  his  term  he  was  chosen  President  of  the 
Board.  He  then  engaged  in  farming,  dealing 
in  live  stock  and  threshing  grain  until  Oct. 
I,  1882.  In  the  spring  of  1883,  he  formed  a  co 
partnership  with  William  H.  Luther  in  a  Coal, 
Grain  and  Feed  business,  also  to  deal  in  Agri 
cultural  Implements  and  Building  Material,  gen 
erally,  but  which  was  in  Oct.,  1890,  dissolved  by 
mutual  consent,  Mr.  Churchill  continuing  in  the 
business  with  Louis  Cj.  Newton,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Churchill  &  Newton.  He  has 
never  received  any  assistance  from  any 
one,  and  has,  by  industry  and  straightfor 
ward  dealing,  built  up  a  large  business,  and 
is  to-day  in  easy  and  comfortable  circum 
stances. 

He  married  Miss  Marilla  Bronson,  daughter 
of  David  Bronson,  Nov.  26,  1866.  They  have  8 
children:  Jessie  M.,  Jennie  E.,  Josey  M.,  Julia  A., 
Addie  B.,  Fanny  B.,  Rhoda  V.  and  Amos,  Jr.  Mr. 
Churchill  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  also  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  513  of  which 
he  has  been  a  Commander  and  Senior  Vice 
Commander,  Junior  Vice  Commander,  Chaplain 
and  Officer  of  the  Day;  is  also  in  receipt  of  a 
pension  which  he  richly  deserves.  He  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church  and  one  of  its  Deacons;  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Sabbath  School  for  several 
years,  and  for  the  last  four  years  has  been 
Superintendent  of  the  same.  The  wound  in  his 
arm  caused  weakness  of  the  entire  body,  es 
pecially  affecting  his  legs,  one  of  which  has  been 
broken,  making  one  leg  shorter  than  the  other. 
His  career  has  been  characterized  by  firmness, 
promptness  and  decision  of  enterprise,  strict 
integrity,  and  liberal  views,  while  his  frank,  fair 
dealing  has  impressed  upon  all  the  genuineness 
and  worth  of  his  manhood.  Genial  and  affable, 
he  is  popular  among  his  aquaintances,  and  en- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


53 


joys  the  highest  esteem  of  the  community  in 
which  he  resides. 


WILLIAM  MELLEN  now  a  resident  of 
Ottawa,  111.,  was  among  the  first  of 
Massachusetts'  young,  loyal  sons  to 
respond  to  the  call  to  arms.  His  patriotic  im 
pulses  determined  him  to  devote  the  strength 
of  his  young  manhood  to  the  preservation  of 
his  country.  To  this  purpose  he  enlisted  June 
11,  1861,  as  a  private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Mass.  Inf. 
Soon  after  his  enlistment  he  was  mustered  into 
the  service  and  was  called  with  his  regi 
ment  to  the  front.  The  reg.  was  joined  to 
the  ist  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  and  later  on,  when 
the  army  was  organized  into  corps,  it  was 
placed  in  the  5th  A.  C.,  commanded  by  Fitz 
John  Porter.  Mr.  Mellen  fought  in  the  2d  bat 
tle  of  Bull  Run,  and  was  in  all  the  engagements 
with  his  regiment,  up  to  the  siege  of  Yorktown. 
While  on  guard  duty  at  Bielton  Station  in  1864, 
he  had  his  collar  bone  broken  by  a  fall  while 
on  fatigue  duty.  He  was  taken  to  the  hospital 
and  placed  under  the  surgeon's  care,  and  soon 
after  his  time  expired.  He  was  a  participant 
in  the  battle  of  Gaines  Mills,  June  24,  1862, 
wThere  he  fought  bravely  but  was  taken  pris 
oner.  He  was  among  the  many  unfortunate 
soldiers  of  the  Union  army  who  became  ac 
quainted  with  the  dungeon  walls  of  Libby 
prison,  but  fortunate  in  this,  that  his  confinement 
in  that  terrible  living  tomb,  was  limited  to  six 
weeks.  From  this  he  was  sent  to  Belle  Island 
where  he  was  confined  for  about  two  months, 
when  he  was  exchanged  and  returned  to  his 
regiment.  From  that  time  on,  he  was  with 
his  reg.  in  all  its  marches  and  engagements 
until  he  was  mustered  out,  which  was  at  Bos 
ton,  Mass.,  June  21,  1864.  He  had  served  three 
years  in  the  defense  of  his  country's  flag,  had 
discharged  the  duties  of  a  soldier  faithfully 
and  well,  and  felt  that  he  was  entitled  to  re 
turn  to  his  home  and  family. 

Mr.  Mellen  was  born  at  Charleston,  Mass,, 
in  1843.  He  spent  his  youthful  years  at  home, 
attending  the  common  schools.  When  at  the 


early  age  of  ten  years,  he  was  sent  to  learn  the 
trade  of  a  glass  blower,  which  he  followed  up 
to  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  After  his  return 
from  the  war  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  where  he 
spent  some  time.  His  next  place  of  business 
was  Chicago.  After  remaining  there  for  a  time, 
he  made  his  way  again  East,  stopping  awhile 
in  Philadelphia,  and  then  he  went  to  Boston. 
In  1883,  he  concluded  to  try  his  fortune  again 
in  the  West,  and  setting  out  he  finally  reached 
Ottawa,  111.,  where  he  has  since  resided,  work 
ing  at  his  trade.  His  long  experience  at  his 
business  and  his  knowledge  of  all  its  details, 
renders  him  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the  com 
pany  by  whom  he  is  employed.  He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  156,  of  Ottawa,  in 
which  he  takes  a  prominent  and  active  part. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Glass  Blower's 
Union. 

Mr.  Mellen  was  married  at  Cambridge,  Mass., 
May  28,  1868,  to  Catherine  McGirk,  of  that 
city.  Five  children  were  born  to  them — James, 
Ellen,  Mary,  Sarah  and  Susan. 


SIDNEY  S.  TUTTLE,  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post 
No.  274,  of  Rock  Falls,  Ills.,  was  born 
Oct.  9,  1840,  in  Portage  Co.,  Ohio.  His 
parents  were  Hiram  C.  and  Sarah  A.  (Terrill) 
Tuttle.  His  father  was  born  in  New  York 
in  June,  1818,  and  his  mother  in  Ohio.  The 
occupation  of  Hiram  C.  was  that  of  a  farmer, 
but  removing  to  Pa.  he  there  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business.  In  Oct.,  1852,  he  located  in 
Steuben  Co.,  Ind.,  and  remained  there  until  his 
removal  to  Iowa,  where  he  died.  His  widow 
still  survives,  and  is  residing  with  her  daughter 
at  Algona,  Iowa. 

Sidney  S.  was  the  oldest  of  the  family,  and 
was  brought  up  with  his  parents,  continuing  at 
home  until  his  enlistment  in  the  military  ser 
vice,  which  he  entered  April  21,  1861,  at 
Columbia  City,  Ind.,  as  a  member  of  Co.  E, 
I ;th  Ind.  Inf.  After  the  usual  camp  discipline 
the  regt.  went  to  the  front  July  I,  1861,  going 
through  Cincinnati  to  Parkersburg,  W.  Va., 
where  they  remained  some  days.  July  2 1 ,  were  or 
dered  intoMd.  and  on  July  26  moved  to  the  North 


54 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Branch  of  the  Potomac.     July  28  they  began  a 
line    of  fortifications,  and  from  this  time  for 
ward    were  scouting  and   participating  in   fre 
quent  battles  with  the  enemy.     Mr.  Tuttle  was 
a  witness  of  the  death  of   Col.    John  A.  Wash 
ington,  Sept.  12,  while  on  a  reconnoissance,  and 
assisted  in  carrying  his  body  to  the  outposts. 
Nov.    19,  the  regt.  was  ordered  to  Louisville, 
Ky.,  arriving  Nov.  30.     They  went  into  winter 
quarters  at  Camp  Wicklippe,  performing  picket 
duty  and  having  frequent  skirmishes  with  the 
enemy.     The    regt.    next   proceeded   to   Nash 
ville,  arriving  March  9,    1862,  and   was  there 
brigaded  with  the  I5th  Ind.,  50th  Ind.,  and  6th 
Ohio.     They  then  moved  on  to  Pittsburg  Land 
ing,  reaching  that  point  Tuesday  after  the  bat 
tle  of  Shiloh.     The  regt.  was  engaged  at  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  occupying  a  position  in  the 
center  of  the  line  of  attack.     After  some  time 
spent  in  pursuing  Forrest,  they  set  out  on  the 
famous     march    to    Louisville    (called    by   the 
soldiers  the  "nip  and  tuck"  march),  in  which 
they    distanced   Bragg,   getting  in    ahead    and 
shutting  him    out.     They    had    a    spirited    en 
counter  with  the  enemy,  Oct.  21,  at  Mumfords- 
ville,  Ky.,  after  which  they  returned  with  Buell's 
army   to    Louisville.     Feb.    12,    1863,  they  re 
ceived    orders    to    mount   themselves,    seizing 
horses  wherever  they  could.     Mr.  Tuttle's  regt. 
was  the  first  to  secure  horses,  after  which  they 
assisted  the  others.     They  were  engaged  in  the 
action  at  Hoover's  Gap,  June  24,  returning  with 
75  prisoners  and  135  stand  of   arms,  with  a  loss 
of   40  men  in  killed  and  wounded.     From  this 
time  forward  Mr.  Tuttle  was  almost  daily  under 
fire,  but  ever  acted  with  soldierly  courage  and 
an  inflexible  adhesion  to  duty.   At  Chickamauga 
he  was  an  active  participant  in  that  hotly  con 
tested  battle,  and  in  many  others  that  followed 
with  Wheeler,  in  several  of    which  he  narrowly 
escaped  death.     In    one   instance  his  Co.  was 
surrounded  and  their  surrender  demanded,  and 
notwithstanding   his    perilous  situation,  under 
a  heavy  fire,  he   refused  to  give  up  his   gun, 
even    when    dismounted    and    helpless.     The 
timely  arrival  of  the  Union  troops  rescued  him. 
He  was  mustered  out  and  finally  discharged  at 
Indianapolis,  Aug.  8,  1865. 


During  his  whole  period  of  service  he  did 
not  lose  a  day  from  duty,  nor  was  he  wounded 
or  at  any  time  under  the  care  of  a  physician. 
For  some  years  after  his  return  home  he  was 
engaged  in  railroading,  and  is  now  shipping 
clerk  in  the  office  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.,  at  Sterling, 
a  position  he  has  held  for  nine  years.  For  12 
years  prior  to  his  appointment  to  his  present 
position,  he  was  night  watchman  on  the  same 
road.  Throughout  his  army  life  and  since  he 
he  has  never  been  intoxicated.  He  was  mar 
ried  Mar.  12,  1864,  while  at  home  on  furlough, 
at  Columbia  City,  Ind.,  to  Emily,  daughter  of 
Nicholas  and  Gertrude  (Strickfaden)  Bessack. 
Mrs.  Tuttle's  parents  were  natives  of  Bavaria, 
Germany,  where  they  were  married,  locating 
in  Ind.  after  having  lived  some  time  in  N.  Y. 
They  are  both  deceased.  Nicholas  Bessack, 
the  father  of  Mrs.  Tuttle,  served  as  a  soldier 
under  the  Duke  of  Bavaria,  and  she  had  three 
brothers,  Nicholas,  Joseph  and  Andrew,  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion; 
the  two  former  being  in  Co.  E,  I7th  Ind. 
Nicholas  was  killed  June  20,  1864;  Joseph 
is  living  in  Nebraska,  and  Andrew  in  la.  Mr. 
Tuttle  is  the  father  of  four  children:  Edward 
L.,  Elmer  A.,  Bertha  E.  and  Eva  M.,  of  whom 
Edward  is  deceased.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the 
Will  Robinson  Post.  Mrs.  Tuttle  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps  No.  45, 
and  was  for  two  years  its  Conductor,  and  for 
one  year  its  junior  Vice-President. 


HARVEY  MAHANNAH,  one  of  Decatur's 
(Illinois)  most  prominent  men,  is  a 
•  native  of  Pennsylvania,  having  been 
born  there  Aug.  12,  1836,  a  son  of  Benjamin 
Mahannah,  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  of 
Irish  ancestry  and  a  close  relative  of  the  famous 
General  Anthony  Wayne  of  Revolutionary 
times.  Harvey  had  nine  brothers  and  sisters, 
namely:  Stephen,  Mariah,  Mary,  Ann,  Henry, 
Jacob,  Ely,  Christina,  William  and  James  W. 
Henry  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war  and  passed 
through  the  service  without  being  wounded  or 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


55 


captured.     Ely,  another  brother.was  in  the  navy 
during  the  same  period. 

Harvey,  in  his  younger  days  lived  in  Ohio 
between  the  years  1839,  and  1851,  and  when  old 
enough,  attended  a  private  school  until  a  short 
time  before  he  left  the  State,  when  he  took  ad 
vantage  of  attending  a  public  school  which  had 
recently  been  established.  He  removed  to  the 
State  of  Illinois,  worked  upon  a  farm  until  1855 
when  he  went  at  the  carpenter's  trade  which  he 
continued  until  his  enlistment  at  Decatur  Aug. 
ii.  1862,  and  was  subsequently  mustered  in  as 
an  Orderly  Sergeant  in  Company  G.,  ii6th  111. 
Vol.  Inf.  but  soon  after  was  elected  1st  Lieu 
tenant.  This  regiment  remained  in  camp  of  in 
struction  until  Nov,  8,  when  it  proceeded  to 
Memphis  and  shortly  after  upon  the  Talla- 
hatchie  campaign,  going  to  Oxford  then  re 
turned  to  Memphis.  Leaving  the  last  named 
place  the  regiment  moved  down  the  river  then 
up  the  Yazoo  to  the  Chickasaw  Bayou  where  it 
engaged  the  enemy  in  a  heavy  battle,  the  men 
being  under  fire  for  several  days,  then  passed 
on  to  Arkansas  Post,  where,  on  January  11, 
1863,  they  fought  the  bloody  battle  of  the  same 
name.  The  ii6th  occupied  the  center  of  the 
Union  line  and  kept  up  an  enfilading  fire  upon 
the  enemy  under  the  protection  of  the  Govern 
ment  Gunboats,  thus  preventing  the  enemy  from 
using  his  artillery  and  in  a  short  time  forced 
him  to  surrender,  thus  rewarding  the  Union 
troops  with  the  capture  of  about  6,OOO  prison 
ers,  besides  equipments,  supplies  and  stores. 
The  regiment  was  employed  for  a  time  on 
Butler's  famous  canal  and  when  it  was  aban 
doned  moved  to  Upper  Young's  Point  where  it 
remained  until  it  joined  in  the  general  advance 
upon  Vicksburg.  After  making  a  detour  up 
the  Yazoo  River  it  retired,  landing  at  Milliken's 
Bend,  La.,  where  Mr.  Mahannah  was  compelled 
to  remain  in  camp  by  reason  of  severe  illness. 
He  was  not  absolutely  incapacitated,  therefore, 
he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  camp 
for  about  a  week,  when  he  had  the  sick  moved  to 
Upper  Young's  Point.  The  regiment  marched 
to  Grand  Gulf  where  he  joined  it  May  22d, 
1863,  just  after  the  second  charge  had  been 
made  upon  Vicksburg.  Here  he  was  trans 


ferred  to  Company  A.,  assumed  command  of 
his  Co.  and  took  his  place  in  the  line  through 
out  the  siege.  He  was  most  of  the  time  on 
active  duty,  running  a  mine  under  the  enemy's 
works  which  was  stopped  pending  negotiations 
for  the  surrender.  Before  becoming  a  soldier 
Mr.  Mahannah  worked  at  his  trade  in  Loui 
siana,  and  as  the  town  he  worked  in  raised  a 
company  for  the  rebel  service,  many  of  the 
men  he  knew,  hence  after  his  duties  had  been 
performed,  he  hunted  up  the  company  who 
were  of  the  number  captured  at  Vicksburg.  He 
soon  found  them,  much  the  worse  in  appear 
ance  owing  to  the  hardships  endured,  and  was 
much  pleased  with  his  visit.  The  following 
day  he  started  for  Jackson,  Miss.,  marching 
under  a  scorching  sun,  the  dust  rising  in 
clouds,  with  a  great  scarcity  of  water  and  little 
to  eat,  consequently  men  were  continually  fall 
ing  exhausted  along  the  line  of  march.  On 
arrival  the  Union  forces  invested  the  town,  dug 
trenches  in  which  the  men  slept,  continuing 
there  until  the  place  was  evacuated,  then  pur 
sued  the  enemy  some  distance  having  heavy 
skirmishes  daily,  until  they  returned  to  Jack 
son.  Subsequently  the  regiment  moved  back  to 
Camp  Sherman  near  Vicksburg,  where  it  was 
assigned  to  General  Morgan  L.  Smith's  Division. 
While  at  Camp  Sherman  Lieutenant  Mahan 
nah  obtained  a  furlough,  returned  home  to 
Decatur  for  a  few  days,  then  rejoined  his  reg 
iment,  being  placed  in  his  original  company  of 
which  he  was  appointed  Captain  by  reason  of 
the  death  of  the  former  commander.  Leaving 
Camp  Sherman  the  regiment  moved  to  Mem 
phis,  Corinth,  luka,  Tuscumbia,  Eastport, 
Florence  and  Stephenson;  in  light  order 
marched  to  the  Chickamauga  River,  where  on 
the  night  of  the  23d,  November,  it,  with  the 
8th  Mo.  Inf.,  boarded  pontoon  boats  and 
drifted  down  to  the  Tennessee  River,  there 
hugged  the  west  bank  of  the  last  named  river 
and  ascended  it  to  a  point  where  a  signal  was 
displayed,  crossed  to  the  opposite  bank,  made 
a  successful  landing,  and  surprised  and 
captured  the  rebel  pickets  without  firing  a  gun 
to  disturb  or  alarm  the  enemy.  Before  day 
break  the  main  army  had  crossed  the  river  on 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS 


a  pontoon  bridge  and  threw  up  miles  of  earth 
works.  In  the  afternoon  the  Union  forces 
formed  and  marched  toward  the  hills  on  the 
right  of  the  rebel  army.  Captain  Mahannah's 
Brigade  being  in  the  advance,  marched  in  line 
of  battle.  The  enemy  had  thrown  some 
cavalry  and  artillery  across  the  left,  therefore, 
the  brigade  swerved  to  the  North  and  in  doing 
so  General  Giles  A.  Smith,  Brigade  com 
mander,  was  severely  wounded  and  was  suc 
ceeded  by  Colonel  Tupper,  and  the  enemy, 
when  encountered,  was  soon  dispersed.  That 
night  the  regiment  remained  upon  their 
arms,  our  subject  being  on  picket  duty,  and 
all  suffered  severely  from  the  cold  and  ex 
posure.  By  daybreak  his  regiment  was  moved 
to  the  extreme  left  of  the  army  and  advanced 
near  an  old  church  or  school-house  where  the 
men  were  halted  and  instructed  to  partake  of 
their  breakfast,  but  before  that  luxury  was 
finished,  was  ordered  and  immediately  moved 
to  the  right  to  reinforce  the  balance  of  the 
division  which  was  being  engaged.  The 
brigade  then  made  a  light  charge  to  the  foot 
of  the  hill,  placed  skirmishers,  and  followed 
up  the  hill,  resting  when  part  of  the  way  up, 
until  one  o'clock  next  morning,  when  the 
enemy  had  evacuated  that  portion  of  the  field, 
leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  upon  the 
battle  ground.  After  resting  a  short  time,  the 
regiment,  Nov.  26th,  moved  toward  Ringgold, 
after  which  it  started  upon  a  forced  march 
toward  Knoxville  to  relieve  General  Burnside, 
then  besieged  at  that  point,  and  had  arrived 
within  eighteen  miles  when  the  siege  was 
raised,  and  they  by  way  of  Tellico  Iron  Works 
returned  to  Chattanooga.  During  this  march 
the  men  were  perfectly  barefooted,  their  other 
clothing  in  a  bad  condition,  and  being  obliged 
to  march  over  frozen  ground  through  a  moun 
tainous  country,  and  at  a  forced  pace,  made 
the  suffering  almost  unendurable,  and  certainly 
one  of  the  severest  marches  of  the  war.  On 
returning  they  were  sent  by  transports  to 
Belfonte,  then  marched  to  Stephenson,  Ala.,  in 
light  order  and  without  discipline,  where  on 
arrival  clothing  was  issued  and  the  men  made 
fairly  comfortable  fora  time,  when  they  moved 


to  Larkinsville  and  went  into  winter  quarters. 
Expeditions  were  made  throughout  the  winter 
to  different  points,  and  on  one  occasion  Mr. 
Mahannah  was  detailed  at  Larkins  Landing  in 
command  of  five  companies  guarding  a  pon 
toon  bridge  for  several  weeks,  and  whilst  there 
received  his  commission  as  Captain  of  his 
company.  May  4th,  his  regiment  set  out  on 
the  Atlanta  campaign,  his  first  severe  battle 
being  Resaca.  His  was  the  color  company, 
and  took  an  advanced  position,  charged  down 
hill  to  a  creek,  crossed  and  went  into  a  veritable 
hornet's  nest  whose  sting,  however,  in  this  case, 
was  death  or  something  akin  to  it,  from  which 
it  was  compelled  to  recede  after  the  loss  of  the 
Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  regiment.  They  fell 
back  200  yards,  fortified,  and  remaining  upon 
the  skirmish  line  all  night  were  ordered  in  the 
morning  to  advance  until  they  drew  fire.  That 
end  was  soon  accomplished,  whereupon  Cap 
tain  Mahannah  steadily  withdrew  his  men  and 
on  the  following  day  took  possession  of  the 
enemy's  works.  Then  followed  in  quick  suc 
cession  the  battles  of  Dallas,  Big  Shanty  and 
Kenesaw  Mountain. 

The  charge  at  the  last  named  battle  opened 
early  in  the  morning  and  Captain  Mahannah, 
although  he  had  been  in  many  desperate  con 
flicts  never  saw  men  literally  mowed  down  be 
fore.  They  fell  thick  and  fast,  dead  and 
wounded  all  around  him,  consequently  he  led 
the  remnant  of  his  company  back  for  protec 
tion  a  few  hundred  yards  where  they  lay  until 
after  dark.  The  next  day  they  moved  to 
Pumpkin  Vine  Creek.  Two  days  later  they 
moved  to  Rossville,  crossing  the  Chattahoo- 
chie  River.  Some  days  later  he  marched  to 
Stone  Mountain,  tore  up  the  railroad  and  then 
marched  to  Decatur,  drove  the  enemy  to  the 
vicinity  of  Atlanta  and  then  again  engaged 
him  on  July  22,  and  on  the  28th,  was  in  the 
battle  of  Ezra  Chapel,  being  engaged  through 
out  the  day.  It  was  in  the  famous  Atlanta 
contest  that  General  McPherson  fell  a  victim 
to  Southern  lead.  After  the  lines  had  been 
strengthened  around  Atlanta,  the  ii6th  moved 
to  the  vicinity  of  Jonesboro  where  was  fought 
'on  Aug.  31,  and  Sept.  I,  one  of  the  sharpest 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


57 


battles  of  the  war,  and  again  Captain  Mahan- 
nah's  regiment  sustained  the  reputation  previ 
ously  won  upon  many  a  hard  fought  field.  At 
lanta  passed  into  the  possession  of  the  Govern 
ment  troops  without  further  fighting.  His  regi 
ment  pursued  Hood's  forces  to  Lovejoy  Sta 
tion,  then  returning  to  the  vicinity  of  Atlanta 
went  into  camp.  Here  our  subject  obtained  a 
30  day  furlough  to  return  home.  On  returning 
to  Nashville,  found  the  railroad  was  cut,  there 
fore,  remained  for  a  week  at  that  point,  then 
to  Chattanooga  where  they  proposed  to  place 
him  in  command  of  some  men,  but  instead  he 
asked  for  a  detail  to  take  prisoners  to  Nash 
ville,  and  there  obtained  an  order  to  report  to 
his  regiment.  He  preceded  to  Rome,  Ga., 
thence  by  ambulance  to  Indian  Springs  and 
from  there  to  Vining  Station  via  Marietta 
where  they  were  paid  off  and  voted  for  Presi 
dent,  but  strange  to  say,  the  votes  were  never 
counted.  Immediately  after  he  joined  in  the 
march  to  the  sea,  and  at  Fort  McAllister  his 
division  made  the  charge  and  captured  the 
place.  When  near  the  fort  they  found  torpe 
does  every  fourteen  feet  which  they  made  the 
rebels  remove.  Subsequently  they  went  to 
Fort  Thunderbolt  for  five  days,  then  returned 
to  Savannah,  and  after  an  expedition  to  Hilton 
Head,  began  the  march  through  the  Carolinas, 
hunting  the  enemy  and  finding  him  first  near 
the  swamps  of  Pocotaligo,  chased  him  through 
creeks  and  across  rivers,  skirmishing  constant 
ly  until  nearing  Columbia.  After  a  few  days 
rest  then  resumed  the  march,  facing  home 
ward,  crossing  the  Pedee  River,  thence  to  Fay- 
etteville  and  to  Bentonville,  where  the  ii6th 
for  the  last  time  encountered  the  old  foe,  Gen. 
J.  E.  Johnson's  army,  and  fought  its  last  battle. 
During  this  expedition  Captain  Mahannah  had 
command  of  the  foraging  detachments  of  his 
division.  After  the  surrender  of  Lee  his  com 
mand  started  for  Washington  via  Richmond 
and  Petersburg,  and  there  took  part  in  the 
Grand  Review,  where  subsequently  he  was  mus 
tered  out  on  June  7,  1865,  and  finally  paid  off 
and  discharged  on  the  2/th  of  the  same  month. 
After  leaving  the  army  Captain  Mahannah 
returned  to  Uecatur  where  he  followed  his 


trade,  then  went,  for  the  benefit  of  his  health, 
first  to  Texas,  thence  to  Mexico,  where  he  con 
tinued  in  all  about  five  years,  then  returned  to 
Decatur  which-  has  since  been  his  home.  He 
married  Miss  Mary  T.  Swift,  of  Decatur,  June 
20,  1861,  and  three  children  have  resulted  from 
the  union,  viz.:  Jessie  M.,  Anna  Laura,  and 
Stephen  U. ;  the  first  named  of  whom  is  dead. 
Captain  Mahannah,  since  the  war  has  held  the 
position  of  Constable,  Deputy  Sheriff,  Street 
Commissioner,  Deputy  Marshal,  and  been 
Township  Collector  for  three  years.  He  is  a 
Mason,  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  Post 
No.  141  G.  A.  R. 


JACOB  PHILLIPS,  of  Peru,  111.,  was  born  on 
Christmas  day,  in  the  year  1834,  on  the 
Lower  Rhine  in  France,  but  when  the 
treaty  was  signed  after  the  Franco-German 
war  of  1871,  it  became  part  of  Germany.  When 
1 8  years  of  age  he  abandoned  his  native  heath 
and  wended  his  way  to  America,  settling  first  at 
Buffalo,  N  Y.,  then  at  Brentford,  in  Ontario, 
Canada;  afterwards  returning  to  the  U.  S.,  where 
he  was  married  (at  Buffalo)  in  1854,  to  Mary 
Zhchar,  a  native  of  Saxony,  Prussia.  He  learned 
the  machinist's  trade  at  Buffalo,  which  he 
followed  for  many  years.  Our  subject  was  a 
son  of  a  seed  oil  manufacturer  in  the  old 
country  and  his  uncle  is  now  a  prominent  man 
in  the  same  business  near  Mankato,  Minn.  Mr. 
Phillips  offered  his  services  for  the  army  of  the 
Union  cause  in  the  early  days  of  the  late  rebel 
lion,  having  enlisted  Aug.  15,  1862,  at  Wenona, 
111.,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  at 
Springfield  as  a  private  in  Battery  A.  3d  111. 
Vol.  Art.  His  battery  shortly  afterwards  was 
sent  to  the  front  and  was  stationed  at  Bolivar, 
Tenn.,  in  charge  of  the  fort  at  that  place, 
where  it  continued— without  the  happening  of 
any  notable  incident — until  the  following 
spring,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Moscow  and 
was  there  placed  on  guard  duty.  While  thus 
enp-a^ed  Mr.  Phillips  became  ill  and  was 

o     o 

granted  a  furlough  of  30  days,  at  the    expira 
tion  of  which  he  was  much  improved  in  health 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


and  enabled  to  rejoin  his  battery  at  Little 
Rock,  Ark.,  where  it  was  detained  until  the  fol 
lowing  spring.  It  then  joined  Gen.  Banks  in  his 
Red  River  expedition  and  participated  in  the 
several  engagements  and  skirmishes  occurring 
during  this  campaign.  He  was  on  detached 
duty  for  the  major  part  of  his  term  of  service, 
yet  the  work  \vas  constant  and  exceedingly 
hazardous,  necessarily  exposing  him  to  rebel 
bullets  as  \vell  as  severe  inclement  weather  by 
night  as  well  as  by  day,  which  resulted  in 
undermining  his  health  and  rendering  him  a 
confirmed  invalid  from  that  time  forward.  He 
was  compelled  to  go  into  the  hospital  at  Little 
Rock,  Ark.,  and  after  it  became  evident  that  he 
would  not  be  able  to  again  resume  his  active 
duties  in  the  field,  was  discharged  from  the 
army,  under  general  order  May  29,  1865. 
Among  the  weaknesses  of  his  constitution  devel 
oped  during  the  war  was  a  severe  ailment  of 
the  heart,  which  has  ever  since  been  to  him  a 
constant  source  of  illness  as  well  as  worry  be 
cause  of  its  probable  danger. 

Subsequently  he  became  connected  with 
the  Peru  Plow  &  Wheel  Works,  with  which 
concern  he  has  been  engaged  as  his  health  per 
mitted.  He  married  Oct.  5,  1855,  Miss  Mary 
Phillips,  of  Buffalo,  and  by  whom  he  has  four 
children  living — Henry  Laura,  Charles  and 
Emma,  of  whom  Henry  is  engaged  in  the 
Peru  Plow  &  Wheel  Works  at  Peru,  and  has 
become  one  of  Peru's  prominent  and  represen 
tative  men,  being  at  the  present  time  one  of 
its  active  and  progressive  Aldermen. 

Our  subject  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
order,  Lodge  N.  34;  of  the  E.  N.  Kirk  Post  No. 
656,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Peru.  He  became  a  Republican 
during  the  troublesome  times  in  Kansas,  and 
has  never  had  any  inclination  since  to  change 
his  politics,  fought  that  way  and  proposes  to 
so  die.  He  is  a  devoted  husband,  a  kind 
father,  genial  and  benevolent  in  character,  an 
honored  and  respected  citizen,  and  deeply 
attached  to  his  adopted  county. 


L ELAND    L.  JOHNSON,   of   Sterling,    Ills.,    a 
leading  grocer  and  hardware  dealer,  was 
born  Dec. 6,  1840,  in  Prophetstown  .White- 
side   County,   Ills.     His    parents    were    Samuel 
and  Christiana  (Lee)  Johnson,  both  natives  of 
Vt.     Samuel  Johnson  was  brought  up  to  the  life 
of  a  farmer.     He  removed  to    Illinois  in    1838, 
settling  at  Prophetstown,  where,  in  1839,  he  mar 
ried  Mrs.  Christiana  Smith,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Lee,  who  in  1837,  located  in  that  town. 

Endearing  Johnson,  the  father  of  Samuel 
Johnson,  of  Castletown,  Vt.,  was  descended 
from  an  Irish  family,  settling  in  New  England 
at  an  early  period  of  its  history.  The  Lees 
were  of  Scotch  ancestry,  and  were  also  of  the 
number  of  those  who  found  in  New  England  a 
home  and  the  blessings  of  freedom.  Of  the 
union  of  Samuel  Johnson  and  Christiana  Smith 
were  born  four  children:  Leland  Lee, 
Imogene,  Christiana,  now  Mrs.  Chas.  Tenney, 
of  Montour,  la.,  and  Endearing,  of  whom  En 
dearing  and  Imogene  are  deceased. 

Leland  Lee  Johnson  received  his  education 
in  the  district  school  and  continued  at  home, 
assisting  his  father  in  work  on  the  farm,  until 
1861.  The  Johnson  farm,  originally  but  a  few 
acres  of  government  land,  was  by  its  enterpris 
ing  owner  gradually  increased  to  450  acres, 
and  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation- 
Having  retired  from  all  active  pursuits,  Mr. 
Johnson  and  his  estimable  wife  are  residing  at 
Sterling  in  the  comfort  and  peace  which  are 
being  shed  upon  their  declining  years. 

Young  Johnson,  in  the  natural  spirit  of  ad 
venture  wrhich  posessed  him,  accompanied  an 
expedition  to  Pike's  Peak  in  the  spring  of  1861, 
but  the  outbreak  of  the  \var  soon  after  his  ar 
rival  precipitated  his  return  home,  and  his  en 
listment  in  Co.  B,  34th  111.  Inf.  Vol.,  at  Spring 
field,  Sept.  7,  1861.  His  reg.  quickly  marched 
to  the  front  to  join  the  army  of  Gen.  Buell,  the 
first  objective  point  being  Louisville,  Ky.,  from 
whence  it  moved  on  to  Camp  Nevin,  Ky.,  where 
it  was  quartered  until  Feb.  14,  1862.  After  the 
sanguinary  battle  of  Fort  Donaldson  the  Reg. 
was  put  upon  a  forced  march  to  Nashville  to 
cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  and  thence 
ordered  to  Columbia,  Tenn.,  where  the  Co.  that 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


59 


first  unfurled  the  stars  and  stripes  upon  the 
court  house  after  the  evacuation  of  the  Rebels, 
was  in  command  of  Lieut.  Johnson.  Entering 
the  service  as  a  private  he  was  successively 
promoted  to  1st  Sergeant,  2d  Lieut.,  and  ist. 
Lieut.  He  participated  with  his  Reg.  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh,  his  Co.  losing  33  men  in  killed 
and  wounded,  and  sharing  in  the  many  deeds 
of  valor  exhibited  upon  that  bloody  field.  Here 
Lieut.  Johnson  received  promotion,  as  ist 
Lieut,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct,  and 
for  the  ensuing  summer  commanded  his  Co., 
the  Capt.  having  been  disabled  by  wounds  at 
Shiloh.  His  Reg.  moved  on  to  Corinth,  and 
after  its  evacuation,  to  Tuscumbia,  luka, 
Florence  and  Battle  Creek,  going  into  camp  at 
the  latter  place  for  over  a  month.  It  was  next 
ordered  to  Louisville,  after  some  days  to  Frank 
fort.  Lieut.  Johnson  during  the  encampment 
at  Camp  Andy  Johnson  served  as  Adjt.  of  the 
Reg.  At  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro  the  Reg. 
went  into  action  with  600  men,  but  at  roll  call 
the  next  morning  only  52  reported.  How  truly 
has  this  gallant  regiment  borne  the  brunt  of  the 
battle,  and  won  imperishable  renown. 

In  May,  1863,  the  Reg.  moved  on  to  Chat 
tanooga,  and  bore  a  leading  part  in  that  mem 
orable  and  decisive  campaign.  Lieut.  Johnson 
during  this  time  had  command  of  his  Co.,  and 
took  gallant  part  in  numerous  engagements. 
He  and  his  brother-in-law,  Lindsley  Black,  of 
Co.  C.,  were  the  first  to  enter  Rome,  Ga. 
Throughout  this  latter  period  Lieut.  Johnson 
was  a  great  sufferer  from  sickness,  but  kept  on 
duty  until  finally  obliged  to  enter  the  hospital, 
at  Chattanooga.  Receiving  the  appointment 
under  Gen.  Sherman  as  train  inspector,  he 
acted  in  that  capacity  for  several  months, 
when  again  becoming  disabled  from  sickness, 
he  was  sent  to  the  officers'  hospital,  on  Look 
out  Mountain.  After,  to  some  extent  regain 
ing  his  health,  he  rejoined  his  Reg.  at  Atlanta, 
and  after  proceeding  with  it  to  Huntsville  to 
cut  off  the  advance  of  Forrest,  returned  to 
Atlanta,  where  he  was  honorably  discharged 
Nov.  7,  1864,  having  served  three  years  and 
two  months.  He  refused  a  Captain's  commis 
sion  by  reason  of  his  failing  health,  and  repair 


ed  to  his  home  at  Sterling,  Ills.  Here  he  re 
sumed  labor  on  the  farm,  teaching  a  school 
during  the  winter,  but  after  some  time  leased 
his  farm  and  engaged  in  business  as  a  grain 
and  coal  dealer.  He  subsequently  conducted 
a  cattle  ranch  for  two  years  at  Rock  Falls, 
when  he  returned  to  Sterling,  resumed  the 
same  occupation  there,  and  continuing  therein 
for  three  years.  His  health  again  failing  he 
went  to  Dokota,  to  seek  a  suitable  investment 
in  lands,  and  to  get  the  benefit  of  the  salubrious 
climate.  Remaining  for  two  years  in  Dakota 
and  regaining  his  health,  he  went  to  Palo  Alto 
Co.,  Iowa,  to  develop  his  landed  interests 
there  located.  Mr.  Johnson  has  made  very 
large  investments  in  real  estate,  but  recently 
has  devoted  his  attention  to  the  management 
of  the  hardware  and  grocery  business  at  Ster 
ling,  Ills.,  which  has  attained  very  extensive 
proportions. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  married  Dec.  13,  1864,  to 
Miss  Seraphino  Black,  at  Franklin  Grove,  Ills., 
and  has  five  children  now  living.  As  a  soldier 
Leland  Lee  Johnson  was  an  honor  to  his  coun 
try  and  to  his  name;  as  a  citizen  and  merchant 
he  has  achieved  as  true  a  distinction.  To  him 
may  well  be  applied  "Famed  as  well  for  his 
victories  in  peace  as  in  war."  He  was  a  member 
of  the  V.  R.  Corps,  an  organization  antedating 
the  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  been  an  influential  pro 
moter  of  the  cause  of  that  association.  Mr. 
Johnson  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  in  all 
his  relations  an  upright,  conscientious  and  in 
flexible  exemplar  of  right  and  duty. 


DAVID  J.    GRANT  was  born   at  Brantford, 
Ont.,  Canada,  October  10,  1834.     He  was 
the   third    son    of    Isaac    and    Margaret 
(McPhaden)   Grant,   both  of   Scotch  descent. 
The  family  claim  among  its  illustrious  members, 
the  late  President  Ulysses   S.  Grant. 

H  is  paternal  grandfather  was  a  quartermaster 
in  the  Revolutionary  War;  his  father  was  in 
the  War  of  1812,  also  his  father's  brother, 
David  Grant.  Mr.  Grant's  father  died  at  Jeffer 
son,  Cook  Co.,  111.,  in  the  fall  of  1865,  and  his 
mother  at  Wheaton,  111.,  Oct.  8,  1882 


6o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


At  the  age  of  seven  years  young  Grant  with 
his  parents  removed  to  Mich.,  where  they  re 
mained  two  years,  going  then  to  111.,  near  the 
town  of  York,  DuPage  County.  He  attended 
school  three  miles  from  home  walking  the  dis 
tance  twice  a  day  when  only  ten  years  of  age, 
and  at  this  same  school  made  the  acquaintance 
of  the  little  girl,  who  when  grown,  became  his 
wife.  Mr.  Grant  would  have  joined  the  army 
at  the  beginning  of  the  War,  but  his  wife  ob 
jected  on  account  of  the  age  of  their  children 
who  were  then  quite  young.  But  when  the 
confederate  army  invaded  Louisville  she  with 
drew  her  objections  and  assisted  him  in  getting 
ready,  offering  to  care  for  the  children  during 
his  absence,  which  she  did  in  a  noble  manner. 
He  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  iO5th,  111.  Vol.  Inf.  in 
1862.  Two  of  his  brothers  also  enlisted  with 
him,  their  mother  being  present  during 
the  mustering  of  the  regiment.  Their  father 
had  previously  enlisted  in  the  Pioneer  Corps, 
being  too  much  advanced  in  years  to  be  accep 
ted  for  the  regular  army.  The  Union  cause 
had  probably  no  supporters  who  were  more 
loyal  and  brave  than  Isaac  Grant  and  his  three 
sons. 

After  being  mustered  in  at  Dixon,  111.,  the 
reg't.  went  to  Chicago,  and  was  placed  under 
drill  and  instructions  until  Oct.  I,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  from  there 
marched  to  Frankfort  arriving  Oct.  10,  1862. 
The  first  twelve  months  of  service  the  reg't. 
was  occupied  in  doing  guard  and  picket  duty, 
but  after  being  reorganized  in  December,  1863, 
under  Gen.  Sherman's  command  did  much 
active  duty. 

His  regiment  was  in  the  battle  of  Dallas, 
May  1 2th,  also  at  Resaca,  May  15,  1864.  His 
comrade,  Arthur  Rice,  was  killed  in  the  battle 
of  Resaca,  having  the  barrel  of  his  musket 
bent  by  a  flying  ball  and  after  receiving  the 
first  wound  grasped  the  gun  of  a  dying  com 
rade  and  fought  for  half  an  hour  before  he 
was  struck  in  the  head  and  instantly  killed. 
He  was  a  great  favorite  with  the  regiment  and 
was  only  17  years  old. 

Then  followed  the  battles  of  Kingston  and 
Burnt  Hickory,  in  both  of  which  his  company 


took  an  active  part.  When  near  Marietta,  Ga., 
about  July  I,  1864,  while  his  Co.  was  building  a 
line  of  breastworks  the  rebels  attacked  them, 
springing  over  the  works  already  formed.  The 
move  was  so  sudden  and  the  surprise  so  com 
plete  that  they  left  their  picks  and  shovels  on 
the  outside,  where  they  had  been  in  use.  The 
officer  in  command  of  Mr.  Grant's  Co.  called 
for  volunteers  to  bring  them  in.  David  Grant 
responded  to  the  call  and  brought  them  in 
escaping  without  a  scratch,  although  the  bullets 
were  flying  thickly  about  them.  Leaving  Mari 
etta,  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek  was  the 
next  important  action  engaged  in.  It  was  in 
this  battle  that  Mr.  Grant  assisted  Gen.  Har 
rison  to  rise,  when  he  was  prostrated  by  fatigue 
and  heat.  Finding  a  canteen  of  cold  coffee 
lying  close  by,  he  gave  him  a  draught  from  it, 
and  bathed  his  temples  with  camphor,  a  small 
bottle  of  which  comrade  Bachelor,  who  hap 
pened  to  be  close  at  hand,  had  in  his  possession. 
After  this  assistance  the  Gen.  revived  and  was 
able  to  resume  his  duties.  When  the  battle 
was  over  Lieutenant  Smith  and  Sergeant  Cram 
found  the  flag  of  the  I2th  La.  lying  on  the  field. 

Both  were  soon  after  taken  sick  and  being 
unable  to  perform  their  duties,  it  fell  to  Mr. 
Grant,  being  the  next  in  rank,  to  take  charge 
of  his  company.  July  23,  1864,  when  located 
just  north  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  the  enemy  surprised 
them  and  being  in  large  numbers,  some  of  our 
men  became  timid  and  commenced  to  retreat. 
Seeing  this  Sergeant  Grant  shouted  to  them  to 
hold  their  position.  They  did  not  seem  in 
clined  to  obey  orders  and  being  aware  of  the 
necessity  of  preserving  a  bold  front,  to  avoid  a 
general  stampede  he  exclaimed:  "The  first 
man  that  leaves  his  position,  I  will  bayonet 
him!"  This  had  the  desired  effect  and  they 
successfully  held  the  post.  Seven  times  the 
enemy  charged  and  were  beaten  back,  and 
without  serious  loss  to  Sergeant  Grant's  Co. 

Leaving  Atlanta,  Nov.  13,  1864,  the  Reg. 
joined  Gen.  Sherman  in  his  march  to  the  sea. 

At  Savannah  the  regt.  was  engaged  in  nu 
merous  skirmishes,  and  left  there  Jan.  I,  1865, 
proceeding  through  N.  and  S.  Carolina  en 
route  for  the  rebel  forces.  Much  difficulty 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


61 


was  experienced  in  crossing  the  River  at  Sa 
vannah,  on  account  of  poor  pontoons  and  the 
annoyance  of  the  enemy.  After  crossing  the 
river  they  met  the  rebels  drove  them  back  and 
camped  that  night  on  Gen.  Hardee's  plantation. 

Mr.  Grant's  brother  Isaac  having  served  his 
term  of  enlistment,  re-enlisted  and  joined  the 
army  again  at  Savannah,  and  was  with  him 
in  the  battle  of  Bentonville  Feb.  2,  1865. 
Matters  now  continued  quiet  until  Johnson's 
surrender.  The  night  after  they  returned  to 
Raleigh,  Mr.  Grant  was  ordered  to  report  to 
the  hospital,  where  he  supposed  he  was  to  act 
as  an  assistant.  Shortly  afterward,  however, 
he  was  ordered  to  go  to  New  York  City,  where 
he  arrived  May  I.  Soon  after  he  went  to 
Washington  to  take  part  in  the  grand  review, 
in  which  he  occupied  a  conspicuous  position. 
He  was  mustered  out  June  7,  1865  and  returned 
home  immediately  afterward. 

He  was  married  at  Proviso,  Cook  County, 
Ills.,  to  Mary  Sackett,  April  22,  1858,  and  they 
have  six  children,  Addie  C.,  Albert  S.,  Alice  E., 
Alfred  S.,  Alphonso  D.,  and  David  A. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  does  not  be 
long  to  any  secret  society  and  does  not  draw  a 
pension.  A  worthy  representative  of  a  worthy 
family,  he  is  popular  with  his  comrades, 
esteemed  as  a  neighbor  and  respected  by  all 
who  know  him. 


PHINEAS  B.  PROVOST,  a  resident  of  Decatur, 
111.,  was  born  in  New  Brunswick,  N.  J., 
•  in  1833.  His  grandfather  was  a*  soldier 
in  the  war  of  1812,  was  afterwards  a  pensioner 
and  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  98  years. 
Phineas  had  three  brothers  of  whom  A.  D.  was' 
in  the  late  war  in  the  Western  army,  but  was 
discharged  a  physical  wreck,  prostrated  with 
disease  contracted  whilst  a  soldier,  never  re 
covered.  Phineas  remained  at  home  until 
about  15  years  of  age,  when  he  became  appren 
ticed  as  a  coach  trimmer,  working  thereat 
until  twenty-one,  then  he  became  employed  as  a 
journeyman  at  Rahway,  New  Jersey  and  New 
York  City  up  to  1858, when  he  moved  to  Suffolk, 


Va.,  opened  a  shop  and  conducted  a  general 
carriage  business. 

When  John  Brown  was  tried  he  run  the 
bullets  and  manufactured  the  cartridges  which 
were  intended  for  use  at  that  time  should  oc 
casion  demand.  In  the  business  he  was  run 
ning,  his  brother,  L.  R.  was  a  partner,  and  as 
they  both  belonged  to  the  military  organiza 
tion,  had  their  guns,  as  also  the  care  of  many- 
others.  When  war  became  imminent  the  Pro 
vosts  were  strongly  suspected  of  being  sympa 
thizers  with  the  north,  hence,  one  by  one  the 
men  called  for  their  guns,  and  finally  their  own 
were  demanded,  whilst  they  were  personally 
given  by  the  civil  authorities  twenty-four 
hours  to  get  out  of  town,  which  was  extended 
after  a  meeting  of  citizens  had  been  called,  to 
twenty-one  days.  They  had  real  estate,  a  good 
business,  considerable  personal  property  on 
hand,  as  also  heavy  amounts  owing  to  them  of 
which  they  could  not  collect  a  dollar,  and  were 
not  permitted  to  ship  their  stock  or  personal 
effects  North,  and  no  one  would  purchase,  but 
were  compelled  to  abandon  everything,  barely 
taking  their  trunks,  and  Phineas  had  only 
sufficient  money  to  pay  a  cabin  passage  for  his 
wife  and  steerage  for  himself.  Having  been 
expatriated  from  his  adopted  State  and  his 
property  practically  confiscated,  he  was  de 
termined  to  seek  revenge,  therefore  enlisted 
immediately  in  the  Union  army  May  21,  1862,  as 
Corporal  in  Co.  A.,  ist  N.  J.  Inf.  This  was  the 
first  three  years'  regiment  mustered  into  the 
service.  The  reg't  moved  to  Trenton,  and  was 
present  at  Alexandria  when  Col.  Elsworth  was 
shot.  Subsequently  it  proceeded  to  Washing 
ton,  thence  to  the  field  of  Bull  Run,  was  not  in 
that  battle  but  covered  the  retreat  of  the  Union 
army  until  Alexandria  was  reached,  when  the 
army  was  reorganized  under  Gen.  McClellan. 
The  first  battle  of  the  regiment  was  before  Rich 
mond  after  which  it  returned  to  Washington, 
then  participated  in  the  second  Bull  Run, 
which  was  closely  followed  by  those  of  Antie- 
tam,  Crampton's  Pass,  Md.,  Sept.  14,  1862,  at 
the  latter  of  which  Mr.  Provost  was  wounded, 
but  did  not  leave  his  regiment.  During  this 
battle  the  brigade  captured  more  prisoners  than 


62 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


there  were  captors.  Subsequently  he  took 
part  in  the  conflicts  at  Fredericksburg  and 
United  States  Ford,  where  the  men  were  sent 
over  the  river  in  squads  to  face  the  enemy,  and 
one  squad  after  another  was  almost  annihilated, 
when  they  were  ordered  to  fall  back  to  Acquia 
Creek.  At  this  time  our  subject  had  been  com 
missioned  as  Second  Lieutenant.  He  was 
commissioned,  by  the  governor  of  N.  J.,  2d 
Lieutenant  for  gallant  conduct  in  the  field  Oct. 
7,  1862.  His  wound,  however,  now  commenced 
to  disable  him,  consequently  he  resigned  Feb. 
16,  1863,  and  quitted  active  service,  but  assisted 
in  recruiting  many  others,  being  thus  engaged 
for  upwards  of  a  year.  He  then  resumed  his 
trade,  working  in  the  East  (New  York  and 
Brooklyn)  for  five  years,  when  he  removed  West 
to  Illinois,  locating  in  Tazewell  Co.,  and  hassince 
been  a  citizen  of  that  State.  He  removed  to 
Decatur  in  1864,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

He  married  in  1853,  in  New  Jersey,  and  has 
now  two  sons  living.  After  the  war  he  returned 
to  his  old  home  at  Suffolk,  Vctrphad  all  the  sur 
viving  parties  who  were  his  persecutors  arrested, 
and  before  he  "let  up"  had  complete  satisfaction 
for  his  financial  losses  and  indignities  endured 
at  their  hands.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  Decatur  for  the  past  five  years.  He 
is  a  Free  Mason,  loni's  Lodge,  No.  312,  a  mem 
ber  of  Post  No.  141,  G.  A.  R.,  and  in  politics  is 
a  Republican.  He  is  also  a  pensioner. 


ANDREW  MURPHY,  of  Turner  Junction,  Ills., 
is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  the  City 
of  Waterford,  County  Kilkeny  in  1839. 
His  parents  were  Nicholas  and  Catherine 
(Moore)  Murphy,  both  deceased.  He  enlisted 
in  Co.  A,  I2th  Ills.  Inf.,  at  Chicago,  January  10, 
1864,  and  was  ordered  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  re 
maining  there  .until  the  middle  of  April,  when 
the  regiment  joined  Sherman  on  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  was  in  numerous  engagements, 
including  those  of  Buzzards  Roost  and  the 
Kenesaw  Mountain  engagements.  At  Rome 
Cross  Roads  under  Brigadier  Gen.  Sweeney's 
command  it  had  a  sharp  action,  but  after  stub 


born  resistance  the  enemy  was  driven  back, 
although  the  regiment  lost  several  officers  and 
many  men. 

In  crossing  the  River  at  Calhoun's  Ferry 
the  enemy  attacked  the  Union  forces,  from  the 
oppositeside,  under  coverof  their  Artillery,  they 
however,  managed  to  load  30  men  in  each  boat, 
which  were  propelled  by  poles  and  drawn  back 
by  ropes,  until  500  or  600  men  had  crossed 
and  crawled  up  the  bank,  and  assisted  the 
Artillery  in  driving  the  enemy  back  while  the 
remainder  of  the  regiment  crossed  on  Pontoon 
bridges.  In  one  of  the  Kenesaw  Mountain 
engagements  Mr.  Murphy  barely  escaped  death 
from  the  bursting  of  a  shell  near  where  he 
stood.  Several  members  of  the  regiment  were 
drowned  in  fording  the  Chattahoochie  River, 
some  20  miles  above  Atlanta.  The  enemy 
allowed  the  Brigade  to  cross  without  firing  on 
them,  expecting  to  overcome  them  entirely 
when  they  had  landed,  but  the  Artillery  opened 
fire  and  drove  the  enemy  back  allowing  the 
Brigade  to  land  in  safety.  The  night  before 
the  memorable  battle  of  Atlanta  which  took 
place  July  22,  1864,  the  regiment  was  employed 
in  building  breast-works  which  they  completed 
and  were  ordered  to  take  a  much  needed  rest. 
This  was  of  short  duration  however  for  they 
were  soon  sent  to  the  front  of  Atlanta. 

The  hand  to  hand  encounter  at  Atlanta  was 
exceedingly  fierce,  and  many  a  man  was  sent 
to  his  last  long  account  by  the  bayonet  thrust 
of  the  enemy. 

After  the  first  engagement  at  Decatur,  Ga., 
two  brigades  were  ordered  to  relieve  Morgan 
L.  Smith's  Division,  which  had  been  captured 
by  the  Rebels.  Our  force  succeeded  in  re 
taking  six  guns  belonging  to  DeGrasse's  Bat 
tery,  that  were  considered  among  the  finest 
guns  used  in  the  war. 

During  the  battle  of  Atlanta  an  encounter  took 
place  at  Bald  Knob  in  which  two  women  with 
bayonets  in  their  hands,  were  taken  prisoners. 
It  is  said  they  fought  like  maniacs,  and  were 
captured  only  after  much  difficulty.  Mr. 
Murphy  was  employed  in  carrying  ammunition 
for  the  Artillery  during  the  engagement  at 
Bald  Knob,  and  stood  between  two  guns  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


which  there  were  six  in  line.  The  jar  resulting 
from  their  combined  discharges  was  terrific, 
almost  killing  him  and  for  15  days  he  lay  in  a 
state  of  unconsciousness,  unable  to  recognize 
anyone  or  topartake  of  solid  food.  He  finally 
recovered  enough  to  resume  his  duties,  and 
continued  with  his  regiment  until  he  was  mus 
tered  out. 

When  the  Rebels  opened  fire  on  Allatoona 
Pass,  at  which  Fort  the  division  stores  were 
then  kept,  Sherman  wras  located  on  Kenesaw 
Mountain  and  was  occupied  in  giving  and  re 
ceiving  signals  by  means  of  flags.  When  the 
enemy  had  blown  up  the  Fort,  and  Sherman 
was  apprised  of  it,  his  reply  signalled  back, 
was,  "  Hold  the  Fort  for  I  am  coming."  This 
was  undoubtedly  the  origin  of  the  popular  and 
well  known  Hymn,  by  that  title.  He  was  with 
Sherman  from  Atlanta  to  the  Sea,  and  was  dis 
charged  August  i,  1865,  at  Springfield,  111., 
and  returned  home.  In  political  matters  Mr. 
Murphy  is  a  Democrat.  Unmarried  and  not  in 
receipt  of  a  pension. 


MAJ.  GEN.  PHILIP  H.  SHERIDAN, 

Was  born  in  Perry  county,  Ohio,  in 
1831.  Educated  at  West  Point 
Academy,  where  he  graduated  in 
1853  in  the  class  with  McPherson,  Schofield  and 
the  Rebel  General  Hood.  Entered  the  army  as 
brevet  2d  Lieutenant  in  the  2d  Regt.  U.  S.  Inf. 
Joined  his  regiment  at  Fort  Duncan,  in  Texas,  in 
August,  1853,  and  at  once  entered  a  campaign 
against  the  Indians.  In  1855  he  was  assigned 
to  the  4th  Inf.  and  promoted  to  full  2d  Lieu 
tenant.  In  1861  he  was  made  1st  Lieutenant, 
and,  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion,  was 
advanced  to  a  captaincy,  and  assigned  to  the 
1 3th  U.  S.  Inf.,  then  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo. 
In  the  spring  of  1862  he  was  .appointed  Chief 
Quartermaster  of  the  Western  Department, 
then  in  command  of  General  Halleck.  On  the 
2/th  of  May  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the 
2d  Michigan  Cav.,  and  made  Brigadier  Gen 
eral  July  i,  1862,  and  Major  General  of  Volun 
teers,  Dec.  31,  1862,  for  gallant  conduct  at  the 


battle  of  Stone  River.  In  the  fall  of  1864,  after 
his  brilliant  victory  over  the  Rebel  General 
Early,  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  he  was  made 
Brigadier  General  in  the  regular  army,  to  fill  a 
vacancy  occasioned  by  the  death  of  the 
lamented  General  McPherson.  When  General 
McClellan  resigned  in  November,  1864,  Gen 
eral  Sheridan  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy 
thus  occasioned,  becoming  a  Major  General 
in  the  regular  army. 

We  have  now  traced  General  Sheridan's 
appointments  and  promotions  in  their  order  as 
they  stand  on  the  records  of  the  War  Depart 
ment.  Following  Sheridan  in  his  military  ca 
reer  is  like  perusing  an  exciting  romance,  which, 
at  every  change  of  scene,  grows  brighter  and 
more  fascinating.  He  enters  the  service  in  the 
field  with  his  raw  regiment  of  Michigan  Volun 
teers,  the  first  duty  assigned  to  him  being  to 
cut  the  railroad  south  of  Corinth,  to  prevent 
the  escape  of  the  Rebel  army  from  that  famous 
stronghold.  During  this  expedition  he  was 
attacked  by  the  whole  left  wing  of  the  hostile 
army,  and  while  his  gallant  but  wild  and  expe 
rienced  troops  were  contending  against  two 
regiments  of  Rebel  infantry,  two  of  cavalry,  and 
a  full  battery,  he  made  a  bold  and  unexpected 
charge  upon  their  flank,  captured  and  brought 
off  the  guns  of  Powell's  battery.  Here  he 
made  the  first  display  of  the  dashing  tactics 
which  distinguished  him  through  the  war.  In 
his  first  battle  he  was  engaged  in  a  desperate 
conflict  with  an  overwhelming  force,  from  which 
he  not  only  brought  off  his  command  with 
honor,  but  captured  and  brought  safely  into 
camp  an  entire  hostile  battery.  This  brilliant 
result  of  an  action  which  threatened  unavoid 
able  defeat,  attracted  the  attention  of  his  su 
periors,  and  opened  the  career  of  Phil  Sheridan 
in  the  war.  He  was  soon  after  placed  in  com 
mand  of  a  brigade  of  cavalry,  and  while  pursu 
ing  the  Confederates,  now  retreating  from 
Corinth,  through  North  Mississippi,  was  at 
tacked  by  nine  Rebel  regiments,  and  nearly 
surrounded.  Instead  of  resorting  to  the  run 
ning  tactics  usually  practicedon  such  occasions, 
Colonel  Sheridan  sent  a  detachment  of  his  men 
to  attack  the  army  in  the  rear,  while  at  a  pre- 


64 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


concerted  signal,  he  charged  in  front.  The 
detail  sent  out  consisted  of  one  hundred  men 
all  armed  with  revolving  carbines.  When  these 
opened  on  the  enemy's  rear,  their  rapid  and 
continuous  fire  frightened  the  rebels  into  the 
belief  that  they  were  assailed  by  an  army  in 
the  rear  while  furiously  charged  in  front. 

Disconcerted  by  these  startling  movements, 
they  retreated  in  wild  disorder,  and  were  pur 
sued  with  relentless  vigor,  and  most  of  their 
arms  and  equipments  captured.  This  was 
Sheridan's  second  essay  on  the  field  in  the  vol 
unteer  service.  In  the  first  he  had  secured  a 
retreat  with  all  the  fruits  of  victory;  in  the  sec 
ond  he  had  met  more  than  double  his  force 
and  driven  them  from  the  field,  gaining  a  deci 
sive  victory.  It  was  for  distinguished  conduct 
in  command  on  this  occasion  that  he  was  made 
Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers  July  I,  1862. 
He  was  now  transferred  from  Grant's  to  Buell's 
command,  and,  on  the  20th  of  September,  1862, 
he  was  assigned  to  the  3d  Division  of  the  Army 
of  the  Ohio.  With  this  division  he  fortified 
Louisville  against  the  approach  of  Bragg's 
army.  At  the  battle  of  Perryville,  he  com 
manded  the  nth  Division,  and  acted  a  distin 
guished  part  in  advancing  his  artillery,  chang 
ing  position  and  charging  the  Rebel  lines  with 
great  intrepedity.  For  his  gallantry  displayed 
in  this  action  he  was  highly  complimented  by 
his  superiors.  The  next  important  engage 
ment  in  which  General  Sheridan  participated, 
was  at  Stone  River,  near  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. 
In  this  affair  he  held  an  important  position  in 
the  center.  The  whole  right  wing  of  the  Union 
army  was  driven  in  terrible  confusion  from  its 
position,  while  the  enemy  made  a  furious  as 
sault  on  that  part  of  the  center  occupied  by 
Sheridan.  While  fighting  desperately,  his 
division  was  flanked  by  the  rushing  tide  of 
Rebels  that  had  swept  Johnson's  and  Davis' 
divisions  entirely  from  the  field.  In  the  raging 
heat  of  battle,  enveloped  in  smoke  and  nearly 
surrounded  by  the  surging  masses  of  advancing 
foeman,  Sheridan  thrice  changed  the  front  of 
his  division,  and  fought  the  enemy  of  three 
sides  of  a  square.  By  the  repulse  of  his  sup 
porting  divisions,  he  was  exposed  on  all  sides 


but  one,  but  never  faltered  in  the  fight.  Four 
times  his  position  was  fiercely  charged  by 
massed  columns  of  the  enemy.  Each  succes 
sive  charge  was  unflinchingly  met  and  re 
pulsed,  with  immense  slaughter.  His  ammu 
nition  finally  being  exhausted,  his  division  fell 
back  in  order  to  the  new  lines,  where  the 
fight  raged  during  the  two  following  days. 
He  had  lost  every  brigade  commander  in  his 
division,  nearly  all  his  Colonels,  and  one-half 
his  men.  Having  drawn  up  his  men  on  the 
new  lines,  he  rode  up  to  the  commander,  and, 
pointing  to  the  weakened  columns,  said:  "Gen 
eral  Rosecrans,  there  are  all  that  are  left  of  us; 
our  cartridge  boxes  are  exhausted,  and  our 
guns  are  empty."  By  hard  fighting  on  this 
bloody  field,  Sheridan  won  an  additional  star, 
the  approval  of  his  commander  and  the 
applause  of  the  whole  army.  In  the  pursuit  of 
the  rebel  army  from  Murfreesboro  to  Chatta 
nooga,  his  division  held  the  advance.  Crossing 
the  Tennessee  River,  we  next  find  him  in  the 
thickest  of  the  conflict  at  Chickamauga. 

Again,  on  the  right  of  our  lines,  his  division 
was  isolated  by  the  tide  of  battle,  and  cut  off 
from  support.  Here  Wood's,  Negley's  and 
Crittenden's  divisions  were  all  alike  over 
whelmed  and  driven  from  their  positions. 
Sheridan  was  left  once  more  to  meet  the  whole 
left  wing  of  the  Rebel  army.  With  his  usual 
daring,  for  hours  he  waged  an  unequal  contest 
against  fearful  odds,  when  finding  his  command 
literally  surrounded,  he  cut  his  way  out,  and 
joined  General  Thomas'  reserves  on  the  left, 
whose  Roman  firmness  saved  the  fortunes  of  the 
day.  The  disastrous  results  of  this  battle  drove 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  into  Chattanooga 
where  it  was  soon  surrounded  and  besieged  by 
the  rebel  forces  under  General  Bragg.  Grant 
was  put  in  command  of  the  new  organization, 
and  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  was  fought  and 
won.  In  this  brilliant  affair  Sheridan  acted  a 
conspicuous  part.  Sheridan  and  division  were 
in  position,  and  ordered  to  wait  the  precon 
certed  signal  of  six  guns  to  be  discharged  in 
rapid  succession  from  Fort  Wood.  At  last  the 
guns  pealed  forth  the  welcome  signal,  and  the 
center  column  advanced.  Sheridan's  division 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM*. 


had  been  overpowered  and  driven  back  to  Stone 
River  and  Chickamauga,  and  they  burned  for 
revenge.  Their  course  lay  through  an  open 
plain  a  mile  and  a  half  in  extent.  Fort  Bragg 
and  the  Rebel  army  were  in  plain  view  on  the 
heights  in  front,  and  sixty  cannon  poured  down 
their  iron  hail  on  the  advancing  lines.  Sheridan, 
in  exulting  eagerness  dashed  forward  to  the 
head  of  his  column,  and  exclaimed:  "Boys,  re 
member  Chickamauga!"  Never  was  such  a 
pageant  more  sublime  than  this  march  across 
the  plain  below  Mission  Ridge  by  Thomas'  army 
at  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  Nov.  20,  1863.  About  the 
time  of  reaching  the  top  of  the  mountain, 
Sheridan's  horse  was  shot  under  him,  and,  in 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  moment,  he  mounted 
one  of  the  largest  captured  guns,  and  waved 
his  sword,  amid  the  triumph  and  shouts  of  his 
victorious  troops.  He  was  soon  remounted, 
however,  and  rushed  down  the  mountain  in 
pursuit  of  the  retreating  foe.  His  conduct  on 
this  occasion  attracted  the  attention  of  General 
Grant,  arid  established  his  military  fame.  As 
soon  as  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  was  ended, 
Sheridan  started  north  with  Sherman  to  expel 
Longstreet  from  East  Tennessee.  Grant  being 
appointed  Commander-in-Chief,  of  the  National 
forces,  repaired  to  the  Capital.  Sheridan  was 
soon  after  ordered  to  report  at  Washington 
City,  and,  in  the  beginning  of  Grant's  move 
ment  in  Virginia,  was  made  Chief  of  Cavalry 
in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Soon  after  the 
opening  of  the  campaign  of  1864,  Sheridan  was 
ordered  to  make  a  raid  in  the  rear  of  the  Rebel 
army.  On  the  Qth  of  May  he  entered  upon 
the  hazardous  enterprise  without  baggage  and 
in  fighting  trim.  When  within  six  miles  of 
Richmond  he  encountered  the  enemy  under 
command  of  General  Stuart.  Sheridan  made 
the  attack,  and  in  the  engagement  which  fol 
lowed,  the  Rebel  General  was  killed  and  his 
cavalry  driven  from  the  field.  Turning  south 
east  he  crossed  the  Chickahominy  at  Meadow 
Bridge,  where  he  had  another  brisk  fight  with 
the  enemy.  In  this  raid  Sheridan's  command 
had  traversed  all  the  country  between  Lee's 
army  and  Richmond,  cut  railroads,  released 
Union  prisoners,  fought  two  battles,  and  caused 


great  consternation  among  the  enemy ,  and 
finally  succeeded  in  reaching  General  Butler's 
headquarters  on  the  south  side  of  James  River. 
General  Grant's  army  swung  around  to  the 
James  in  a  few  days,  and  Sheridan  was  sent  out 
on  a  second  raid  around  and  in  the  rear  of  the 
Rebel  army. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  1864,  starting  from 
below  Richmond  on  James  River,  he  proceeded 
northwest,  to  cut  the  roads  south  of  that  city. 
Reaching  the  Virginia  Central  on  the  nth,  he 
fought  and  defeated  the  Rebel  cavalry  near 
Louisa  Court-house,  and,  after  destroying 
many  miles  of  railroad,  he  again  withdrew,  and 
on  the  twenty-fifth  of  June  returned  to  Gen. 
Grant.  His  next  service  in  order  was  to  destroy 
.  the  roads  south  and  west  of  Richmond  and 
Petersburg.  In  this  he  succeeded  by  a  succes 
sion  of  dashing  exploits,  often  attacking  some 
exposed  point  in  the  enemy's  lines  with  a  por 
tion  of  his  forces,  while  the  remainder  would 
be  destroying  a  railroad  at  some  distant  point. 
For  the  purpose  of  counteracting  Rebel  raids 
into  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  the  military 
division  of  the  Shenandoah  was  formed,  and 
Sheridan  placed  in  command.  Calling  to  his 
aid  a  reliable  staff,  he  left  Gen.  Grant's  army 
and  repaired  to  his  new  field,  where  he  was 
destined  to  win  new  laurels  and  a  wider  fame. 
Establishing  his  headquarters  at  Harper's 
Ferry,  he  proceeded  to  concentrate  his  troops 
along  the  upper  Potomac.  In  command  of  the 
sixth,  eighth  and  nineteenth  corps,  with  an 
efficient  cavalry  force,  he  began  to  forge  the 
thunderbolts  of  war  on  his  own  account.  He 
was  the  youngest  on  the  list  of  Major  Generals, 
and  this  was  the  first  independent  command 
he  had  held.  His  proceedings  were  observed 
with  much  solicitude.  Maneuvering  until  he 
had  accurately  calculated  the  strength  and 
resources  of  the  enemy,  he  concentrated  his 
own  force?  and  on  the  nineteenth  of  September 
attacked,  defeated  and  routed  the  Rebels  in 
one  of  the  most  sanguinary  conflicts  of  the  war 
on  Opequan  Creek,  north  of  Winchester,  Va. 
The  enemy  retreated  forty  miles  to  a  very 
strong  position  at  Fisher's  Hill,  thirty  miles 
southwest  of  Winchester.  Sheridan  gave  them 


66 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


but  little  time  to  make  preparation  for  another 
action,  but  attacked  them  the  next  day  in  full 
force.  As  this  position  was  naturally  strong 
and  well  fortified,  Sheridan  resorted  to  strat 
egy  in  assailing  it,  by  sending  the  8th  corps, 
under  General  Crook,  to  the  right  to  flank  the 
position  and  attack  the  enemy  in  the  rear, 
while  the  6th  and  igth  corps  advanced  with 
great  spirit  against  the  front.  Finding  them 
selves  assailed  in  front  and  rear  by  an  army 
already  flushed  with  victory,  the  Rebels  again 
broke  in  shameful  confusion,  leaving  almost 
everything  behind  in  their  flight.  From  Fish 
er's  Hill  Sheridan  proceeded  to  Staunton, 
where  he  captured  a  large  quantity  of  quarter 
masters'  stores,  and  burned  the  depots,  stations 
and  other  buildings.  During  the  time  this 
place  was  occupied  by  the  Union  army,  two 
thousand  barns  and  a  large  number  of  mills 
were  burned,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  sub 
sisting  on  the  country. 

On  the  1 2th  of  October  the  enemy  again 
attacked  Sheridan  on  Cedar  Creek,  only  to  be 
again  defeated,  and,  for  the  third  time,  to  be 
driven  from  the  neighborhood.  Finally,  the 
Rebel  commander,  hearing  that  Sheridan  had 
gone  with  his  best  corps  to  reinforce  Grant, 
eagerly  seized  the  occasion  to  wreak  a  terrible 
vengeance  on  an  army  that  had  defeated  him  in 
three  successive  conflicts.  Having  been 
heavily  reinforced,  he  advanced,  outflanked 
and  attacked  our  army  on  the  i8th  of  October 
near  Strasburgh,  Va.  Unfortunately  for  them, 
Sheridan's  army  was  all  together,  General 
Wright  in  command.  For  once,  after  a  des 
perate  struggle,  the  glorious  army  of  the 
Shenandoah  was  driven  from  the  field  and 
compelled  to  abandon  their  camp.  Sheridan, 
on  his  return  from  Washington,  heard  the 
noise  of  conflict,  and  met  his  army  retreating 
before  a  foe  they  had  so  often  beaten.  On 
meeting  his,  broken  columns,  he  commanded, 
swore,  and  begged  alternately.  Speedily  rally 
ing  his  troops,  he  ordered  them  to  form,  face 
about,  and,  choosing  a  new  position,  awaited 
the  fierce  charge  of  the  exulting  foe.  The  first 
attack  was  repulsed,  and  before  the  enemy 
could  reorganize,  Sheridan  made  an  impetuous 


charge,  driving  the  enemy  before  him.  The 
tide  was  changed;  the  victors  in  turn  defeated, 
fell  back  before  the  gleaming  bayonets  of  the 
Union  troops.  Sheridan  rode  furiously  to  the 
front,  filled  his  men  with  the  inspiration  of  his 
own  daring  heroism,  and  gallantly  led  the 
advance.  The  Rebels  had  no  sooner  lost 
ground  than  they  lost  prestige,  order  and 
organization,  which  finally  resulted  in  a  gen 
eral,  hopeless,  total  rout.  Thus  had  Sheridan 
snatched  victory  from  the  very  jaws  of  defeat. 
Few  instances  are  recorded  in  the  history  of 
war  where  a  general  displayed  so  wonderful  an 
influence  over  his  men.  The  pursuit  was  con 
tinued  with  great  spirit,  and  the  enemy  driven 
from  the  country  in  hopeless  disorder.  Sheri 
dan  had  now  beaten  his  Confederate  rival  in 
four  separate  battles.  Having  now  beaten  his 
enemy  at  all  points,  he  proceeded  to  desolate 
the  valley,  that  it  might  no  longer  furnish  sup 
plies  and  support  a  rebellion  that  had  already 
cursed  the  whole  Nation  and  filled  the  land  with 
mourning.  He  destroyed  the  Lynchburg  Rail 
road  and  the  James  River  canal,  by  which  most 
of  the  supplies  were  conveyed  to  Lee's  army. 
He  then  joined  General  Grant,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  the  closing  scenes  of  the  great 
Rebellion.  Soon  after  joining  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  he  led  the  cavalry  supported  by  the 
5th  Army  Corps,  against  the  enemy,  and,  after 
two  days  hard  fighting,  he  succeeded  in  des 
troying  one  of  their  most  important  lines  of 
railroad,  and  pushed  on  to  Dinwiddie  Court 
house.  On  the  1st  of  March  he  fought  the 
battle  of  Five  Forks,  and  gained  a  decisive 
victory,  capturing  6,OOO  prisoners.  While  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  was  storming  the  works 
in  front  of  Petersburg  and  Richmond,  Sheridan 
was  crushing  the  right  flank  and  preparing  to 
inflict  upon  the  enemy  that  overwhelming 
defeat  which  soon  followed.  As  soon  as  Rich 
mond  fell,  and  the  Rebel  army  was  forced  to 
their  final  retreat,  he  pushed  rapidly  west, 
cut  off  the  retreat,  and  furiously  attacked  Lee's 
flying  columns,  now  struggling  to  escape.  The 
Rebel  army,  by  these  rapid  movements,  was 
thrown  between  two  fires — Sheridan's  forces  in 
front,  and  Grant's  victorious  legions  pressing 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


67 


on  their  rear.  The  combinations  against  them 
were  overwhelming,  and  on  the  iQth  of  April, 
1865,  the  heretofore  invincible  Rebel  army  of 
Virginia  surrendered  to  General  Grant,  Com 
mander-in-chief  of  the  Union  army.  The  ruin 
and  final  capture  of  the  hostile  army  are,  in  a 
great  measure,  to  be  credited  to  the  rapid 
movements,  daring  assaults,  and  desperate 
fighting  of  Sheridan's  forces.  After  Lee's  sur 
render,  Sheridan  was  sent  to  Texas  as  com 
mander  of  all  the  troops  west  of  the  Missis 
sippi  river.  He  died  Aug.  5,  1888. 

In  person,  General  Sheridan  was  small,  being 
five  feet  and  six  inches  high,  and  weighing  one 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  His  complexion 
was  dark,  eyes  hazel,  hair  black,  and  he  usu 
ally  wore  a  heavy  black  mustache  and  imperial. 
He  had  high  cheek  bones,  broad  forehead,  and 
nose  slightly  equiline.  Was  courteous  and 
attractive  in  manners,  and  very  agreeable  in 
conversation.  Such  was  Phil  Sheridan,  sketched 
by  the  light  of  a  brilliant  military  career. 


WILLIAM  H.  WOODWORTH,  of  Warren, 
Ills.,  born  in  Lake  Co.,  Ohio,  in  1837, 
is  a  son  of  Luther  P.  Woodworth 
who  was  born  near  lake  George,  N.  Y.  in  1812, 
came  to  Ohio  and  in  1857,  moved  to  a  farm  near 
Warren,  Ills.,  where  he  died  in  1882.  The 
father  a  son  of  James  Woodworth,  was  of  English 
descent,  and  for  many  years  was  Supervisor  of 
his  Township,  a  prominent  member  of  the  Jo 
Daviess'  Lodge,  No  278,  A.  F.,  &  A.  M.,  and  a 
respected  citizen.  The  mother  whose  maiden 
name  was  Marcia  Babb,  was  born  in  Livingston 
Co.,  N.  Y.  in  1816.  Her  father,  Benjamin  Babb, 
served  as  a  dragoon  in  the  Revolutionary  War, 
and  died  at  Painesville,  Ohio,  about  1840. 

Wm.  H.  Woodworth  spent  the  greater  part 
of  his  early  years  on  a  farm  and  acquired  a  com 
mon  school  education.  He  came  West  with  his 
parents  and  engaged  in  mason  work  until  he 
enlisted  April  24,  1861,  in  Co.  E.,  I5th  Ills.  Inf., 
as  a  private,  intending  to  go  into  the  army 
under  the  call  for  75,000  men,  but  the  State  quota 
being  filled  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  State 
service  and  ordered  into  camp  at  Freeport,  Ills. 


In  about  two  weeks  it  was  mustered  out  of  this 
service  and  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  for  three  years  and  sent  to  Alton  for 
instruction.  It  marched  then  to  Sedalia,  Mo., 
soon  to  Mexico,  Mo.,  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Turner,  and  then  to  St.  Louis.  Started 
out  to  reinforce  Gen.  Lyon  at  Wilson  Creek, 
but  at  Rolla  it  was  ascertained  that  the  fight 
was  ended  and  the  regiment  marched  to  Seda 
lia.  In  a  few  weeks  a  movement  was  made 
towards  Springfield,  Mo.,  expecting  to  meet 
Price,  but  as  he  had  evacuated  that  place,  the 
march  was  continued  to  Lamoine  Bridge  to  go 
into  winter  quarters;  in  the  mean  time  started 
out  to  reinforce  Gen.  Mulligan  on  the  Mo. 
River,  but  other  troops  reached  him  first.  In 
the  spring  went  from  St  Louis  to  reinforce  Gen. 
Grant  at  Ft.  Donelson,  arriving  just  after  the 
surrender  and  a  few  days  later  moved  across  to 
Ft.  Henry  and  to  Pittsburg  Landing  by  boats. 
On  this  trip  the  men  were  on  uncovered  boats 
and  slept  on  the  decks  during  8  nights  of  rain 
without  shelter,  and  as  a  result  Mr.  Woodworth 
was  taken  sick  with  inflammatory  rheumatism 
which  ended  in  chronic  rheumatism  rendering 
him  unfit  for  further  duty,  but  he  remained 
with  the  regiment  until  after  the  fall  of  Vicks- 
burg,  never  leaving  the  hospital  for  more  than 
two  hours  at  a  time.  He  continued  with  the  regt. 
to  Corinth,  La  Grange,  Holly  Springs,  acting 
duringthistimeasCo.  Commissary.  From  Holly 
Springs,  returning  to  La  Grange,  Mr.  Wood- 
worth  went  home  on  a  30  days  furlough,  rejoin 
ing  his  regiment  at  Memphis  and  moving  to 
Millikin  Bend,  thence  to  Gainesville,  where  he 
was  left  with  a  small  force  of  stores  while  the 
regiment  went  on.  Here  the  rebels  made  an 
attack  with  two  regiments,  but  supposing  that 
a  large  force  was  defending  the  stores  they 
retreated  when  they  could  have  easily  capt 
ured  everything  had  they  known  the  true  sit 
uation.  This  detail  soon  crossed  five  miles 
below  Vicksburg  and  joined  the  regiment, 
remaining  until  the  fall  of  that  city,  when  July 
6,  Mr.  Woodworth  started  for  home  having 
received  a  discharge  May  I2th.  He  was 
greatly  reduced  by  his  disability  and  weighed 
but  96  pounds  when  he  reached  home. 


68 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Since  the  war  Mr.  Woodworth  has  lived  on 
his  farm  near  Warren.  Oct.  30,  1873,  he  mar 
ried  Samantha  Coverly.  Her  father  Mr. 
Coverly  moved  from  Va.  to  Ohio  with  his 
parents  when  he  was  quite  young,  and  in  early 
life  came  to  Ills.,  settling  near  Apple  River 
where  he  was  engaged  in  mining,  and  died  in 
1884.  He  served  as  a  private  in  Company  E., 
g6th  Ills.  Inf.,  and  made  a  good  record  as  a 
brave  and  faithful  soldier  to  the  end  of  the 
war.  When  he  went.into  the  army  he  left  a  wife 
and  6  children,  the  eldest  James,  14  years  of 
age.  When  James  enlisted  the  next  younger 
was  the  daughter  who  became  Mrs.  Woodworth. 
James  Coverly  enlisted  when  14  years  old,  join 
ing  the  96th  regiment  with  his  father,  and  serv 
ing  to  the  end  of  the  Rebellion.  When  the 
96th  was  mustered  out  James  was  transferred 
to  the  2ist  Ills,  and  served  several  months  in 
Texas  and  the  Southwest. 

Mrs.  Coverly,  who  was  twice  married,  is 
still  living.  Her  son,  Newton  Powers,  enlisted 
in  1862,  when  17  years  of  age,  in  theg6th  Ills.,  and 
faithfully  served  until  the  war  was  ended.  Mrs. 
Woodworth  was  born  near  Apple  River,  Ills., 
1854.  She  assisted  in  organizing  the  Woman's 
Relief  Corps  at  Warren,  Ills.,  and  was  active  in 
its  support  during  its  existence,  acting  for  a 
time  as  S.  V.  P.  Mr.  Woodworth  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  Warren  Post  No.  315,  G.  A.  RM 
a  member  of  Jo  Daviess  Lodge  No  278  A.  F.,  & 
A.  M.,  and  a  gentleman  who  has  made  for  him 
self  a  name  and  reputation  for  industry  and  up 
rightness  in  the  locality  where  he  has  resided 
for  years. 


FRANCIS  F.  THIERRY,  of  Wenona,  111.,  enter 
ed  the  army  Aug.   23,  1862,  from    Gallia 
Co.,  Ohio,  enlisting  as   a   private  in   the 
nth  Ohio  Vol.   Inf.,   and    was   transferred    in 
about   one   year   to  Co.  G.  1st.   Reg.  of   Ohio 
Heavy  Artillery.     He  was  on  detached  duty  at 
Covington  and  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  at    Knox- 
ville,    Tenn.    during   the    siege    of   that  place. 
Being  on  detached  duty  during  the  whole  term 
of  his  service,    with    his   command,  he  did  not 


take  a  very  active  part  in  the  battles  where  his 
regiment  was  engaged,  although  like  every 
true  soldier,  he  would  have  preferred  it  to  the 
duties  he  was  assigned  to  do,  although  as  im 
portant  for  the  protection  of  the  government 
as  fighting  in  the  face  of  the  enemy. 

During  his  long  service  he  had  but  a  short 
furlough  from  duty.  At  one  time  he  received 
injuries  to  his  eyes  which  caused  him  to  be 
sent  to  the  hospital  for  a  time  at  Portsmouth, 
Ohio  and  again  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  while 
he  has  not  lost  his  sight  entirely  he  has  never 
fully  recovered  from  the  injuries.  He  was  dis 
charged  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  June  12,  1865,  at 
the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Thierry  was  born  in 
Gallia  Co.,  Ohio  in  1845,  anc^  IS  °f  French  and 
Dutch  extraction,  his  father  Joseph  N.  being  a 
Frenchman  and  his  mother  Sarah  E.  Tillman 
coming  from  a  prominent  Dutch  family.  His 
boyhood  days  were  spent  on  his  father's  farm, 
receiving  a  common  school  education,  and  this 
was  even  cut  short  by  his  early  enlistment  in 
the  defense  of  his  country  when  he  was 
scarcely  more  than  a  boy.  After  his  discharge 
he  returned  to  his  native  place  in  Ohio,  remain 
ing  there  for  two  years  and  then  moved  to  Illi 
nois,  locating  on  a  farm  near  Wenona,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  until 
about  a  year  and  a-half  ago  when  on  account 
of  failing  health  he  was  compelled  to  discon 
tinue  active  employment.  He  then  established 
himself  at  Wenona,  where  he  is  leading  a  more 
retired  life  engaged  in  superintending  his  fine 
farm  which  he  still  retains.  He  also  estab 
lished  himself  in  the  sewing  machine  business. 
May  25,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss.  Mary  L. 
Wilson,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Ohio,  but 
came  to  Ills,  with  her  parents  when  a  child. 
The  wife  of  Mr.  Thierry  being  of  Quaker  de 
scent,  retains  many  of  the  marked  and  excel 
lent  qualities  and  usages  of  that  people. 

Two  young  children,  Walter  C.  and  Homer 
H.  constitute  the  family  heritage  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thierry.  Mr.  Thierry  is  an  active  G.  A.  R. 
man,  and  is  at  present  the  S.  V.  Commander  of 
the  Post  at  Wenona;  is  also  a  prominent 
Mason  and  a  member  of  the  Modern  Wood 
man.  He  refers  with  some  pride  to  the  fact 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


69 


that  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  famous  order 
of  Grangers,  in  which  he  is  an  active  and  influ 
ential  leader.  He  is  an  ardent  member,  and 
firmly  believes  that  the  doctrines  promulgated 
by  this  order  are  for  the  best  interests  of  the 
agriculturists.  He  has  been  on  the  various 
committees,  was  prominent  in  the  movement 
for  the  erection  of  their  hall  near  Aurora,  and 
is  at  present  overseer  of  Evans  Grange,  No.  35. 


THEO.  H.  MACK,  a  prominent  printer  of 
Sterling,  111.,  was  born  Oct.  5,  1836, 
at  Brooklyn,  Pa.  His  parents  were 
Horace  R.  and  Mary  (Miles)  Mack.  His 
father  was  born  at  Lyme,  Conn.,  Oct.  17,  1809, 
and  his  mother  at  Brooklyn,  Pa.,  Jan.  24,  1815. 
The  family  of  Mack  originally  settled  in  New 
England,  and  is  of  Scotch  ancestry,  two 
brothers  of  the  name  from  the  Scotch  High 
lands  emigrating  to  this  country  and  founding 
the  American  branch,  from  which  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  directly  descended.  The 
family  of  Miles,  which  is  of  English  descent, 
were  among  the  early  settlers  in  New  England, 
subsequently  removing  to  N.  Y.  and  thence  to 
Pa.  Horace  R.,  the  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  memoir,  was  a  carpenter  and  prosecuted 
that  trade  in  connection  with  farming  through 
out  his  life.  He  removed  to  Pa.  in  1810,  and 
thence  to  Illinois  in  1839.  They  had  four 
children:  Theo.  H.,  and  Charles  M.,  a  member 
of  the  1 3th  111.,  born  Jan,  29,  1839,  in  Pa.,  Ar 
thur  L.,  born  Aug.  17,  1841,  and  Mary  E.,  born 
Oct.  22,  1848,  in  Illinois,  (Mrs.  Owen  A.  Bry 
ant,  of  Chippcwa  Falls,  Wis.).  Horace  R. 
Mack  died  April  13,  1851,  at  Sterling,  111.  His 
widow  survives  him  and  is  residing  with  her 
eldest  son. 

Theo.  H.  Mack  was  brought  up  on  his  father's 
farm,  and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  the  period.  At  the  death  of  his 
father,  he  became  a  member  of  the  household 
of  his  uncle,  Dr.  B.  Richardson,  at  Brooklyn, 
Pa.,  and  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  trade  of 
a  cabinet-maker.  For  over  three  years  he  re 
mained  there,  acquiring  his  trade  and  attend 
ing  the  public  schools,  subsequently  completing 


his  education  at  the  University  at  Harford,  Pa. 
In  1855,  he  returned  to  Sterling  and  engaged 
in  cabinet-making  until   his  enlistment   in  the 
military  service.    This  important  event  occurred 
in  Aug.,  1862,  at  Sterling,  and  he  was  mustered 
in  Sept.  2,  following,  as  a  private    of   Co.  D., 
75th  111.  Inf.     The  reg't.  went  into  camp  tem 
porarily  at  Dixon,  and  then  pushed  on  to  the 
front,    crossing  the    Ohio    and    proceeding   to 
Louisville.     They  were  speedily  brought  into 
action  against  Bragg,  who  had   driven    Buell 
back  to  the  Ohio  river.     The  reg't.  was  in  the 
battle  at  Perry ville  and  the  hottest  of  the  fight. 
The  loss  of  the  75th  here  was  considerable,  and 
Co.  D.  had  two  killed  and  several  wounded. 
Following  Bragg  as  far  as  Nashville,  they  were 
for  some  time  encamped  at  Edgefield,  located 
opposite  Nashville.      Their  next   move  was  to 
Camp    Andy  Johnson   where  they    rested   for 
several    weeks,    and    on    Dec.    10,    went    into 
camp    at    St.  James'    Chapel,    where   they    re 
mained  until  the  day  before  the  battle  of  Stone 
river,  an    engagement    in  which    they  bore    a 
prominent    part.     Mr.  Mack    was    now    taken 
sick  and  removed  with  a  number  of  the  sick 
and  disabled  to  Nashville,  and  was  placed  in 
the    convalescent    camp,  where    he    remained 
until  discharged  for   physical    disability,  June 
29,  1863.     Although  his  term  of  service   was  of 
short  duration,  he  had    demonstrated  the  char 
acteristics  which  belong  to  the  true  and  gallant 
soldier.     He  returned  to   Sterling  and  after  re 
cuperating,    resumed    his    business    in   its    less 
laborious  forms.     In  1868,  he  discontinued  the 
business    of    cabinet-making,    being    incapaci 
tated    for  such    work,  and    with    his    brother, 
Charles  M.,  established  the  Whiteside  Chronicle, 
which  afterwards  became  the  Sterling  Standard. 
Mr.  Mack  continued  as  the  publisher  and  one 
of  the  proprietors  of  the  Standard  for  sixteen 
years,  when  he    sold  out    to  Bayliss    &  New- 
comber.     The  political  tone  of  this  newspaper 
was  Republican.     He  purchased  the  job  print 
ing    establishment,    now  known  as    the    Gem 
Printing  House,  in  Oct.,  1884,  associating   with 
him,  for  a  time  as   a  partner,  his  son  who    con 
ducts  the  business,  which  involves  all   kinds  of 
job  printing,  and  is  in  a   prosperous  condition. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


He  was  married  in  Newton  Township, 
Whiteside  Co.,  111.,  Dec.  8,  1859,  to  Harriet  M., 
daughter  of  Asa  F.  R.  and  Elizabeth  (Bartlett) 
Emmons.  The  Emmons  family  is  of  New  En 
gland  stock.  The  marriage  of  Asa  F.  R 
Emmons  and  Elizabeth  Bartlett  took  place  in 
New  York  City  where  their  daughter  Harriet 
(Mrs.  Theo.  H.  Mack),  was  born.  Mr.  Mack  is 
the  father  of  four  children:  Myra,  born  July 
17,  1861,  at  Sterling,  died  in  1884;  Charles  T., 
born  June  24,  1863;  Harriet,  born  April  26,  1866 
(Mrs.  Ephraim  M.  Ebersole),  and  Elizabeth, 
born  June  27,  1868,  died  Feb.  23,  1869. 

Mr.  Mack  is  a  member  of  Pearl  Lodge  No. 
148,  A.  O.  U.  W.;  Banner  Legion,  No.  30,  S.  K. 
of  A.;  and  Will  Robinson  Post,  No.  274,  G.  A. 
R.  In  politics  he  is  a  Prohibitionist.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Congregational 
Church.  His  father  was  a  pioneer  settler  in  the 
present  Ogle  Co.,  in  1839,  subsequently  locat 
ing  in  what  is  now  designated  as  Jordan  Town 
ship,  Whiteside  Co.,  in  1842,  upon  a  40-acre 
tract  of  land  which  he  entered  and  brought  to 
a  highly  improved  condition.  In  the  fallof  1847, 
he  came  to  live  at  Sterling,  and  died  there  April 
13,  1851,  of  pneumonia.  Mrs.  Mack  is  de 
scended  from  the  Lowell  family  of  New  Eng 
land,  which  had  for  its  American  progenitors, 
Percival  Lowell,  a  merchant  of  Bristol,  Eng 
land,  who  settled  at  Newburyport,  Mass.,  very 
early  in  the  history  of  the  country.  Abner 
Lowell,  her  great,  great  grandfather,  was  the 
first  lighthouse  keeper  at  Newburyport,  an  oc 
cupation  in  which  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 
Lewis,  who  was  succeeded  by  his  brother, 
Joseph.  This  family  numbered  among  its 
members  John  Lowell,  the  author  of  the  decla 
ration  in  the  Bill  of  Rights  that,  "all  men  are 
born  free  and  equal." 


GEORGE  F.  LE  PERT,  Conductor  on  the  C. 
B.  &  W.  R.  R.,  a  resident  of  Galena,  111., 
was  born  in  Deleware  Co.,  Ohio,  in  1845. 
His  parents   were    George   W.  and    Elizabeth 
(Jones)    Le   Pert.     His   father  died  when  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  but  a  few  months  old, 


and  his  mother  removed  to  Indiana,  but  re 
turned  to  Ohio,  where  she  died  when  George 
E.  was  yet  a  mere  boy.  There  were  but  two 
children,  George  E.  and  P.  V.,  who  is  now  resid 
ing  in  Paulding  Co.,  Ohio,  and  who  served  dur 
ing  the  war  of  the  rebellion  for  about  three 
years  in  the  I2ist  Ohio  Inf. 

George  was  brought  up  in  Deleware  Co., 
Ohio,  under  numerous  disadvantages,  and  when 
only  17  years  old  enlisted  in  the  military  ser 
vice  as  a  musician  in  Co.  A.  I45th  Ohio 
Inf.,  for  three  months.  Feb.  2,  1864,  he  re-en 
listed  in  the  same  relation  in  Co.  C.  iS6th 
Ohio,  and  at  once  proceeded  to  join  the  army 
under  Gen.  Thomas  at  Nashville,  going  on 
to  Murfreesboro  and  thence  by  rail  to  Chatta 
nooga.  From  there  they  again  pushed  forward 
to  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  being  held  in  reserve. 
From  Cleveland  they  returned  by  rail  to  Nash 
ville,  and  after  taking  part  in  that  battle  fol 
lowed  in  the  pursuit  of  Hood  and  Johnston.  Af 
ter  Johnston's  surrender  they  returned  to  Nash 
ville  where  they  were  stationed  until  the  fall  oi 
1865,  when  they  went  to  Camp  Chase,  Colum 
bus,  Ohio,  and  were  there  mustered  out.  While 
in  the  service  Mr.  Le  Pert  contracted  a  very 
severe  cold,  which  resulted  in  his  losing  the  hear 
ing  of  one  ear,  a  suffering  from  which  he  has 
never  recovered.  He  was  never  taken  prisoner 
or  wounded.  He  returned  to  Delaware  Co., 
Ohio,  where  he  remained  up  to  the  year  1869, 
when  he  removed  to  Iowa,  where,  in  1871,  he 
married  Miss  M.  H.,  daughter  of  Moses  Wol- 
cott.  Mr.  Le  Pert  was  employed  in  the  "  Star 
Route"  mail  service  until  about  1884,  when  he 
engaged  in  railroading.  He  has  lived  at  Galena 
for  the  past  five  years. 

He  was  a  charter  member  of  Warren  Post 
No.  II  G.  A.  R.,  Department  of  Iowa.  He  is 
now  a  member  of  E.  D.  Kittoe  Post,  No.  502, 
G.  A.  R.  of  Galena;  I.  O.  O.  F.,  No.  109,  of 
Iowa;  Saxon  Lodge,  K.  of  P.,  No.  62  of  Galena; 
and  Clarinda  Lodge,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  No.  38,  of 
Clarinda.  He  is  a  useful  and  influential  citizen, 
an  honor  to  his  race  and  generation,  and  a  gen 
tleman  whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  know. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


M 


ERRITT  J.  PLATT,  a  farmer  of  East 
Dubuque,  Ills.,  was  born  in  Summit  Co., 
Ohio,  in  1844.  His  parents  were  David 
and  Janet  (Sperry)  Platt.  Married  in  Conn, 
removing  thence  to  New  York  and  afterward 
to  Ohio,  where  Mrs.  Platt  died  in  1850,  her 
husband  surviving  her  until  1865,  when  he  died 
in  Iowa.  Mr.  Platt  was  a  manufacturer  of  edge 
tools. 

Merritt  J.  Platt,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  re 
ceived  a  common  school  education.  He  en 
listed  in  the  military  service  at  the  age  of  19, 
in  Co.  E..  5th  Iowa  Cav.  going  to  Nashville  and 
being  assigned  to  the  command  of  Gen. 
Rousseau,  having  his  first  "baptism  of  fire"  at 
Franklin,  Tenn.  The  command  then  began  the 
celebrated  raid  through  Georgia,  coming  with 
in  ten  miles  of  Atlanta,  when  they  went  into 
camp  at  Sand  Town,  where  they  were  placed  in 
the  command  of  Gen.  McCook,  with  whom  they 
made  an  expedition  into  Southern  Georgia, 
thence  going  in  pursuit  of  Hood.  On  this 
raid  they  lost  all  but  30  of  their  horses, 
having  to  go  on  foot  and  enduring  various  pri 
vations  and  hardships.  After  this  they  were 
reorganized  and  assigned  to  the  command  of 
Gen.  Kilpatrick,  with  whom  they  went  on  a 
raid  into  Georgia,  and  after  the  fall  of  Atlanta, 
they  were  mounted  on  mules  and  started  for 
the  sea,  but  after  proceeding  50  or  60  miles 
from  Atlanta,  they  were  dismounted  and  sent 
back  to  repair  the  railroad  between  Atlanta 
and  Chattanooga,  after  which  they  were  trans 
ported  over  that  line  to  Atlanta,  being  the  last 
of  the  troops  to  reach  that  city.  From  At 
lanta  they  moved  into  Nashville  and  Louis 
ville,  where  they  procured  fresh  horses,  and 
thence  moving  southward,  each  man  riding  and 
leading  four  horses.  They  reached  Mammoth 
Cave  on  election  day,  and  there  Mr.  Platt  cast 
his  first  vote  in  the  election  for  President. 
The  regiment  was  ordered  a  few  miles  be 
low  Columbia,  Tenn.,  to  protect  the  Shoals  on 
Duck  River,  and  to  prevent  Gen.  Forrest  from 
crossing.  It  was  surrounded  by  a  brigade  of 
Texan  Rangers  mounted,  and  to  escape,  Mr 
Platt's  command  charged  the  intruders,  and 
cut  through  after  a  desperate  struggle.  This 


was  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  finest  charges 
during  the  war.  Moving  on  to  Columbia,  Tenn., 
where  they  encountered  Hood,  they  fell  back- 
to  Franklin,  and  there  were  engaged  in  one  of 
the  most  hotly  contested  battles  of  the  war, 
after  which  they  moved  on  to  Nashville,  taking 
part  in  the  battle  there,  and  thence  going 
again  into  Ky.  for  horses  and  assisting  in  re 
pulsing  Hood  and  pursuing  his  scattered  forces 
to  the  Tenn.  River.  After  a  series  of  petty  en 
gagements  and  the  capture  of  Macon,  Ga.,  and 
the  surrender  of  Gen.  Johnston  they  were 
mustered  out  at  Nashville,  Aug.  16,  1865. 

Mr.  Platt  during  his  period  of  service  was 
neither  taken  prisoner  nor  wounded,  was  not 
confined  in  a  hospital  nor  absent  from  duty  for 
a  single  day.  He  was  in  active  service  almost 
continually  and  endured  many  hardships  and 
had  several  narrow  escapes  from  sudden  death. 
The  5th  Iowa  was  noted  for  gallantry  and 
effective  service,  and  Mr.  Platt  earned  a  record 
for  personal  bravery  as  brilliant  as  well  it  was 
merited. 

He  returned  home  and  devoted  his  atten 
tion  to  the  manufacture  of  fanning  mills  until 
January  1871,  and  since  then  has  continued  his 
farming  operations  near  East  Dubuque.  He 
was  married  in  1871,  to  Julia  D.,  daughter  of 
Jared  Bishop.  Mr.  Platt  was  for  nine  years 
Highway  Commissioner,  and  for  the  same 
length  of  time  member  of  the  Board  of  Educa 
tion;  was  for  five  years  an  Alderman  of  East 
Dubuque,  and  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of 
W.  R.  Rowley  Post,  No.  614,  G.  A.  R.  and  one 
of  its  organizers,  serving  as  officer  of  the  day 
until  two  years  ago,  when  he  became  Junior 
Vice  Commander.  He  was  three  times  Wor 
shipful  Master  of  Martin  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
No.  491,  and  at  present  holds  that  position.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  East  Dubuque  Lodge  A.  O. 
U.  W.,  No.  379.  Mr.  Platt  is  an  unselfish  advo 
cate  of  all  that  can  contribute  to  the  welfare  of 
the  people  of  his  community  and  the  general 
good. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


AMONG  the  prominent  men  of  the  State  of 
Illinois  as  a  politician,  soldier,  lawyer  and 
journalist  might  be  named  General  Smith 
D.  Atkins  of  Freeport,  111.,  who  was  born  on  June 
9th,  1836,  near  Elmira,  N.  Y.  He  attended  for 
one  term  a  district  school  in  his  native  State, 
and  in  1846  removed  West  with  his  parents, 
locating  near  Freeport,  111.  on  a  farm.  In  1850 
he  entered  a  printing  office  in  Freeport  and 
learned  to  set  type,  two  years  later  going  to 
Mount  Morris  where  he  worked  four  hours  each 
day  in  a  printing  office,  attending  the  Rock 
River  Seminary  at  other  hours  of  the  day.  In 
1853  he  entered  the  office  of  Hiram  Bright  of 
Freeport  as  a  student  of  law,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  on  June  27,  1855.  He  entered  im 
mediately  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
met  with  reasonable  success,  and  was  elected 
States  Attorney  for  the  I4th  Judicial  Circuit  of 
Illinois,  in  Nov.,  1860.  On  April  17,  1861,  he 
enlisted  as  a  private  under  the  President's  first 
call  for  troops,  and  was  elected  Captain  of  the 
company  which  became  Company  A.,  nth  111. 
Vol.  Inf.;  was  stationed  at  Villa  Ridge,  111.  for 
a  time,  then  at  Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  and  was  mus 
tered  out  June  30.  but  with  40  of  his  men  re-en 
listed  for  three  years  when  he  was  again  elected 
Captain  of  the  company.  He  lead  his  regi 
ment  at  Fort  DoneJson  in  February,  1862,  and 
for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  that 
battle  was  promoted  Major  of  his  regiment,  but 
by  special  order  of  General  Grant  was  detailed 
Ass't.  Adj't.  Gen.  on  the  Staff  of  Gen.  Stephen 
A.  Hurlbut  and  served  with  him  until  after  the 
battle  of  Shiloh.  He  then  returned  to  Free- 
port  and  at  the  request  of  Governor  Yates  took 
the  stump  to  raise  Volunteers,  and  succeeded 
in  putting  44  companies  in  camp  at  Rockford. 
Subsequently  he  was  unanimously  chosen  Col 
onel  of  the  92nd  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  composed  of 
five  companies  from  Ogle  County,  three  from 
Carroll  Cour\ty,  and  two  from  Stephenson,  and 
was  mustered  in  Sept.  4,  1862.  His  regiment 
was  ordered  to  Cincinnati  and  assisted  in  driv 
ing  John  Morgan  out  of  Ky.  Nov.  29  Colonel 
Atkins'  command  was  assigned  to  Cochran's 
Brig.,  Baird's  Div.,  Gen.  Gordon  Granger's 
Corps,  and  took  post  at  Mount  Sterling,  with 


the  Colonel  in  command  to  guard  eastern  Ky. 
from  Guerillas  under  Champ  and  Furgeson. 

While  at   Mount    Sterling,    Ky.,    a    peculiar 
issue   involving    immense    interests    presented 
itself  for  the  Colonel's  decision.      His  were  the 
first  Union  troops  in  that  portion  of  Ky;  negro 
slaves  flocked  to  his  camp  and  refused  to  return 
to  their  masters.     Their  owners  demanded  them 
as  they  would  stray  horses,  which  demand  the 
Col.     declined    to     entertain.        The     owners 
appealed  to  the    commander   of   the    brigade, 
Colonel    Cochran,    who,    being   a    Kentuckian, 
ordered  their  return,  but  Col.  Atkins  persist 
ently  declined  to  carry  out  the  order,  his  reason 
being  that  he  was  not  responsible  for  their  es 
cape  and  that   his   command    was   not    in    the 
service    for   the    purpose    of    returning    them. 
Some  of  the  negroes  were  permitted  to  remain 
with  the  regt.  as  servants  for  the  officers.     For 
this  action  he  was  indicted  by  the  grand  juries 
of  Kentucky,  but  was  never  arrested.     On   No 
vember  i6th  he  proceeded  to  Nicholasville,  and 
in  passing  through  Lexington  a  mob  attempted 
to- capture  the  officer's  colored  servants,  when 
the  Col.  ordered  his  men  to  load,  and  gave  the 
mob  five  minutes  to  get  out  of  sight.     The  mob 
got  out  of  sight  on  time.     Ten  days  later  the 
Col.  set  out  for  Danville,  Ky.,  and  on  the  march 
drove  the  rear  guard  of  Bragg's  army  out   of 
Camp  Dick-Robinson,  capturing  800  barrels  of 
pork,    500    stand    of    arms,    and    took    post  at 
Danville  withjCol.  Atkins  commanding.     De 
cember  26,  the  entire  command  under  General 
Granger  marched  to  intercept  John  Morgan,  on 
the  Louisville  and  Nashville  R.   R.      Morgan, 
however,    deflected    his    march,    therefore    the 
Command    returned.      On   the    resignation    of 
Colonel  Cochrane,  Jan.   13,   1865,   the    Colonel 
was  promoted  to  the  command  of  the  brigade. 
His  brig,  began  its  march  to  Louisville  in  the 
latter   end    of    March,    thence    by    steamer   to 
Nashville,  his  command  occupying  six  steam 
ers,  convoyed  by  one  gunboat,  arriving  at  Nash 
ville,  Feb.  6,    having   on    the  passage    thither, 
heard  the  firing  of  guns,  during  the  battle  of 
Fort  Donelson,  as  the  boats  ascended  Cumber 
land  River.     He  remained  in  camp  at  Nashville 
until  the  1st  day  of  March  when  he  moved  with 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


73 


his  brig,  to  Franklin,  taking  part  in  the  move 
ments  driving  General  Van  Dorn  and  forces 
out  of  Columbia,  and  on  the  2/th  took  post 
with  his  brig,  and  fortified  Brentwood.  He  af 
terwards  returned  to  Franklin  and  assisted  in 
repulsing  the  assault  made  by  Van  Dorn's  cav- 
'alry,  and  some  days  later,  reconnoitered  the  en 
emy  at  Spring  Hill,  pushing  him  out  of  the 
town. 

Again  on  June  nth  Forrest's  cavalry  made 
a  vicious  attack  upon  his  brig,  at  Triune,  Tenn., 
which  was  repulsed  with  loss  to  the  enemy; 
then  was  at  the  evacuation  of  Murfreesboro 
and  Shelbyville,  participating  in  the  engage 
ments  at  those  points,  as  also  in  that  of  Guy's 
Gap,  where  500  Rebels  were  taken  prisoners; 
then  took  post  at  Shelbyville,  and  during  the 
next  few  months  his  regiment  was  mounted  by 
order  of  General  Rosecrans,  and  armed  with 
the  Spencer  repeating  rifle.  The  regiment  was 
then  attached  to  Wilder's  famous  brigade  of 
mounted  infantry.  In  January,  1864,  he  led 
his  brigade  through  Athens  to  Shoal  Creek,  to 
intercept  a  rebel  raid  from  south  of  the  Ten 
nessee,  and  met  one  column  of  the  rebels  at 
Shoal  Creek,  which  he  assaulted  and  drove 
back  beyond  the  river;  and  proceeding  met  a 
second  column  two  miles  further  west,  which 
also  after  a  hard  fight  was  turned  back;  the 
rebel  officer  in  command  being  killed,  and  many 
prisoners  captured,  and  returning  to  Athens 
that  night,  the  command  arrived  there  in  time 
to  encounter  the  third  column,  which  was  also 
compelled  to  retrace  its  steps,  thus  defeating 
the  whole  rebel  project.  When  Kilpatrick 
re-formed  his  Div.  during  the  fall  of  1863  pre 
paratory  to  taking  part  in  Sherman's  Great 
Atlanta  campaign,  Col.  Atkins  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  the  2nd  brig,  and  participated 
in  that  campaign,  resulting  in  the  capture  of 
Savannah.  He  was,  in  recognition  of  his 
bravery  and  excellent  service,  brevetted  Briga 
dier-General,  and  by  the  special  order  of  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  was  assigned  to  duty  under  his 
brevet  rank.  He  then  took  part  in  the  cam 
paign  through  the  Carolinas,  participating  in 
the  battles  of  Averysboro  and  Bentonville,  and 
operated  against  Johnston's  army  in  North 


Carolina  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he 
was  commissioned  Major  General,  for  faithful 
patriotic  services  rendered  his  country. 

Returning  to  his  home  at  the  close  of  the 
war,  crowned  with  honors,  he  resumed  his  law 
practice  for  a  time,  but  was  soon  appointed 
Postmaster  for  Freeport,  and  later,  became  the 
editor  of  the  Freeport  Journal,  a  daily  and 
weekly  newspaper  published  at  Freeport. 
General  Atkins  is  a  member  and  Past  Com 
mander  of  Lincoln  Garrison  No.  8,  Nights  of 
the  Globe.  Also  is  prominent  as  an  Odd 
Fellow,  and  Mason,  and  is  Commander  of 
John  A.  Davis  Post  of  the  G.  A.  R. 


DAVID  CHURCHILL,  the  father  of  the  sub 
ject  of  our  sketch,  was  devoted  to  his 
country,  and  when  the  call  for  men  was 
made  for  the  war  of  1812,  the  daring  patriotic 
nature  of  Mr.  Churchill  went  out  in  sympathy 
to  the  Republic,  and  he  accordingly  presented 
himself  for  enlistment  as  a  soldier;  passed 
through  the  war,  during  which  he  engaged  in 
many  of  the  severest  battles  of  that  exciting 
period.  After  the  wrar  he  married  Miss  Sarah 
Prescott,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children- 
Esther,  Geo.  W.,  Lafayette,  Orson,  Oscar, 
Amanda,  and  Monzo.  George  W.,  the  sub 
ject  of  this  notice,  was  born  at  Attica,  N.  Y., 
April  20,  1833,  and  was  educated  in  the  com 
mon  schools,  receiving  such  instruction  as  the 
opportunities  of  his  early  life  afforded,  but 
which  was  ample  and  practical,  enabling  him 
to  enter  life's  conflict  and  be  always  ready  to 
take  a  prominent  place  in  business  life,  and  in 
the  field  of  his  immediate  environments.  At 
the  outbreak  of  the  late  Rebellion,  the  military 
propensities  of  the  father  appeared,  burnished 
and  resplendent  in  its  brightness,  in  the  son. 
He  enlisted  in  the  spring  of  1862,  in  Co.  K., 
65th,  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  which  was  known  as  the 
2nd  "Scotch  Regiment;"  organized  by  Col. 
Daniel  Cameron,  Sr.,  and  was  mustered  in,  May 
i,  1862.  His  regiment  was  ordered  to  Martins- 
burg,  Va.,  where  it  remained  about  two  weeks, 
during  which  time  it  was  brigaded  with  the 


74 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


I25th  N.  Y.,and  Battery  M.,  2nd  111.  Art.,  under 
command  of  Col.  Miles,  and  was  assigned  to 
the  gth  A  C.  This  brigade  was  then  ordered  to 
Falling  Water,  where  it  did  some  skirmishing 
with  detatchments  of  Stonewall  Jackson's 
army,  but  was  completely  surrounded  by  rebels, 
and  nothing  was  left  Col..  Miles  but  to  sur 
render  his  whole  command  to  the  enemy  at 
Bolivar  Heights.  On  the  succeeding  day  Mr. 
Churchill's  regiment  was  paroled  and  proceeded 
to  Annapolis,  Md.,  on  foot  without  guns  or 
knapsacks,  where  the  men  took  boats  for  Bal 
timore;  from  there  they  went  to  Chicago 
where  they  remained  until  April,  1863,  when 
being  exchanged  and  re-organized,  the  regi 
ment  moved  to  Ky.  where  it  joined  the 
army  in  Eastern  Ky.,  serving  in  that  cam 
paign,  then  returning  via  Cincinnati  to  Camp 
Nelson,  Ky.  It  was  then  sent  to  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  under  Gen.  Burnside.  An  expedi 
tion  for  Eastern  Tenn.  was  organized  under 
Burnside,  in  which  his  regiment  participated, 
particularly  in  the  battles  in  the  defense  of 
Knoxville  which  occurred  on  the  25th  and 
29th  days  of  Nov.,  respectively.  In  this  cam 
paign  Gen.  Longstreet's  army  was  encountered 
and  a  battle  ensued,  resulting  in  the  former 
being  routed  with  great  loss.  Longstreet  laid 
siege  to  that  town  November  14,  which  con 
tinued  for  21  days,  during  which  time  the  65th 
regt.  had  daily  skirmishes  with  the  rebels, 
being  at  the  same  time  on  7  oz.  of  meal  and  2 
cubic  inches  of  meat  per  day.  After  the  siege 
the  right  flank  did  constant  fighting  along  the 
Tenn.  Central  R.  R. 

In  the  following  year,  the  65th  re-enlisted  as 
a  veteran  organization  and  was  granted  a  fur 
lough,  and  when  it  expired,  the  regiment  joined 
Gen.  Sherman's  army  below  Kingston,  Ga.  On 
June  15,  a  general  advance  of  Sherman's  army 
being  made,  the  65th  was  brought  into  a  sharp 
engagement  with  the  enemy  between  Kenesaw 
and  Lost  Mountain.  The  rebels  fell  back  and 
the  65th  occupied  their  works.  Heavy  skir 
mishing  was  continued  on  the  17,  18,  19  and  20, 
of  the  same  month.  The  advance  was  some 
what  checked  by  an  impassable  stream,  the 
only  bridge  over  which,  was  guarded  by  the 


enemy  with  artillery  and  infantry.  Volunteers 
being  called  for,  Mr.  Churchill  and  50  of  his 
comrades  responded  and  charged  across  the 
bridge,  driving  back  the  enemy  and  holding 
the  position,  thus  allowing  the  remainder  of  the 
regiment  to  cross.  He  was  also  engaged  in  the 
battles  of  July  22nd  and  29,  and  Aug.  6,  respec-' 
tively,  which  were  quite  severe.  On  Aug.  15, 
his  regiment  engaged  in  the  successful  move 
ment  south  of  Atlanta,  driving  the  enemy  from 
Rough  and  Ready  Station,  and  destroying  the 
R.  R.  It  then  moved  toward  Jonesboro  where 
it  participated  in  that  battle  September  1st. 
From  Atlanta  his  regiment  went  to  Allatoona 
Pass  to  re-inforce  Gen.  Corse,  but  the  fight  was 
over  before  it  arrived.  He  then  went  to 
Pulaski,  Tenn.,  and  on  the  22nd  of  Nov.  was 
encountered  by  Gen.  Hood  and  forced  back  to 
Columbia.  On  Nov.  25.  and  26.  a  sharp  engage 
ment  took  place  at  Columbia,  where  his  reg. 
lost  3  officers  and  50  men  killed  and  wounded. 
It  also  skirmished  on  the  route  to  Franklin  and 
took  part  in  that  battle,  Nov.  30.  The  65th  reg. 
opened  a  terrible  fire  upon  the  enemy,  killing 
many  and  enabling  it  to  capture  the  Colors  of 
the  1 5th  Miss.  Inf.  At  the  conclusion  of  the 
battle  over  200  rebels  lay  dead  in  front  of  the  gal 
lant  65th.  During  that  night  the  regiment  fell 
back  to  Nashville.  On  the  1 5th  and  i6th  of  Dec. 
the  ever  memorable  battle  of  Nashville  was 
fought.  The  conflict  was  long  and  bloody  and 
resulted  in  the  total  destruction  of  Hood's 
army,  which  was  pursued  to  Cumberland  River, 
Mr.  Churchill's  regiment  remaining  at  Clifton, 
Tenn.,  until  about  Jan.  15,  1865.  It  was  then 
transported  by  boats  to  Cincinnati,  thence  by 
rail  to  Washington  and  Annapolis,  and  then 
embarked  for  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  Feb.  2nd.  It 
landed  at  Federal  Point  on  the  7th,  and  was 
engaged  in  heavy  skirmishing  there.  On  the 
i6th,  it  crossed  the  Cape  Fear  River,  and  on  the 
following  day  drove  the  enemy  out  of  Fort 
Anderson.  The  2Oth  was  occupied  by  the  bat 
tle  of  Smithtown  Creek,  and  on  the  22d  it 
attacked  and  captured  Wilmington.  The  next 
move  was  on  the  6th  of  March  to  Kingston, 
after  which  Mr.  Churchill's  reg.  proceeded 
to  Goldsboro,  thence  to  Raleigh  where  it 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


75 


remained  until  the  surrender  of  General  John 
ston.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out  July  13, 
1865,  and  started  for  Chicago,  where,  on  the 
22d  of  July,  the  men  received  their  final  dis 
charge. 

Mr.  Churchill  had  two  brothers — Oscar  and 
Menzo — in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  Oscar 
was  in  the  iO5th  111.  Inf.,  and  Menzo  was  in  the 
1 7th  Cav.  Mr.  Churchill  married  Miss  Ada 
Williams  in  1866,  by  whom  he  had  four  chil 
dren:  Cora,  Merett,  Bertha,  and  Paul.  Since 
the  war  he  has  followed  his  profession  as 
mechanical  and  practical  engineer.  In  politics 
he  is  a  decided  Republican. 


EDMUND  W.  BLOSSOM,  the  leading  jeweler 
of  Sterling,  111.,  the  son  of  Isaac  B.  and 
Anna  H.  (Ford)  Blossom,  was  born  at 
Batavia,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  10,  1839.  His  family  was 
descended  from  the  Puritan  stock  of  New  Eng 
land.  His  father  and  grandfather  were  both 
natives  of  Vermont.  The  date  of  the  father's 
birth  was  Dec.  21,  1808.  His  mother,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Ford,  was  born  at  Batavia, 
N.  Y.,  April  5,  1817.  Her  parents  were  natives 
of  Conn.  The  death  of  his  father  occurred  at 
Batavia,  N.  Y.,  in  Feb.,  1857,  where  his  mother 
is  still  living. 

Edmund  W.  Blossom  passed  his  earlier  years 
on  his  father's  farm  and  in  attending  school. 
In  his  i6th  year  he  went  to  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
where  he  spent  four  years  in  learning  the  trade 
of  a  jeweler,  subsequently  conducting  the  busi 
ness  for  two  years  at  Brockport,  N.  Y.  He 
enlisted  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  in  Co.  D.,  3rd 
N.  Y.  Cav.,  July  6,  1861.  The  regt.  left  for 
Washington,  D.  C.,  the  place  of  rendezvous, 
on  the  5th,  where  they  were  camped  on  Wash 
ington  Heights,  pending  orders.  In  Sept.  the 
regt.  moved  on  to  Poolsville,  Md.,  and  there 
remained  until  after  the  battle  of  Ball's  Bluff, 
in  which  the  3rd.  cav.  was  engaged  in  several 
sharp  skirmishes.  In  crossing  the  river  on 
barges  Mr.  Blossom's  horse  took  fright;  leaped 
overboard  with  the  rider,  and  with  him  gained 
the  opposite  shore.  He  was  thus  the  first  to 


land  from  this  eventful  expedition.  The  regt. 
from  this  point  moved  on  to  Winchester,  there 
becoming  assigned  to  the  command  under 
Gen.  Banks.  In  the  battles  at  Winchester  and 
Berryville,  Mr.  Blossom  was  actively  engaged 
with  his  command  and  bore  himself  with  com 
mendable  zeal  and  conspicuous  gallantry. 
Afterward  the  command  was  ordered  to  North 
Carolina,  where  quickly  followed  several 
engagements  with  the  enemy,  resulting  gener 
ally  in  their  discomfiture  and  defeat.  In  the 
desperate  action  at  Trent  Road,  N.  C.,  the 
opposing  forces  came  to  close  quarters  in  a 
hand  to  hand  fight.  Gen.  Fitzsimmons,  now  of 
Chicago,  at  that  time  Major  of  the  3rd  N.  Y. 
Cav.,  narrowly  escaped  being  killed,  which  but 
for  the  timely  aid  of  Hall  Phippaney,  of  Co.  D., 
would  most  certainly  have  occurred.  The 
Gen.  had  been  knocked  from  his  horse  by  a 
blow  from  a  sabre,  which  in  the  next  instant 
would  have  been  driven  through  him  by  his 
assailant,  when  Phippaney  threw  his  unloaded 
revolver  (having  no  sabre  or  other  arm),  with 
faultless  aim,  into  the  teeth  of  the  rebel  and  for 
the  time  being,  depriving  him  of  action. 

The  next  battle  in  which  Mr.  Blossom  par 
ticipated  was  fought  Aug.  20,  1862,  on  the 
Neuse  road,  followed  by  an  engagement  at 
Little  Washington,  N.  C.,  Sept.  6,  1862,  where 
the  enemy,  15,000  strong,  made  a  night  attack 
but  were  repulsed  with  great  slaughter  after  a 
hotly  contested  fight  of  several  hours.  The 
Federal  loss  was  very  slight.  Numerous  bat 
tles  and  skirmishes  took  place  and  Mr  Blossom 
was  ever  in  his  place  and  ever  ready  to  do  his 
duty  iri  face  of  the  foes  of  his  country.  The 
heroic  act  of  Emery  Buttler,  of  Co.  D.,  at  White 
Hall,  N.  C.,  as  related  by  Mr.  Blossom,  can 
find  no  better  place  than  in  the  history  of  that 
gentleman  himself,  an  officer  of  that  gallant  Co. 
This  daring  young  man  swam  out  to  a  rebel 
gunboat  and  having  set  it  on  fire,  returned  by 
swimming  under  water  until  beyond  the  fire  of 
the  rebel  batteries.  A  singular  coincidence  was 
—a  second  engagement  at  Trent  Road,  N.  C., 
of  a  similar  character  of  the  first— a  very  spir 
ited  fight,  and  one  which  was  hotly  contested 
by  both  sides.  For  meritorious  conduct  and 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


conspicuous  gallantry  in  action,  Mr.  Blossom 
was  successively  promoted  to  Corp.,  Sergt., 
Lieut,  (supernumerary),  and  at  the  reorganiza 
tion  of  his  regt.,  for  veteran  service,  was  com 
missioned  a  1st  Lieut,  in  the  first  New  York 
Vet.  Regt.  under  the  command  of  Col.  Taylor. 
This  regt.  did  some  effective  service  under 
Sigel  and  Hunter.  Col.  Taylor  acting  Brig. 
Gen.,  Apr.  19,1864,  appointed  Lieut.  Blossom  to 
a  position  on  his  staff,  which  was  held  until 
Taylor  was  relieved,  July  20,  1864.  Lieut  Blos 
som  was  then  by  a  special  order,  from  the  War 
Department  sent  to  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  under  com 
mand  of  Gen.  B.  F.  Tracy,  our  present  secretary 
of  Navy,  to  take  charge  of  the  rebel  prisoners 
there  confined,  remaining  at  his  post  of  duty  to 
July  20,  1865.  He  several  times  attempted  to 
return  to  his  regt.,  but  his  valuable  services 
could  not  be  dispensed  with,  and  he  was  ac 
customed  to  obey  orders.  He  was  mustered 
out  under  general  order  No.  94,  Aug.  I,  1865. 
Returning  to  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  he  soon  after 
went  West,  locating  at  Hudson,  Mich.,  for  one 
year,  and  then  moving  to  Lyons,  Iowa,  where 
for  one  year  he  was  engaged  in  the  jewelry  bus 
iness  with  a  Mr.  Hosmer,  to  whom,  after  a  year, 
he  sold  his  interest.  He  next  went  to  Wood 
stock,  111.,  where  he  conducted  the  jewelry 
business  for  17  years.  He  moved  to  Sterling, 
June  20,  1886,  establishing  a  jewelry  business 
which  has  attained  large  proportions  and  which 
entitles  Mr.  Blossom  to  the  distinction  of  the 
leading  jeweler  of  that  city. 

He  was  married  at  Rockport,  N.  Y.,  Sept. 
25,  1864,  to  Julia  M.,  daughter  of  Charles  H. 
and  Janet  J.  (Hill)  Peck.  Mr.  Blossom  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  274,  of  Ster 
ling,  the  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  612,  Chapter  No. 
57,  Commandery  No.  57,  Medina  Temple  95, 
of  Chicago,  also  a  member  of  the  Chicago  Union 
Veteran  Club,of  Chicago, a  member  of  the  A.  O. 
U.  W.,  and  the  select  Knights  of  A.  O.  U.  W.  of 
Americans.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  as  a  citizen 
and  merchant  commands  the  respect  which  is 
ever  paid  to  honest  purpose  audunswervingalle- 
giance  to  correct  aims  and  principles. 


ELIJAH  BALDWIN,  of  Tonica,  111.,  and  mem 
ber  of  Randolph  Post  No.  93,  G.  A.  R., 
enlisted  at  the  above  named  place,  Aug. 
8,  1862,  Co.  A.,  88th  111.  Inf.  as  a  private  under 
Captain  Geo.W.  Smith,  afterward  better  known 
as  Gen.  Geo.  W.  Smith.  He  was  mustered  in 
at  Chicago,  in  Sept.,  where  the  regiment  was 
organized  with  Francis  T.  Sherman  as  Colonel 
and  was  known  as  the  "Second  Board  of  Trade 
Regiment."  It  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S. 
service  Sept.  4,  and  was  immediately  ordered 
to  the  front,  going  into  camp  near  Jefferson- 
ville,  where  it  was  armed,  and  then  sent  on  to 
Covington,  Ky.  Sept.  15,  it  was  brigaded  with 
the  24th,  2nd,  and  I5th  Mo.,  forming  ist  Brig, 
under  Col.  Greusel,  of  Granger's  Div.,  Army  of 
the  Ohio.  Sept.  21,  the  regt.  was  ordered 
to  Louisville,  where  its  position  was  again 
changed  to  the  37th  Brig,  with  the  2ist  Mich., 
24th  Wis.,  and  36th  111.  under  Col.  Greusel,  the 
nth  Div.,  Gen.  Sheridan  commanding.  Activ 
ities  commenced  when  in  this  section,  when 
Bragg  moved  up  to  measure  arms  with  the 
Union  forces.  The  command  marched  out  to 
meet  the  enemy  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
fought  his  first  battle  at  Perryville,  Oct.  8, 
meeting  the  rebel  foes  with  undaunted  bravery. 
In  this  fight,  Mr.  Baldwin  was  'seriously 
wounded  by  the  explosion  of  a  shell,  which 
rendered  him  unconscious.  He  lay  on  the 
field  the  rest  of  the  day  and  then  was  taken  up 
and  carried  to  a  hospital.  The  regt.,  which 
was  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight,  lost  severely, 
having  9  killed  and  mortally  wounded,  and 
36  wounded.  Mr.  Baldwin  remained  in  the 
hospital  until  after  the  battle  of  Stone  River, 
Jan.  3,  1863,  when  he  was  so  far  recovered  as 
to  be  able  to  rejoin  his  regiment,  then  at 
Murfreesboro.  His  regt.  remained  at  Mur- 
freesboro  until  June,  with  the  exception  of  an 
expedition  to  Columbia,  against  Van  Dorn. 

The  history  of  the  88th,  its  ability,  gallantry, 
and  fighting  qualities  are  too  well  known  to 
need  any  eulogy  in  this  volume.  In  the 
marches  and  battles  of  its  command,  it  was 
ready  and  active.  Whenever  the  enemy  was 
thestrongest,  and  the  deadly  missiles  falling  the 
fastest,  the  88th  was  always  found.  It  became 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


77 


widely  known  and  dreaded  by  the  rebels,  for 
they  knew  that  in  meeting  the  88th,  they  had 
to  contend  against  a  foe  skilled  in  the  art  of 
warfare,  and  one  who  knew  no  such  word  in 
their  orders  of  command  as — surrender.  Mr. 
Baldwin  was  with  his  regiment,  forming  one  af 
that  gallant  band,  so  nobly  fighting  for  the 
preservation  of  the  Union,  in  all  its  marches, 
skirmishes,  and  battles;  in  its  Chickamauga, 
Chattanooga,  and  finally  in  that  long  and  mem 
orable  campaign  to  Atlanta,  closing  with  the  ac 
tion  at  Lovejoy,  his  services  being  in  the  advance 
and  continuous  from  May  to  Sept.  At  this  point 
his  regt.  was  ordered  to  Chattanooga,  and  was 
engaged  during  the  month  of  September  at 
Whiteside  and  Bridgeport.  In  Oct.  it  was  en 
gaged  in  an  expedition  to  Gaylesville,  and  re 
turning  to  Chattanooga.  In  Nov.,  it  was  again 
in  action,  moving  to  Pulaski,  and  thence,  upon 
theadvance  of  Hood,  to  Columbia,  Franklin  and 
Nashville.  It  took  part  in  the  skirmishes  at 
Columbia  and  Spring  Hill,  and  then  fought 
with  its  usual  vigor  at  Franklin,  taking  position 
upon  the  right  center,  the  main  point  of  attack 
of  the  enemy.  There  was  but  little  rest  in 
those  days  for  our  soldiers,  for  the  impetuous 
Hood  was  ever  on  the  alert  to  strike  the  Union 
forces  whenever  a  weak  point  was  discovered. 
Dec.  15,  and  16,  the  battle  of  Nashville  was 
fought,  in  which  Mr.  Baldwin,  with  his  regt. 
participated.  Following  this  action  was  the 
pursuit  of  Hood's  defeated  army  out  of  Tenn. 
Subsequently  the  regt.  went  into  camp  at 
Huntsville,  Ala.  In  March,  1865,  it  moved  to 
Bulls  Gap,  and  from  there,  in  May,  back  to 
Nashville,  where  it  was  mustered  out,  June  9, 
1865.  It  arrived  at  Chicago,  June  13,  where  it 
received  final  pay  and  discharge  June  22,  [865. 
It  was  given  a  grand  banquet  by  the  people  of 
Chicago,  and  its  brave  soldiers  who  had  suf 
fered  and  fought  so  nobly  to  preserve  the 
union,  enjoyed  the  best  dinner  they  had  since 
their  enlistment.  The  losses  of  the  88th  dur 
ing  the  war  aggregated  two  thirds  of  its  num 
ber,  and  it  had  established  the  reputation  of 
being  one  of  the  best  fighting  regiments  in  the 
service.  After  the  reception  Mr.  Baldwin 
returned  to  his  home. 


Mr.  Baldwin  was  born  at  Lexington,  N.  Y. 
Sept.  17,  1835,  where  he  was  raised.  He  went 
to  La  Salle  County,  111.,  in  1856,  locating  on  a 
farm  near  Tonica,  where  he  remained  until 
he  enlisted.  After  his  return  from  the  war,  he 
engaged  in  the  painting  business.  He  was 
married  at  Ottawa,  in  May,  1862,  to  Laura 
Hart.  They  have  had  born  to  them  10  children 
of  whom  7  are  living — Orin,  William,  Bertha, 
Etta,  Neora,  Bert,  and  James.  Mr.  Baldwin 
is  past  Commander  of  the  Randolph  Post,  in 
which  he  takes  an  active  interest.  In  Politics 
he  is  a  Democrat. 


WILLIAM  R.  SNYDER.of  Streator,  Ills.,  was 
a  young  man  in  the  prime  of  life  when 
the  late  War  broke  out.  Inspired  by 
patriotism  and  love  of  country,  he  left  a  pleas 
ant  and  lucrative  position  with  a  R.  R.  Com 
pany,  to  take  up  arms  against  the  enemy; 
enlisted  August  11,  1862.,  in  Co.  B.  I29th,  Ills. 
Inf.;  proceeded  to  Louisville  and  after  a  few 
days  delay,  went  to  Crab  Orchard.  The  regt. 
was  then  ordered  to  Frankfort,  and  Bowling 
Green,  camping  there  sometime.  Going  then 
to  Mitchellville  where  it  assisted  in  building  a 
stockade  and  in  doing  garrison  duty.  From 
this  point  it  marched  to  Buck's  Lodge,  thence 
to  South  Tunnel,  Tenn.,  which  it  guarded  a 
short  time,  and  was  subsequently  engaged  in 
scouting  through  the  country,  where  it  suc 
ceeded  in  capturing  the  guerrilla,  Petticord. 
The  regt.  then  moved  on  to  Gallitan,  Tenn., 
where  it  remained  some  time.  It  then  went  to 
Nashville  where  it  was  employed  in  doing  guard, 
duty  along  the  railroad  as  far  as  Bridgeport. 
At  Nashville  the  regt.  was  placed  in  the  I2th 
Corps,  then  marched  to  Wauhatchie  Valley 
which  was  at  that  time  the  front  of  the  Union 
army,  and  at  which  place  it  was  brigaded  with 
the  1st,  Brig.,  3rd,  Div.,  2oth,  A.  C. 

Mr.  Snyder  and  his  regt.  then  started  on 
the  Atlanta  Campaign  taking  part  in  the  battle 
of  Resaca,  Ga.,  where  his  Div.  was  on  the  right 
and  sustained  heavy  firing  from  the  enemy  during 
the  whole  engagement,  losing  a  number  of  his 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Co.;  the  Brig.  Commander  being  wounded. 
Mr.  Snyder  was  also  engaged  in  all  the  suc 
ceeding  battles  and  skirmishes  of  the  Atlanta 
campaign  in  which  his  regt.  participated  up  to 
the  siege  and  capture  of  Atlanta.  To  reach 
Rome,  Ga.,  his  regiment  skirmished  20  miles  in 
one  day,  the  same  night  were  ordered  off  to 
the  left  to  draw  the  enemy's  fire. 

In  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek  his  regt. 
was  in  the  front  lines,  fought  courageously, 
and  bore  more  than  their  share  of  the  dangers 
and  burdens  of  the  engagement,  and  sustained 
heavy  losses  in  killed  and  wounded.  After 
the  seige  and  fall  of  Atlanta,  the  regt.  did  gar 
rison  and  camp  duty  and  then  joined  Sher 
man  in  his  "  march  to  the  sea",  experiencing 
many  hardships  and  difficulties  incident  to 
passing  through  an  enemy's  country.  On  the 
evacuation  of  Savannah,  his  regt.  entered  the 
town  and  remained  there  until  the  Army 
moved  over  the  Savannah  River  into  South 
Carolina,  where  they  witnessed  the  burning 
and  destruction  of  a  vast  amount  of  property. 
A  pen  picture  of  this  eventful  march  may  be 
of  interest  to  our  readers,  but  to  those  who 
endured  the  sufferings  and  privations  incident 
to  so  prolonged  and  rapid  a  march,  when  the 
army  was  scantily  provided  with  rations  and 
clothing,  it  presents  no  attractions,  and  it  is  to 
be  hoped  the  necessity  for  repeating  such  an 
experience  may  never  again  arise. 

Mr.  Snyder  relates  an  incident  which 
occurred  on  the  way  .to  Savannah,  which  illus 
trated  the  condition  of  our  Soldiers  on  many 
of  their  marches.  The  men  were  very  hungry 
and  the  foragers  of  his  company  having 
secured  some  flour,  a  feast  was  looked  forward 
to  on  Christmas  day.  Imagine  their  surprise 
and  disgust  when  it  was  discovered  that  an  old 
(rebel)  mule  had  broken  into  the  sack  and 
devoured  almost  all  the  flour  before  they  dis 
covered  him.,  They  were  much  disappointed 
of  course,  but  concluded  that  it  was  only  fair 
to  have  the  tables  turned,  as  they  had  many 
times  taken  the  corn  placed  before  the  freight 
mules,  leaving  the  poor  animals  to  go  hungry. 

At  Averysboro,  his  reg't.  was  heavily  en 
gaged,  and  at  Bentonville  where  they  were 


under  fire  for  the  last  time.  The  regiment 
camped  for  some  time  at  Goldsboro,  and  then 
with  the  army  took  up  the  line  of  march  to 
Raleigh  where  they  arrived  without  any  ex 
citing  incident.  While  there  the  news  of  Lin 
coln's  assassination  reached  them  and  soon 
after  Johnston's  surrender  was  announced,  they 
started  on  the  homeward  march,  passing 
through  Richmond  thence  to  Washington, 
where  the  reg't.  participated  in  the  grand  re 
view,  after  which  Mr.  Snyder  was  mustered  out, 
and  sent  home  to  Ills.,  arriving  at  Chicago, 
where  he  was  discharged,  June  10,  1865.  Mr. 
Snyder  was  born  in  Dutchess  County,  New 
York,  May  7,  1837,  and  was  the  son  of  Edwin 
H.  Snyder,  who  was  born  March  6,  1810  at 
Milan,  N.  Y. 

The  father  was  a  merchant  and  afterward  a 
farmer,  and  a  Police  Magistrate  in  Ills.  He 
was  first  Conductor  on  the  R.  I.  R.  R.,  then 
farmer  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Dwight  for 
15  years,  subsequently  he  removed  to  Streator, 
where  he  was  elected  Police  magistrate,  which 
position  he  held  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He 
and  wife  were  descendants  of  the  Knickerbock 
ers.  His  mother,  Rebecca  Rea,  was  also  born 
in  New  York,  July  1812.  They  had  five  child 
ren — Sarah,  William,  Anne,  Charles,  Silas  W., 
and  William  R.  Silas  was  also  in  the  War  of 
the  Rebellion,  and  a  member  of  the  I2th,  Ills. 
Cavalry,  and  is  still  living. 

Mr.  Snyder's  early  life  was  spent  in  New 
York  where  he  attended  the  district  school 
until  he  was  12  years  old,  when  he  went  to  an 
academy  for  three  years.  He  then  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Hudson  River  Railroad,  in  the 
construction  department,  and  remained  in  their 
employ  until  1855.  He  came  to  Ills,  that  year 
and  engaged  in  farming  which  he  followed  a 
few  years  and  then  accepted  a  position  in  the 
construction  department  of  the  Chicago  & 
Alton  Railroad,  remaining  with  them  until  his 
enlistment.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  farm 
life  for  a  short  time,  then  went  to  Chicago,  en 
gaging  as  a  street-car  conductor.  Tiring  of 
this  vocation  he  went  to  Streator,  Ills.,  and  en 
gaged  in  the  Bakery  and  Restaurant  business 
for  three  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


79 


he  took  up  the  Music  Supply  business  which 
he  is  now  engaged  in  and  has  been  for  ten 
years. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America,  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor, 
Patriotic  Sons  of  America,  and  American  Pro 
tective  Association,  also  a  member  of  Streator 
Post  No.  68,  G.  A.  R.  He  is  Treasurer  of  Knights 
and  Ladies  of  Honor,  Trustee  and  Secretary  of 
the  A.  P.  A.  In  the  army  he  was  promoted  to 
Sergeant  and  mustered  out  as  such;  was  never 
absent  from  his  company  except  on  detached 
duty  and  was  in  every  battle  and  skirmish  in 
which  his  company  was  engaged. 

While  at  Fayetteville  he  was  so  troubled 
with  a  sore  foot,  he  was  compelled  to  march 
without  a  boot.  The  Surgeon  desired  him  to 
go  to  the  hospital,  but  he  was  so  afraid  he  might 
lose  an  opportunity  to  shoot  a  rebel  that  he 
preferred  to  go  barefooted  until  he  arrived  at 
Raleigh.  The  trouble  in  his  foot  has  never 
ceased  and  he  always  experiences  more  or  less 
pain  from  it.  He  is  not  a  Pensioner,  but  has 
applied  for  one.  He  is  a  Republican. 


REUBEN  F.  DYER,  M.  D.,  a  leading  physi 
cian  of  Ottawa,  111.,  was  among  the  first 
of  the  young  patriots  of  Nexvark,  111.,  to 
respond  to  the  call  of  President  Lincoln  for 
troops  to  meet  the  rebellious  foes  of  his  coun 
try.  The  click  of  the  telegraph  instrument, 
communicating  the  appeal  to  the  American 
people  to  protect  its  flag,  had  scarcely  died 
away,  when  young  Dyer,  inspired  with  that  en 
thusiastic  zeal  which  was  so  distinguished  a 
feature  of  the  early  days  of  the  war,  begun 
gathering  up  volunteers  for  a  company.  In  a 
few  days  he  had  his  company  raised,  was 
chosen  its  captain,  and  was  on  the  way  to  camp 
at  Joliet,  where  it  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  June,  1861,  as  Company  "K" 
2Oth  111.  Inf.  From  Joliet  the  regiment  moved 
to  Alton,  where  it  soon  received  orders  to  go 
to  the  front,  making  its  first  camp  in  the  en 
emy's  country  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.  Its  first 
engagement  was  at  Fredericktown  under  the 


command  of  General  Plummer.  This  first  effort 
in  war  was  successful,  which  inspired  the  regi 
ment  with  confidence.  It  was  joined  by  Car- 
lin's  troops  when  they  moved  on  after  the 
rebel  Thompson,  who  was  quickly  routed.  In 
this  action,  Captain  Dyer,  with  his  brave  band 
of  soldiers  won  military  honors  by  taking  a 
battery  and  then  spiking  the  guns.  Captain 
Dyer's  Company  was  composed  of  men  who 
were  opposed  to  swearing,  and  were  much  railed 
against  by  other  soldiers  for  their  devout  char 
acter.  They  held  that  to  be  good  soldiers  it  was 
necessary  to  swear  and  curse.  The  company 
charged  in  advance  leaving  the  regiment  behind 
and  distinguished  itself  for  its  gallant  conduct. 
The  regiment  returned  to  Cape  Girardeau  and 
subsequently  moved  to  Birds  Point.  Its  next 
move  was  to  Fort  Henry,  where  it  was  assigned 
to  General  Wallace's  Brigade,  and  took  an  active 
part  in  the  battle.  Fort  Donelson  was  the  next 
battle  field,  where  Captain  Dyer's  command 
formed  in  line  on  the  right,  with  no  breastworks 
to  protect  them.  The  2Oth  was  in  some  of  the 
heaviest  encounters,  and  lost  quite  heavily 
Company  K  had  five  men  killed.  Dr.  Dyer 
thinks  that  an  intelligent  private  at  the  close  of 
the  war  would  have  made  better  preparations 
for  the  protection  of  the  men,  and  displayed 
more  military  skill  than  was  shown  at  that 
battle.  The  command  was  next  ordered  to 
Savannah  where  Mr,  Dyer  resigned  and  went 
home  for  the  purpose  of  entering  the  army  as 
a  surgeon.  He  was  appointed  August  3,  1862, 
Surgeon  of  the  I04th  111.  Inf.,  a  regt.  he  was 
largely  instrumental  in  organizing.  In  fact  he 
was  regarded  as  the  father  of  it.  It  went  into 
camp  at  Ottawa,  where  it  remained  for  a  time 
in  preparation  for  the  field.  It  was  then  or 
dered  to  Louisville  and  was  soon  called  into 
service  in  the  movement  against  Bragg.  He 
retreated  and  the  Union  soldiers  followed  him 
up  so  closely  that  he  made  a  stand  at  Perryville 
where  a  battle  was  fought,  the  iO4th  going  on 
to  Lexington. 

The  regiment  was  next  in  the  battle  of 
Hartsville,  meeting  the  rebel  forces  under 
Morgan,  and  after  a  sanguinary  fight  was  over 
come  by  the  superior  force  of  the  enemy  and 


8o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


captured.  The  troops  were  taken  to  Murfrees- 
boro,  but  Dr.  Dyer  remained  at  Hartsville  in 
charge  of  the  wounded.  After  two  weeks  the 
wounded  were  removed  to  Gallatin  where  he 
caused  to  be  established  a  hospital.  He 
remained  there  in  charge  until  February,  1863, 
when  on  a  permit  from  Rosecrans  he  accom 
panied  the  wounded  to  Chicago.  There  he 
again  met  his  regiment  which  was  in  process 
of  reorganization  at  Camp  Douglass.  The 
regiment  was  exchanged,  and  again  took  the 
field,  resolved  to  redeem  its  lost  time.  Its 
first  camp  was  near  Nashville.  It  gradually 
moved  southward,  camping  for  awhile  at 
Brentwood,  then  going  on  to  Murfreesboro, 
where  it  joined  Rosecran's  army.  After  par 
ticipating  in  the  Tullahoma  campaign,  the 
regiment  entered  the  list  for  the  great  battle 
of  Chickamauga.  It  was  in  Beatty's  Brigade, 
Negley's  Division,  I4th  Army  Corps.  The 
command  was  the  first  to  enter  the  fight  the 
second  day  on  the  Lafayette  road.  They  con 
tinued  the  fight  throughout  the  day,  and  when 
the  night  came  on  they  drew  off  to  Resaca. 
The  following  morning  Dr.  Dyer  rode  down  to 
the  field  where  the  contest  raged  so  furiously 
the  day  before,  and  discovered  the  rebels 
advancing  on  the  field  the  Union  troops  had 
left  the  night  before.  The  rebels,  Dr.  Dyer 
says,  regarded  themselves  defeated  in  this 
battle  until  they  received  exchanges  from  the 
north  which  gave  the  battle  to  them.  During 
the  second  day's  engagement  several  balls 
struck  General  Thomas'  hat,  but  this  did  not 
disturb  the  "  Rock  of  Chickamauga."  The 
army  moved  to  Rossville  and  from  there  to 
Chattanooga,  where  Bragg  made  a  fruitless 
effort  to  shell  them  out.  Dr.  Dyer  was  detailed 
to  organize  a  hospital  at  Mission  Ridge,  of 
which  he  had  charge  until  the  wounded  were 
transferred  to  Nashville.  The  army  was  now 
making  preparations  for  the  Atlanta  campaign 
and  Dr.  Dyer  was  detailed  to  organize  a  brig 
ade  field  hospital,  a  high  compliment  to  his 
character  and  the  ability  with  which  he  dis 
charged  the  important  trust  heretofore 
imposed  upon  him.  Subsequently  it  was 
merged  into  a  Division  hospital,  and  Dr.  Dyer 


was  detailed  as  operator  for  the  1st  Brigade, 
ist  Division,  which  position  he  held  until  after 
the  fall  of  Atlanta,  when  he  was  detailed  as 
Surgeon  for  the  1st  Division,  I4th  Army  Corps, 
on  the  staff  of  General  Carlin,  and  accom 
panied  Sherman's  army  in  its  march  to  the  sea. 
Before  the  march  began  he  received  a  fur 
lough,  and  visited  his  home,  remaining  30  days. 
After  the  siege  of  Savannah  he  was  made 
Medical  Director  on  the  staff  of  Jeff.  C.  Davis, 
and  served  as  such  until  the  army  moved  to 
Washington,  where  he  was  mustered  out 
June,  1865. 

Though  Dr.  Dyer's  duties  were  arduous, 
absorbing  his  attention  night  and  day,  yet  he 
took  a  deep  interest  in  the  Presidential  cam 
paign  of  1864,  and  through  his  ingenious 
maneuvers,  many  of  the  Illinois  soldiers  passed 
through  the  lines  to  their  home  and  voted  for 
Lincoln.  Dr.  Dyer  regards  the  organization  of 
the  Gallatin  Tennessee  Hospital  as  one  of  the 
best  efforts  of  his  life.  His  pride  in  that  hos 
pital  is  justifiable,  for  it  was  noted  far  and  wide 
for  its  splendid  system  and  the  efficient  man 
ner  with  which  it  was  conducted.  He  was 
mustered  out  at  Washington  that  he  might 
visit  his  family  in  Massachusetts  without  first 
going  to  Illinois  with  his  regiment.  This  was 
granted  by  a  special  order.  His  accounts  were 
in  such  good  order  that  they  were  readily  ad 
justed.  He  received  his  pay  and  discharge, 
visited  his  family,  participated  in  the  grand 
review  af  Washington,  and  returned  to  his  home 
at  Ottawa,  where  he  again  opened  his  office 
and  announced  himself  ready  to  meet  his  old 
as  well  as  new  patients.  His  extensive  and 
varied  experience  while  in  the  army  had  been 
of  great  service  to  him,  and  he  put  the  knowl 
edge  thus  acquired  to  good  advantage.  He 
was  eminently  successful  with  his  patients  and 
soon  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice, 
which  he  holds  at  the  present  day. 

Dr.  Dyer  was  born  in  Strong,  Maine,  Janu 
ary  29,  1833,  and  was  the  son  of  Moses  and 
Sally  (Day)  Dyer.  The  elder  Dyer  was  born 
at  Cape  Elizabeth  in  1802,  and  his  wife  in 
Damascatta.  They  removed  to  Franklin 
County,  Maine,  where  they  were  married.  They 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


81 


were  of  English  ancestry.  His  grandfather, 
Reuben  Dyer,  captured  the  first  privateer  dur 
ing  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  They  were  all 
of  a  military  character.  Moses  Dyer  died  at 
Freedom,  111.,  August  — ,  1862,  to  which  place 
he  had  removed  in  1853,  and  his  widow,  in  1857. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  They  were 
the  parents  of  four  children — Charles  W., 
Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  John  Callis,  Amanda  D., 
who  was  married  to  T.  C.  Fullerton,  of  Ottawa, 
and  Reuben  F.  After  receiving  a  common 
school  education,  he  was  fitted  for  college  at 
Farmington,  Maine.  He  passed  a  successful 
examination  for  the  sophomore  class  at  Bow- 
doin,  but  did  not  enter.  He  decided  to  take 
up  medicine  and  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  J.  S. 
Phillips  at  Farmington,  where  he  devoted  him 
self  to  his  medical  studies  for  nearly  four  years, 
teaching  winters,  and  studying  the  remainder 
of  the  time.  After  pursuing  his  studies,  thus, 
for  some  time,  he  went  to  Cincinnati  and  en 
tered  the  American  Medical  College,  where  he 
was  graduated  in  1856.  He  opened  his  office 
at  Newark,  111.,  and  he  built  up  there  a  good 
practice  where  he  remained  till  the  war  broke 
out.  Dr.  Dyer  was  married  July  9,  1857,  at 
Acton,  Mass.,  to  Susana  A.  Goodridge,  of  an 
old  Massachusetts  family,  who  date  their  ances 
try  back  to  the  Mayflower.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  by  three  children — Ralph  B., 
Edgar  G.,,  and  Susie  L.,  all  living  but  Ralph, 
who  died  in  1888.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Chicago. 
Edgar  is  practicing  law  at  Ottawa. 

Dr.  Dyer  was  placed  on  the  Examining 
Board  of  Pensions  when  it  was  first  organized, 
and  has  been  retained  since  that  time.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  of  the 
the  Seth  C.  Earl  Post,  No.  156,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
is  a  Republican  in  Politics,  and  a  member  of 
the  Loyal  Legion. 


SAMUEL  SIGLER,  of  Sterling,  111.,   was  born 
Jan.  17,  1838,  at  Albany,  N.  Y.     He  is  the 
son    of  John   and  Mary    (Wolf)    Sigler, 
who  were  natives  of  Pa.,  and  descended   from 
old    and   highly    respectable   families.        The 


father  of  Samuel  Sigler,  was  by  trade  a  shoe 
maker,  but  conducted  farming  operations  in 
Union  Co.,  Pa.  He  died  at  Mifflinburg,  Pa.,  in 
1889,  his  widow  in  1890,  at  the  same  place. 
They  had  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  but 
one,  are  living,  as  follows:  William,  Sarah, 
Christine,  Samuel  (the  subject  of  this  memoir), 
Polly  Ann,  John,  Andrew,  Margaret,  George, 
Elvina  and  Robert. 

The  early  years  of  Samuel  Sigler  were  passed 
at  home  in  farm  work  and  at  school  until  his  I7th 
year,  when  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the 
sadler's  trade  at  Bowlsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  served 
his  time.  He  was  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of 
work  at  his  trade  when  the  war  demanded  his 
services,  which  were  freely  given.  He  enlisted 
May  25, 1861,  at  Galena,  111.,  as  1st  Corporal  of 
Co.  B.,  I7th  Ills. Inf.,  under  Col.  Leonard  F.  Ross. 
The  Regt.  went  into  camp  at  Peoria,  111.,  and 
afterwards  at  Alton,  where  they  were  armed 
and  uniformed.  From  Alton  they  were 
orded  to  St.  Louis,  and  thence  to  Cape 
Girardeau,  .Mo.,  where  they  went  into  winter 
quarters.  Their  first  movement  to  the  front 
was  made  to  Fredrickstown,  Mo.,  where  they 
met  the  enemy  under  Price  and  defeated  him. 
Proceeding  thence,  to  Pilot  Knob,  they  returned 
to  Cape  Girardeau.  They  were  next  ordered 
to  the  siege  of  Fort  Henry,  but  it  surrendered 
before  they  came  up.  The  I7th  was  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  John  A.  Logan.  The  Regt.  was 
in  the  engagement  at  Fort  Donelson  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  first  day,  and  was  ordered  in  a 
charge  against  the  enemy's  position,  leaving 
behind  them  everything  but  guns  and  ammuni 
tion.  The  charge  was  executed  with  great 
brilliancy  and  spirit,  but  was  unsuccessful,  the  re 
bels  in  stronger  force  compelling  them  to  fall 
back,  the  troops  to  their  right  and  left  giving 
way  and  leaving  the  1 7th  unsupported  to  face 
the  enemy.  They  held  their  ground  bravely 
until  ordered  to  retreat  for  the  third  time,  when 
they  obeyed.  The  troops  remained  in  line  of 
battle  until  about  9  o'clock,  when  ordered  to 
retire  for  food.  During  the  whole  time  of  their 
engagement  in  this  battle,  they  had  gone  with 
out  food,  and  were  exposed  to  snow  and  rain 
without  shelter  or  blankets.  This  experience 


82 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


is  regarded  by  Mr.  Sigler  as  having  been  the 
most  distressing  of  his  military  life.  On  Sat 
urday  morning  the  troops  were  refreshed  by 
the  intelligence  of  the  surrender  of  the  fort, 
and  while  scarcely  able  to  keep  their  feet,  they 
were  so  relieved  and  resuscitated  by  this  wel 
come  news  as  to  command  their  strength  suf 
ficiently  to  march  into  the  fort.  Mr.  Sigler  re 
ceived  a  slight  flesh  wound  in  this  battle.  The 
next  point  to  which  the  Regt.  was  ordered  was 
Savannah,  Tenn.,  from  thence  proceeding  to 
Shiloh,  and  participating  in  the  battle  of  that 
place,  where  they  held  position  near  the  old 
church,  conducting  themselves  as  became 
trained  and  valiant  soldiers.  After  this  they 
moved  on  to  Corinth,  where  they  again  assisted 
to  uphold  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  Union 
arms.  They  then  advanced  to  Jackson,  Miss., 
and  thence  to  Bolivar,  La  Grange  and  Memphis, 
afterwards  taking  part  in  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg.  After  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  the 
Regt.  moved  on  to  Black  river,  and  was  in  ac 
tion  at  Champion  Hills.  At  this  time  the  Regt. 
was  attached  to  the  i/th  A.  C.  under  Gen. 
Logan.  Returning  to  Vicksburg  they  remained 
there  during  the  winter  of  1863-4.  In  Jan., 
1864,  their  three  years'  term  having  expired, 
they  were  ordered  to  Springfield,  Ills.,  to  be 
mustered  out.  Mr.  Sigler  re-enlisted  in  Co.H., 
I46th  Ills.,  with  commission  of  2nd  Lieut. 
Companies  D.  and  H.  of  the  I46th  were  now 
ordered  to  Quincy,  Ills,  to  enforce  the  draft, 
where  they  continued  on  this  service  until  the 
assassination  of  President  Lincoln,  whose 
funeral  they  attended  at  Springfield.  Here 
they  were  mustered  out  July  8,  1865.  Return 
ing  to  the  pursuits  of  peace,  Mr.  Sigler  was  for 
some  time  engaged  at  Bureau,  Ills.,  in  the 
enumeration  of  the  census.  Going  subsequently 
to  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  he  worked  at  his  trade 
as  a  saddler  for  about  one  year,  thence  remov 
ing  to  Lisbon,  Iowa,  and  finally  in  1871,  to 
Sterling,  111.,  where  he  resumed  his  trade,  and 
afterwards  secured  employment  with  the 
Sterling  Pump  Works. 

In  1884,  he  was  given  charge  of  the  Sterling 
school  buildings,  a  position  which  he  still  holds. 
He  was  married  July  2,  1866,  at  Lisbon,  Iowa, 


to  Catherine,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Theresa 
( — )  Wink.  Their  only  daughter  and  only 
child,  Mary  C.,  born  in  Sept.,  1867,  married 
Louis  Reitzel,  of  Sterling.  Mr.  Sigler  is 
a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Lodge,  174, 
of  Sterling  and  a  member  of  G.  A.  R. 
Post,  No.  274.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub 
lican.  His  wife  died  of  heart  disease  Feb. 
4,  1884.  Among  his  country's  gallant  defend 
ers  in  the  many  hard  fought  battles  of  the  war, 
Mr.  Sigler  had  a  prominent  place,  and  acquit 
ted  himself  with  credit  and  honor.  No  less  as 
a  citizen  has  he  maintained  this  identity,  and 
left  to  his  age  and  generation  a  spotless  record. 


JOHN  WARD,  of  Peru,  111.,  enlisted  at  Patter 
son,  N.  J.,  for  the  war  of  the  rebellion, 
July  23,  1864,  for  service  as  Landsman  in 
connection  with  the  United  States  navy.  He 
was  first  connected  with  the  ship  "Minnesota," 
stationed  at  Hampton  Roads,  Va.,  which  acted 
as  flag  ship  to  the  Atlantic  Squadron.  In  the 
following  Oct.,  he  was  transferred  to  the  gun 
boat  "Osceola"  and  whilst  on  board  the  latter 
ship,  participated  in  the  two  naval  engage 
ments  at  Fort  Fisher;  and  during  the  progress 
of  the  last  one,  was  wounded,  by  being  struck 
in  the  back  of  the  head  with  a  piece  of  explod 
ed  shell,  which  has  resulted  in  almost  destroy 
ing  his  hearing.  He  was  placed  in  a  hospital 
at  Buford,  N.  C.,  but  after  a  stay  of  three  weeks 
had  recovered  sufficiently  to  enable  him  to  re 
join  his  ship  at  Dutch  Gap  on  the  James  River. 
He  was  performing  guard  duty  at  City  Point 
when  the  news  was  received  that  Richmond 
had  fallen.  This  news  was  received  by  himself 
and  comrades  as  welcome  tidings,  and  to  some 
extent  compensated  them  for  the  melancholy 
news  received  a  short  time  subsequent,  while  his 
ship  was  in  Chesapeake  Bay  announcing  the 
assassination  af  President  Lincoln.  Immedi- 
tely  after  the  fall  of  Richmond,  the  ship  went 
to  Boston  where  he  received  his  discharge 
from  the  service,  June  10,  1865. 

Mr.  Ward  was  born  in   Ireland   in  1844,  and 
immigrated  to  this  country  when  he  was  only 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


17  years  old.  After  the  war,  he  returned  to 
Patterson,  N.  J.,  where  he  remained  until  1866, 
then  he  went  west,  settling  in  Peru,  and  was 
employed  by  the  Union  Coal  Company  in  the 
mines  at  Peru,  where  he  has  been  ever  since, 
discharging  its  duties  with  credit  to  himself  as 
well  as  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  employers. 

He  married  Miss  Ann  Flarity,  May  26, 
1867,  and  by  her  has  five  bright  interesting 
children — Sarah,  Matthew,  Patrick,  Johnnie, 
and  Thomas.  Being  shrewd  and  industrious, 
and  supported  by  a  smart  and  intelligent  wife, 
he  has  succeeded  in  purchasing  and  building 
up  a  nice  home  and  otherwise  amply  provided 
for  himself  and  family  against  a  "rainy  day," 
He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  656,  G.  A.  R.,  at 
Peru.  He  is  a  pensioner,  and  is  independent 
in  political  matters.  Mr.  Ward  attended  the 
National  Encampment  at  Boston,  in  1890,  where 
he  met  his  old  Lieutenant  John  M.  Murray  of 
the  Osceola  and  two  old  comrades. 

THOMAS  B.  SPALDING,  M.  D.,  of  Decatur, 
111.,  who  gave  some  of  the  best  years 
of  his  life  to  the  service  of  his  coun 
try,  was  born  in  Ills.,  Feb.  5,  1841.  His  father 
was  Enoch  Spalding,  a  native  of  Maryland, 
born  in  1786,  of  English  parents,  by  trade 
a  carpenter  and  builder,  who  moved  to  Ohio, 
raised  a  family  and  his  wife  having  died  there, 
afterwards  moved  to  Illinois,  where  he  married 
and  raised  a  second  family,  dying  in  1848,  fol 
lowed  by  the  death  of  his  widow  in  90  days, 
leaving  our  subject  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  7. 
His  second  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject  was 
Ann  Masters,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  near 
Portsmouth.  Colonel  Simon  Spalding,  a  great- 
grand-father  of  Thomas  Spalding,  was  an  officer 
in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Two  brothers  of  Thomas  B.  Spalding, 
Joseph  and  Thaddeus,  served  in  the  army  of 
the  Union.  Joseph  Spalding  died  from  the 
effect  of  measles  contracted  at  Belmont,  Mo., 
and  Thaddeus  served  his  time  without  being 
wounded  or  captured. 

The  early  life  of  Dr.  Spalding  was  spent  on 
a  farm  near  Jerseyville,  living  with  a  half  sister, 


Mrs.  Briggs,  and  his  school  advantages  were 
such  as  the  district  schools  afforded  at  that 
time.  At  the  age  of  19  he  became  a  teacher  in 
that  neighborhood  and  taught  until  he  was  22, 
when  he  enlisted  at  Jerseyville,  Aug.  19,  1862, 
and  was  mustered  in  Sept.  8,  at  Camp  Butler, 
111.  At  the  organization  of  the  company  Mr. 
Spalding  was  elected  Orderly  Sergeant  and 
when  it  was  mustered  in  he  was  made  ist 
Lieut,  of  Co.  K.,  97th  111.  Inf.  The  Regt.. 
remained  in  camp  until  October  and  then  went 
to  Covington,  Ky.,  by  way  of  Cincinnati,  and 
marched  to  Louisville,  thence. by  boat  to  Mem 
phis  and  camped  near  the  city  until  Dec.,  when 
it  was  transported  by  boats  to  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith. 
At  Haines  Bluff  the  97th  first  encountered  the 
enemy  in  the  stern  realities  of  battle,  and  lost 
a  number  of  men.  It  moved  then  to  Arkansas 
Post  and  was  engaged  in  the  battle  there. 
After  the  surrender  of  Arkansas  Post  a  strange 
incident  occurred  which  was  a  serious  loss  to 
the  enemy.  A  rebel  Gen.  by  the  name  of 
Churchill  marched  an  entire  brigade  of  about 
5,000  men  into  the  fort  before  he  discovered 
the  fort  was  in  possession  of  the  Union  army. 
He  was  a  very  much  surprised  officer  when  he 
realized  the  true  condition  of  affairs  and  the 
result  of  his  mistake. 

The  97th  returned  to  Milliken's  Bend  and 
disembarked  at  Young's  Point,  where  their  Regt. 
was  the  first  to  finish  its  allotment  on  the  canal. 

The  position  at  Young's  Point  was  finally 
abandoned  on  account  of  the  overflow  of  the 
river,  and  the  force  moved  to  Milliken's  Bend, 
where  it  remained  until  April  16,  1863.  At 
this  place  there  was  considerable  suffering 
from  scurvy  until  a  cure  near  at  hand  was  dis 
covered.  The  ditches  in  the  cotton  fields  were 
found  to  be  well-filled  with  thousands  of  craw 
fish,  so  a  number  of  men  were  detailed  from 
each  company  to  capture  these  to  be  used 
instead  of  the  salt  pork  which  had  caused  the 
scurvy.  The  hind  parts  of  the  craw-fish  were 
cut  off  and  boiled,  the  skin  then  easily  came  off 
and  these  parts  were  ate  with  crackers  prepared 
as  soup.  These  fish  were  very  large  and  there 
was  an  inexhaustible  quantity.  This  change 


84 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


of  diet  soon  effected  a  cure  of  the  uncomforta 
ble  disease. 

The  command  moved  across  the  point  April 
16,  1863,  via  Clinton,  La.,  to  the  river,  where 
transports  were  provided  to  Grand  Gulf,  and 
the  men  thoroughly  exhausted  from  the  long 
march  through  a  wet  country  over  miserable 
roads,  as  a  consequence  slept  soundly.  The 
boats  arriving  early  in  the  morning  the  troops 
were  at  once  embarked  and  as  soon  as  a  regi 
ment  was  landed  it  took  the  road,  and  thus 
General  Grant's  army  was  all  transferred. 

Soon  the  enemy  was  engaged  at  Magnolia 
Hills,  May  I,  the  division  containing  the  9/th 
being  in  advance  opened  the  battle  which  was 
severe,  but  the  arrival  of  Union  troops  forced 
the  rebels  to  retire  that  night,  who  in  their  re 
treat  burned  the  bridge  behind  them.  The 
next  morning  the  Union  force  started  in  pur 
suit,  was  engaged  at  Raymond,  drove  the  enemy 
and  then  moved  on  to  Champion  Hills  and  was 
continually  under  fire  from  ten  o'clock  A  M. 
until  late  at  night.  The  regiment  proceeding 
to  Black  River  assisted  in  repairing  the  bridge 
and  marching  over  moved  to  Vicksburg,  where 
it  took  a  position  in  the  line  which  it  made  a 
charge  to  secure. 

On  May  22,  the  g/th  with  its  Brig,  secured 
a  position  within  one  half  mile  of  the  enemy's 
works,  but  after  the  charge,  could  not  hold  the 
ground  in  advance  of  the  entrenchments.  This 
charge  was  one  of  the  most  terrific  of  any  ex 
perienced  during  the  war.  The  rebel  works 
were  constructed  bythe  most  consummateskill 
on  ground  that  afforded  every  advantage,  and 
defended  by  40,000  veteran  troops— the  flower 
of  the  Confederate  army. 

May  22,  when  the  federal  lines  had  been 
fully  formed  and  the  place  fully  invested  by 
the  entrenchment  of  the  Union  army  one  half 
mile  east,  General  Grant  ordered  a  general  as 
sault  all  along  the  line  to  begin  at  10  o'clock. 
At  this  time  Lieut.  Spalding  was  in  command 
of  his  company  and  was  ordered  to  take  it  into 
a  rebel  fort  near  a  high  mass  of  boulders.  The 
entire  army  moved  rapidly  down  hill  under  a 
tremendous  fire  and  cross  fire  from  the  infantry, 
and  Lieut.  Spalding  with  part  of  his  men  had 


reached  an  immense  boulder,  and  finding  him 
self  in  advance,  he  halted  and  looking  northward 
could  see  the  whole  line  over  a  mile  long  in 
motion,  and  the  sight  was  grand  and  magnifi 
cent,  although  terrible,  as  regiments  under  the 
terrific  fire  of  the  forts  were  broken  up  and 
lines  made  to  waver,  some  returned,  while 
others  pressed  on.  In  some  instances  whole 
platoons  were  swept  away  by  the  enemy's  fire, 
however,  when  the  center  of  the  army  reached 
the  brow  of  the  hill  the  real  slaughter  of  death 
began,  as  obstructions  of  every  device  here 
placed  were  almost  impassable,  and  held  the 
men  exposed  to  a  murderous  fire  which  they 
were  powerless  to  resist.  In  some  places  deep 
pits  had  been  dug,  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  in  the 
bottom  of  which  sharp  spikes  had  been  placed. 
These  pits  thus  prepared  were  covered  with  cane 
stalks,  so  that  when  the  men  stepped  on  the 
covering  they  were  precipitated  four  or  five  feet 
on  to  the  spikes  at  the  bottom.  Trees  also  with 
branches  sharpened  to  a  point  and  connected 
with  barb  wire  were  placed  to  impede  an  ad 
vance.  The  men  while  thus  entangled  in  this 
net  work  of  devilish  ingenuity  were  cruelly 
slaughtered  by  a  merciless  fire  from  the  forts, 
and  being  unable  to  advance  sought  shelter 
wherever  they  could  find  it. 

A  few  men  of  the  I3th  Corps  reached  and 
entered  one  of  the  forts,  but  were  over 
whelmed,  driven  out  or  captured.  About  ten 
o'clock  that  night  Lieut.  Spalding  succeeded 
in  getting  his  company  back  to  the  place  from 
which  it  started  in  the  morning,  having  been 
exposed  all  day  in  a  broiling  sun  without  food 
or  water.  The  cannonading  on  both  sides  was 
appalling  until  the  25th,  when  there  was  an 
armistice  for  a  few  hours  to  bury  the  dead. 
Lieut.  Spaulding  went  out  in  front  of  the  line 
in  company  with  General  Burbridge  and 
counted  31  dead  bodies  on  one-eighth  of  an 
acre.  Some  of  the  Union  wounded  were 
brought  in  that  had  lain  on  the  ground  since 
the  assault  of  the  22nd  with  wounds  festering 
and  alive  with  maggots.  After  the  cessation, 
hostilities  were  resumed  and  continued  until 
the  surrender,  July  4th. 

The  method  of  approach    during    the    siege 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


was  by  digging  holes  at  night  along  the  entire 
line,  like  a  post  hole,  throwing  up  the  dirt  in 
front,  then  these  holes  were  joined  together, 
widened  and  occupied  the  following  morning. 
This  plan  was  continued  by  advancing  the  line 
of  holes  and  ditches  until  the  army  occupied  a 
line  parallel  with  the  enemy,  and  within  20 
yards.  During  this  work  Lieut.  Spalding, 
while  excavating  for  the  last  approach  had 
placed  40  men  at  work  when  just  behind  he 
heard  some  guns  cocked  and  an  order  given  to 
fire.  Immediately  commanding  his  men  to 
fall  flat  on  the  ground,  the  volley  passed  over 
them,  and  they  thus  escaped  one  of  the  closest 
calls  they  had  during  the  siege.  Thus  for  43 
days  the  men  were  under  constant  fire  without 
rest  from  the  incessant  thunder  of  battle,  and 
often  some  would  fall  asleep  and  be  shot  down 
near  morning  lying  out  on  the  ground. 

On  the  morning  of  July  4th  the  rebels 
raised  the  white  flag,  a  token  of  surrender. 
Without  delay  the  army  was  at  once  faced 
about  and  started  toward  Jackson.  Camping 
one  night  in  a  corn  field,  and  in  the  morning 
without  breakfast,  the  men  were  ordered  for 
ward  to  Jackson,  and  engaged  the  enemy,  charg 
ing  upon  the  rebels,  driving  them  back  and 
investing  the  place.  Here  Lieut.  Spalding 
contracted  rheumatism  so  that  he  could  not 
walk,  but  crawled  into  the  rifle  pits  with  his 
men,  repulsed  three  assaults  and  when  relieved 
made  his  way  back  to  camp  at  Vicksburg. 

Lieut.  Spalding  secured  leave  of  absence 
for  30  days,  and  rejoined  the  regiment  at  New 
Orleans,  when  he  was  sent  to  the  Tesche  country 
to  destroy  salt  works.  Returning  from  that 
duty  to  New  Orleans  by  cars  Nov.  I,  1863,  the 
regiment  met  with  an  accident  by  collision 
which  crippled  65  men,  and  threw  Lieutenant 
Spalding  into  about  three  feet  of  water  in  the 
canal.  Arriving  at  New  Orleans  he  was  as 
signed  to  provost  duty  in  command  of  his  own 
company  and  one  from  the  igih  Ky.,  Regiment. 
During  this  time  he  was  sent  with  100  political 
prisoners  to  Dry  Tortugas,  Key  West,  and  Ship 
Island,  in  Florida,  and  was  also  sent  out  with 
carloads  of  rebel  prisoners  to  effect  an  ex 
change. 


In  the  latter  part  of  1864,  Lieut.  Spalding 
joined  the  expedition  against  Mobile  and  par 
ticipated  in  the  investment  of  Fort  Blakely 
around  Mobile  April,  1865,  and  made  the 
charge  April  gth.  In  this  battle  Lieut.  Spald 
ing  commanded  the  colored  company  and  lost  25 
per  cent,  of  his  men,  but  captured  General  Cock- 
rell,  now  U.  S.  Senator  from  Mo.  After  some 
time  spent  at  Mobile  the  97th  Reg't.  was  shipped 
to  Galveston,  mustered  out  July  19,  1865,  and 
discharged  just  after  three  years  service  to  a 
day.  At  the  battle  of  Fort  Blakely  Lieutenant 
Spalding  was  commissioned  Captain,  April  25, 
1865.  He  went  into  the  service  with  84  men 
and  received  16  recruits,  making  100  men,  and 
when  mustered  out  there  was  only  13  left.  He 
was  the  only  original  officer  that  returned. 
The  old  flag  was  torn  to  pieces  and  is  now 
preserved  in  the  memorial  hall  at  Springfield, 
Ills. 

Captain  Spalding  entered  Shurtleff  College 
for  one  year,  and  in  1866,  attended  Rush  Medi 
cal  College  in  Chicago,  where  he  was  a  private 
pupil  under  Professor  Ray,  and  graduated  in  the 
spring  of  1869.  He  located  at  Troy,  Ills.,  and 
practiced  1 1  years,  then  moved  to  Edwardsville, 
111.,  and  was  in  practice  eight  years.  In  1888  he 
settled  in  Decatur,  where  he  has  been  success 
fully  engaged  in  his  profession  to  the  present 
time,  and  has  also  acted  on  the  Pension  Board 
since  his  appointment  in  1889. 

Dr.  Spalding  was  married  Nov.  25,  1869  at 
Upper  Alton,  Ills.,  to  Dora  M.  Bostwick,  of 
that  place,  and  has  four  children— Lacta  B.,  John 
B.,  Robert  Blaine,  and  Bessie  B.,  all  living  in 
1891.  Dr.  Spalding  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.  Post  of  Decatur,  of  which  he  is  surgeon,  and 
is  also  President  of  the  Pension  Board;  is  well 
known  as  a  gentleman  of  acknowledged  pro 
fessional  skill  and  high  standing  as  a  well  read 
Physician.  He  belongs  to  the  old  Lovejoy 
school  in  politics  and  is  now  a  stalwart  Re 
publican. 

Religiously  Capt.  Spalding  is  extremely 
liberal,  he  believes  only  what  is  self  evident  or 
to  his  mind  susceptible  of  proof.  He  believes 
in  One  Creative  Intelligence  who  is  Author  and 
Governor  of  the  Universe  and  that  He  governs 


86 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  physical  universe  through  unerring  arbi- 
tary  law,  which  we  call  "the  law  of  nature."  He 
believes  that  in  the  Spiritual  Realm,  God  is 
still  the  eternal  Author,  yet  the  loving  tender 
Father  of  every  soul  that  comes  to  Him  in  con 
fidence  and  contrition,  and  that  all  such  may 
look  up  to  Him  and  say  with  certain  confidence, 
My  FatJicr\  He  believes  that  God  has  taught 
this  world  this  great  truth  that  every  loyal  ten 
der  loving  soul  is  His  child,  and  that  between 
the  finite  and  Infinite  He  wills  that  there  shall 
be  the  substantial  relation  of  affection  and  love 
that  shall  never  perish.  He  believes  that  this 
is  the  gift  of  eternal  Life  and  the  only  as 
surance  of  immortality  in  the  life  hereafter, 
therefore  he  believes  that  perfect  love  is  the 
fulfillment  of  the  law  of  life  and  hence  his 
motto:  "The  Fatherhood  of  God  and  the 
Brotherhood  of  Man." 


WALTER  V.  SIMONS,  of  Earlville,  111.,  is 
a  native  of  Pa.,  where  he  was  born 
Nov.  10,  1834.  He  is  the  son  of 
Jabez  H.  and  Thursa  (Vantuyl)  Simons,  who 
were  natives  of  N.  Y.,  both  of  whom  are  de 
ceased.  The  Vantuyl's  are  traced  back  to  Col 
onial  days,  grandfather  Vantuyl  having  served 
as  a  Captain  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  In  1844, 
the  parents  moved  to  Lee  County,  111.,  where 
they  lived  and  died.  Our  subject  was  raised 
at  home  where  he  received  the  benefits  of  a 
common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  15, 
he  commenced  to  learn  the  blacksmith  trade, 
and  when  he  was  45  years  of  age,  having  natu 
rally  a  mechanical  mind,  and  being  possessed 
of  good  qualities,  he  started  a  shop  for  himself 
in  Farlville.  He  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862,  as  a 
private  in  Co.  K.,  75th  111.  Inf.  The  regiment 
remained  at  Camp  Dixon  until  Sept.  27th,  when 
it  was  ordered  to  the  seat  of  war,  joining  Buell's 
army  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  at  the  time  of  the  re 
organization  being  assigned  to  the  ist  Brig., 
1st  Div.  1 4th  A.  C.,  commanded  respectively 
by  Generals  P.  S.  Post,  Jeff  C.  Davis,  and  A.  D 
McCook.  Its  first  move  on  the  chessboard  of 
war  was  Oct.  1st,  against  Bragg's  army  at 


Bardstown,  Ky.  This  move  brought  on  the 
battle  of  Perryville,  Oct.  8th,  in  which  Mr. 
Simons  took  his  first  lessons  in  active  battle, 
surrounded  by  the  "  pomp  and  circumstances 
of  glorious  war,"  and  in  which  his  regiment 
was  hotly  engaged,  distinguishing  itself  for  cool 
courage  and  effective  fighting.  It  lost  heavily 
both  in  officers  and  men,  and  was  honorably 
mentioned  by  Gen.  Mitchell  for  its  notable 
conduct.  The  regiment  then  moved  southward 
with  the  army,  arriving  at  Edgefield,  where 
camp  was  made.  The  next  move  of  the  army 
was  again  southward.  The  regiment  participated 
in  the  skirmishes  at  Nolansville  and  Knob  Gap, 
and  then  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River.  In  this 
engagement  the  75th  was  in  the  right  wing, 
and  the  retreat  of  Johnson's  divisions  left  the 
first  brigade  (Post's)  exposed  to  a  flank  move 
ment  of  the  enemy,  and  it  was  ordered  to  fall 
back.  Companies  E.  and  H.  of  the  75th,  were 
ordered  to  check  the  advance  of  the  rebels  un 
til  the  line  could  be  formed.  The  75th  was  on 
active  duty  during  the  entire  battle  and  won 
new  laurels  as  a  fighting  regiment.  During  the 
battle,  Mr.  Simon  was  wounded  and  taken  pris 
oner,  but  was  retaken  by  a  company  of  cavalry. 
He  was  sent  to  the  convalescent  camp  at  Nash 
ville,  where  he  remained  for  20  days,  rejoining 
the  reg't.  at  Murfreesboro.  About  June  2oth, 
the  command  moved  out  for  Chattanooga,  and 
had  a  sharp  fight  at  Liberty  Gap,  in  which  the 
75th  took  an  important  part.  It  went  into 
camp  at  Chattanooga  where  it  was  besieged  by 
the  enemy.  While  there  the  army  was  re-organ 
ized,  and  the  75th  was  assigned  to  the  3d  Brig., 
ist  Div.,  4th  A.  C.  Nov.  2d,  3rd  and  4th,  it 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain. 
Its  next  move  was  over  the  mountains  to  Shell 
Mound,  thence  to  Whiteside,  where  it  went  in 
to  winter  quarters,  doing  picket  duty.  Feb. 
10,  1864,  camp  was  broke  and  the  Reg't.  moved 
to  Blue  Springs,  Tcnn.,  and  Feb.  24th  and  25th, 
it  took  part  in  the  rcconnoissance  in  front  of 
Buzzard's  Roost. 

Activities  for  the  Atlanta  campaign  com 
menced  about  the  ist  of  May,  and  in  this  Mr. 
Simons  with  his  regiment  took  an  active  part. 
For  over  IOO  days  during  that  memorable  cam- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


paign,  there  was  not  one  day,  Mr.  Simons  says, 
that  his  regiment  was  not  under  fire.  He  was 
active  in  nearly  all  the  battles  and  skirmishes 
of  that  campaign,  including  those  of  Jonesboro 
and  Lovejoys  Station,  fought  Sept.  ist  and 
2nd.  His  regiment  moved  into  Atlanta  after 
its  evacuation  and  remained  there  until  Oct. 
4th,  when  it  moved  north  to  Chattanooga,  and 
subsequently  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.  Its  next 
important  action  was  at  Franklin,  Nov.  30, 
where  it  did  effective  fighting  and  suffered 
considerable  loss.  It  was  not  allowed  to  rest, 
but  marched  all  the  following  day  to  the  field 
of  Nashville,  reaching  there  Dec.  ist.  In  the 
engagement  at  Nashville,  the  75th,  feeling  that 
this  might  be  its  last  opportunity  to  strike  in 
defense  of  the  old  flag,  fought  nobly  and  with 
sanguinary  effect.  During  this,  its  last  action, 
it  charged  the  enemy  through  an  open  field, 
capturing  233  prisoners,  a  large  quantity  of 
arms  and  camp  equipage.  From  Nashville  the 
command  moved  to  Huntsville,  Ala.,  thence  to 
Knoxville,  Tenn.,  went  into  camp,  and  subse 
quently  returned  to  Nashville.  While  there 
Mr.  Simons  received  a  30  days'  furlough.  June 
12,  1865,  the  75th  was  mustered  out,  sent  to 
Chicago,  where,  July  1st,  it  was  paid  off  and 
finally  discharged.  After  the  war,  Mr.  Simons 
returned  to  his  home  and  friends,  took  up 
again  his  business  of  blacksmithing,  which  he 
has  successfully  followed  since. 

He  was  married  Dec.  22,  1859,  to  Mary 
E.  Woodward.  He  is  a  member  of  the  McCul- 
lough  Post  No.  475,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is 
Past  Commander.  Mr.  Simons  is  truly  a  rep 
resentative  American;  a  brave  soldier  in  time 
of  war,  in  his  country's  defense,  and  a  good 
citizen  in  time  of  peace,  honored  and  respected 
by  all  who  know  him.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  politically  a  Repub 
lican. 


NICHOLAS    T.    ROCHE,    coal-dealer  of    St. 
Charles,     111.,     was    born    at    Wexford, 
Ireland,    April    15,    1834.     His    parents 
were    Thomas    C.    and  Mary    E.    (Kennedy) 


Roche,  who  settled  at  Chicago  in  1844,  remov 
ing  in  1848  to  St.  Charles,  and  in  1858  to  Lyons, 
Iowa,  where  in  1866,  the  elder  Roche  died. 

Nicholas  T.  Roche  passed  his  early  life  in 
Ireland,  at  Chicago,  and  St.  Charles.  After  a 
limited  education  he  was  engaged  in  the  gro 
eery  business  up  to  the  beginning  of  the  re 
bellion.  In  1858,  he  was  married  to  Margaret, 
daughter  of  James  Miller,  a  native  of  Scotland, 
Her  father  died  in  1869,  and  her  mother  in 
1873.  Her  father  was  a  blacksmith.  Nicholas 
T.  Roche  was  among  the  first  of  the  Ills,  troops 
to  take  the  field.  He  enlisted  at  Chicago, 
Sept.,  15,  1861,  in  Co.  B.  58th  Ills.  Inf..  and 
was  mustered  in  as  Commissary  Sergeant.  The 
Regt.  remained  at  Camp  Douglas  until  Feb.  9th, 
1862,  when  they  were  ordered  to  Fort  Donel- 
son,  where  Mr.  Roche  performed  service  in  the 
commissary  department,  thence  going  to  Fort 
Henry,  arriving  there  after  the  surrender  of 
that  post,  and  then  moving  on  to  Shiloh,  March 
18,  1862,  he  was  granted  leave  of  absence  on 
account  of  sickness  and  went  home.  He  rejoined 
his  command  at  Shiloh  about  Apr.  18,  passing 
the  succeeding  summer  in  guarding  the  Mobile 
&  Ohio  R.  R.  between  Rienzi  and  Corinth.  In 
Sept.  he  was  detailed  on  recruiting  service,  ar 
riving  at  Aurora,  Ills.  Sept.  10,  rejoining  his 
command  at  Camp  Butler  in  Dec.,  where  he 
remained  through  the  winter.  July  4,  1863  the 
recruiting  party  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Cairo, 
Ills.,  where  they  remained  until  the  following 
January,  when  they  were  relieved  by  orders  of 
Gen.  Grant  and  sent  on  an  expedition  to  Meri 
dian,  Miss.  Mr.  Roche  was  detailed  at  post 
headquarters  at  Cairo  and  remained  until  Jan. 
.15,  when  he  received  a  30  days'  furlough — after 
his  furlough  he  was  ordered  to  report  at  Camp 
Yates,  Springfield,  to  Gen.  White  command 
ing  the  post.  Remained  there  all  through 
in  charge  of  the  draft  department,  per 
forming  duty  in  this  relation  until  Feb., 
1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out,  and  fin 
ally  discharged  at  Chicago  Feb.  11.  While 
at  Cairo  he  was  appointed  to  succeed  the  regi 
mental  Quartermaster,  who  had  been  promoted 
to  Capt.  but  declining  to  serve  in  that  relation, 
the  appointment  of  Mr.  Roche  was  not  con- 


88 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


firmed.    His  regiment  was   among  the  last  of 
the  Ills.,  troops  to  be  mustered  out. 

Returning  home  Mr.  Roche  engaged  in  the 
boot  and  shoe  business  at  St.  Charles,  and  sub 
sequently,  up  to  1 88 1,  in  the  dry  goods  line. 
Since  then  he  has  conducted  the  coal  business, 
in  which  he  is  still  engaged.  He  has  been  a 
trustee  of  the  city,  and  is  the  present  City  Clerk. 
He  was  at  one  time  elected  a  Police  Magistrate, 
but  did  not  qualify.  He  was  the  second  Trea 
surer  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  of  St.  Charles,  and 
the  third  Commander.  He  was  elected  Com 
mander  of  the  post  for  the  third  time  in  Jan. 
1892.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church 
and  is  a  worthy  citizen,  and  an  upright,  consci 
entious  and  honorable  man. 


JOSEPH  W.  KING,  of  Bloomington,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Indiana,  March  i,  1845,  an^ 
is  a  son  of  William  and  Harriet  (DeMo) 
King,  the  former  born  in  Vermont,  the  latter 
in  France,  When  a  boy  seven  years  of  age, 
Mr.  King  moved  with  his  parents  from  Vermont 
by  team  to  Ohio,  afterwards  to  the  State  of 
Indiana,  where  the  father  subsequently  died. 
Lucius  A.,  brother  of  our  subject,  was  in  the 
Army  and  passed  through  the  late  was,  serving 
in  Company  A.,  2Oth  Ind.  Vol.,  Inf.,  and  was 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  from 
which  he  recovered  and  completed  his  term  of 
enlistment. 

Mr.  King  attended  school  in  the  winters,  work 
ing  upon  the  farm  in  summer,  during  his  early 
days,  until  he  enlisted  in  Aug.,  1862,  at 
Wabash,  Ind,  in  Company  I,  loist,  Ind.  Vol. 
Inf.  The  regiment  continued  in  camp  of  in 
structions  for  about  two  months,  then  moved 
to  Indianapolis,  where  the  men  were  uniformed 
and  equipped,  proceeding  then  to  Covington, 
and  thence  on  toward  Richmond,  Ky.  Mr. 
King  became  ill  and  unable  to  continue  with 
his  command;  was  sent  to  Indianapolis  where 
after  a  month's  rest  being  much  improved,  he 
desired  to  rejoin  his  regiment,  but  on  examina 
tion  was  rejected  by  reason  of  his  sickness  and 
tender  years,  was  therefore  discharged  and  re 


turned  home.  In  the  following  July  he  at 
tempted  to  enlist  in  a  battery  of  heavy  artillery, 
but  was  again  rejected  on  account  of  his  youth. 
He  succeeded  however  a  little  later  in  joining 
the  iiSth  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Wabash,  Ind.,  Aug.  2, 
1863,  and  went  with  his  regiment  to  Indianapo 
lis,  where  he  remained  for  a  time,  then  moved 
to  Cincinnati,  thence  to  Covington,  then  to 
Nicholasville,  Ky.,  where  he  participated  in  the 
movements  through  Cumberland  Gap,  and  Blue 
Springs,  Tenn.;  engaged  the  enemy  under 
Longstreet,  at  the  last  named  place,  which  re 
sulted  in  the  defeat  and  rout  of  the  enemy. 
Continuing  on  the  march  his  regimant  passed 
through  Bull's  Gap,  and  then  again  was  at 
tacked  by  the  enemy.  When  the  assault  oc 
curred  all  the  artillery  men  except  camp 
guards,  were  out  foraging,  taking  the  horses 
with  them,  and  several  details  were  also  absent 
from  the  infantry,  leaving  only  800  men  in 
camp.  When  the  attack  was  made  the  com 
mand  formed  and  drew  the  heavy  guns  into 
position  by  hand,  stood  on  the  defensive  and 
succeeded  in  repulsing  the  first  charge,  and  be 
fore  the  enemy  could  rally  and  repeat  it,  the 
artillery  men  and  horses  had  returned,  as  also 
the  cavalry,  who  had  been  out  on  a  scout,  joined 
in  and  unitedly  charged  the  now  confused  en 
emy,  and  forced  him  to  retreat  and  seek  pro 
tection,  after  he  had  sustained  a  heavy  loss. 
They  then  moved  to  the  salt  works  which  was 
garrisoned  by  ^he  rebels,  whom  they  drove  out 
and  held  the  works  tor  a  time,  when  they  de 
stroyed  them  and  fell  back  to  Tazewell,  where 
they  remained  upon  guard  duty  and  subsequently 
were  engaged  with  the  rebels  under  Longstreet, 
at  Walker's  Ford,  suffered  many  casualties,  and 
from  there  moved  with  the  object  of  heading 
off  Longstreet,  who  was  marching  upon  Knox- 
ville;  then  fell  back  again  to  Tazewell  and  did 
camp  duty  for  several  weeks.  Whilst  at  the 
last  named  point,  was  charged  by  forces  under 
Longstreet,  whom  they  repulsed  and  then  fell 
back  to  Powells  River,  returning  to  Tazewell 
later,  and  then  started  on  a  foraging  expedition 
through  the  country. 

The  term  of  enlistment  having  expired  the 
regiment   started   homeward,    passed    through 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


89 


Nashville,  Covington,  then  to  Indianapolis, 
where  our  subject  was  subsequently  mustered 
out,  and  discharged,  March  4,  1864.  Later  he 
was  about  to  enlist  in  the  36th,  Ind.  Mounted 
Inf.,  when  he  was  taken  sick  and  before  recov 
ering  was  reduced  in  weight  from  152  to  75  Ibs. 

Mr.  King  worked  for  a  time  upon  a  farm, 
until  1870,  then  went  railroading  until  1890, 
when  he  lost  one  of  his  legs  by  accident,  being 
at  the  time  of  the  accident,  Yard  Master  in 
Bloomington;  since  which  time  he  has  been 
City  Oil  Inspector. 

He  married  Jan.  25,  1880,  Thury  Freige,  an 
estimable  lady,  who  is  a  native  of  Den 
mark,  she  having  come  with  her  parents  to  this 
country  when  but  fifteen  years  of  age.  The 
only  child  (Thorey)  of  this  marriage  died. 

Mr.  King  has  suffered  two  amputations  of 
his  limb,  but  is  now  enjoying  comparatively 
good  health.  He  receives  a  pension  of  $12  per 
month.  Is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  has  filled  the 
chair  of  Noble  Grand  for  three  consecutive 
terms  in  his  Lodge,  and  two  terms  as  V.  G.,  and 
filled  all  the  other  offices  in  the  Lodge  except 
that  of  Treasurer.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Improved  Order  of  Red  Men;  a  member  of 
Wm.  T.  Sherman  Post,  No.,  146,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
a  Republican  in  politics. 


GEN.  JOHN  MORRILL,  of  Ottawa,  Ills.,  sol 
dier  of  two  wars,  was  born  in  Concord, 
N.  H.,  June  3,  1827,  and  is  the  son  of 
Marcellus   and    Sarah    E.    (Bradley)    Morrill. 
Filbrice  Bradley,  the  father  of  Sarah  was  a  sol 
dier  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Bennington.     Marcellus  Morrill  was 
by  occupation  a  farmer.     He  died  in  1859,  in 
February,  and  his  wife  died  in  1866. 

General  Morrill  received  a  common  school 
education,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Ottawa,  111.,  in  1840,  where  he  learned  the  gun 
smith's  trade.  When  war  was  declared  between 
the  United  States  and  Mexico,  young  Morrill, 
then  but  19  years  of  age,  his  youthful  heart 
fired  with  the  war  spirit  of  the  time,  offered  his 
humble  services  to  his  country.  He  enlisted 


June,  1846,  in  Company  I.,  ist  Ills.  Inf.  The 
Reg.  rendezvoused  at  Alton,  111.,  and  moved 
from  there  via  New  Orleans  to  Port  Lavaca, 
Texas.  From  Port  Lavaca,  they  marched  to 
San  Antonio,  then  the  headquarters  of  General 
Wool's  Div.  They  marched  with  him  to  the 
Rio  Grande  and  crossed  the  river  at  Presidio, 
passed  through  Santa  Rosa,  Monclova,  and 
Paris,  from  whence  the  command  moved  south 
to  join  Gen.  Taylor  at  Buena  Vista.  He  par 
ticipated  in  that  battle  February  22-3,  1847. 
June  following  he  was  discharged  at  Comargo, 
Mexico,  and  returned  home.  The  war  with 
Mexico  had  only  excited  the  spirit  of  adven 
ture  in  General  Morrill,  not  satisfied  it.  The 
discovery  of  gold  in  General  Sutter's  mill  race 
in  California  in  1848,  by  Marshall,  the  Mor 
mon,  had  set  the  whole  world  ablaze.  A 
new  El  Dorado  had  been  discovered  on  the 
Pacific  slope,  and  here  the  adventurous  spirits 
of  every  land  were  flocking.  It  was  little 
expected  that  General  Morrill  could  resist  the 
tide  that  was  flowing  westward.  In  1849  ne 
joined  that  wonderful  hcgira  to  the  new  El 
Dorado,  going  by  overland,  and  upon  his 
arrival  in  California,  began  to  search  after  the 
precious  metal.  He  remained  thereuntil  1853, 
when  he  returned  to  Ottawa,  and  resumed  his 
trade.  In  1857  he  moved  to  his  farm  that  he 
had  previously  purchased,  about  two  miles 
from  Ottawa,  which  he  has  since  cultivated, 
and  where  he  has  made  his  home. 

When  the  rebellion  broke  out  Mr.  Morrill 
again  offered  himself  as  a  defender  of  his  coun 
try's  flag.  Sept.  26,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  a  com 
pany  that  was  being  raised  at  Prairie  Center, 
II!.,  and  was  chosen  its  Captain,  from  which 
time  his  commission  dated.  They  reorganized 
at  Camp  Butler,  where  they  were  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  December  16, 
1861,  as  Company  A. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Williams  commanding 
Battallion,  formed,  with  other  companies,  B., 
C.,  D.,  E.  and  F.,  the  first  Battalion  of  Yates' 
Sharp  Shooters.  These  companies  subse 
quently  formed  a  part  of  the  64th  Ills.  Inf. 
January  10,  1862,  the  Battalion  was  ordered  to 
Quincy,  and  went  into  barracks  where  it  was 


9o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


armed.  February  16,  it  was  moved  to  Cairo, 
and  on  March  14,  it  was  ordered  via  Bird's 
Point,  to  Charleston,  Bertrand,  Saxton,  then  to 
New  Madrid,  where  it  was  assigned  to  Mor 
gan's  Brigade,  Payne's  Division,  Army  of  the 
Mississippi,  commanded  by  General  Pope. 

On  the  evening  of  the  I2th,  of  March,  Com 
panies  A.,  D.,  E.  and  F.,  made  a  night  attack 
on  the  enemy's  right,  driving  his  pickets  and 
skirmishing  until  midnight.  The  object  of 
this  attack  was  to  draw  the  attention  of  the 
rebels  from  the  10th  and  i6th  .111.,  who  were 
planting  siege  guns  on  the  enemy's  left.  The 
Battalion  took  an  active  part  in  the  bombard 
ment  of  New  Madrid  the  next  day,  and  subse 
quently  went  to  the  support  of  Captain  Williams' 
Siege  guns  four  miles  below  where  General 
Pope  effected  a  crossing.  Under  command  of 
Major  Matteson,  it  joined  Pope's  expedition 
against  Fort  Pillow,  and  returning,  moved  up 
the  Tennessee  by  transports,  disembarking  at 
Hamburg  Landing,  April  22d. 

The  general  with  his  command  next  partici 
pated  in  the  siege  of  Corinth  until  it  was 
evacuated,  May  3Oth,  being  continually  on  the 
skirmish  line.  They  pursued  the  enemy  as  far 
as  Boonville,  and  on  the  return  the  Battalion 
went  into  camp  at  Big  Springs,  six  miles  from 
Corinth. 

When  General  Rosencrans  took  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  the  64th  was 
detailed  at  headquarters  as  guard,  on  which 
duty  it  remained  until  November.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Williams  left  the  Battalion  on  sick 
leave  May  i/th,  and  never  returned,  being  dis 
charged  Sept.  1 2th.  Major  Matteson  assumed 
command  of  the  Battalion,  which  he  held  until 
Aug.  8th,  when  he  died  in  the  hospital.  Cap 
tain  Morrill  then  took  command,  and  was  sub 
sequently  promoted  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  on 
the  following  recommendations: 

"  Respectfully  forwarded  through  General 
Grant,  begging  him  to  join  in  recommending 
Captain  Morrill  for  promotion  to  the  Lieuten 
ant-Colonelcy  of  the  Yates  S.  S.,  64th  Ills.  Inf. 
Since  the  death  of  Major  Matteson  the  entire 
charge  of  the  Battalion  has  fallen  on  Captain 
Morrill,  and  he  has  discharged  his  duties,  not 


only  creditably,  but  nobly.     The  command  has 
improved  under  him,  and  fought  splendidly  in 
the  battle  of  Corinth. 
(Signed) 

"W.  S.  ROSENCRANS,  Major-General." 
This  letter  was  exceedingly  complimentary 
to  General  Morrill,  and  evidenced  the  high  re 
gard  in  which  he  was  held  as  a  military  officer 
by  the  commanding  General  Rosencrans, 
who  but  voiced  the  sentiment  of  the  regiment. 
Aug.  20,  1863,  the  command  moved  to  luka, 
where  it  remained  until  Sept.,  then  it  was  or 
dered  to  Clear  Creek,  and  thence  back  to  luka 
via  Jacinto.  It  was  held  in  reserve  at  the 
battle  of  luka,  but  joined  in  pursuit  of  the 
routed  enemy,  and  then  returned  to  Corinth, 
going  into  position  Oct.  3d.  On  the  morning 
of  the  4th  the  Battalion  met  the  first  advance 
of  the  enemy,  and  was  heavily  engaged  during 
the  entire  day,  adding  new  laurels  to  its  already 
glorious  record.  It  lost  70  men,  killed,  wounded 
and  missing.  Nov.  27th,  it  was  ordered  on  out 
post  duty  at  Glendale,  Miss.,  where  it  erected 
fortifications  and  mounted  some  field  pieces. 
From  thence  it  moved  to  luka,  and  thence  to 
Pulaski,  Tenn.,  arriving  there  on  the  nth. 
January  15,  1864,  about  three-fourths  of  the 
Battalion  re-enlisted  and  went  home  on 
veteran  furlough. 

They  reassembled  at  Ottawa,  February  I4th, 
where  four  new  companies,  G.,  H.,  I.  and  K., 
which  had  been  recruited  by  Captain  Manning, 
were  added  to  the  Battalion,  making  it  a  full 
regirnent.  Mr.  Morrill  was  made  Colonel,  M. 
W.  Manning  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  S.  B. 
Thompson  Major.  March  17,  1864,  the  regi 
ment  with  its  ranks  filled  up,  left  for  the  field 
of  action  to  take  its  part  in  the  final  struggle. 
It  arrived  at  Decatur,  Ala.,  on  the  23d,  of  the 
same  month,  and  was  assigned  to  the  ist 
Brigade,  4th  Division,  i6th  Army  Corps,  Gen 
eral  Fuller  commanding  the  Brigade,  and 
General  G.  M.  Dodge  commanding  the  Corps. 
From  there  May  4th,  they  moved  to  Chatta 
nooga  to  take  part  with  Sherman  in  the  At 
lanta  campaign.  It  arrived  before  Resaca, 
May  Qth.  From  the  1 3th,  to  the  i6th,  it  was 
engaged  with  the  enemy  in  the  fight  at  Resaca. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


It  then  moved  to  Dallas,  where  it  was  in  action 
from  May  27th,  to  the  3ist,  inclusive.  June  ist, 
and  4th,  it  moved  to  the  left,  and  on  the  5th,  it 
had  a  slight  action  with  the  rebels  at  New 
Hope  Church.  June  loth,  it  took  a  line  of 
rifle  pits  at  Big  Shanty,  displaying  its  usual 
gallantry. 

The  regiment  then  moved  to  the  foot  of 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  where  it  held  its  position 
until  the  26th.  On  the  2/th  it  was  hotly 
engaged  with  the  assaulting  forces,  and  was 
distinguished  for  its  efficient  service.  It  lost 
in  this  action  57  men  killed  and  wounded.  On 
July  4th,  evidently  stimulated  to  greater  action 
by  the  glorious  memories  of  the  day,  it  won 
new  honors  in  the  action  on  the  skirmish  line, 
known  as  Ruff's  Mills,  driving  the  enemy  back 
some  two  miles.  In  this  engagement  it  lost  25 
men  killed  and  wounded.  The  command  then 
moved  toward  Chattahoochie  river,  meeting 
the  enemy  at  the  skirmish  line.  On  the  loth 
the  regiment  with  the  command  crossed  the 
river  and  fortified.  July  I7th,  Gen.  Morrill  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  1st  Brigade,  and 
under  his  command  it  had  a  slight  action  at 
Decatur.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Atlanta  July  22nd,  and  was  twice  wounded;  the 
last  time  he  was  taken  from  the  field.  This 
ended  the  brilliant  fighting  record  of  Gen. 
Morrill,  and  took  from  the  ist  Brigade  one  of 
its  bravest,  most  efficient  and  gallant  officers. 
When  partially  recovered  from  his  wound  he 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  District  of 
Rolla,  Mo.,  where  he  remained  until  the  close 
of  the  war. 

He  was  promoted  to  Lieutenant-Colonel,  to 
rank  from  Sept.  12,  1862;  to  Colonel,  to  rank 
from  February  19,  1864;  and  to  Brevet  Briga 
dier-General,  March  13,  1865.  He  was  mus 
tered  out  of  the  United  States  service  at  Chi 
cago,  July  11,  1865. 

Gen.  Morrill  was  with  his  regiment  in  all  its 
marches,  and  in  every  battle  it  was  in  from  the 
time  it  went  into  the  service  until  after  July 
22,  1864,  when  he  was  wounded  and  taken  from 
the  field.  The  rebellion  having  been  put 
down,  the  flag  protected  and  the  Republic 
preserved,  Gen.  Morrill  having  discharged  hi 


duty  as  a  citizen  and  a  patriot,  returned  to  his 
home,  and  like  Cincinnatus  of  old,  took  up 
again  his  agricultural  pursuits,  coverting  the 
spear  into  a  plowshare,  and  the  sword  into  a 
pruning  hook. 

He  was  married,  in  1854,  to  Ann  Mitchell, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Cincinnatus  F., 
born  April  25,  1855,  and  Blanche  R.,  born  March 
4,  1858.  His  wife,  Ann,  died  Aug.  12,  1865. 
Sept.  27,  1869,  he  was  married  to  his  second 
wife,  Visa  C.  Conger.  She  was  born  in  Butler, 
Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  January  21,  1841. 

Her  brother  Ira  was  2d  Lieut,  of  Co.  A., 
64th  Regt.,  Ills.  Inf.,  in  1861,  and  was  pro 
moted  to  the  rank  of  Captain  in  1863.  He  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Snake  Creek  Gap,  Oct. 
18,  1864.  Gen.  Morrill  is  a  member  of  the  Seth 
C.  Earl  Post  No.  156,  of  Ottawa,  and  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican. 


JOHN  WALKER,  a  resident  of  Aurora,  Ill.( 
who  patriotically  participated  in  the 
struggle  of  his  adopted  country  for  liberty 
and  union,  is  a  native  of  England,  born  in 
Lincolnshire,  Jan.  24,  1842.  His  father  was 
William  B.  Walker,  and  his  mother  before 
her  marriage  was  Jane  Lathrop.  John  Walker 
attended  school  in  England  until  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  immigrated  to 
America  and  was  soon  employed  in  farming. 
Practically  leaving  the  plow  in  the  furrow,  he 
enlisted  Aug.  20,  1861,  at  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  mustered  in  with  Co.  A.,  8ist  N.  Y.  Inf., 
and  was  sent  to  camp  at  Albany,  and  then  to 
Long  Island,  where  he  remained  during  the 
winter.  The  Regt.  was  sent  to  Washington 
and  united  with  the  army  of  which  Gen.  Keys 
was  Div.  Com.,  and  Gen.  Palmer  Commander 
of  the  brigade.  After  camping  here  about  two 
months  a  forward  movement  was  made  to 
Alexandria,  where  the  force  embarked  for 
Newport  News  and  marched  to  Yorktown, 
where  they  lay  in  the  front  lines  during  the 
siege.  Then  they  moved  up  the  Peninsula  to 
Williamsburg,  where  a  battle  was  fought,  affor- 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ding  Mr.  Walker  his  first  experience,  and  it 
seemed  indeed  full  of  horrors.  After  the  battle 
the  enemy  set  fire  to  the  field,  which  was  a 
"slashing",  and  the  next  morning  when  the 
Union  men  went  over  the  ground  where  the  re 
bel  dead  were  lying  they  found  the  bodies 
burned  past  all  recognition.  Around  pools  of 
water  crowds  of  the  wounded  had  gathered  to 
quench  their  desperate  thirst,  and  were  burned 
with  the  rest. 

It  is  not  strange  that  this  first  picture  of  the 
terrible  realities  of  war  should  make  a  lasting 
impression.  The  Regt.  remained  in  camp  a  short 
time  at  Williamsburg,  and  then  started  on  the 
long  and  tedious  marches  of  the  Peninsula 
campaign.  Marching  was  hard  and  wearisome, 
so  that  everything  tended  to  retard  the  move 
ment  of  the  army.  Mr.  Walker  believes  that 
Gen.  McClellan  used  every  possible  effort,  and 
did  all  that  any  officer  could  have  done  under 
the  circumstances;  he  also  regards  him  as  a 
good  soldier,  and  a  true  patriot.  After  crossing 
the  Chickahominy,  Mr.  Walker  was  taken  sick 
and  applied  to  the  Surgeon  for  permission  to 
ride,  and  two  men  were  detailed  to  assist  him  to 
camp,  which  was  not  reached  until  late  at  night. 
As  it  was  raining  hard  the  men  left  him,  and 
as  he  was  unable  to  assist  himself,  he  had  a 
poor  prospect  before  him.  He  lay  all  night  in 
his  blankets.  In  the  early  morning  a  lady  ap 
proached,  raised  his  blanket  and  exclaimed 
"My  God,  this  is  Johnny  Walker!"  This  lady 
was  Mrs.  Robt.  Kent  of  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  who 
was  visiting  her  husband,  a  member  of  Co.  B. 
She  gave  the  invalid  a  drink  of  water,  and 
passed  on  leaving  him  in  the  rain.  Soon,  how 
ever  four  men  came  and  carried  him  four  miles 
and  placed  him  in  a  tent.  The  Surgeon  soon 
came  and  ordered  him  removed  to  a  house. 
He  was  placed  on  a  bed  to  be  sent  to  New 
York,  but  at  Yorktown  was  taken  off  and  laid 
on  the  shore  'with  the  hot  sun  shining  in  his 
face.  He  crawled  along  dragging  his  knap 
sack  after  him  and  reached  a  tent,  falling  upon 
the  ground  exhausted.  Here  lying  upon  the 
ground  without  a  bed  for  twenty-five  days,  he 
was  sick  with  typhoid  fever,  often  without 
water  or  proper  attendance.  When  somewhat 


recovered  he  asked  permission  to  join  his  Regt., 
but  the  Surgeon  refused,  believing  it  would  be 
certain  death  to  make  the  attempt.  Mr.  Walker, 
however,  secured  a  revolver  which  he  sold  for 
$5.00  to  make  his  preparations  and  secretly 
boarded  a  boat  bound  for  the  front  at  White 
House  Landing,  a  place  where  Gen.  Washing 
ton  once  lived.  On  the  boat  he  was  not  dis 
covered,  and  landing  safely  he  proceeded  to  a 
Gen.'s  tent  and  asked  permission  to  remain, 
which  was  granted. 

Next  morning  starting  for  the  Regt.  which 
was  at  White  Oak  Swamp,  he  rejoined  it  and 
reported  to  his  Co.,  where  he  found  he  was  re 
garded  as  dead.  His  comrades  were  surprised 
beyond  measure  to  see  him  alive.  Among  his 
old  comrades  again  he  rapidly  improved  in 
health,  and  in  a  few  weeks  was  ready  for  duty. 
During  his  absence  the  Regt.  was  engaged  at 
Fair  Oaks,  which  was  the  only  battle  he  did 
not  participate  in  with  his  Regt.  while  it  was  in 
the  service.  Mr.  Walker,  found  many  changes, 
as  the  Col.  had  been  shot  through  the  lungs, 
the  Maj.  had  been  killed,  and  many  of  his 
comrades  were  missing,  never  again  to  be  seen. 

From  White  Oak  Swamp  there  was  a  retreat 
lasting  several  days  with  daily  skirmishes  with 
the  pursuing  enemy,  and  at  Malvern  Hill,  there 
was  a  stubborn  contest.  The  retreating  men 
were  glad  when  they  approached  Harrison's 
Landing  and  could  receive  the  assistance  of 
the  gun  boats  which  shelled  the  enemy.  At 
this  place  the  army  was  reviewed  by  President 
Lincoln,  and  remained  some  time  in  camp. 
While  here  a  rebel  officer  made  a  dash  with  a 
battery  and  from  the  hills  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river  shelled  the  camp,  making  it  lively 
for  a  time.  Gen.  Keys'  Div.  was  left  at  York- 
town  to  do  garrison  duty  and  build  fortifications, 
where  it  remained  several  months.  The  men 
had  not  been  paid  for  a  long  time,  and  the  98th 
N.  Y.,  stacked  arms  and  refused  further  duty 
until  it  was  paid.  The  Gen.  in  command  or 
dered  out  the  artillery  and  gave  the  rebellious 
Q8th  three  minutes  to  take  arms  or  to  be  blown 
into  another  country.  It  is  not  •  necessary  to 
state  that  the  Regt.  was  in  possession  of  its 
arms  before  the  time  expired.  From  Yorktown 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


93 


the  force  embarked  for  Morehead  City,  N.  C., 
and  built  fortifications  there,  making  a  raid  of 
four  or  five  days  to  Newbern.  From  More- 
head  the  men  were  conveyed  by  vessels  to 
Hilton  Head,  N.  C.,  and  were  sent  up  the  river 
to  Beaufort,  then  to  St.  Helena,  S.  C.,  and 
while  on  the  boats  received  four  months'  pay. 
They  were  next  ordered  to  the  Stine  Inlet,  then 
back  to  St.  Helena  Island,  and  then  by  transports 
to  Newbern,  N.  C.,  which  was  reached  one  week 
behind  time.  They  were  moved  then  by  boats 
to  Norfolk  and  marched  into  the  Dismal 
Swamp.  In  the  fall  of  1863  they  went  into 
winter  quarters  in  the  Dismal  Swamp  and  re 
mained  until  Apr.  At  this  time  the  men  re- 
enlisted  and  went  home  on  furloughs  for  thirty 
days. 

While  building  winter  quarters  Mr.  Walker 
cut  his  foot  proud  flesh  formed  about  the 
wound  and  was  burned  out  with  caustic.  He  was . 
also  sick  with  the  ague.  When  he  recovered 
from  these  misfortunes  a  comrade  was  shot  in 
the  arm,  and  Mr.  Walker  taking  him  to  the 
Surgeon  the  arm  was  amputated.  He  then 
went  out  with  the  wagon  train  to  get  a  chicken 
for  the  wounded  man;  going  to  a  house  for 
this  purpose,  he  was  refused  and  he  captured 
several  fowls,  and  was  pursuing  another,  when 
the  wagons  went  on.  Soon  he  heard  firing  and 
discovered  that  the  train  had  been  fired  on 
by  guerrillas,  and  they  soon  began  firing  on 
him,  but  he  was  not  hit,  as  he  was,  as  he  says, 
"moving" 

While  in  N.  Y.,  on  furlough  Mr.  Walker 
bought  a  farm  and  while  superintending  some 
matters  upon  it  met  a  lady  who  corresponded 
with  him  in  the  army,  and  afterwards  became 
his  wife.  Returning  to  the  army  after  his  visit 
home,  Mr.  Walker  reached  Newport  News  in 
time  to  accompany  his  Regt.  to  City  Point, 
when  it  boarded  transports  and  disembarked  at 
White  House  Landing,  June  I,  1864;  it  then 
marched  to  Cold  Harbor,  and  arriving  in  the 
evening  had  a  fight  with  the  enemy  that  night. 
The  next  day  Mr.  Walker  was  on  the  Vidette 
line  with  instructions  to  keep  awake  all  night. 
It  rained  all  night  and  on  the  morning  of  June 
3d,  was  ordered  back  before  daylight  to  his 


regiment  which  was  hastily  formed  ready  for  a 
charge.  Permission  was  refused  even  to  make 
coffee,  and  at  daybreak  the  Regt.  moved.  The 
enemy  immediately  opened  fire,  but  was 
driven  from  the  first  line  of  works  which  the 
assaulting  party  held.  Here  while  firing  Mr. 
Walker's  gun  was  hit  by  a  bullet  which  shat 
tered  the  stock  from  it  and  drove  a  sliver  three 
inches  long  into  the  flesh  of  his  arm.  He  re 
marked  to  the  Orderly  Sergeant,  I  am  hit. 
Looking  at  his  arm  he  discovered  that  it  was  a 
silver  from  the  gun  stock,  and  extending  it  in  fun 
to  the  Sergeant,  exclaimed:  "  My  God,  Johnny, 
I  am  killed!  good-bye  boys,  good-bye!"  The 
fight  here  was  desperate,  and  about  two-thirds 
of  the  men  in  this  Regt.  were  killed  or  wounded 
in  a  few  minutes,  and  the  companies  scattered. 
On  the  way  to  the  rear  when  thus  wounded 
Mr.  Walker  had  another  gun  destroyed  by  a  rebel 
bullet  and  the  belt  of  his  cartridge  box  cut. 
Going  on  he  saw  the  colors  of  his  Regt.  lying 
on  the  ground  with  the  color  sergeant  and  color 
guard  all  killed.  Although  badly  wounded, 
Mr.  Walker  raised  the  flag  and  soon  had  a 
number  of  men  rallied.  Gen.  Martin  com 
manding  the  Brig.,  came  up  then  and  ordered 
him  to  keep  the  colors.  Mr.  Walker  believes 
now,  as  then,  that  had  reinforcements  been  on 
hand  as  intended  the  charge  would  have  been 
successful.  Walker  obtained  permission  to 
search  for  the  body  of  the  Orderly  Sergeant 
who  had  befriended  him.  The  body  was  found 
but  could  not  be  removed.  At  this  place  Mr. 
Walker  was  made  Duty  Sergeant,  and  moving 
back  to  White  House  Landing  embarked  for 
City  Point,  afterwards  advanced  on  Petersburg 
and  other  points,  with  many  conflicts  with  the 
enemy.  The  fortunes  of  war  stationed  Walker 
who  was  then  Orderly  Sergeant  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  Appotomax  River  where  there  was 
much  hard  work  and  active  warfare.  At  one 
time  while  occupying  entrenchments  in  this 
region  the  rebels  opened  fire  with  sixty  pieces 
of  artillery,  and  the  Union  men  dropped  into 
their  "  gopher  holes,"  and  when  the  enemy 
charged,  the  boys  in  blue  rose  at  a  certain  point 
and  captured  a  lot  of  prisoners,  outnumbering 
their  own  force  two  to  one. 


94 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Here  also  a  call  was  made  for  three  volun 
teers  to  pick  off  the  rebel  gunners,  and  Ser 
geant  Walker  was  one  of  the  men.  The  plan 
was  for  these  three  to  gain  the  shelter  of  a  tree, 
one  to  fire  and  fall  back  and  load  while  the 
other  took  his  place.  Soon  the  battery  began 
dropping  in  the  chosen  tree,  and  one  shell  cut 
away  a  part  of  the  tree.  During  this  time  one 
of  the  three  lost  a  leg  by  a  shell. 

The  subsequent  movements  were  back  to 
City  Point,  then  out  on  Gen.  Butler's  Drury 
Bluff  expedition,  then  to  Fort  Darling,  where 
the  men  were  without  rations  for  four  days  and 
nights,  as  the  supply  train  could  not  be  brought 
up;  then  back  to  City  Point,  from  which  a 
march  was  made  to  Fort  Harrison,  which  was 
captured  in  a  charge,  the  Sist  being  the  first 
on  the  walls.  Here  the  Regt.  was  quartered 
during  the  winter,  coming  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Ord.  An  incident  is  here  related  of 
Gen.  Ord.  He  ordered  a  good  soldier  to  be 
executed  for  a  mistake  made  while  under  the 
influence  of  liquor.  The  men  and  officers 
pleaded  for  the  pardon  of  this  man  in  vain;  the 
Gen.  ordering  a  detail  of  the  condemned  man's 
own  reg't.  to  execute  him  on  his  own  camp 
ground,  which  was  considered  a  direct  insult 
to  the  Regt. 

After  the  winter  camp,  there  was  considera 
ble  activity  and  many  movements  of  this  por 
tion  of  the  army  which  cannot  here  be  re 
counted.  Jan.  i,  1865,  Sergeant  Walker  was 
commissioned  ist  Lieut,  and  placed  in  com 
mand  of  Co.  I.  When  Richmond  was  evacua 
ted  the  8ist  N.  Y,  was  the  first  Regt.  to  march 
into  the  city.  Lieut.  Walker  was  ordered  to 
take  command  of  the  patrol  guards,  and  Libby 
Prison  was  placed  under  his  charge.  He  was 
Officer  of  the  Day,  and  filled  Libby  Prison 
and  Castle  Thunder  with  prisoners.  He  was 
also  sent  out  seven  miles  to  protect  citizens, 
and  camped  near  a  large  house  on  a  beautiful 
lawn,  and  was  treated  well  by  the  people,  al 
though  they  were  rabid  rebels.  At  this  country 
place,  Lieut.  Walker  was  taken  sick,  and  as  his 
Co.  had  returned  to  Richmond,  he  was  left 
alone  for  six  days,  when  he  was  moved  to  Wil- 
liamsburg,  and  when  recovered  detailed  as 


Provost  Marshal.  After  a  short  leave  of  ab 
sence,  and  some  further  service,  which  included 
a  trip  to  Fortress  Monroe,  Lieut.  Walker  went 
to  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  was  mustered  out  Sept. 
16,  1865. 

On  his  return  to  Oswego  he  received  a 
grand  reception.  Sept.  24th,  he  was  married 
to  Ellen  L.  Smith,  of  Oswego,  and  has  now  one 
child,  who  is  named  Luvilla  F.  Lieut.  Walker 
remained  on  his  farm  one  year,  and  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  cheese  for  a  time.  W7ent 
West  in  1868,  locating  near  Aurora,  111.,  and 
farmed  until  1880,  then  moved  into  the  city  and 
opened  a  meat  market,  continuing  one  year. 
He  engaged  then  in  carpentering  three  years, 
when  he  was  on  the  Police  force  for  two  years, 
and  was  Chief  of  Police  three  consecutive  terms. 
Is  now  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  loan 
business,  and  holds  the  office  of  town  constable. 
He  ranks  high  among  the  Odd  Fellows,  having 
filled  all  the  chairs  in  the  lodge  and  camps;  is 
an  active  G.  A.  R.  man,  and  a  working  Repub 
lican.  Lieut.  Walker  has  an  enviable  record  as 
a  soldier,  and  as  a  gentleman  and  citizen  stands 
high  in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow  men. 


JACOB  H.  HOOFSTITLER,  of  Sterling,  Ills., 
was  born  at  Salunga,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa. 
His  parents  were  John  H.  Mary  Ann 
(Hostetter)  Hoofstitler.  Herr  Von  Jacob  Hos- 
tetter,  the  American  progenitor  of  his 
mother's  family,  came  to  this  country  in  1636, 
settling  in  that  part  of  Pa.  now  embraced  in 
the  county  of  Lancaster.  He  was  of  noble 
birth  and  lineage,  and  for  certain  religious 
tenets  had  been  banished  from  Prussia  to 
Holland  and  to  Switzerland,  whence  he  emi 
grated  to  the  U.  S.  The  original  grant  of  land 
made  to  him  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
family.  The  Hoofstitler  family  is  of  Swiss 
origin,  and  the  American  branch  was  estab 
lished  in  Phila.  about  the  middle  of  the  i8th 
century.  The  males  of  the  family  were  soldiers 
of  the  Revolution.  The  paternal  grandfather 
of  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  whose  name  was 
William,  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  the  Mexi 
can  War,  and  at  the  age  of  75  enlisted  in  the  war 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


95 


of  the  rebellion.  By  dint  of  shaving  and  dyeing 
his  hair  he  passed  muster  and  followed  the  for 
tunes  of  the  Union  army  until  the  close  of  the 
conflict.  He  died  at  Clifton  Heights  at  the  age 
of  98.  His  son,  John  H.,  the  father  of  Jacob 
H.,  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  was,  for  many 
years  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Salunga,  Pa.,  until  1871  when  he  removed  to 
Millersville,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  fol 
lowed  the  mercantile  business,  retiring  in  1889. 
He  and  his  wife  are  living  at  their  old  home 
in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health.  They  had 
eleven  children,  five  of  whom  attained  adult 
age.  Jacob  H.,  Sadie  (Mrs  S.  S.  Crieder,  of 
Sterling,  Ills.),  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Levenite,  of 
Millersville,  Pa.),  Susan,  who  married  C.  C. 
Hopton,  injured  in  a  R.  R.  wreck  and  died  from 
the  effects,  afterwards  was  married  to  Amos 
H.  Martin,  of  Phila.;  and  William  H.,  who 
is  engaged  in  the  Hotel  business  at  Sterling, 
111. 

As  a  boy  Jacob  H.  continued  at  home  until 
his  I2th  year,  when  he  entered  Lititz  Academy, 
Pa.,  .where  he  prosecuted  his  studies  for  three 
years.  Running  away  from  school  in  1861,  he 
went  to  Phila.  where  he  enlisted  in  the  Pa.  Re 
serves,  going  into  camp  at  Phila.,  and  thence  to 
Washington.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Phila. 
in  July,  1864,  and  re-enlisted  in  July  at  Lan 
caster,  as  a  hundred  days  man,  in  Co.  K.,  I95th 
Pa.  Vol.  Inf.  He  was  mustered  into  the  service 
at  Harrisburg  with  the  rank  of  2nd  Lieut.  From 
Harrisburg  the  Regt.  moved  to  the  Relay 
House,  Md.,  and  thence  after  several  weeks  to 
Monocacy  Junction  and  then  to  Martinsburg, 
performing  patrol  duty  along  the  line  of  rail 
way  between  that  point  and  Wheeling,  W.  Va. 
The  Regt.  was  assigned  to  the  2nd  Brig.,  3rd 
Div.,  8th  Corps,  re-enlisting  for  one  year,  or 
during  the  war,  and  going  to  Washington, 
where  they  performed  patrol  service  until  the 
close  of  the  conflict. 

During  his  military  life,  Capt.  Hoofstitler 
devoted  much  time  to  the  study  of  the  law  in 
a  course  of  reading  at  Washington  and  else 
where,  being  incited  thereto  by  the  advice  of 
Hon.  Thad.  Stephens,  who  allowed  him  the  use 
of  such  of  his  books  as  were  essential  to  a  com 


prehensive  knowledge  of  the  profession.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  March,  1865,  at 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  obtaining  leave  of  absence  from 
his  command  for  that  purpose.  The  war  ended, 
he  went  home,  and  subsequently  to  Sterling, 
111.,  where  he  remained  a  short  time,f  when  he 
departed  for  the  plains  of  the  far  West.  He 
was  appointed  a  Government  scout,  and  was 
stationed  at  Fort  Omaha,  Neb.,  engaged  in  the 
operations  of  the  military  forces  against  the 
notorious  band  of  Quantrell  for  about  one  year. 
On  the  extinction  of  the  marauders,  in  which 
he  was  prominently  identified  as  contributing 
valuable  services,  he  achieved  commensurate 
distinction,  and  was  for  the  subsequent  three 
months  stationed  at  Yankton,  Dak.,  operating 
against  Dr.  Middleton'-s  gang  of  robbers  and 
horse  thieves. 

Going  thence  to  Denver,  he  removed  to 
Julesburg,  where  he  established  his  headquar 
ters.  While  here  he  was  appointed  by  Judge 
Bartlett,  Clerk  of  the  United  States  District 
Court,  alternately  serving  in  that  capacity  and 
in  scouting  for  about  one  year.  During  this 
period  the  surrounding  country  was  infested 
with  every  species  of  robbers  and  thieves  that 
could  be  reckoned.  Every  previous  Mayor  or 
Judge  who  had  undertaken  to  hold  a  Court  of 
justice,  or  to  maintain  order  had  been  killed. 
The  first  session  of  the  court  to  which  he  had 
been  appointed  clerk  was  held  in  1867,  at  which 
occurred  the  trial  of  "  One-eyed  Jack  "  and 
"Shorty,"  the  characteristic  appellations  of  two 
of  the  most  desperate  and  daring  of  the  noto 
rious  crooks  and  bandits  whose  punishment  the 
court  was  instituted  to  determine.  Ranged 
around  the  court  room  were  about  two  hundred 
of  the  desperado  friends  of  the  prisoners, 
armed  to  the  teeth  with  bowie  knives  and  pis 
tols.  The  Judge  inquired  of  the  arraigned 
prisoners  if  they  had  secured  counsel  for  their 
defense.  Their  reply  was  that  "they  didn't 
reckon  any  would  be  needed."  The  Judge  then 
astonished  his  auditors  by  the  emphatic  decla 
ration:  "  By  God  gentlemen,  if  the  testimony  is 
sufficient  to  convict,  I'll  pronounce  the  sen 
tence."  The  Judge  appointed  an  attorney  to 
defend  the  prisoners  and  allowed  them  the 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


right  of  trial  by  jury.  The  testimony  adduced 
was  positively  confirmatory  of  the  guilt  of  the 
accused.  The  jury  was  duly  instructed  by  the 
Judge  as  to  their  duty  as  indicated  in  the  evi 
dence.  Retiring  for  consultation,  they  returned 
within  fifteen  minutes,  but  the  foreman  was 
afraid  to  announce  the  verdict.  The  Judge 
now  instructed  the  Clerk  to  poll  the  jury.  The 
answer  of  the  foreman  was  "guilty,"  whereupon 
400  revolvers  were  drawn  by  the  200  despera 
does,  allies  of  the  guilty  wretches  upon  whom 
the  sentence  of  the  law  was  about  to  be  passed. 
The  Judge,  with  a  coolness  which  ever  com 
mands  respect, said:  "  I  have  heard  your  threats, 
I  know  your  intentions,  I  give  you  fair  warn 
ing.  There  is  room  enough  in  the  sand  hills  of 
Julesburg  to  bury  every  d — d  desperado  that 
infests  the  plains."  He  pronounced  the  sen 
tence — six  months  imprisonment,  and  a  fine  of 
$250.00,  and  to  stand  committed  until  the  fine 
and  costs  were  paid.  "  Sheriff,"  said  the  Judge, 
"  take  these  men  to  jail."  The  Sheriff  refusing 
to  obey  the  order,  the  Judge  drew  his  revolvers 
and  placing  one  at  the  head  of  each  of  the 
prisoners,  said:  "These  men  go  to  jail  or  fall 
dead,  if  I  turn  my  toes  up  the  next  minute. 
Clerk,  cover  the  mob."  The  Clerk  obeyed  the 
order  of  the  Court  by  drawing  his  revolvers 
and  keeping  the  desperadoes  at  bay,  while  the 
Judge  conducted  the  prisoners  to  the  jail.  This 
court  was  in  session  for  13  weeks  during  which 
there  were  so  many  convictions  as  to  compel 
the  erection  of  additional  jail  facilities  for  the 
confinement  of  the  criminals. 

When  the  term  of  "  Shorty  "  and  "  One-eyed 
Jack"  had  expired,  they  inquired  for  the  office 
of  Judge  Bartlett,  of  which  the  Judge  received 
notice,  thinking  perhaps  they  were  seeking  his 
lite,  but  remarked:  "Tell  them  to  come  on." 
Knocking  at  the  door  of  his  office,  they  were 
invited  to  enter.  To  the  query  of  the  Judge — 
"What  is  it  you  want  gentlemen?"  They  re 
plied:  "  We  want  to  shake  hands  with  you  and 
congratulate  you  as  being  the  first  Judge  that 
ever  had  any  sand  in  his  craw." 

Captain  Hoofstitler  soon  after  these  thrill 
ing  experiences,  returned  to  Sterling,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  was  variously  employed 


up  to  Feb.,  1875,  when  he  began  a  crusade  in 
the  cause  of  temperance  and  prohibition,  tak 
ing  the  lecture  field  in  the  advocacy  of  the 
principles  of  his  doctrine.  He  has  delivered 
lectures  upon  these  topics  in  every  State  and 
Territory  of  the  Union,  and  by  the  fervor  and 
brilliancy  of  his  oratory  carried  conviction  to 
thousands  of  his  auditors,  and  established  the 
salutary  reform  implied  in  total  abstinence. 
In  his  lecture  tours  he  has  frequently  been  re 
quired  to  deal  with  infuriated  mobs,  and  often 
at  great  personal  peril,  but  his  undaunted  mien, 
and  the  thunder  of  his  voice  never  failed  to 
awe  them  into  abject  submission  to  his  dic 
tates.  The  imperiousness  of  his  character  is 
but  understood  by  those  who  have  heard  his 
lectures  and  felt  the  fire  of  his  eloquence.  He 
possesses  the  remarkable  faculty  of  holding 
his  audience  spell-bound  as  by  magic  chains, 
and  affected  to  tears  or  laughter  as  his  dis 
course  runs  from  grave  to  gay — trom  lively  to 
severe.  His  pictures  of  pitiless  sorrow  from  the 
drunkard's  ruined  home  to  the  grand,  true  and 
noble  example  of  the  temperate,  dwelling  amid 
the  charm  of  a  sanctuary  hallowed  by  angel's 
visits,  are  drawn  in  pathetic  similes  that  startle 
and  impress. 

He  also  possesses  the  faculty  of  using 
anecdote  as  an  effective  illustration,  through 
his  remarkable  power  as  a  story-teller.  His 
success  as  a  lecturer  has  been  phenomenal,  and 
has  placed  him  in  the  category  of  the  leading 
temperance  and  prohibition  advocates  of  the 
age. 

Captain  Hoofstitler  was  married  May  17, 
1870,  at  Morrison,  111.,  to  Mary  E.  (Meyers), 
Kauffman,  of  Sterling,  111.  Mrs.  Hoofstitler's 
parents  were  members  of  old  and  highly  re 
spected  families  of  Pa.,  and  are  still  living. 
They  had  ten  children:  John  H.,  drowned  at 
Sterling  when  13  years  of  age,  Jacob  H., 
Francis  M.,  Charles  Sumner,  Mary  E.,  Amy 
H.,  Harry  H.,  Bessie,  Pearl  and  William  H. 
Amy  died  at  the  age  of  seven,  and  a  baby  at 
the  age  of  seven  months.  Mrs.  Hoofstitler 
died  April  3,  1890.  Captain  Hoofstitler  is  a 
pronounced  and  confirmed  prohibitionist,  and 
omits  no  proper  occasion  to  voice  his  senti- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


merits  in  forcible  and  convincing  expressions. 
In  this  man  the  cause  of  temperance  has  an 
able  exponent,  whose  highest  aims  and  earn 
est  labors  are  pledged  and  directed  to  its  sup 
port.  He  understands  as  few  can  the  danger 
ous  leadings  of  intemperance,  the  bitterest  foe 
that  assails  humanity,  and  his  noble  efforts  of 
this  arch-enemy  of  mankind,  constitute  him  a 
faithful  apostle  in  the  work  he  unremittingly 
prosecutes. 

Capt.  Hoofstitler  has  been  Prest.  of  the  State 
Christian  Temperance  Union  of  Ills.,  2nd  Vice 
Prest.  of  the  International  Temperance  Alliance 
of  the  world,  financial  Sec.  of  the  National 
Christian  Temperance  Union  of  the  U.  S. 

The  Capt.  was  formerly  a  strong  republican 
in  his  political  faith,  born  in  a  home  of  aboli 
tionism.  His  father  and  mother  were  strong 
advocates  in  favor  of  the  overthrow  of  the 
Institution  of  slavery.  They  believed  that 
slavery  was  a  national  sin  before  God  and  a 
national  crime  before  men.  His  father  at  one 
time  held  the  enviable  position  of  underground 
conductor,  in  assisting  fugitive  slaves  to  escape 
into  Canada;  he  was  one  of  the  men  that  voted 
for  the  Liberty  party  candidate  (James  G. 
Birney),  in  1840,  for  President,  and  continued 
x'oting  with  that  party  until  out  of  it  grew  the 
Republican  party. 

The  Capt.  in  his  youth  was  taught  to  love 
principle  in  preference  to  party. 

Slavery  has  been  abolished,  and  the  gentle 
man  now  claims  that  while  we  are  all  free,  we 
find  the  nation  one-half  drunk  and  the  other 
half  sober— he  believes  this  nation  cannot  exist 
one  half  drunk  and  the  other  half  sober, — we 
must  either  be  all  sober,  or  all  drunk.  As  for 
himself,  he  prefers  sobriety  to  that  of  drunk 
enness,  and  believing  that  the  liquor  interests 
are  the  greatest  enemy  of  loyalty,  patriotism, 
and  to  American  manhood  and  womanhood — 
has  now  thrown  his  influence  with  the  prohibi- 
bition  party.  He  occupies  an  enviable  posi 
tion  among  the  leaders  and  advisers  of  the 
party,  and  firmly  feels  confident  of  the  final 
overthrow  of  the  liquor  traffic  in  the  nation. 
He  is  a  man  of  strong  convictions,  a  born  ora 
tor,  and  has  a  bright  future  before  him. 

7 


JOEL  CARTER,  of  EarlVille,  111.,  was  born 
there  June,  1837;  is  one  of  the  first  per 
sons  born  in  La  Salle  County,  and  was 
a  son  of  Samuel  O.  and  Larana  (Thornton) 
Carter.  His  father  was  the  descendent  of  one 
of  three  brothers  who  emigrated  to  this  country 
from  Scotland  in  1666;  one  of  whom  settled  in 
New  Hampshire;  another  in  Virginia,  while  the 
third,  the  ancestor  of  Samuel  O.,  settled  in  New 
Hampshire.  Samuel  O.  was  born  in  N.  H.,  and 
subsequently  removed  to  N.  Y.  State,  where  he 
followed  farming  until  the  year  1835,  when  he 
removed  to  La  Salle  County,  111.  An  ancestor 
of  our  subject's  paternal  grandmother,  was  one 
of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  who  came  to  this 
country  in  the  Mayflower,  in  1620.  Mr.  Carter's 
paternal  great  grandfather  was  in  the  Revolu 
tionary  war,  and  his  grandfathers  Carter  and 
Thornton,  were  both  in  the  war  of  1812.  Our 
subject  received  a  common  school  education 
while  attending  in  the  summer  months  to 
ordinary  duties  upon  his  father's  farm.  He 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army  for  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Ottawa  as 
First  Lieut.,  in  Co.  1. 4th  111.  Cav.  on  Sept.  26, 1861, 
and  shortly  after  marched  to  Springfield,  111., 
and  afterwards  by  rail  to  Cairo  where  the  men 
were  employed  in  preparing  camp  grounds  and 
building  protective  works.  In  the  month  of 
Dec.  the  army  was  ordered  to  make  a  recon- 
noissance  of  Columbus,  and  preparatory  to 
that  movement,  his  regiment  was  placed  in 
McClernand's  Div.  and  moved  in  advance,  arid 
became  the  advance  body  of  the  army,  which 
position  it  maintained  during  the  entire  move 
ment.  With  the  army  it  afterwards  returned 
to  Cairo,  and  there  remained  until  the  ex 
pedition  upon  Fort  Henry,  when  it  was  loaded 
on  transports  and  proceeded  as  far  as  Parson's 
Ferry  on  the  Tenn.  River,  and  from  thence  by 
land  to  Panther  Island,  directly  below  Fort 
Henry.  On  the  following  morning  it  was 
ordered  to  assume  the  advance  of  McClernand's 
Div.  which  it  did,  and  advancing,  drove  in  the 
rebel  pickets  pursuing  them  over  the  outer 
works,  immediately  followed  by  Oglesby's  Brig, 
of  Infantry,  which  took  possession  of  the  forts 
and  a  few  prisoner's,  while  the  4th  cavalry  fol- 


98 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


lowed  the  retreating  foe  toward  Fort  Donel- 
son,  and  participated  in  the  hostilities  at  that 
place.  It  first  moved  to  and  encamped  at 
Randolph  Forges,  and  afterward  opposite  the 
mouth  of  the  Sandy  on  theTenn.  River.  Leav 
ing  this  camp,  it  went  on  steamers  to  Savannah 
and  later  to  the  lower  landing  of  Pittsburg 
where  it  was  disembarked  and  went  into  camp. 
Here  the  4th  Cav.  Regt.  was  assigned  to  Brig.- 
Gen.  Louman's  command,  with  which  it  re 
mained  until  the  6th  of  April,  when  companies 
E.,  F.,  G.,  H.,  I.,  K.,  L.  and  M..  were  assigned  to 
Gen.  Sherman  and  were  moved  out  to  the 
extreme  front  and  went  into  camp  on  the  left 
of  the  old  church  near  the  53d  Ohio  Inf.  While 
in  this  position  on  the  morning  of  April  6,  and 
while  the  men  were  eating  breakfast  under  a 
shower  of  bullets,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
mount  at  once  and  report  to  Gen.  Sherman, 
and  participated  in  the  famous  battle  known 
as  Shiloh,  fought  on  that  and  the  following 
day.  Mr.  Carter's  Regt.  subsequently  led  the 
van  in  a  raid  upon  Purdy's  forces  in  which  it 
captured  a  train  and  destroyed  considerable 
railroad  track  and  several  bridges.  In  the 
movement  against  Corinth,  the  section  of  the 
4th  under  Gen.  Sherman,  took  the  advance 
upon  the  right  and  continued  to  work  day 
and  night  during  the  siege  there  and  until 
Gen.  Beauregard  with  his  army  had  evacuated 
that  city,  and  was  the  first  of  Gen.  Sherman's 
army  to  occupy  the  place  thus  evacuated. 
Afterwards,  the  Regt.  proceeded  West,  reaching 
Memphis  in  August,  then  moved  to  Trenton  on 
the  line  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  R.  R.,  where 
it  remained  scouting  in  every  direction  until 
the  general  movement  down  the  line  of  that 
road  and  the  Miss,  region  commenced,  when  it 
came  up  with  a  section  of  Price's  army  under 
VanDorn  in  the  vicinity  of  Holly  Springs,  fol 
lowed  him  to  near  Coffeeville,  where  it  lost 
Lieut.  Col.  McCullough,  then  fell  back  to  Water 
Valley,  and  subsequently  back  to  Moscow  and 
Colliersville.  Toward  the  end  of  Oct.,  1862, 
Mr.  Carter  was  sent  to  Springfield  and  there 
mustered  out  of  the  service  and  discharged  Nov. 
26,  having  been  incapaciated  for  further  serv 
ice.  He  was  wounded  near  Moscow,  July  13 


and  again,  Oct.  2,  three  times,  and  subsequently 
had  his  leg  broken.  He  was  8  weeks  in  a 
hospital  before  being  mustered  out,  and  re 
mained  unfit  for  any  physical  work  forupwards 
of  a  year  after  his  discharge. 

Since  the  war  he  has  engaged  in  farming 
and  is  now  residing  upon  a  beautiful  farm  near 
Earlville,  where  he  deservedly  enjoys  the 
esteem  and  good  will  of  a  large  circle  of 
acquaintances.  In  the  year  1873,  he  made  an 
extended  trip  across  the  Atlantic  and  visited 
many  of  the  important  towns  in  Great  Britain. 
On  his  return  to  La  Salle  County,  he  married 
Miss  Anna  B.  Swoveland,  Oct.  6,  1878,  and  five 
children  have  been  born  to  them.  They  are 
Louis,  Clyde,  Mark  Osley,  Alma  and  Irene. 

He  had  a  brother  in  the  same  war  who  died 
in  the  service  May  28,  1862.  Mr.  Carter  has 
been  employed  by  the  U.  S.  Government  on 
several  occasions  on  important  and  dangerous 
duties  connected  with  the  Detective  Service, 
which  he  performed  with  ability  and  good 
judgment.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  475, 
G.  A.  R.,  at  Earlville. 


ELHANAN  C.  WINTERS,  of  Rock  Falls,  111., 
the  son  of  James  M.  and  Susan  (Gyger) 
Winters,  was  born  Sept.  18,  1843,  at  Bed 
ford,  Ind.  James  M.  Winters,  the  father  of 
Elhanan  C.,  was  born  in  Genesee  county,  N. 
Y.,  in  1809.  His  father,  Timothy,  was  of 
German  parentage,  born  in  Boston,  Mass. 
Timothy's  father  met  his  death  at  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill.  Both  the  grandfathers  and  the 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir  were  sol 
diers,  as  had  been  his  great  grandfather.  His 
grandfather  Timothy  served  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  his  father,  James  M.,  in  the  Mexican  War. 
His  maternal  grandfather,  George  Gyger,  was 
born  in  Virginia,  and  served  with  distinction  in 
wars  with  the  Indians.  The  family  of  Gyger 
is  of  Scotch  ancestry,  and  the  name  is  notable 
in  Scottish  history. 

James  M.  Winters  was  a  farmer  by  occupa 
tion,  and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Indiana 
when  but  14  years  of  age.  Here  he  met  Miss 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


99 


Gyger,  who  became  his  wife  in  1830.  In  1847 
he  removed  to  Wysox  township,  Carroll  Co., 
Ills.,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  which  he 
operated  until  all  of  his  children  had  attained 
adult  age.  He  is  still  living  at  Coleta,  White- 
side  Co.,  Ills.  His  wife  died  at  Coleta  in  1884. 
She  was  the  mother  of  9  children — Catherine, 
(Mrs.  I.  N.  Dodd,  of  Green,  Kan.),  William  J., 
residing  at  Creighton,  Neb.,  Tabitha,  residing 
at  Coleta,  Ills.,  George  C.,  who  died  at  Louis 
ville.  Ky.,  Dec.  27,  1861.  (He  enlisted  in  the 
same  company  and  Regt.  as  his  brother,  but 
was  attacked  with  typhoid  fever  at  Louisville, 
Ky.,  where  he  died  and  was  buried.)  James 
B.,  who  served  three  years  in  Co.  K.,  I5th  Ills., 
and  now  living  at  Chekalis,  Washington; 
Elhanan  C.,  Matilda  (Mrs.  E.  M.  Olmstead,  of 
Milledgeville,  111.),  Melissa  (Mrs.  Chas.  Wal 
lace,  of  Oregon);  and  John  M.,  who  died  when 
but  four  years  old. 

Of  Elhanan  C.  Winters  as  a  boy,  it  is  only 
necessary  to  state  that  whatever  his  teachers 
or  parents  commanded  him  to  do,  he  did  with 
all  his  might.  This  principle  of  his  conduct 
has  had  a  strong  bearing  upon  his  life  and  con 
tributed  essentially  to  his  career  as  a  soldier. 
He  enlisted  at  Sterling  Aug.  7th,  1861,  in  Co. 
A.,  34th  Ills.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Camp 
Butler,  Springfield,  Ills.,  Sept.  7,  1861..  The 
Regt.  proceeded  to  the  front  on  Oct.  3,  going 
through  Cincinnati,  Covington,  Lexington, 
Frankfort  and  Louisville,  joining  Sherman's 
army  at  Camp  Nevans,  near  Elizabethtown, 
Ky.,  Oct.  15.  Remaining  here  until  Nov.  15, 
the  command  moved  on  to  Mumfordsville, 
there  going-  into  winter  quarters.  In  Feb., 
1862,  they  were  ordered  to  unite  with  the 
forces  of  Gen.  Grant  at  Fort  Donelson,  but  did 
not  reach  there  in  time  to  participate  in  the 
battle,  and  retraced  their  march  through  Ky.  to 
Nashville,  being  the  first  troops  to  arrive  at 
that  point.  The  organization  at  that  time  con 
stituting  the  5th  Brig,  was  composed  of  the 
34th  Ills.,  29th  Ind.,  3<Dth  Ind.,and  the  77th  Pa., 
commanded  by  Gen.  E.  N.  Kirk.  The  command 
rested  at  Nashville  until  about  the  middle  of 
March.  Sherman  was  superseded  by  Buell 
while  at  Camp  Nevans.  Leaving  Nashville  to 


join  Grant's  army  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  they 
arrived  within  26  miles  of  that  point,  when  the 
battle  began  on  Sunday  the  6th,  and  at  sunrise 
on  the  7th  reached  the  battle  field  where  the 
Brig,  was  held  in  reserve  under  fire  for  several 
hours,  when  it  became  actively  involved  by 
relieving  Russean's  Brig. 

From  this  time  until  the  end  of  the  conflict 
the  Brig,  withstood  a  galling  fire,  losing  129 
men  in  killed  and  wounded.  During  the  siege 
of  Corinth,  in  the  following  May  and  June,  the 
command  remained  at  that  point,  being  in  a 
conspicuous  position  in  the  incident  engage 
ments  until  the  evacuation.  After  this  the  Regt. 
took  up  its  long  march  to  luka,  Tuscumbia, 
Huntsville,  and  Battle  Creek,  resting  at  the 
latter  place  for  about  a  month.  In  the  memor 
able  campaigns  and  battles  that  followed,  and 
in  which  Mr.  Winters  always  acquitted  himself 
with  credit  and  honor,  the  details  of  history 
furnish  accurate  accounts.  He  was  promoted 
from  Corpl.  to  Sergt.  for  exemplary  conduct, 
and  was  frequently  required  to  undertake  the 
most  hazardous  enterprises.  On  one  of  these 
occasions  he  led  a  desperate  charge  across  a 
field  covered  by  the  enemy's  fire,  driving  them 
from  their  ambush  in  the  woods,  and  capturing 
the  flag  of  the  7th  Ark.  During  the  encamp 
ment  at  Chattanooga  he  was  near  his  mother's 
old  home,  an  incident  of  his  life  as  a  soldier 
of  much  interest.  It  was  at  this  time  that  his 
Regt.  was  incorporated  with  the  2d  Brig.  2d 
Div.,  I4th  A.  C..  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
John  M.  Palmer.  During  the  battle  of  Look 
out  Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge  they,  from 
their  position  at  Moccasin's  Point  on  the  oppo 
site  side  of  the  river,  had  an  excellent  view  of 
those  sanguinary  encounters  the  result  of  which 
were  so  disastrous  to  the  enemy.  At  his  period 
of  re-enlistment  Mr.  Winters  was  granted  a 
furlough  for  30  days,  which  he  spent  at  home. 
Returning,  he  rejoned  his  Regt.  near  Rossville, 
Ga.,  about  March  i,  1864.  His  Co.  had  been 
recruited  to  its  full  quota.  Here  he  was  for 
some  time  engaged  in  drilling  raw  recruits.  At 
Resaca  the  regiment  was  again  hotly  engaged 
for  several  hours,  and  was  distinguished  for  gal 
lant  and  effective  service  in  checking  the  ene- 


IOC 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


my's  advance.  In  the  almost  daily  battles  in 
which  he  participated,  and  in  the  many  peril 
ous  situations  in  which  he  was  placed,  Sergeant 
Winters  preserved  a  calm  unruffled  courage, 
which  no  danger  however  great  could  destroy. 
At  Peach  Tree  Creek  Sergeant  Winters  main 
tained  his  splendid  reputation  for  gallantry,  and 
won  additional  laurels  by  his  intrepid  and  de 
cisive  action.  At  Jonesboro  his  Regt.  led  the 
charge  of  the  Brig,  upon  the  enemy's  works,  in 
which  it  behaved  in  the  most  admirable  man 
ner,  capturing  the  position,  cannon,  and  a  large 
number  of  prisoners,  and  winning  from  Gen. 
Sherman  an  enthusiastic  comment.  Promotion 
to  istSergt.  was  now  conferred  upon  Mr.  Win 
ters.  He  served  through  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
and  was  always  preferred  by  his  commander 
for  any  undertaking  involving  the  employment 
of  considerate  judgment  and  inflexible  cour 
age.  Passing  through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas 
he  shared  with  his  Regt.  in  numerous  battles 
and  skirmishes  until  the  surrender  of  Gen. 
Johnston,  when  he  repaired  to  Washington, 
where  he  took  part  in  the  grand  '  review  of  the 
army  on  the  24th  day  of  May,  1865.  He  was 
mustered  out  at  Louisville,  July  12,  1865,  and 
finally  discharged  at  Chicago  July  lyth,  1865, 
having  served  three  years  and  nearly  eleven 
months.  He  was  several  times  slightly  wound 
ed,  at  Shiloh  in  the  shoulder,  at  Atlanta  by  a 
fragment  of  shell,  and  at  Jonesboro  by  a  spent 
ball  from  a  rifle  striking  his  forehead.  Return 
ing  to  Carroll  Co.,  Ills.,  he  was  em 
ployed  in  farming  until  1876,  and  for  two 
years  afterwards  was  engaged  with  Alt  & 
Emmett  in  the  sale  of  farm  machinery.  His 
next  venture  in  business  was  as  a  dealer  in  agri 
cultural  implements  and  machinery  at  Coleta, 
in  which  he  continued  until  Oct.,  1881.  Having 
painful  and  serious  injuries  in  a  fall  from  a  wind 
mill,  breaking  one  arm  and  leg,  he  was  incapaci 
tated  for  more  than  a  year  for  exertion  of  any 
kind,  and  consequently  sold  his  business  inter 
ests.  When  he  had  fully  recovered  from  the 
effects  of  his  injuries,  he  took  the  road  as  a 
traveling  salesman  until  1887,  when  he  was 
stricken  with  paralysis,  which  again  retired  him 
for  a  year  and  a  half.  He  came  to  Rock  Falls 


in  Oct.  1890  and  embarked  in  the  real  estate 
and  insurance  business.  In  Dec.,  of  the  same 
year  he  was  elected  a  Justice  of  the  Peace;  he 
is  also  a  pension  claims  agent.  His  business 
is  in  a  highly  flourishing  condition.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  Will  Enderton's  Post, 
G.  A.  R.,  No.  729  and  holds  the  position  of  Adju 
tant  in  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  No.  148.  He  mar 
ried  at  Coleta,  Ills.,  Dec.  20,  1866,  Paulina, 
the  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Hills) 
Scoville,  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Whiteside 
County,  and  a  native  of  Genesee  County  N.  Y. 
The  children  of  this  union  are  Wayne  C.,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  5;  James  C.,  Alice  M.  and 
Ira  Carl,  all  of  whom  are  with  their  parents  at 
home.  Mrs.  Winters'  mother  isstill  living;  her 
father  died  in  1887.  Mr.  Winters  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  politics  and  always  votes  the  Re 
publican  ticket.  He  has  served  as  Chairman 
of  the  Central  Committee  of  Genesee  Town 
ship,  also  as  Supervisor  in  1881.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Winters  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
Church. 


ENOCH  W.  MOORE,  M.  D.  The  name  that 
stands  at  the  head  of  this  memoir,  repre 
sents  one  of  the  well  and  widely  known 
physicians  of  Decatur,  111.  He  was  born  at 
Waterloo,  111.,  Dec.  7,  1821,  and  is  the  son  of 
Enoch  and  Mary  (Whiteside)  Moore.  The 
elder  Moore  was  a  native  of  111.,  where  he  was 
born  Feb.  17,  1783.  He  was  from  an  old  and 
prominent  Va.  family  and  by  profession  a  civil 
engineer,  which  calling  he  pursued  up  to  the 
time  of  his  demise  at  the  age  of  65.  During  a 
part  of  his  life  he  was  Government  surveyor, 
employed  chiefly  in  the  territory  now  embraced 
by  111.,  which  was  at  that  time  largely  settled 
by  the  Indians.  When  the  war  of  1812,  between 
the  United  States  and  Great  Britain  began,  he 
was  commissioned  1st  Lieut.,  and  served  with 
distinction  in  the  Federal  army  until  peace  was 
declared.  His  brother,  James  B.,  was  also  in 
this  war  serving  as  Capt.  His  father,  James, — 
the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, — 
was  a  Captain  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


101 


serving  mostly  under  that  distinguished  Gen 
eral,  George  Rogers  Clarke. 

When  Gen.  Clarke  was  placed  in  command 
of  the  Northwestern  territory  by  Patrick  Henry, 
then  governor  of  Va.,  Capt.  Moore  was  sent  out 
by  him  to  visit  that  portion  of  the  territory  now 
embraced  by  111.;  to  make  surveys,  draft  maps, 
and  examine  into  the  condition  of  the  country 
generally.  In  the  discharge  of  this  important 
and  responsible  trust,  he  visited  Fort  Charter, 
Kaskaskia  and  Vincennes,  and  having  com 
pleted  his  examination  he  returned  to  Gen. 
Clarke's  headquarters,  then  in  Va.,  and  made 
his  report.  In  1781  he  removed  to  Kaskaskia, 
and  the  year  following  to  Bellefontaine,  111., 
where  he  died  and  was  buried. 

Mary  Whiteside,  the  wife  of  Enoch  Moore, 
was  born  at  the  head  of  the  big  Elkhorn,  in 
Ky.,  and  came  to  what  is  now  the  State  of  111., 
with  her  father,  Col.  William  Whiteside,  in 
1788,  who  was  a  leader  in  all  the  Indian  wars  of 
that  period,  and  who  located  at  Whiteside  Sta 
tion,  Monroe  County.  Enoch  and  Mary  Moore, 
the  parents  of  Dr.  Moore,  had  ten  children,  who 
were  named  as  follows:  James,  Elizabeth, 
McKendree,  Nancy,  Nelson,  Samuel  P.,  Enoch, 
Walker,  Julia,  David  N.  and  Mary. 
Young  Enoch  was  carefully  reared  at  home, 
receiving  such  educational  instruction  as  the 
common  schools  of  that  locality  and  time 
afforded,  until  he  was  20  years  of  age.  They 
were  not  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  thirst  for 
knowledge  that  burned  within  him  and  accord 
ingly  he  was  sent  to  a  select  school  at  Water 
loo  taught  by  Nathan  Scarrett,  to  pursue  a 
course  of  studies,  where  he  studied,  for  two 
years,  the  higher  mathematics,  languages  and 
other  branches.  He  then  taught  school  in  111., 
and  la.,  until  he  was  27  years  of  age,  when  he 
entered  the  Medical  College  at  St.  Louis,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  M. 
D.,  in  1853.  He  went  to  Carlisle,  111.,  and  com 
menced  his  practice,  remaining  there  until 
1856,  when  he  removed  to  Decatur.  His  natu 
ral  adaptation  for  the  profession  he  had  chosen, 
and  his  thorough  equipment,  by  deep  study 
and  extensive  research  in  medical  science, 
produced  the  natural  result,  and  he  soon  was  in 


the    enjoyment    of  an  extensive  and    lucrative 
practice. 

The  great  rebellion  was  now  under  full  head, 
and  it  seemed  that  the  service  of  every  able- 
bodied  man  was  needed  to  quell  it.  Though 
loath  to  leave  his  large  circle  of  patients,  yet 
the  military  blood  of  his  ancestors,  quickened 
by  his  patriotism  and  deep  love  of  country, 
prompted  him  to  disregard  these  obligations 
and  offer  his  services  for  the  preservation  of 
the  Union,  and  he  enlisted  Oct.  3,  1862.  He 
concluded  that  he  could  the  better  serve  his 
country  in  the  line  of  his  profession,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  army  as  Surgeon  of  the 
iiSth  111.  Inf. 

With  his  Regt.  he  proceeded  to  Cincinnati, 
thence  to  Covington  and  then  with  it  marched 
through  Kentucky  as  a  part  of  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland.  In  Feb.  1863  the  Regt.  em 
barked  for  Nashville,  and  later  had  an  engage 
ment  with  Van  Dorn's  Div.  of  the  army  at 
Franklin,  Tenn.,  in  which  Doctor  Moore,  stimu 
lated  by  the  spirit  of  conflict,  personally 
participated,  it  being  his  first  and  only  expe 
rience  in  active  battle.  His  physical  condition 
having  been  weak  for  some  time  and  his  health 
having  entirely  given  away,  he  reluctantly  was 
forced  to  tender  his  resignation,  and  was  mus 
tered  out  on  account  of  disability  in  May,  1863, 
and  returned  home.  It  was  a  long  time  after 
his  return  before  he  recovered  from  the  effects 
of  his  army  experience  sufficiently  to  resume 
his  practice.  When  he  did,  he  soon  regained 
his  old  patients  with  many  new  ones,  and  now 
through  his  skill  as  a  physician  and  surgeon, 
and  successful  treatment  of  diseases,  has  es 
tablished  a  large  and  lucrative  professional 
business.  In  1884,  Dr.  Moore  was  placed  in 
medical  charge  of  the  St.  Mary's  Hospital, 
which  he  held  for  seven  years, — a  high  com 
pliment  to  his  professional  ability. 

Dr.  Moore  was  united  in  marriage  at  Car 
lisle,  111.,  Oct.  10,  1855,  to  Miss  Annie  B.  Lock- 
wood,  and  to  them  were  born  three  children,™ 
Walker,  Helen  and  Blanche.  Walker  and 
Blanche  are  dead.  Helen  was  married  to  Ster 
ling  B.  Allen,  and  now  resides  at  Cleborne, 
Texas.  Mrs.  Moore  departed  this  life  July  9, 


102 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


1876.  Dr.  Moore  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post  of  Decatur,  and  of  the  1st  M.  E.  Church. 
In  politics  he  isa  Republican  anda  strong  advo- 
cateof  prohibition.  Heis  welland  widely  known 
as  an  able,  careful,  conscientious  and  successful 
physician,  and  a  gentleman  of  large  culture 
and  attainments. 


JOHN  W.  PHILLIPS  was  born  in  Earlville,  111., 
March  6,  1836,  and  was  son  of  James  Phil 
lips.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  born  at  Phil 
adelphia,  Pa.,  and  moved  to  La  Salle  County 
many  years  ago,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death  in  1885.  Our  subject  is  the  second  of 
eight  children,  and  resided  with  his  father  un 
til  2i  years  of  age,  when  he  engaged  in  farm 
ing  on  his  own  account,  and  was  so  occupied 
until  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion,  when  he 
was  among  the  first  to  offer  his  services  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Union  army.  He  enlisted  April 
26,  1861,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in 
Co.  D.  23rd  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  known  as  the  "  Irish 
Brigade,"  at  Sumptcr.  It  moved  afterward  to 
Quincy.thentoSt.  Louis  and  then  on  to  Jeffer 
son  City,  from  which  place  it  started  in  the  early 
days  of  Sept.  on  a  march  to  Lexington,  Mo.,  a 
distance  of  120  miles,  where  the  first  notable  siege 
of  the  war  occurred.  On  its  arrival  the  total 
strength  of  the  Union  army  at  that  place  was  2780 
men  under  commandof  Col.  Mulligan.  Having 
secured  a  commanding  location,  the  Col.  set 
to  fortifying  the  place,  and  while  the  work  was 
in  progression  successfully  repulsed  an  attack- 
made  by  the  rebel  Raines  and  his  force.  The 
place,  however,  was  besieged  immediately  by 
Gen.  Price's  army.  For  nine  successive  days 
the  garrison  sustained  an  unequal  conflict,  not 
alone, against  the  vastly  superior  forces  of  the  en 
emy,  but  against  hunger  and  thirst,  the  supply 
of  rations  being  always  short,  while  the  water  sup 
ply  wholly  failed.  No  reinforcements  appeared 
nor  was  there  any  promise  of  any,  and  on  Sept. 
20,  the  most  determined  and  systematic  assault 
of  the  enemy  was  made  and  repeatedly  re 
pulsed,  but  on  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day, 
the  garrison  determined  to  surrender.  The 


killed  and  wounded  of  the  23rd  Regt.  numbered 
107,  while  the  enemy  was  said  to  have  lost  800 
men.  On  the  following  day,  all  those  taken 
prisoners  were  paroled  with  the  exception  of 
Col.  Mulligan,  who  was  detained  as  a  prisoner. 
On  being  released,  Mr.  Phillips  returned  home 
and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service.  He  re- 
enlisted  in  Co.  I.  4th  111.  Cav.,  Dec.  23,  1864, 
which  was  assigned  to  Nelson's  Cavalry,  and 
remained  in  connection  with  Sherman's  army 
almost  continuously  thereafter.  This  Regt. 
was  always  a  favorite  with  General  Sherman, 
who  had  unbounded  confidence  in  the  skill  and 
daring  of  its  officers  and  men,  and  was  after 
ward  heard  to  say  that  if  he  had  a  message  to 
send  to  "Hades"  he  would  entrust  it  to  the 
4th  111.  Cav.  After  the  close  of  the  war  his 
Regt.,  under  Gen.  Custer,  went  to  Texas,  where 
it  remained  until  the  early  spring  of  1866,  when 
it  was  placed  enroute  for  Springfield,  111.,  and 
there  finally  discharged,  March  21,  1866.  Dur 
ing  his  active  service  he  became  almost  deaf— 
and  has  so  remained — caused  by  his  being  so 
frequently  near  the  firing  of  heavy  artillery. 

Immediately  after  his  discharge  from  the 
army,  he  returned  to  his  farm  at  Earlville,  and 
has  continued  to  reside  there  and  follow  that 
occupation  ever  since,  having  his  aged  mother, 
now  87  years  old,  superintending  his  household. 

He  married,  Sept.  18.  1876,  Miss  Lena 
Seitte,  daughter  of  Frank  Seitte,  and  who, 
three  months  afterward,  had  an  accidental  fall 
which  resulted  in  her  death. 


JOHN  F.  ELLIOTT,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
Insurance  Agent,  of  St.  Charles,  Ills.,  was 
born  in  Pa.,  Sept.  9,  1834.  His  parents 
were  Thomas  and  Mary  (Farrel)  Elliott.  His 
father  was  born  in  county  Fermanagh,  Ire 
land,  in  1809,  and  his  mother  in  Sligo  in  1812. 
He  came  to  the  U.  S.  when  about  13  years  of 
age  and  was  married  in  New  York  City  when 
about  22  years  of  age.  They  subsequently 
located  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  afterward  removing 
to. Pa.,  where  John  F.  was  born  Sept.  9,  1834. 
In  1853,  his  father  settled  at  St.  Charles,  Ills., 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


103 


where  he  followed  the  trade  of  a  mason.  He 
had  previously  been  a  shoemaker  and  had 
taught  school.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co. 
C.,  2Oth  Ills.  Inf.,  and  was  in  the  engagement 
at  Fort  Donelson,  where  he  was  wounded.  He 
was  in  the  act  of  bringing  his  gun  to  his  shoul 
der  to  fire  when  a  ball  struck  the  stock  of  his 
gun  breaking  it  into  splinters,  the  ball  pene 
trating  his  arm  pit,  into  which  was  driven  with 
terrific  violence  several  fragments  of  the  shat 
tered  stock,  some  of  which  also  lacerated  his 
arm.  He  went  home  on  furlough,  where  he 
remained  incapacitated  for  field  service  until 
•the  fall  of  1864,  when  he  re-enlisted  in  the 
ii3th  Ills.  Inf.,  with  which  he  served  until  the 
close  of  the  conflict,  having  been  wounded  at 
Eastport,  Tenn. 

Five  of  his  sons  served  their  country  and 
were  good  soldiers,  bravely  enduring  battle  and 
hardships  for  the  cause  of  the  Union.  Charles 
was  a  member  of  Co.  A.  7th  Ills.  Inf.,  was 
among  the  first  volunteers  of  the  State,  and 
fought  in  many  battles;  notably,  at  Fort 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  Corinth,  luka,  Vicksburg, 
through  a  part  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and 
was  mustered  out  at  Chattanooga  July  29, 
1864;  was  wounded  at  Shiloh,  and  after  his 
recovery,  promoted  to  2nd  Lieutenant  for  gal 
lant  conduct  at  Shiloh.  George  and  Henry, 
deceased,  both  of  whom  were  members  of  Co. 
E.,  I27th  Ills.  Inf.,  Henry  serving  as  drum 
mer  boy,  and  later  as  drum  Maj.,  private  and 
ist  Sergt.,  their  command  being  attached  to 
the  Western  Army,  they  were  neither  captured 
nor  wrounded.  James,  deceased,  of  the  76th 
Ills.  Inf.,  served  for  a  few  months  at  Camp 
Douglas,  but  was  exempt  on  account  of  physic 
al  debility.  John  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  started  out  in  life  for 
himself  as  a  farm  laborer.  He  went  to  Kane 
Co.,  Ills.,  in  1855,  where  he  learned  the  mason's 
trade,  which  he  followed  up  to  the  beginning 
of  the  war,  being  engaged  in  the  construction 
of  public  buildings  at  Aurora,  Geneva,  Batavia 
and  other  towns.  He  was  married  in  1860,  to 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Edward  Clark,  who  was 
born  in  London,  England,  where  he  resided 


until  1852,  when  he  settled  at  St.  Charles, 
engaging  in  farming  until  his  death  in  1887. 
Mrs.  Elliott  was  born  in  London,  England,  in 
1841,  and  lost  her  mother  when  a  small  child. 

Mr.  Elliott  is  the  father  of  four  children  - 
three  sons  and  a  daughter.  He  enlisted  Aug. 
12,  1861,  in  Co.  K.,  36th  Ills.  Inf.,  at  St.  Charles, 
leaving  his  wife  and  an  infant  but  a  few  days 
old,  and  proceeding  to  the  place  of  rendezvous, 
at  Aurora,  111.  At  the  organization,  Sept.  24, 
he  was  made  ist  Sergt.  The  regt.  on  the  arrival 
at  St.  Louis,  on  the  march  to  the  arsenal, 
created  much  enthusiasm  from  their  martial 
appearance,  and  Co.  K.,  known  as  the  Wayne 
Rifles,  was  the  center  of  attraction,  bearing  a 
handsome  banner,  and  marching  like  veterans. 
The  guns  with  which  they  were  to  be  armed 
at  St.  Louis  were  pronounced  unsatisfactory, 
and  Cos.  K.  and  G.  of  the  36th  Ills,  refused  to 
accept  them,  but  soon  after  at  Rolla,  Mo., 
they  were  properly  armed  and  equipped  for 
active  service.  Jan.  14,  1862,  the  command 
moved  through  Mo.  to  Bentonville,  Ark.,  and 
back  to  Pea  Ridge,  where  the  regiment  partici 
pated  in  the  three  days'  battle,  after  which  they 
marched  to  Springfield  and  Galena,  Mo.,  and 
thence  to  Salem  and  to  Batesville,  Ark.,  where 
they  dislodged  Jeff  Thompson,  capturing  his 
supplies. 

After  a  week,  they  moved  in  the  direction 
of  Little  Rock,  but  received  orders  on  the  way 
to  go  to  the  assistence  of  Gen.  Halleck  at 
Corinth,  but  did  not  reach  that  point  until  the 
day  beiore  the  evacuation.  The  command  now 
proceeded  to  Rienzi,  Miss.,  where  it  remained 
until  Sept.,  when  they  went  by  way  of  Cairo  to 
Cincinnati,  where  crossing  the  river  they  went 
into  camp  at  Covington,  Ky.,  when  12  Sergts. 
were  ordered  to  headquarters  for  inspection 
and  examination,  Sergt.  Elliott  being  the  first 
to  be  put  upon  examination,  and  Nov.  16,  with 
10  others  was  commissioned  ist  Lieut.  The 
command  next  moved  to  Cincinnati,  Indi- 
anaopolis  and  Louisville,  where  they  were  as 
signed  to  the  army  operating  against  Bragg. 
The  regt.  was  engaged  in  the  action  at  Perry- 
ville,  supporting  Battery,  I,  of  2nd  Ills.  Art., 
Lieut.  Elliott's  Co.  being  in  close  proximity  to 


104 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  guns  and  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  It 
went  into  the  action  with  36  muskets  and  in  40 
minutes  Co.  K.  had  lost  five  men  killed  and  7 
wounded,  but  behaved  with  the  most  com- 
mendablegallantry  and  splendid  discipline.  The 
36th  Ills,  was  at  this  time  a  part  of  the  3rd  Div. 
of  the  2Oth  Corps.  From  Perryville  they  pur 
sued  the  retreating  rebels  to  Crab  Orchard  and 
other  places  in  Ky.,  then  proceeding  toward 
Nashville  and  went  into  camp  at  Mill  Creek, 
six  miles  from  that  city.  Here  the  Regt.  spent 
Christmas  day,  but  on  Christmas  night  about 
midnight  they  were  ordered  to  proceed  in  the 
direction  of  Murfreesboro,  and  on  the  26th  they 
were  engaged  in  several  skirmishes  with  the 
enemy  Dec.  30,  they  reached  Stone  River, 
bivouacking  on  the  field  of  battle  and  renewing 
the  fight  the  next  morning,  the  36th  being  for 
the  first  time  during  the  war  driven  back.  Lieut. 
Elliott  and  41  others  of  his  regt.  were  made  pris 
oners  and  taken  to  the  Courthouse  in  Murfrees 
boro,  and  thence  removed  in  a  cattle  car  to 
Chattanooga,  where  they  were  put  in  prison 
under  charge  of  a  tyrannical  Ky.  officer.  They 
were  soon  sent  on  to  Atlanta,  where  they  were 
confined  in  the  third  story  of  a  building  and 
forbidden  to  look  out  of  the  windows  The 
building  was  enclosed  by  a  substantial  board 
fence  and  they  were  not  permitted  to  go  out 
except  under  the  strict  surveillance  of  a  guard. 
Some  of  the  officers  in  the  command  were 
kind  and  considerate,  but  the  commandant  of 
the  prison  was  a  veritable  tyrant.  They  had 
very  limited  rations,  which  consisted  of  apiece 
of  corn  bread  about  four  inches  square  and  one 
inch  thick  and  a  small  piece  of  tough  beef  for 
each  man  per  day. 

Through  the  assistance  of  Gen.  Willich, 
one  of  the  prisoners,  and  a  friend  of  a  Catholic 
Priest  at  Atlanta,  to  whom  he  gave  personal 
pledges,  they  vyere  provided  with  money  and 
managed  to  obtain  sufficient  food.  About  seven 
in  the  afternoon  of  Feb.  23,  they  were  again 
packed  in  cattle  cars  and  started  off  presum 
ably  to  be  exchanged,  but  instead  were  des 
tined  for  Libby  Prison,  which  they  had  antici 
pated.  The  rations  issued  for  this  trip  were 
two  pieces  of  imperfectly  baked  dough  about 


the  size  of  an  ordinary  biscuit.  Those  in 
charge  of  the  prisoners  considering  that  they 
thought  that  they  were  being  taken  homeward 
and  would  make  no  attempt  to  escape,  left  the 
car  door  unlocked.  Lieut.  Elliot  informed  his 
companions  that  he  intended  to  escape,  and 
although  none  of  them  would  agree  to  join 
him,  they  made  provision  for  him  in  various 
ways,  by  supplying  him  with  a  portion  of  their 
rations,  a  pocket  compass,  a  pocket  map,  $9.00 
in  cash  aud  a  suit  of  citizen's  clothe.;.  In 
passing  through  Ga.,  he  succeeded  in  effecting 
his  escape  from  the  car  and  at  once  headed 
for  Cumberland  Gap.  After  numerous  trials 
and  hardships  for  30  days,  during  which  he 
had  walked  an  estimated  distance  of  518 
miles,  he  reached  Camp  Davis  near  Corinth, 
Miss.,  March  26,  1863.  Here  he  was  secured 
by  the  officers  of  the  4th  Ohio,  who  at  first 
questioned  his  statement  as  he  was  in  the  garb 
of  a  rebel  soldier.  His  brother  Charles  of  the 
7th,  being  at  Corinth,  he  was  sent  for  and  his 
position  was  established.  He  was  then  roy 
ally  entertained,  presented  with  an  officer's 
suit  and  five  dollars  in  money.  He  then  felt 
he  was  a  soldier  of  Uncle  Sam  once  more. 
He  was  sent  on  to  Memphis,  thence  to  Cairo 
and  Nashville,  where  he  was  given  a  permit 
by  Gen.  Grant  to  go  home,  remaining  a  few 
days  and  rejoining  his  command  at  Murfrees 
boro  about  Apr.  I5th.  He  was  afterwards 
detailed  by  order  of  Gen.  Rosencrans  as 
recruiting  officer  and  instructed  to  report  to  the 
office  of  the  Adjt.Gen.  of  Ills.,  at  Springfield,  and 
thence  went  on  this  service  to  Kane  Co.,  there 
recruiting  21  men.  Nov.  14,  he  was  put  in 
charge  of  Camp  Yatcs,  Springfield,  on  similar 
duty,  remaining  until  Mar.  28,  1864,  and  being 
in  failing  health,  he  requested  and  obtained 
his  discharge  June  4,  following. 

Returning  home  he  resumed  work  at  his 
trade,  which  he  followed  until  his  health  again 
became  impaired.  He  has  served  16  years  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  is  also  conducting 
an  Insurance  agency,  and  is  a  Pension  Attor 
ney;  I ror  1 8  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
School  Board  of  St.  Charles:  ten  years  an 
Alderman,  and  is  a  charter  member  of  E.  J. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


105 


•Farnsworth  Post,  No.  456,  of  St,  Charles,  and 
was  the  first  Commander,  acting  in  that  rela 
tion  the  third  term.  He  has  also  been  officer 
of  the  day  and  is  the  present  Adjt. 

Mr.  Elliott  has  demonstrated  in  his  life 
work  the  most  commendable  adhesion  to  cor 
rect  principles,  and  the  faithful  observance 
and  practice  of  whatever  he  considered  to  be 
his  duty. 


M 


R.  CHARLES  WOODWARD,  of  Aurora,  111., 
was  born  in  DuPage  Co.,  111.,  Dec.  5, 
1845.  His  parents  were  Timothy  D. 
and  Rhoda  (Lapham)  Woodward.  The  former 
was  a  native  of  Vt.,  in  which  State  he  was  born 
in  1806,  and  the  latter  of  N.  Y.  State,  of  Eng 
lish  ancestry.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  a 
drummer  during  the  Revolutionary  War  and' 
upon  its  conclusion  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1837  he  settled  in  DuPage  Co.,  111.  He  is  still 
living  and  is  a  resident  of  Athens,  Tenn.  The 
sixth  born  of  a  family  of  9  children,  several  of 
whom  fought  on  behalf  of  the  Union  cause, 
Charles  spent  his  early  life  upon  a  farm, 
acquired  his  education  during  the  winter 
months  in  the  common  schools  of  the  neigh 
borhood.  Aug.  12,  1862,  he  enlisted  at  Aurora, 
111.,  in  Co.  H.,  I24th  111.  Inf.,  and  some  ten  days 
or  so  later,  proceeded  with  his  Co.  to  Spring 
field,  and  went  into  camp  at  Camp  Butler  and 
here  underwent  a  scries  of  drills.  He  was 
mustered  in  Sept.  10,  following.  They  then  pro 
ceeded  to  Cairo  and  from  there  to  Columbus, 
Ky.  At  this  place  much  dissatisfaction  was 
expressed  at  their  being  obliged  to  use  the 
heavy  Belgian  rifle,  with  which  they  had  been 
armed.  The1  result  of  this  practical  expression 
of  disapproval  (the  companies  refusing  to 
carry  them  further)  was  that  the  Capt.  of  the 
Co.  was  put  under  arrest.  In  order  to  save 
him,  however,  the  men  took  to  the  old  guns, 
and  so  the  incident  terminated.  They  were 
shortly  afterwards  armed  with  the  Austrian 
rifle  and  this  was  in  every  respect  satisfactory. 
From  Columbus,  Ky.,  they  went  to  Jackson, 
Tenn.,  and  remained  there  until  Nov.  ist. 


From  here  they  proceeded  to  Bolivar,  Miss., 
where  they  formed  part  of  the  3rd  Div.,  i/th 
Corps.  After  the  capture  of  their  supplies  at 
Holly  Springs,  they  lived  principally  on 
parched  corn.  Returning  by  the  way  of  Holly 
Springs  to  La  Grange,  Tenn.  At  the  latter 
place  one  of  the  men  during  a  forage  in  search 
of  provisions,  killed  a  hog,  and  for  this  the 
Capt.  of  the  Co.  was  placed  under  arrest.  The 
march  to  Memphis  was  through  snow  and  sleet 
and  on  arrival  there  they  remained  encamped 
for  some  time,  and  then  took  transports  to 
Benny's  Landing.  From  here  they  went  to 
Milliken's  Bend,  and  at  this  place  the  men 
killed  another  hog,  at  which  the  Col.  in  com 
mand  was  very  wroth,  and  this  subsequently 
gave  rise  to  an  amusing  poem — which  space 
forbids  us  publishing  here— composed  by  one 
of  the  Co.  who  was  of  a  literary  turn  of  mind. 
Their  next  move  was  to  Shipper's  landing 
and  afterwards  across  the  country  to  Fort  Gib 
son,  participating  in  the  battle  fought  there. 
They  were  also  engaged  in  that  at  Raymond 
on  May  I2th.  They  next  marched  to  Clinton 
and  from  there  to  Jackson,  afterwards  returning 
via  Clinton  to  Champion  Hills,  and  on  May 
16,  took  part  in  the  fight  there  capturing  many 
prisoners,  and  sustaining  a  loss  of  some  63 
killed  and  wounded.  They  then  followed  the 
enemy  up  to  the  lines  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg, 
and  upon  arrival  there  took  up  a  position  in 
the  front  line,  immediately  in  front  of  Fort 
Hill.  They  took  an  active  and  important  part 
in  the  battle  which  eventually  followed  and 
were  under  fire  continuously.  During  the  fight 
(June  26)  and  while  in  the  trenches,  Mr.  Wood 
ward  was  wounded  in  the  hip  by  a  portion  of  a 
hand  grenade  which  exploded  near  him,  and 
was  carried  to  the  rear  by  one  of  the  officers. 
July  4,  they  marched  into  the  city  and  were 
detailed  on  picket  duty,  etc.  Aug.  20,  they 
took  transport  to  Goodrich  landing,  where  they 
disembarked  and  marched  to  Monroe,  La.,  ar 
riving  there  eight  days  later.  They  remained 
three  days  and  then  returned  to  Vicksburg, 
where  they  performed  guard  and  camp  duty. 
Upon  his  return  to  Vicksburg  he  was  granted 
a  30  days  furlough,  returned  home  on  a  visit 


io6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


and  at  the  expiration,  of  which,  he  again  re 
joined  his  Co.  The  next  move  they  made  was 
to  Black  River  where  they  encamped  during 
the  winter.  Parenthetically  we  may  state  Mr. 
Woodward's  Regt.  was  the  well  known  "Excel 
sior"  and  the  \vearer  of  the  blue  flag  given  by 
Gen.  Leggett  for  the  best  drilled  regiment  in 
the  div.  Feb.  3,  1864,  they  commenced  the 
Meridian  march  under  Gen.  Sherman,  with 
McPherson's  and  Hurlbut's  Corps.  On  the  5th 
they  participated  in  a  heavy  skirmish  at  Clinton 
and  two  days  later  (the  7th)  entered  Jackson 
and  camped  on  the  Canton  road.  Afterwards 
they  proceeded  to  Brandon,  Morton,  Hills- 
borough,  then  to  Decatur,  then  Meridian,  and 
subsequently  again  returned  to  Jackson.  Af 
terwards  they  went  to  Black  River  via  Canton, 
then  to  Vicksburg  where  they  remained  until 
May  4,  then  to  Vaughns  Station  and  from  there 
took  part  in  the  march  to  Yazoo  City,  where 
they  had  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy.  Return 
ing  to  Vicksburg  on  the  21,  they  again  went 
into  camp.  July  i,  1864,  they  started  on  the 
Jackson  campaign  and  returned  on  the  9th. 
Shortly  afterward  Mr.  Woodward  was  sent  home 
on  sick  furlough  and  was  absent  some  60  days. 
Returning  to  Vicksburg  at  the  conclusion  of 
this  period,  he  was  again  taken  sick  and  sent 
to  the  hospital.  He  was  subsequently  sent  to 
the  hospital  at  Natchez,  Miss.,  situated  on 
Woodward's  road,  and  from  there  transported 
by  boat  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  where 
he  remained  until  discharged  from  service  July 
5,  1865.  Mr.  Woodward  then  returned  to  Au 
rora,  111.,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring 
1866  sick  with  chronic  diarrhoea,  nervous  pros 
tration  and  other  camp  diseases,  from  which  he 
yet  occasionally  suffers.  In  the  spring  of  1866, 
he  removed  to  Montana  arriving  in  Virginia 
City,  July  12,  and  remaining  in  that  territory 
two  years  and  eight  months.  Returning  to 
Aurora  he  learned  the  machinist's  trade  and 
continued  employed  in  that  city  until  1875,  'n 
which  year  he  removed  to  Piano,  and  continued 
to  pursue  his  trade  and  in  addition,  reading 
medicine.  In  the  fall  of  1878,  he  attended  the 
Eclectic  Medical  school  at  Cincinnati,  O.,  and 
and  in  1879  was  graduated  therefrom.  He 


commenced  the  active  practice  of  his  profession 
at  Creston,  Ogle  Co.  111.  He  remained  8  years 
in  Ogle  Co.,  and  then  returned  to  Aurora  where 
he  has  since  resided  and  where  he  has  built  up 
a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  He  has  made  a 
special  study  of  some  diseases,  and  his  practice 
extends  to  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  other  cities. 
He  married,  May  10,  1871,  Miss  Mary  A. 
Waldfogel  of  Aurora.  They  have  three  chil 
dren,  viz:  Luella,  Mabel  and  Elva  Irene.  Mr. 
Woodward  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  has  also  been  identified  with  the  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  and  patriotic  Sons  of  America;  a 
member  of  G.  A.  R..Post,  No.  20,  of  which  he 
has  been  Surgeon.  On  account  of  disabilities 
mentioned  he  is  in  receipt  of  a  pension.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican.  The  architect  of 
his  own  fortune  Dr.  Woodward  stands  high  in 
his  profession;  is  much  beloved  by  those  who 
know  him,  for  he  is  popular  and  genial,  and  an 
interesting  conversationalist. 


WILLIAM  WEIDNER,  of  Earlville,  111., 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army  for  the 
war  of  the  rebellion  during  the 
month  of  January,  1864,  at  Earlville,  La  Salle 
County,  111.,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service 
at  Springfield,  111.,  as  a  private  in  Co.  I.  4th  111. 
Cav.  He  afterward  went  with  his  Reg't. 
to  Natchez,  Miss.,  where  he  was  occupied 
on  Provost  duty  at  which  he  continued  to 
be  engaged  during  the  spring  and  summer 
months,  and  early  in  the  fall  moved  on  to 
Memphis.  While  stationed  at  the  last  named 
place,  Grierson's  raiding  party  was  organized 
to  undertake  an  expedition  westward,  which 
was  successfully  accomplished  and  was  par 
ticipated  in  by  our  subject  and  his  company. 
During  this  raiding  expedition,  the  enemy  was 
engaged  at  Egypt,  Miss.,  where  the  Union 
forces  displayed  considerable  courage  and 
bravery  which  resulted — besides  the  killing 
and  wounding  of  many  rebels — in  the  capture  of 
a  large  number  of  prisoners.  His  command 
was  next  ordered  to  Vicksburg,  and  shortly 
after  its  arrival  at  that  place,  moved  back  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


107 


Memphis,  where  it  remained  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  His  Reg't.  then  marched  under  Gen. 
Custer  in  his  expedition  into  the  State  of  Texas, 
where  it  continued  until  the  following  spring, 
when  it  was  mustered  out  at  Houston,  placed 
en  route  for  Springfield.  111.,  and  on  arrival  was 
finally  discharged,  thus  terminating  Mr.  Weid- 
ner's  soldier  life.  The  journey  from  Texas 
homeward  lay  across  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  com 
ing  by  boat  to  Cairo  111.,  and  from  there  home 
by  Railroad. 

After  receiving  his  discharge  our  subject 
returned  to  La  Salle  County,  where  he  has 
since  remained.  Mr.  Weidner  was  born  in 
Prussia,  Feb.  11,  1833,  coming  to  America  in 
1852  and  is  a  son  of  Godfreid  and  Anna  Mayent 
(Selisch)  Weidner.  His  parents  had  eight 
children  of  whom  only  one  is  now  living,  be 
sides  William.  Our  subject  married  Miss  Mary 
Kamminke,  a  native  of  Germany,  October, 
1863,  and  seven  children  have  been  the  result 
of  the  marriage — Dora  Emma,  now  Mrs.  Hoff 
man;  Louisa,  Mary,  John,  Minnie,  Edward 
and  Earnest. 

He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  475  G.  A.  R., 
at  Earlville;  a  member  of  the  German  Luth 
eran  church  of  Earlville,  and  in  political  mat 
ters  supports  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party. 


LIEUT.  COL.  JOHN  D.  McKAHiM  was  born 
at  Germantown,  Penn.,  October  24th,  1824, 
livingthere  and  attending  special  schools 
as  circumstances  enabled  him  to  do,  until  he  was 
sixteen  years  old,  when  he  was  apprenticed  to 
learn  the  trade  of  carriage  wheel-wright.  He 
completed  this  trade  by  the  time  he  had  at 
tained  his  majority,  and  followed  it  as  journey 
man  for  about  ten  years;  then  went  to 
railroading,  until  1859,  when  he  was  appointed 
guard  at  the  Northern  Indiana  Penitentiary  at 
Michigan  City.  This  position  he  held  until  he 
enlisted  Sept.  I,  1861,  and  was  mustered  in 
Sept.  I2th,  as  first  Sergeant  of  Company  F., 
27th,  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

The  regiment  remained  in  Camp  Morton  for 


about  a  month,  then  proceeded  to  Washington, 
staying  there  four  weeks  where  the  men  were 
equipped  and  then  ordered  to  Darnstown, 
camping  there  one  month,  when  they  were 
ordered  to  Frederick  City,  Md.,  and  went  into 
winter  quarters.  The  following  April  the  regi 
ment  marched  to  Harper's  Ferry,  thence  to 
Winchester,  Va.,  then  up  the  Valley  to  Har- 
risonburg  where  Banks'  retreat  commenced. 
At  Harrisonburg,  Mr.  McKahim  was  detailed 
to  accompany  some  men  belonging  to  the  I28th 
Reg't.  to  Washington  to  be  mustered  out,  going 
then  to  Baltimore  and  from  there  to  Phila 
delphia,  where  he  went  for  the  purpose  of 
gathering  up  all  the  men  belonging  to  his 
brigade,  to  bring  them  back.  He  reported  to 
his  regiment  near  New  Market,  Va.,  on  Banks' 
retreat  and  with  it  went  back  to  Williamsport 
where  it  crossed  the  Potomac.  This  regiment 
had  the  honor  of  opening  the  battle  of 
Williamstown;  engaged  in  a  heavy  skirmish  at 
Middletown  and  had  a  warm  battle  at  Win 
chester  after  which  it  fell  back  to  Williams- 
port,  fighting  all  the  way  to  Williamsport; 
they  remained  at  Williamsport  till  they  were 
re-organized  and  furnished  with  Springfield 
Rifles.  After  being  newly  equipped  they  went 
on  to  Harper's  Ferry,  then  to  Port  Royal, 
Warrenton,  Culpeper  Court  House,  and  thence 
to  Cedar  Mountain,  where  it  was  engaged  in  a 
heavy  battle,  on  the  Qth,  of  August  1862.  His 
regiment  lost  in  killed  15,  wounded  29  and  6 
missing.  It  then  fell  back  to  Culpeper  Court 
House,  at  which  place  he  was  detailed  with 
Co.,  H,,  to  guard  a  Bridge  which  he  held  until 
relieved  by  Gen.  Banks. 

His  merits  as  a  soldier  were  duly  appre 
ciated  and  he  was  promoted  to  Second  Lieu 
tenant,  July,  1862;  was  detailed  to  command 
Co.  H.,  August  loth,  and  commissioned  a 
Captain  of  that  Co.,  October  1st. 

The  company  was  then  detailed  to  guard 
Hazel  River  Bridge  which  it  did  until  Gen. 
Banks  on  his  retreat  relieved  it,  when  Capt. 
McKahim  with  his  company  rejoined  the  regi 
ment  on  the  Rapidan  from  which  point  it  fell 
back  to  Manasses,  Chantilly,  thence  to  Arling 
ton  Heights,  crossing  the  Potomac  at  George- 


1 08 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


town,  Md.,  and  continued  on  to  Anteitam  by 
way  of  South  Mountain,  where  on  the  i/th, 
September  it  was  engaged  in  that  memorable 
battle.  His  company  was  exposed  to  the 
enemy's  fire  and  suffered  heavy  losses,  18  being 
killed  and  19  wounded,  among  the  latter  was 
our  brave  Captain  McKahim,  who  was  in  a 
helpless  condition  when  carried  off  the  battle 
field.  He  was  sent  to  Philadelphia,  thence  to 
Frankford  for  treatment,  where  he  remained 
about  a  month  and  was  then  able  to  report  for 
duty  to  his  regiment  at  Md.  Heights,  Md. 

Here  he  was  detailed  at  Picket  duty  on  the 
Potomac  as  far  up  as  dam  No.  4.  His  next 
move  was  to  Fairfax  Station,  Va.,  where  he 
went  into  winter  quarters.  During  the  winter 
months  he  suffered  severely  from  his  wounds 
received  at  Anteitam,  and  was  much  disap 
pointed  that  his  rest  from  active  service  did 
not  restore  his  wasted  physical  strength.  After 
his  first  march  in  the  spring  he  found  himself 
too  weak  to  continue  in  the  lines  and  was 
forced  to  resign  his  commission  March  4,  1863, 
at  Stafford  Court  House,  Va.  He  then 
returned  to  Ind.,  and  when  he  had  recruited 
his  health,  engaged  in  railroading,  until 
Morgan's  raid,  when  he  organized  a  company 
of  which  he  took  command  for  20  days,  when 
he  was  again  commissioned  Capt.  of  Co.  D., 
I38th  Ind.  Inf.,  May  14,  1864.  Enlisting  for  100 
days,  he  served  that  length  of  time  and  was 
mustered  out  Sept.  22,  1864.  During  this  ser 
vice  he  took  his  Co.  to  the  following  places: 
Louisville,  Ky. ;  Nashville  ,Tenn.;  Deckerd  Sta 
tion,  near  the  Ala.  line,  where  it  did  garrison 
dutyat  a  fort  for  a  month,  and  then  moved  to 
Elk  River  Bridge,  to  do  garrison  duty  at  the 
fort  there.  He  then  proceeded  to  Tullahoma, 
Tenn.,  where  he  was  detailed  on  a  general 
Court  Martial.  His  term  of  service  having 
expired  he  returned  to  Indianapolis  and  was 
there  mustered  out.  He  again  resumed  rail 
roading,  but  was  soon  tendered  a  recruiting 
commission  toorganize  the  I55th  Ind.  Reg.  He 
was  commissioned  Capt.  of  Co.  G.,  I55th  Ind. 
Reg.  April  12,  1865,  at  Indianapolis,  the  Co. 
enlisting  for  one  year,  or  during  the  war.  April 
i8th  he  was  commissioned  Lieut.  Col.  of  the 


I55th,  and  August  4,  1865,  was  mustered  out  at 
Dover,  Del.  After  being  discharged  he  returned 
to  Ind.,  engaging  in  railroading  and  commercial 
enterprises.  In  1867  he  moved  to  Philadel 
phia,  and  soon  after  went  to  La  Salle  Co.  111., 
where  he  stayed  untillMarcli4,  i886,goingthen 
to  Colorado,  where  he  made  his  home  for 
about  two  years,  when  he  decided  to  return  to 
Ills.,  and  has  since  resided  in  that  State.  He 
was  the  son  of  Wm.  McKahim,  who  was  born 
in  Ireland  in  1804.  His  great  grandfather  was 
a  soldier  under  the  Duke  of  Orange,  in  Eng 
land.  His  mother  was  Mary  Didier.  He 
married  Mary  Saycrs  at  Hattenfield,  N.  J.,  in 
1848,  and  two  children  blessed  this  union — 
William  and  Samuel.  His  wife  having  died, 
he  married  a  second  time,  Arabella  Baker, 
Nov.  2,  1857,  and  they  have  had  four  children. 
Of  the  children  only  (William)  and  his  half 
brother  Herbert  are  now  living.  His  oldest 
son,  William,  served  in  the  I55th  Reg.,  as  Qr. 
master  sergt.  Mr.  McKahim  is  a  member  of 
the  Odd  Fellows  Order,  in  which  he  is  a  Past 
Grand  Master;  is  a  Master  Mason  and  a  mem 
ber  of  Joseph  Woodworth  Post  No.  281  G.A.  R., 
of  which  he  is  a  Past  Commander.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  now  in  poor  health 
and  circumstances,  but  respected  and  admired 
by  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances. 


SAMUEL  DORSEY,  of  Rutland,  111.,  enlisted 
in  the  service  at  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  Feb. 
16,  1865,  in  Co.  G.,  I7th  W.  Va.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  was  mustered  in  as  ist  Sergt.  under  Capt. 
Criswell.  This  command  was  on  post  duty 
within  the  States  of  Va.  and  Penn.  with  prin 
cipal  headquarters  at  Weston.  Being  on  de 
tached  duty,  Mr.  Dorsey  was  not  enabled  to 
take  any  active  part  in  the  closing  battles 
of  the  war,  but  he  was  a  faithful  soldier, 
loyal  to  the  old  flag,  and  willing  to  give  his  life  if 
necessary  in  its  defense,  although  one  of  his 
brothers  and  many  friends  were  in  sympathy 
with  the  Confederacy. 

On  the  morning  that  President  Lincoln's  as 
sassination  reached  Weston,   Mr.  Dorsey   went 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


109 


to  the  postoffice  for  the  mail  of  his  command, 
and  was  at  the  station  when  the  mail    arrived 
that  bore  the  sad  message.     When  the  fact  was 
made  known,  there  was  not  a  dry    eye  to    be 
seen.     The  aged   postmaster,  whose  head    was 
whitened  by  the  snows  of  three  score  and    ten 
winters,  in  his  great  grief,  entirely  forgot   the 
mail  and  sitting  on  the  platform,  the  tears  ran 
down  his  wrinkled   cheeks,  and  he  wept  as  one 
who  had  lost  his  last  friend.     To  this  day,  Mr. 
Dorsey,    although    a    strong,    brave   man,    and 
years  have  passed,  cannot  refer  to  this    scene 
without  finding  his  own  eyes  growing  dim   as 
he  re-calls  the  sorrow  that  filled  the  hearts  of 
those  present  at  that  time.     Just  prior   to    his 
discharge,    Mr.    Dorsey    was    promoted  to  the 
rank  of   ist  Lieut,  for  meritorious  conduct  and 
was  mustered   out,  June  26,  1865,  at  Wheeling, 
W.  Va.,  when  he  returned  to  his  home  near  that 
place,    and    removed    in    1869,    to     111.,    locat-. 
ing     at    Rutland,    where  he  engaged  in     mer 
chandising    for   two    years.      He    then    retired 
to      his    beautiful      home      near     the     village 
to    pass     the     remaining     years      of     a      well 
spent  life.     He  has  been  active  in  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  was  for  two  years  the  Commander  at  Rut 
land,   Post  No.  292    and    has    also    filled    other 
offices  in  the  past.     At  this  time   he  is    at  the 
head  and  Commander  of  the  Big  Bend  Veteran 
G.  A.  R.  Association.     He  has  discharged    his 
duties -in  many  other  offices  bestowed  upon  him 
in  his  native  and  adopted  States,  having   been 
elected  as  Supervisor  in  Union  Township,  Mar 
shall  County,  and  when  he  removed  to   Illinois 
he  was  elected  assessor  of  Bennington  Township 
in  1891,  being  the  first  Republican  elected    to 
that  office  in   Marshall  County  on  the  Repub 
lican    ticket.       Mr.    Dorsey  is    a  high    degree 
Mason,  a  member  of  the  Chapter  and  has  been 
King  for  several  years  of  Chapter  112  and    has 
been  W.  M.  of  Lodge  No.  477  of  Rutland  and 
has  ever  been  a  prominent  man. 

He  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  W.  Va.,in 
1831,  his  family  dating  back  to  the  early  days 
of  Md.,  which  was  his  father's  native  State. 
His  father,  Samuel  Dorsey,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age  of 
97  years,  dying  in  Rutland,  111.,  about  four  years 


ago.  Mr.  Dorsey  was  married  in  1852,  in  W. 
Va.,  to  Miss  Joanna  Holliday,  a  cultivated  lady 
of  the  same  State.  They  have  six  children- 
William  C.,  a  prominent  stockman;  Samuel 
James,  living  at  Rutland,  111.;  Philmore,  in  busi 
ness  at  Omaha,  Neb.;  Mary  Bell,  the  wife  of  A. 
C.  Andrews  of  Exira,  Iowa;  Charles,  at  home 
assisting  in  the  management  of  the  farm;  Orton 
C.,  in  the  employ  of  the  A.  T.  &  S.  F.  Ry.  Co. 


ISAAC  JOHNSON,  of  Bloomington,  111.,  was  born 
in  Butler  Co.,  Ohio,  June  24,  1836,  and  is 
the  son  of  Jesse  and  Wilhelmina  (Cham 
bers)  Johnson,  who  were  natives  of  that  State. 
The  mother  died  when  Isaac  was  but  five  years 
of  age,  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  and  the  father 
in  Leroy,  111.,  in  1887.  The  father  was  three 
times  married,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being 
the  issue  of  the  second  marriage,  with  two 
brothers  and  one  sister.  William  was  the  eld 
est  of  his  brothers,  who  served  three  years  in 
the  war  in  the  same  company  and  regiment, 
and  their  military  record  will  be  identical  with 
each  other.  Thomas  J.,  the  other  brother 
served  in  the  I48th  Ind  Inf.,  and  at  the  present 
time  resides  at  Bloomington,  111.;  Nancy  J.,  the 
sister  was  married  to  Frederick  Lang.  Benj. 
F.,  a  son  of  the  third  marriage  of  the  father 
served  in  the  same  company  and  regiment  with 
his  half-brother,  Isaac,  and  died  at  Brownville, 
Texas,  July  17,  1864.  George  W.,  another  half 
brother,  enlisted  in  the  same  company,  but  was 
taken  sick  with  fever  and  did  not  muster; 
died  at  Kankakee,  Ills.,  1890.  Few  families 
had  a  better  record  in  the  late  war  than  the 
Johnson  family,  it  having  furnished  five  sons  as 
volunteers. 

Jesse  Johnson  removed  at  an  early  day  to 
Ind.,  where  young  Isaac  received  his  education, 
his  first  schooling  beingat  subscription  schools. 
When  public  schools  were  instituted,  he  at 
tended  them.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the 
farm,  and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  engag 
ing  in  both  pursuits  up  to  the  time  of  his  en 
listment.  He  enlisted  Aug.  8,  1862,  in  Company 
B.  94th  111.,  Inf.,  as  private,  and  at  once  re- 


iro 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ported  at  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  for  drill  and 
equipment.  Remained  there  about  four  weeks, 
when  he  was  sent  to  Rolla,  Mo.  From  there 
they  marched  to  Springfield.  The  first  night 
out  Mr.  Johnson  performed  his  first  picket  duty 
in  the  enemies  country.  Remained  at  Spring 
field  with  occasional  reconnoitering  expeditions 
and  skirmishes  with  bush  whackers  until  Decem 
ber,  when  the  command  was  ordered  to  White 
Oak  Springs,  and  returning  from  there  made 
camp  on  the  battle  ground  of  Wilson's  Creek, 
where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  had  a  contest 
with  the  mumps.  He  was  relieved  from  duty 
and  sent  to  the  hospital,  and  on  recovering  re 
joined  his  regiment  at  Carrollton,  Ark.,  in  Jan 
uary,  1863,  and  marched  across  the  country  to 
Forsyth,  and  again  camped  on  Missouri  soil. 

The  latter  part  of  Feb.  the  regiment  moved 
to  Lake  Spring,  not  far  from  Rolla,  where  it  lay 
until  March,  when  Mr.  Johnson  was  prostrated 
with  pneumonia,  and  was  sent  to  a  camp 
hospital,  where  he  remained  for  four  weeks 
and  then  was  taken  in  an  ambulance  to  the 
hospital  at  Rolla,  arriving  there  in  a  dangerous 
condition.  From  the  hospital  at  Rolla  he  was 
transferred  to  the  hospital  at  Quincy,  his  wife 
having  joined  him  at  Rolla.  She  remained  there 
until  the  following  March,  1864,  before  the 
authorities  would  permit  him  to  rejoin  his 
regiment.  This  disability  incurrred  as  above 
stated,  still  exists,  and  Mr.  Jonnson  is  prac 
tically  disabled  from  diseased  lungs. 

In  March,  1864,  he  rejoined  his  Reg't.  at 
Brownsville,  Texas.  While  there,  the  Reg't. 
was  very  industrious;  repaired  Fort  Brown, 
burnt  a  kiln  of  brick,  erected  an  ice  house,  and 
cultivated  a  garden,  the  soldiers  keeping  them 
selves  generally  busy  until  July  28th,  when  they 
were  ordered  to  New  Orleans,  and  from  there  to 
Fort  Morgan,  which  they  assisted  in  capturing, 
aided  by  the  fleet  [before  the  assault.]  The 
rebels  made  a  stubborn  resistance,  but  were 
finally  forced  to  surrender.  Mr.  Johnson  has 
a  copy  of  the  monthly  report  of  Co.  B.,  ist, 
Battalion,  Ala.  Art.,  stained  with  blood,  which 
he  prizes  highly.  Subsequently  his  Reg't. 
joined  a  detachment  of  240  Inf.,  and  with  two 
gunboats,  went  on  an  expedition  up  Fish  River 


in  search  for  lumber  to  rebuild  the  government 
buildings  destroyed  by  the  rebels  at  Fort  Mor 
gan.  At  a  mill  on  the  river  they  found  a  quan 
tity  of  lumber  which  they  loaded  on  a  barge 
and  appropriated  it  to  Uncle  Sam's  use.  This 
river  was  narrow  and  deep,  and  while  this  de 
tachment  was  up  the  river,  the  enemy  had  cut 
and  felled  trees  across  the  channel,  hoping  by 
this  means  to  obstruct  the  river  and  capture  the 
boats  and  men  on  their  return.  In  this  they 
were  disappointed,  for  the  heavy  gunboat  bore 
the  obstructions  out  of  the  way,  shelled  the 
woods,  and  thus  the  expedition  returned  in 
safety. 

The  next  move  of  the  94th  was  with  Gen. 
Granger,  commanding  the  I3th  A.  C.,  to  Paca- 
goula,  Miss.,  where  the  troops  were  almost  con 
stantly  skirmishing  for  about  four  weeks  daily 
and  nightly.  The  regiment  returned  to  Fort 
Morgan,  then  started  for  Mobile,  and  there 
took  part  in  the  siege  of  Spanish  Fort,  \vhich 
began  March  27,  1865.  The  regiment  was  under 
fire  constantly  from  that  time  until  April  9th, 
when  the  Fort  surrendered.  After  the  surren 
der,  Mr.  Johnson  was  in  the  detail  to  guard  the 
prisoners  surrendered  with  the  fort,  and  went 
to  Ship  Island,  Miss.  While  lying  at  Spanish 
Fort  camp,  the  enemy,  who  had  a  battery  of 
three  guns  across  the  river,  opened  fire  on  a 
transport  that  was  about  to  land  with  provis 
ions  for  the  troops.  The  next  move  was  to 
Mobile,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
mustered  out  June  6,  1865,  his  regiment  going 
to  Galveston,  when  it  was  mustered  out  July 
I7th,  following.  He  returned  to  Belleville, 
Ind,,  and  September  following  removed  to  Hey- 
worth,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until 
1881.  He  was  married  December,  1859,  at 
Belleville,  Ind.,  to  Nancy  J.  Case,  a  native  of 
Indiana,  who  was  born  in  1840.  To  them  were 
born  six  children — Annie  C.,  now  Mrs.  Francis 
Hoaughton,  residing  in  McLean  Co.jLillie  M., 
who  was  married  to  John  W.  Finley,  of  Hey- 
worth;  Ninnie  B.,  David  W.  and  Grace  L. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  a  member  of  Wm.  T. 
Sherman  Post,  No.  146,  G.  A.  R.,  is  a  U.  S. 
.pensioner,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican.  He 
is  engaged  as  a  pension  attorney,  which  busi- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


in 


ness  he  has  successfully  followed  for  several 
years.  In  1890,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  is  also  a  Notary  Pub 
lic.  He  fills  these  positions  with  credit  to  him 
self  and  honor  to  those  whom  he  serves.  He 
and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Church. 


CAPT.  WILLIAM  PARKER,  Editor  and  'pro 
prietor  of  the  Rock  Falls  News,  Rock 
Falls,  111.,  the  son  of  William  and  Sarah 
(Ruggles)  Parker,  was  born  at  Maysville,  Ky., 
Nov.  6,  1835.  His  grandfather  Parker  was  a 
native  of  Va.,  and  came  down  the  Ohio  River 
to  Ky.  at  an  early  period  in  the  settlement  of 
that  State.  His  father,  William  Parker,  Sr., 
was  a  pioneer  merchant,  trader  and  steamboat- 
man  on  the  Ohio  and  Miss.  Rivers.  An  ardent 
Henry  Clay  Whig,  he  denounced  slavery  as  a 
crime  against  man's  moral  nature.  He  was  for 
one  term  the  sheriff  of  Brown  County,  Ohio. 
He  died  at  Ripley,  Ohio,  in  Oct.  1884.  His 
wife  died  in  giving  birth  to  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  The  following  children  were  the  fruits 
of  his  marriage:  Louisa  (Mrs.  Judge  Fishback 
of  Cairo),  Capt.  Dyas  T.  Parker  who  died  at 
Cairo,  111.,  Esther  (Mrs.  Capt.  A.  J.  Collins  of 
Oregon),  and  Major  James  A.,  who  died  in  the 
spring  of  1891,  in  southern  Cal.,  and  who  was 
a  Maj.  in  the  confederate  service,  his  brother 
William  being  an  officer  in  the  Federal  army. 
They  met  at  times  during  the  conflict,  apart 
from  the  clash  of  battles,  and  amicably  dis 
cussed  the  vicissitudes  of  war.  Capt.  William 
Parker  was  brought  up  at  Maysville,  Ky.,  where 
he  received  his  early  education  in  the  Rand  & 
Richardson  Seminary.  The  failure  of  his 
father  in  business  about  this  time  deprived  his 
son  of  a  collegiate  education,  which  had  been 
intended  for  him.  He  went  to  Ripley,  Ohio, 
at  fifteen  years  of  age  and  secured  employ 
ment  in  the  office  of  the  Ripley  Bee,  where  he 
remained  three  years  acquiring  the  trade  of  a 
compositor.  Going  to  Cincinnati  he  obtained 
work  in  the  Enquirer  Job  Printing  House,  at 
which  he  continued  for  two  years.  He  was 
now  twenty  years  of  age  and  well  prepared  to 


fight  the  stern  battle  of  life.  His  next  move 
was  the  Salem  Register,  Salem,  111.,  which  he 
vigorously  conducted  as  the  champion  of  Gen. 
Fremont  during  that  noted  political  campaign. 
Subsequently  locating  at  Centralia,  111.,  he 
leased  an  office  and  begun  the  publication  of 
the  Centralian.  At  the  period  of  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  War  he  was  the  manager  of  the 
Dixon  Telegraph,  at  Dixon,  111.,  of  which  Isaac 
Boardman  was  owner.  He  entered  the  military 
service  at  Dixon,  as  2nd  Lieut,  of  Company  A. 
75th  Ills.  Inf.,  Sept.  20,  1862,  being  promoted 
to  ist  Lieut.  Dec.  20,  1862,  and  to  Capt.  March 
23,  1863.  His  regiment  was  temporarily  sta 
tioned  at  Dixon,  leaving  that  place  Sept.  27, 
1862,  and  proceeding  to  Jeffersonville,  Ind., 
crossed  the  Ohio  into  Ky.,  Sept.^oth.  Oct.  11, 
he  was  engaged  with  his  command,  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Perryville  in  which  the  Regt.  suffered 
a  very  heavy  loss.  Lieut.  Parker  evinced  the 
most  conspicuous  gallantry  in  this  engagement 
in  which  he  acted  as  Capt.  with  all  the  valor 
and  skill  of  a  veteran  officer.  Although  his 
first  battle,  he  achieved  signal  merit,  and  while 
he  participated  in  every  subsequent  engage 
ment  in  which  his  regiment  took  part  his  origi 
nal  baptism  of  fire  proved  his  heroic  character 
and  inflexible  courage.  In  the  battle  of  Mur- 
freesboro  he  again  had  command  of  his  Co.,  the 
position  of  the  Regt.  being  on  the  extreme 
right  of  the  right  wing  of  the  army.  After  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  in  which,  however,  the 
Regt.  was  not  heavily  engaged,  a  reorganiza 
tion  was  effected  by  which  it  was  assigned  to 
the  4th  A.  C.  3rd  Brig.,  ist  Div.,  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  at  that  time  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Howard. 

During  the  siege  of  Chattanooga  this  com 
mand  performed  very  effective  service  in  se 
curing  communication  with  Lookout  Mountain, 
and  in  the  battle  subsequently  occurring  at  that 
point  the  Brig,  was  actively  engaged  under 
Gen.  Hooker.  Capt.  Parker  was  in  the  thick 
est  of  the  fight  for  the  greater  part  of  the  day. 
On  the  following  day  he  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  his  command  cap 
turing  a  large  number  of  prisoners  and  the  train 
of  the  enemy's  head  quarters. 


112 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


An  interesting  incident,  of  this  battle  was 
the  surrender  to  Capt.  Parker  of  the  son  of 
Gen.  Breckenridge.  His  Co.  was  frequently  de 
tailed  for  special  and  hazardous  service,  and  on 
these  occasions  Capt.  Parker  always  acquited 
himself  with  the  most  admirable  judgment  and 
courage.  The  command  went  into  winter 
quarters  at  Blue  Spring.  During  this  period 
Capt.  Parker  was  much  engaged  in  Court 
Marshal  duties.  On  the  raid  to  Dalton  in  Jan., 
1864,  he  executed  the  most  exemplary  services. 
In  the  ensuing  spring  the  regiment  took  an  ac 
tive  part  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  being  en 
gaged  in  the  battles  at  Dalton,  Buzzard's 
Roost,  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Marietta, 
New  Hope  Church,  Burnt  Hickory,  Peach 
Tree  Creek  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta. 

After  Atlanta,  Capt.  Parker's  command  be 
ing  in  the  Corps  of  Gen.  Thomas,  was  detached 
from  Sherman's  army;  continued  to  pursue 
Hood,  and  took  active  part  in  the  engagements 
at  Pulaski,  Columbia,  Spring  Hill,  the  sanguin 
ary  conflict  at  Franklin,  and  the  second  invest 
ment  at  Nashville.  When  Hood  evacuated 
Nashville  the  command  of  Capt.  Parker  pur 
sued  his  discomfited  army  to  the  Tenn.,  and 
subsequently  performed  valuable  service  in 
opening  up  communication  with  Grant,  via 
East  Tenn.  While  engaged  on  this  duty  they 
received  intelligence  of  the  assassination  of 
President  Lincoln.  Returning  to  quarters  at 
Huntsville,  the  command  was  subsequently 
ordered  to  Nashville  to  be  mustered  out,  being 
finally  discharged  at  Chicago,  July  I,  1865. 

Capt.  Parker  returned  to  his  old  home  at 
Dixon,  111.,  but  subsequently  removing  to 
Ottawa,  and  purchasing  a  half  interest  in  the 
Ottawa  Republican,  remaining  there  about 
two  years,  when  he  disposed  of  his  interest. 
He  next  made  a  purchase  of  the  Wenona 
Index;  which  he  continued  until  1870.  During 
his  residence '  at  Wenona  he  was  for  three 
years  its  postmaster,  under  the  appointment  of 
President  Johnson.  In  1870  he  purchased  the 
Amboy  Journal,  which  for  two  years  he  suc 
cessfully  conducted,  afterwards  going  to  Kan 
sas,  where  he  became  associated  with,  and 
interested  in  various  newspaper  enterprises. 


Returning  to  111.,  in  1876,  he  located  at  Men- 
dota  and  was  theje  engaged  in  newspaper 
work  until  1882.  He  then  acquired  an  interest 
in  the  Amboy  News,  and  conducted  that  paper 
for  one  year,  removing  in  June,  1883  to  Rock 
Falls,  and  established  the  Rock  Falls  News,  a 
weekly  issue  on  Saturday.  The  News  has 
been  a  successful  venture,  with  a  large  and 
steadily  increasing  criculation,  and  substantial 
advertising  patronage.  His  son-in-law,  Chas. 
L.  Montmer  is  associated  with  him  in  the  con 
duct  of  the  business. 

Mr.  Parker  was  married  at  Salem,  111.,  June 
18,  1857,  to  Miss  Ella  A.,  Daughter  of  Enoch 
and  Jane  (Sargent)  Bond,  originally  from 
Ohio.  Mrs  Parker  is  a  sister  of  Col.  F.  S. 
Bond,  of  Chicago,  and  Gen.  J.  R.  S.  Bond, 
deceased,  formerly  a  prominent  newspaper 
man  of  Ohio.  There  have  been  born  to  their 
marriage  three  children:  Jennie  W.  (Mrs. 
W.  M.  Gedded  of  Neb.,  deceased  in  1883.  leav- 
a  son),  Anna  F.  (Mrs.  C.  L.  Wentzer),  and  E, 
Bond  Parker(accidentally  killed  by  a  railway 
locomotive  in  1882).  Mr.  Parker  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order,  and  the  G.  A.  R.,  in 
which  he  has  been  actively  prominent  and 
influential.  He  was  a  conspicuous  figure  at 
the  National  Encampment,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Indiana 
polis,  Ind.,  in  1883,  as  Commander  of  Posts 
at  Ottawa.  Mendota,  and  other  points,  and  as 
Commander  of  Will  Robinson  Post,  274,  of 
Sterling,  111.  In  1887,  he  was  a  promoter  of 
whatever  could  secure  the  fraternal  bond  and 
hearty  co-operation  of  the  members  for  the 
general  good.  Capt.  Parker  now  holds  the 
rank  of  P.  C.  of  Will  Enderton  Post  729,  of 
Rock  Fall,  111.,  of  which  post  he  was  a  charter 
member.  He  is  a  Republican.  As  a  soldier 
and  civilian,  wherever  placed,  he  has  exhibited 
the  characteristics  which  assert  themselves  in 
purity  of  manhood  and  its  concomitants  of 
consistent  courage  and  spotless  integrity. 


WILLIAM  T.  GARY,  of  Morris,    111.,   was 
born    Oct.    27,    1842,    in    Harrisville, 
Ohio;    is   the  son  of  William  Carey, 
whobegan  the  business  of  manufacturinggloves, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


a  few  years  before  the  birth  of  his  son,  and 
died  a  few  months  after  this  event.  His 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Margaret  E.  Cough, 
of  German  parentage.  After  the  death  of  her 
husband,  Mrs.  Gary  returned  to  Johnstown, 
Fulton  County,  N.  Y.,  her  birthplace,  her  father 
being  George  Cough. 

Grandfather  Cary  was  of  old  American 
stock  and  lived  at  Gary's  Corner,  so  named  from 
this  family,  which  took  part  in  the  early  wars 
of  the  country. 

William  Cary  resided  in  Johnstown  until  he 
was  seven  years  of  age,  when  his  mother  was 
married  to  her  second  husband  and  removed  to 
Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.  Here  he  remained  re 
ceiving  his  education  at  Cape  Vincent,  until  he 
entered  the  army.  June  5,  1861,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  H.  34th  regiment  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf., 
going  to  Washington  and  performing  picket 
duty  on  the  Potomac  for  some  months  until 
the  5th  regiment,  U.  S.  Cavalry  came  from  the 
plains,  then  Mr.  Cary  was  transferred  to  Com 
pany  F.  5th  Regiment,  U.  S.  Cavalry.  To  this 
company  belonged  a  Lieutenant,  who  after 
wards  became  known  as  Gen.  Custer.  This 
company  was  held  at  Washington  until  spring, 
when  it  went  with  Gen.  McClellan  on  the  Pen 
insula  campaign,  going  to  Fortress  Monroe  on 
one  of  the  trips.  Frequent  sorties  were 
made  to  find  the  rebels  whom  they  had  pur 
sued  from  Manassas.  After  lying  in  quarters 
for  some  time  and  building  barracks,  the  season 
was  so  far  advanced  that  the  roads  were  impas 
sable  on  account  of  heavy  rains.  The  streams 
were  swollen  so  that  horses  were  required  to 
swim  across.  From  these  expeditions,  the  men 
would  return  thoroughly  exhausted.  On  one 
such  occasion,  Mr.  Cary  took  his  first  drink  of 
whisky  and  laid  down  in  one  of  the  rebel 
shanties  which  was  without  a  roof  and  slept 
until  noon  the  next  day.  While  on  the  Penin 
sula,  this  arm  of  the  service  was  in  every 
general  engagement,  also  in  the  battles  about 
Yorktown,  Va.,  where  it  was  encamped  when 
the  rebel  torpedoes  were  excavated,  which  had 
been  planted  to  be  exploded  by  a  wire  when  a 
certain  line  was  reached.  Some  rebel  prison 
ers  were  employed  in  removing  these  torpedoes 


and  many  of  them  were  killed  in  so  doing,  as 
were  many  of  the  Union  men.  While  on  this 
occasion.  Mr.  Cary,  then  a  Sergeant,  was  out  in 
the  country  with  Lieutenant  Custer  and  six 
men  feeling  for  the  enemy.  Coming  to  an  open 
field  surrounded  by  woods,  they  suddenly  came 
upon  a  rebel  battery,  when  Custer  drew  his 
saber  and  cried  "Forward  Charge."  Dashing 
forward  they  took  the  rebels  by  surprise,  so 
they  had  no  time  to  rally.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch,  in  the  haste,  had  his  horse  crowded 
against  one  of  the  cannon  just  as  it  was  dis 
charged,  and  was  thus  dismounted,  but  before 
the  horse  was  on  his  feet,  he  was  in  the  saddle, 
soon  following  the  leader  who  was  tearing 
madly  through  a  large  camp  of  frightened 
rebels,  who  failed  to  injure  any  of  the  brave 
and  daring  little  company. 

The  next  engagement  was  atAntietam,  from 
whence  the  regiment  went  to  Falmouth,  and 
was  with  Gen.  Burnside  on  his  expedition 
against  Fredericksburg.  In  this  City,  Mr.  Cary 
slept  in  a  piano  one  night,  but  went  out  the 
next  day,  returning  to  Falmouth.  His  term  of 
enlistment  expiring  in  June,  1863,  he  returned 
to  Washington  and  re-enlisted  in  the  1st  D.  C. 
Cavalry,  and  with  his  company  took  part  in  the 
siege  at  Gettysburg.  This  new  organization 
was  a  regiment  of  old  veterans  armed  with  sab 
ers  and  magazine  guns  for  the  purpose  of  driv 
ing  the  guerrillas  out  of  the  Blue  Ridge  Mount 
ains.  These  veterans  camped  with  Gen.  Joe 
Hooker  during  the  winter,  and  afterward  went 
with  General  Grant  in  his  campaign  against  Rich 
mond,  Va.,  and  were  present  at  the  fall  of  that 
city.  They  also  took  an  active  part  in  the 
siege  of  Petersburg,  and  the  Wilderness.  The 
morning  that  Lee  surrendered,  they  were  sent 
into  a  place  from  which  they  could  not  retreat, 
but  being  armed  with  their  repeating  rifles, 
they  held  their  ground  against  nine  lines  of  re 
bels,  until  they  were  reinforced  by  a  brigade  of 
colored  troops  when  the  enemy  was  driven 
back.  The  next  day  they  captured  a  train  load 
of  prisoners  in  Leesburg,  and  also  captured  a 
large  quantity  of  confederate  money.  With 
some  of  this  money,  Mr.  Cary  went  into  the 
country  and  bought  a  dozen  of  eggs  from  an 


114 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


old  lady  who  said  they  were  worth  50  cents  in 
United  States  money,  or  $75  in  C.S.,  so  he  gave 
her  a  hundred  dollar  bill  for  the  dozen  of  eggs. 
This  regiment  entered  the  city  ot  Richmond  and 
staid  a  month,  then  was  sent  to  Suffolk,  Va., 
where  it  did  provost  duty,  and  subsequently 
the  same  at  Norfolk,  Va.  Here  Mr.  Gary  was 
taken  sick  with  typhoid  fever  and  was  sent  to 
the  hospital.  This  was  the  only  time  he  was  in 
the  hospital,  or  absent  from  his  company  while 
in  the  army.  At  this  time  the  nurses  were 
obliged  to  hide  his  clothing  to  prevent  him 
from  escaping.  He  had  a  terrible  dread  of  the 
hospital,  and  one  night  he  secured  a  linen  dus 
ter,  eluded  the  watch,  and  rinding  a  horse,  after 
falling  from  weakness  several  times,  he  suc 
ceeded  in  mounting.  The  horse  was  tied,  but 
finding  a  lance  in  the  pocket  of  his  coat,  he  cut 
the  bridle  which  fell  off  and  the  animal  took 
him  to  headquarters,  where  the  rider  fell  to 
the  ground  when  the  horse  stopped.  The  patient 
was  returned  to  the  hospital  and  remained  there 
several  weeks  before  recovery.  This  brave 
veteran  was  mustered  out  Oct.  27,  1865,  having 
given  four  years  and  four  months  of  faithful 
service  in  the  darkest  hours  of  the  Nation's 
peril.  He  visited  his  home  in  New  York  and 
in  the  spring  of  1874,  took  up  his  residence  in 
Morris,  Ills.  He  became  interested  in  the  sale 
of  agricultural  implements  and  other  lines  of 
business.  About  a  year  previous  to  his  remov 
al  to  Morris,  he  located  at  Minooka,  Ills.,  and 
here  married  Mrs.  D.  E.  Colstock,  in  Dec.,  1873. 
Four  children  have  come  to  them — Ella  W., 
Laura  B.,  Harry  V.  and  Robert  C.,  the  eldest 
16  years  of  age.  This  old  soldier  is  an  active 
Republican,  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  329; 
of  I.  O.  F.;  Knights  of  Pythias  and  M.  W.  A. 


A  NATIVE  of  the  Prairie  State,  James  Brody 
possesses  an  interesting   biography,  and 
an  honorable   record.     He  is  the  son  of 
Hugh  and  Emoline  (Driskill)  Brody,  born  in 
DeKalb  Co.,  111.,  May  24,  1839.     His   father  is 
still  living,  but  his  mother  is  dead,  having  died 
in  1875.      He   is  the  eldest   of  four    children. 


Young  Brody  spent  his  earlier  years  upon  a 
farm,  and  well  remembers  the  time  when 
threshing  operations  were  conducted  by  means 
of  horse  power,  though  he  afterwards  engaged 
in  the  same  work  with  steam  as  motive  power. 
He  enlisted  in  Co.  F.,  I05th  111.  Inf., at  Wheaton, 
111.,  Aug.5,i862.  After  sometwoorthree  weeks 
of  drill  instruction  at  Dixon,  1 11.,  his  company  was 
ordered  to  Chicago,  where  they  remained  three 
weeks,  when  they  were  ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky. 
Shortly  after  they  arrived,  they  commenced 
their  first  march,  and  proceeded  to  Frankfort, 
Ky.,  and  then  to  Bowling  Green,  and  from 
there  to  Scottsville,  Nov.  29,  were  ordered  to 
Gallatin,  Tenn.  Dec.  nth  they  went  to  South 
Tunnel,  remaining  until  Feb.  I,  1863,  when  the 
command  moved  to  Gallatin  again.  About 
the  1st  of  June  they  went  to  Lavergne. 
Another  march  took  the  troops  to  Murfrees- 
boro  and  thence  to  Lavergne  again.  Their 
next  move  was  to  Nashville  and  were  quar 
tered  at  Fort  Negley,  doing  guard  duty  there 
and  in  the  city  of  Nashville.  Meanwhile  the 
Regt.  was  attached  to  the  nth  A.  C.,  Gen. 
Howard  commanding.  In  Feb.,  1864,  it  took 
up  the  line  of  march  in  the  direction  of  Chat 
tanooga.  It  arrived  at  Wauhatchie  in  March 
and  remained  there  until  May  2,  and  was  briga 
ded  with  the  iO2nd  and  I29th  111.,  I7th  Ind.,and 
79th  Ohio  (with  which  it  remained  during 
the  war),  and  placed  in  the  2Oth  A.  C. 

The  first  important  action  Mr.  Brody  took 
part  in  was  at  Resaca,  with  Col.  Dustin  in  com 
mand  of  the  Regt.  Though  his  first  charge, 
Mr.  Brody  fought  bravely  and  assisted  in  tak 
ing  three  pieces  of  artillery  and  severely  pun 
ishing  the  rebels.  Mr.  Brody  was  with  his 
Regt.  in  all  its  movements,  its  marches,  skir 
mishes,  and  battles  in  the  campaign  of  Atlanta. 
The  Regt.  was  often  engaged  in  advancing  the 
line,  and  was  in  some  of  the  heaviest,  blood 
iest  fights  preceding  the  fall  of  Atlanta.  After 
the  surrender  of  Atlanta,  the  iO5th  was 
selected  by  Sherman  to  form  a  part  of  that 
grand  army  that  was  to  make  its  conquering 
march  to  the  sea.  After  leaving  Atlanta,  sup 
plies  run  short,  and  general  foraging  had  to  be 
resorted  to.  In  fact,  for  some  42  or  43  days 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


rr5 


two  or  three  men  out  of  each  Co.  were  selected 
to  secure  the  surrounding  country  and  to  bring 
in  whatever  was  edible. 

Mr.  Brody  recalls  a  somewhat  ludicrous  in 
cident  which  occurred  while  they  were  stationed 
at  Raleigh,  and  just  prior  to  the  declaration  of 
peace.  In  their  glee  at  seeing  an  early  peace, 
they  destroyed  their  canteens  and  numerous 
other  camp  utensils,  which  they  supposed  they 
would  have  no  further  use  for.  The  succeed 
ing  day,  however,  had  barely  set  in,  when  they 
received  marching  orders  to  pursue  Johnston. 
The  dismay  of  the  men  can  be  better  imagined 
than  described,  for  hardly  one  had  preserved  a 
canteen  or  other  utensil,  wherewith  to  hold 
water  to  slake  their  thirst  during  the  twelve 
miles  march  which  followed.  Fortunately 
Johnston  surrendered  the  following  day,  thus 
making  further  pursuit  unnecessary,  and  the 
men  returned  to  Camp  at  Raleigh.  From  Ral 
eigh  they  marched  to  Richmond,  and  from 
there  to  Washington,  where  they  took  part  in 
the  grand  review  underSherman.  Subsequently 
they  proceeded  to  Pittsburg,  where  the  ladies 
of  that  city  entertained  them  with  an  elegant 
supper,  and  filled  their  haversacks  with  suffi 
cient  provisions  to  last  them  until  they  reached 
Chicago.  Treated  so  generously,  as  they  un 
doubtedly  were,  in  Pittsburg,  many  of  those 
who  were  present  on  this  occasion,  still  have  a 
lively  recollection  of  that  memorable  day. 
Arriving  in  Chicago  about  3  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  it  was  after  9  A.  M.  before  they  were 
paid  off,  and  in  recalling  this  occasion,  Mr. 
Brody  still  remembers  some  of  the  incidents 
which  took  place  that  day.  In  marching 
through  this  city,  it  seems  they  took  possession, 
as  it  were,  of  the  sidewalks,  at  which  the  guar 
dians  of  the  law  took  umbrage,  and  in  ordering 
them  off  remarked  that  the  road  was  good 
enough  for  them.  This,  of  course,  naturally 
nettled  the  men  and  their  Col.,  and  he,  turning 
to  his  Co.,  said,  "Close  up  boys,  we  will  hold 
the  walk,"  and  they  did,  while  the  street  cars 
and  railroad  trains  were  forced  to  come  to  a 
standstill.  Later  in  the  day  a  small  riot  almost 
occurred,  which  was  occasioned  through  an  of 
fensive  epithet  applied  to  Gen.  Sherman  by  a 


saloon  keeper,  in  whose  saloon  several  of  the 
Co.  were  refreshing  themselves.  The  remark 
made  was  that  Sherman  was  a  traitor  to  his 
country,  but  this  was  no  sooner  uttered  than 
the  company's  Lieut.,  who  happened  to  be 
among  those  present,  said,  "say  that  again,  if 
you  dare,"  and  the  saloon  keeper  saying  it 
again,  the  Lieut,  shot  forth  his  arm  and  felled 
him  to  the  ground.  The  men  by  this  time  were 
thoroughly  aroused,  and  caught  hold  of  him 
and  threw  him  out  of  doors,  afterward  staving 
in  the  various  barrels  and  helping  themselves 
to  whatever  they  desired.  They  cleared  out 
the  whole  place,  though,  to  their  credit,  let  it 
be  said,  they  left  the  man's  family  unmolested. 
By  this  time  the  row  had  considerably  in 
creased,  and  Col.  Sweet  fearing  serious  results, 
were  it  allowed  to  continue  unchecked, 
ordered  three  pieces  of  artillery  out  to  stop 
the  proceedings.  Grant  and  Sherman  saw  them 
coming,  and  upon  receiving  an  answer  to  their 
inquiry,  whither  they  were  going,  Sherman  or 
dered  them  to  return,  saying  they  had  better 
not  trouble  the  boys,  "for,"  said  he,  "they  did 
the  right  thing.  Leave  them  alone." 

Mr.  Brody  was  in  26  battles  and  saw  much 
active  service.  He  was  married  at  Napierville, 
Sept.  25,  1860,  to  Edith  M.  Driskill.  They 
have  five  children:  Hattie,  Frank  F.,  Jennie, 
Jesse  J.,  and  Harry.  During  the  war,  Mrs. 
Brody,  with  that  pluck  and  determination 
which  is  characteristic  of  the  true  wife  and 
mother,  supported  herself  and  infant  daughter, 
Hattie,  during  her  husband's  absence.  Mr. 
Brody  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  and  in 
politics  is  a  Republican.  His  pension,  which 
is  small,  he  well  deserves,  and  it  is  needless  to 
state  that  he  is  much  respected  by  all  who 
know  him. 


LYSTON  D.  HOWE,  of  Streator,  111.,  was  born 
at  Hiram,  Ohio,  Aug.  27,  1850,  and  when 
7  years  old  removed  with  his  father  to 
Waukegan,    111.,    and    there    attended    school 
until  his  enlistment.     He  is  a  son  of  William  H. 
Howe,  born   in  Vt.,  June  26,   1820,  of  English 


u6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


descent  and  a  carpenter  by  trade.  The  father 
had  only  one  child,  Oren  P.,  besides  our  sub 
ject,  and  he  also  enlisted  in  the  Union  army 
during  the  rebellion  as  a  drummer  boy,  and 
was  the  .celebrated  boy  whom  Gen.  Sherman 
especially  mentioned  in  his  report  to  the  Pres 
ident,  recommending  that  he  be  educated  at 
West  Point  at  the  expense  of  the  Government, 
which  suggestion  was  subsequently  acted  upon. 
The  father  had  a  natural  talent  for  music  which 
he  cultivated  as  opportunity  offered  and  was 
enabled  to  play  on  any  musical  instrument. 
Lyston  inherited  this  musical  taste  of  his  father, 
and  when  quite  young  learned  to  play  on  vari 
ous  instruments,  and  among  others,  be  became 
proficient  as  a  snare  drummer.  At  the  out 
break  of  the  war,  he  was  called  upon  to  drum 
up  recruits,  and  made  frequent  trips,  in  the  per 
formance  of  that  duty,  to  Chicago,  and  was 
there  engaged  until  his  enlistment,  June  5, 

1861,  which  he  did  at  Waukegan,  as  a  drummer 
boy  (the  business  he  loved  so  well,  being  too 
young  for  any  other  service),  in  Co.  I.,  1 5th  111. 
Inf.     He  then  went  to  Freeport,  111.,  and  joined 
the  Regt.,   and    thence   to    Benton    Barracks, 
where  the  regiment  was  organized  under  Gen. 
John   C.  Freemont.     It   was   then   ordered  to 
Northwestern    Mo.     At    Mexico    in  the    same 
State,  his  Regt.  was  brigaded  with  Grant's  Regt., 
the  2ist  111.,  then  marched  out  to  Springfield, 
arriving  there  shortly  after  Gen.  Lyon's  death, 
and  was  engaged  on  the  way  in  what  is  known 
as  the  bushwhacking  skirmishes.     He  was  after 
wards  ordered  to  follow  McCullough,  which  he 
did,  and  during  the  pursuit  young  Howe  was 
stricken  with  the  black  measles,  and  was  dis 
charged  at   Camp  Hunter,  Mo.,  near  Tipton, 
Oct.    19,    1 86 1,    when    he    returned    home   to 
Waukegan  and  there  remained   until   Feb.  12, 

1862.  In  the  interval  he  had  been  exceedingly 
ill,  but  was  somewhat  recovered  and  determined 
to  return  to  the  scenes  of  war,  and  if  he  was 
unable  by  reason  of  his  youth,  to  handle  a  gun, 
nature    had    endowed    him    with  an  abundant 
supply  of  musical  talent,  which,  when  applied 
to  the  drum,  would  cheer  on  his  comrades  in 
the    deathly    struggles    in    which    they    were 
engaged. 


When  he  concluded  to  again  enlist,  he  was 
without  money,  and  his  father  being  in  the  war, 
his  mother  was  most  anxious  to  prevent  her 
boy  from  leaving  her  and  exposing  his  young 
life  to  the  merciless  bullets  of  the  enemy;  but 
his  desire  to  watch  the  war  operations,  and  aid 
in  its  suppression,  broke  assunder  the  ties 
which  bound  him  to  a  loving  mother,  and 
notwithstanding  the  lack  of  necessary  funds  he 
started  for  Chicago;  failing  to  find  any  recruits 
there  he  went  to  Cario,  thence  to  Paducah,  Ky., 
having  beat  his  way  all  that  distance  over  rail 
road  and  steamboat,  sometimes  by  kindness  of 
conductors  and  boatman,  and  other  times  re 
gardless  of,  and  in  defiance  of  their  feelings 
upon  the  subject.  Arriving  there  July  I2th,  he 
concluded  that  music  was  very  nice,  but 
worked  unsatisfactorily  in  the  destruction  of 
the  enemy;  therefore  his  ambition  now  was  to 
shoulder  a  gun,  thinking  it  useless  to  longer 
waste  his  breath  on  music,  and  by  a  "  Supressio 
veri,"  as  the  lawyers  would  say,  succeeded  in 
passing  muster,  and  entered  the  service  as  a 
private  in  Co.  B.,  55th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was 
entrusted  with  a  musket,  which  required  almost 
a  superhuman  effort  on  his  part  to  carry.  His 
Reg't.  moved  to  Columbus,  Ky.,  arriving  there 
Feb.  27th,  but  the  enemy  had  evacuated  before 
its  arrival,  therefore  it  returned  to  Paducah, 
March  7th,  went  on  board  the  steamer  "  Han 
nibal  "  and  the  following  day  started  up  the 
Tenn.  River,  arriving  at  Savannah  on  the  even 
ing  of  the  nth,  and  on  the  I4th,  passed 
Pittsburg  Landing,  where  it  went  on  shore 
during  a  heavy  rain.  Owing  to  the  impassable 
state  of  the  roads,  it  was  compelled  to  return 
to  the  steamer  for  protection  and  returned  with 
it  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  where  it  again  landed 
and  camped  on  the  ground  where  afterward 
the  celebrated  and  deadly  battle  of  Shiloh  was 
opened.  On  March  24th,  the  Reg't.  marched 
out  on  the  Hamburg  road,  a  distance  of  about 
ten  miles,  where  it  camped  until  Apr.  6th, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  regiments  to  engage 
in  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  It  also  participated 
on  the  following  day,  and  suffered  as  heavily 
as  any  other  engaged.  At  the  opening  of 
the  battle,  his  regiment  was  in  the  first  line 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


117 


formed  by  Stewart's  Brig.  Almost  the  in 
stant  the  Brig,  had  taken  the  position,  a  Con 
federate  column  massed  three  lines  deep, 
deployed  from  the  woods  on  the  left  and  front, 
and  with  a  rebel  yell  that  echoed  through  the 
surrounding  forest,  charged  on  in  double-quick. 
The  55th  was  flanked  by  the  54th  Ohio  on  the 
right.  At  the  front  line  of  the  enemy  the 
Buckeyes  (the  /ist)  broke  and  ran,  and  the 
enemy  were  not  only  in  front  of  the  55th  but 
on  both  flanks  in  a  very  short  time.  For  over 
an  hour,  the  gallant  55th  with  the  12  year  old 
young  Howe  amongthe  number  held  its  position 
and  fought  as  gallantly  as  troops  could  fight  in  the 
terrible  struggle,  called  afterwards  by  the  Con 
federates,  "  The  Hornets  Nest,"  and  disputed 
inch  by  inch  their  advance  and  the  repeated 
attacks  of  the  best  troops  in  the  rebel  army. 

The  regiment  failing  to  be  supported,  was 
compelled  to  withdraw  and  take  up  a  new  and 
more  protected  position.  In  five  minutes  after 
the  regiment  formed  its  first  line,  the  field 
officers,  Lieutenants  F.  W.  Ellis,  and  Major 
Wm.  R,  Goddard,  Captains  Brownell  and 
Wayne,  and  Lieut.  J.  W.  Petersbaugh  were 
killed,  and  Captain  Nase  lost  a  leg  and  was 
taken  prisoner.  As  soon  as  the  new  line  was 
re-formed,  the  54th  Ohio  on  the  left  of  the 
55th,  when  the  enemy  had  approached  suffi 
ciently  near,  these  two  regiments,  acting  as  one 
man,  rose  and  delivered  a  rapid,  well  aimed, 
and  terribly  destructive  fire  full  in  the  massed 
ranks  of  the  enemy.  At  the  second  attack 
these  two  regiments  recovered  the  shock,  and 
for  three  hours  fought  in  that  awful  gap  with 
out  yielding  a  foot,  where  the  enemy  sacrificed 
more  than  2,000  as  brave  men  as  ever  trod  the 
battle  field.  This  baptism  of  blood  cemented 
these  two  regiments  and  they  were  always  bri 
gaded  together  afterward,  and  were  led  by  Gen. 
Grant  in  person  in  the  final  charge  on  the  7th. 
They  moved  forward  and  delivered  their  fire 
and  with  fixed  bayonets  charged  with  double 
quick.  The  raking  fire,  however,  did  its  work, 
starting  the  rebels  on  the  retreat.  The  55th 
lost  in  this  engagement,  250  men  killed  and 
wounded,  and  there  are  more  of  its  dead  sleep 
ing  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Pittsburg 


Landing  than  of  any  other  Reg't.,  besides  the 
many  who  subsequently  died  of  their  wounds 
at  home  or  in  the  hospital.  The  next  engage 
ment  was  at  the  Rupel  House  May  I7th,  when 
the  regiment  lost  17  men.  The  regiment  then 
moved  toward  Corinth  and.  assisted  in  its 
siege,  and  after  its  evacuation,  moved  to  Mem 
phis,  passing  through  Grand  Junction  to  Holly 
Springs,  arriving  there  July  21,  1862,  and  was 
in  all  the  skirmishes  and  engagements  on  the 
march.  While  the  regiment  was  at  Memphis, 
he  was  detailed  as  drummer  for  the  corps  band, 
and  served  in  that  position  until  the  band's 
term  of  service  expired,  which  was  while  the 
corps  was  in  front  of  Atlanta.  On  July  22, 

1864,  Mr.  Howe  was  detailed  as  an  orderly  to 
Gen.  Hazen's  headquarters,  with  whom  he  re 
mained  until  he  was  discharged.     He  was  with 
Sherman's  army  in  the  1 5th,  A.  C.,  in  the  march 
to  the    sea,    and   through    the  Carolinas,   par- 
ticipating  in  all  the  marches  and  engagements 
of  that  corps.     He  was  mustered  out  March  27, 

1865,  at  Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  when  he  went  by 
steamer  to  Baltimore,  thence  by  rail  to  Chicago. 
By  the  time  he  was  discharged,  he  was  crippled 
with  rheumatism  and  was  unable  to  walk.     He 
returned  to  his  home  and  mother,  and  although 
very    poorly    for   two    years,    was,    by    careful 
nursing,  enabled  to  walk  sufficiently  to  move 
around  with  ever  increasing  comfort.     He  then 
assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  near  Gardner, 
111.,  for  about  two  years,  when  he  went  to  rail 
roading,  filling  various  positions  for  about   14 
years;  then  abandoned  it  and  launched  out  for 
himself  in  the  coal  and  coke  business,  at  Strea- 
tor,  111.,  which  he  has  successfully  and  profitably 
managed  since.     In  damp  weather  his  rheuma 
tism  returns,  causing  untold  suffering. 

He  married,  November  6,  1873,  Miss  Mar 
ion  W.  Stewart,  of  Braidwood,  111.,  and  has 
three  children  by  the  marriage— Orion  H., 
Arthur  James,  and  Lyston  D.,  all  of  whom  are 
living.  He  is  a  member  of  Streator  Post,  No. 

o 

68,  G.  A.  R.,  and  Past  Commander;  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  of  the  Ottawa 
Commandery,  and  of  the  Knight  Templars.  He 
is  a  Republican.  Mrs.  Howe  is  a  member  of  the 
Women's  Relief  Corps,  and  takes  an  active 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


part  in  its  affairs.  They  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  are  zealous  workers 
in  all  matters  pertaining  to  its  prosperity.  Mr. 
Howe  is  one  of  the  prominent  business  men 
of  Streator  where  he  has  resided  for  the  past 
eleven  years,  and  holds  the  confidence  and  es 
teem  of  the  people  with  whom  he  dwells.  He 
was  the  youngest  "  boy  "  that  enlisted  for  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  being  a  little  over  10  years 
of  age  and  in  a  marked  degree  is  entitled  to 
credit  for  youthful  patriotism  and  zeal  in  his 
country's  behalf. 


ISAAC  WILSON,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post,  L.  B.  Brown,  151,  and  a  resident 
of  Bloomington,  111.,  was  born  in  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  Sept.  10,  1829,  the  son  of  Isaac 
and  Elizabeth  (McConnell)  Wilson,  who  were 
both  natives  of  Ohio.  His  father  who  was  of 
English  ancestry,  was  born  March  4,  1800, 
came  to  Illinois  as  one  of  the  rangers  during 
the  Black  Hawk  war  in  1832,  and  subsequently 
removed  to  Nebraska  where  he  died  in  1887. 
His  mother  was  of  Scotch  ancestry,  born  in 
1802,  and  died  in  1883,  at  Des  Moines,  la.  To 
his  parents  were  born  12  sons  and  one  daugh 
ter,  of  whom  five  sons  have  died.  Joseph  B.  a 
brother  of  our  subject,  enlisted  Sept.  4,  1862,  in 
Company  E.  iO4th  111.  Inf.  He  faithfully 
served  his  country  for  three  years.  He  was 
taken  a  prisoner  at  Moscow,  Ky.,  was  ex 
changed  and  served  his  time  out,  being  dis 
charged  June  20,  1865,  at  Chicago,  111.  Isaac 
commenced  life  as  a  wheelwright,  and  was  es 
tablished  in  a  flourishing  carriage  and  wagon 
shop,  at  the  time  he  went  forth  to  rally  under 
the  grand  old  flag.  He  enlisted  at  Prairie 
DuChien,  Jan.  1862,  Company  D.  33rd  Wis. 
Inf.  and  was  examined  in  the  office  formerly 
occupied  by  Jeff  Davis,  when  he  was  an  officer 
in  the  U.  S.  army.  He  went  to  the  front  at 
Moscow,  Ky.,  and  subsequently  actively  served 
in  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Louisiana,  Arkansas, 
Mississippi,  etc.  He  faced  the  enemy's  hot 
fire  in  the  battle  of  Moscow,  White  Pigeon, 
Franklin,  and  during  the  long  and  memorable 
siege  of  Vicksburg.  Later  we  find  him  partici 


pating  in  the  capture  of  Fort  De  Rupey,  in  the 
battles  of  Alexander,  Pleasant  Hill,  Yellow 
Bayou,  and  at  the  capture  of  Price  and  Mar- 
maduke;  he  was  one  of  the  guards  who  con 
veyed  these  men  and  their  captured  rebels  to 
St.  Louis.  Besides  this  long  list  of  battles 
comrade  Wilson  participated  in  many  skir 
mishes  and  a  number  of  minor  battles.  Thrice 
was  he  wounded:  At  Vicksburg  he  received  a 
wound  in  the  shoulder.  At  Franklin  the  fight 
was  desperate — it  was  "  Greek  to  Greek,"  and 
during  this  hand  to  hand  conflict,  he  received 
a  blow  across  the  nose  from  the  butt  of  a  rebel 
musket,  breaking  his  nose  and  leaving  it  disfig 
ured  for  life.  He,  however,  had  the  satisfaction 
of  pinning  the  rebel  to  the  earth  with  his  bay 
onet.  Although  this  wound  was  serious,  he 
never  lost  an  hour's  duty.  At  Nashville  he 
was  the  victim  of  a  shell,  which  tore  away  the 
calf  of  his  leg,  and  thus,  being  seriously  dis 
abled,  ended  his  active  duties  in  the  front, 
After  his  recovery  he  was  actively  engaged  on 
guard  duty  at  Indianapolis,  where  800  rebels 
were  held  prisoners  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  June  10,  1865,  he  was  finally  mustered  out. 
The  bloody  rebellion  came  to  an  end,  and  Mr. 
Wilson  moved  to  Ottawa,  111.,  where  he  was 
married  to  Elmira  Pratt,  who  was  of  French 
descent,  and  who  bore  him  five  children,  of 
whom,  but  one,  Eva,  now  Mrs.  W.  P.  Wilson, 
of  Nebraska,  is  living.  His  first  wife  died  and 
he  was  married  a  second  time  at  Sheldon,  111., 
in  1884,  to  Martha  E.  Roberts.  She  was  born 
in  Manchester,  England,  in  1850,  and  when  but 
a  babe  came  with  her  parents  to  America.  Her 
father  served  his  newly  adopted  country  in 
Company  B.  45th  Ind.  Inf.  and  died  two  years 
after  his  discharge  from  the  effect  of  a  wound 
received  through  his  left  lung  and  right  side, 
he  having  also  been  wounded  through  the  leg. 
In  1866,  Mr.  Wilson  moved  to  Danville  and  re 
sumed  his  trade.  Three  years  ago  he  lost  his 
health  from  the  effects  of  rheumatism  and 
wounds  received  in  the  army,  and  located  at 
Bloomington,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged 
in  the  buying  and  selling  of  second  hand  goods. 
He  is  a  true  soldier  and  an  excellent  citizen. 
He  is  a  pensioner,  and  in  politics  a  Liberal. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


119 


CAPT.  WARREN  H.  NORTON,  of  Earlville, 
111.,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  in  April, 
1861,  as  a  Sergeant  in  Co.  D,  23d  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  known  as  the  "Irish  Brigade,"  under 
James  A.  Mulligan  as  Col.  of  the  Reg.  After 
its  organization  the  regiment  went  to  Chicago, 
and  from  there  to  Quincy,  111.,  on  July  14,  and 
after  a  stay  there  of  a  few  days  proceeded  to 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  from  there  to  Jefferson 
City.  While  at  the  last  named  point  it  made 
several  excursions  into  the  surrounding  country, 
and  on  Sept.  18  commenced  a  march  of  128 
miles  to  Lexington,  Mo.,  where  the  first  notable 
siege  of  the  rebellion  occurred,  arriving  there 
on  the  evening  of  the  nth,  supplementing  the 
Union  post  at  that  point,  making  in  all  2,780 
men,  with  Col.  Mulligan  as  commander.  The 
Union  forces  set  to  work  energetically  to 
fortify  this  position,  and  on  the  following  day 
were  attacked  by  Raine's  with  a  battery  of  six 
guns,  who  was  repulsed.  Gen.  Price  arrived 
about  this  time,  and  immediately  laid  siege  to 
the  place;  then  the  handful  of  Union  troops 
found  themselves  confronted  by  the  rebels, 
28,000  strong,  with  several  pieces  of  effective 
artillery.  For  nine  days  the  garrison  sus 
tained  an  unequal  conflict,  not  alone  against 
the  superior  forces  of  the  enemy,  but  against 
hunger  and  thirst,  for  provisions  hastily  gath 
ered  from  the  surrounding  country  were  inad 
equate,  while  the  water,  short  at  all  times, 
wholly  failed.  No  reinforcements  appeared, 
nor  was  there  any  hope  of  any,  and  although 
they  had  repulsed  attack  after  attack  from  the 
enemy,  for  the  reason  stated  it  was  impossible 
much  longer  to  hold  out  in  such  an  unequal 
contest.  Oct.  2Oth  the  rebels  made  a  most  de 
termined  and  systematic  attack,  and  were  re 
peatedly  repulsed,  but  thirst  and  hunger  had 
already  worked  terrible  results  among  the 
men  of  the  garrison,  and  as  no  relief  could  be 
expected  from  the  outside,  surrender  was  de 
termined  upon,  which  took  place  that  same 
evening.  The  23d  lost  in  killed  and  wounded 
107  men,  while  the  rebel  loss  was  placed  at 
800.  Subsequently  the  prisoners  were  paroled, 
with  the  exception  of  Col.  Mulligan  and  all 
commissioned  officers,  when  Mr.  Norton,  with 


the  others,  returned  to  their  respective  homes. 
In  November  1861,  he  assisted  in  the  or, 
ganization  of  the  53rd  III.  Reg.  and  was 
mustered  in  as  a  Cap.  in  Company  D.  His 
Regt.  was  organized  at  Ottawa,  proceeded  from 
Chicago  to  St.  Louis,  thence  to  Savannah,  Tenn. 
The  battle  of  Shiloh  commenced  on  April  6, 
when  the  53rd  was  ordered  there,  but  for  want  of 
means  of  transport  did  not  move  till  the  after 
noon  of  the  7,  and  on  arrival  was  assigned  to 
ist  Brig., 4th  Div.,  Brig.  Gen.  Lauman  command 
ing  the  Brig,  and  Brig.  Gen.  Hurlbut  the  Div., 
in  which  Brig,  and  Div.  the  Regt.  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  It  was  engaged  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  and  for  meritorious  conduct 
on  the  skirmish  line  was  furnished  with 
Springfield  rifles.  From  Corinth  it  marched 
to  Grand  Junction,  Holly  Springs,  and  thence 
to  Memphis,  arriving  at  the  last  named  place 
July  21,  having  suffered  severely  during  the 
march  with  the  heat  aggravated  by  a  scarcity 
of  water.  It  afterwards  advanced  to  Bolivar 
and  then  on  to  La  Grange,  but  meeting  a 
large  rebel  force  returned  to  Bolivar  losing, 
however,  Adjutant  C.  R.  May  who  was  cap 
tured  by  the  rebel  cavalry,  afterward  moving 
to  Tallahatchee  River,  engaged  four  times  its 
number  of  the  enemy  who  were  retreating  from 
Corinth.  In  crossing  theTallahatchee  River  over 
the  Davis  Bridge,  a  regiment  from  another 
State  was  forced  back  through  the  lines  of  the 
53rd,  but  the  latter  continued  steadily  for 
ward  and  held  the  bridge  and  road  for  up 
wards  of  two  hours  until  the  troops  had  crossed 
and  came  to  its  assistance.  The  Regt.  assisted 
under  heavy  fire  from  the  rebels,  in  running  a 
M  battery  up  the  bluff  by  hand  and  placed  it 
within  50  yards  of  the  enemy's  line  and  sup 
ported  it  there  and  did  splendid  work,  for 
which  it  received  the  compliments  of  Gen. 
Hurlbut.  The  regiment's  loss  was  15  killed, 
and  49  wounded.  It  returned  to  Bolivar  and 
afterward  moved  to  La  Grange,  and,  Nov.  28, 
marched  south  with  Gen.  Grant's  army  to  Cold 
Water,  Holly  Springs,  Waterford,  Abbeyville, 
and  Oxford,  ariving  at  Yocona  Creek  Dec.  13, 
and  on  the  22,  entered  on  a  northern  move 
ment  toward  Tallahatchee  River;  passing  en 


120 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


route  through  Moscow — Jan.  11,  1863— Mem 
phis  to  Young's  Point,  and  on  May  20,  arrived 
at  Haines'  Bluff,  and  on  the  25,  at  Vicksburg. 
July  5,  it  moved  with  Gen.  Sherman's  army 
against  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  on  the  12,  when 
closing  the  lines  about  that  place  the  Brig,  was 
ordered  to  charge  the  rebel  works. 

The  53rd  participated  in  that  gallant  but 
disastrous  charge,  going  into  the  fight  with 
250  men  and  officers,  but  coming  out  short  of 
all  but  66.  In  this  engagement  Capt.  Norton 
was  in  command  of  his  company  and  entered 
the  conflict  with  32  men,  but  emerged  there 
from  with  only  6.  A  few  days  later  it  moved 
to  Vicksburg,  subsequently  to  Natchez,  return 
ing  to  Vicksburg,  Nov.  30,  and  camped  at 
Milldale.  The  men  of  the  53rd  having 
re-enlisted  in  January,  1864,  became  a  veteran 
organization,  and  on  the  3rd  of  February 
started  upon  the  Meridian  campaign,  returning 
afterwards  to  Vicksburg,  and  were  then  fur- 
loughed  for  30  days.  The.  furlough  expiring, 
the  Reg.  joined  its  Div.  at  Cairo,  then  moved 
to  Clifton  and  marched  via  Huntsville  and 
Decatur,  joining  Sherman's  army  at  Kingston, 
Ga.  It  went  to  AHatoona  Pass  and  there 
remained  until  it  rejoined  its  Div.  at  Marietta, 
and  on  July  17,  joined  the  main  army  in  front 
of  Atlanta,  and  was  thus  engaged  in  the  battles 
of  the  19,  20,  21,  and  22,  of  the  same  month, 
suffering  severely,  having  lost  101  men  in 
killed  and  wounded.  At  Jonesboro  the  Reg. 
was  engaged  in  skirmishes  and  went  with  the 
army  as  far  south  as  Lovejoy's  Station,  then 
returned  to  Eastpoint,  and  later  engaged  in  a 
reconnoissance  toward  Sandtown,  afterwards 
pursued  Hood's  army  to  Gaylesville,  Ala.,  and 
there  rested  until  Oct.  27,  when  it  moved  to 
the  vicinity  of  Atlanta.  Subsequently  it  joined 
in  the  famous  march  to  the  sea,  arriving  in 
front  of  the  fortifications  of  Savannah,  Dec. 
10,  and  on  the  21,  marched  into  that  town. 
After  a  months  delay  it  set  out  on  the  Carolina 
campaign  and  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Bentonville.  So  soon  as  Johnston  surrendered 
the  53rd  marched  to  Washinghton  and  took 
part  in  the  Grand  Review,  then  proceeded  to 
Louisville,  where,  July  22d,  it  was  mustered 


out,  continuing  then  to  Chicago,  the  men  were 
finally  discharged,  July  25,  1865. 

Capt.  Norton  was  born  in  Maine,  New  Port 
land,  Nov.  13,  1839,  and  was  a  son  of  George 
W.  and  Philone  (Hill)  Norton.  The  father 
was  a  physician,  who  removed  to  111.  in  1843, 
settling  first  in  the  country,  then  at  Chicago, 
and  in  1846  returned  to  the  country  and  final 
ly  settled  at  Earlville  in  the  year  1854, 
where  he  died  in  1880,  thus  closing  a  long,  use 
ful  and  honorable  life. 

Captain  Norton  received  a  common  school 
education. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  at  Earlville, 
December  25,  1869,  to  Josephine  Ives.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Norton  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children — Philone  I.,  Grace,  Lee,  Josephine, 
Ben  Hill,  Ella,  and  Olive. 

Mr.  Norton  attaches  his  political  faith  to 
the  Democratic  party,  and  in  his  section  of  the 
country,  is  quite  a  prominent  figure.  In  early 
times  he  was  city  marshal,  and  from  1868  to 
1874  he  held  the  position  of  J.  P.  During  this 
period  he  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to 
practice  and  while  he  prefers  to  devote  himself 
to  his  agricultural  interests,  yet  through  the 
urgent  demands  of  friends,  he  has  considrable 
law  practice.  For  six  years  he  held  the 
responsible  position  of  Supervisor. 


JOHN'  H.  RICHMOND,  the  subject  of  our 
sketch  was  born  July  21,  1841,  at  Salina) 
N.  Y.,  and  was  a  son  of  Amaziah  and 
Caroline  Richmond,  who  was  born  in  March, 
1804.  Besides  our  subject  his  parents  had  the 
following  children: — James  O.,  Caroline  M., 
Sarah  M.,  Martha  E.,  Jonathan  S.,  Adeline  E., 
William  H.,  Julia  A.,  Mary  E.  and  George  H., 
making  in  all,  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  are 
now  living,  but  the  youngest  girl  and  two  of 
the  boys  who  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  dur 
ing  the  Rebellion.  Mr.  Richmond  being  raised 
on  a  farm,  his  early  life  was  spent  in  perform 
ing  such  duties  as  he  was  capable  of,  attending 
school  when  he  could  be  spared  from  work. 
In  the  year  of  1851,  his  father  and  family 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


121 


removed  to  Kendall  Co.  111.,  where  they  set 
tled;  the  father  dying,  Nov.  12,  1888.  In  the 
year  1362,  Mr.  Richmond  rented  a  farm  in 
Dupage  County  111.,  which  he  operated  until 
his  enlistment,  August  18,  of  the  same  year. 
Volunteers  being  called  for,  Mr.  Richmond 
immediately  responded,  proceeded  to  Lisbon, 
Kendall  County,  where  he  enlisted  and  went 
at  once  to  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  111.,  and 
was  there  mustered  in,  September  8,  1862  as  a 
private  in  Company  E.  gist,  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He 
remained  there  in  camp  for  about  three  weeks 
then  proceeded  by  rail  to  Indianapolis,  and 
thence  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  afterwards 
marched  to  Sheperdsville.  During  the  period 
commencing  October  8,  and  ending  December 
27,  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  scouting 
through  Kentucky  after  the  rebels  headed  by 
Morgan,  and  also  in  guarding  the  Louisville 
and  Nashville  railways,  and  the  bridges  in  that, 
vicinity.  On  the  morning  of  December  27, 
1862,  the  rebel  General  Morgan,  appeared  with 
a  strong  force  at  Elizabethtown,  Ky.,  and  as 
the  gist  regiment  was  divided  in  seven  frac 
tional  parts,  and  scattered  in  as  many  places,  Mr. 
Richmond's  section  was  the  first  to  be  over 
taken,  and  as  resistance  would  have  been  mad 
ness,  in  the  face  of  such  overwhelming 
numbers  of  the  enemy,  his  detachment  surren 
dered,  as  was  also  done  by  the  other  detach 
ments  either  on  the  same  or  following  day. 
All  those  taken  prisoners  were  subsequently 
paroled  and  sent  to  Benton  Barracks  St.  Louis. 
Previous  to  his  capture,  Mr.  Richmond,  by 
reason  of  his  illness  contracted  after  his  enlist 
ment,  was  compelled  to  go  to  a  hospital  at 
Shepherdsville,  where  he  remained  about  two 
months  and  being  still  ill  when  captured  and 
paroled,  came  on  to  Illinois,  where  he  remained 
about  two  months,  then  reported  to  Benton 
Barracks,  St.  Louis,  physically  unfit  for  the 
army.  He  again  returned  to  his  home  in  Ill 
inois,  but  his  condition  prevented  him  from 
entering  any  department  of  industry  for  along 
time.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  offered  him 
self  as  a  recruit,  but  on  examination  was  re 
jected  as  being  physically  unfit  for  the  service. 
He  has  never  regained  his  health  or  strength  and 


his  stomach  and  bowels  are  completely  dis 
organized.  Since  the  war  he  was  connected 
with  a  livery  stable  at  Marseilles  for  a  nurhber 
of  years,  and  for  the  past  fifteen  years  has  been 
conducting  Auction  Sales,  and  such  other  busi 
ness  as  one  physicially  incapaciated  for  manual 
labor,  can  perform. 

He  married  Frances  R.  Seaton,  January  i, 
1865,  at  Newark,  111.,  and  by  this  marriage 
had  four  children,  namely:  Dallas,  Franklin, 
Matilda  Jane,  Hattie  Irene,  and  Harry  L.,  all  of 
whom  are  still  living  except  one.  His  wife 
having  died,  July  I,  1873,  he  again  married 
Mrs.  Helen  A.  Bartals,  in  Jefferson  County,  N. 
Y.,  August  30,  1880,  by  whom  he  had  two  child 
ren — Helen  Rosette,  and  Byron  J.  He  has 
held  the  position  of  Police  Constable,  and  was 
Street  Commissioner,  for  the  year  1880.  He  is 
a  Republican  in  politics. 


LAFAYETTE  W.  BREWER,  of  Ottawa,  Ills, 
one  of  the  leading  Attorneys  of  La  Salle 
County,  Ills.,  was  born  October  14,  1842, 
at  Clarkson,  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.  His  father 
was  Peter  Brewer,  and  his  mother,  before  mar 
riage  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Lambert. 
The  Brewer's  originally  -were  from  Holland 
where  the  name  was  spelled  Brower,  the 
definition  being  a  man  who  made  beer.  When 
our  subject's  grandfather  was  a  boy,  the  family 
separated,  one  branch  settling  in  an  English 
neighborhood  where  the  name  was  pronounced 
Brewer.  The  other  branch  continued  the 
name  of  Brower,  and  as  both  reared  families  it 
brought  about  the  different  spelling  and  pro 
nunciation  of  the  name.  The  change  of  the 
name  has  caused  considerable  discussion,  at 
one  time  particularly,  on  account  of  the  claim 
made  by  the  respective  families  to  an  interest 
in  the  Trinity  Church  property. 

The  family  from  which  the  Brewer's  de 
scended  settled  in  New  York  at  an  early  day, 
where  Peter  was  born  in  1820,  as  was  also  his 
wife.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  re 
moved  to  Illinois  soon  after  the  massacre  of 
the  Hall  family  by  the  Indians  in  1832,  locating 


122 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


at  Ottawa,  where  he  lived  for  several  years. 
At  the  time  of  his  death,  July  6,  1858  and 
several  years  prior  thereto,  he  resided  at  Paw 
Paw,  De  Kalb  County,  Ills.  His  widow  is  still 
living. 

They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  Lafay 
ette  W.,  Eugene,  Sylvanus  O.,  Loviness  E.,  Jose 
phine  M.,  who  was  married  to  Warren  Putman, 
and  Isabel,  whose  first  husband  was  H.  G.  Dole. 

The  early  years  of  Lafayette  were  spent  in 
the  country  on  his  fathers  farm  and  in  attend 
ance  at  the  common  schools.  In  1863,  he  went 
to  the  Lombard  University  at  Galesburg,  from 
which  place  he  enlisted  December  21,  the  same 
year,  in  Company  I.,  4th  111.,  Cavalry.  His 
brother  Eugene  a  member  of  the  34th  111., 
Company  D.,  had  been  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Stone  River  and  was  sent  home.  Lafayette 
and  Syvanus  thinking  there  ought  to  be  others 
of  the  family  in  the  service,  enlisted  in  the 
same  company  and  regiment,  the  former 
abandoning  his  studies  for  the  army.  The  4th. 
Cavalry  was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Ottawa, 
111.,  in  the  fall  of  1861,  and  rendezvoused  at 
Camp  Hunter,  which  was  located  at  Ottawa, 
for  a  time,  while  being  taught  the  art  of  war. 
Mr.  Brewer  joined  the  regiment  at  Natchez 
where  it  was  engaged  in  patroling  the  river 
and  in  scouting  in  the  interior  during  the  win 
ter  of  1863-4.  Another  important  service  they 
were  engaged  in  was,  in  preventing  cattle  from 
Texas,  intended  for  the  rebel  army,  from  cross 
ing  the  Mississippi.  The  regiment  was  con 
stantly  on  the  move  fighting  and  skirmishing 
on  both  sides  of  the  river.  On  one  of  its  ex 
peditions  they  captured  over  4,000  head  of 
cattle,  which  they  drove  across  the  river  at 
Natchez.  The  regiment  operated  in  that 
locality  until  the  fall  of  1864,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  report  to  Vicksburg. 

While  at  Natchez  a  part  of  the  men  who 
enlisted  when  the  4th  was  formed,  veteranized 
and  the  others  were  mustered  out,  the  new 
recruits  and  veterans  remaining.  They  were 
consolidated  into  a  battalion  of  five  companies, 
Major  Search  in  command.  Company  I.  was 
consolidated  with  Company  L.,  which  took  the 
letter  B.,  Captain  Merriman  in  command.  Sub 


sequently  it  was  ordered  to  Memphis;  barracks 
were  constructed  and  it  was  made  headquar 
ters  for  operations.  They  were  in  Grierson's 
command  and  were  often  out  on  important 
expeditions;  one  of  these  being  to  Vicksburg 
where  the  regiment  had  some  hard  fighting, 
several  men  being  killed  and  wounded.  They 
were  in  several  fights  on  their  way  to  Vicks 
burg,  at  Yazoo  City  they  were  attacked  by 
Forrest,  and  were  forced  across  the  river. 
They  moved  on  to  Vicksburg,  remaining 
awhile,  and  came  back  to  Memphis  which  was 
made  their  headquarters.  From  there  they 
operated  in  the  States  west  of  the  Mississippi, 
and  in  Tennessee  and  Mississippi.  One  raid 
to  Bastrop,  La.,  lasted  two  weeks,  in  which 
they  were  almost  constantly  fighting,  and  cap 
tured  a  number  of  prisoners  and  a  large  amount 
of  Missouri  State  money.  This  money  was  un 
signed  and  the  boys  used  it  in  playing  poker. 
In  the  spring  of  1865,  they  were  on  an 
important  raid  to  Brownsville,  where  they  cap 
tured  Colonel  Lee  with  some  of  his  troops,  and 
a  Guerrilla  Captain,  whom  they  tried,  sentenced, 
and,  under  General  Washburn's  orders,  hung, 
and  left  his  body  dangling  to  a  tree  with  the 
order  stuck  into  his  belt. 

Colonel  Lee  was  at  one  time  a  member  of  the 
Tennessee  Legislature,  serving  with  Andrew 
Johnson.  Though  a  rebel,  he  was  a  man  of 
noble  character  and  held  in  high  esteem  by  the 
Union  officers.  Mr.  Brewer  was  regarded  as 
the  proper  man  to  be  entrusted  with  a  squad 
of  men  to  take  charge  of  Lee  at  his  residence. 
Subsequently,  he  Was  sent  as  a  prisoner  to 
Memphis.  Lee's  thoroughbred  horse,  which 
was  a  wedding  present  to  his  wife,  by  General 
Forrest,  her  father,  had  been  captured  in  the 
action  and  was  then  in  possession  of  Mr. 
Brewer's  brother,  Sylvanus.  Lee  had  been 
instrumental  in  saving  the  life  of  one  Hovey, 
who  had  been  wounded  and  left  at  a  farm 
house  the  night  before  Lee's  capture.  The 
guerrillas  were  roving  around  there  and  were 
about  to  take  Hovey  into  their  murderous 
hands,  when  Colonel  Lee,  with  an  honorable 
regard  for  the  proprieties  of  war,  ordered  some 
Confederate  soldiers  to  protect  him. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


123 


Mr.  Brewer  made  a  trade  with  his  brother 
for  the  Colonel's  steed,  and  with  the  permis 
sion  of  the  officers  in  command  of  the  expedi 
tion  returned  it  to  Lee,  induced  to  do  so  by 
his  humanity  toward  Hovey.  Colonel  Lee 
was  a  fine  conversationalist  and  entertained  the 
Union  soldiers  with  anecdotes  of  Andrew  John 
son  and  other  noted  Southerners.  Andrew 
Johnson  was  then  President. 

While  stationed  at  Memphis,  Natchez  and 
Vicksburg,  the  regiment  was  almost  constantly 
in  action,  frequently  having  hot  engagements 
with  the  enemy.  One  of  these  was  at  Egypt, 
where  it  captured  a  stockade;  Mr.  Brewer, 
though  his  horse  fell  beneath  him,  alone  taking 
two  prisoners.  In  this  action  the  regiment  lost 
several  men. 

In  the  summer  of  1865,  while  stationed  at 
Memphis,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Gren 
ada,  Miss.,  to  receive  the  surrender  of  General 
Wright.  Mr.  Brewer  had  been  promoted  to 
Corporal.  While  there  the  regiment  was 
ordered  to  Greenwood,  on  the  Yazoo  River. 
The  country  was  overflown  to  such  an  extent 
that  they  left  their  horses  and  ferried  in  choc- 
taws  or  rough  boats,  several  miles  to  get  to  the 
Yazoo  River. 

At  Greenwood  they  captured  a  steamboat 
stored  with  rebel  property,  and  with  it  followed, 
and,  near  Yazoo  City,  captured  a  barge  laden 
with  cotton,  which  the  owners  were  trying  to 
save  from  the  fallen  Confederacy.  The  cap 
tured  property  was  taken  to  Vicksburg.  Mr. 
Brewer  has  a  memento  of  this  expedition  in 
the  shape  of  a  powder  horn  found  on  the  cap 
tured  barge.  After  properly  disposing  of  the 
captured  property,  the  regiment  returned  to 
its  command  at  Grenada. 

The  war  having  closed,  foraging  on  the  late 
enemy  was  forbidden.  Army  supplies  had 
been  nearly  consumed,  and  the  soldiers  were 
for  a  time  reduced  to  two-thirds  of  a  pint  of 
cornmeal  a  day.  The,  subject  of  this  sketch 
thinking  this  allowance  rather  small  for  •.  man 
who  had  left  home  and  plenty,  to  fight  for  the 
preservation  of  his  country,  struck  out  and 
soon  came  across  a  sack  of  shelled  corn,  which 
he  purloined,  carried  to  an  old  mill  had  it 


ground  and  returned  to  his  mess,  where  it  was 
made  into  bread,  that  the  men  who  had  aided 
in  putting  down  the  rebellion  might  not  go 
hungry. 

They  returned  to  Memphis  the  latter  part 
of  July.  From  there  the  4th  Cavalry  was 
sent  to  Alexandria,  La.  Company  B,  with 
another  company,  embarked  on  a  leaky  old 
ferry  boat;  Company  B.,  ascertaining  the  con 
dition  of  the  boat,  refused  to  remain  on  it,  and 
disembarked.  Thus  angered,  the  officer  had 
the  roll  called  and  ordered  those  who  refused 
to  go  on  board  to  stack  their  arms.  They  all 
stacked  their  arms  immediately.  A  compro 
mise  was  finally  made  by  which  one-half  the 
men  were  to  take  the  old  ferry  boat,  and  the 
other  half  another  boat.  Mr.  Brewer  was 
among  those  who  went  on  the  old  ferry. 
About  one  hundred  miles  above  Vicksburg,  at 
the  dead  of  night,  the  ferry  boat  struck  a 
snag  and  soon  after  sunk.  The  pilot  steered 
her  across  to  a  bar  near  the  west  shore,  where 
she  keeled  over,  and  the  soldiers  with  their 
horses  were  obliged  to  pack  together  on  the 
upper  side,  where  they  remained  48  hours, 
without  subsistance  other  than  that  procured 
by  diving  down  into  the  hold  of  the  boat, 
where  their  provisions  were  stored.  This  acci 
dent  verified  the  judgment  of  the  men  regard 
ing  the  condition  of  the  boat.  The  troops 
were  relieved  by  another  boat.  When  they 
arrived  at  Alexandria  the  non-commissioned 
officers  were  reduced  to  the  ranks,  which 
brought  on  a  dilemma,  as  there  were  none  to 
serve  in  their  place.  This  resulted  in  the  old 
officers  being  re-instated.  At  Alexandria  the 
4th  Cavalry  was  consolidated  with  seven  com 
panies  of  the.i2th  Ills.  Cavalry,  and  was  there- 
fter  known  as  the  I2th,  Company  B.,  taking 
the  letter  I.  again. 

The  regiment  remained  at  Alexandria  for  a 
short  time  when  it  received  orders  to  march 
across  the  country  to  Hempstead,  Texas,  where 
it  arrived  the  latter  part  of  August,  under  com 
mand  of  General  Custer.  The  story  of  the 
suffering  and  privation  of  these  soldiers  in  the 
march  across  the  seared  plains  of  Texas,  be 
neath  the  burning  rays  of  a  Southern  sun,  has 


124 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


never  appeared  in  print  before.  The  untold 
misery  of  this  march  was  the  more  deplorable, 
in  that  it  was  entirely  unnecessary.  Many  fell 
beneath  the  heat  of  the  sun,  many  died  of 
thirst,  and  many  deserted,  and  are  recorded  on 
the  rolls  to-day  as  deserters;  all  to  gratify  the 
whim  of  a  martinet,  who  after  the  war  was  over, 
and  while  the  soldiers  were  marching  through 
a  peaceful  country,  without  an  enemy  to  be 
seen,  insisted  on  the  soldiers  marching  in  a  solid 
column,  forbidden  to  break  ranks,  even  for  a 
drink  of  water,  with  their  haversacks,  swords, 
carbines  and  revolvers  strapped  to  their  persons. 
Those  that  went  through,  remained  at  Hemp- 
stead  until  fall,  when  they  were  ordered  to 
Houston,  where  the  regiment  was  afterward 
mustered  out. 

Mr.  Brewer  received  a  furlough  in  February 
1866,  and  before  he  returned  to  his  regiment  a 
general  order  was  issued  to  furnish  no  more 
transportation,  and  he  was  ordered  to  Spring 
field  Ills.,  where  he  was  mustered  out  March 
9,  1866.  He  feels  that  the  Democratic  party, 
in  time  of  the  country's  peril  was  not  as  unpa 
triotic  as  it  has  been  represented  by  many.  His 
family  were  Demociatic  in  politics,  and  out  of 
four  sons,  three  enlisted  to  fight  for  the  pres 
ervation  of  the  Union,  and  the  fourth  made  a 
strong  effort  to  get  in,  but  was  rejected  on  ac 
count  of  his  height. 

Mr.  Brewer  returned  to  Earlville  where  he 
farmed  for  three  years.  He  decided  then,  that 
he  was  better  adapted  for  the  law,  than  for 
farming,  and  began  its  study.  Subsequently  he 
went  to  Ann  Arbor  University,  to  continue  his 
studies.  In  the  spring  of  1871,  he  located  at 
Ottawa  and  the  July  following  was  admitted  to 
the  bar,  and  at  once  commenced  his  practice. 

In  1873,  Mr.  Brewer  was  chosen  City  At 
torney.  He  held  that  position  three  terms, 
with  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to  the  City. 
In  1874,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Dem 
ocratic  Committee  of  the  County,  and  served 
as  Secretary  for  two  years.  He  was  then 
elected  Chairman,  serving  four  years.  In  1880, 
he  received  the  nomination  of  State's  Attorney 
from  his  party,  and  was  elected  over  a  popular 
opponent  by  a  majority  of  250,  the  County  at 


that  election  giving  about  675  Republican 
majority.  During  his  term  of  office  he  dis 
tinguished  himself  as  a  State  Prosecutor,  and  in 
that  branch  of  the  law  made  an  unprecedented 
record.  In  all  his  indictments  not  one  was 
quashed;  he  lost  only  one  count  for  bad  plead 
ing. 

In  1883,  while  away  from  home,  and  unso 
licited  by  him,  he  was  nominated  for  Congress. 
He  made  a  remarkable  canvass,  and  one  greatly 
to  his  credit,  evincing  his  popularity  in  his  dis 
trict.  He  ran  ahead  of  his  ticket  in  every 
County  but  Grundy,  where  he  was  traded  off 
for  local  considerations.  He  is  President  of 
the  School  Board,  and  has  held  that  position 
for  several  years.  Mr.  Brewer  is  an  able  and 
successful  lawyer,  and  has  established  a  large 
and  lucrative  practice.  As  a  man  he  holds  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 
He  is  about  five  feet,  ten  inches,  in  height,  in 
clined  to  adipose  and  of  imposing  presence. 
He  is  strong  in  his  friendships,  and  a  genial 
companion. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  August  29,  1872, 
at  Chester,  Iowa,  to  Emma  J.,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Sophie  (Winslow)Wedge,  who  were 
natives  of  New  York.  One  child  has  been  born 
to  them,  Lafayette  W.  Mr.  Brewer  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  G.  A.  R,  Post  of  Ottawa,  No.  156. 


WM.  MILTON  CRAMPTON,  of  Naperville, 
111.,  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  an 
old  fashioned  log  cabin,  on  the  farm 
now  owned  and  occupied  by  him,  Aug.  10, 
1844.  His  father,  Nathaniel  Crampton,  was 
born  in  Conn.,  and  his  mother,  Julia  Hart 
Dudley,  was  born  in  N.  Y.  State.  They  had 
the  following  children:  Julia,  Rosetta,  Minnie, 
May,  and  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  His 
mother  died  during  the  spring  of  1890,  at 
Naperville.  Mr.  Crampton  was  reared  upon  a 
farm,  and  received  his  education  at  Naper 
ville,  and  also  attended  the  Seminary  at 
Aurora.  He  left  the  latter  place  to  accept  a 
position  in  the  Quartermaster's  Department  at 
Springfield,  Mo.,  where  he  remained  until  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


125 


resigned  for  the  purpose  of  enlisting.  In  Nov., 
1863,  he  returned  home  and  enlisted  at  Naper- 
ville.  He  was  mustered  in  March  28,  1864,  as 
Serg.  of  Co.  D.,  156  Regt,  111.,  Vol.,  Inf.  In 
the  raising  of  the  Regt.,  Mr.  Crampton  bore  an 
active  part,  going  to  Joliet  where  he  induced 
a  number  of  his  young  gentlemen  friends  to 
join  him  in  the  defense  of  the  Union.  About 
two  weeks  after  the  Regt.  was  organized,  it  was 
ordered  to  Nashville,  and  thence  to  Chatta 
nooga,  and  was  detailed  to  guard  trains  for 
about  a  month.  From  there  it  was  ordered  to 
Cleveland,  Tenn.,  where  it  remained  about  a 
month  again  guarding  railroads.  The  next 
move  was  to  Dalton,Ga.,  where  the  Regt.  again 
resumed  guard  duty  and  so  continued  for  up 
wards  of  four  weeks.  From  there  it  was  ordered 
to  Nashville,  and  thence  to  Memphis,  and 
remained  on  provost  duty  until  ordered  to 
Springfield,  111.,  where  the  subject  of  our. 
sketch  was  mustered  out,  Sept.,  1865,  paid  off 
and  discharged.  He  then  returned  to  Naper- 
ville  and  again  entered  upon  farm  work. 

At  this  date,  calmly  looking  back  over  those 
dark  and  troublesome  months  of  the  rebellion, 
it  is  amusing,  if  not  instructive,  to  hear  the  old 
veterans  recite  some  of  the  incidents  of  the 
war.  Mr.  Crampton  tells  one,  which  can 
only  be  accounted  for  by  supposing  the 
person  responsible  was  either  under  high  nerv 
ous  excitement  or  a  little  "off."  Mr.  Cramp- 
ton  states  that  while  he  was  in  the  Quarter 
master's  Department  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  the 
officer  there  in  command  of  the  Union  forces, 
of  whom  there  were  about  5000,  would,  on 
learning  of  a  raid  by  even  a  small  unorganized 
guerilla  party,  put  nearly  his  whole  command 
in  pursuit  of  it,  leaving  Springfield  without 
even  the  historic  "  Corporal's  Guard"  to  defend 
it.  He  now  expresses  his  surprise  that  the  cit 
izens  of  Springfield,  to  use  his  own  language, 
were  not  "gobbled  up,"  as  might  have  readily 
been  done  on  several  occasions.  He  remained 
upon  the  farm  until  1874,  when  he  removed  to 
Oakland,  Cal.,  where  he  secured  a  clerkship  in 
the  freight  department  of  the  Cent.  Pac.  R.  R., 
which  he  held  until  he  resigned  in  1879,  having 
decided  to  return  home  again  to  resume  his 


former  calling,  which  he  has  since  followed. 
He  married  Miss  Minnie  K.  Kimball,  at  Naper- 
ville,  Jan.  21,  1867.  Their  children,  Genevieve 
and  Florence,  are  the  fruits  of  that  marriage. 
Mr.  Crampton  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post  No.  386,  organized  at  Naperville  in  1885, 
of  which  organization  he  has  been  Jr.  V.  Com 
mander;  a  member  of  Euclid  Lodge  No.  65, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.;  President  of  F.  M.  B.  A. 
Spring  Brook  Lodge  No.  3544;  member  of 
Camp  No.  908  Modern  Woodman  of  America, 
and  a  school  director  for  13  years.  A  commis 
sion  promoting  him  to  the  rank  of  a  Lieut,  was 
issued,  but  he  was  mustered  out  before  its  ar 
rival. 


REV.  WILLIAM  CAMPBELL  MAGNER,  of 
Morris,  111.,  is  a  native  of  Ind.,  where  he 
was  born  Oct.  21,  1837.  His  parents 
were  John  A.  and  Sarah  (Campbell)  Magner. 
His  father  was  of  French  origin,  the  name 
being  originally  Magnier,  but  he  being  a  true 
American,  anglicized  it  to  Magner.  His 
mother  was  the  daughter  of  Robert  Campbell, 
who  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  for  50  years 
a  distinguished  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  was  a  slave  owner,  but  believing 
that  property  in  human  beings  was  wrong,  he 
freed  his  slaves  and  removed  from  Ky.,  to  In 
diana,  accompanied  by  many  of  his  former 
slaves  who  remained  with  his  family  until  their 
death. 

The  grandparents  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  died  in  Ind.,  and  their  many  descend 
ants  were  all  loyal  to  the  Government  in  the 
late  struggle.  Mr.  Magner  believed  in  the  Union 
and  was  willing  to  give  his  life  if  necessary, 
for  its  cause.  He  enlisted  at  Paris,  111.,  July 
15,  1861,  in  Company  E.,  I2th  111.  Inf.,  and  was 
mustered  in  as  a  private.  It  remained  there 
some  time  drilling  and  doing  camp  duty,  but 
was  ordered  Sept.  5th,  in  company  with  the  9th 
111.  Inf.,  to  move  up  and  occupy  Paducah,  Ky., 
they  being  the  first  troops  to  arrive  there. 
Subsequently  Mr.  Magner  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  1st  Lieutenant.  The  regiment  lay  at 


126 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Paducah  until  February,  1862,  when  it  embarked 
for  Fort  Henry.  His  regiment  moved  up  the 
left  bank  of  the  river  and  occupied  Fort  Heiman, 
and  on  the  I2th,  moved  to  Fort  Donelson. 
The  soldiers  fought  nobly  at  Donelson,  defeat 
ing  the  enemy,  and  taking  the  Fort  with  a 
large  number  of  prisoners.  It  was  during  that 
engagement  that  the  famous  letter  of  General 
Grant  to  General  Buckner  was  written,  in 
which  the  phrase,  "  unconditional  surrender" 
became  historic. 

Mr.  Magner  fought  at  Shiloh.  On  the 
morning  of  the  second  day  of  the  battle,  while 
in  command  of  his  company  on  the  skirmish 
line,  a  ball  struck  his  right  foot  going  entirely 
through  it.  This  disabled  him  for  active  duty. 
He  was  loath  to  leave  his  command,  however, 
and  staid  with  it,  where  he  was  tenderly  cared 
for.  He  was  with  his  regiment  during  the  siege 
of  Corinth,  and  shortly  after  was  detailed  on 
recruiting  service  at  Paris,  111.  He  joined  his 
regiment  in  October,  1862,  after  Price  and  Van 
Dorn's  attack  on  Corinth,  and  soon  after  was 
sent  to  Memphis  to  take  lessons  in  the  Signal 
Corps.  Becoming  proficient  in  this  line  of 
duty,  he  was  detailed  in  the  Signal  Corps 
Department  with  rank  as  1st  Lieut.  He  was 
ordered  to  Vicksburg  and  assigned  to  McPher- 
son's  command,  where  he  established  the  first 
organized  system  of  the  signal  service.  He 
remained  in  that  important  department  until 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment,  and 
duiing  his  service  collected  many  valuable  and 
historic  documents,  among  which  is  the  follow 
ing  taken  from  the  original:  "  4:30  A.  M.  4-63." 

"ADMIRAL  PORTER. 

The  enemy  has  accepted  in  the 
main,  my  terms  of  capitulation  and  will  sur 
render  the  city  works  and  garrison  at  10  A.  M. 
The  firing  now  going  on  arises  from  misappre 
hension. 

"U.  S.  GRANT,  Major  General. 
"Commanding." 

The  above  order  was  handed  to  Lieut.  Mag 
ner  by  Gen.  Grant  in  person,  and  was  by  him 
dispatched  from  Vicksburg,  through  the  Signal 
Service  to  Admiral  Porter,  during  Grant's  in 
terview  with  Pemberton. 


Mr.  Magner,  as  a  Signal  Officer,  had  noticed 
the  rebel  signal  flag  on  the  Court  House  in  the 
city  and  determined  to  secure  it  when  the 
forces  entered  Vicksburg.  He  and  Gen.  W.  E. 
Strong  entered  the  city  nearly  an  hour  before 
the  army  to  hoist  the  Union  flag 
and  went  directly  to  the  Court  House, 
where  the  flag  was  still  waving.  Mr.  Magner 
made  his  way  to  the  top  of  the  dome  and  se 
cured  it,  and  has  it  now  in  his  possession,  torn 
and  riddled  with  bullets.  It  is  a  trophy  he 
values  very  highly.  He  has  also,  which  he 
values  beyond  price,  the  signatures  of  all  dis 
tinguished  men  of  that  day  who  were  entitled 
to  send  dispatches  through  the  Signal  Service: 
Grant,  Sherman  and  others.  He  has  his  com 
mission  of  1st  Lieut.,  given  for  meritorious  con 
duct  on  the  field  of  Shiloh,  signed  by  Governor 
Yates,  his  commission  in  the  Regular  Army 
signed  by  President  Lincoln  and  Secretary 
Stanton. 

Mr.  Magner  having  served  out  his  term  of 
enlistment  was  mustered  out  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  in 
August,  1864.  He  was  reared  in  Ind.  and  111., 
where  he  received  his  preliminary  education, 
and  was  sent  to  Washington  College,  Pa.,  where 
he  was  graduated.  After  leaving  college  he 
went  to  Miss.,  and  engaged  as  teacher  in  the 
village  of  Woodville,  near  Baton  Rouge,  where 
he  was  employed  when  the  rebellion  broke  out. 
The  extreme  measures  adopted  by  the  rebels 
forced  our  patriotic  citizen  to  perform  the  most 
bitter  task  of  his  life,  that  of  becoming  a  rebel 
soldier,  and  drilling  under  Hardee's  instructions. 
It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  a  man  of  his 
loyal  spirit,  one  educated  in  the  schools  which 
he  had  attended,  would  long  submit  to  playing 
the  part  of  traitor,  even  under  compulsion. 
The  first  opportunity  that  was  presented,  he 
made  his  escape  and  went  north,  joining  the 
army  as  before  stated.  He  had  the  advantage, 
however,  from  his  compulsory  service  with  the 
rebels,  of  being  familiar  with  the  manual  of 
drill.  The  Magners  were  a  patriotic  family. 
William,  the  youngest  uncle  of  this  subject,  was 
in  the  service  and  was  taken  prisoner  and  con 
fined  in  Andersonville,  He  died  from  the  ef 
fects  of  starvation,  twenty-four  hours  after  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


127 


release.  Mr.  Manner's  three  brothers  joined  the 
army  of  the  Union  as  they  became  old  enough 
to  be  accepted,  which. was  at  the  age  of  sixteen. 
Samuel  H.  was  a  member  of  Company  E.,  I2th, 
111.;  Joseph  T.,  of  the  i3th,  111.  Cav.;  and  Rob 
ert  H.,  of  the  I4th,  111.  Joseph  T.  never  recov 
ered  his  health  after  the  war,  but  was  moved 
about  in  a  wheel  chair.  After  many  years  of 
suffering  he  died  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  May  31. 
1890.  He  was  a  personal  friend  of  General 
Harrison.  When  mustered  out  Mr.  Magner  re 
turned  to  Paris,  111.,  and  was  selected  Principal 
of  the  Paris  Academy.  While  in  charge  there 
he  studied  for  the  ministry,  and  in  1866,  was 
ordained  as  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  has  occupied  the  pulpit  of  that 
denomination  since,  with  ability  and  to  the 
satisfaction  of  his  several  congregations.  He 
was  located  six  years  at  Woodhull,  four  years 
at  Carthage,  four  years  at  Onarga,  and  five 
years  at  Rossville.  In  1887,  he  received  a  call 
from  the  church  at  Morris,  111.,  which  he  ac 
cepted  and  whose  congregation  he  has  served 
with  eminent  satisfaction  since. 

His  family  were  all  strong  Republicans,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  included,  and  though  a 
prohibitionist,  he  supports  the  party  that  best 
advances  the  interest  of  temperance.  In  other 
words,  he  is  a  Republican-Prohibitionist.  He 
has  always  taken  a  lively  interest  in  Grand 
Army  and  kindred  affairs,  and  has  lectured  on 
various  occasions  on  subjects  relating  to  the 
war,  among  the  most  'interesting  of  which, 
were  the  lectures  on  the  Signal  Service.  Mr. 
Magner  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  organiza 
tion.  While  at  Onarga  he  originated  and  organ 
ized  the  old  Soldiers  Union,  for  which  he  was 
presented  with  a  gold  headed  cane.  He  was  mar 
ried  in  1863,  to  Maria,  daughter  of  John  Steven 
son,  of  Paris,  111.,  who  had  two  sons  in  the  war, 
one  of  whom  was  severely  wounded  at  Allatoona 
Pass,  when  General  Corse,  "held  the  fort." 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Magner  have  been  born 
eight  children:  Claude  S.,  Morris  K.,  Sue,  Sarah, 
Willard  C.,  Harrold  B,  Joseph  G.  and  Paul  E., 
all  at  home  except  the  eldest,  who  is  married 
and  located  near  his  parents. 

In  1888,  Mr.  Magner  was  Department  Chap 


lain  of  the  G.  A.  R.  of  Ills.  In  1874,  he  traveled 
over  quite  a  portion  of  Europe.  Since  the  war 
he  has  visited  nearly  all  portions  of  the  country 
which  he  campaigned  over  during  the  rebellion. 


M 


AJOR  GENERAL  JOHN  A.  LOGAN  was  born 
in  Franklin  Co.,  111.,  in  the  year  1824. 
He  entered  military  service  as  Captain 
in  the  Mexican  war  and  served  two  years.  At 
the  beginning  of  the  late  Rebellion  he  espoused 
the  cause  of  the  Government,  and  went  early 
into  the  war.  He  raised  and  commanded  the 
3ist  Reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  entered  the  Volun 
teer  service  in  1861.  At  the  battle  of  Belmont, 
Mo.,  Col,  Logan  took  his  men  into  the  fight 
with  great  gallantry.  Though  they  were  raw 
troops  and  had  never  stood  fire,  yet  they 
fought  on  this  occasion  under  the  lead  of  Lo 
gan,  equal  to  veteran  soldiers. 

At  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  he  again 
distinguished  himself.  His  command  held  the 
right  of  the  line,  and  was  pressed  by  over 
whelming  odds.  Stubbornly  resisting  the 
massed  columns  of  the  enemy,  Logan  suc 
ceeded  in  holding  his  position,  until  reinforce 
ments  were  brought  up,  and  the  Rebels  finally 
driven  from  the  field.  On  this  occasion  he 
was  severely  wounded  the  first  day  of  the  bat 
tle,  but  refused  to  go  to  the  rear.  For  his  good 
conduct  at  Donelson,  Col.  Logan  was  made  a 
Brig.  Gen.  in  the  U.  S.  Vol.  service,  and  as 
signed  to  the  army  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Grant.  At  the  battle  of  Shiloh  Gen.  Logan 
displayed  his  usual  courage  and  solid  fighting 
qualities.  For  noble  daring  and  distinguished 
conduct,  at  this  terrible  trial  of  strength  be 
tween  the  great  contending  armies,  he  was 
again  promoted  to  Maj.  Gen.  of  Volunteers, 
Nov.  29,  1862. 

Taking  command  of  a  Div.,  he  accompa 
nied  Gen.  Grant  through  all  "his  Vicksburg 
campaign,  taking  an  active  part  in  all  its  per 
ils,  travels  and  battles.  After  the  fall  of  Vicks 
burg  the  fighting  ceased  in  the  valley,  and  the 
Father  of  Waters  became,  as  in  past  days,  the 
common  property  of  the  American  people. 


128 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Before  the  war  began,  Gen.  Logan,  in  a  speech 
to  the  people  of  111.,  declared  that  "  if  the 
Rebel  States,  or  any  other  foreign  Government, 
ever  attempted  to  control  the  mouth  of  the 
Miss.  River,  the  men  of  the  Northwest  would 
hew  their  way  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  sword  in 
hand."  That  prophecy  was  fully  realized.  The 
people  of  the  Northwest  had  nobly  vindicated 
the  truth  of  what  Gen.  Logan  had  said  years 
before,  and  forever  settled  the  question  that 
the  men  of  the  great  Northwest  are  unalter 
ably  resolved  that  the  Miss.  River  is  the  com 
mon  birthright  of  the  children  of  its  far  spread 
ing  valleys,  which  they  will  neither  voluntarily 
relinquish  nor  peacefully  surrender.  It  was  in 
deed  a  proud  day  for  Gen.  Logan  when  he 
could  stand  on  the  ruins  of  the  last  hostile 
fortification,  along  this  noble  river,  and  fully 
realize  the  thought  that  the  yeomanry  of  the 
Northwest  had  literally  carved  their  way 
through  the  entire  Confederacy  to  vindicate 
their  claim  to  this,  the  greatest  of  all  American 
rivers.  The  stars  and  stripes  could  now  be  raised 
on  a  steamboat  at  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  and  borne, 
proudly  floating  to  the  mouth  of  the  National 
thoroughfare  and  cat  on  the  gulf  below.  This 
work  having  been  finished  by  the  Western 
army,  Gen.  Logan  and  his  command  now  sought 
other  fields  of  conquest. 

From  Vicksburg  he  started  with  Gen.  Sher 
man  through  Miss,  and  Ala.  to  the  relief  of 
Chattanooga,  in  Tenn.  On  Nov.  24th,  1863, 
the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  was  fought  and  won. 
In  this  great  conflict  Logan  bore  a  conspicu 
ous  part,  and  again  acquitted  himself  with  distin 
guished  honor.  When  General  Sherman  began 
his  Atlanta  campaign,  Gen.  Logan  was  placed 
incommandofthe  I5th  A.C.  Incommandofthis 
corps  he  made  the  celebrated  march  through 
the  entire  Confederacy  from  Chattanooga  to 
Atlanta,  thence  to  Savannah,  Georgia,  through 
the  Carolinas  and  Virginia,  to  Richmond  and  on 
to  Washington.  On  reaching  Washington,  Gen. 
Howard  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the 
Freedmen's  Bureau,  and  Gen.  Logan  succeeded 
to  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tenn.,  con 
sisting  of  the  1 5th  and  i;th  A.C.  He  had 
now  fought  his  way  from  the  position  of  an 


humble  citizen  to  the  supreme  command  of 
a  magnificent  army  of  a  hundred  thousand 
men.  Gen.  Logan's  native  talents  and  energy  of 
character  seem  to  guarantee  success  in  all 
departments  in  which  he  has  been  called 
to  act.  As  a  lawyer, he  had  a  brilliant  success; 
as  a  politician,  he  had,  before  the  Rebellion, 
attained  a  wide  and  extending  popularity  in 
Ills.;  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  was  among 
the  noted  leaders  of  fighting  Democracy  of  the 
State.  Illinois  may  be  proud  of  her  Logan, 
whose  noble  prowess  has  vindicated  her  honor 
on  many  a  contested  field,  and  whose  eminent 
achievements  in  peaceful  pursuits  are  only  sur 
passed  by  his  daring  deeds  in  the  bloody 
theatre  of  war.  He  was  a  lover  of  military 
science,  and  born  to  be  a  commander.  Among 
the  soldiers  Logan  was  the  idol  of  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee.  He  was  loved  by  his  men  not 
only  because  he  was  their  commander,  but 
literally  their  leader  on  all  occasions,  where 
danger  was  to  be  encountered. 

Gen.  Logan  continued  in  service  until  the 
close  of  the  Rebellion,  when  he  resigned  his 
position  and  retired  to  peaceful  life.  In  per 
son  he  was  a  remarkable  man,  resembling  no 
other  general.  He  was  a  low,  heavy  man, 
dark  complected,  billious  temperament,  eyes 
and  hair  very  black.  He  had  a  flashing  black 
eye,  full  of  expression,  but  fierce  as  the  eye  of 
an  untamed  eagle.  He  wore  his  hair  and 
whiskers  long,  and  resembled  much  the  noted 
chiefs  among  the  Indians  in  the  Western  wilds. 
He  died  Dec.  26,  1886. 


FRANK  MAURER,  of  Peru,  111.,  was   born  in 
Bavaria,    Germany,    Oct.    26,    1845,   ar)d 
with  his  parents  immigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1855,  locating  at  Peru,  which  has  con 
tinued   to    be   the   home  of   our  subject   ever 
since. 

When  only  17  years  of  age  Mr.  Maurer  en 
listed  in  the  Union  army,  and  was  mustered  in 
as  a  private  Aug.  27,  1862,  in  Company  K., 
iO4th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  The  Regt.  was  first  ordered 
to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  the  men  were  uni- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


129 


formed,  armed,  and  placed  in  Gen.  Dumont's 
Div.,and  shortly  afterward  started  in  pursuit  of 
Bragg,  going  first  to  Frankfort,  where  they  re 
mained  until  Oct.  26,  when  they  continued  on 
to  Bowiing  Green,  Glasgow,  Tompkinsville, 
and  reaching  Hartsville,  Tenn.,  on  the  Cum 
berland  River,  Dec.  1st.  The  Union  troops  at 
Hartsville  numbered  about  900  men.  About 
daybreak,  Dec.  6,  they  were  attacked  by  a  de 
tachment  of  the  enemy,  comprising  about 
3,500  men,  under  Gen.  Morgan.  The  Union 
forces  were  immediately  placed  in  line,  with 
the  I04th  111.  on  the  left,  and  almost  instantly 
the  attack  was  made.  The  other  regiments 
(io6th  and  io8th  Ohio)  falling  back,  left  Mr. 
Maurer's  Regt.  alone  on  the  open  field,  and  with 
out  any  other  protection.  His  regiment  fought 
with  skill  and  desperation,  and  was  driving  the 
enemy  from  the  field,  when  Morgan's  cavalry 
dismounted  and  attacked  it  in  the  right  flank 
and  rear,  and  finally  completely  surrounded  it, 
and  to  escape  total  destruction  the  officers  sur 
rendered.  The  battle  lasted  one  hour  and  fif 
teen  minutes,  yet  the  iO4th  lost  44  men  killed 
and  1 50  wounded.  It  fought  bravely  in  this, 
its  first  engagement,  and  had  it  been  sup 
ported  by  the  Ohio  regiments,  as  it  should 
have  been,  instead  of  being  conquered,  the 
rebels  would  have  been  repulsed  and  utterly 
routed.  Mr.  Maurer,  with  the  other  prisoners, 
was  marched  to  Murfreesboro,  where  all  except 
Lieut-Col.  Hapeman  and  Maj.  Widmer,  with 
eleven  other  officers,  were  paroled.  He  was 
then  sent  to  Columbus,  thence  to  Chicago,  and 
on  being  exchanged  in  the  spring  of  1863  re 
joined  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  at  Brent- 
wood,  Tenn.,  and  his  Regt  was  shortly  after 
ward  assigned  to  the  ist  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  I4th 
A.  C.,  with  Gen.  Beatty  as  Brig,  commander. 

This  Brig,  first  moved  to  Murfreesboro, 
where  it  remained  for  several  weeks,  then  went 
through  Hoover's  Gap,  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy  and  meeting  some  casualities,  passed 
through  Manchester  and  Elk  River,  where  it 
again  had  a  skirmish,  then  on  to  Decherd, 
Tenn.,  and  there  went  into  camp  where  it  re 
mained  until  August  1 2th.  It  was  then  ordered 
to  Stevenson,  Ala.,  continuing  there  until  the 

9 


army  made  the  advance  which  ended  in  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga.  This  advance  started 
on  Sept.  22.  1863,  when  his  brigade  crossed  the 
Tennessee  River  and  went  via  Sand  Mountain, 
Lookout  Valley,  Johnsons  Brook,  Stephens 
Gap,  McLemores  Cove,  and  on  to  Dug  Gap,  in 
Pigeon  Mountain,  where  it  had  a  sharp  skir 
mish  with  the  rebels,  falling  back  to  McLe 
mores  Cove  until  Sept.  i6th.  On  that  day  the 
advance  was  resumed,  and  on  the  night  of  the 
i8th,  his  regiment  marched  all  night,  and  on  the 
following  morning,  took  a  position  in  front  of 
Crawfish  Springs,  when  the  famous  battle  of 
Chickamauga  was  fought  on  that  and  the  fol 
lowing  day.  His  Regt.,  on  the  opening  of  the 
engagement,  was  on  the  open  field  exposed  to 
the  artillery  fire  of  the  enemy  which  literally 
mowed  down  his  comrades  around  him.  The 
following  day  it  moved  to  the  extreme  left  of 
the  army,  when  again  it  suffered  severely  in 
killed  and  wounded,  as  did  also  the  whole 
Union  force  engaged,  causing  it  to  fall  back  to 
Rossville,  and  afterward  to  Chattanooga. 
November  24th,  the  Regt.  was  again  engaged 
at  Lookout  Mountain,  where  it  assisted  in  re 
pulsing  an  attack  of  the  enemy;  and  on  the 
25th,  it  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  battle  of 
Missionary  Ridge.  He  remained  near  Chat 
tanooga  until  Jan.  19,  1864,  when  he  was  mus 
tered  out  and  discharged  by  reason  of  having 
sustained  an  injury  during  this  service  from 
which  he  has  no  hopes  of  complete  recovery. 

After  his  discharge,  he  returned  to  his 
home  in  Peru,  where  he  has  continued  to  reside. 
He  married  Barbara  Baesset,  a  native  of  Ger 
many,  March  7,  1870,  by  whom  he  has  seven 
children — George,Rosa, Lizzie,  Joseph,  William, 
Tillie  and  Maggie. 

Mr.  Maurer  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  member  of 
Lodge  No.  34,  of  Peru,  member  of  the  German 
Benevolent  Society,  and  of  Kirk  Post,  No.  656, 
G.  A.  R.  at  Peru.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  re 
ceives  a  liberal  pension. 


THOMAS  PUGH  GARRETT,  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.   146,  and  a  leading 
Photographer  of  Bloomington,  111.,  hails 
from  New  Castle  County,  Del.,  and  dates  his 


1 3o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


birth  July  10,  1846.  His  parents  were  Benja 
min  and  Mary  (Haines)  Garrett  and  to  them 
were  born  three  children.  The  elder  Garrett 
was  born  nearPhila.in  1791,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  traces  his  genealogy  back  to 
the  landing  of  the  Quakers  under  William 
Penn.  Thomas  and  his  brothers  received  an 
excellent  education  in  the  Normal  school  at 
West  Chester,  Pa.,  and  at  a  school  at  Wilming 
ton,  Del.,  which  was  conducted  by  the  Qua 
kers.  He  commenced  life  as  a  Photographer 
at  Wilmington,  Del.,  and  continued  in  that 
calling  up  to  the  time  he  rallied  forth  for  the 
preservation  of  the  stars  and  stripes.  He 
enlisted  in  Co.  E.,  7th  Del.  Inf.,  served  a  short 
time  and  was  discharged  on  account  of  physi 
cal  disability.  He  re-enlisted  Sept.,  1864,  in 
the  ist  Del.  Artillery,  igth  A.  C.,  and  joined 
his  Regt.  at  Morganzia  Bend,  La.,  just  after  the 
Red  River  expedition.  Subsequently  they 
were  transferred  to  the  7th  A.  C.  under  Gen. 
Reynolds,  with  Captain  Neil  of  the  Co.,  acting 
as  Chief  of  its  artillery.  Comrade  Garrett 
served  actively  with  the  organization  until  the 
final  close  of  the  war,  and  during  the  latter 
days  of  his  service  vvas  at  Duvall's  Bluff,  Ark., 
actively  employed  in  garrison  and  headquar 
ter  duty.  Here  he  was  mustered  out  and 
was  finally  discharged  at  Wilmington,  Del., 
returning  to  his  home  July  3,  1865. 

Shortly,  Mr.  Garrett  resumed  his  calling  at 
West  Chester,  Pa.,  where  he  completed  his 
education  and  accomplishments  in  drawing  and 
painting.  In  1866,  he  moved  to  Leavenworth, 
Kan.,  continued  his  trade  for  nearly  six  years, 
and  then  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  was  engaged 
for  three  years,  when  he  accepted  the  position 
of  traveling  salesman  for  a  photographic  sup 
ply  house.  After  two  years  of  traveling  he 
took  the  management  of  a  studio  at  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  and  in  1879,  located  at  Bloomington, 
111.,  and  bough,t  the  business  at  his  present 
location.  Here  Mr.  Garrett  is  prepared  to  do 
any  work  in  his  line,  with  satisfaction  guar 
anteed.  He  personally  executes  all  his  pastels 
and  crayons. 

June  13,  1878,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Caroline  A.  Etherington,  an  estimable  lady  and 


a  native  of  Cecilton,  Md.  Her  father,  William 
G.  Etherington,  was  a  wealthy  planter  and 
slave  holder,  but  has  denounced  slavery  as  a 
curse  which  ought  never  to  have  existed,  and 
he  many  times  said  he  was  glad  that  he  was 
forced  to  give  up  his  slaves.  Mrs.  Garrett,  a 
Presbyterian  in  religious  faith,  receiving  South 
ern  breeding  and  education,  was  imbued  with 
the  idea  of  Slavery  and  State's  Rights,  but  her 
husband  says  he  has  succeeded  in  his  efforts  of 
"reconstruction."  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Garrett 
two  children  have  been  born:  Elsie  E.  and 
Marjorie  E.,  both  living.  Comrade  Garrett  is 
a  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  order  of  Red 
Men,  Royal  Arcanum,  of  which  he  is  Vice 
Regent;  the  National  Union,  of  which  he  is 
President;  and  of  the  Heptasophes,  or  "Seven 
Wise  Men  of  Persia."  He  is  a  worthy  citizen 
and  an  affable  and  upright  gentleman  whom  it 
is  a  pleasure  to  know. 


WILLIAM  HENRY  NORTON,   of  Earlville, 
111.,  came  naturally  by  his  taste  and 
inclinations    to    be     a    soldier;    his 
maternal  grandfather  (Parker)  having  been  a 
soldier  in  the   Revolutionary  War,  and   his  pa 
ternal    grandfather    (Norton),   fought    in    the 
War  of  1812. 

Our  subject  was  one  of  the  many  who  re 
sponded  to  President  Lincoln's  call  for  75,000 
troops  for  three  months'  service  and  enlisted  at 
Earlville,  111.,  April  22,  1861,  in  Co.  D.,  23d  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  for  3  years,  remaining  with  his  regi 
ment  until  discharged  Nov.  8th,  of  the  same 
year,  on  account  of  being  captured  and  paroled 
long  before  the  term  of  his  enlistment  had  ex 
pired.  He  re-enlisted  August  15,  1862,  and  was 
mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Company  A.,  iO4th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  August  27th,  at  Ottawa,  111. 
Before  being  uniformed  the  regiment  was  or 
dered  to  report  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  which  it  did 
and  on  the  re-organization  of  Buell's  army  was 
assigned  to  Gen.  Dumont's  Division.  When 
General  Buell  commenced  his  march  in  pursuit 
of  Bragg,  this  regiment  was  on  the  left  of  the 
army  going  to  Frankfort,  where  it  remained 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


until  October  26th,  then  marched  to  Bowling 
Green,  Glasgow,  Tompkinsville,  and  reached 
Hartsville,  Tenn.,  December  i,  1862.  The 
troops  at  Hartsville  consisted  of  the  I04th  111., 
the  io6th,  and  io8th,  Ohio,  two  companies  of 
Cavalry,  two  pieces  of  Artillery,  in  all  about 
900  men.  Three  companies  of  the  iO4th,  were 
detached,  two  being  at  Gallatin  and  one  on 
duty  in  the  village  of  Hartsville.  On  the  6th, 
of  December  the  rebels  sent  an  expedition 
from  Murfreesboro  to  attack  the  forces  at 
Hartsville,  their  force  consisting  of  a  Brigade 
of  Infantry  and  three  veteran  regiments  of 
Kentucky  troops  commanded  by  Gen.  Hanson; 
all  of  Morgan's  Cavalry,  commanded  by  Gen. 
Drake,  and  a  battery  of  Artillery,  in  all  about 
3,500  men,  all  under  command  of  General 
Morgan.  The  rebels  crossed  the  Cumberland 
River  between  Hartsville  and  Gallatin  and  ap 
proached  the  position  held  by  the  Union  Bri 
gade,  at  daylight  on  the  morning  of  December 
7th.  The  troops  were  immediately  brought  into 
line.  The  enemy  at  once  charged,  and  the 
io6th,  and  io8th,  Ohio,  fell  back  leaving  Mr. 
Norton's  regiment  (the  iO4th.)  alone  on  the 
line,  and  single  handed,  notwithstanding  the 
superior  numbers  of  the  rebels,  repulsed  them 
and  was  driving  them  from  the  field  when 
Morgan's  cavalry  dismounted  made  an  attack 
on  the  right  flank,  and  in  the  rear,  completely 
surrounding  it,  and  obliging  it  to  surrender. 
The  battle  lasted  one  hour  and  fifteen  minutes, 
in  which  time  the  iO4th,  111.,  had  44  killed  and 
150  wounded.  The  regiment  fought  with  des 
peration  and  effect  and  had  it  been  supported, 
would  doubtless  have  driven  the  enemy  from 
the  field  instead  of  being  led  away  captive. 
The  men  and  officers  were  marched  to  Mur 
freesboro  and  paroled  with  the  exception  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Hapeman,  Major  Widmer, 
and  eleven  other  officers.  The  paroled  men 
were  sent  to  Camp  Chase,  Columbus,  Ohio,  and 
remained  there  until  they  were  exchanged,  and 
afterwards  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  to  guard 
prisoners. 

In  April  of  1863  the  regiment  was  ordered 
to  rejoin  the  army  of  the  Cumberland  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.  From  this  point  it  marched 


to  Murfreesboro  and  remained  there  until 
the  advance  of  the  army  on  Tullahoma,  when 
it  marched  through  Hoover's  Gap,  skirmishing 
with  the  enemy,  and  sustaining  slight  losses; 
passing  through  Manchester,  again  skirmish 
ing  at  Elk  River,  and  camped  at  Dechard, 
Tenn.  August  15,  it  moved  to  Stevenson, 
Ala.,  and  Sept.  2,  joined  in  the  movement 
on  Chattanooga,  participating  in  all  the  battles 
and  skirmishes  on  the  march,  until  the  city 
was  taken.  The  regiment  lost  heavily  during 
the  two  days'  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  in 
the  skirmishes  leading  up  to  the  capture  of 
that  field.  Mr.  Norton  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Lookout  Mountain,  and  Missionary 
Ridge,  and  joined  in  the  chase  after  the  re 
treating  rebels,  going  as  far  as  Ringgold,  and 
then  returned  to  Chattanooga,  remaining  there 
until  Feb.  1864,  when  they  were  ordered 
to  Nashville.  Soon  after  they  went  back  to 
Chattanooga,  thence  to  Greysville  and  Ring- 
gold,  where  the  regiment  prepared  to  join  in 
the  Atlanta  Campaign.  He  was  engaged  in  all 
the  battles  and  skirmishes  in  which  his  regi 
ment  took  part  until  July  2,  among  which  were 
Buzzard's  Roost,  Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  and  Peach  Tree  Creek.  Before  ar 
riving  at  Atlanta  Mr.  Norton  became  too  ill  to 
remain  any  longer  with  his  regiment,  and  went 
into  a  Hospital.  When  able  to  go  was  sent  to 
Springfield,  111.,  where  he  remained  until 
October  8,  1864,  and  was  then  discharged  on 
account  of  his  continued  poor  health,  and  sent 
to  Chicago  to  be  paid  off. 

He  was  born  Oct.  17,  1831,  at  New 
Portland,  Me.,  and  was  the  son  of  William  G. 
and  Elmira  (Parker)  Norton.  The  family  re 
moved  to  Illinois  in  1849,  a°d  settled  at  Bel- 
videre,  where  they  remained  one  year,  going 
then  to  La  Salle  County,  where  his  mother 
died.  His  father  is  still  living.  Our  subject  had 
a  common  school  education  which  was  supple 
mented  by  a  course  in  the  Academy,  from 
which  he  received  a  license  as  school  teacher, 
which  profession  he  followed  during  the  winter 
months  for  several  years,  being  engaged  at 
shoemaking  when  not  teaching.  In  1852,  he 
started  a  boot  and  shoe  store,  at  Earlville,  which 


132 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


he  afterwards  sold  out  to  his  father.  Upon  his 
return  from  the  war,  he  again  engaged  in  this 
business  at  Earlville,  continuing  for  five  years, 
when  he  again  sold  out  and  went  to  railroading. 
After  3  years  service  in  railroading  at  Earlville 
he  went  to  Aurora  and  entered  the  railroad 
yard,  which  position  he  occupied  several  years. 
Subsequently  he  joined  H.  P.  Wattles  in  the 
Agricultural  Implement  business,  and  finally 
sold  his  interest  and  went  to  railroading  again, 
following  that  occupation  until  appointed  Post 
master  of  Earlville,  which  position  he  now  oc 
cupies.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  courteous  and 
agreeable  manners,  and  by  strict  attention  to 
his  duties  has  won  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
the  community  in  which  he  resides.  October 
12,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Harriet  A.  Smith, 
daughter  of  David  B.  Smith  of  North  Adams, 
Mass.,  and  they  have  a  family  of  four  children; 
John,  L.,  Finette,  now  the  wife  of  Acker  Mc- 
Eachern,  Harriet  N.,  wife  of  L.  R.  Orr,  and 
Maud,  wife  of  S.  W.  Felton,  Ills.  Mrs.  Norton 
died  January  23,  1874.  Mr.  Norton  married 
again  Oct.  20,  1878,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hall,  and 
by  this  marriage  there  were  two  children;  Vera 
and  Blanche;  of  whom  the  latter  is  now  dead. 
Mr.  Norton  is  a  member  of  McCullough  Post 
No.  475,  G.  A.  R.  at  Earlville. 


OLIVER  WINGATE,  of  Wenona,  Ills.,  en 
listed  June  3,  1862,  in  Co.  K.,  87th  O 
Vol.  Inf.,  as  a  private  under  Capt.  T.  F. 
Cooper.  When  the  war  first  broke  out  Mr. 
Wingate  determined  to  take  an  active  -part  in 
the  defense  of  his  country  and  its  flag.  So  he 
first  joined  the  3Oth  Ohio  regiment,  but  being  the 
only  support  of  a  widowed  mother  she  objected 
to  his  going  and  filed  a  protest  with  the  com 
manding  officer  which  compelled  him  to  with 
draw  the  name  from  the  rolls.  The  fires  of 
patriotism  continued  to  burn  in  the  young 
man's  soul,  and  he  was  determined  to  go  to  the 
front  where  duty  called  and  where  thousands 
of  the  best  men  of  the  Nation  were  already 
gathering  to  meet  the  enemy.  So,  early  in 
June,  1862,  he  prevailed  upon  his  mother  to 


make  no  further  protest,  and  making  the  best 
provision  possible  for  her  comfort,  he  enlisted 
in  the  87th  Ohio,  participating  in  the  raid  on 
Harper's  Ferry,  where  his  whole  command  was 
captured  by  the  enemy,  but  were  paroled  the 
following  day. 

Mr.  Wingate  was  mustered  out  Oct.  3,  1862, 
and  re-enlisted  July  29,  1863,  in  Co.  B.,  i2gth 
O.  Vol.  Inf.,  which  was  assigned  to  the  army  of 
the  Cumberland.  He  took  part  in  the  capture 
of  Cumberland  Gap,  Sept.  9,  1863,  where  he  did 
valiant  service.  He  was  also  in  the  Knoxville 
campaign  and  at  Strawberry  Plains,  and  was 
finally  mustered  out  of  the  United  States  service 
at  Camp  Cleveland,  March  5,  1864.  Mr.  Win- 
gate  was  born  in  Tuscarawas  Co.,  Ohio,  Oct.  7, 
1840.  His  advantages  for  education  were  lim 
ited  to  what  could  be  provided  by  the  common 
schools  at  that  time.  Early  in  life  to  better 
provide  for  his  mother  who  depended  upon 
him  for  support,  he  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade,  and  this  business  he  continued  in,  except 
when  in  the  army,  or  filling  some  position  of 
trust  which  had  been  bestowed  upon  him  by 
his  friends.  Coming  to  111.  in  1865  he  located 
at  Wenona,  where  he  was  for  six  years  Deputy 
Sheriff  of  Marshall  Co.,  and  during  the  greater 
part  of  4  years  he  was  City  Marshal.  He  has 
also  acceptably  filled  the  responsible  position 
of  Collector.  In  the  G.  A.  R.  he  has  ever  been 
a  prominent  member,  being  a  charter  member  of 
Wenona  Post  and  its  first  Commander,  serving 
at  that  time  two  years,  and  is  now  serving  his 
third  term  as  Commander  of  the  Post. 

Mr.  Wingate  has  been  a  life  long  Republican, 
and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 
He  was  married  in  Ohio,  April  14,  1865,  to 
Miss  Mary  Miller,  a  native  of  that  State,  and 
has  an  interesting  family  of  7  children  whose 
names  are  as  follows:  Chalmers  S.,  LuanitaL, 
Willis  H.,  Joseph  R.,  Jessie  E.,  Don  F.,  and 
Florence  E. 

Mr.  Wingate  appreciates  the  blessings  of 
the  country  and  the  institutions  he  so  bravely 
and  zealously  defended,  and  feels  that  he  has 
earned  a  right  to  be  proud  of  the  growth  and 
prosperity  of  the  nation  that  he  periled  his  life 
to  save  from  destruction. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


133 


HON.  WILLIAM  W.  FOSTER,  of  Decatur, 
Ills.,  who  has  made  an  honorable  record 
in  military  and  civil  life,  was  born  in 
Ohio,  Sept.  3,  1843.  His  father  was  Samuel 
Foster,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  immigrated  to 
America  in  1833,  and  died  in  Ohio.  The 
mother  was  Isabella  King,  who  was  born  in  Ire 
land,  and  died  in  Ohio. 

The  early  life  of  Mr.  Foster  was  spent  in 
Ohio  and  Ind.,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  and 
attended  district  schools.  Enlisting  at 
Massillon,  Ohio,  August,  1862,  and  mustered 
into  Co.  A.,  I04th  O.  Inf.,  he  went  to  Cincin 
nati  and  crossing  into  Ky.  assisted  in  inter 
cepting  the  movements  of  Kirby  Smith  by  a 
series  of  skirmishes  commencing  Sept.  3,  in 
which  Sergeant  Wm.  Bleeks  was  the  first  man 
killed  in  the  iO4th,  falling  on  the  rebel  Gen. 
Buckner's  farm.  A  number  of  men  were  lost 
in  the  three  days'  skirmishing,  which  was  a 
sudden  introduction  to  war  to  the  new  recruits 
who  had  never  had  an  hour's  drilling  with  guns 
before  they  went  into  battle. 

Kirby  Smith  was  followed  to  Lexington  on 
his  retreat  to  Richmond,  and  the  lojth 
had  a  skirmish  with  John  Morgan  near  Mt. 
Sterling,  and  also  at  Lexington.  It  camped 
then  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  and  spent  the  winter 
in  frequent  raids  through  Ky.  in  pursuit  of 
guerilla  bands,  going  to  Frankfort,  Danville, 
and  other  places.  In  the  spring  and  summer 
of  1863,  they  marched  under  Col.  Gilbert  to 
Bowling  Green,  Danville,  Crab  Orchard;  was 
brigaded  at  Robinson,  Ky.,  under  Gen.  Gordon 
Granger  and  placed  in the23rdA.C. commanded 
by  Gen.  Schofield  in  the  army  of  Gen.  Burn- 
side.  A  march  was  then  made  across  the 
Cumberland  Mountains,  arriving  at  Knoxville 
after  eleven  days'  marching,  the  men  being 
worn  out  with  fatigue,  foot-sore,  sick  and  hun 
gry.  After  resting  a  week  they  were  ordered 
on  to  Cumberland  Gap  75  miles  away,  and  on 
the  third  day  out  met  the  enemy,  which  fell 
back  after  a  slight  resistance. 

Reaching  Cumberland  Gap  at  I  o'clock,  Gen 
eral  Burnside  met  about  one-half  of  one  brigade, 
demanded  a  surrender  and  at  4  o'clock  the 
enemy  capitulated,  giving  up  4,000  men,  12 


pieces  of  artillery  and  three  months'  supplies. 
On  account  of  the  superior  numbers  of  the 
captured  force  their  guns  were  removed  and 
safely  secured  as  fast  as  possible,  and  on  the 
arrival  of  Col.  DeCoursy,  the  next  morning, 
the  prisoners  were  turned  over  to  him.  The 
iO4th  Regiment  then  returned  to  Knoxville  and 
was  employed  in  building  Fort  Sanders  and  all 
the  works  necessary  to  defend  that  post  and 
garrision,  and  it  was  but  a  short  time  before 
the  place  was  besieged  by  Longstreet's  army, 
and  the  men  who  were  engaged  in  erecting 
winter  quarters  were  hastily  sent  into  the  rifle 
pits,  where  they  remained  about  ten  days, 
when  the  rebels  made  a  charge  on  Fort  Sanders 
at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning.  There  was  a 
fine  line  of  defenses  with  ground  sloping  down 
protected  by  a  pine  grove,  the  trees  of  which 
had  been  cut  so  that  the  tops  lay  toward  the 
approach.  Then  about  200  yards  in  front  of 
the  Fort  wire  was  woven  around  the  stumps  of 
trees  and  stretched  around  three  sides  of  the 
Fort,  and  placed  at  the  proper  height  to  catch 
a  man's  foot  and  trip  him  so  that  it  was  impos 
sible  to  pass  without  being  thrown.  The  earth 
works  ran  out  from,  and  connected  with  the 
Fort,  and  there  was  also  a  ditch  on  four  sides 
12  feet  deep  and  20  feet  wide. 

On  the  assault  the  enemy  came  massed  in 
close  columns  and  twelve  times  made  a  charge, 
which  was  each  time  repulsed.  About  4  o'clock 
a.  m.,  it  made  the  I3th  charge,  filling  the  ditch 
in  front  of  the  Fort  with  men,  and  walking 
over  on  them  climbed  up  the  embankment  to 
the  top  of  the  Fort  and  planted  three  stands 
of  colors,  which  were  captured.  The  defense 
then  threw  hand  grenades  into  the  ditch,  which 
was  full  of  men,  and  this  soon  compelled  a  re 
treat.  The  Union  loss  was  small,  as  the  men 
fought  behind  works.  At  one  time  three 
rebel  officers  came  up  to  a  redoubt  and  with 
raised  hands  demanded  a  surrender,  a  gunner 
pulled  the  lanyard  of  his  gun  and  the  officers 
vanished.  After  his  dead  were  buried  Long- 
street  withdrew,  and  the  Union  army  pursued 
him  until  the  spring  of  1864,  to  Strawberry 
Plains. 

In  the  spring  they  joined  General  Sherman 


134 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


at  Ringgold,  Ga.,  and  started  on  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  during  which  came  a  series  of  bat 
tle's  at  Buzzard's  Roost,  Rocky  Face  Ridge  and 
Resaca.  At  the  latter  place,  the  iO4th  Regt. 
opened  the  battle  of  the  first  day,  and  it  was 
reported  that  it  used  more  ammunition  on  that 
day  than  the  entire  corps  used  in  two  days. 

This  command  was  also  at  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Atlanta,  and  in  the  battle  of  Jonesboro. 
It  then  marched  to  Dalton,  took  cars  to  Nash 
ville,  and  were  placed  under  Gen.  Thomas, 
were  later  sent  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  marched 
to  Columbia,  where  the  enemy  was  met  coming 
in  force,  and  the  cavalry  of  the  two  armies  be 
came  so  mixed  that  it  was  difficult  to  distin 
guish  one  from  the  other.  A  Skirmish  contin 
ued  all  day  along  the  Duck  River,  and  at  night 
the  Union  force  was  so  pressed  that  it  fell  back 
across  the  river,  where  it  took  up  a  position 
and  held  the  enemy  back,  fighting  until  late, 
when  it  fell  back  on  Franklin,  the  iO4th  cover 
ing  the  retreat,  and  in  the  night  marched  by 
the  camp  of  the  rebel  regiments  without  at 
tack,  as  all  were  mixed  up  in  the  confusion. 
Continuing  the  retreat,  Franklin  was  reached 
about  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  earthworks 
were  immediately  thrown  up.  The  outlook 
was  not  encouraging,  for  the  men  had  been  re 
treating  for  five  days  and  nights,  and  had 
fought  and  been  defeated  once  or  twice  each 
day,  marching  each  24  hours  about  20  miles 
while  holding  back  a  pursuing  enemy.  Al 
though  exhausted  by  this  hard  service,  the  men 
worked  all  day  on  the  earthworks,  and  about 
4  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  skirmishing  com 
menced  in  front  of  the  works,  and  about  4:30 
the  first  charge  was  made  from  a  defense  made 
of  bales  of  cotton  placed  about  waist  high, 
some  1,000  yards  from  the  Union  works.  In  the 
woods  to  the  right  could  be  seen  Hood's  army 
forming  in  plain  view  with  officers  riding  up 
and  down  the  lines  encouraging  their  men  by 
telling  them  to  take  the  line  of  works  in  front 
of  them  and  the  way  would  be  open  to  Cincin 
nati. 

The  rebel  force  then  advanced  and  on  the 
front  line  met  Gen.  Opdyke,  who  fell  back  to 
the  line  occupied  by  the  iO4th  Regt.,  closely 


followed  by  the  enemy.  Here,  however,  a 
start  was  made  and  charges  repulsed,  and  for 
more  than  five  hours  this  continued,  one  charge 
coming  after  another  until  finally  forcing  their 
way  in  on  the  pike  and  capturing  two  of  the 
Union  guns,  the  rebels  steadily  pressed  the 
Union  lines,  but  they  were  checked  and  driven 
back  at  last  by  Gen.  Stanley,  after  which  fol 
lowed  a  hand  to  hand  fight  until  11  o'clock, 
when  the  enemy  withdrew. 

For  500  yards  in  front  of  the  earthworks  it 
was  difficult  to  walk  without  stepping  on  a 
dead  or  wounded  man.  About  1 1  o'clock  the 
night  of  the  battle  the  Union  force  marched 
to  Nashville,  where  it  arrived  the  following 
afternoon  without  stopping  for  rest,  leaving 
the  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field. 

Reaching  Nashville  this  command  was  given 
a  position  between  Forts  Negley  and  Morgan, 
where  it  remained  until  the  rebels  encircled 
the  city  and  works.  The  enemy  beginning  the 
siege,  built  a  line  of  earthworks  about  two  miles 
outside  the  Union  lines,  and  the  Union  force 
marched  out  and  assaulted  them,  the  corps 
containing  the  ic>4th  Regt.  taking  a  place  on 
the  right  of  the  Granny  White  Pike.  The 
assault  was  successful,  and  the  rebels  being 
driven  from  every  position  with  a  loss  of  500 
men  on  the  first  day.  In  the  night  they 
straightened  their  lines,  and  the  morning  found 
the  two  armies  within  hailing  distance  of  each 
other  in  fortified  positions;  and  in  the  after 
noon  a  general  engagement  began  in  which  the 
whole  army  moved  forward  and  continued  the 
battle  until  dark,  ending  with  the  enemy  in  full 
retreat. 

This  division  followed  the  retreating  enemy 
to  Clinton  on  the  river,  and  then  a  change  in 
the  campaign  was  made.  The  iO4th  with  its 
associates  was  ordered  on  board  transports, 
landed  at  Cincinnati,  then  transported  on  cars 
to  Washington  and  Alexandria,  and  boarding 
steamers  went  to  Fort  Fisher,  Fort  Anderson 
and  to  Town  Creek,  where  a  force  of  the  enemy 
was  engaged  and  put  to  flight  with  the  loss  of 
all  its  artillery  and  horses.  Then  moved  to 
Wilmington,  crossed  Cape  Fear  River  and 
marched  to  Goldsboro,  where  forming  a  June 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


135 


tion  with  Sherman's  army,  marched  to  Raleigh 
and  on  to  Richmond  via  Petersburg.  The  war 
was  now  over. 

From  this  point  faces  were  turned  homeward, 
reaching  Washington  they  participated  in  the 
Grand  Review.  Here  Mr.  Foster  was  detailed 
and  sent  to  Wilmington  in  charge  of  the  com 
missary  department,  where  he  remained  until 
June  26,  when  he  went  North  on  hospital  boat 
and  landed  in  Narragansett  Bay,  where  he 
waited  until  transportation  could  be  secured 
to  New  York,  from  which  he  reported  at 
Camp  Chase,  and  was  mustered  out  about  Aug. 
I,  1865,  after  a  service  of  nearly  three  years 
without  a  serious  wound,  without  spending  a 
day  in  the  hospital,  or  missing  a  day's  duty  on 
account  of  sickness. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Foster  worked  in  Ohio 
until  he  moved  to  Decatur,  111.,  in  1866,  and 
was  engaged  in  different  lines  of  employment; 
also  in  a  grocery  house  about  ten  years,  when 
he  became  interested  in  politics  as  a  Repub 
lican,  and  since  that  time  has  been  in  public 
positions  continually.  He  served  for  four  years 
as  City  Collector,  Sheriff  six  years,  represented 
his  ward  in  City  Council  two  years,  acted  as 
Chief  of  Fire  Department,  both  free  and  paid 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  has  also  been  ac 
tively  interested  in  other  directions,  and  was 
one  of  the  first  directors  of  the  Decatur  Free 
Library.  He  was  Captain  of  Company  H.,  5th 
Regiment  111.  Guards,  and  is  a  prominent  mem 
ber  in  a  number  of  social  and  benevolent  or 
ders,  as  National  Union,  G.  A.  R.,  K.  of  P,,  and 
has  passed  all  the  chairs  in  Masonic  Lodge  No. 
8,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 

Captain  Foster  was  married  in  Decatur, 
June  8,  1862,  to  Leah  Weigle,  of  York  Co.  Pa., 
and  has  four  children — Robert  W.,  Lela  E., 
Wm.  H.  and  Grace  E. 


LEWIS  C.  MILLS,  of  Streator,  Ills.,  was  born 
Jan.  12,  1840,  at  Sabina,  Ohio,  and  was  the 
son  of    Daniel   Mills,   who    was    born    at 
Maysville,  Ky.  of  Welsh  descent.    The  younger 
Mills'    mother    was     Mary    Bennett,    born    in 


Kentucky,  same  place,  and  was  of  German 
descent.  Daniel  Mills  was  a  farmer  by  occu 
pation.  He  participated  in  the  War  of  1812. 
Lewis  was  engaged  on  the  farm  during  his 
early  years  and  in  attending  the  public  schools, 
receiving  a  fair  education  which  has  contribu 
ted  largely  to  his  success  in  later  years. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  young 
Mills  became  anxious*  to  assist  in  saving  his 
country  from  disintegration,  and  enlisted  at 
Pontiac,  Ills.,  when  the  first  call  for  three 
months'  men  was  made.  He  was  mustered  in 
at  Joliet,  Ills.,  in  Co.  C.,  2Oth  Ills.  Vol.  Inf. 
His  Regt.  remained  at  Joliet  drilling,  guarding, 
and  doing  garrison  duty  until  the  expiration  of 
his  term  of  enlistment.  July  I,  of  the  same 
year  he  reinlisted  at  Reading,  Ills.,  and  soon 
proceeded  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  mustered 
on,  September  13,  in  Company  C.,  44th  Ills., 
Vol.  Inf.  The  Regt.  was  then  ordered  to  St. 
Louis,  where  the  men  were  armed  and 
equipped,  and  went  into  camp  at  Benton  Bar 
racks  for  about  two  weeks.  From  there  they 
went  to  Jefferson  City,  Mo.  and  thence  to 
Sedalia,  where  they  remained  nearly  two 
months,  doing  camp  duty.  They  were  then 
ordered  to  Springfield  Mo.,  went  into  camp 
until  early  fall,  again  taking  up  the  march  to 
Raleigh  where  they  went  into  winter  quarters, 
remaining  until  February,  1862,  when  they 
went  to  Pea  Ridge  by  way  of  Springfield. 
They  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge, 
occupyinga  position  in  the  centerof  Sigel's  Div., 
Osterhauses  Brig.  In  this  battle  Mr.  Mills' 
Co.  suffered  severely,  5  or  6  being  killed  and 
wounded.  On  the  last  day  of  the  battle  his 
Co.  was  detailed  as  an  advance  skirmish  line. 
While  occupying  this  position  they  observed  a 
body  of  rebels  approaching,  and  the  44th,  being 
"green"  soldiers,  its  officers  were  undecided  in 
their  duty  under  the  circumstances;  the  Cap 
tain  gaining  courage,  however,  demanded  a 
halt,  which  was  the  first  intimation  the  rebels 
had  that  an  enemy  was  near.  They  immedi 
ately  surrendered,  among  the  number  being 
one  Gen.,  other  officers  and  about  200  men. 
This  was  all  accomplished  without  the  firing 
of  a  single  gun,  and  Co.  C.  has  always  regard- 


136 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ed  this  capture  with  great  satisfaction  and 
pride. 

Joining  his  command,  his  Regt.  took  up  the 
line  of  march  to  a  point  near  Little  Rock;  then 
moved  back  to  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  and  then 
proceeded  by  steamer  to  Hamburg,  Tenn., 
landing  there  about  April  10,  after  the  battle 
of  Pittsburg  Landing. 

After  the  evacuation  of  Corinth,  it  marched 
to  Rienzi,  Miss.,  where  the  Reg't.  camped  for 
two  months.  Returning  to  Corinth  it  marched 
to  the  river  and  took  a  boat  to  Cairo,  then 
proceeded  by  cars  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  then  over 
into  Ky.,  to  check  Kirby  Smith's  advance  upon 
that  city  and  to  prevent  his  crossing  the  Ohio. 
Remaining  there  about  two  weeks  they  moved 
to  Louisville  being  assigned  to  Gen.  Buell's 
command.  Proceeding  to  Perryville  they  took 
part  in  the  battle  at  that  place,  in  which  his 
Co.  lost  6  men  killed  and  wounded.  With 
his  Regt.  he  followed  Bragg  through  Ky.,  and 
was  almost  constantly  engaged  in  skirmishing 
until  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  where  the 
bullets  descended  like  driving  rain,  and  for  two 
long  days  his  Co.  was  exposed  to  the  wither 
ing  fire  of  the  enemy,  losing  in  killed  and 
wounded  16.  His  Regt.  then  went  into  camp  at 
Murfreesboro,  where  they  remained  until  June 
26,  1863,  when  the  Army  advanced  to  Chatta 
nooga.  At  this  time  the  command  to  which 
Mr.  Mills  was  attached  was  in  McCooks  Corps, 
Gen.  Sheridan's  Div.,  and  marched  in  the  center, 
along  the  line  of  the  railroad.  There  was  a 
skirmish  at  Nolansville  which  assumed  the 
proportions  of  a  battle  and  in  which  his  Co. 
took  an  active  part.  Resuming  the  march  on 
to  Chattanooga  it  took  part  in  the  engage 
ment  of  Chickamauga,  and  then  fell  back  to 
Chattanooga.  At  this  time  Mr.  Mills  com 
manded  his  Co.  and  they  responded  nobly  to 
his  cheering  words  of  command,  doing  splendid 
work;  they  were,  however,  obliged  to  fall  back 
as  the  enemy  far  outnumbered  them,  and  were 
ordered  to  Chattanooga.  His  Co.  lost  in  killed 
and  wounded  22,  out  of  the  total  number  of  43. 
At  Chattanooga  the  Regt.  assisted  in  building 
earthworks  and  remained  there  until  the  battle 
of  Missionary  Ridge.  In  that  battle  the  44th, 


occupied  the  right  center  of  the  storming 
column  and  was  foremost  in  that  desperate 
charge.  Gen.  Sheridan  in  his  dispatches  com 
plimented  them  for  their  bravery  as  being  one 
of  the  first  to  place  our  flag  on  the  Rebel's 
works. 

The  44th  was  then  sent  on  a  forced  march  to 
Knoxville,  a  distance  of  150  miles,  to  relieve 
Burnside's  forces  then  besieged  by  Longstreet. 
Their  route  was  over  a  mountainous  country 
and  as  they  had  drawn  no  clothing  for  some 
time,  many  of  the  men  suffered  terribly  from 
the  exposure  to  the  severe  winter  weather,  be 
ing  almost  destitute  of  clothing  and  shoes,  and 
having  only  such  rations  as  could  be  foraged 
on  the  way.  Arriving  at  Knoxville  the  Regt. 
followed  Longstreet  on  his  retreat  to  Dan- 
bridge,  Tenn.,  going  into  camp  at  Blain's  Cross 
Roads,  where  they  remained  about  a  month. 

During  the  stay  of  the  army  here  the 
Soldiers  were  on  the  point  of  starvation  several 
times,  having  for  days  at  a  time  nothing  but 
corn  on  the  ear  to  eat,  and  in  insufficient  quan 
tities.  Their  term  of  service  expired  during 
the  winter,  but  notwithstanding  their  terrible 
sufferings  from  cold  and  hunger,  they  veteran 
ized  in  the  midst  of  the  winter,  testifying  to 
their  courage,  patriotism  and  devotion  to  their 
country.  Mr.  Mills  accepted  his  30  day  fur 
lough,  returned  to  111.,  and  during  the  tem 
porary  cessation  of  hostilities,  married  Hattie 
S.  Reynolds,  March  8,  1863,  at  Ottawa,  and  in 
consequence,  his  furlough  was  altogether  too 
short.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Loudan,  East 
Tenn.,  accompanied  the  army  on  its  Atlanta 
campaign  and  was  almost  daily  under  fire 
during  the  hundred  days  of  its  march.  At 
Adairsville  the  Regt.  was  in  the  skirmish  line, 
and  exhausted  its  ammunition,  being  relieved 
by  other  troops.  The  44th  was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek  July  2Oth;  on  the 
22d  it  took  an  active  part  in  the  battle  of  At 
lanta;  and  on  the  following  day  moved  with 
the  army  around  to  the  right  of  Jonesboro, 
where  it  was  placed  in  the  front  of  the  line. 
Here  Mr.  Mills  had  a  narrow  escape,  a  bullet 
piercing  a  comrade's  arm'  and  striking  the 
buckle  of  his  belt.  In  the  engagement  at 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


137 


Jonesboro  his  Company  lost  4  killed.  It  then 
marched  back  and  went  into  camp  near  At 
lanta,  remaining  there  about  four  weeks,  were 
then  attached  to  Gen.  Thomas'  command  and 
proceeded  to  Nashville.  At  Spring  Hill  the 
Regt.  was  in  a  skirmish  and  was  fighting  almost 
daily  along  the  line  of  march  until  the  general 
engagement  at  Franklin,  where  the  44th,  was 
held  in  reserve  during  the  early  part  of  the 
battle,  and  shown  an  example  by  the  Veterans. 
Toward  the  close  of  the  battle  however,  Pat 
Clayborne's  Div.,  charged  upon  it  and  suc 
ceeded  in  breaking  its  lines,  which  being  re 
formed,  the  whole  Brig.  (Gen.  Opedyke's)  was 
ordered  to  charge  the  intruders.  This  was 
done  with  fixed  bayonets  and  the  enemy  was 
completely  routed,  sustaining  heavy  losses, 
among  the  number  being  their  leader  Clay- 
borne,  whose  body  was  found  near  the  spot 
where  the  first  charge  was  made.  Mr.  Mills 
was  wounded  in  the  left  leg,  but  remained  on 
the  field.  He  has  since  suffered  great  incon 
venience  from  the  disabled  member.  After  the 
battle  at  Franklin,  the  Regt.  marched  to  Nash 
ville  closely  followed  by  Hood,  and  were  again 
in  the  front  of  the  bat'tle.  It  was  then  ordered 
in  pursuit  of  Hood  and  proceeded  as  far  as 
Huntsville,  camping  there  awhile  and  then  re 
turned  to  Nashville,  where  the  men  learned  of 
Lee's  surrender.  Marching  to  Jonesborough, 
Tenn.,  they  took  boat  for  New  Orleans  remain 
ing  there  three  weeks,  then  went  to  Texas 
where  they  were  stationed  until  Sept.  25th, 
when  they  were  mustered  out  and  sent  to 
Springfield,  111.,  arriving  there  Oct.  I5th,  and 
received  their  final  discharge.  Mr.  Mills  en 
listed  as  Orderly  Sergeant,  and  as  a  reward  for 
his  gallant  services,  was  promoted  through  the 
different  grades  until  he  reached  the  rank  of 
Major,  receiving  his  commission  at  New  Or 
leans.  His  wife  died  March  7,  1873,  leaving 
three  children,  Lou  Anna,  Julia  and  John.  He 
was  married  again  December  18,  1873,  to  Miss 
Louise  Schroeder,  by  whom  he  has  two  child 
ren,  Charlie  D.,  and  Aline. 

He  is  a  Mason,  a  member  of  Streator  Lodge, 
No.  607.  He  organized  and  was  Captain  of  the 
Streator  Co.,  of  State  Militia  I.  N.  G.,  soon 


after  the  war.  Was  Major  of  the  3d  Regiment 
and  resigned.  He  was  again  elected  Captain 
of  his  first  company  which  was  composed  of 
old  veterans;  Lieut. -Col.  of  the  4th  Regiment 
I.  N.  G.,  from  which  he  resigned  on  account  of 
his  injured  limb.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Post 
No.  68,  G.  A.  R.,  and  the  Patriotic  Sons  of 
America.  He  was  Alderman  of  Streator  on 
several  occasions.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
a  pensioner. 


DAVID  E.  TRIPP,  of  Earlville,  111.,  was 
born  Feb.  15,  1846,  and  is  the  son  ot 
Eben  and  Mary  H.  (Hutchens)  Tripp. 
The  family  moved  to  Mendota,  La  Salle  County, 
111.,  in  the  year  1850,  and  settled  upon  a  farm 
where  they  still  reside,  and  where  our  subject 
was  born.  When  old  enough,  young  Tripp  at 
tended  school  when  not  engaged  in  assisting 
his  father  upon  the  homestead.  By  the  time 
he  had  reached  his  i8th  year,  men  were  re 
quired  for  the  army,  whereupon  he  enlisted  at 
Earlville,  Jan.  4,  1864,  rendezvoused  at  Spring 
field,  and  was  then  sent  forward  to  Natchez, 
where  he  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co. 
H.,  4th  111.  Cav.,  and  assigned  to  the  i6th  Corps 
under  A.  J.  Smith  as  commander.  After  this 
Mr.  Tripp  was  placed  on  detached  duty  nearly 
all  the  time  he  was  in  the  service,  and  there 
fore,  while  he  occupied  responsible  positions 
requiring  skill  and  courage,  had  not  the  oppor 
tunity  of  personally  engaging  in  any  of  the 
deathly  struggles  in  which  so  many  of  his 
comrades  in  arms  participated.  He  was  mus 
tered  out  with  the  others  of  his  regiment  at 
Natchez,  and  finally  discharged  Nov.  4,  1864, 
and  his  was  the  last  regiment  of  the  corps  to  be 
paid  off.  Our  subject  was  compelled  to  go  into 
the  hospital  while  in  the  service,  but  his  illness 
did  not  develop  seriously,  and  hence  was  only  a 
short  period  off  duty.  He,  however,  attributes 
the  favorable  issue  of  his  sickness  to  his  parents, 
as  they,  hearing  of  his  illness,  went  to  the  hos 
pital  where  he  was,  and  tenderly  nursed  and 
cared  for  him,  and  had  they  not  done  so,  he  is 
persuaded  that  La  Salle  County  would  have 
had  to  be  without  him. 


138 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


After  his  discharge,  Mr.  Tripp  returned  to 
his  home  in  Illinois,  and  resumed  farming  — 
this  time  upon  his  own  account  —  and  has  con 
tinued  that  calling  ever  since,  and  succeeded  in 
making  a  comfortable  living  for  himself  and 
family.  He  married  Miss  Anna  Mulligan, 
and  they  have  six  children  —  Ernest,  Lyle,  Guy 
Emerson,  Mary  Beatrice,  Allie,  Edna  Pearl, 
and  the  baby. 

He  is  a  Republican,  and  a  Charter  Member 
of  McCulloch  Post,  No.  475. 


REVERUS  H.  TRASK,  the  leading  jeweler  of 
Ottawa,  111.,  was  born  September  3Oth, 
1841,  in  Chenango  County  N.  Y.,  and  is 
the  son  of  Simon  and  Jane  (Crane)  Trask,  who 
were  natives  of  New  York.  The  father  was 
born  in  1808,  and  was  the  son  of  Simon  whose 
family  were  originally  from  England,  emigrat 
ing  to  this  country  at  an  early  day.  The  father 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  In  1865,  while  on  a  visit  to  Cham 
paign  County,  111.,  he  died.  His  widow  de 
parted  this  life  at  Galesburg,  111.,  in  1887.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children  —  Delos  R  ,  Gil 
bert  C.,  Ozell,  EdWin  W.,  Reverus  H.,  and  Clar 
issa  J.,  now  Mrs.  T.  H.  Gentry  of  Galesburg. 

Mr.  Trask  was  reared  at  home,  where  he  re 
ceived  the  benefits  of  a  common  school  educa 
tion,  and  where  he  was  instructed  in  the  prin 
ciples  of  industry,  economy,  and  sobriety,  from 
which  he  has  never  departed. 

When  the  Civil  War  came  on,  feeling  that 
his  country  needed  and  was  entitled  to  his 
services,  and  his  life  if  it  must  needs  be,  he  left 
home  and  friends  and  enlisted  for  the  war.  He 
was  enrolled  August  5,  1862,  at  Rockdale,  New 
York,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service,  Co.  A.,  ii4th  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Nor 
wich.  The  regiment  remained  in  camp  about 
two  weeks  when  it  was  ordered  to  Binghamton 
and  thence  to  Baltimore.  While  the  troops 
were  moving  to  Binghamton,  by  way  of  the 
canal,  they  passed  a  fellow  on  shore  who  hur 
rahed  for  Jeff  Davis.  Some  of  theboys  jumped 
off,  caught  him,  soused  him  into  the  canal  and 


made  him  hurrah  for  Lincoln.  Not  doing  this 
to  their  liking,  they  repeated  the  ducking  until 
the  would  be  Jeff  Davis  sympathizer  hurrahed 
with  the  zeal  of  a  patriot  for  Lincoln  and  the 
Union. 

The  regiment  remained  about  six  weeks  in 
Baltimore,  where  they  were  armed  and  uni 
formed,  and  where  the  soldiers  did  guard  duty. 
From  Baltimore  they  were  ordered  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  and  there  placed  in  the  iQth  Army 
Corps.  Subsequently  the  command  embarked 
for  New  Orleans,  on  the  Banks'  expedition, 
leaving  Mr.  Trask  who  was  sick  with  the  mea 
sles,  behind.  As  soon  as  he  recovered,  he  sailed 
in  a  hospital  boat  to  join  his  regiment.  The 
boat  was  quarantined  at  New  Orleans  and  when 
the  Surgeon  came  aboard  it  was  discovered 
that  his  berth-mate  had  the  smallpox.  The 
boat  was  sent  back  to  the  quarantine  station,  a 
distance  of  75  miles,  where  the  troops  were  put 
ashore  and  quartered  in  tents.  Many  died  of 
the  disease,  but  Mr.  Trask  was  fortunate  in  not 
taking  it.  After  remaining  about  two  months 
in  quarantine  he  joined  his  regiment  at  Breash- 
earCity.  The  command  remained  there  some 
time,  making  raids,  gathering  up  mules,  horses 
and  negroes,  and  then  went  with  Banks  on  his 
Red  River  expedition  to  Alexandria,  by  way 
of  New  Orleans.  His  first  action  was  at 
Fort  Bislen  on  the  Tesche,  La. 

Mr.  Trask  was  detailed  on  the  way  for  guard 
duty,  joining  the  regiment  later  on  at  Alexan 
dria,  after  the  defeat  of  Banks'  forces  at  Prairie 
Center.  He  was  in  the  engagement  at  Alex 
andria,  also  those  actions  on  the  retreat.  After 
much  difficulty  the  gunboats  were  moved  over 
the  dam  and  passing  down  the  Red  River  to 
its  confluence  with  the  Mississippi,  where  the 
troops  embarked  on  transports,  for  Fort  Hud 
son,  they  took  part  in  that  siege  which  lasted 
45  days.  In  this  siege  the  regiment  lost  its 
Colonel,  Elisha  B.  Smith.  During  the  siege 
while  he  with  a  large  detail,  was  sent  out  with 
axes  to  clear  out  a  road,  they  were  suddenly 
attacked  and  driven  into  camp,  losing  one  man. 
After  the  surrender  of  Fort  Hudson,  June  gth, 
Mr.  Trask's  command  were  ordered  to  report 
at  Washington  to  guard  the  city.  His  next 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


139 


important  engagement  was  at  Winchester, 
where  he  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  fore 
head  from  a  piece  of  shell,  which  had  exploded 
near  by.  He  was  taken  to  the  rear  and  put 
into  an  old  Cotton  Mill,  which  had  been  impro 
vised  for  a  hospital,  where  he  received  medical 
treatment. 

He  remained  there  a  few  days  and  then  was 
transferred  to  the  Satalie  Hospital,  West  Phil 
adelphia,  where  he  underwent  a  second  opera 
tion.  From  the  time  he  was  wounded  he  had 
been  in  a  semi-unconscious  condition,  being 
unable  to  control  or  direct  his  mind.  It  was 
then  discovered  that  the  skull  was  pressing  on 
thebrain.  Atrephiningoperation  was  performed 
which  gave  him  immediate  relief.  He  remained 
in  the  Hospital  until  after  the  holidays,  when 
he  received  a  furlough  and  went  home.  His 
parents  received  him  with  great  joy,  as  they 
had  almost  given  up  all  hope  of  ever  seeing, 
him  alive  again.  In  March,  1865,  he  rejoined 
the  regiment  which  was  then  at  Harper's  Ferry. 
They  maneuvered  about  the  Shenandoah  Val 
ley  looking  after  rebel  forces  until  the  surrender 
at  Appomattox,  when  they  were  ordered  to 
Washington.  On  May  24th  the  regiment  par 
ticipated  in  the  grandest  military  pageant  ever 
witnessed.  Subsequently,  June  gth,  the  regi 
ment  was  mustered  out  and  ordered  to  Elmira, 
New  York,  where  it  was  paid  off  and  discharged 
August,  1865,  and  Mr.  Trask  returned  to  his 
home.  He  felt  that  he  had  done  his  duty. 
Peace  had  been  restored,  the  Nation  united 
once  more,  and  upon  a  more  solid  and  endur 
ing  basis. 

Mr.  Trask  concluded  that  he  would  seek  his 
fortune  in  the  great  west  and  joined  his  brother 
Edwin  at  Aurora,  111.,  who  was  engaged  in  the 
jewelry  business.  Later  he  went  to  Ottawa 
and  engaged  in  the  same  business  with  his 
brother  Ozell.  In  1876,  he  purchased  his 
brother's  stock  and  started  business  for  him 
self,  which  he  has  since  conducted  at  No.  705 
La  Salle  St.  He  has  a  large  and  elegant  stock 
of  goods  and  is  doing  a  prosperous  business. 

Mr.  Trask  relates  an  incident  of  his  first 
operation  in  this  business.  It  was  while  he  was 
in  the  army.  His  brother  sent  him  some  jew 


elry  to  sell,  which  he  kept  in  a  satchel.  One 
day  they  were  closely  pressed  by  the  enemy 
and  in  the  retreat  he,  being  sick,  gave  his  stock 
to  a  negro  to  carry.  Mr.  Trask  never  saw 
neither  jewelry  nor  negro  again. 

Mr.  Trask  was  married  at  Earlville,  111., 
August  22,  1876,  to  Helen  E.,  daughter  of  Ward 
and  Julia  M.  (Mason)  Bates.  They  have  three 
children  —  Julia  E.,  Helene  B.,  and  Odessa  C. 

Mrs.  Trask's  father  is  dead,  her  mother  is 
living  with  her. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No. 
156,  of  Ottawa.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican 
and  is  a  pensioner.  He  is  a  man  who  has  con 
tributed  no  little  to  the  advancement  of  Ottawa, 
and  as  a  citizen  is  much  respected.  The  fam 
ily  are  members  of  the  Congregational  Church. 


WILLIAM  LANDIS,  of  LaSalle,  111.,  enlisted 
for  the  Rebellion  as  a  private  in  Com 
pany  B.,  i65th  Penn.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  Oc 
tober,  1862,  for  nine  months,  with  A.  J.  Ruppas 
captain  of  the  company.  The  first  move  of  his 
regiment  was  to  Suffolk,  Va.,  where  they  had 
their  main  camp  and  was  engaged  for  several 
months  in  drilling,  and  doing  general  guard 
and  picket  duty.  The  regiment  was  also 
engaged  in  skirmishing  about  that  country,  and 
it  had  quite  a  timely  action  at  Blackwater,  with 
Gen.  Prior's  troops,  the  Union  forces,  being 
commanded  by  Gen.  Peck,  losing  24  killed  and 
80  wounded.  His  regiment  was  ordered  later 
on  to  Gettysburg,  where  the  contending  armies 
commenced  to  concentrate,  but  before  it  could 
reach  there,  the  famous  battle  of  that  name  had 
been  fought  and  won.  When  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg  opened  his  regiment  was  at  Wash 
ington.  It  was  immediately  put  on  cars  and 
taken  to  the  field  where  it  arrived  on  the  5th  of 
July,  after  the  battle  was  over.  His  term  of 
service  having  expired,  he  was  mustered  out 
July  28,  1863,  at  Gettysburg,  Pa. 

Mr.  Landis  was  born  in  Cumberland,  Penn., 
in  1836,  of  parents  who  were  also  natives  of 
that  State.  He  received  a  -  common  school 
education,  and  when  sufficiently  old  learned 


140 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  carpenter  trade  which  he  followed  until 
the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion.  After  his  dis 
charge  from  the  army,  he  resumed  his  trade  as 
a  carpenter,  first  in  Pennsylvania,  then  in  Mary 
land,  where  he  continued  until  1878,  when  he 
removed  to  Illinois,  settling  in  LaSalle.  Since 
his  arrival  at  LaSalle  he  has  been  in  the  build 
ing  business,  which  has  made  a  comfortable 
living  for  himself  and  family.  He  has  been 
twice  married.  On  the  first  occasion,  to  Mar 
garet  Jumper,  who  died  Sept.  22,  1877,  and  by 
whom  he  had  two  children — Harry  and  Mary 
Clara;  and  on  the  second  occasion  to  Annis 
Wilhelm,  and  two  children  have  resulted  from 
this  union — Churlable  Ann  and  Jennett.  Mr. 
Landis  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a  pensioner, 
and  a  member  of  Carter  Post  No.  242,  G.  A.  R., 
at  La  Salle. 


M 


AJOR  DOUGLAS  R.  BUSHNELL.  On  the 
military  pages  of  the  history  of  this 
country  the  name  given  above  will  shine 
and  be  conspicuous  as  representing  one  of  the 
brave  and  gallant  soldiers  whose  patriotic  heart 
responded  to  the  call  of  the  Chief  Executive 
for  men  to  save  the  Union  from  dissolution. 
He  was  a  native  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  where  he 
was  born  June  17,  1824,  the  son  of  Francis  W. 
and  Louise  Bushnell,  descendents  of  old  prom 
inent  New  England  families. 

The  ancestry  of  the  Bushnells  is  traced  back 
to  England,  and  to  one  of  the  first  proprietors 
of  the  land  now  embraced  by  Norwich.  He 
was  a  trader  and  owned  several  vessels  which 
plied  along  the  Atlantic  Coast.  He  was  also  a 
Captain  of  a  military  company.  His  mother 
was  a  Huguenot,  of  the  family  of  Bontecou. 

Major  Bushnell  had  four  brothers — Wm,  E., 
now  living  at  San  Francisco,  Cal.;  Rev.  Francis 
H.  of  Philadelphia,  Pa. ;  Richard  W. ;  and  Henry, 
who  died  before  the  war.  He  was  carefully 
reared  and  received  a  thorough  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  State,  fitting  himself  more  espe 
cially  for  civil  engineering,  which  profession  he 
adopted  and  was  connected  with  the  railroads 


operating  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home.  In  1854, 
he  removed  to  New  Hampshire,  engaging  there 
and  in  the  State  of  Vermont  in  railroad  engi 
neering.  In  the  fall  of  1850,  he  joined  the  tide 
of  emigration  that  was  flowing  westward  and 
located  at  Rockford,  111,,  at  which  place  he  re 
moved  his  family  the  following  year.  He  re 
mained  there  for  three  years  and  was  the  civil 
engineer  for  what  was  then  known  as  the  Galena 
&  Chicago  Union  Railroad.  He  then  located 
at  Sterling,  111.,  and  became  prominently  con 
nected  as  engineer  of  the  Dixon  Air  Line  R.  R.» 
and  as  chief  engineer,  superintended  the  con 
struction  of  one  of  the  main  roads  inthe  northern 
part  of  Iowa,  running  westward,  and  the  Syca 
more  branch  of  the  Galena  &  Chicago  Union 
R.  R.  When  the  Sterling  &  Rock  Island  was 
projected  Mr.  Bushnell  was  appointed  chief 
engineer,  and  served  the  company  with  great 
efficiency. 

In  1861,  when  President  Lincoln  made  his 
call  for  troops  to  maintain  our  national  integ 
rity,  Mr.  Bushnell  was  among  the  first  to  respond. 
Prompted  by  a  deep  sense  of  duty,  he  added  his 
name  to  the  muster  roll  of  honor  and  went  forth 
to  fight  for  his  country's  flag  resolved,  that  so 
far  as  in  him  lay,  he  would  not  allow  one  star 
to  be  erased  from  its  bright  blue  field. 

He  enlisted  in  Company  B.,  I3th  111.  Int., 
which  was  mustered  into  the  State's  service 
April  21,  1861,  and  was  organized  and  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  at  Camp  Dement, 
Dixon,  111.,  with  John  B.  Wyman  as  Colonel. 
Co.  B.  was  raised  in  Whiteside  County,  and  Mr. 
Bushnell  was  chosen  its  Captain.  His  Co.  rep 
resented  in  its  ranks  some  of  the  best  young 
men  in  the  country,  who  like  their  Captain,  had 
volunteered  to  fight  for  the  old  flag.  It  was 
presented  with  a  beautiful  flag  by  the  citizens, 
with  appropriate  ceremonies,  and  when  it  was 
ready  to  go  to  the  front  Captain  Bushnell  took 
an  affectionate  farewell  of  his  two  lovely  child 
ren  and  his  accomplished,  devoted  wife,  whose 
patriotic  heart,  though  oppressed  with  sorrow, 
bid  him  "God  speed"  in  the  glorious  cause  he 
had  espoused. 

From  Dixon,  June  18,  the  Regt.  went  to 
Caseyville,  111.,  thence,  July  5,  to  Rolla,  Mo., 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


141 


where  it  had  its  headquarters  until  the  spring 
of  1862,  Captain  Bushnell  acting  as  Major.  It 
was  engaged  chiefly  in  guarding  supply  trains 
to  and  from  Logan's  army,  and  in  suppressing 
guerillas.  At  one  time  it  was  a  part  of  Fre 
mont's  force  that  moved  to  Springfield  after 
Price.  It  was  favorably  known  at  this  time 
as  "  Fremont's  Grey  Hounds,"  a  name  given  to 
it  by  the  General  himself.  At  the  request  of 
Gen.  Totten,  who  was  acquainted  with  Major 
Bushnell's  skill  as  an  engineer,  he  was  given 
the  charge  of  constructing  a  fort  at  Rolla, 
which  was  afterwards  pronounced  one  of  the 
strongest  and  most  complete  forts  of  its  size 
in  the  United  States.  It  was  proposed  to  name 
it  after  its  scientific  constructor,  but  with  char 
acteristic  modesty  he  declined  the  honor  and 
had  it  named  after  his  Colonel,  and  was  called 
"  Fort  Wyman." 

In  the  spring  of  1862,  it  joined  Gen.  Curtis' 
army  at  Pine  Ridge  and  was  with  him  in  his 
memorable  march  to  Helena,  Ark.  In  this 
long  march  Captain  Bushnell  was  acting  Major, 
and  by  his  sagacity  and  uniform  kindness  to 
the  wearied  soldiers  won  the  confidence  and 
affection  of  both  officers  and  men.  While 
there  Major  Bushnell  had  command  frequently 
of  expeditions  into  the  surrounding  country. 
In  December,  the  I3th  he  was  with  Sherman  in 
his  attack  upon  Chickasaw  Bayou,  and  for  a 
time  became  a  part  of  the  I5th  Army  Corps. 
In  the  first  day's  assault  Col.  Wyman  was 
killed,  and  the  following  day  it  was  a  part  of 
Gen.  Blair's  Brigade,  that  distinguished  itself 
by  approaching  nearer  the  rebel  works  than 
any  other  command.  The  1 3th  lost  on  that 
day  183  killed  and  wounded.  It  was  present 
at  the  capture  of  Arkansas  Post,  after  which  it 
returned  to  Young's  Point  opposite  to  Vicks- 
burg.  It  was  placed  in  the  advance  line,  and 
was  one  of  the  first  to  assault  the  enemy's 
works. 

Previous  to  the  death  of  Col.  Wyman,  Cap 
tain  Bushnell  led  his  own  brave  Sterling  boys; 
but  after  the  fall  of  that  gallant  officer,  he  was 
promoted  to  Major.  In  the  assault  and  taking 
of  Arkansas  Post,  Major  Bushnell  led  his  Regt., 
and  his  heroic  character  and  engineering  abili 


ties  were  again  displayed  in  the  75  days  his 
command  was  at  Young's  Point,  digging  canals, 
building  levees,  and  erecting  fortifications  for 
operations  against  Vicksburg.  He  was  with  his 
regiment  in  Grant's  movement  across  the  Mis-  - 
sissippi  at  Grand  Gulf,  and  engaged  in  part  of 
the  battles  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  and  in  the 
capture  of  Jackson.  After  the  fall  of  Vicksburg 
the  regiment  was  with  General  Sherman  in  the 
capture  of  Jackson,  Miss.*  Major  Bushnell  act 
ing  as  Lieut.-Col.  of  the  Regt;  after  which  he 
returned  with  his  command  to  their  summer 
quarters. 

When  Gen.  Sherman  was  ordered  to  join 
Grant  at  Chattanooga  the  1 3th,  which  belonged 
to  Sherman's  Corps,  went  from  Vicksburg  to 
Memphis  by  boat.  The  march  from  Memphis 
to  Chattanooga  was  a  continuous  fight,  the  reb 
els  doing  everything  in  their  power  to  prevent 
Sherman  from  joining  Grant.  The  I3th  took 
part  in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  then  in 
Osterhaus'  Div.,  and  took  in  that  fight  2,500 
prisoners,  following  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  to 
Rossville,  where  it  was  hotly  engaged.  From 
there  the  command  pursued  the  enemy  to  Ring- 
gold,  where  they  masked  their  batteries  and 
made  a  stand.  Early  in  the  morning  (Nov 
2/th)  the  1 3th  holding  the  exposed  left,  was 
ordered  by  Osterhaus  to  advance  across  an 
open  field,  which  was  covered  with  shell,  can 
isters  and  bullets  like  hail,  to  some  houses  in 
front  of  which  they  thought  to  drive  off  the 
batteries  of  the  enemy.  They  gained  the  posi 
tion  sought  and  held  it  against  the  murderous 
fire  of  the  rebels.  This  fierce  battle  waged  for 
four  hours,  when  our  artillery  came  up  the  reb 
els  were  soon  driven  into  the  gorge  and  the 
battle  won.  But  to  all  great  victories  there  must 
always  be  more  or  less  of  sacrifice.  The  tri 
umphant  shouts  that  filled  the  air  over  the  vic 
tory  won  was  unheard  by  one — one  bright  life 
had  gone;  one  brave  soldier  to  whom  this  vic 
tory  was  largely  due,  had  paid  the  forfeit,  had 
passed  to  the  world  beyond.  While  Major 
Bushnell  was  assisting  his  men  to  place  a  rail 
in  front  of  them  for  protection,  a  ball  from  the 
enemy  struck  him  in  the  temple  and  killed  him 
instantly.  The  news  of  this  great  loss  was  com- 


142 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


municated  to  his  devoted  wife  as  delicately  as 
possible.  Thus  in  the  noonday  of  life,  while 
his  star  was  in  the  ascendant,  amid  the  halo  of 
victory,  surrounded  by  the  "pomp  and  circum 
stances  of  glorious  war,"  he  passed  away. 

In  one  of  his  last  letters  to  his  wife  he 
breathes  out  his  heart  and  longings.  He  says: 
"I  pray  God,  at  the  end  of  my  service,  I  may  be 
restored  to  my  beloved  family  in  safety,  but 
more  especially  I  pray  that  the  cause  in  which 
I  have  staked  my  life  and  my  honor  may  suc 
ceed."  He  had  passed  safely  through  some  of 
the  most  sanguinary  battles  of  the  war,  and 
was  therefore  hopeful  that  he  should  live  to  see 
the  enemy  of  his  country  conquered,  and  the 
Nation  once  more  united  and  happy;  but  that, 
God,  who  presides  over  all,  ordered  other 
wise. 

The  body  was  embalmed  and  sent  home  in 
charge  of  Sergeant  Harvey  accompanied  by 
the  brother  of  the  deceased,  the  Rev.  F.  H. 
Bushnell.  It  was  met  at  Chicago  by  a  deputa 
tion  of  citizens  from  Sterling,  by  whom  it  was 
escorted  to  that  city,  where  it  was  interred  with 
Masonic  honors  amid  a  large  concourse  of 
people,  Rev.  Mr.  Wilkinson,  of  Chicago,  de 
livering  a  most  eloquent  and  highly  eulogistic 
address.  But  too  much  could  not  be  said  of 
the  gallant  soldier,  the  noble  citizen,  whose 
pure  life  had  been  given  that  the  country's 
might  be  saved  and  perpetuated. 

Major  Bushnell  was  married  at  Highgate, 
Vt.,  Sept.  16,  1849,  to  the  accomplished  daugh 
ter  of  John  and  Emily  (Clement)  Edson.  John 
Edson,  her  father,  held  a  Captain's  Commission 
in  the  war  of  1812;  his  youngest  brother  Alvin 
Edson  was  a  graduate  of  West  Point  and  was  a 
Capt.  of  Marines,  and  died  of  yellow  fever  while 
serving  in  the  Mexican  war.  His  son  John  Henry 
was  a  graduate  of  West  Point  and  served  in  the 
regular  army  during  the  late  Rebellion.  John 
and  Emily  (Clement)  Edson  were  born  res 
pectively  at  Randolph,  Vt.,  and  Norwich,  Conn. 
Of  this  union  there  were  four  children — Emma 
L.,  married  to  John  H.  Lawrence,  Cashier  of 
the  Sterling  Nat.  Bank;  Francis  W.,  deceased; 
Grace  E.,  now  Mrs.  Charles  N.  Clark,  residing 
at  St.  Paul,  Minn.;  Cara  D.,  who  was  married  to 


Edward  C.  Underwood,  engaged  in  real  estate 
and  insurance  at  Sterling. 

The  family  of  the  lamented  Major  Bushnell 
and  their  connections  are  worthy  custodians  of 
his  fame,  holding  honorable  positions  in  busi 
ness  walks  of  life  and  in  society. 


HON.  MILES  S.  HENRY,  late  of  Sterling,  111., 
was  born  in  Geneva,  Ontario  County, 
N.Y.,  March  i,  i8i5,andwas  the  son  of 
Charles  Wm.  Henry,  a  graduate  of  Princeton 
College,  N.  J.,  and  in  his  time  a  successful 
merchant.  His  mother  was  Penelope  Potter,  a 
granddaughter  of  Judge  Potter,  a  prominent 
man  of  New  Jersey,  who  was  much  interested 
in  the  Quakers,  donating  them  a  large  tract  of 
land  to  be  used  in  the  interest  of  their  society. 
Mr.  Henry  was  a  schoolmate  and  a  roommate  of 
Stephen  A.  Douglas  for  three  years  at  the 
Canandaigua  Academy.  He  completed  his 
education  at  Hobart  college,  Geneva,  and  later 
studied  law  with  Hon.  John  C.  Spencer,  of 
Canandaigua.  In  1834,  he  went  West,  stopping 
for  a  short  time  in  Chicago,  which  he  regarded 
as  a  very  unpromising  village  to  settle  in.  He 
went  to  La  Porte,  Ind.,  and  purchased  an  inter 
est  in  the  then  developing  town  of  Michigan 
City,  continued  his  law  studies  in  the  office  of 
Judge  G.  A.  Everts,  of  La  Porte,  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  and  commenced  his  practice.  In 
1843,  ne  married  Philena  N.  Mann,  a  niece  and 
an  adopted  daughter  of  Judge  Everts.  In  the 
same  year  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Judge 
Everts  and  they  removed  to  Platte  County,  Mo. 
Mr.  Henry  was  not  pleased  with  that  country, 
and  acting  upon  the  advice  of  his  old  friend 
Douglas,  in  the  spring  of  1844,  removed  to  111., 
locating  at  Macomb,  McDonough  County, 
where  he  formed  a  law  partnership  with  Judge 
Jesse  B.  Thomas,  then  Circuit  Judge.  During 
the  summer  of  that  year  his  professional  duties 
called  him  to  Lindon,  Whiteside  County,  where 
the  court  was  in  session.  During  this  time  he 
went  on  an  exploring  trip  over  the  county,  and 
was  so  much  pleased  with  the  Rock  River 
Valley  that  he  determined  to  settle  in  it.  Ac- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


M3 


cordingly,  in  Oct.,  he  removed  with  his  family 
to  Sterling,  then  the  county  seat.  The  follow 
ing  year  he  erected  a  stone  dwelling  on  Third 
street,  the  material  for  which  he  hewed  out 
with  his  own  hands. 

In  1852,  he  engaged  in  banking,  and  in 
1854,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Lorenzo 
Hapgood,  under  the  firm  name  of  M.  S.  Henry 
&  Co.,  which  continued  until  1861.  Mr.  Henry 
was  continuing  his  law  practice  at  that  time. 
In  1854  he  was  brought  forward  for  the  legisla 
ture  on  what  was  known  then  as  the  people's 
ticket,  which  subsequently  was  merged  into  the 
republican  ticket,  and  was  elected.  In  the  leg 
islature  Mr.  Henry  favored  the  election  to  the 
U.  S.  Senate  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  It  was  an 
exciting  contest  but  finally  Lincoln  withdrew 
in  favor  of  Lyman  Trumbull,  whom  Mr.  Henry 
supported  and  aided  in  his  election.  He  was 
a  great  friend  of  Lincoln's  and  always  regretted 
his  inability  to  secure  Lincoln's  election.  While 
in  the  legislature  he  became  the  champion  of 
the  first  free  school  law  of  the  State.  He  was 
chosen  a  delegate  to  the  National  Convention 
that  nominated  Fremont  and  Dayton,  though 
his  first  choice  was  McLane  and  Lincoln.  In 
1857  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Bissell,  Bank 
Inspector,  which  position  he  held  until  the 
the  beginning  of  the  civil  war.  The  same  year 
he  was  elected  President  of  the  Sterling  & 
Rock  Island  R.  R.  Co.,  and  was  at  the  head  of 
that  enterprise  until  1861,  when  it  was  aban 
doned.  Like  a  true  patriot  that  he  was,  when 
the  rebellion  was  precipitated  upon  the  coun 
try,  he  felt  that  his  first  duty  was  to  the  flag  of 
the  union.  He  raised  a  Regt.  of  cavalry  in 
1861,  and  tendered  it  to  the  cause,  but  the  cav 
alry  wing  of  the  service  was  full  according  to 
McClellan's  view  of  the  war,  and  the  service 
of  the  Regt.  was  not  accepted.  In  1862,  Mr. 
Henry  was  appointed  Paymaster  in  the  army, 
with  the  rank  of  Major,  which  position  he  held 
until  the  surrender  of  Appomattox.  Major 
Henry  discharged  this  responsible  trust  faith 
fully  and  well.  Hundreds  of  thousands  of  dol 
lars  passed  through  his  hands,  but  his  accounts 
were  satisfactorily  audited,  and  he  received  an 
honorable  discharge.  After  the  war  he  engaged 


in  the  oil  business  in  West  Va.  and  in  the  man 
ufacture  of  salt  at  Bay  City,  Mich.,  being  pres 
ident  and  general  manager  of  the  salt  manu 
facturing  company  for  three  years,  exhibiting 
business  capacity  of  the  highest  order. 

His  first  wife  having  died,  Major  Henry,  in 
Oct.,  1871  married  Mrs.  Emily  J.  Bushnell, 
widow  of  the  lamented  gallant  Major  Douglas 
R.  Bushnell  of  the  I3th  111.  Inf.  whose  biog 
raphy  will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this  work. 
Mrs.  Henry,  at  the  time  of  her  marriage,  held 
a  commission  from  President  Lincoln  as  Post 
mistress  of  Sterling  111.,  being  the  first  woman 
that  ever  held  that  office  under  a  Presidential 
appointment.  Shehas  President Lincoln'sauto- 
graph  letter  appointing  her  to  that  position, 
preserved -in  an  elegant  frame. 

In  1869,  Major  Henry  resumed  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  forming  a  partnership  with 
Caleb  C.  Johnson,  which  continued  until  his 
death.  During  this  period  he  was  mayor  of 
the  city  and  served  also  as  a  school  director. 
He  made  an  able  municipal  executive,  was 
foremost  in  all  enterprises  or  projects  that  tend 
ed  to  the  advancement  of  the  city,  and  active 
and  deeply  interested  in  the  educational  and 
religious  development  of  the  community  in 
which  he  dwelt.  Major  Henry  was  an  able 
lawyer,  an  indefatigable  worker,  conscientious 
and  sympathetic  in  his  practice,  and  in  the 
advocacy  of  his  cause,  when  certain  that  he 
was  right,  irresistible.  At  one  time  he  was 
attorney  for  the  Northwestern  Railroad  Com 
pany.  During  the  fearful  yellow  fever  epi 
demic  in  the  South  in  1878,  he  called  a  meet 
ing  of  the  citizens  of  Sterling  for  the  purpose  of 
aiding  the  sufferers  and  was  one  of  the  leaders 
in  raising  funds  for  their  relief.  The  last 
public  speech  he  delivered  was  at  the  opening 
of  the  Sterling  and  Rock  Falls  free  iron  bridge, 
an  enterprise  in  which  he  was  a  leader.  Major 
Henry  was  a  member  of  Grace  Episcopal 
Church,  and  took  an  active  interest  in  its 
affairs  and  religious  matters  generally.  He 
departed  this  life  Nov.  26,  1878,  after  ten 
weeks  illness.  The  bar  associates  of  Whiteside 
County  passed  a  series  of  resolutions  highly 
complimentary  to  his  legal  talents  and  charac- 


I44 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ter,  as  a  man  and  citizen.  The  city  council 
also  passed  a  series  of  resolutions  among 
which  was  the  following:  Resolved:  That  the 
deceased  has  left  us  the  memory  of  his  royal 
friendship;  that  we  shall  esteem  it  one  of  the 
privileges  of  life  that  we  intimately  knew  him, 
and  our  present  sadness  is  mitigated  by  the 
thought  that  he  is  happy  in 

"Those  everlasting  gardens 

Where  angels  walk  and  seraphs  are  the  wardens; 
Where  every  flower,  brought  safe  thro'  death's  dark 
portal, 

Becomes  immortal." 

The  remains  of  Major  Henry  were  interred 
in  the  beautiful  cemetery  at  Sterling,  and  Mrs. 
Henry  has  had  erected  to  her  lamented  hus 
band  an  elegant  marble  monument.  About  a 
year  after  Major  Henry's  demise  the  following 
beautiful  and  touching  poem  from  the  pen  of 
his  accomplished  widow,  appeared  in  the  Chi 
cago  Tribune: 

IN  MEMORIAM: 
Oh,  pale  white  flowers,  one  year  ago  to-day 

Upon  a  coffined  form  in  fragrant  bloom  ye  lay. 
I  cannot  bear  the  faint  perfume  ye  shed, 
Since  oft  it  floated  o'er  my  precious  dead. 

Oh,  manly  form  that  bore  an  angel's  grace, 
And  crowned  its  glory  with  an  angel's  face, 

I  see  thee  lying  there  with  bated  breath, 
Thy  grand  life  yielded  to  the  conqueror — death! 

I  call  aloud  to  thee  in  wild  despair; 

I  plead  with  God  in  agony  of  prayer; 
I  hold  thee  close,  my  heart  and  lips  to  thine, 

But  still  I  catch  no  word,  or  look,  or  sign. 

Oh,  rare,  pale  lips  that  mine  so  oft  have  pressed; 

Oh,  tender  hands  in  mine  so  oft  caressed; 
Oh,  loving  eyes  o'er  which  the  white  lids  close, 

And  God  has  set  the  seal  of  death's  repose! 

No  more  shall  loving  hand,  or  lip,  or  eye, 
Meet  mine  in  tender  glance  or  sweet  reply; 

No  more  that  form  or  face  shall  greet  my  view 
And  thrill  my  soul  with  rapture  ever  new. 

How  can  I  call  thee  dead,  my  own,  my  own? 

Though  the  dear  lips  are  mute,  the  spirit  flown, 
Although  I  see  upon  thy  forehead  fair 

That  God's  own  hand    has    placed  death's    signet 
there. 

Peace,  murmuring  heart,  thy  Father  knoweth  best. 

His  hand  alone  can  lead  to  perfect  rest. 
Beyond  the  valley  dark,  and  shadow  deep, 

He  giveth  my  beloved  peaceful  sleep. 


Mrs.  Henry  has  achieved  quite  a  wide  repu 
tation  as  a  poetess,  among  her  productions 
being  a  hymn  to  the  tune  of  "America,"  which 
was  sung  on  one  of  the  decoration  days.  She 
is  an  artist,  also,  of  much  taste  and  skill,  and 
among  the  fine  collection  from  her  hand  is  a 
skillfully  executed  crayon  portrait  of  her  hus 
band  from  a  small  photograph.  Her  parlors 
are  liberally  decorated  with  art  works  in  oil, 
water  colors,  and  crayon,  of  her  own  produc 
tion,  showing  clearly  that  she  is  not  only  a 
good  artist,  but  has  been  an  industrious  one. 
This  has  been  not  only  a  source  of  pleasure  to 
her,  but  of  great  relief  in  her  sad  bereavement. 
Fortunate  it  has  been  for  her  that  she  was  able 
to  devote  her  mind  to  such  fascinating  employ 
ment.  Mrs.  Henry  is  living  quietly  in  her 
elegant  home  which  overlooks  the  beautiful 
Rock  River,  in  the  love  of  her  children  and 
grandchildren,  and  surrounded  by  numerous 
friends  who  hold  her  in  high  esteem  and  affec 
tionate  regard. 


WILLIAM  H.  ADDIS,  of  Decatur,  Ills., 
was  born  at  Fairview,  Ills.,  May  8, 
1841.  His  father  was  Richard  Addis, 
who  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1806.  His 
grandfather,  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  was 
one  of  three  brothers  who  emigrated  from 
England  and  settled  in  New  Jersey.  A.  D. 
Addis,  an  elder  brother  of  William  H.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  served  during  the  late 
war  in  Company  H.,  77th  Ills.,  and  was  dis 
charged  on  account  of  physical  disabilities  re 
sulting  from  sickness  within  a  year  from  the 
date  of  his  enlistment. 

William  H.  was  brought  up  at  Canton,  Ills., 
and  was  at  school  until  his  I5th  year,  when  he 
found  employment  in  a  printing  office,  where 
he  worked  for  five  years.  He  enlisted  Aug. 
12,  1862,  at  Minonk,  111.,  in  Company  H.,  77th 
Ills.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Peoria,  Sept. 
2,  same  year,  where  they  remained  in  camp  for 
several  weeks,  thence  going  to  Covington,  Ky. 
From  here  they  went  on  a  march  to  Paris,  Ky., 
gathering  as  they  went  along  the  guns  that 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


had  been  dropped  by  the  Federal  soldiers  during 
the  John  Morgan  raid.  From  Paris  they  went  on 
to  Louisville  and  from  thereto  Memphis,  where 
they  were  assigned  to  the  4th  Div.  of  the  I3th  C. 

Proceeding  to  the  Yazoo  River  at  a  point 
near  Vicksburg,  they  met  the  enemy  at  Arkan 
sas  Post  and  bore  a  prominent  part  in  the  battle, 
which  was  their  initiation  into  actual  war.  A 
heavy  snow  storm  came  on  that  night  and  the 
ground  was  covered  to  the  depth  of  about  eleven 
inches.  From  there  they  went  to  Millikin's 
Bend  and  assisted  on  the  canal.  Later  cross 
ing  the  Mississippi  at  Grand  Gulf  they  par 
ticipated  in  the  battle  at  Magnolia  Hills,  and 
subsequently  at  Champion  Hills,  and  driving 
the  enemy  to  their  stronghold  at  Vicksburg. 
In  the  onslaught  upon  the  works  May  22,  the 
regiment  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  112  men, 
including  the  color  bearer.  They  remained 
until  after  the  surrender,  when  they  joined  the- 
march  of  Sherman's  army  to  Jackson,  engaging 
in  that  battle,  and  thence  returning  to  Vicks 
burg.  They  were  afterward  sent  to  New 
Orleans  and  from  there  to  Matagorda  Bay, 
Texas,  where  they  remained  for  about  two 
months  of  the  winter,  being  a  greater  part  of  the 
time  without  fuel  or  water  fit  to  drink.  Return 
ing  to  New  Orleans  they  went  thence  to  Frank 
lin,  La.,  after  which  they  formed  a  part  of  the 
Red  River  expedition. 

After  this  long  and  fatiguing  march,  Mr. 
Addis  was  literally  worn  out,  but  quickly  re 
cuperated.  At  Crescent  Hill  they  engaged  in 
an  all  day  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  and  when 
near  Mansfield  they  engaged  in  a  regular  battle 
during  which  they  repulsed  two  successive 
charges  of  the  enemy,  but  at  the  third  charge 
they  were  forced  to  fall  back.  They  went  into 
this  engagement  with  278  men  and  came  out 
with  but  63,  the  wounded  composing  a  consid- 
siderable  proportion.  Mr.  Addis  was  color 
Sergeant  in  this  battle,  and  received  a  wound  in 
the  left  shoulder.  He  had  carried  the  colors 
since  they  were  in  Texas.  The  next  day  they 
defeated  the  rebels  in  a  severe  and  hotly  con 
tested  fight  at  Crescent  Hill.  On  account  of 
his  wound  Mr.  Addis  was  removed  to  the  Bar 
racks  Hospital  at  New  Orleans,  where  he  re- 

10 


mained  abont  40  days  and  was  then  allowed 
sick  leave  for  60  days,  which  he  passed  at  home 
in  recovering  from  the  effects  of  his  wound. 
He  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Baton  Rouge,  La., 
thence  going  to  New  Orleans  and  Mobile,  land 
ing  at  old  Fort  Gaines  on  Dauphin  Island.  They 
remained  on  the  Island  until  after  the  surren 
der  of  the  forts. 

During  this  time  the  men  lived  on  salt  meat 
and  brackish  water,  causing  them  to  be  afflicted 
with  scurvy.  On  this  account  they  were  or 
dered  to  New  Orleans,  where  they  remained 
about  three  months  doing  guard  duty,  and  then 
marched  to  Mobile  Point,  and  from  there 
moved  through  the  low  country  to  Mobile. 
The  roads  were  in  a  dreadful  condition,  and  to 
make  matters  worse,  the  enemy  had  planted 
shells  and  torpedoes  along  the  road,  which  great 
ly  annoyed  the  troops  and  destroyed  some  of 
the  wagons.  At  the  siege  of  Mobile,  the  77th 
111.  bore  a  prominent  part,  and  remained  in  the 
city  after  the  capitulation  and  until  they  re 
ceived  orders  to  be  mustered  out,  July  10,  1865. 

Returning  home  he  engaged  at  carpenter 
ing  in  Woodford,  Co.,  later  becoming  the  pro 
prietor  of  the  El  Paso  Journal,  and  afterwards 
of  the  Decatur  Democrat.  Selling  the  Democrat, 
he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Magnet,  pub 
lished  also  at  Decatur.  Subsequently  he  went 
to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  but  so'on  returned  to 
Decatur,  and  became  associated  with  the  Re 
publican,  where  he  is  still  connected.  He  was 
married  Oct.  22,  1867,  in  McLean  Co.,  111.,  to 
Ada  Burkholder,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  they 
had  one  child,  Walter,  who  is  married  and  re 
siding  in  Decatur,  and  is  with  his  father  on  the 
Republican. 

Mr.  Addis  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  and 
Post  No.  141,  G.  A.  R.  He  is  connected  with 
the  Methodist  Church,  and  is  a  useful  member 
of  his  community,  a  good  and  upright  man, 
and  a  worthy  citizen. 


HENRY  CLAY  RUDISILL,  of  Ottawa,  111.,  and 
a  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  156,  was 
born     in     Champaign     County,     Ohio, 
August  24,  1835,  and  is  the  son  of  Michael  and 


146 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Mary  P.  S.  ( McMillan)  Rudisill.  Michael  and 
his  wife,  Mary,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania; 
the  former  of  German  and  the  latter  of  Scotch 
ancestry.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  chil 
dren — William,  Hannah,  Nancy,  Charlotte, 
Henry  C.,  Elizabeth,  James,  Eunice  R.,  and 
two  who  died  in  infancy.  Of  those  who  grew 
up,  only  three  are  now  living,  James,  the  sub 
ject  of  this  sketch,  and  Charlotte.  The  father 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation  in  early  life  and 
afterwards  a  shoemaker.  He  removed  with 
his  family  to  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  where 
he  lived,  and  where  he  died,  in  1881,  his  wife 
having  preceded  him  to  the  other  world  some 
three  years  previous.  Henry  was  raised  at 
home,  where  he  lived  until  he  was  17  years  of 
age,  receiving  during  that  time,  a  common 
school  education,  and  acquiring  some  knowl 
edge  of  blacksmithing.  He  went  to  Iowa  to 
continue  his  trade,  thence"  returning  eastward 
again  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  served  his 
apprenticeship.  From  Dayton  he  went  to 
Springfield  and  began  working  at  his  trade  as 
a  journeyman,  where  he  remained  about  a  year 
and  a  half.  He  then  went  to  Lexington,  111., 
and  thence,  in  1858,  to  Crawfordsville,  Ind. 
After  remaining  at  the  latter  place  for  a  time, 
he  went  to  Ottawa,  where  he  has  since  made 
his  home,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  months 
at  Joliet,  where  he  purchased  a  shop.  When 
the  rebellion  was  under  full  headway,  inspired 
by  a  patriotic  feeling  that  he  ought  to  contribute 
what  he  could  in  aid  of  the  government,  he 
joined  its  forces.  He  placed  his  name  upon 
the  muster  roll  August  15,  1862,  and  was  mus 
tered  into  the  United  States  service  at  Joliet, 
August,  30,  1862,  Company  K,  looth  111.  Inf. 

On  the  2Oth  of  September,  the  regiment 
moved  via  Springfield  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where 
it  was  placed  in  the  ist  Brigade,  Colonel  E.  N. 
Kirk,  commanding,  2d  Division  under  General 
Cruft  commanding  Army  of  Kentucky.  Octo 
ber  1st  the  regiment  was  transferred  to  the 
Fifteenth  Brigade,  Sixth  Division,  Army  of 
Ohio.  The  first  engagement  of  the  regiment 
was  near  Bardstown,  Ky.,  on  which  occasion  it 
was  ordered  by  General  Huskell,  commanding 
brigade,  to  make  the  charge  on  the  enemy. 


The  looth  with  a  yell  and  a  bound  rushed  for 
ward  with  great  impetuosity,  carrying  every 
thing  before  them,  and  driving  the  rebels 
through  the  town  and  two  miles  beyond.  His 
command  next  moved  out  in  pursuit  of  Bragg 
as  far  as  Wild  Cat,  Ky.,  then  moved  via  Co 
lumbus,  Scottsville,Gallatin,  to  Nashville.  Tenn., 
where  it  arrived  November  26,  1862.  His  next 
action  was  at  Stone  River.  At  first,  his  reei- 

o 

ment  was  held  in  reserve  while  Rosencrans' 
right  was  being  routed.  When  the  order  was  given 
to  move,  it  made  a  gallant  charge,  and  held  its 
ground  without  even  a  rail  for  protection,  while 
the  rebels  fell  back  behind  breastworks.  Its 
next  charge  was  against  Hood's  Division  which 
it  drove  back  behind  the  trees.  In  that  bloody 
struggle  the  regiment  lost  24  killed  and  50 
wounded.  The  next  severe  engagement  in 
which  his  regiment  took  part  was  Lookout 
Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge.  It  was  on 
the  left  of  General  Sheridan's  Division  in  the 
front  line  and  charged  with  its  usual  force 
directly  in  front  of  Orchard  Knob,  carrying  the 
enemy's  works  at  the  foot  of  the  Ridge;  halted 
but  a  moment,  then  charged  the  Ridge,  captur 
ing  many  prisoners  and  a  battery,  and  driving 
the  fleeing  enemy  across  the  Chickamauga. 
During  this  action,  Mr.  Rudisill  was  wounded 
twice;  once  in  the  forehead  and  again  in  the 
groin.  This,  however,  did  not  keep  him  from 
the  field,  and  he  fought  with  his  command 
until  night,  then  he  was  taken  to  the  hospital 
where  his  wounds  were  dressed.  He  was  under 
the  surgeon's  care  for  three  months,  when  he 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  Athens,  and  in  time  to 
take  part  in  the  movement  toward  Knoxville 
to  relieve  Burnside  who  was  threatened  by 
Longstreet's  corps.  From  the  Knoxville  cam 
paign  they  went  into  quarters  at  Bull's  Gap. 
In  the  spring  the  command  joined  Sherman  in 
his  move  upon  Atlanta,  and  Mr.  Rudisill  was 
with  his  regiment  in  all  engagements  lead 
ing  up  to  its  siege  and  fall. 

After  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  his  command  was 
sent  after  Hood.  The  looth  was  notable  for 
its  ambition  to  meet  rebel  cavalry,  and  being  at 
the  head  of  Stanley's  Corps  when  he  was  fall 
ing  back  from  Pulaski  to  Nashville,  he  gave  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


'47 


regiment  an  opportunity  to  gratify  its  desire  by 
ordering  it  on  double  quick  to  Spring  Hill,  a 
distance  of  two  miles.  There  the  regiment  met 
the  rebel  cavalry,  which  made  an  unexpected 
and  desperate  charge  upon  it  with  the  ap 
parent  appearance  of  its  utter  annihilation. 
But  the  lOOth  was  ready  and  equal  to  the  oc 
casion.  It  suddenly  executed  a  right  flank 
movement  and  with  fixed  bayonets  fiercely 
charged  the  cavalry,  drove  it  over  the  ridge  and 
out  of  sight.  For  this  action  the  regiment  re 
ceived  the  plaudits  of  the  army.  After  the 
battle  of  Franklin,  the  command  moved  to 
Nashville  and  the  lOOth  was  actually  engaged 
in  that  battle,  December  1 5th  and  i6th.  It  had 
the  honor  of  taking  a  prominent  part  in  the 
capture  of  Montgomery  Hill,  one  of  Hood's 
strongest  positions,  and  turning  his  heavy  guns 
on  the  retreating  enemy.  The  next  day  his 
regiment  assisted  in  driving  the  rebels  over  the 
Hill,  completely  demoralizing  the  brave  army 
which  General  Bragg  had  commanded  for  three 
long  years.  After  this  battle  the  regiment 
moved  to  Huntsville  and  went  into  winter 
quarters.  It  remained  in  that  section  of  the 
country  looking  after  the  rebels  that  were  left 
behind  until  after  the  surrender  when  it  was 
ordered  to  Nashville,  where  it  was  mustered  out 
June  12,  1865,  and  the  men  were  sent  to  Chicago 
where  they  received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

Mr.  Rudisill  returned  to  Ottawa  and  re 
sumed  work  at  his  trade.  For  three  years 
he  was  engaged  as  agent  for  the  Standard 
Manufacturing  Company.  He  then  was  with 
the  Deering  Manufacturing  Company.  He  is 
at  present  with  the  J.  E.  Porter  Manufacturing 
Company,  where  he  has  charge  of  the  black- 
smithing  department. 

Mr.  Rudisill  was  married  February  25,  1858, 
at  Lexington,  111.,  to  Elizabeth  A.,  daughter  of 
George  and  Caroline  Green.  Her  father  was  a 
native  of  England,  and  her  mother  was  a  native 
of  Vermont.  Mr.  Rudisill  has  had  born  to  him, 
one  child — Mary  E.  C. — who  died  December 
9,  1864.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
Lodge,  No.  391 ;  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  Lodge,  No.  20; 
and  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  156.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  pensioner. 


GENERAL  PHILIP  CORNELIUS  HAYES.  The 
disposition  of  the  planets  at  the  hour  of 
the  birth  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir, 
must  have  foreshadowed  a  successful,  happy, 
useful  life.  The  event  above  referred  to  was 
some  fifty-eight  years  ago.  It  was  not  during 
the  spring  or  summer  months,  when  blossoms 
and  flowers  sweeten  the  air  with  their  fragrance, 
but  at  a  time  when  the  snow  and  frost  of  winter 
held  sway,  indicating  that  the  pathway  of  life 
would  not  always  be  strewn  with  roses.  He 
was  born  February  3,  1833,  at  Granby,  Conn. 
His  parents  were  Gaylord  and  Mary  Goodrich 
(Humphrey)  Hayes,  natives  of  Conn.  General 
Hayes  came  naturally  by  his  military  spirit. 
His  great  grandfather  was  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  and  his  father  and  his  uncle,  Eze- 
kiel  Hayes,  were  in  the  war  of  1812. 

His  parents  removed  to  the  West  in  the  fall 
of  1833,  settling  near  Ottawa,  LaSalle  County, 
Ills.,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming.  It 
was  there  that  Philip's  childhood  days  were 
spent,  and  there  at  the  tender  age  of  twelve,  he 
was  left  an  orphan,  to  make  his  own  way  in 
the  world  as  best  he  could. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen,  young  Philip  hired  out 
at  farm  work,  for  $8  a  month,  and  was  thus  en 
gaged  forsome  time.  He  worked  only  in  the  sum 
mer,  and  attended  school  winters,  workingforhis 
board.  In  this  way  he  acquired  a  good  English 
education,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  com 
menced  teaching  school,  which  he  continued 
for  several  winters,  pursuing  his  studies  in  the 
mean  time  and  fitting  himself  for  college,  mak 
ing  final  preparations  at  Farm  Ridge  Seminary, 
LaSalle  County,  Ills. 

He  went  to  Oberlin,  Ohio,  September  I,  1855, 
and  after  spending  one  year  in  the  preparatory 
department,  entered  Oberlin  College,  Septem 
ber  i,  1856,  from  which  he  was  graduated  Sep 
tember,  1860.  After  graduating  he  commenced 
the  study  of  Theology,  and  was  thus  peacefully 
engaged  when  the  war-cloud  burst  upon  the 
country. 

At  the  first  call  for  75,000  troops  young 
Hayes  enlisted  as  a  private,  and  when  the  com 
pany  was  full  the  boys  elected  him  Captain,  but 
he  could  not  be  received,  as  the  State  had  al- 


148 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ready  taken  more  troops  than  the  President  had 
called  on  it  for.  In  1862  he  made  another 
effort  to  get  into  the  service  and  this  time  was 
more  successful.  July  16,  1862,  he  enlisted  and 
raised  another  company,  and  in  August  was 
mustered  in  at  Fort  Mitchell,  near  Covington, 
Ky.,  as  Captain,  Company  F.,  iO3rd  Ohio  Inf. 

The  regiment  having  received  its  arms  at 
Cincinnati,  crossed  over  to  Covington,  Ky., 
where  it  was  uniformed  and  furnished  with 
other  necessaries  for  active  soldier  life.  Thus 
equipped  it  marched  to  Fort  Mitchell  Sept  6. 
The  people  of  Cincinnati  as  well  as  of  the  en 
tire  State,  were  greatly  excited  at  this  time  over 
the  threatened  invasion  by  the  enemy,  under 
Kirby  Smith.  The  iO3rd  took  an  active  part  in 
moving  against  this  force,  who  were  compelled 
to  beat  a  retreat.  After  pursuing  the  enemy 
for  some  distance,  the  command  returned  and 
went  into  camp  at  Snow  Pond,  where  nearly 
half  of  the  regiment  were  prostrated  with  sick 
ness.  After  maneuvering  about  for  a  time,  ic 
was  separated  from  its  Brigade  and  moved  to 
Frankfort,  where  it  went  into  camp  on  the  bank 
of  the  Kentucky  river.  It  remained  there  until 
the  early  part  of  April,  1863,  when  it  was  or 
dered  out  after  independent  squads  of  free 
booters,  marauding  bands  of  mounted  men. 
About  the  middle  of  August,  the  National 
forces  under  Burnside  moved  out  for  the  East 
Tenn.  campaign  via  Stanford,  Crab  Orchard, 
Cumberland,  Burnside's  Point,  Montgomery, 
Lenoir,  and  Concord. 

Knoxville  at  this  time  was  the  stronghold 
of  the  enemy,  but  on  learning  of  the  approach 
of  the  Union  army,  they  abandoned  their  forti 
fications,  which  were  quickly  in  possession  of 
the  advance  forces  of  Burnside.  No  pen  can 
portray  the  suffering  of  the  troops  on  this 
march.  The  I03rd,  with  other  regiments,  were 
placed  on  the  cars  and  passing  through  Knox 
ville,  moved  on,  to  Henderson  Station,  and  sub 
sequently  to  Greenville,  where  later  it  joined 
the  general  advance  against  the  enemy,  then 
assembled  at  Jonesborough.  The  rebels  were 
routed,  making  another  stand  later  on  at  Blue 
Springs,  where  they  were  attacked  by  the 
Union  forces,  then  re-enforced,  and  a  hot  bat 


tle  ensued,  resulting  in  the  defeat  of  the  enemy. 
The  next  camp  made  by  the  regiment  was  at 
Knoxville,  where  it  arrived  by  rail  with  its 
brigade,  during  the  early  part  of  November. 
It  was  there  during  the  investment  by  Long- 
street,  suffering  the  greatest  hardships  from 
insufficient  clothing,  short  rations,  and  other 
privations.  While  under  siege  the  iO3rd  took 
part  in  a  sanguinary  battle,  resulting  in  the 
repulse  of  the  rebels  and  a  loss  to  the  regiment 
of  35  men  in  killed  and  wounded.  On  the 
approach  of  Sherman,  the  enemy  withdrew. 

The  regiment  moved  first  to  Strawberry 
Plains,  then  to  Bear  Station,  thence  back  to 
Strawberry  Plains.  March  12,  1864,  it  was 
ordered  to  join  in  the  advance  eastward  after 
Longstreet.  It  proceeded  to  Morrison,  then 
to  Mossy  Creek,  and  later  with  the  army 
advanced  to  Bull's  Gap,  and  from  there  it 
moved  toward  Chattanooga  to  join  Sherman's 
army  for  the  Atlanta  Campaign,  arriving  May 
13,  in  front  of  Resaca.  The  following  day 
Col.  Hayes  took  part  with  his  regiment  in 
charging  the  enemy's  works,  which  were  car 
ried.  His  regiment  fought  gallantly,  and 
effectively,  losing  one-third  of  its  available 
force.  It  joined  in  pursuit  of  the  defeated 
army,  through  Cartersville  and  across  the 
Etowah  River.  It  moved  again  with  the  army, 
which  was  steadily  and  surely  advancing  to 
Atlanta,  and  took  part  in  all  the  engagements 
of  its  brigade,  leading  up  to  the  fall  of  that 
rebel  stronghold.  Soon  after  it  was  ordered 
with  its  Corps,  the  23d,  to  Decatur,  where  it 
went  into  camp.  The  regiment's  loss  in  that 
campaign  was  heavy,  as  was  its  service  effect 
ive.  For  100  days  it  was  almost  constantly 
under  fire,  losing  large  numbers  of  both  officers 
and  men. 

After  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  General  Hayes 
was  appointed  Provost  Marshal  General,  on  the 
staff  of  General  J.  M.  Schofield,  which  position 
he  held  until  he  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service. 

With  his  command  he  moved  back  to  Nash 
ville,  Tennessee,  marched  to  Pulaski,  took  part 
in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville,  and 
after  the  defeat  of  Hood's  army  accompanied 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


149 


Gen.  Schofield  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  and  thence 
to  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C. 

February  24,  1865,  the  regiment,  with  its 
Corps,  arrived  at  Wilmington  and  after  remain 
ing  there  for  a  few  days  proceeded  through 
Kingston  to  Goldsboro,  where  it  met  Sherman's 
army  and  a  very  pleasant  reunion  of  the 
soldiers  was  held.  From  there  the  whole  army 
took  up  its  march,  and  April  I3th,  reached 
Raleigh,  where  the  I03rd  remained  until  June 
I2th,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
and  there  was  mustered  out  June  22,  1865,  and 
the  subject  of  this  memoir  returned  to  his 
home. 

General  Hayes  made  a  brilliant  record  as  a 
Soldier.  He  had  no  hospital  record,  and  went 
through  the  war  without  a  scratch,  having  how 
ever  many  close  calls;  at  one  time  a  score  of 
rebels  fired  at  him,  all  shooting  at  once.  From 
Captain  he  was  promoted  December  5,  1864,  to 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  then  to  Colonel,  and  March 
13,  1865,  was  breveted  Brigadier  General. 

Two  of  his  brothers,  Timothy  E.,  and  James 
H.,  were  in  the  army,  the  latter  being  severely 
wounded. 

The  iO3d  Ohio  was  at  the  front  during  the 
entire  Atlanta  campaign,  and  that  it  met  the 
enemy  well,  and  often,  is  evidenced  by  its 
losses.  It  entered  on  the  campaign  with 
500  officers  and  men,  and  at  its  close,  it  only 
had  96  men  in  line  fit  for  duty.  As  a  testi 
monial  to  General  Hayes'  worth  as  a  soldier 
and  the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  the 
officers  of  the  Army  no  stronger  paper  could 
be  offered  than  the  following  from  General 
Cameron,  who  was  his  brigade  commander, 
and  it  was  entirely  unsolicited  and  unexpected 
on  his  part. 
"Headquarters  2d,  Brigade,  3rdDiv.  23rd,  A.  C. 

"Before  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  30,  1864. 
HON.  JOHN  BROUGH, 

GOVERNOR  OF  OHIO, 

COLUMBUS,  OHIO. 

"GOVERNOR: — I  have  much  pleasure  in  recom 
mending    to    the    favorable    consideration    of 

o 

your  Excellency,  Captain  P.  C.  Hayes,  iO3rd 
Ohio  Vol.  Inf.  Captain  Hayes  is  in  my 
opinion  one  of  the  best  officers  in  this  army.  I 


have  been  familiar  with  the  services  rendered 
by  him  in  the  present  campaign  and  in  Eastern 
Tennessee.  I  have  always  found  him  energetic, 
intelligent  and  faithful  inthe  discharge  of  every 
duty.  On  two  different  occasions  I  have  had 
occasion  to  commend  him  to  the  notice  of  my 
military  superiors,  as  most  worthy  of  promo 
tion  for  gallant  service  rendered  on  the  field.  I 
can  consistently  recommend  Captain  Hayes  as 
worthy,  and  well  qualified  to  fill  a  higher  posi 
tion  than  his  present  one.  His  experience  and 
efficiency  as  an  officer  would  be  of  great  value 
in  any  organization  now  forming,  and  as  several 
new  regiments  are  said  to  be  raising  in  Ohio,  I 
ask  for  the  Captain,  your  Excellency's  most 
favorable  consideration. 

"I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Your  Excellency's 
Obedient  Servant, 

DANIEL  CAMERON, 
[Copy]         Colonel  Commanding  Brigade." 

From  General  Grant,  he  received  the  fol 
lowing  letter: 
"BRIGADIER  GENERAL  PHILIP  C.  HAYES. 

You  are  hereby  informed  that  the  President 
of  the  United  States  has  appointed  you,  for 
gallant  and  meritorious  services,  during  the 
war  a  Brigadier  General  of  volunteers  by 
brevet. 

Signed — U.  S.  GRANT, 

General. 

After  the  war,  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
remained  for  some  time  in  Ohio,  his  first  occu 
pation  being  that  of  Superintendent  of  Schools 
at  Mt.  Vernon,  which  position  he  held  until 
the  fall  of  1866,  when  he  went  to  Circleville, 
Ohio,  bought  and  took  charge  of  the  Circle 
ville  Union.  He  conducted  the  Union  until 
the  spring  of  1869,  when  he  sold  out  and  pur 
chased  the  Bryan  Press  which  he  edited  until 
1874,  when  he  moved  to  Morris,  Ills.,  purchased 
the  Morris  Herald  which  he  has  since  published 
and  where  he  has  continued  to  reside. 

In  1876,  he  had  acquired  sufficient  promi 
nence  in  the  political  councils  of  his  adopted 
State,  to  secure  the  nomination  by  the  Repub 
lican  party  for  Congress  to  represent  the  7th 
District,  embracing  the  counties  of  Grundy, 
LaSalle,  Kendall,  and  Will.  He  took  his  seat 


150 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


in  the  House  of  Representatives  March  4,  1877, 
and  retired  (having  been  re-elected)  March  4, 
1881.  General  Hayes  was  an  able,  conscien 
tious  and  popular  representative  and  discharged 
the  duties  incumbent  upon  that  high  office  with 
honor  to  his  country,  credit  to  himself,  and 
satisfaction  in  his  constituency. 

General  Hayes  was  united  in  marriage  at 
Oberlin,  Ohio,  January  25,  1865,  to  Amelia 
Estelle,  nee  Johnson,  daughter  of  Dr.  Homer 
and  Ann  A.  Johnson,  both  of  New  England 
families.  To  them  have  been  born  six  child 
ren,  Carl  J.,  Jessie.,  Ralph  W.,  Georgie,  Milo  C. 
and  Mary. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Darveau  Post,  No. 
329,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  which  he  has  been  Com 
mander.  In  this  organization,  he  has  always 
been  active  and  an  important  factor,  ever  ready 
to  aid  in  its  advancement. 

In  General  Hayes,  the  people  of  Morris, 
and  of  Grundy  County,  have  a  citizen  in  whom 
they  take  a  special  pride;  one  who  has  dis 
tinguished  himself  not  only  on  the  battlefield, 
but  in  the  National  Halls  of  legislation,  one 
who  as  the  years  roll  on  is  continually  growing 
in  their  esteem,  confidence  and  affection. 


WILLIAM  B.  LAWRENCE,  of  Bloomington, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
Penn.,  Nov.  8,  1835,  son  °f  James  N. 
Lawrence,  a  second  cousin  of  the  celebrated 
Lawrence,  Commander  of  the  United  States 
War  Ship,  who  was  in  a  naval  engagement  upon 
Lake  Erie  during  the  \varof  1812,  and  was  fa 
tally  wounded,  and  exclaimed  as  his  last  and 
ever  memorable  words  of  command,  "  Don't 
give  up  the  ship!" 

Milton  and  James  Lawrence,  brothers  of 
our  subject,  were  also  in  the  late  war  as  sol 
diers  and  served«in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
both  being  wounded,  for  which  cause  the  latter 
subsequently  received  his  discharge. 

W.  B.  enlisted  at  Bloomington  the  same 
day  President  Lincoln's  first  proclamation  call 
ing  for  troops  was  issued,  viz.:  April  15,  1861. 
He  went  with  his  company  to  Springfield,  but 


was  rejected  and  obliged  to  return  home.  Be 
ing  desirous  of  taking  part  in  the  war  he  again 
enlisted  August  8th,  1862,  and  on  this  occasion 
succeeded;  was  mustered  in  as  Orderly  Ser 
geant,  in  Company  A.  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serv 
ing  under  General  Heron  in  the  army  of  the 
frontier.  He  participated  in  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg  and  by  reason  of  his  gallantry  displayed, 
was  promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant  of  his  compa 
ny.  After  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  he  accompa 
nied  his  regiment  to  New  Orleans,  where  he 
was  detached  and  served  as  assistant  Quarter- 
Master,  at  which  he  was  employed  until  the 
spring  of  1864,  when  he  was  forced  to  resign, 
having  by  exposure  and  other  causes  contract 
ed  diabetes,  rendering  him  unfit  for  service  and 
which  even  for  a  time  threatened  his  life.  He 
returned  home  where  he  soon  improved  under 
careful  treatment,  and  again  re-enlisted,  Janua 
ry  25,  1865,  in  Company  B.  i5Oth  111.,  and  was 
mustered  in  as  Captain  of  his  company  Feb. 
I4th.  He  proceeded  South  with  his  regiment 
and  being  stationed  at  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  as  also 
in  Atlanta,  Georgia,  upon  garrison  duty,  and 
whilst  at  the  latter  place  was  appointed  provost 
marshal  of  four  counties,  known  as  the  District 
of  Allatoona,  which  had  headquarters  at  La- 
Grange,  Ga.,  being  at  the  time  attached  to 
General  Davison's  Brigade,  Stephenson's  Di 
vision,  Steadman's  Corps,  Department  of  the 
Cumberland,  with  General  Thomas  at  its  head. 
Subsequently  Captain  Lawrence  moved  to 
Greenville,  where  he  had  command  of  the  Post, 
and  continued  until  January  25,  1866,  at  which 
time  and  place  he  was  discharged,  having  com 
pleted  his  last  term  of  enlistment,  which  was 
for  one  year. 

Captain  Lawrence  returned  to  Blooming- 
ton,  became  employed  as  Bookkeeper  for  a 
time  until  appointed  City  Treasurer,  in  1870, 
and  the  following  year  City  Clerk,  which  posi 
tion  he  filled  for  five  years,  having  been  re-ap 
pointed  each  year.  He  has  filled  the  offices  of 
Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Street  Commissioner 
for  Bloomington,  and  has  been  Deputy  County 
Clerk  for  two  years. 

In  August  1862,  just  preceding  his  second 
enlistment,  he  married  Harriet  Ensminger,  by 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


whom  he  has  three  children  living,  viz:   James 
Harry,  Grace  M.,  and  Carl  M. 

Captain  Lawrence  is  a  Republican  in  poli 
tics  and  a  member  of  Wm.  T.  Sherman  Post, 
No.  146,  of  Bloomington. 


ALBERT  V.  B.  PHILLIPS,  of  Earlville,  111., 
was  born  July  28,  1841,  a  son  of  James 
M.  and  Anna  Phillips,  natives  of  Penn., 
who  removed  to  Illinois  in  1831,  settling  in  La 
Salle  County.  The  father,  as  also  the  grand 
father,  were  in  the  war  of  1812  and  fought  un 
der  Commodore  Perry.  The  former  subse 
quently  became  a  house  builder  by  trade,  which 
he  followed  with  unvarying  success  until  re 
tired  by  advancing  years  and  died  in  October, 
1882,  closing  an  honorable  life  at  the  matured 
age  of  85  years.  The  mother  is  still  living  at 
the  ripe  age  of  76.  Our  subject  received  a  fair 
common  school  education,  which  was  after 
wards  supplemented  by  a  two  years'  course  at 
Wheaton  College,  and  was  on  his  way  to  attend 
Galesburg  College,  when  he  concluded  to  en 
list,  a  step  which  he  took  Aug.  3,  1861;  was 
mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Company  D.,  32nd 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Dec.  iQth,  and  continued  at 
Chicago  guarding  the  prisoners  captured  at 
Fort  Donelson,  until  June,  1862,  when  the 
regiment  was  ordered  to  Harpers  Ferry,  Va. 
Clarksburg,  Va.,  being  menaced  by  the  forces 
under  Imboden,  Mr.  Phillips'  Regt.  was  sent  to 
that  point  for  its  protection,  and  for  the  same 
reason  subsequently  moved  to  Parkersburg, 
thus  saving  both  towns  from  an  assault  from 
the  enemy.  In  Nov.,  1862,  Companies  B.,  D. 
and  K.,  under  Major  Moore  attacked  Gen. 
Imboden  on  the  south  fork  of  the  Potomac, 
and  after  a  sharp  engagement  captured  40 
prisoners  and  a  large  quantity  of  supplies, 
hogs  and  cattle.  In  the  following  December, 
the  Company  moved  to  Franklin  and  destroyed 
the  Saltpetre  works  at  that  point.  On  Jan.  3, 
1863,  the  Regt.  made  a  forced  march  of  40 
miles  in  10  hours  from  New  Creek  to  Moor- 
field,  to  the  relief  of  the  Union  forces  there  at 


tacked  by  Gen.  Jones  who,  fearing  capture, 
withdrew.  It  took  up  winter  quarters  at  New 
Creek. 

In  the  spring  he  was  placed  on  detached 
duty  and  continued  to  be  thus  employed  until 
the  27th  of  April  when  he  rejoined  his  regiment 
at  New  Creek.  From  New  Creek  the  Regt.  was 
ordered  to  Gettysburg,  118  miles  distant,  and 
started  on  the  march,  arriving  at  the  objective 
point  38  hours  thereafter,  all  the  men  of  the 
Regt.,  however,  dropping  out  along  the  line  of 
march  except  75.  Afterward  it  was  engaged  on 
the  flank  of  Lee  in  his  retreat  from  Gettysburg, 
and  had  an  engagement  with  Wade  Hampton 
at  Hedgville.  It  was  subsequently  sent  to  Pe 
tersburg,  thence  to  Franklin.  On  New  Years 
day,  1864,  it  moved  upon  Brow  Mountain,  then 
held  by  Fitz  Hugh  Lee,  where  it  captured  1,500 
prisoners,  all  of  whom  were  barefooted  and 
nearly  starved.  In  April,  the  men  of  the  regi 
ment  enlisted  as  veterans,  were  granted  a  fur 
lough  of  30  days,  then  returned  to  Va.,  and 
subsequently,  during  the  month  of  July,  the 
Regt.  was  engaged  in  the  following  battles:  Lee- 
town,  Va.,  July  3  and  4,  Maryland  Heights,  4, 
5  and  6,  Snicker's  Gap,  July  16,  andKernstown, 
Va.,  July  24,  where  Col.  Mulligan  was  killed, 
and  during  which  the  Regt.  lost  about  one  half 
its  number  engaged  therein.  From  the  early, 
days  of  August,  the  Regt.  was  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Sheridan  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  and  took  part  in  the  following  battles 
and  skirmishes:  Cedar  Creek,  Charlestown  and 
Halltown,  from  the  21  to  the  28;  Berryville, 
Sept.  3;  Opequaon  Creek,  Sept.  19;  Fishers 
Hill,  on  the  21  and  22;  Harrisonburg,  Oct.  9;  Ce 
dar  Creek,  13;  and  the  third  Cedar  Creek,  on 
the  igth.  Mr.  Phillips'  term  of  enlistment  hav 
ing  expired  he  was  mustered  out  Dec  20,  1864, 
and  was  paid  off  and  discharged  at  Middletown, 
Va.,  having  served  his  country  as  a  soldier  for 
three  years  and  four  months. 

He  returned  to  his  home  at  Earlville,  where 
he  has  since  remained.  On  returning  home  he 
engaged  in  farming  which  he  followed  until 
1 88 1,  when  he  left  his  farm  and  moved  to  Earl 
ville,  where  he  has  followed  his  trade,  that  of  a 
carpenter,  ever  since.  He  married  January  18, 


152 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


1866^  Miss  Rosetta  A.  Brown,  by  whom  he  has 
four  children — James  D.,  Julia  A.,  wife  of  Wil 
liam  Walker;  Frederick  M.,  and  Delia  M.  Mr. 
Phillips  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  475,  G.  A.  R. 
at  Earlville,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics. 


FREDERICK  BROWN,  the  subject  of  our  pres 
ent  sketch,  is  one  of  Aurora's  (111.) 
prominent  citizens;  few  being  more 
widely  known  or  more  generally  respected.  A 
native  of  Hudson,  Ohio,  he  was  born  Jan.  roth, 
1828,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Frederick  and 
Julia  (Merriam)  Brown,  both  of  New  England 
ancestry.  His  father  was  a  farmer  and  a  man 
much  respected  in  his  day.  Our  subject  and 
his  brother  Owen  (who  was  mortally  wounded 
at  Perry ville  and  died  in  Hospital),  spent  their 
early  days  in  the  family  homestead,  attending 
the  District  Schools  during  the  winter  months, 
and  thus  acquiring  the  elements  of  a  plain, 
but  substantial  education.  At  the  age  of  19, 
young  Brown  entered  upon  a  course  of  study 
at  Western  Reserve  College,  and  subsequently 
commenced  the  study  of  law  at  Ravenna,  with 
E.  B.  Taylor  successor  of  President  Garfield  in 
Congress.  Persevering  and  industrious,  he 
was  eventually  admitted  to  the  Bar,  and 
entered  upon  active  practice  of  his  profession. 
In  1855,  ne  decided  upon  removing  to  what 
was  at  that  period  the  far  West,  and  accord 
ingly  located  in  Winnebago  County,  Ills. 
Here  he  successfully  practiced  his  profession 
during  the  following  six  years.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  he  was  appointed  (1861)  by  Presi 
dent  Lincoln,  Postmaster  at  Pecatonica,  111., 
an  office  which  he  occupied  until  July  1st,  1873. 
Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  deter 
mined  to  enlist,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Spring 
field  Apr.  2Oth,  1861.  He  was  assigned  toCo.  D., 
nth  Ills.  Inf.  His  Co.  subsequently  proceeded 
to  Villa  Ridge,  near  Cairo,  and  here  underwent 
a  course  of  six  weeks  practical  instruction,  at 
the  end  of  which  period,  they  removed  to 
Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  where  they  were  assigned  to 
Garrison  duty,  under  Gens.  Fremont  and 
Prentiss,  and  also  aided  in  the  building  of  forti 


fications  at  this  place.  Stricken  down  by  an 
attack  of  fever  Mr.  Brown  returned  home  and 
for  several  weeks  was  in  a  dangerous  condi 
tion.  Possessing  a  robust  constitution  he 
finally  recovered  and  determined  to  re-enlist. 
Proceeding  to  St.  Charles  in  Sept.  (1861)  he 
joined  the  8th  Ills.  Cav.,  Co.  M.  and  with  his 
Regt,  moved  during  the  following  month  to 
Washington,  D.  C.,and  here  upon  the  Meridian 
heights  they  remained  encamped  nearly  two- 
months,  drilling  and  doing  camp  duty.  Dec. 
I7th,  they  moved  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  for  the 
winter.  In  March  of  the  following  year  the 
Regt.  joined  the  general  advance  on  Manassas, 
in  Gen.  Sumner's  Div.,  and  remained  in  War- 
rentown  until  the  middle  of  Apr.,  at  four  differ 
ent  times,  driving  the  enemy  across  the  Rap- 
pahannock. 

Later  in  the  month  they  embarked  for  Ship 
ping  Point,  where  they  landed,  and  subse 
quently  moved  to  Williamsburg,  being  as 
signed  to  the  light  brigade  under  the  com 
mand  of  Gen.  Stoneman.  Mr.  Brown  then 
accompanied  his  Regt.  to  New  Kent  Court 
House,  and  to  White  House  on  the  Pamunkey 
River.  From  thence  they  removed  to  a  point 
near  Richmond,  and  were  picketed  out  near 
Ashland.  Under  the  command  of  Gen.  Fitz 
J.  Porter,  at  the  battle  of  Hanover  Court 
House  Capt.  Hooker  of  this  Regt.,  was  the  first 
man  killed  in  action  during  the  seven  days' 
battle  which  the  regiment  was  engaged  in,  and 
which  embraced  among  other  points,  those  of 
Gaines  Hill,  Dispatch  Station  and  Malvern  Hill, 
during  which  the  Regt.  suffered  more  or  less 
loss.  After  engaging  in  picket  duty  on  the 
James  River,  they  led  the  advance  to  the  sec 
ond  occupation  of  Malvern  Hill,  and  in  fact 
bore  the  brunt  of  the  fight. 

In  Aug.  (1862)  they  embarked  at  York- 
town,  and  on  the  first  of  the  following  month 
landed  at  Alexandria.  Three  days  later  (Sept. 
4th),  they  crossed  into  Md.  and  were  engaged 
at  Poolsville,  Sugar  Loaf  Mt.,  Middletown, 
and  South  Mountain  and  Boonsboro,  in  suc 
cession,  and  also  in  the  battle  of  Antietam. 
Shortly  afterward  they  went  into  camp  at 
Knoxville  and  subsequently  moved  in  advance 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


153 


of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  were  almost 
daily  engaged  with  the  enemy's  Cav.  After 
wards  with  his  Co.,  he  did  picket  duty  along 
the  line  of  the  Rappahannock,  during  the  win 
ter  which  followed.  Subsequently  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  and  in  the  raid 
on  Point  Comfort,  where  an  immense  amount 
of  plunder,  and  over  1,000  negroes  were  cap 
tured.  Returning  to  the  Army  then  located 
near  Fredericksburg,  he  was  next  engaged  in 
reconnoissance  duties,  and  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Beverly  Ford  and  a  number  of  other 
Cav.  battles,  which  took  place  on  the  right 
flank  of  the  army.  Crossing  the  Potomac  at 
Edwards  Ferry,  they  proceeded  to  Middletown 
and  subsequently  by  another  route  over  the 
Mountains,  they  passed  by  way  of  Emmetts- 
burg  to  Gettysburg,  at  which  place  they  arrived 
June  30,  1863.  Placed  in  skirmish  line,  they 
ultimately  occupied  the  left  flank  of  the  army 
and  during  the  night  which  followed  their  ar 
rival  there,  they  camped  in  front  of  Round  Top. 
About  ten  o'clock  the  next  day  orders  were 
given  to  the  regiment  to  proceed  to  Westmin 
ster,  to  guard  the  supply  train  against  Stewart's 
Cav.  who  were  known  to  be  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood.  Accompanying  the  train  of 
wagons,  after  an  all-night  march  they  arrived 
at  Gettysburg  July  4th. 

At  length  they  joined  the  army  near  Fred 
erick  City  Md.,  and  proceeded  to  Williams- 
port,  where  they  were  engaged.  They  then 
followed  Lee  into  Va.,  became  engaged  near 
Snicker's  Gap,  capturing  many  prisoners,  and 
a  number  of  horses,  and  also  engaging  in  an 
other  battle  near  Culpeper.  Following  this  he 
was  engaged  in  numerous  skirmishes,  guarding 
wagon  trains,  and  was  at  length  sent  to  111.,  on 
recruiting  service.  In  that  State  he  spent  the 
winter  of  1863-4.  This  mission  was  highly  suc 
cessful  and  in  the  following  spring  he  pro 
ceeded  to  Washington,  where  with  hisRegt.  he 
remained  until  the  following  July,  when  they 
removed  to  Maryland.  Then  followed  Co. 
duty  on  the  upper  Fords  and  an  engagement 
in  the  battle  of  Monocacy,  Md.,  on  the  B  & 
O.  R.  R.  Following  this  came  picket  duty 
above  and  below  Washington. 


Mr.  Brown's  term  of  enlistment  having  ex 
pired  he  was  discharged  and  returned  to  111., 
(Sept.  1864)  remaining  in  that  State  during 
the  winter.  In  Apr.  (1865)  here-enlisted  at 
Chicago  in  the  nth,  Ills.  Cav.  and  proceeded 
to  Springfield,  then  to  Cairo  and  ultimately  to 
Memphis,  at  which  place  he  was  transferred  to 
the  5th  Cav.  and  was  put  on  provost  duty  at  La 
Grange  and  Jackson,  Tenn.  Later  they  returned 
to  Memphis,  Tenn,  and  were  there  assigned  to 
patrol  duties  in  charge  of  prisoners.  Later 
they  embarked  for  Alexandria  La.,  and  re 
mained  there  for  about  four  weeks;  then  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Custer  they  proceeded  to 
Houston,  Texas.  It  was  a  three  weeks'  march 
before  they  reached  their  destination,  and  was 
undoubtedly  one  of  the  hardest  marches  ever 
made  during  the  war.  In  Oct.,  1865,  Mr. 
Brown's  Reg.  was  mustered  out  of  service  and 
returned  to  Springfield,  via  Houston,  Galves- 
ton,  New  Orleans,  and  St.  Louis,  and  from  there 
by  cars  they  reached  Springfield,  where  they 
camped  for  a  few  days,  and  were  then  dis 
charged. 

Returning  to  his  Post  Office  duties  Mr. 
Brown  remained  thus  engaged,  until  in  1866, 
he  was  deposed  by  President  Johnson;  after 
ward  through  the  influence  of  Gen.  Farnsworth, 
he  was  reinstated.  June  30th,  1873,  Mr.  Brown 
resigned  this  office  and  removed  to  Aurora. 
Shortly  after  his  location  in  this  City  he  was 
elected  a  J.  P.,  an  office  which  he  has  continued 
to  fill,  not  only  with  credit  to  himself,  but  to 
the  community  at  large,  and  when  it  is  stated 
that  the  present  is  the  third  term  of  his  election 
thereto,  it  will  be  naturally  understood  that  he 
retains  the  esteem  and  respect  of  those  who 
placed  him  in  this  position;  a  position  of  both 
honor  and  responsibility.  He  was  married 
Feb.  5th,  1855,  at  Turner's  Mills,  Ohio,  to  Jane 
M.  Groat,  a  native  of  Mass.,  who  had  charge  of 
the  post  office  during  her  husband's  four  years 
service  in  the  Army. 

Mrs.  Brown  died  in  Aurora  Nov.  14,  1876, 
leaving  two  children,  Jennie  and  Harriet.  The 
former  of  which  is  now  the  wife  of  Eldridge 
Otis,  the  well  known  Editor  and  Proprietor  of 
the  Minneapolis  Register.  Mr.  Brown  is  a 


154 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


member  of  Post  No.  20.  G.A.R.,  but  is  not  in 
receipt  of  a  pension.  He  takes  a  great  interest 
in  all  that  that  relates  to  the  good  and  welfare 
of  his  comrades  of  the  war.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican.  A  man  of  many  social  qualifica 
tions,  he  is  genial  and  generous,  and  greatly 
esteemed  by  his  fellow  citizens. 


PETER  R.  WILLIAMS,  of  Decatur,   111.,  was 
born  in  N.  Y.,  Aug.  16,  1841,  son  of  Peter 
and  Mary  ( Rhodes)  Williams.    Mrs.Will- 
iams'  father   and    Uncle  were  soldiers    in    the 
Revolutionary  war.     The  parents  had  four  chil 
dren,  besides  Peter,  two  of  whom,  viz.,  Hiram 
and  Luther  were  in  the  army  of    the  rebellion 
having   served   their   country  throughout    the 
war,  returning  safely  home  at  its  close. 

Peter  attended  school  as  opportunity  offered 
until  about  seventeen,  then  learned  the  carpen 
ter  trade,  which  he  followed  until  he  joined  the 
army,  in  Aug.  10,  1862,  going  into  Co.  G.,  io8th, 
N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.  After  a  short  period  spent  in 
drilling  at  the  place  of  organization  they  moved 
to  Arlington  Heights,  Va.,  and  were  assigned 
to  the  3rd  Brigade,  3rd  Division,  near  Wash 
ington,  where  instructions  were  received  order 
ing  them  to  Frederick,  Va.,  and  in  the  march 
thither  had  an  engagement  with  the  enemy  at 
South  Mountain,  Sept.  I4th.  On  the  i;th  they 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Antietam,  support 
ing  a  battery  part  of  the  time  and  later  charged 
the  enemy  over  an  open  field,  he  being  pro 
tected  by  fences;  captured  his  positions,  which 
they  held  forcing  him  to  fall  back.  Subse 
quently  the  regiment  with  the  army  fell  back 
to  Big  Springs.  This  was  the  first  severe  battle 
in  which  it  participated  and  although  its  losses 
in  killed  and  wounded  were  heavy,  the  men 
fought  as  fearlessly  as  if  they  had  been  old  and 
tried  veterans.  Two  days  later  they  went  to 
Bolivar,  in  pursuit  of  Lee's  forces,  where  they 
camped  for  three  weeks  and  whilst  there,  Mr. 
Williams  was  attacked  with  scurvy,  and  typhoid 
fever,  and  was  also  suffering  from  a  rupture 
caused  by  an  accidental  fall  on  the  march 
toward  South  Mountain,  when  going  down  a 


steep  declivity,  and  was  therefore  sent  to  Har 
per's  Ferry,  and  two  weeks  later  to  Frederick, 
Md.,  where  he  continued  in  hospital  until  Jan. 
10,  1863,  when  he  was  mustered  out  and  dis 
charged  by  reason  of  disability. 

He  returned  to  New  York,  remaining  there 
until  Jan.  15,  1864,  at  which  time  he  had  nearly 
recovered  from  the  fever,  and  being  anxious  to 
join  the  army  of  the  Union  again,  enlisted  in 
the  2nd,  N.  Y.,  Mounted  Rifles,  an  independent 
regiment.  They  rendezvoused  at  Fort  Porter, 
Buffalo,  where  comrade  Williams  was  detailed 
as  recruiting  officer.  They  were  mustered  into 
the  United  States  service  Jan.  15,  1864,  and 
then  proceeded  at  once  to  Camp  Stoneman 
near  Washington,  where  the  men  were  equipped 
but  not  mounted.  Their  first  battle  was  May 
19,  1864,  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  where  they  were 
in  the  hottest  part  of  the  field  all  day.  Then 
followed  in  quick  succession  the  bloody  battles 
of  Bethesda  Church,  Cold  Harbor,  Pigram 
Farm,  Deep  Bottom,  Peach  Orchard,  then  ar 
riving  in  front  of  Petersburg,  began  the  siege, 
in  all  of  which  he  participated.  Previous  to  the 
siege  the  regiment  had  been  mounted,  and 
operated  in  connection  with  Sheridan's  Cavalry 
and  was  known  as  Greig's  Cavalry.  Later  they 
joined  in  the  battles  at  Petersburg  Mine,  June 
30,  1864;  Weldon  R.  R.,  Aug.  18  and  20;  Pegram 
Farm,  Sept.  30;  and  also  in  the  raids  to  Stony 
Creek,  Dec.  I,  and  Bellfield,  after  which  they 
went  into  winter  quarters  opposite  Petersburg, 
where  they  remained  until  the  following  spring. 
Mr.  Williams  was  present  at  the  Mine  explo 
sion,  aided  in  capturing  9,000  prisoners,  then 
the  regiment  proceeded  to  Hatchers'  Run, 
taking  an  active  part  in  the  engagement;  fought 
at  that  place  and  afterwards  assisted  in  the 
capture  of  7,000  rebel  troops  at  Stony  Creek, 
near  Dinwiddie  Court  House,  the  regiment 
fighting  dismounted  all  day,  losing  heavily. 
They  then  followed  up  the  retreating  rebel 
army  under  Lee,  fighting  almost  daily,  being 
present  during  the  charge  at  Five  Forks,  where 
the  assault  was  made  mounted,  upon  the  enemy 
three  lines  deep  and  captured  his  batteries. 
After  the  battle  of  Five  Forks  his  command 
being  mounted  light  had  the  advance  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


155 


army,  effectually  charging  by  flank  the  extreme 
advance  of  Lee's  forces,  and  held  the  enemy  in 
check  until  relieved  by  the  colored  brigade. 
About  this  time  Lee  called  for  an  armistice 
and  hostilities  were  suspended,  which  resulted 
in  Lee's  surrender  at  Appomattox.  This  was 
the  last  fight  in  which  the  soldiers  of  the  Poto 
mac  Army  were  engaged.  His  command  moved 
out  then  to  join  Sherman's  army,  and  were 
within  15  miles  of  Johnston's  Army,  when  news 
came  of  his  surrender.  Mr.  Williams  with  his 
regiment  was  ordered  to  the  James  River,  upon 
guard  and  provost  duty,  until  Aug.  8,  1865; 
was  mustered  out  at  City  Point,  when  he  started 
for  Buffalo,  where  he  was  discharged  Aug.  i/th. 
Was  mustered  out  as  Corporal,  having  served 
as  such  during  his  last  enlistment  in  Company 
L.  He  moved  to  Decatur  in  Feb.  1866,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  has  been  in  the  con 
tracting  and  building  business  at  Decatur  for 
several  years.  He  married  Miss  Bothel  at  De 
catur  Nov.  14,  1867,  and  has  two  children,  Eve 
Belle  and  Lum  Bruce. 

He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  141  G.A.R.,  in 
which  he  has  held  several  offices.  A  Repub 
lican  in  politics,  a  strong  prohibitionist  and 
adherent  of  the  Methodist  Church. 


JAMES  T.  McMASTER,  Batavia's  gentleman 
ly  Postmaster,  was  born  Apr.  28,  1831  in 
Schenectady  Co.,  N.  Y.,  a  son  of  John  T. 
and  Deborah  (Mosier)  McMaster.  His  father 
was  of  Scotch  and  his  mother  of  English 
ancestry.  Both  were  born,  lived  and  died  in 
Schenectady  Co.  Hugh  McMaster,  the  grand 
father  of  our  subject,  served  throughout  the 
Revolutionary  war.  He  was  with  Gen.  Putnam 
in  the  first  battle  of  the  war,  was  taken  a  pris 
oner  at  Horse  Neck  and  was  subsequently 
confined  in  a  prison  boat  in  N.  Y.  Bay.  After 
six  weeks  he  bravely  made  his  escape  by  jump 
ing  overboard,  swimming  to  the  shore,  and 
returning  to  his  command.  He  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war  as  did  also  three  of  his 
brothers. 

Henry  P.  a  brother  of  our  subject  served  as 
an  orderly  sergeant   in  the   late    war.     He  was 


captured  at  Harper's  Ferry,  imprisoned,  and 
later  when  exchanged,  returned  and  served 
faithfully  until  the  close  of  the  war.  James 
was  one  of  a  family  of  seven  children  of  whom 
but  three  are  living.  He  attended  school  in  a 
little  log  schoolhouse,  sitting  on  rough  slabs 
which  were  crudely  constructed  into  benches. 
At  the  age  of  17  he  was  apprenticed  as  a 
wheelwright,  which  calling  he  followed  some 
years.  Mr.  McMaster  found  his  ideal  wife 
in  the  person  of  Nancy  Gibson,  the  estimable 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Gibson  who 
were  natives  of  Ireland.  The  marriage  took 
place  at  Herkimer  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  7,  1852, 
and  by  this  union  were  born  five  children  of 
whom  are  living  Mary,  Josephine  and  Merrett. 
In  1861  our  subject  moved  to  Batavia  111., 
and  the  following  year  he  bid  his  loved 
ones  good-bye  and  went  forth  as  a  son  of 
war,  enlisting  Aug.  6,  1862,  in  Co.  B.,  I24th 
111.  Inf.  The  Regt.  was  organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  and  Oct.  6,  left  for  Jackson,  Tenn. 
Nov.  3,  it  moved  forward  under  Gen.  Grant 
via  Bolivar,  Tenn.,  Holly  Springs,  and  Oxford, 
Miss.,  and  participated  in  the  first  attempt 
to  capture  Vicksburg. 

Returning  to  Memphis,  they  embarked  for 
Lake  Providence,  La.,  where  they  were  engaged 
digging  the  canal.  Subsequently  they  moved 
to  Hard  Times  Landing,  from  whence  they 
crossed  the  river  and  made  a  rapid  march,  and 
shortly,  we  find  comrade  McMaster  baptized  in 
the  hot  battle  of  Thompson's  Hill,  May  I,  1863. 
The  same  month  we  find  him  under  fire  in  the 
battles  of  Raymond  Jackson,  Champion  Hills 
and  Black  River  Bridge.  May  19  they  moved 
on  to  Vicksburg,  and  May  22,  the  gallant  I24th 
led  the  advance  in  the  fearful  charge  on  the 
city.  Then  followed  47  days  of  almost  inces 
sant  fighting  night  and  day,  with  the  noble 
Regt.  within  100  feet  of  the  enemy's  works. 
July  4  the  city  surrendered  and  the  victorious 
soldiers  of  the  I24th  were  among  the  first  to 
enter  the  city.  Aug.  21,  they  moved  on  an  ex 
pedition,  fought  at  Queen's  Hill,  and  subse 
quently  went  into  camp  at  Black  River.  Jan., 
1864,  is  memorable  to  the  I24th  by  its  winning 
the  "Excelsior"  prize  banner  in  a  competition 


56 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


drill  at  Vicksburg,  which  was  tendered  by  Gen. 
Leggett,  and  presented  by  Gen.  McPherson  to 
the  best  drilled  and  best  disciplined  Regt.  of  the 
div.  Thus  being  the  "Excelsior"  Regt.  it  was 
henceforth  always  expected  to  take  the  advance 
and  bear  the  brunt  of  the  battles.  Shortly  they 
joined  Gen.  Sherman  on  his  raid  through  Miss., 
and  one  morning  at  eight  o'clock,  after  a  12 
miles  march,  reached  Chunkey  Station,  routed 
the  enemy,  gathered  large  quantities  of  provi 
sions  the  rebels  abandoned,  and  by  two  o'clock 
the  same  afternoon  had  covered  27miles.  The 
expedition  was  connected  with  hard  service  and 
frequent  skirmishes.  Soon  they  tore  up  60 
miles  of  railroad,  and  subsequently  engaged  in 
several  more  expeditions,  each  time  returning 
to  Vicksburg  on  provost  duty.  Eeb.  25,  1865, 
we  find  the  Regt.  embarked  for  New  Orleans, 
and  a  few  weeks  later  they  plowed  the  gulf, 
debarking  at  Dauphin's  Island,  Ala.  Mar.  22, 
the  boys  marched  on  Spanish  Fort.  During 
the  siege  they  were  right  in  the  front,  directly 
under  the  enemy's  fire.  They  made  a  brilliant 
attack  during  the  night  of  Apr.  8,  and  were 
among  the  first  to  enter  the  captured  works, 
April  gth.  Apr.  13,  they  started  for  Montgom 
ery,  remained  on  provost  duty  until  July  16, 
when  they  returned  to  Vicksburg,  embarked 
for  Cairo,  and  were  mustered  out  at  Chicago, 
Aug.  16,  1865,  after  over  three  years  of  hard 
marching  and  hard  and  most  gallant  fighting. 
Mr.  McMaster  returned  home,  resumed  his  for 
mer  calling,  which  he  followed  until  May,  1890, 
since  which  time  he  has  been  postmaster  of 
Batavia.  He  has  filled  nearly  all  the  different 
offices  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  and  has  thrice  been 
chosen  its  Commander.  He  is  a  Mason,  and 
has  been  elected  to  various  municipal  offices. 
In  politics  he  is  a  staunch  Republican. 

THE  soldier   life    of    George   Wunder,   of 
Naperville,  111. .commenced  Nov.  19, 1861, 
when  he  enlisted  at  Phila.,  rendezvoused 
at  Camp  Nicetown,  in  the  same  place,  and  was 
mustered  in  on  the  29,  as  Corpl.  of  Co.  D.,9Oth 
Regt.  National  Guard  of  Phila.  Inf.   This  Regt. 


went  to  the  front  immediately,  first  visiting 
Baltimore,  when  that  city  was  under  Martial 
Law  on  account  of  the  firing  by  a  mob  upon  a 
Mass,  regiment  while  it  was  marching  through. 
Two  or  three  weeks  afterward  it  reported  at 
Washington,  from  which  point  it  was  sent  to 
Fredericksburg,  where  it  joined  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac.  Gen.  McDowell  was  Div.  com 
mander,  and  the  goth  Regt.  was  placed  in 
Rickett's  Brig.  The  Brig,  camped  there  and  had 
several  skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  which  lay 
across  the  river.  It  built  a  railroad  from  Alex 
andria  to  Acqua  Creek;  also  a  landing  at  the 
latter  place  for  unloading  stores  for  Gen. 
McClellan's  army.  This  took  place  before 
they  were  ordered  to  Fredericksburg.  The 
Brig,  stormed  and  shelled  the  Rebels  out  of 
their  Mud  Fort  at  Acqua  Creek.  From  Fred 
ericksburg,  Mr.  Wunder's  command  marched 
to  Shenandoah  Valley  and  as  far  down  as  Front 
Royal  on  the  road  to  Winchester,  skirmishing 
all  along  the  line  of  march  with  the  rebel  -sol 
diers  and  bushwhackers.  The  first  severe  bat 
tles  were  at  Cedar  Mountajn  and  Culpepcr 
Court  House,  Va.,  where  the  Regt.  was  in  the 
advance  Center.  The  rebels  were  stongly 
intrenched  near  a  creek  from  which  they  were 
able  to  kill  and  wound  many  of  Mr.  Wunder's 
comrades,  whereupon  the  Union  artillery  was 
directed  against  their  works  and  a  joint  charge 
made,  when  the  Union  soldiers  were  successful 
and  captured  it.  Gen.  Rickett  himself  sighted 
Union  guns  on  the  occasion.  Next  day  his 
Div.  followed  the  rebels  and  captured  a  whole 
Brig.  The  Regt.  then  marched  to  Rapiclan 
River  and  engaged  in  a  skirmish  at  Gordons- 
ville,  where  the  pickets  of  the  Union  Army  were 
driven  in.  Gen.  Pope  finding  the  enemy  in  too 
large  force,  determined  to  retreat,  which  was 
continued  until  he  reached  and  crossed  the 
Rappahannock  river.  Mr.  Wunder's  Regt.  was 
in  the  rear  guard  on  that  occasion,  and  was 
constantly  fighting  during  the  march. 

After  crossing  the  Rappahannock  his  Regt. 
was  deployed  along  the  river  and  gave  battle  to 
prevent  the  rebels  from  crossing,  Stonewall 
Jackson's  Corps  made  a  flank  movement  and 
crossed  the  river  at  Thorougfare  Gap.  There 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


157 


the  2nd  Bull  Run  was  fought.  Here  Mr.  Wun- 
der  became  physically  exhausted  by  hard  serv 
ice,  bringing  on  typhoid  fever  and  was  sent 
to  Finley  Hospital  at  Washington.  The  dis 
ease  settled  in  the  heart  and  resulted  in  what  is 
known  as  "Hypertrophy  of  the  heart."  He 
became  unconscious  and  remained  so  fora  long 
time.  When  he  regained  consciousness  he 
found  himself  in  the  Md.  Institute  at  Balti 
more  where  he  had  been  taken  for  treatment, 
.from  whence  he  was  transferred  to  the  con 
valescent  camp  at  Fort  McHenry,  Baltimore, 
and  was  there  discharged  Nov.  28,  1862.  He 
then  went  home  to  Phila.,  and  under  tender 
treatment  speedily  regained  his  health  and  by 
the  following  spring  had  sufficiently  improved 
to  warrant  his  re-enlistment,  which  he  did  on 
June  18,  1863,  in  Co.  B.  2Oth  Penn.  Vol.  State 
Militia.  His  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Gettysburg 
and  was  in  that  terrible  conflict.  He  was  also, 
in  the  battle  of  Wrightsville  and  assisted  in  de 
stroying  the  bridge  between  that  place  and 
Columbia,  to  prevent  the  rebel  army  from 
marching  on  to  Phila.  and  Harrisburg.  There 
2,700  militia  held  Ewell's  corps  at  bay,  and 
in  recognition  of  their  services,  the  ladies  of 
Harrisburg  presented  his  regiment  with  a  stand  of 
colors  (three  flags)  for  their  heroic  action.  At 
Wrightsville,  he  had  his  left  thigh  dislocated  by 
a  cannon  ball  striking  the  fence  he  was  on,  and 
knocking  him  down.  He  was  immediately  ta 
ken  to  Columbia,  where  his  thigh  was  set. 
Early  in  July,  he  was  detailed  for  the  Signal 
Service  Corps  and  removed  to  Harrisburg, 
where  he  served  under  Maj.  Gen.  D.  N. 
Couche,  but  that  occupation  failed  to  provide 
the  excitement  which  he  sought,  therefore,  he 
obtained  his  relief  July  8,  and  rejoined  his  Co. 
This  occurred  just  before  the  battles  with  Evvell, 
just  described.  Aug.  I,  1863,  he  was  mustered 
out  at  Phila.,  by  reason  of  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  service.  Mr.  Wunder  did  not  propose 
to  return  to  the  peaceful  walks  of  life  while  rebels 
remained  in  the  field,  and  he  again  re-enlisted, 
this  time  in  the  Vet.  Res.  Corps,  Feb.  23,  1864, 
in  Co.  F.,  1 86th  Penn.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  operated 
in  the  country  between  Phila.  and  Washington, 
catching  bounty  jumpers  and  deserters,  and  so 


continued  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was 
mustered  out  at  Phila.,  Aug.  15,  1865,  dis 
charged  and  paid  off  the  same  day.  He  was 
severely  injured  immediately  before  the  battle 
of  2nd  Bull  Run  by  a  horse  running  over  him 
during  a  cavalry  charge.  Mr.  Wunder  is  a 
patriotic  public  spirited  man,  in  citizen  as  well 
as  soldier  life,  and  so  won  the  esteem  and  respect 
of  his  fellow  townsmen  that  on  more  than  one 
occasion  he  was  elected  Alderman  for  Newark, 
111.,  where  he  resided;  also  Town  Collector  for 
Naperville  for  two  successive  terms. 

He  was  born  in  Phila.,  Oct.  20,  1841.  His 
father,  Paul  Vanakin  Wunder,  was  also  born 
there.  His  paternal  grandfather,  George  Wun 
der,  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  married 
to  Frances  Stephenson  who  was  a  relative 
of  Stephenson,  the  locomotive  builder.  His 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Barbara  Ann  Ritten- 
house.  She  had  seven  brothers.  The  lightest 
one  in  weight  of  the  seven  weighed  225  pounds, 
while  the  combined  weight  of  the  four  big  boys 
was  1140.  His  mother  tilted  the  beam  at  250. 
Mr.  Wunder  had  the  following  brothers  and 
sisters :  Eleanor,  Mary,  William,  Fanny  and 
Clara  V.,  of  whom  Mary,  William,  Frances,  and 
Paul  are  dead.  The  father  died  at  Newark,  111., 
July  22,  1891.  The  subject  of  this  biography 
attended  the  public  school  in  Philadelphia,  then 
studied  in  the  high  school  and  business  College. 
After  leaving  school  he  learned  the  butchering 
business  with  his  father,  and  remained  so  en 
gaged  until  he  enlisted,  but  before  doing  this 
he  was  required  to  obtain  his  father's  consent. 
During  the  war,  his  parents  moved  to  Newark, 
111.  and  his  father  operated  in  the  live  stock 
business.  Mr.  Wunder,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  after  the  war,  rented  a  farm  near  New 
ark  which  he  worked  for  three  years  when 
he  married  Beersheba  Means,  May  31,  1868, 
who  was  a  native  of  W.  Va.  Her  grandfather, 
Isaac  Means,  was  a  large  slave  owner  at  the 
outbreak  of  the  war,  but  he  voluntarily  lib 
erated  all  of  them.  In  November,  1871,  Mr. 
Wunder  opened  a  meat  market  in  Newark  and 
there  remained  in  that  business  until  1877,  when 
he  moved  to  Naperville  and  engaged  in  same 
business.  He  has  the  following  children  :  Bar- 


I58 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


bara  Anna,  Maria  M.,  Delia  Augusta,  Clara 
Edna,  Paul  Vanakin,  Florence  Levina,  and 
Olive  Beersheba.  He  is  a  member  of  Walter 
Blanchard  Post,  No.  386,  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  Re 
publican  in  politics. 


HENRY       MOLLEMKEMP,      of       Bloomillgton, 
Illinois,    enlisted   in  the    Union    army, 
Sept.  22,  1862,  in   Company   A.,    I36th, 
Ind.,  Vol.    Inf.,  and  with    his   regiment    moved 
towards  the  front  in   search  of    rebels,  passing 
through  Louisville,  Nashville,  thence  to  Mur- 
freesboro,  where  an  immense  number  of  them 
were  congregated  and  found.     Here  the  famous 
battle  of  Stone  River  Was  fought,  in  which  our 
subject    was   engaged    throughout  the    battle, 
and  after    its  close,  remained    in  that    vicinity 
for  three  weeks,  when    with  his  company  he 
went  on  an  expedition  to   McMinnville,  after 
raiders,  capturing    several    then     returned   to 
Murfreesboro,    and    thence     to    Indianapolis, 
where  he   was   mustered  out,   his  term  of  en 
listment  having  expired.     Here-enlisted  again, 
Nov.  14,  1864,  in  the  1st  Ind.  Battery,  of  Light 
Artillery,  at   Evansville,   Ind.,  went   into  camp 
at  Indianapolis  and  again  moved  toward  the 
front,  passing  en  route,  Cairo,  Memphis,  Vicks- 
burg,  Baton  Rouge,  Helena,  Ark.;  Little  Rock, 
Alexandria,  and  then  participated  in  the   Red 
River  expedition,  being  at  the  time  in  the  3rd, 
Division,  i6th  Army  Corps,  with  General    Carr 
as  Commander  of  the  Division,  at  Alexandria. 
The    regiment    suffered  the  loss    of  its    guns, 
they  having  been  captured  by  the  enemy,  but 
later  they  were   re-taken  and  restored  to   the 
men.     Subsequently    the  regiment    moved    to 
New  Orleans,  and    after  camping  there    for    a 
time   moved  to    Spanish  Eort,  where    after    a 
siege    for  some    days  the    place    surrendered. 
Then   laid    siege^   of  Fort  Blakely,    capturing 
that  place.     It  next  moved  to  Greenville  where 
news  was  received  of  the  surrender  of  General 
Lee,  and  the  death  of  President  Lincoln;  then 
continued  on  to  Montgomery,  having  marched 
upwards  of  200  miles  and  as  a  result  the  men 
were  entirely  exhausted,  suffering  from   cold 


and  kept  upon  short  rations.  At  the  time  the 
guns  were  taken,  Mr.  Mollemkamp  received  a 
wound  from  a  rebel  sword.  He  did  not  however 
leave  his  command,  but  had  it  sewed  up  and 
dressed  by  the  surgeon.  He  now  carries  an 
ugly  scar,  as  a  result  of  that  encounter,  a 
terrible  and  ever  "present  memento"  of  the  re 
bellion.  He  continued  at  Montgomery  until 
the  following  August  when  he  started  for  home, 
taking  boat  to  Cairo,  and  cars  to  Indianapolis, 
where  he  was  discharged  Aug.  22,  1865.  He 
subsequently  returned  South,  being  employed 
at  his  trade  at  Memphis  and  Atlanta,  then 
moved  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  engaged 
for  ten  years. 

He  married,  during  the  year  1874,  Margaret 
Ellis,  of  Cincinnati,  a  native  of  Bavaria,  and 
six  children  have  been  born  to  them,  viz: 
Louis,  Katie,  Harvey,  Charles,  Josephine  and 
Frank,  all  of  whom  are  living. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany, 
in  1845,  came  to  America  in  1859,  settled  in 
Indiana,  where  he  learned  the  blacksmith  trade 
and  lived  until  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  He 
has  resided  with  his  family  in  Bloomington  for 
the  past  seven  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Post 
No.  146,  G.  A.  R.,  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  No.  12,  in  which  he  has  held  the  office 
of  Chancellor,  and  in  local  politics  he  is  a 
liberal. 


WILLIAM    WALTHER,   of   Peru,    111.,    was 
born  in  Germany,  Oct  18,   1828,  and 
emigrated  to  this  country  during  the 
year  1853,  first  residing  in  Texas,  then   in   Lou 
isville,  Ky.,  and  subsequently  settling  in  Peru, 
where  he  has  made  his  home  ever  since.      He 
married  Anna  Mary  Fuhrman  (also  a  native  of 
Germany),  in  1857,  and  they  have  eight  children 
— Wm.,    Alfred,  Harry,  Sophia,  Clara,   Hattie, 
Julia  and  Margaret. 

Mr.  Walther  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  at 
Joliet,  Sept.  26,  1864,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
service  as  a  private  in  Company  A.,  44th  111., 
Vol.  Inf.,  on  the  same  day.  He  went  to  Spring 
field,  111.,  and  afterwards  to  Nashville,  wherehe 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


159 


joined  his  regiment  and  participated  in  the  bat 
tles  of  Columbia,  Franklin  and  Nashville.  At 
the  Franklin  conflict  the  regiment  distinguished 
itself  for  its  splendid  work,  done  under  trying 
circumstances,  and  his  brigade  afterward  re 
ceived  the  credit  of  saving  the  field  to  the 
Union  forces.  After  this,  the  army  went  into 
winter  quarters  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  where  it 
remained  until  March  28,  1865,  when  his  regi 
ment  was  ordered  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  then  to 
Bull's  Gap,  and  Blue  Springs,  where  it  remained 
until  the  rebel  army  of  Virginia  surrendered  to 
General  Grant.  His  corps  was  then  ordered  to 
Nashville,  where  it  arrived  on  the  22,  and  for  a 
few  weeks  induldged  in  the  vain  hope  that  i^ 
would  be  mustered  out  of  service,  but  this  il 
lusion  was  soon  dispelled  by  receiving  orders 
to  go  to  New  Orleans;  not,  howrever,  until  our 
subject  and  some  others  were  mustered  out  and 
discharged.  He  immediately  returned  to  his. 
home  in  Peru  and  resumed  his  trade  of  a  shoe 
maker.  He  was  one  of  those  who  organized 
the  German  Benevolent  Society  at  Peru,  of 
which  he  held  the  office  of  President.  He  has 
also  been  Tax  Collector  for  Peru,  for  two  terms, 
and  holds  that  position  at  the  present  time. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Library  Associ 
ation,  and  a  Republican  in  politics;  a  member  of 
E.  N.  Kirk  Post,  No.  656,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Peru,  of 
which  he  'served  four  years  as  Chaplain  and  is 
now  Adjutant. 


STANDING  in  bold  relief  in  the  ranks  of  Bel- 
videre's  best  society  and  prominent  pro 
fessional  business  men,  is  Judge  Wales  W. 
Wood,  who  is  claimed  by  New  York  State  as  her 
son,  being  born  there  April  25,  1837,  a  son  °f 
Emery  and  Permelia  Wood.  The  father  was  a 
native  of  Mass.,  of  English  descent.  Enlisted 
and  served  as  a  fifer  boy  in  the  war  of  1812,  af 
terwards  became  a  merchant  and  settled  in  Hins- 
dale,  N.  Y.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business  and  real  estate,  and  also,  in  an  early 
day  was  Col.  of  one  of  the  regiments  of  N.  Y. 
State  Militia.  He  died  in  1881,  his  wife  having 


preceded  him,  dying  in  1879.  In  the  father's 
family  there  were  seven  children  besides  our 
subject,  viz.:  Emery,  Lewis,  Frederick,  Wil 
liam,  Staley  N.,  Permelia  and  Eveline. 

The  Judge's  early  life  was  spent  at  Hins- 
dale,  N.  Y.  When  ten  years  of  age  he  was  sent 
to  Ellicottville,  New  York,  to  reside  with  his 
brother,  William  H.,  for  the  purpose  of  attend 
ing  the  Union  School  of  that  place,  and  by  the 
time  he  was  sixteen  had  been  prepared  to  enter 
college.  He  then  took  up  his  studies  at  Genesee 
College,  Lima,  N.  Y.,  where  he  took  a  full 
course  in  all  the  lectures  of  that  Institution, 
then  attended  Union  College,  at  Schenectady, 
N.  Y.,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
summer  of  1857,  receiving  his  degree  of  Bach 
elor  of  Arts,  and  owing  to  the  prominent  place 
occupied  in  his  classes,  was,  at  graduation,  one 
of  the  few  out  of  a  large  class,  elected  as  mem 
ber  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society,  connected 
with  that  renowned  institution  of  learning. 
That  same  year  he  removed  to  Belvidere,  111., 
where  his  brother  William  was  a  partner  in  the 
law  firm  of  Fuller  &  Wood,  and  entering  his 
office  as  a  law  student,  took  a  full  course,  and 
in  due  time  was  admitted  as  an  Attorney  at 
Law. 

He  immediately  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  which  he  continued  until  the 
summer  of  1862,  when  he  tired  of  reading  the 
newspaper  recitals-  of  the  war,  and  of  battles 
won  and  lost,  therefore  laid  aside  his  pen  which 
is  a  powerful  weapon  enough  in  times  of  peace, 
and  grasped  his  sword,  which  appeared  to  be  a 
weapon  more  in  keeping  with  the  spirit  of  that 
particular  time. 

He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  G., 
95th  111..  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
service  at  Rockford,  Sept.  4,  1862,  and  pro 
moted  as  Adjutant  of  the  regiment.  It  moved 
from  Camp  Nov.  4,  and  proceeded  via  Chicago, 
Cairo  and  Columbus,  to  Jackson,  Tenn.,  thence 
to  Grand  Junction,  where  it  was  assigned  to 
General  McArthur's  Division,  I3th  Army 
Corps,  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and 
shortly  after  participated  in  General  Grant's 
Campaign,  through  Northern  Miss,  in  the  win 
ter  of  1862. 


i6o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


After  the  capture  of  Grant's  supplies  at 
Holly  Springs,  intended  for  use  in  his  opera 
tions  against  Vicksburg,  the  line  of  march  was, 
soon  after  Christmas,  taken  up.  Passing 
through  Moscow,  and  Collierville  they  arrived 
at  Memphis  Jan.  13,  1863,  and  went  into  camp 
three  miles  outside  the  city,  thus  terminating 
that  campaign.  Simultaneously  with  General 
Grant's  arrival,  a  large  fleet  of  transports 
appeared  in  the  river  on  board  of  which  Gen. 
McArthur's  Division  embarked  and  proceeded 
down  the  river.  As  a  precaution  they  landed 
each  night,  arriving  at  Milliken'sBend,  15  miles 
above  Vicksburg,  Jan.  26,  and  there  disembarked, 
came  up  the  river  and  went  into  camp  near  the 
levee  at  a  place  called  Lake  Providence. 
Whilst  at  this  point  the  Judge  was  selected 
and  detailed  by  General  McArthur  to  the  posi 
tion  of  Assistant  Adjutant  General  and  Chief 
of  Staff,  of  that  General's  Division,  which  was 
then  known  as  the  6th  Div.  of  the  I7th  Army 
Corps.  In  the  performance  of  the  duties  of 
this  position,  Adjt.  General  Wood,  was  active 
ly  engaged  through  all  the  movements  and 
operations  of  the  Division  around  Vicksburg, 
including  the  terrible  and  unsuccessful  assaults 
upon  that  stronghold  May  19  and  22,  1863, 
respectively,  until  the  surrender  of  the  city 
which  occurred  July  4,  1863.  General  McArthur 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  Post  at  Vicks 
burg  where  Adjt.  General  Wood,  continued  to 
be  engaged  until  the  month  of  Nov.,  1864, 
when  he  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Benton  Bar 
racks,  St.  Louis.  The  regiment  then  became 
attached  to  General  Smith's  command  and 
moved  for  Nashville,  proceeding  on  trans 
ports  by  way  of  the  Cumberland  River. 
About  12,000  strong  they  arrived  on  the  night 
of  about  Nov.  30,  just  as  the  great  battle  at 
Franklin,  12  miles  distant,  was  commencing. 
It  remained  in  camp  until  the  I5th,  when  it 
participated  in  the  desperate  and  bloody  bat 
tle  of  Nashville,  which  continued  throughout 
that  and  the  following  day,  resulting  in  a  com 
plete  victory  for  the  Union  forces,  and  the 
destruction  of  the  rebel  army  under  General 
Hood.  Then  joining  in  pursuit  of  the  fleeing 
rebels  to  the  Tennessee  River,  Adjt.  General 


Wood,  moved  to  Franklin,  camping  thereupon 
the  battle  ground  for  a  brief  time,  then  at 
Columbia,  thence  to  Pulaski,  and  Lawrence- 
burg  and  soon  afterwards  up  the  Tenn.  River 
to  East  Port,  Tenn.  Feb.  3,  1865,  the  regiment 
embarked  on  the  steamer,  Adam  Jacobs,  for 
New  Orleans,  where  on  arrival  it  joined  in  the 
army  organized  by  General  Canby,  for  opera 
tions  against  Mobile,  Ala.,  and  then  partici 
pated  in  the  siege  of  Spanish  Fort,  charged 
upon  its  works  Apr.  8,  and  moved  to  Fort 
Blakely  on  the  following  day,  which  had  then 
surrendered,  in  all  of  which  the  Union  army 
was  successful;  the  latter  of  these  engagements 
being  the  last  and  closing  struggle  of  the  great 
civil  war,  resulting  in  the  capture  of  Mobile. 
Adjt.  Wood,  subsequently  accompanied  his 
regiment  to  Montgomery,  Meridan,  Jackson 
and  Vicksburg  and  thence  to  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
by  steamer,  and  was  mustered  out  with  his  regi 
ment  at  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  Ills.,  Aug. 
16,  1865. 

Our  subject  then  returned  to  his  adopted 
home,  Belvidere,  where  he  resumed  the  prac 
tice  of  his  profession,  and  displaying  as  much 
ability  at  the  bar  as  he  did  when  fighting  the 
battles  of  his  country,  he  was  soon  managing  a 
large  business,  and  in  receipt  of  a  lucrative  in 
come.  He  was  shortly  after  the  close  of  the 
war  appointed  Master  in  Chancery,  of  the  Cir 
cuit  Court  of  Boone  County,  filling  the  duties 
of  this  important  and  responsible  position  with 
ability  for  several  terms.  After  giving  up  the 
office  of  Master  in  Chancery,  he  was  elected 
State's  Attorney  for  his  County,  a  position  he 
also  adorned  for  several  years.  He  has  been 
elected  to  the  position  of  City  Attorney  for 
Belvidere  on  two  different  occasions. 

In  the  year  1879,  he  was  elected  County  Judge 
for  the  same  county,  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  at 
the  expiration  of  the  fractional  term  was  re- 
elected  without  opposition,  which  position  he 
continues  to  hold  up  to  the  present  time. 

Soon  after  the  war,  Judge  Wood  edited  and 
published  a  complete  history  of  the  operations 
of  his  regiment,  the  95th  111.,  of  which  he  was 
Adjutant.  He  has  taken  a  prominent  part  and 
unfaltering  interest  in  all  the  business  pertain- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


161 


ing  to  Grand  Army  matters,  joining  in  many  of 
their  reunions  and  camp  fires.  He  is  a  member 
of  Hurlbut  Post  No.  164,  and  has  served  his 
second  term  as  Post  Commander.  He  is  a  Free 
Mason,  and  prominent  member  of  the  Episco 
pal  Church.  Judge  Wood  was  married  in  the 
year  1866,  to  Alice  E.  Humphrey,  of  Belvidere, 
and  one  child,  Gertrude,  has  blessed  the  union. 


DR.  SAMUEL  J.  BUMSTEAD,  of  Decatur,  Ills., 
was  born  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  June  13, 
1841.  His  father,  Samuel,  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  is  now  (1892)  residing  at  De 
catur,  Ills.  Josiah  Bumstead,  the  grandfather 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  conducted  a  paper 
business,  which  is  still  under  the  control  of  the 
family  under  the  proprietorship  of  a  cousin  of 
Dr.  Bumstead.  Dr.  Bumstead's  mother  was 
Maria  Garber,  of  an  old  Pa.  Dutch  family,  and 
was  born  in  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa. 

As  a  boy  he,  up  to  the  age  of  fourteen,  at 
tended  school  in  Philadelphia.  His  parents 
removed  to  a  farm  in  Tazewell  Co.,  Ills,  in  1855, 
and  after  three  or  four  years  he  returned  to  Phil 
adelphia,  entered  a  medical  college,  where  he 
was  when  Fort  Sumpter  was  fired  upon.  He 
soon  after  rejoined  his  parents  in  Ills.,  spend 
ing  the  summer  and  resuming  his  medical 
course  at  Philadelphia  in  the  fall,  graduating 
in  the  spring  of  1862.  He  located  at  Pekin, 
Ills.,  for  the  practice  of  his  profession,  but  in 
Aug.,  1862,  his  patriotic  zeal  lead  him  to  the 
service  of  his  country,  and  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
B.,  io8th  Ills.  Inf.,  as  2nd  Sergeant.  After  re 
maining  at  the  camp  of  instruction  at  Peoria 
for  about  one  month,  he  went  with  his  com 
mand  to  Cincinnati,  O.,  reaching  there  Oct.  6, 
and  crossing  the  river  to  Covington,  Ky.,  where 
they  went  into  camp.  They  soon  took  up  the 
march  under  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith  for  Nicholas- 
ville,  Ky.  Dr.  Bumstead  acted  as  Sergeant  of 
the  guard  during  this  time,  and  on  one  occasion 
had  an  interesting  interview  with  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Breckinridge,  the  distinguished  Kentucky  ora 
tor,  which  he  has  always  regarded  an  honor. 

The  command  moved  on  to  Louisville,  thence 
to  Memphis,  remaining  for  a   short   time,   and 
11 


then  going  to  the  Yazoo  River  with  the  Sher 
man  expedition  as  far  as  Haines'  Bluff.  About 
the  time  of  their  departure  from  Louisville,  Dr. 
Bumstead  was  ordered  to  report  to  Brig,  head 
quarters  for  detached  service  in  the  medical 
department,  and  was  appointed  clerk  to  the 
Brigade  Surgeon,  a  position  which  he  held  for. 
about  two  months.  During  this  period  his 
command  was  engaged  in  battle  at  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  where  he  served  under  Dr.  Sparks  in 
attending  to  the  wounded.  Thence  proceeding 
to  Arkansas  Post,  he  was  employed  in  the  hos 
pitals  for  which  the  boats  were  used,  his  duties 
being  to  register  the  names  of  the  wounded  as 
they  were  brought  in,  the  command  to  which 
they  belonged,  and  the  nature  of  their  wounds 
in  technical  medical  terms,  etc. ;  also  after  the 
performance  of  operations  to  describe  the  pro 
cesses  and  the  results.  After  the  battle  at  Ar 
kansas  Post,  the  command  moved  down  to 
Milliken's  Bend  and  Young's  Point. 

In  Feb.  1863,  Dr.  Bumstead  was  ordered  by 
Maj.  Gen.  McClernand  to  report  to  the  I3ist 
Ills.,  to  act  as  Surgeon  of  that  regiment,  doubt 
less  upon  the  recommendation  of  Dr.  Sparks. 
This  was  an  unexpected  and  high  compliment 
and  the  Dr.  felt  honored  by  it.  In  the  spring 
the  smallpox  broke  out  in  the  regiment,  in 
consequence  of  which  it  was  removed  to 
Memphis,  where  it  was  placed  in  charge  of  Dr. 
Bumstead,  who  in  six  weeks  succeeded  in  dis 
pelling  the  dread  pest.  The  officers  of  the 
regiment  now  wished  to  have  him  commis- 

o 

sioned  as  Surgeon  of  the  regiment,  and  Gen 
eral  Grant  gave  him  an  order  for  his  ex 
amination  at  Chicago,  which  he  at  once  put  in 
to  execution  by  passing  a  very  satisfactory  and 
critical  test  of  his  abilities,  and  obtaining  his 
commission  as  ist  assistant  Surgeon  of  the  13  ist 
Ills.  Inf. 

He  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Vicksburg, 
which  was  moved  across  the  riverand  stationed 
near  the  mouth  of  the  canal  to  prevent  the 
escape  of  the  enemy  from  that  direction,  be 
ing  held  in  that  position  until  the  capitulation. 
Soon  after  this  the  regiment  was  moved  to 
Paducah,  Ky.,  to  garrison  that  place,  remain 
ing  there  until  Oct.,  when  they  returned  to 


1 62 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Vicksburg,  where  the  13 1st  was  consolidated 
with  the  29th  Ills.,  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of 
War,  the  Dr.  becoming  an  assistant  Surgeon  of 
the  3Qth.  This  consolidation  brought  together 
an  available  force  of  1,000  men,  all  of  whom 
were  from  Southern  Ills.  In  Dec.  the  reg.  re- 
.moved  to  the  Big  Black  River,  where  the  Dr. 
had  an  attack  of  rheumatism  and  was  taken  to 
McPherson  Hospital  at  Vicksburg,  where  he 
was  confined  for  two  and  a  half  months.  He 
then  reported  to  Surgeon  E.  Powell  and  was 
assigned  to  duty  as  ward  Surgeon  in  the  Mc 
Pherson  Hospital,  serving  in  this  capacity  for 
two  months,  when  he  was  ordered  to  report  to 
the  chief  Surgeon  of  the  post.  Here  his  duties 
involved  a  superintendence  of  the  military 
prison,  of  which  he  had  charge  for  the  greater 
part  of  1864. 

While  here  the  following  incident  occurred 
and  which  the  doctor  relates  as  among  his  per 
sonal  reminiscences:  A  bushwhacker,  who 
had  been  captured,  was  brought  to  the  prison. 
It  was  the  rule  to  put  this  class  of  prisoners  to 
work  on  the  streets  under  guard.  Learning 
this  the  man  insisted  that  he  was  a  regularly 
enlisted  confederate  soldier,  but  he  had  to  go 
to  work.  At  this  the  rebel  swore  by  all  the 
saints  in  the  calendar  that  he  would  not  work 
for  the  Yankee  Government,  and  that  he  could 
not  be  compelled  to  do  so.  The  officer  smiled 
and  commanded  the  guard  to  put  him  to  work 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  when  the  rebel 
sprang  to  the  rear  closely  followed  by  the 
guard.  On  reaching  the  spot  where  some  car 
penters  were  at  work  within  the  enclosure,  the 
rebel  seized  a  hatchet  and  chopped  off  his  left 
hand  at  the  wrist.  He  was  brought  to  the  Dr. 
with  his  hand  hanging  by  a  small  fragment  of 
skin,  cursing  furiously  and  swearing  that  he 
would  not  work  for  the  Yankee  Government  and 
that  he  had  shown  them  that  he  would  not. 
Upon  his  removal  to  the  hospital  the  Dr. 
amputated  his  arm.  As  soon  as  he  had  re 
covered  he  was  sent  back  to  the  prison,  as  de 
fiant  as  ever,  declaring  that  the  stump  of  his 
arm  would  be  an  honor  to  possess  all  through 
his  life,  "thus,"  remarked  the  Dr.,  "illustrating 
the  grit  of  the  men  we  were  fighting." 


During  the  last  month  of  his  service  at 
Vicksburg,  Dr.  Bumstead  acted  as  Post  Surgeon 
on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Morgan  E.  Smith.  In  Jan., 
1865,  he  rejoined  his  reg.  at  Kenner,  La.,  near 
New  Orleans;  soon  after  going  to  Dauphin 
Island,  at  the  mouth  of  Mobile  Bay,  remaining 
encamped  there  for  six  weeks.  Before  leaving 
New  Orleans  the  Dr.  had  been  assigned  to  the 
artillery  of  the  division,  making  his  headquar 
ters  with  the  7th  Mass.  Battery.  March  17, 
they  took  transports  for  Mobile,  and  began  the 
march  over  very  bad  roads,  having  to  build  a 
corduroy  for  12  miles.  It  rained  incessantly, 
and  the  men  could  scarcely  make  two  miles 
per  day.  They  crossed  Fish  River  on  pontoons 
and  were  joined  by  A.  J.  Smith's  Corps.  Being 
now  in  the  pine  woods'  district  the  roads  ad 
mitted  of  marching  without  great  difficulty. 
Reaching  Spanish  Fort,  they  took  position  on 
the  left  of  the  army  on  the  right  of  the  posi 
tion  of  the  enemy.  During  the  day  they  kept  up 
a  continual  artillery  bombardment,  the  infantry 
advancing  during  the  night  and  thus  approach 
ing  the  enemy's  works.  During  the  siege,  a 
mess  of  some  20  men  of  the  Dr's  regiment  were 
engaged  in  dividing  their  rations  of  meat,  when 
a  shell  exploded  in  their  midst,  killing  six  or 
seven  outright  and  wounding  several  others. 
The  next  day  the  Dr.  noticed  one  of  the 
wounded,  who  had  had  both  of  his  legs  ampu 
tated  above  the  knees.  He  was  as  pale  as  death, 
but  seemed  much  interested  in  reading  one  of 
Beadle's  Dime  Novels. 

The  final  bombardment  took  place  April  7, 
and  the  next  morning  the  fort  with  its  entire 
equipments  was  surrendered.  They  then  moved 
on  to  Fort  Blakely,  another  of  the  defenses  of 
Mobile,  which  was  captured  in  a  gallant  charge 
which  the  Dr.  witnessed.  Here  was  killed  the 
sixth  and  last  surviving  son  of  a  Massuchusets 
widow,  who  in  the  act  of  sighting  his  gun  was 
struck  by  a  ball  between  the  eyes,  and  thus  lay 
down  his  life  for  his  country.  The  Dr.  went 
on  with  the  troops  to  Montgomery,  which  had 
been  evacuated.  Here  the  sad  news  of  the 
assassination  of  President  Lincoln  was  received, 
and  at  Selma  they  were  informed  that  the  sur 
render  of  Lee  had  taken  place;  thence  return- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


163 


ing  to  Mobile,  and  while  here  the  great  explo 
sion  of  the  ammunition  stores  occurred,  causing 
the  death  of  some  300  persons. 

The  regiment  went  by  sea  to  Galveston  and 
thence  to  Houston, Texas,  by  rail;  to  Hemstead 
later  on,  where  they  made  camp  and  were  mus 
tered  out  there  Nov.  i6th.  The  Dr.  was  now 
the  only  Surgeon  in  attendance.  He  was  dis 
charged  at  Springfield,  Ills.,  Nov.  30,  1865,  and 
returning  to  Pekin,  practiced  his  profession  up 
to  1872,  when  he  went  to  Europe  and  spent  a 
year  in  Vienna,  studying  his  profession  in  the 
hospitals.  Upon  returning  from  Europe,  he 
resumed  his  practice  in  Pekin,  and  in  1877, 
went  to  Decatur,  where  he  is  still  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  medicine. 

He  was  married  Dec.  26  1865,  at  Pekin,  to 
Sarah  E.  Seiwell,  and  they  have  two  children — 
Harry  A.  and  Chas.  M.  Dr.  Bumstead  in  his 
life's  work  has  had  a  full  share  of  honors, 
which  have  resulted  from  a  faithful  and  earnest 
direction  of  the  talents  committed  to  him.  He 
is  in  politics  a  Republican,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  141. 

The  Doctor,  notwithstanding  the  arduous 
duties  of  his  extensive,  practice,  has  found  time 
to  embark  in  that  ever  fascinating  field  of  liter 
ature.  One  of  his  productions — "The  Riner- 
sons"  a  Tale  of  the  Wissahickan,  has  been  re 
ceived  with  a  good  deal  of  favor,  and  is  an  at 
tractive  and  well  written  romance,  but  not  yet 
fully  placed  before  the  public.  He  has  another 
work  of  fiction  in  press,  and  a  melo-drama 
"The  Elixir  of  Life,"  both  of  which  he  expects 
soon  to  place  before  the  reading  world. 


CHARLES  E.  PETTIT.     The  subject  of  this 
sketch    enjoys  the  distinction  of  being 
one  of  the  youngest,  if  not  the  youngest 
volunteer  soldier  of  the  Union  army,  who  en 
listed  as  a  private  soldier,  and  carried  a  musket 
from  the  start,  being  but  14  years,  5  months  and 
25  days  old  at  the  time  he  was  mustered  into 
the  service.      He  was  born  at    McHenry,    111,, 
Nov.    18,     1849,    and  is  a  son  °f   Silas   Smith 
Pettit,  who    was   born  at   La   Grange,   in   the 


State  of  New  York,  (Dutchess  County,)  March 

1,  1811.       His    mother,    Caroline    E.   (Lester) 
Pettit,  was  born    in    Pittsford,    Vermont    Nov. 

2,  1820.       Mr.     Pettit    had    one    brother    and 
two    sisters,    viz:     Samuel  Edwin,  Maria    Car 
oline,  and  Martha  Jane.     His  father  died  May 
2,  1858,  and  his  mother  Nov.  n,  1853.     He  was 
brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  attended  the  public 
schools  in  winter,  when  his  services  Were  least 
required  in  doing  the  work  of  the  farm.     Hav 
ing  been  left  an  orphan  at  the  early  age  of  9 
years,  he  found  himself  alone  in  the  world  with 
little  to  aid  him  besides  his  natural  energy  and 
perseverance.      He    resided   with    an  uncle    at 
Janesville,  Wis.,  and  afterwards  at  Ringwood, 
near  his  birthplace,  for  three  years  subsequent 
to  his  father's  death,  working  at  farming  and 
attending  school  as  circumstances  and  oppor 
tunities  permitted.     At  the  outbreak  of  the  re 
bellion,    our   subject    longed    for   the    time    to 
arrive  when  he  would  be  old  enough  to  join  the 
army.     His  anxiety  to  become  a  soldier  could 
not  be  restrained  until  that  period,  and  conse 
quently,  when  in   his    I4th   year,   against   the 
wishes  of  his  relatives,  and  express  commarid 
of  his  uncle,  with  whom  he  lived,  he  made  up 
his  mind  to  tender  his  services  for  the  preser 
vation  of  his  country.     Not  daring  to  take  the 
train  from  the  place  where  he  resided,  he  rose 
at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  walked  six 
miles  to  the  next  town,  where  he  was  enabled 
to  take  a  train  without  fear  of  detention,  for 
Elgin  111.,  where  he  enlisted  May  13,  1864,  and 
was  mustered  in  the  following  day  in  Company 
C.,  I4ist  111.  Vol.  Inf.      He  went  into  camp  at 
Elgin,  where  the  regiment  remained  about  two 
weeks.     From  there  it  proceeded  to  Columbus, 
Ky.,  via.  Chicago,  taking  train  to  Cairo,  thence 
on  transport  to  its  destination.     It  remained  at 
Columbus  on  garrison  duty  until  about  Oct.  1st, 
when  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Camp  Fry 
at  Chicago. 

Whilst  stationed  at  Columbus,  Mr.  Pettit's 
company,  and  also  two  other  companies  be 
longing  to  the  same  regiment,  was  detached  and 
proceeded  on  transports  to  Paducah,  then 
marched  through  Kentucky  and  again  took 
transports  on  the  Tennesee  River,  which  car- 


1 64 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ried  them  back  to  Columbus — the  expedition 
occupying  a .  period  of  two  weeks.  With  the 
exception  of  the  death  of  two  comrades,  which 
resulted  from  accident,  no  noteworthy  incidents 
beyond  the  usual  occurrences  attending  an 
army  while  marching  through  the  enemy's 
country,  occurred.  His  regiment  remained  in 
Chicago  nearly  two  weeks,  when  his  term  of 
enlistment  having  expired,  he  was  mustered 
out  of  service  and  paid  off  by  U.  S.  Paymaster, 
Reese,  Oct.  17,  1864.  While  his  regiment  was 
in  Chicago,  Mr.  Pettit  was  called  home  to  at 
tend  the  funeral  of  his  only  brother,  who  had 
died  after  two  months'  illness.  After  being 
mustered  out  he  returned  to  his  native  place  in 
McHenry  County,  and  attended  school  until 
the  following  February,  when  he  again  enlisted, 
this  time  in  Company  C.,  1 53d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  then 
at  Elgin,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Marengo. 
While  at  the  latter  place  he  was  taken  sick, 
and  although  the  prospects  of  a  soldier's  life 
are  never  too  easily  borne,  they  becomeburden- 
some  under  severe  illness.  This  became  for 
Mr.  Pettit,  certainly,  an  hour  of  trial.  His  patriotic 
and  manly  feelings  were  aroused  and  prompted 
him  to  serve  his  country;  his  health,  on  the  other 
hand,  demanded  that  he  should  abandon  the 
army,  but  he  was  made  of  sterner  stuff,  and, 
consequently,  determined  to  remain  with  his 
comrades,  and  was  mustered  in  a  second  time. 
His  company  pursuant  to  orders,  proceeded  to, 
and  took  up  quarters  at  Camp  Fry,  Chicago, 
and  there  remained  on  guard  duty  about  three 
weeks,  from  which  point  it  was  ordered  to 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  thence  to  Tullahoma,  Tenn., 
where  it  remained. 

While  stationed  there,  in  conjunction  with 
companies  B.  and  K.  of  the  same  regiment,  his 
company  was  detached  and  sent  on  a  scouting 
expedition  under  command  of  Major  Wilson, 
and,  after  continuous,  marching,  reached  Lar- 
kinsville,  Ala.(  The  Union  army  was,  at  the 
time,  being  continually  harrassed  by  the  rebel 
guerrilla  raids,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  to  prevent 
and  control  which,  this  detachment  was  espe 
cially  detailed.  They  subsequently  returned  to 
Tullahoma  where  they  resumed  guard  duty.  It 
was  while  the  brigade  was  at  Tullahoma,  that 


President  Lincoln  was  assassinated,  which  cir 
cumstance  brought  about  a  peculiar  incident. 
Two  men  masquerading  as  Union  soldiers, 
expressed  the  opinion  that  the  assassination  of 
Lincoln  was  justifiable  and  proper,  whereupon 
they  were  court  martialed  and  sentenced  to  con 
finement  in  the  stockade,  ornamented  with  ball 
and  chain,  and  also  dismissed  from  the  service  in 
dishonor.  They  were  marched  in  front  of  the 
brigade  with  shaved  heads  and  formed  fitting 
subjects  for  the  derision  and  scorn  of  all  patri 
otic  soldiers.  They  were  afterwards  kept  at 
hard  labor.  By  command,  Mr.  Pettit's  regi 
ment  was  ordered  to  Memphis,  via  the  Louis 
ville  &  Nashville  R.  R.,  and  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  Rivers,  which  point  it  reached 
about  July  7th,  and  went  into  camp.  While 
there  our  subject  was  detailed  on  guard  duty 
at  the  Overton  Hotel  which  was  in  possession 
of  the  government  and  had  been  previously 
used  as  a  hospital.  He  remained  at  this  place 
until  discharged,  Sept.  21,  1865.  He,  with  his 
regiment,  was  taken  to  Camp  Butler,  near 
Springfield,  111.,  where  he  was  paid  off  by  Pay 
master,  J.  H.  Mayborn,  after  which  he  returned 
to  McHenry  county  and  resumed  farm  work. 

Dec.  6,  1865,  Mr.  Pettit  determined  to  adopt 
the  trade  of  a  printer.  With  this  object  in  view, 
he  secured  employment  in  the  Woodstock 
Sentinel  office,  where  he  remained  until  January, 
1869.  He  subsequently  worked  at  his  trade  in 
Chicago  and  Amboy.  On  April  3,  1871,  he  en 
tered  the  office  of  the  Republican  (now  Repub 
lican-Times},  at  Ottawa,  111.,  as  foreman,  which 
position  he  has  filled  ever  since  with  ability  and 
satisfaction  to  his  employers. 

He  served  six  years  in  the  State  Militia,  five 
years  of  which  he  held  the  appointment  of  ist 
Sergeant,  and  the  remainder,  ist  Lieutenant. 
He  was  married  Feb.  11,  1885,  at  Ravenswood, 
111.,  to  Mary  L.  Pettit.  They  have  one  child, 
Leila  Caroline,  born  Sept.  6,  1890.  He  belongs 
to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a  member  of 
Occidental  Lodge,  No.  40,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
which  he  is  a  Past  Master;  of  Shabbona  Chap 
ter,  No.  37,  R.  A.  M.;  of  Oriental  Council,  No. 
63,  R.  &  S.  M.;  and  of  Ottawa  Commandery, 
No.  10,  K.  T.  Is  also  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


165 


R.  Post,  No.  156,  and  of  Good  Will  Lodge, 
No.  38,  I.  O.  M.  A.,  a  benevolent  organization. 
Is  a  communicant  of  the  1st  Congregational 
Church  at  Ottawa,  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 


HENRY  M.  HOMUTH,  a  member  of  Wm.  T. 
Sherman  Post,  No.  146  G.  A.  R.,  is  a 
native  of  Prussia,  Germany,  born  Oct. 
30,  1839.  He  came  to  America  with  his  father, 
his  mother  having  previously  died  in  the  year 
1857.  He  worked  on  a  farm  until  the  Rebel 
lion,  then  enlisted  Aug.  26,  1862,  as  a  recruit  in 
the  3Oth  Ind.  Inf.,  which  was  assigned  to  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  wherein  it  continued 
until  after  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  when  the 
army  was  reorganized.  The  regiment  was  then 
assigned  to  the  2nd  Brig.,  2nd  Div.,  2Oth  A.  C. 
It  participated  in  the  battles  of  Laverne  and 
Stone  River,  then  remained  in  the  vicinity  of 
Murfreesboro  for  about  five  months,  being  em 
ployed  building  fortifications;  following  this, 
marched  on  to  Chattanooga  and  was  engaged 
at  Hoover's  and  Liberty  Gap  and  Tullahoma 
respectively,  remaining  at  the  last  named  place 
five  or  six  weeks  recruiting,  leaving  there 
about  the  middle  of  August,  continuing  their 
march  over  Sandy  and  Lookout  Mountains  to 
the  famous  Chickamauga  battle  ground,  where 
they  engaged  in  the  terrible  and  disastrous 
conflict  which  occurred  at  that  place.  After 
making  a  splendid  defence  for  two  days  they 
were  compelled  to  fall  back  upon  Chattanooga. 
They  were  at  Chattanooga  for  two  months,  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  upon  short  rations, 
and  for  a  period  only  on  quarter  rations,  and 
had  considerable  fighting  to  do  at  the  same 
time.  He,  with  his  regiment,  participated  in 
the  memorable  battles  of  Missionary  Ridge  and 
Lookout  Mountain  Nov.  24-25th. 

The  army  wintered  near  Dalton  and  Cleve 
land  during  the  winter  of  1863-4,  broke  camp 
May  3,  and  marched  by  way  of  Ringgold,  to 
Tunnel  Hill,  where  the  regiment  had  its  first 
battle  in  the  Atlanta  campaign.  Later  it  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Kene- 
saw  Mountain,  Marietta,  Big  Shanty,  Peach 


Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Lovejoy  Station,  and 
Jonesboro,  after  which  it  marched  into  Atlanta, 
and  remained  in  that  neighborhood  until  the 
end  of  September,  when  the  original  regiment 
was  mustered  out.  The  recruits  and  a  few 
veterans  were  organized  into  what  was  termed 
a  detachment  called  Go's  A.,  B.  and  C.,  and 
known  as  a  detachment  of  the  3<Dth  Ind.  In 
October,  1864,  about  400  recruits  and  drafted 
men  were  assigned  to  this  organization;  then 
left  Atlanta  and  moved  toward  Chattanooga, 
receiving  orders  at  Rome,  Ga.,  to  report  at 
once  at  Chattanooga.  At  the  last  named  place 
they  took  train  for  Athens,  Ala.,  thence  to  Pu- 
laski,  where  they  remained  and  recruited  until 
Hood  got  in  the  rear,  when  they  proceeded  on 
a  forced  march  to  Columbia,  Tenn.,  where  they 
had  a  light  engagement.  From  that  point  they 
fought  inch  by  inch  back  to  Franklin. 

Mr.  Homuth  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  battle 
of  Franklin  was  the  hottest  of  his  many  en 
gagements  during  the  war.  From  Franklin 
he  went  to  Nashville  where  he  remained  until 
Nov.  15,  when  his  regiment  assisted  General 
Thomas'  army  in  the  assault  upon  the  rebel 
forces,  winning  a  splendid  victory,  then  re 
turned  to  Franklin. 

Subsequently  he  returned  to  Nashville, 
where  the  regiment  reorganized,  and  on  Dec. 
1 5th  and  i6th,  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Nashville.  The  enemy  was  driven  across  the 
the  Mississippi  River  to  Florence,  and  thence 
the  regiment  turned  to  Huntsville,  Ala.,  at 
which  point  our  subject's  command  spent  the 
winter,  and  early  in  the  spring  proceeded  by 
rail  to  Knoxville  and  Bull's  Gap,  the  object 
being  to  intercept  Lee  in  case  he  should  at 
tempt  to  return  in  that  direction.  In  this,  how 
ever,  the  men  were  greatly  disappointed,  as 
news  of  Lee's  surrender  reached  them  near 
Jonesboro,  East  Tenn.  In  April,  1865,  they 
had  returned  back  to  Nashville,  where  they  re 
mained  until  mustered  out  June  25th.  Mr. 
Homuth  returned  to  his  home  at  Indianapolis, 
but  soon  thereafter  went  to  Bloomington,  111., 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  married 
in  1867,  to  Josephine  Wersch,  a  native  of 
Switzerland, by  whom  he  has  two  sons — William 


166 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


H.  and  Arthur  J.,  the  former  23  years  of  age, 
and  the  latter  19.  These  young  men  have 
been  educated  in  the  City  Schools  and  Busi 
ness  College.  William  H.  is  a  jeweler  by  oc 
cupation,  which  he  follows  at  his  native  town. 
Mr.  Homuth  is  a  member  of  Mozart  Lodge 
No.  656  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Bloomington  Chapter, 
R.  A.  M.  No.  26;  and  Peoria  Consistory  S.  P.  R. 
S.  Of  late  years  he  affiliates  with  the  Demo 
cratic  party. 


LF.VI  M.  LEE,  M.  D.,  of  Decatur,  Ills.,  was 
born  in  Ky.,  in  1843,  an<^  resided  in  that 
State  to  the  date  of  his  enlistment,  re 
ceiving  his  education  in  private  schools.  His 
father  was  John  F.  Lee,  a  native  of  Ky.,  and 
served  in  the  Union  army  in  Company  K,  loth 
Ky.  Inf.,  contracting  a  cold  at  Mill  Springs, 
Ky.,  which  affecting  his  kidneys  resulted  in  his 
discharge  for  disability,  and  finally  caused  his 
death  in  1888.  His  maternal  grandfather  (Ed 
wards)  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  The 
family  name  of  the  mother  of  Levi  M.  Lee  was 
Edwards,  whose  ancestry  were  Virginians.  She 
was  the  mother  of  five  children  :  John  L.,  Mary 
Ann,  Levi  M.,  Malinda  Frances,  and  Lizzie. 
During  the  war  John  L.  was  in  Co.  K.,  loth  Ky. 
Inf.,  with  his  father,  receiving  a  wound  in  the 
shoulder  at  Chickamauga  from  which  he  re 
covered,  and  completed  his  term  of  service. 

Dr.  Levi  M.  Lee  enlisted  at  Lebanon,  Ky., 
Nov.  5,  1861,  and  in  Dec.  went  to  Mill  Springs 
in  wrhat  was  known  as  the  3rd  Brig,  under  com 
mand  of  Gen.  Fry,  where  he  was  detailed  to 
serve  in  the  Quartermaster  Department  at  reg 
imental  headquarters.  Early  in  March  a  move 
ment  was  made  to  Corinth  through  Louisville, 
Nashville,  Columbia,  on  to  Savannah  and  reach 
ing  Pittsburg  landing  after  the  battle.  Camp 
ing  here  about  a  month  Mr.  Lee  performed  the 
duties  of  the  Quartermaster  and  Commissary 
Departments.  When  Corinth  was  evacuated 
the  regiment  followed  the  enemy  to  luka  and 
Tuscumbia,  where  after  two  weeks'  delay  it 
proceeded  to  Murfreesboro.  Just  before  reach 
ing  this  place  Geti:  Fry's  cook  was  found  hang 


ing  on  a  signboard,  having  been  captured  by 
the  rebels,  of  whom  the  country  was  full,  yet 
the  small  regiment  marched  four  days  alone 
and  unmolested  from  Tuscumbia  to  Murfrees 
boro,  from  which  place  a  march  was  made  to 
Winchester  and  afterward  to  Chattanooga.  At 
this  time  Mr.  Lee  had  charge  of  the  teams  of 
the  3rd  Brig.,  3rd  Div.,  I4th  A.  C.,  and  he  had 
all  the  Quartermaster  stores  safely  into  Chat 
tanooga  before  the  general  retreat.  On  the 
road  near  that  place  he  was  hailed  by  the 
Major  and  Chaplain,  who  were  both  wounded, 
and  informed  concerning  his  brother's  wound. 

Picketing  the  teams  until  morning,  pontoon 
boats  were  laid,  bridges  built  and  teams  crossed 
over  the  Tenn.  While  here  Mr.  Lee  took  three 
teams  and  went  into  the  country  about  18  miles, 
foraging  without  an  escort.  All  went  well  un 
til  the  well  filled  wagons  were  on  the  way  back 
when  the  rebel  cavalry  captured  the  train  and 
succeeded  in  taking  most  of  the  teamsters,  who 
were  paroled,  after  going  about  20  miles,  and 
turned  loose.  They  burned  the  stores  and 
the  trains,  killed  the  mules  by  stabbing  them, 
and  appropriated  the  liquor  for  their  own  use. 
Mr.  Lee  going  back  reported  the  facts  and 
the  cavalry  was  sent  out  in  pursuit,  and  find 
ing  the  rebels  intoxicated  easily  captured  them. 
From  Chattanooga  the  stock  were  removed  to 
Bridgeport,  where  Mr.  Lee  remained  until 
spring,  when  preparations  were  made  for  the 
Atlanta  campaign.  The  teams  were  in  good 
condition,  and  the  wagons  heavily  loaded  when 
they  returned  to  Chattanooga  to  make  the 
start. 

The  first  battle  was  at  Buzzard's  Roost,  and 
the  Quartermaster  wagons  were  up  with  the 
regiment  every  night.  Mr.  Lee  was  at  his 
post  in  all  the  battles  in  which  his  corps  was 
engaged  on  this  campaign,  and  at  Atlanta  the 
regiment  was  in  a  heavy  fight,  when  the  loth 
Ind.  Regiment  noticing  the  heavy  odds  it  was 
contending  against,  went  to  its  relief  without 
orders,  and  thus  ended  the  enemy's  advance 
and  saved  the  regiment  from  slaughter.  His 
regt.,  the  loth  Ky.,  remained  in  the  works 
during  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  and  then  marched 
around  to  Jonesboro,  where  it  was  heavily 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


167 


engaged,  and  returned  to  Atlanta  to  take  the 
train  to  Ringgold,  Ga.,  where  this  regiment 
relieved  the  74th  Ind.,  and  remained  about 
one  month  doing  post  duty.  From  this  point 
a  movement  was  made  toward  home  —  re 
turning  to  Chattanooga  to  take  cars  for  Nash 
ville,  which  was  reached  just  before  the  battle 
of  Franklin;  then  on  to  Louisville,  where  the 
regiment  was  discharged  Dec.  6,  1864,  as  its 
term  of  enlistment  had  expired. 

As  this  city  was  the  home  of  Mr.  Lee,  he 
remained  for  some  time,  then  moved  to  Cave 
City  where  he  studied  medicine,  returning  to 
Louisville,  graduated  as  M.  D.  at  the  Medical 
University,  and  practiced  about  four  years  in 
that  city.  He  then  moved  to  Indianapolis  and 
remained  in  practice  until  1874,  then  moving  to 
Sadorus,  111.,  was  professionally  engaged 
four  years,  and  after  practicing  eight  years  in 
Monticello,  returned  to  Indianapolis  for  a  short 
time  and  located  in  Argenta,  111.,  opening  a 
drug  store,  and  continuing  in  professional 
work  for  five  years.  He  then  settled  in  Deca- 
tur,  111.,  establishing  a  drug  business  and  ex 
tending  his  practice  as  a  physician,  in  which 
he  is  engaged  at  the  present  time. 

Dr.  Levi  M.  Lee  was  married  in  1874,  at 
Indianapolis,  to  Sarah  B.  Suver — an  Ohioan  by 
birth.  The  doctor  has  a  high  standing  in  a 
number  of  Fraternal  Orders,  and  is  a  promi 
nent  Mason,  Odd  Fellow,  K.  P.,  a  member  of 
the  Fred  Spooner  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Argenta,  111., 
and  in  most  of  the  orders  has  filled  all  the 
chairs  in  the  subordinate  Lodges.  He  was 
representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  K.  of  P's, 
the  I.  O.'O.  F.,  and  G.  A.  R.  at  their  grand  en 
campments,  1888-9,  °f  tne  two  former,  and  the 
latter  in  1889.  Dr.  Lee  is  an  ardent  Republi 
can,  taking  an  active  interest  in  all  party  mat 
ters.  In  religion,  is  a  Methodist. 


HENRY  WYMAN,  of  Ottawa,  111.,  was   born 
in  Dalton  County,  Pa.,  January  8,    1841, 
and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and   Hannah 
(Keith)  Wyman.     The  elder  Wyman  was  born 
in  Lancaster,  Pa.,  of  which  place   his  wife   was 


also  a  native.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation 
and  moved  west  in  1851,  locating  near  Ottawa, 
111.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming. 

They  had  eleven  children — Peter,  Harriet, 
Eva,  Sarah,  Henry,  Eliza,  William,  George, 
Liberty  Anne,  Mary  and  Francis,  all  living 
except  Francis  and  Liberty  Anne.  The  father 
died  May  17,  1883,  and  the  mother  in  1876. 
Mr.  Wyman  was  reared  at  home  where  he  at 
tended  the  schools  of  that  time  and  aided  his 
father  on  the  farm.  He  enlisted  Dec.  28,  1861, 
at  Ottawa,  Co.  A.,  53rd  Regiment,  111.  Inf.,  and 
went  into  camp  at  Ottawa,  remaining  there 
through  the  winter,  engaged  in  drilling  and 
camp  service.  In  March,  1862,  they  received 
orders  to  go  to  Camp  Douglas  to  guard  the 
rebel  prisoners  taken  at  Fort  Donelson;  was 
there  about  a  month  when  they  went  to  St. 
Louis,  and  from  there  to  Savannah,  Tenn.,  where 
they  went  into  camp.  They  were  soon  or 
dered  away  to  meet  the  enemy  at  Pittsburg 
Landing,  where  they  arrived  Monday,  at  4 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  after  the  fight  was  over.  The 
regiment  went  into  camp  and  assisted,  as  their 
first  war  experience,  in  burying  the  dead. 
They  were  put  in  the  1st  Brig.,  4th  Div.,  I7th 
A.  C. 

The  next  move  was  on  Corinth,  the  53rd 
skirmishing  on  the  advance.  After  taking 
possession  of  Corinth  they  went  into  camp  for 
a  few  days,  when  they  were  ordered  to  Mem 
phis.  Subsequently  they  were  moved  to 
Bolivar,  Tenn.,  and  from  there  toward  La 
Grange,  Miss.,  but  meeting  a  large  rebel  force, 
moved  back  to  Bolivar.  October  4th,  the 
command  moved  toward  Hatchie  River  and 
next  day  engaged  four  times  their  number  of 
the  enemy  who  were  retreating  from  Corinth. 

While  crossing  Davis'  Bridge  on  the 
Hatchie,  a  regiment  from  another  State  was 
forced  back  through  our  lines,  but  the  53rd 
moved  steadily  forward  holding  the  bridge  and 
road  for  over  two  hours.  They  also  assisted  in 
running  a  section  of  artillery,  a  Missouri  Bat 
tery,  up  the  bluff  by  hand,  placing  it  within  fifty 
yards  of  the  enemy's  line,  and  supported  it 
while  it  did  effective  work.  The  regiment  was 
complimented  by  General  Hurlbut  for  its  work 


1 68 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


here.  Moved  to  La  Grange  November  4, 
where  they  remained  until  the  28th,  when  they 
were  ordered  South  with  Grant's  army  to  Cold 
Water,  Holy  Springs,  Waterford  and  Oxford, 
all  in  Miss.  The  army  then  moved  toward 
Vicksburg  but  on  account  of  the  loss  of  sup 
plies  at  Holly  Springs,  the  campaign  against 
Vicksburg  was  for  a  time  abandoned.  The 
army  turned  back  as  far  as  Moscow,  arriving 
there  Jan.  n,  1863.  The  Division  was  then 
transferred  to  the  i6th  Army  Corps,  Gen. 
Hurlbut  commanding,  and  was  placed  on  duty 
guarding  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad. 
March  nth,  the  command  moved  to  Memphis, 
where  they  went  into  camp  for  a  few  weeks. 
May  1 7th,  the  army  embarked  on  board  of 
transports  for  Young's  Point.  On  the  20th, 
moved  to  Haines'  Bluff,  and  on  the  25th  the 
Division  swung  into  line  with  the  main  army 
around  Vicksburg.  The  53rd  was  stationed  to 
the  left  of  the  I3th  A.  C.,  and  took  an  active 
part  in  the  memorable  siege.  Mr.  Wyman, 
who  was  a  brave  and  active  soldier,  was  often 
on  picket  duty  where  he  had  many  interesting 
adventures.  Sometimes  he  would  be  for  hours 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  rebel  pickets,  and 
would  often  hold  friendly  conversation  with 
them.  The  rebels  would  send  a  lot  of  old 
mules  down  the  line  to  draw  the  fire  of  the 
Union  picket  men,  thus  getting  their  location, 
when  they  would  send  their  shots  into  them. 

After  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  the  com 
mand  moved  on  to  Jackson,  and  on  July  I2th, 
while  closing  the  lines  around  that  place,  the 
1st  Brig,  was  ordered  to  assault  the  rebel 
works.  The  53rd  participated  in  this  gallant  but 
disastrous  charge,  going  into  the  fight  with  250 
men  and  coining  out  with  but  66.  It  was  in 
this  assault  that  the  brave  Colonel  Seth  C.  Earl 
fell,  pierced  with  canister  shot.  Mr.  Wyman 
did  not  escape.  He  received  a  shell  wound  in 
the  right  shoulder,  and  was  taken  to  the  hos 
pital,  where  his  wound  was  dressed.  He  re 
mained  there  three  days  and  became  so  dis 
gusted  with  hospital  life,  that  he  took  French 
leave  and  returned  to  his  regiment.  A  few  days 
after  this  battle  the  Division  was  assigned  to  the 
1 7th  A.  C.  The  next  move  of  the  command 


was  to  Black  River,  where  they  lay  for  some 
time,  and  then  took  part  in  the  Meridian  cam 
paign.  At  the  end  of  that  campaign  the  regi 
ment  with  its  command  returned  to  Vicksburg, 
and  thence  to  Natchez,  where  they  went  into 
winter  quarters.  At  Natchez  a  detail  of  mounted 
scouts  were  ordered  for  patrol  duty  to  which 
Mr.  Wyman  was  attached.  Subsequently  the 
regiment  was  ordered  back  to  Vicksburg  where 
most  of  them  veteranized  and  received  their 
furlough.  Mr.  Wyman  remained  at  Vicksburg 
about  two  weeks  and  was  ordered  to  Cairo  with 
those  who  did  not  re-enlist.  Later,  they  re 
turned  to  Vicksburg,  and  again  went  to  Cairo 
to  meet  the  veterans  on  their  return  from  fur 
lough.  Failing  to  connect,  they  went  back  and 
met  the 'regiment  at  Kingston,  Ga.,  from  which 
place  the  command  moved  to  Allatoona  Pass, 
where  they  were  engaged  in  constructing  for 
tifications.  While  there  Mr.  Wyman  was  de 
tailed  for  foraging  expeditions.  One  night  he 
was  out  with  his  comrades  in  search  of  food, 
having  an  old  mill  in  view.  While  on  their  way 
to  this  mill  a  part  of  the  squad  rode  down  to  the 
creek  to  water  their  horses,  while  the  others 
went  on.  When  in  the  mill  they  heard  firing. 
Immediately  a  citizen  came  running  down  and 
told  them  two  of  their  party  had  been  killed 
on  the  hill.  They  began  to  fortify  themselves 
in  the  mill,  supposing  it  was  an  attack  from  the 
enemy.  Hearing  nothing  more  they  went  out 
and  up  the  hill,  where  they  found  one  of  the 
orderlies,  and  the  Q.  M.  Sergeant,  Philo  Lind- 
ley,  an  old  and  respected  citizen  of  Ottawa, 
dead.  It  was  supposed  that  they  were  killed 
by  two  orderlies  who  had  deserted  the  rebel 
army,  had  been  taken  into  the  Union  ranks,  and 
had  been  sent  out  with  the  foraging  party. 

They  remained  at  Allatoona  until  the  evac 
uation  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  then  were 
ordered  around  to  the  extreme  left  of  Sher 
man's  army.  After  this  the  regiment,  with  its 
Brigade,  took  part  in  all  the  engagements  lead 
ing  up  to  the  battle  of  Atlanta,  its  siege  and  fall. 

It  then  took  part  in  the  operations  against 
Hood,  following  him  up  as  far  as  Gaysville, 
Ala.,  where  it  rested  awhile  and  then  returned 
to  Atlanta,  and  became  a  part  of  the  great 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


169 


army  that  cut  the  heart  of  the  Confederacy  in 
two  in  its  march  to  the  sea.  In  that  march  Mr. 
Wyman  took  an  active  part  and  was  often  as 
signed  to  detail  duty.  In  the  first  assault  on 
Savannah,  the  53rd  lost  several  killed  and 
wounded.  While  at  Savannah,  his  time  ex 
pired  and  he  was  mustered  out  of  service  Janu 
ary  i,  1865.  He  returned  home  and  engaged 
in  farming  for  a  year,  when  he  removed  to 
Ottawa  and  was  employed  in  a  lumber  yard  off 
and  on  for  about  twelve  years.  He  was  then 
employed  variously  until  1888,  when  the  City 
Roller  Mills  Company  secured  his  services, 
placing  him  in  charge  of  the  grinding  depart 
ment,  which  position  he  still  fills,  holding  the 
confidence  and  the  esteem  of  his  employers. 
He  was  married  December  24,  1867  at  Ottawa, 
to  Malena,  daughter  of  Henry  Rigden.  The 
names  of  their  children  are— William  H.,  Frank 
J.,  Florence  May,  Susan  T.  and  Henry  O.  In 
politics,  Mr.  Wyman  is  a  Republican. 


CARL  LARTZ,  a  resident  of  Bloomington, 
111.,  is  a  native  of  Prussia,  Germany, 
where  he  was  born  Jan.  16,  1836,  a  son 
of  Carl  and  Fredericka  Lartz.  When  he  was 
20  years  of  age,  he  sailed  for  America,  subse 
quently  locating  in  Bloomington.  Carl  attained 
a  good  common  school  education  in  his  Father 
land,  and  commenced  life  as  a  brick  moulder. 
This  business  he  was  pursuing  when  he  rallied 
forth  in  the  defense  of  his  newly  adopted  coun 
try.  He  enlisted  at  Bloomington,  111.,  Aug.  8, 
1862,  in  Co.  A.,  94th  111.  Inf.  Aug.  25,  the  boys 
moved  to  Benton  BaVracks,  Mo.,  were  armed 
and  equipped,  and  then  proceeded  to  the  front 
at  Springfield,  Mo.  Here  they  spent  six  weeks 
in  the  most  arduous  company  and  battalion 
drills, the  efficient  results  of  which  were  very 
apparent  when  they  came  into  action.  Dec.  7, 
1862,  at  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  after  a  forced  march 
of  1 20  miles,  in  90  hours,  the  gallant  Union 
"boys,"  only  4,000  strong,  attacked  the  rebels, 
numbering  30,000,  and  "  hammered  "  them  until 
evening,  when  they  made  a  desperate  charge, 
flanked  the  enemy,  and  then  gallantly  carried 


the  fortunes  of  the  day.  Two  weeks  later  the 
94th  participated  in  a  very  efficient  expedition 
to  Van  Buren,  returning  to  near  Rolla,  it  drilled 
and  recruited  until  June,  1863,  when  it  marched 
down  the  river,  landed  at  Milliken's  Bend  June 
II,  and  engaged  in  all  the  privations  and  siege 
operations,  terminating  with  the  historic  capture 
of  Vicksburg,  July  4th.  On  this  occasion,  com 
rade  Lartz  was  for  two  weeks  constantly  ex 
posed  to  a  fire  in  the  trenches.  After  the 
surrender  of  this  stronghold,  the  regiment 
started  for  Port  Hudson,  but  it  having  sur 
rendered,  the  regt.  was  sent  on  an  expedition 
up  the  Yazoo,  and  on  July  24,  moved  to  Port 
Hudson,  and  from  there  down  the  river  to  near 
New  Orleans. 

After  a  reconnoissance  to  Morganzia,  the 
94th  embarked  for  Brownsville,  Tex.,  where 
the  boys  spent  the  most  miserable  months  of 
their  service.  During  the  month  of  August, 

1864,  comrade   Lartz  actively  engaged   in  the 
stubborn  siege  of  Fort  Morgan,  facing  the  ene 
my's  fire  for  seven  consecutive  days,  with  the 
boys  severely  exhausted.     Shortly,  they  made 
an    expedition  to  Pascayoula,   and    March    17, 

1865,  they  moved  to  take  part  in  the  memora 
ble  siege  of  Spanish  Fort.     Here,  as  at  Vicks 
burg,  the  regt.  did  most  gallant  service.     For 
thirteen  days  the  men  were  constantly  under 
fire.     Participating  in  the  final  assault  they  had 
the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  mount  the  walls 
of    Fort   Tracy,  April   8,   1865.     In   charge    of 
many  prisoners  part  of  the  regiment  was  next 
sent  to  Ship  Island,   from  thence   the    entire 
regiment  moved  to  Mobile  and  then  to  Galves- 
ton,  Texas,  where  it  was  mustered  out  July  17, 
and  reached   Bloomington,    111.,  Aug.  9,   1865, 
amid  a  superb  ovation.     Thus  after  three  years 
of  most  loyal  service  comrade   Lartz   returned 
home,  where  he   resumed  his  trade,  which  he 
followed  successfully  for  15  years,  when  he  was 
obliged    to    discontinue    active    manual    labor, 
because  of  advancing  years  and  infirmities. 

Mr.  Lartz  was  married  Nov.  24,  1859,  to 
Miss  Fredericka  Ramstoph,  who  died  Dec.  27, 
1887.  Ity  this  union  ten  children  were  born,  of 
whom  are  living,  Louis,  Sallie,  Martha,  Ermin, 
Matilda,  Minnie,  Carl  and  William.  Comrade 


170 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Lartz  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the 
Wm.  T.  Sherman  Post,  No.  146,  and  is  an 
enthusiastic  worker  for  the  welfare  of  his  com 
rades.  He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Luth 
eran  Church,  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  is 
a  worthy,  upright  and  respected  citizen. 


ALBERT  L.  STONE,  was  born  in  the  Prov 
ince  of  New  Brunswick,  February  2, 
1841,  and  was  the  son  of  Eber  Stone, 
who  was  born  in  1808,  of  English  descent,  and 
who  followed  the  business  of  a  millwright. 
His  mother,  Hannah  Stone,  nee  Shaw,  was  born 
about  1814,  and  was  also  of  English  ancestry. 
The  former  died  May  8,  1864,  in  Wis.,  while 
the  latter  died  in  January,  1847.  Mr.  Stone  at 
tended  the  public  schools  as  soon  as  he  was 
old  enough,  and  continued  his  studies  until  he 
had  reached  the  age  of  16  years,  when  he  went 
to  learn  the  printing  trade  at  Jefferson,  Wis., 
whitherhis  fatherand  family  had  moved.  Hav 
ing  finished  his  trade  in  three  and  one  half 
/ears,  he  again  attended  school  for  about  one 
year,  then  clerked  in  a  dry  goods  store  for  six 
months,  at  Beloit,  Wis.,  when  he  again  re 
sumed  his  trade  as  journeyman  printer,  at 
Jefferson,  Wis.  He  continued  at  his  trade 
until  the  seceding  States  had  opened  hostili 
ties,  and  President  Lincoln  had  called  for 
volunteers,  when  the  young  printer  abandoned 
his  stick  and  type,  bade  adieu  to  the  printer's 
devil,  and  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  April 
23,  1861,  at  Jefferson,  in  Company  E.,  4th  Wis. 
Vol.  Inf.,  going  into  camp  at  Racine,  early  in 
June,  1861,  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S. 
Service  July  2,  1861,  at  Racine,  where  he  re 
mained  until  the  6th  of  the  same  month,  when 
the  regiment  moved  to  Harrisburg,  Penn., 
thence  to  Baltimore,  Md.  While  there  his 
company  was  sent  on  detached  duty  guarding 
bridges  on  the  'Penn.  Central  R.  R.  for  one 
month.  The  company  then  went  into  quarters 
at  the  Relay  House,  between  Baltimore  and 
Washington,  performing  camp  and  guard 
duties.  It  also  built  a  temporary  fort  which 
was  occupied  by  troops  during  the  war. 


During  the  winter  Mr.  Stone  was  sent  to 
Ellicots  Mills,  Md.,to  drill  a  company  of  home 
guard  which  was  afterward  mustered  into  one 
of  the  Maryland  regiments.  He  had  com 
mand  of  the  guard  stationed  at  the  bridge 
spanning  the  Patapseo  River,  where  he  con 
tinued  for  two  weeks,  then  joined  his  regiment 
at  the  Relay  House,  Md.  From  there  it  moved 
to  Baltimore,  where  it  took  transports  across 
the  bay,  landing  at  Pongatigue,  Va.,  thence 
marched  down  the  Peninsula  in  pursuit  of  the 
enemy,  whither  they  were  retreating,  and  con 
tinued  as  far  as  Eastville,  then  returned  to  the 
place  of  landing  and  took  a  steamer  for  Balti 
more,  where  the  regiment  built  winter  barracks 
in  Pattersons  Park.  It  remained  there  until 
February,  when  the  command  started  for  New 
port  News  to  join  General  Butler  in  the  New 
Orleans  expedition. 

March  5,  the  command  went  to  Ship  Island 
where  they  remained  until  April  16,  when  the 
regiment  embarked  on  the  "Great  Republic"  for 
the  Southwest  Pass  of  the  Mississippi,  to  await 
the  results  of  the  attack  on  Forts  Jackson  and 
St.  Phillip.  Mr.  Stone  was  in  the  Convalescent 
Hospital  at  the  time  his  regiment  left,  but 
joined  it  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  on  June  3.  Dur 
ing  his  absence  the  regiment  aided  in  the  cap 
ture  of  the  forts  and  approaches  to  New 
Orleans.  The  work  accomplished  by  the  4th 
W7is.  in  the  preliminaries  to  the  occupation  of 
New  Orleans  would  fill  a  volume  in  detail.  Its 
severity,  and  the  manner  of  its  achievement, 
won  the  hearty  applause  from  all.  Companies 
E.  and  G.  were  the  first  to  land  at  the  last  city 
named.  From  Baton  Rouge,  he,  with  his 
regiment,  proceeded  to  Vicksburg,  landing  at 
Young's  Point,  where  Mr.  Stone  assisted  in  sur 
veying  the  line  for  the  canal  which  General 
Butler  attempted  to  dig  across  the  Point.  They 
remained  there  until  July  3,  then  proceeded 
down  the  river,  landing  at  Baton  Rouge  on  the 
25,  where  he  was  called  upon  to  perform  the 
last  melancholy  duty  toward  his  dead  brother, 
Charles  A.,  namely,  to  bury  him.  Mr.  Stone  was 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Baton  Rouge,  August  5, 
and  about  ten  days  later,  doing  garrison  duty  at 
Camp  Carrolton,  nine  miles  above  New  Orleans. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


171 


His  regiment  remained  there  about  three 
months,  and  during  the  month  of  August, 
went  up  the  Miss.  River  about  ten  miles,  land 
ing  on  the  west  side,  and  succeeded  in  cutting 
off  the  retreat  of  the  first  Texas  Cavalry,  chas 
ing  them  into  a  swamp,  and  capturing  a  large 
number  of  men  and  horses.  After  this  Mr. 
Stone  had  his  first  experience  in  riding  a  Texas 
Broncho.  In  December  his  regiment  went  to 
Baton  Rouge,  and  marched  up  to  the  rear  of 
Port  Hudson  at  the  time  the  gunboats  ran  the 
blockade,  and  joined  a  part  of  the  upper  fleet. 
Returned  to  Baton  Rouge  without  seeing  the 
enemy's  columns,  but  witnessed  the  explosion 
of  the  Richmond,  and  also  the  bombardment 
from  a  distance. 

The  latter  part  of  March  his  regiment 
went  to  Algiers,  La.,  and  early  in  April  pro 
ceeded  up  the  Bayou  Teche  Country  with 
Gen.  Banks  commanding,  and  took  part  in  the. 
battle  of  Camp  Bisland,  Apr.  13,  1863,  during 
which  his  regiment  sustained  the  loss  of  sev 
eral  officers  and  men,  killed  and  wounded. 
The  enemy  evacuated  the  works  the  same 
night  and  his  regiment  followed  to  Opelousas. 
The  next  day  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
capture  horses  and  mount;  and  as  fast  as  a 
company  was  mounted,  proceeded  to  the  front 
where  they  kept  until  the  command  reached 
Alexandria. 

Shortly  after  reaching  the  last  named  point, 
the  regiment  was  ordered  on  a  scouting  expe 
dition  and  proceeded  40  miles  up  the  Red 
River,  engaged  in  several  skirmishes  with  the 
retreating  enemy,  and  then  returned  to  the 
point  of  starting.  The  entire  command  after 
ward  proceeded  down  the  river,  crossing  the 
Mississippi  at  Bayou  Sara,  joining  Banks'  army 
in  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson  on  the  morning  of 
the  27  of  May,  1863.  He,  with  his  company, 
remained  at  the  front  under  fire  for  six  days 
and  five  nights,  acting  as  Infantry.  Being 
relieved  from  the  front,  they  were  again 
mounted  and  sent  on  a  scout  to  Clinton,  La., 
where  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  a  heavy 
battle  (considering  the  number  engaged), 
in  which  they  had  a  number  of  men  killed  and 
wounded.  During  the  progress  of  this  battle 


Mr.  Stone  was  almost  overcome  with  the 
intense  heat  but  was  resuscitated  by  the  timely 
application  of  cold  water,  and  was  thus  enabled 
to  continue  with  the  command  throughout  the 
engagement,  and  returned  to  camp  the  same 
night  but  was  incapacitated  for  duty  for  three 
weeks  after,  and  under  the  physicians  care. 
On  June  14,  his  regiment  led  the  charge  on  the 
fortifications  of  Port  Hudson,  30  of  whom 
reached  the  parapet  on  the  top  of  the  rebel 
works  and  were  captured.  The  remainder  of 
the  regiment  stubbornly  held  their  ground 
until  nightfall,  when  they  were  enabled  to 
withdraw  in  safety.  The  regiment  lost,  in 
killed,  wounded  and  captured,  upwards  of  one 
half  of  its  number,  and  among  that  number  was 
General  H.  E.  Paine,  its  1st  Colonel,  who  was 
wounded  on  the  field.  Five  of  its  number  lost 
their  lives  in  attempting  to  rescue  him  and 
carry  him  off  the  field. 

After  this  battle  the  regiment  scouted  and 
foraged  to  the  rear  of  the  troops  until  after  the 
surrender  of  Port  Hudson,  after  which  it  pro 
ceeded  to  Baton  Rouge,  where  it  was  changed 
to  the  4th  Wis.  Cavalry  by  order  of  the  War 
Department.  They  remained  in  this  vicinity 
until  July,  1864.  At  Camp  Carrolton,  Mr. 
Stone  was  promoted  to  Corporal,  and  subse 
quently  to  Sergeant.  During  the  months  of 
April  and  May  he  had  command  of  a  squad 
at  Plaquemine,  doing  scouting  and  guard 
duty.  On  June  I,  he  was  detailed  as  an  or 
derly  to  General  Bailey  and  went  to  Vicks- 
burg,  where  he  remained  until  the  expiration 
of  his  term  of  enlistment,  and  was  mustered 
out  July  2,  1864,  when  he  returned  to  his  home 
at  Jefferson,  Wis.  Remaining  there  two 
months,  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  thence  to  Nash 
ville  where  he  entered  the  Quarter  Master's 
service,  and  going  to  Louisville  in  December, 
continued  in  the  same  position  until  in  July, 
1865,  when  Sherman's  army  was  mustered  out. 
He  then  engaged  in  other  employment  in 
Kentucky,  and  in  June,  1866,  went  to  Law 
rence,  Kan.,  worked  at  the  carpenters'  trade 
until  August,  1868,  when  he  removed  to 
Nevada,  Mo.,  and  there  continued  to  work 
until  February,  1869,  when  he  once  more  re- 


172 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


sumed  his  printing  trade.  He  continued  in 
this  work  until  June,  1870.  He  then  moved  to 
Butler,  Mo.,  where  he  obtained  employment 
with  Bates  Co.  Record  Office  until  September, 
1871,  then  went  to  Appleton  City  and  com 
menced  the  publication  of  the  Argus  which 
he  continued  publishing  until  January,  1873, 
when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire.  He  then  re 
turned  to  Butler  and  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  Record,  and  subsequently  sold  out  in  July, 
1876.  He  then  run  a  wagon  shop  for  a  year, 
or  until  he  was  appointed  Marshal  of  Butler, 
which  position  he  held  until  February,  1879, 
when  he  resigned  and  moved  to  Marseilles, 
111.,  and  purchased  the  "Marseilles  Register" 
of  which  he  is  now  the  proprietor  and  pub 
lisher.  In  April,  1890,  he  was  commissioned 
Postmaster  at  Marseilles  and  took  possession 
of  that  office,  May  ist  of  the  same  year,  which 
he  holds  and  administers  to  the  entire  satis 
faction  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Smith,  on 
June  20,  1872,  at  Prairie  City,  Mo.  Three  chil 
dren  have  blessed  this  union — Halbert  E., 
Addie  Zoe,  and  Edith  Maud.  Mrs.  Stone  died 
the  24th  of  February,  1881,  and  was  buried  at 
Marseilles,  111.  On  Oct.  14,  1885,  Mr.  Stone 
was  married  again  to  Mary  E.  Richardson  of 
Marseilles. 

He  isa  Knights  Templar  Mason;  an  Encamp 
ment  Odd  Fellow;  and^Knights  of  Pythias,  and 
has  passed  through  the  chairs  of  those  orders. 
He  is  a  member  of  Joseph  Woodworth  Post 
No.  281,  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  been  Officer  of  the 
Guard,  and  of  the  Day,  and  was  elected  Com 
mander,  December,  1890,  which  office  he  still 
holds.  He  is  also  a  charter  member  of  Wash 
ington  Camp  No.  86,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  its  first 
presiding  officer. 


THEODORE  C.  GIBSON,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  born  at    Newark,  Ohio,  on 
5th  of  September,    1831.     Having  been 
reared  on  a  farm,  he  sought  and  acquired  the 
best  education  obtainable  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  county.     During  the  Mexican  war  the 


soldier  spirit  inherited  from  his  father,  and 
more  remote  ancestors,  prompted  him  to  enlist 
as  a  private  in  the  United  States  army,  which 
he  did  in  the  month  of  February,  1847,  and 
was  mustered  in  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mis 
souri,  attached  to  Company  G.,  1st  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
having  enlisted  on  that  occasion  for  three 
years,  or  until  the  close  of  the  war.  The  regi 
ment  was  commanded  by  Col.  E.  W.  B.  Newby. 
Everything  being  in  order,  the  regiment  em 
barked  at  St.  Louis  on  transports,  for  Fort 
Leavenworth,  where  they  disembarked  and 
marched  across  the  country  to  Santa  Fe,  New 
Mexico,  where  they  were  garrisoned  and  held 
in  reserve,  doing  little  but  garrison  duty,  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  At  the  conclusion  of  that 
war,  the  regiment  returned  to  Fort  Leaven- 
worth,  and  by  means  of  transports  was  taken 
to  Alton,  111.,  where  it  was  mustered  out  in 
Sept.,  1848.  His  country,  which  Mr.  Gibson 
was  so  willing  to  serve,  being  at  peace  with  the 
world,  and  having  no  further  use  for  his  serv 
ices,  he  returned  to  his  home  at  Rutland,  111. 
Shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Mexican  war 
what  was  then,  and  always  will  be  known  as 
the  California  Gold  Fever,  had  reached  his 
native  State;  and  again  the  spirit  of  adventure, 
which  was  only  sharpened  and  encouraged  by 
his  recent  expedition  to  the  borders  of  Mexico, 
asserted  itself,  and  in  response  to  its  yearnings, 
Mr.  Gibson  determined  to  seek  his  fortune  in 
California,  whither  he  set  out  in  the  year  1850, 
enduring  all  the  hardships  and  privations  inci 
dent  to  a  journey  overland  to  that  distant 
territory.  He  remained  in  California  for  a 
period  of  3  years,  during  which  time  he  was 
engaged  in  different  enterprises. 

The  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life 
can  only  be  appreciated  by  those  who  have , 
been  called  upon  to  endure  them;  hence  Mr. 
Gibson  who  was  brought  up  in  a  comfortable, 
quiet  home,  concluded  that  the  inducements 
held  out  to  him  were  not  adequate  compensa 
tion  to  his  remaining  there  longer,  so  he  re 
turned  East  to  Illinois.  In  1885,  ne  moved  to 
Ottawa,  where  he  has  since  remained  except 
while  he  was  absent  during  the  late  rebellion. 
Mr.  Gibson  is  a  man  of  strong  impulses  and  en- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


173 


dowed  with  an  active  military  spirit.  Immedi 
ately  after  the  news  of  President  Lincoln's 
proclamation  calling  for  75,000  troops  reached 
his  ears,  he,  as  a  loyal,  patriotic  citizen, 
promptly  responded  and  tendered  his  services 
for  the  defense  and  support  of  his  country  and 
government,  and  accordingly  enlisted  on  the 
22nd  of  April,  1861,  was  mustered  in  and  com 
missioned  on  the  following  day  at  Camp 
Yates,  as  Captain  of  Company  H.,  attached  to 
the  nth  111.  Inf.  This  regiment  was  dispatched 
to  Cairo  where  it  performed  camp  and  garri 
son  duty  during  its  term  of  enlistment.  While 
thus  engaged,  the  excitement  incident  to  an 
expected  attack  from  the  rebels,  was  continu 
ally  before  them.  At  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  enlistment  (three  months),  Capt.  Gib 
son  resigned  his  commission  as  Captain  of 
Company  H.,  returned  to  Ottawa  and  raised 
company  B.  of  the  53d  111.  Inf.  for  the  three 
years'  service,  or  during  the  war.  This  regi 
ment  was  mustered  in,  January  i,  1862.  He 
was  commissioned  Major  on  the  day  of  being 
mustered.  Immediately  on  Mr.  Gibson's  first 
enlistment,  he  threw  his  whole  soul  and  energy 
into  the  cause  to  which  he  had  responded,  and 
by  well  directed  energy,  learned  the  most  diffi 
cult  tactics  of  war.  The  regiment  to  which  he 
was  attached  rendezvoused  at  Ottawa,  and  was 
subsequently  ordered  to  Chicago,  and  was  sta 
tioned  at  Camp  Douglas,  guarding  prisoners 
captured  at  Fort  Donelson,  and  doing  garrison 
duty. 

After  being  thus  engaged  for  a  short  time, 
the  regiment  proceeded  to  Savannah,  Tenn., 
and  continued  there  until  Monday  morning 
following  the  first  day  of  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
when  his  company  was  taken  in  transports  to 
Pittsburg  Landing.  At  the  latter  point  his 
regiment  was  met  by  General  Grant,  who  in 
person,  after  consultation  with  Major  Gibson, 
ordered  the  latter  with  his  regiment  to  march 
on  the  left  hand  Purdy  road,  until  he  came  up 
with  that  Division  of  the  Union  army  under 
command  of  General  Nelson,  to  whom  he  was 
to  report  by  order  of  Gen.  Grant.  The  con 
tending  armies  at  this  time  were  engaged  in 
constant  and  sanguinary  battle  all  along  the 


regiments  line  of  march,  but  by  the  exercise  of 
a  wise  .discretion,  he  took  advantage  of  a  favor 
able  opportunity  and  successfully  carried  out 
the   orders   of  General   Grant.     Major  Gibson 
then  joined  in  the  siege  of  Corinth.     His  regi 
ment  was  assigned  to  1st  Brigade,  4th  Division. 
In  consequence  of  continuous    and    severe  ill 
ness,  he  was  reluctantly  driven  to  resign   his 
command    May   3d,    1862.      To   say   he    reluc 
tantly  resigned  his  position  and  laid  down  his 
weapons,  only   feebly  and   imperfectly   repre 
sents  his  feeling,   as  no  act  of  his  life  caused 
him   so  much  pain  and   regret,  as  being  thus' 
compelled  to  withdraw  from  the  service  of  his 
country,  and  sever  his  connection  with  one  of 
the  finest    and    best  regiments  of  the  army,  to 
whose  ranks  it  was  an  honor  to  belong,  and  a 
still  greater  honor  to  have  been  worthy  of  the 
position  his  resignation  surrendered.     Mr.  Gib 
son  belongs  to  a  soldier  family.     His  father, 
John  Gibson,  who  was  born  in  the  year  1786  at 
Shippinsburg,  Pa.,   of  Scottish  descent   on  his 
father's  side.     He  took   up  arms   in   behalf   of 
his    country    during   the    war   of  1812,  having 
served  under  Generals  Scott  and  Brown,  and 
was  engaged  in  every  important  battle  during 
that  war.     Shortly  after  the  enlistment  of  Mr. 
Gibson,  Senior,  he  became  1st  Lieutenant  of  the 
company  in  which  he  served,  and  so  continued 
until  the  battle  of  Lundy's  Lane,  when  he  was 
appointed     Captain,    which    position  he    held 
until  he  was  mustered  out.     He  died  at  the  age 
of  87  years.  Major  Gibson's  mother's  name  was 
Elizabeth  Yates.     She  was  born  in  Ireland  and 
died  at  the  age  of  76  years.     To  these  parents 
were    born    children    as    follows:      Robert   Y., 
Martha,  Maria,  William  L.,  Eliza  Ann,  George 
W.,  John,   and  Theodore  C.  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,    all    of   whom   are    now    living   except 
Robert  and  Eliza  Ann.     All  the  boys  of  this 
family  inherited  the  miltary  disposition  of  their 
father.     Robert  Y.  joined  a  company  raised  at 
Newark,  Ohio  for  the  war  of  Independence  of 
Texas.      William    L.,    Geo.   W.   and   John    F. 
served  in  the  late  Mexican  war.     Wm.  L.  also 
served  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,   and  held  a 
position  as  Major  of  Cavalry.     At  the  close  of 
the  Major's  war  record,  he  returned  to  Ottawa, 


174 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


and  has  since  been  engaged  in  various  pursuits. 
In  July,  1879,  he  was  elected  County  Agent  for 
La  Salle  County,  which  position  he  still  holds. 
He  married  Susan  S.  Samples,  of  Ottawa.  He 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  Knight  Templars 
and  Scottish  Rights,  holding  the  32nd  degree. 


FRITZ  HAKER,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
No.  146,  and  a  resident  of  Bloomington, 
is  a  native  of  Prussia,  Germany,  where 
he  was  born  Jan.  17,  1840,  a  son  of  Christopher 
and  Maria  Haker,  who  were  natives  of  Prussia. 
Fritz  received  a  good  education  in  his  native 
country  and  commenced  life  as  a  tailor.  In 
1858,  the  family  sailed  for  America,  and  located 
at  Bloomington,  111.  Here  the  mother  subse 
quently  died,  while  her  husband  is  still  living 
with  our  subject,  having  reached  the  ripe  age 
of  83  years.  To  the  parents  was  born  a  family 
of  ten  children,  of  whom  eight  are  'living. 
Louis,  a  brother,  served  three  years  in  the  same 
company  and  regiment  with  our  subject.  He 
was  a  brave  and  loyal  soldier,  lost  his  health  in 
the  army  and  has  never  regained  it  sufficiently 
to  do  any  labor. 

Comrade  Haker,  our  subject,  rallied  forth 
under  the  folds  of  his  newly  adopted  flag,  and 
enlisted  at  Bloomington,  111.,  Aug.  8,  1862, 
Company  A.,  94th  111.  Inf.  Shortly,  the  regi 
ment  moved  to  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  thence 
to  Rolla,  and  a  few  weeks  later,  to  Springfield, 
Mo.  Here  the  boys  spent  six  weeks  in  unin- 
termitting  company  and  battalion  drill,  being 
especially  exercised  in  firing  while  lying  down. 
Thus  it  was  that  the  gallant  94th  made  such 
desperate  charges,  and  suffered  only  slight 
losses,  it  being  able  to  protect  itself  by  the 
slightest  irregularity  of  ground,  and  still  deliver 
a  rapid  fire  while  lying  down.  Besides  taking 
active  part  in  the  many  hardships  and  fatiguing 
marches  of  the  regiment,  comrade  Haker  par 
ticipated  in  the  battle  at  Prairie  Grove,  Dec.  7, 
1862,  and  took  active  part  in  the  memorable 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  where  he  was  under  the 
enemy's  fire  almost  incessantly  for  two  weeks. 
Next  we  find  him  in  the  fight  at  Morganzia, 


La.,  Sept.  7,  1863,  in  which  the  Colonel  of  the 
regiment  was  knocked  off  his  horse  by  a  shell; 
then  at  Brownsville,  Tex.,  where  they  had  fre 
quent  engagements.  Here  our  comrade  was 
taken  sick  with  scurvy,  and  was  left  at  New 
Orleans  for  two  weeks.  Shortly,  he  was  taken 
with  chills  and  fever,  and  while  still  sick  he 
rejoined  his  regiment,  but  the  surgeon  declared 
him  unfit  for  duty,  and  gave  him  a  30  days  fur 
lough.  Returning  home  to  recuperate,  he  sub 
sequently  rejoined  his  comrades  at  Fort  Mor 
gan,  and  during  the  first  half  of  August,  1864, 
he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  stubborn  siege 
of  Fort  Morgan.  Then  followed  an  expedition 
to  Pascagoula,  Ala.,  whence  the  regiment  moved 
through  the  swamps  to  take  part  in  the  siege 
of  Spanish  Fort.  Here,  as  at  Vicksburg,  the 
94th  did  much  gallant  service,  being  under  fire 
constantly  for  thirteen  days,  and  participating 
in  the  final  assault.  They  had  the  honor  of 
being  the  first  to  mount  the  walls  of  Fort 
Alexis,  Apr.  8,  1865.  Comrade  Haker  was 
mustered  out  at  Galveston,  Tex.,  June  18,  1865, 
and  returned  to  Bloomington,  where  he  has 
resided  ever  since.  Sept.  28,  1865,  he  took 
unto  himself  as  wife,  Miss  Mary  Bennecke,  a 
native  of  Germany,  and  this  happy  union  was 
blessed  by  two  children,  of  whom  but  one, 
Eda,  is  living.  Mrs.  Haker  and  her  daughter 
are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 
Mr.  Haker  is  a  Mason,  a  K.  of  P.,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  German  Benevolent  Order, 
German  Free  School,  and  two  business  socie 
ties.  He  is  a  true  soldier,  a  kind  and  affec 
tionate  husband  and  father,  and  a  worthy  and 
public  spirited  citizen. 


DANIEL  MOORE,  of  Decatur,  111.,  was  born 
in  Penn.,  Oct.   18,  1838,  a  son  of  John 
Moore   who  was  in   the   war   of    1812. 
Daniel's  brothers,  Benjamin,  William,  John  C., 
Alexander,  Cornelius,  James  and  George  were 
also  in  the  Union  army  during  the  late  rebellion, 
making  a  family  of  eight  brothers  in  the  war.  Al 
exander  was  captured  and  afterward  incarcera 
ted  at  Belle  Isle  and  Libby,  but  made  his  escape 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


175 


while  being  transported  upon  cars  and  succeed 
ed  in  reaching  the  Union  lines.  He  was  wound 
ed  and  suffered  capture  again  at  Gettysburg, 
being  afterward  paroled,  and  was  again  cap 
tured  at  Petersburg,  but  is  now  paralyzed  from 
the  effects  of  his  wound  and  prison  life.  John 
C.  was  chosen  to  be  a  sharp-shooter  on  account 
of  his  superior  marksmanship,  and  served  as 
such  during  his  enlistment.  He  was  twice  bad 
ly  wounded,  one  ball  having  passed  through 
his  body  which  occurred  at  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness.  Daniel  worked  in  a  cooper  shop 
and  run  upon  the  canal  between  Pittsburg  and 
Johnstown.  About  the  year  1856  he  moved  to 
Decatur,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  as  coop 
er  until  July  16,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
C.,  n6th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  for  the  rebellion.  His 
regiment  remained  in  camp  at  drill  until  the 
following  September  when  it  moved  to  Cairo, 
thence  to  Memphis,  and  from  that  point  joined 
in  the  Tallahatchie  campaign  which  being  suc 
cessfully  ended  returned  to  Memphis,  being  at 
the  time  in  the  2nd  Div.,  I5th  A.  C.  On  ac 
count  of  a  disabled  heel  which  he  had  from  a 
boy,  he  was  unable  to  stand  the  long  fatigues 
of  marching,  and  accordingly  was  detailed  in 
the  regimental  hospital  with  Surgeon  Barnes. 
In  passing  Milliken's  Bend  upon  the  Yazoo 
River  expedition,  his  regiment  landed  and  de 
stroyed  a  long  stretch  of  railroad,  afterwards 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  Walnut  Hills,  where 
he  assisted  in  caring  for  the  sick.  Subsequent 
ly  we  find  him  with  the  Ii6th  at  the  battle  of 
Arkansas  Post,  where  he  viewed  the  bombard 
ment  of  that  place  by  the  United  States  gun 
boats. 

After  its  surrender,  Mr.  Moore  with  his 
command  entered  Arkansas  Post,  then  moved 
down  the  river  to  Young's  Point,  until  the  army 
started  for  Grand  Gulf  and  Fort  Gibson,  when 
with  his  regiment  he  went  up  the  Yazoo,  after 
wards  returning,  marched  to  Grand  Gulf  and 
Jackson.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Champion  Hills,  soon  after  marched  to  Vicks- 
burg  and  assisted  in  the  siege  at  that  place  until 
its  surrender,  then  to  Jackson,  returning  sub 
sequently  to  camp  at  Black  River.  He  was 
here  detailed  and  sent  to  Decatur  in  charge  of 


Dr.  Hostetler,  and  thenre  joined  his  Keg.  at  the 
same  point  he  had  left  it  some  four  weeks  pre 
vious.  Leaving  here  his  Reg.  entered  upon  the 
Chattanooga  campaign,  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Chickamauga  he  assisted  Doctor  Barnes  in  es 
tablishing  a  field  hospital,  and  remained  there 
until  after  the  famous  battle  at  that  point. 
After  his  regiment  had  moved  to  Larkinsville, 
he  placed  the  hospital  supplies  on  pontoons 
and  floated  down  the  river,  and  thirty  miles 
above  Larkinsville  the  rebels  met  him  and  im 
peded  further  progress.  The  boats  were  run 
into  a  small  stream,  and  then  a  courier  was  sent 
to  the  regiment,  and  soon  guards  and  wagons 
arrived  and  carried  the  supplies  over  land  to 
Larkinsville  where  he  remained  until  the  fol 
lowing  spring,  when  preparations  were  made 
to  start  upon  the  celebrated  Atlanta  cam 
paign.  Mr.  Moore  followed  his  regiment 
throughout  this  trying  expedition,  and  par 
ticipated  in  all  its  marches  and  battles.  After 
the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  his  regiment  went 
in  pursuit  of  Hood,  following  him  as  far  as 
Powder  Springs,  then  returned  to  the  vicinity 
of  Atlanta  and  subsequently  went  upon  the 
march  to  the  sea.  During  that  march  the  regi 
mental  surgeon  had  our  subject  detailed  at 
the  Div.  hospital  headquarters,  remaining  in 
that  position  during  the  march  to  Savannah. 

Later  he  proceeded  by  boat  around  to  Hil 
ton  Head,  thence  through  the  Carolinas  to 
Goldsboro,  where  hospital  headquarters  were 
established.  The  wounded  and  sick  were  sent 
to  Wilmington,  when  he  was  relieved  of  his 
detail.  He  then  moved  on  to  Raleigh,  then  on 
through  Petersburg  and  Richmond  to  Wash 
ington,  and  there  participated  in  the  Grand 
Review.  Was  mustered  out  at  Washington, 
thence  proceeded  to  Springfield,  111.,  where  he 
was  paid  off  and  discharged.  Mr.  Moore  had 
the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  best  hospi 
tal  nurses  in  the  army.  He  returned  to 
Decatur  and  engaged  in  the  cooper  business 
which  he  has  followed  ever  since,  employing 
as  high  as  twenty  men  at  a  time. 

He  married,  December  27,  1859,  Elizabeth 
Culver,  of  Macon  County,  111.,  and  they  have 
the  following  children:  Viola  (now  dead), 


1 76 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Laura,  Daniel,  Eddie,  Annetta,  Roy  and  Eliza 
beth,  all  but  the  first  named  residing  at  home. 
He  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  has  filled  all  the 
offices  in  his  lodge  except  that  of  secretary, 
and  has  represented  it  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  en  two  occasions.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Post  No.  141,  G.  A.  R.,  and  in 
dependent  in  politics.  His  sons  Daniel  and 
Edward  are  members  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans 
order,  of  which  Daniel  is  Sergeant  Major  of 
Guard.  Silas  Culver,  his  wife's  brother, 
served  in  the  63rd  111.,  throughout  the  war  en 
listing  at  first  when  fifteen  as  a  drummer  boy, 
but  subsequently  rose  in  his  own  estimation  by 
being  entrusted  with  a  gun. 


Louis  CLAREMONT,  of  Ottawa,  La  Salle 
County,  111.,  enlisted  as  a  volunteer  for 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  August  7,  1862, 
and  was  mustered  in  on  the  27th,  as  a  private, 
in  Company  C.,  88th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  —  the  regiment 
being  known  as  the  "Second  Board  of  Trade 
Regiment."  It  was  ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky., 
received  its  arms  or  the  11,  and  moved  to  Cov- 
ington,  Ky.,  on  the  I2th.  On  the  I5th  it  was 
brigaded  with  the  24th  Wis.,  2nd  and,  I5th  Mo., 
of  Granger's  Div.,  Army  of  the  Ohio.  On  the 
2  1st  it  was  again  brigaded  at  Louisville  with  the 
2  1st  Mich.,  24th  Wis.,  and  36th  111.,  forming  the 
37th  Brig.,  Col.  Greasel  commanding;  nth 
Div.,  under  command  of  Gen.  Sheridan.  On 
October  ist,  the  regiment  went  in  pursuit  of 
Bragg,  and  coming  up  with  him,  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Perryville  on  the  8th,  during  which 
the  regiment  lost  4  men  killed,  5  mortally 
wounded,  and  36  slightly  wounded.  The  regi 
ment  then  marched  to  Crab  Orchard,  thence  to 
Lebanon  and  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  arriving  there 
October  3Oth.  It  then  moved  to  Nashville,  ar 
riving  November  7th,  and  went  into  camp  just 
south  of  Nashville,  on  the  Nolensville  Pike. 
He  took  part  in  the  advance  on  Murfreesboro, 
and  from  the  3istof  December  to  the  2nd  day 
of  January,  1863,  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Stone  River.  In  this  battle  he  was  wounded 
by  a  bursting  shell,  a  piece  of  which  struck  him 


on  the  head,  rendering  him  entirely  deaf  in  the 
right  ear.  He  was  also  taken  prisoner  and  con 
fined  in  the  Libby  Prison  from  December,  1862, 
to  June,  1863,  when  he  was  paroled.  After  his 
recovery  and  exchange,  he  rejoined  his  regi 
ment.  With  it  he  marched  in  the  advance 
against  Bragg  from  Middle  Tennessee,  and  af 
terward,  in  September,  engaged  in  the  Chicka- 
mauga  campaign.  The  next  move  was  an 
advance  to. Alpine,  Ga.,  and  on  the  igth  and 
2Oth,  participated  in  the  fight  at  that  place,  and 
later,  in  that  of  Mission  Ridge,  on  the  23rd and 
24th  of  November.  His  regiment  formed  a 
part  of  the  assaulting  column  upon  the  left 
center  of  the  enemy's  position,  and  was  among 
the  first  to  place  its  columns  upon  the  enemy's 
works.  The  Union  army  camped  for  the  win 
ter  at  Loudon,  and  in  the  following  spring  moved 
to  Cleveland,  Tennessee. 

In  May,  1864,  he  joined  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign,  and  continued  from  its  commencement 
on  to  its  capture,  and  participated  in  the  fol 
lowing  battles  and  skirmishes:  Rocky-face 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Adairsville,  New  Hope  Church, 
Pine  Mountain,  Mud  Creek.  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Smyrna  Gap,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  and  Lovejoy 
Station.  In  Sept.,  1864,  his  regiment  was  or 
dered  to  Chattanooga  and  engaged  in  garrison 
duty  for  some  time  at  that  place,  as  also  at 
White  Side  and  Bridgeport.  In  November, 
they  moved  to  Pulaski,  and  on  the  advance  of 
Hood,  proceeded  to  Columbus,  thence  to  Frank 
lin,  and  then  to  Nashville.  He  took  part  in 
the  skirmishes  at  Columbus  and  Spring  Hill, 
and  also  in  the  battle  of  Franklin,  and  had  a 
position  upon  the  right  center,  the  main  point 
of  the  enemy's  attack.  Subsequently,  his  regi 
ment  bore  its  share  of  the  terrors  of  war  in  the 
battle  of  Nashville,  being  occupied  for  two  days, 
and  constantly  under  fire.  He  assisted  in  the 
chase  of  Hood  out  of  Tenn.,  and  in  January, 
encamped  at  Huntsville,  Ala.  It  rested  in 
comparative  peace  during  the  winter  months, 
and  on  the  arrival  of  spring  was  prepared  to 
push  forward  against  the  enemy.  The  com 
mand  was  ordered  to  march  to  Bull's  Gap,  and 
from  there  to  Nashville,  where  it  remained  until 
it  was  mustered  out,  June  13,  1865.  It  received 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


177 


its  final  pay  and  discharge  on  the  22nd  of  the 
same  month. 

Mr.  Claremont  was  born  in  Berthier,  Canada, 
in  April,  1836,  and  is  of  French  parentage. 
When  16  years  of  age  ne  was  apprenticed  to 
learn  the  wagon  making  trade  which  he  con 
tinued  for  several  years. 

In  the  year  1849,  he  abandoned  his  native 
country  and  moved  to  Chicago  where  he  re 
mained  until  the  war.  After  it  was  over  he 
settled  in  Ottawa.  He  has  been  in  the  employ 
of  J.  B.  Porter  for  22  years,  which  clearly  indi 
cates  the  confidence  and  respect  which  exists 
between  employer  and  employed,  and  also 
testifies  to  his  ability  as  a  workman.  He  was 
married  in  January,  1866,  to  Miss  Maria  Sparks, 
daughter  of  John  D.  Sparks,  and  they  have 
seven  children,  namely  :  John  William,  Nellie 
Jane,  Frank  A.,  Anna,  Mabel,  Louis  Elmer  and 
Ralph  Leon. 

Mr.  Claremont  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U. 
W.  and  of  Po'st  No.  156  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  a  Re 
publican  in  politics.  He  now  receives  a  hand 
some  pension,  which  by  reason  of  the  service 
he  rendered,  he  well  deserves. 


CAPT.  JOHN  WADLEIGH,  of  Rutland,  111., 
was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  N.  H., 
in  1827,  his  forefathers  immigrating 
from  PLngland  in  the  early  days  of  the  settle 
ment  of  this  country.  His  grandfather,  Joseph 
W.  Wadleigh,  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  his  father,  William  Wadleigh,  performed 
good  service  for  his  country  in  the  war  of  1812. 
On  his  mother's  side  he  is  a  direct  descendant 
of  Gen.  Dearborn,  of  Revolutionary  fame. 
When  John  Wadleigh  was  but  one  year  of  age 
his  father  died,  and  when  14  years  of  age  he 
entered  the  Academy  at  Hampton  Falls,  N.  H., 
where  he  completed  his  studies  three  years 
later,  after  which  he  taught  school  for  three 
years,  then  went  to  Boston  and  became  a  mer 
chant.  In  about  five  years  he  decided  to  secure 
a  farm  in  the  Great  West,  accordingly  located 
in  111.  near  Rutland.  Here  he  raised  about 
2,500  bushels  of  wheat  which  he  was  compelled 
12 


to  sell  for  50  cents  per  bushel — an  actual  loss 
instead  of  the  profit  he  expected,  so  he  aban 
doned  farming  and  embarked  in  mercantile 
business  at  Rutland.  This  was  in  1858,  and  the 
fact  that  he  has  ever  since  continued  the  busi 
ness  in  the  same  place  should  be  satisfactory 
evidence  of  success.  For  25  years  he  has  been 
connected  with  the  postoffice  in  Rutland. 
10  years  a  deputy  and  15  years  Post  Master  by 
appointment. 

When  the  war  came  he  recruited  a  Co. 
which  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  Co.  B. 
33rd  111.  Vol.  Inf.  of  which  he  was  elected  Capt, 
but  on  account  of  business  complications,  he 
was  compelled  to  decline  the  honor,  and  was 
not  able  to  go  with  the  men  he  had  gathered. 
He  promised  that  as  soon  as  he  could  ar 
range  his  affairs  he  would  go  forth  to  fight  for 
the  flag  of  his  country.  In  Aug.  1862,  he  re 
cruited  a  Co.  which  was  known  as  Co.  I.,  in  the 
104  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  of  which  he  was  made  Capt., 
and  elected  ranking  officer. 

Dec.  7,  1862,  the  Regt.  was  captured  by  the 
rebels  at  Hartsville,  Tenn.,  but  after  7  days  all 
were  paroled  except  the  Col.,  Lieut. -Col.  and 
Major  who  were  held  as  prisoners  of  war.  Cap. 
Wadleigh  being  the  ranking  officer  was  placed 
in  command  of  the  Regt.  Many  of  the  men 
on  being  paroled  started  for  home  without  the 
formality  of  leave  of  absence,  and  when  the 
Regt.  was  finally  exchanged  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
where  Captain  Wadleigh  was  in  charge  of  parol 
camp,  it  was  in  a  most  deplorable  condition,  more 
than  half  the  men  being  absent  without  per 
mission.  Notwithstanding  this  fact,  Capt. 
Wadleigh  was  ordered  to  take  his  command  to 
the  front.  He  stated  the  case  to  Gen.  Wright 
and  said  he  did  not  wish  to  report  these  absent 
men  as  deserters.  When  asked  in  regard  to 
his  plan,  said  if  he  could  take  the  dilapitated 
Regt.  to  Chicago  he  could  gather  up  the  scat 
tered  men  very  soon,  he  was  therefore  ordered 
to  Chicago,  with  his  regiment.  Here  he 
issued  an  order  for  the  members  of  the  Regt. 
to  report  for  muster  on  a  certain  day  to  receive 
their  pay,  although  he  was  not  sure  the  money 
would  be  ready  at  that  time.  This  strategy 
had  the  desired  effect  and  a  majority  appeared, 


78 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


but  a  few  failed  to  present  themselves.  The 
Captain  to  gain  a  little  time  as  well  as  to 
secure  the  absent  men,  informed  those  present 
that  he  did  not  wish  to  pay  a  part  of  the  regi 
ment  and  report  the  others  as  deserters,  so  he 
would  defer  payment  for  a  few  days,  to  give 
opportunity  to  all  to  come  in,  urging  each  one 
to  use  his  influence  to  bring  in  the  absentees, 
assuring  the  men  that  they  should  be  paid  on 
a  certain  day.  This  satisfied  them,  and  all 
made  efforts  to  induce  every  one  to  be  present. 
A  Captain  was  sent  with  six  men  to  Ottawa  to 
pick  up  the  stragglers,  and  when  this  became 
known  the  last  one  came  in. 

Capt.  Wadleigh  had  an  interview  with 
the  Pay  Master  and  learned  that  he  would 
be  able  to  keep  his  promise  to  the  men, 
and  all  were  paid  as  agreed.  The  Capt* 
received  many  compliments  for  his  suc 
cessful  management  of  this  difficult  matter 
which  brought  a  full  Regt.  of  good  men  back 
into  the  service,  which  he  was  now  ready  to 
lead  to  the  front. 

The  Col.  was  soon  exchanged  and  took 
command  of  the  regiment,  but  Capt.  Wadleigh, 
during  a  portion  of  his  service  acted  as 
Lieut.-Col.  and  Maj.  He  went  to  the  front  at 
Nashville  where  he  took  a  severe  cold  that 
compelled  him  to  go  into  the  camp  hospital. 
After  a  few  days,  deciding  that  he  was  able  to 
discharge  his  duty,  he  reported  to  his  Regt. 
near  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  but  his  health  was  so 
impaired  that  it  was  a  question  whether  his  life 
could  be  saved.  It  was  certain  that  it  could 
not  if  he  insisted  upon  doing  all  that  his 
position  demanded,  therefore,  on  the  advice  of 
competent  friends  he  reluctantly  resigned  his 
commission  July  29,  1863,  and  returned  to  his 
home  at  Rutland,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
During  the  last  few  years  he  has  given  the 
management  of  his  extensive  mercantile 
business  to  his  son,  William,  a  bright,  promis 
ing  young  man.  In  addition  to  his  duties  as 
Post  Master,  Capt.  Wadleigh  has  acceptably 
filled  many  other  offices  in  the  township  and 
villiage.  He  was  for  6  years  a  member  of  the 
County  Republican  Central  Committee,  and  a 
year  ago  refused  re-election.  He  has  always 


been  a  strong,  fighting  Republican,  and  is  rec 
ognized  as  a  power  in  local  politics.  In  the  G. 
A.  R.,  he  was  Commander  of  the  Post  for  two 
years,  and  is  the  present  Adjutant.  He  was 
appointed  Notary  Public  in  1884  which  position 
he  still  holds.  He  is  living  in  comfortable 
circumstances  leaving  the  chief  burden  of 
business  to  his  son  and  daughters,  while  he  en 
joys  the  well  earned  comforts  of  his  pleasant 
home,  doing  only  that  his  active  mind  de 
mands  as  recreation,  while  he  passes  his  declin 
ing  years  in  peace  and  happiness. 

He  was  married  in  Kensington,  New  Hamp 
shire,  June  13,  1852,  to  Miss  Pauline  P.  Kim- 
ball,  daughter  of  Maurice  and  Jane  (Chase) 
Kimball,  a  lady  of  fine  intellect  and  social 
qualities,  well  fitted  to  grace  the  home  that  she 
has  done  so  much  to  make  what  it  is.  There 
are  four  children  —  William  H.,  also  in 
business  with  his  father,  who  assumes  the  re 
sponsibility  of  the  work;  Laura  D.,  wife  .of 
Roland  Mullen;  Mary  A.,  wife  of  S.  S.  Win- 
ans  and  Inis  M.,  making  a  family  strong  in 
business,  social  standing,  and  influence. 


THOMAS  W.  OGAN,  a  resident  of  Blooming- 
ton,  111.,  is  a  native  of  Richmond,  Intl., 
where  he  was  born  Dec.  17,  1836,  the  son 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (VanCleve)  Ogan.  Ilis 
maternal  grandfather  was  killed  by  the  Indians 
on  the  present  site  of  the  courthouse  at  Cin 
cinnati,  and  his  maternal  grandmother  was  the 
first  white  woman  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  her  son  be 
ing  Postmaster  of  that  city.  In  1860,  the  Ogan 
family  removed  to  Troy,  Kan.,  and  it  was  there 
that  our  subject  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his 
country,  Aug.  19,  1862,  Co.  A.  I3th  Kan.  Inf. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  in  at  Atchison, 
Kan.,  where  it  remained  three  weeks,  when  it 
moved  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  thence  on  to  Eort 
Scott.  Subsequently  it  went  to  Kane  Hill, 
where  comrade  Ogan  was  baptized  under  the 
enemy's  fire  in  a  brisk  and  spirited  skirmish. 
Then  moved  onward  encountering  the  rebels  in 
the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  next  proceeding  to 
Van  Buren,  where  our  subject  received  a  thirty 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


179 


days'  furlough.  Rejoining  his  comrades  at  Fort 
Scott,  they  marched  on  to  Fort  Smith  where 
the  boys  were  actively  engaged  in  garrison  du 
ty  for  some  time.  Moving  on  to  Little  Rock, 
they  were  employed  on  the  same  duty  up  to 
the  time  they  were  mustered  out,  sent  to  Leav- 
enworth  and  paid  off,  July  19,  1865.  During 
his  service  of  nearly  three  years,  Mr.  Ogan  was 
on  detailed  service  at  brigade  headquarters  for 
one  year. 

The  great  rebellion  was  to  an  end,  and  com 
rade  Ogan  returned  to  his  home  and  loved 
ones,  where  he  remained  engaged  in  farming 
and  butchering  until  1880,  when  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  Bloomington.  Mr.  Ogan 
was  married  at  Atchison,  Kan.,  Oct.  6,  1862,  to 
Miss  Marion  S.  Dawe,  the  estimable  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Susanna  (Sanford)  Dawe.  She 
first  saw  the  light  of  day  at  Plymouth,  Devon 
shire  County,  England,  June  22,  1846,  and  traces 
her  genealogy  to  the  Sanfords  of  Devonshire 
and  London.  By  this  union  there  were  born 
six  children  of  whom  five  are  living — Charles 
T.,  born  May  27,  1866,  and  now  in  the  employ 
of  the  Chicago  and  Alton  R.  R.  Co.;  Fred.  O., 
born  Dec.  I,  1871;  Minnie  G.,  born  April  9, 
1874;  Leona  M.,  born  Oct.  12,  1877,  and  Mellie, 
born  Oct.  24,  1883.  Charles  married  Miss  Nel 
lie  Clay,  and  Minnie  became  the  wife  of  Joseph 
H.  Berry,  whose  father  served  the  grand  "old 
flag"  in  Company  A,  i3Oth  111.,  and  died  from 
the  effects  of  a  wound  received  in  the  army. 

Mrs.  Ogan  is  a  member  in  high  standing  of 
the  First  M.  E.  Church.  She  is  a  most  worthy 
and  active  member  of  the  Wm.  T.  Sherman 
Women's  Relief  Corps,  No.  7,  and  was  a  charter 
member  of  Mary  E.  Logan  Ladies' Relief  Union 
No.  i.  She  has  held  various  offices  in  both 
organizations  and  is  at  present  Conductress  of 
the  Union.  Mr.  Ogan  is  a  staunch  Republican 
in  politics,  and  a  pensioner.  He  served  at  one 
time  as  City  Marshal  of  Troy,  Kan. 


JOHN  S.  RYAN,  of  Streator,  Ills.,  was  born  May 
12,  1837,  in  Pennsylvania.    He  was  brought 
up    on    a    farm,  and   attended  the  district 
schools  in  the  winter  season.     When  21    years 


old,  he  attended  the  Mount  Morris  Seminary 
where  he  continued  for  two  years  when  he  re 
turned  to  his  home  and  followed  his  usual  avo 
cation,  teaching  in  term  time  and  engaged 
upon  the  farm  in  summer  months,  studying  nat 
ure's  marvelous  ways.  The  rebellion  was  not 
suppressed  so  readily  as  people  at  first  sup 
posed  it  would  have  been  done,  and  after  re 
peated  calls  for  troops,  young  Ryan  could  no 
longer  turn  an  unwilling  ear  to  them,  and  de 
termined  to  join  in  the  general  crusade  against 
the  rebels,  and  accordingly  enlisted  August  6, 
1862,  at  Paw  Paw  Grove,  Lee  County,  Ills.  He 
rendezvoused  at  Dixon  in  the  camp  of  instruc 
tion,  remaining  there  until  September  2,  1862, 
when  he  was  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  in  Company  K.,  75th  Ills.  Vol.  Inf.  He 
continued  at  Dixon,  until  September  27,  when 
the  regiment  was  ordered  South.  It  arrived  at 
Jefferson,  Ind.,  on  the  29th,  and  crossed  the 
Ohio  River  on  the  following  evening.  The 
75th  was  assigned  to  the  3Oth  Brigade,  gth  Di 
vision,  3rd  A.  C.  of  the  Army  of  Ohio.  His 
Brigade  was  under  the  command  of  General 
Jeff  C.  Davis,  until  the  latter's  trouble  over  the 
Nelson  tragedy,  when  his  place  was  filled  by 
the  appointment  of  General  Mitchell.  The 
regiment  moved  with  the  army  against  Bragg, 
whose  forces  were  concentrated  at  Bardstown, 
Ky.  On  October  8,  the  regiment  marched 
toward  Perryville  to  meet  Bragg,  and  on  its  ar 
rival  was  held  in  reserve  for  some  time  after 
the  famous  battle  of  that  name  had  opened, 
when  it  was' ordered  to  the  front  line  where  it 
formed,  and  was  at  once  actively  engaged  blaz 
ing  away  and  receiving  bullets  in  return. 

This  was  the  first  experience  of  the  regi 
ment  and  a  severe  test  it  was,  for  the  men  had 
only  been  equipped  with  rifles  about  eight  days 
before  being  placed  in  the  front  rank  of  battle 
and  exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire  where  in  the 
course  of  the  evening,  from  about  5  o'clock  un 
til  dark,  they  saw  257  of  their  comrades  of  the 
same  regiment  killed  or  wounded.  They 
maintained  possession  of  the  ground  and  re 
mained  in  line  all  night.  The  enemy  re 
treated  during  the  night,  leaving  its  dead  be 
hind.  The  regiment  assisted  in  burying  the 


i8o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


dead  and  caring  for  the  wounded  of  the  con 
federate,  as  well  as  the  Union  soldiers.  Among 
those  of  the  75th  killed  were  Lieutenants  Eels, 
and  Blean,  with  Major  Kilgour,  Captains 
Whallon,  Frost  and  Roberts;  Lieuts.  Barber, 
Thompson,  Irwin,  and  Blodgett  wounded.  By 
reason  of  the  bravery  and  courage  shown  by  the 
75th  during  the  engagement,  it  received  honor 
able  mention  by  General  Mitchell.  The  regi 
ment  then  took  up  the  line  of  inarch  in  pur 
suit  of  the  enemy,  and  when  overtaken,  had  a 
sharp,  hot  skirmish  at  Lancaster,  in  which  the 
captain  of  company  C.  was  wounded.  It  con 
tinued  the  pursuit  to  Crab  Orchard,  Ky.,  where 
it  went  into  camp  for  a  few  days,  then  to 
Lebanon,  and  thence  to  Bowling  Green,  and 
Edgefield,  Term.,  where  it  again  camped  for 
three  weeks  and  was  occupied  in  drilling,  for 
aging  and  doing  picket  duty.  At  the  reorgani 
zation  of  the  army,  the  regiment  was  assigned 
to  the  1st  Brigade,  ist  Division,  of  the  right 
wing  of  the  army.  •  It  participated  in  the  bat 
tles  and  skirmishes  of  Nolensville,  Knob  Gap, 
and  Stone  River.  After  leaving  Edgefield  they 
crossed  the  river  to  Nashville  and  camped 
there  for  about  two  weeks,  then  started  on  the 
Murfreesboro  campaign.  On  December  27, 
the  regiment  commenced  skirmishing  which 
continued  on  that  and  the  following  day,  and 
on  the  29,  was  in  the  front  line  of  the  opening 
of  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  and  occupied  the 
center  of  the  corps,  Sheridan's  being  on  its  right, 
and  Johnston's  division  having  been  forced  to 
fall  back,  left  Gen.  Post's  brigade  exposed  to  a 
flank  movement  by  the  enemy,  and  being  ter 
ribly  pressed,  and  in  view  of  its  exposed  posi 
tion,  it  became  necessary  to  change  its  lines  to 
meet  the  altered  conditions,  and  did  so  under 
a  raking  fire  from  the  enemy. 

General  Sheridan  however,  saw  its  con 
dition  and  came  to  its  rescue,  and  Johnston's 
brigade  having  reformed,  the  regiment  pressed 
forward,  and  not  only  regained  its  ground,  but 
forced  the  enemy  to  fall  back,  and  before 
night  compelled  it  to  seek  shelter  behind 
their  works  at  Murfreesboro.  Mr.  Ryan's  regi 
ment  lay  on  arms  during  the  night,  prepared 
for  an  advance  in  the  morning,  but  in  the  mean 


time,  the  place  was  evacuated  by  the  enemy. 
Here  the  army  remained  during  the  following 
day  burying  its  dead  and  caring  for  the  wounded, 
also  those  of  the  enemy  that  were  left  dead  or 
wounded  upon  the  field.  They  took  possession 
of  Murfreesboro  and  the  enemy's  works,  and 
went  into  camp  where  they  remained  for  some 
time.  When  the  regiment  moved  from  Mur-' 
free^boro,  Mr.  Ryan  came  from  the  hospital 
where  he  had  been  very  sick,  and  was  detailed 
to  man  the  works  recently  captured,  and  was 
in  charge  of  a  detachment  of  men  at  Lunette 
Negley,  and  there  remained  until  the  latter 
part  of  December,  when  he  was  placed  in  charge 
of  a  squad  of  40  or  50  recruits  to  join  their 
command  at  Chickamauga.  His  regiment  sub 
sequently  moved  to  a  point  near  Cleveland, 
Tenn.,  going  into  winter  quarters  at  Blue 
Springs.  His  regiment  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Liberty  Gap  and  Chickamauga,  and 
also  in  that  of  Lookout  Mountain.  The  fore 
part  of  February,  1864,  his  corps  marched  from 
Blue  Springs,  Tenn.,  and  took  part  in  the  re- 
connoissance  of  Buzzard's  Roost  in  front  of 
Dalton,  Ga.  February  24. 

During  this  time  the  men  had  some  excit 
ing  skirmishing,  but  soon  returned  to  their 
former  winter  quarters,  where  they  remained 
until  they  joined  in  the  campaign  of  Atlanta. 
May  3,  the  75th  Regiment  joined  General  Sher 
man  on  his  Atlanta  campaign.  Mr.  Ryan's 
first  encounter  after  setting  out  on  this  cam 
paign,  was  at  Tunnel  Hill  where  his  regiment 
being  in  front  had  a  sharp  skirmish,  which  re 
sulted  in  driving  the  rebels  back.  General 
Howard  was  in  command  of  the  corps.  He 
then  moved  on  to  Dalton,  where  his  regiment 
was  on  the  right  flank  but  had  not  much  fight 
ing  to  do.  Mr.  Ryan  had  been  vaccinated  a 
short  time  preyious,  unfortunately  with  poison 
ous  vaccine,  which  wholly  disabled  him  and 
rendered  it  impossible  to  continue  in  the  field 
with  his  regiment,  consequently  he  entered  the 
hospital  at  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  where  the  surgeon 
decided  to  amputate  his  arm.  He  seriously 
objected  to  this  proposition,  preferring  to 
carry  that  member  of  his  organism,  even  if  it 
did  expose  the  rest  to  some  danger.  He  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


181 


anxious  to  retain  his  arm  for  the  same  reason 
that  would  influence  any  other  person  to  retain 
a  limb,  but  he  had  still  another  object.  He 
wanted  it  to  help  raise  his  rifle  to  "take  off" 
the  rebels.  He  was  afterwards  sent  to  the 
General  Field  hospital  No.  2,  at  Chattanooga, 
where  he  remained  until  autumn,  then  received 
a  20  day  furlough,  returned  to  Illinois,  and  cast 
his  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  as  President. 
At  the  expiration  of  his  furlough  he  reported 
at  Nashville,  was  furnished  transportation  and 
ordered  to  report  to  his  regiment  at  Chatta 
nooga,  but  on  arrival  there  was  informed  that 
it  was  at  Pulaski. 

Not  finding  his  regiment  at  Pulaski,  he  re 
turned  to  Nashville,  where  he  was  informed  it 
had  moved  to  Columbia,  and  there  found  it 
engaged  in  battle.  He  joined  in  the  midst  of 
the  engagement,  was  placed  in  his  former 
position  with  the  company,  and  participated  in 
the  fight  until  it  was  over.  After  the  battle 
the  regiment  continued  for  a  few  days  skir 
mishing,  then  was  ordered  to  Franklin  and  was 
in  one  continual  skirmish  during  the  march, 
which  might  be  considered  a  continuous  battle. 
When  Mr.  Ryan's  brigade  arrived  at  Franklin, 
it  threw  up  breastworks,  and  at  4  o'clock  p.  m. 
was  attacked  by  the  enemy.  His  regiment  oc 
cupied  a  position  near  the  extreme  right  of  the 
Union  line.  The  rebels  charged  two  heavy 
lines,  but  Mr.  Ryan's  regiment  did  not  fire 
until  the  enemy  had  approached  near  the 
Union  lines,  when  the  latter  fired  from  behind 
the  works  with  deadly  effect,  and  compelled 
the  enemy  to  retreat  and  escape  annihilation. 
The  rebels,  however,  reformed  and  repeated 
their  tactics,  and  met  with  a  similarly  well 
directed  withering  fire.  The  charging  on  Mr. 
Ryan's  left  was  more  desperate,  and  he  could 
see  the  enemy  with  as  much  as  eight  lines  deep, 
to  be,  on  each  occasion,  repulsed  with  great 
loss.  They  mounted  the  Union  works  and  a 
hand  to  hand  engagement  took  place,  but  the 
muscle  of  himself  and  comrades  exercised  with 
a  desperation  bordering  on  madness,  was  more 
than  flesh  and  blood  could  endure,  consequently 
the  enemy  was  obliged  to  fall  back.  After  the 
battle  had  ceased,  the  regiment  moved,  during 


the  night,  to  Nashville,  and  was  detailed  to 
bring  up  and  protect  the  rear.  After  crossing 
the  bridge  over  Duck  River,  it  burned  and  de 
stroyed  it,  then  marched  to  Nashville,  arriving 
there  the  next  day  about  II  o'clock,  having 
marched  all  night  after  a  heavy  day's  battle.  The 
regiment  worked  several  days  strengthening 
the  fortifications.  One  of  the  amusing  scenes 
was,  some  of  the  citizens  had  come  to  watch 
them  work,  and  had  on  their  fine  kid  gloves 
covering  the  white  hands.  A  detail  of  men 
with  fixed  bayonets  induced  the  visitors  to 
lend  a  hand  for  the  day,  which  seemed  suffi 
cient  experience  for  them,  as  they  did  not 
return.  On  December  i6th,  a  general  charge 
was  made  by  the  Union  army,  when  the  rebel 
works  were  taken  and  many  prisoners  captured, 
besides  batteries,  small  arms,  and  equipments. 
His  brigade  captured  about  1500  prisoners. 

On  the  following  day  a  general  pursuit  of 
the  fleeing  rebels  was  ordered,  and  each  day 
was  rewarded  with  the  capture  of  many.  The 
enemy  was  followed  through  Franklin,  Pulaski, 
and  on  to  Huntsville,  Ala.,  where  the  regiment 
went  into  camp,  January  6,  1865,  and  remained 
until  March  6,  when  it  was  sent  by  rail  to  Knox- 
ville,  and  then  marched  to  Strawberry  Plains 
and  after  a  week's  rest,  went  up  the  mountain 
to  Bull's  Gap.  Shortly  after  this,  news  arrived 
of  the  surrender  of  General  Lee,  but  their  joy 
was  soon  turned  into  mourning  and  sorrow,  on 
hearine  of  the  assassination  of  their  beloved 

o 

President,  Lincoln.  They  returned  to  Knox- 
ville,  thence  to  Nashville  where  they  remained 
until  mustered  out,  June  12,  1865,  and  after 
ward  came  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  were 
paid  off  and  received  their  final  discharge. 

Mr.  Ryan  went  to  Piano,  Kendall  County, 
to  his  family,  having  married,  December  26, 
1859,  Miss  Julia  A.  Miller,  at  Oswego,  111. 
They  have  four  children— Clara  J.,  Harly  G., 
Gertrude  A.,  and  Fred.  J.,  all  of  whom  are  liv 
ing- 
Broken  in  health  by  the  war,  Mr.  Ryan  has 

continued  poorly  ever  since.  He  engaged, 
first,  in  a  sash  and  blind  factory  and  afterwards 
taught  school.  Subsequently  he  purchased  a 
harness  shop  which  he  conducted  for  2  years, 


182 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


then  he  went  to  farming  and  so  continued  for 
three  years,  when  he  took  his  final  move,  set 
tling  in  Streator  and  purchasing  a  hardware 
store,  which,  in  time,  he  sold,  and  after  some 
time  engaged  in  the  mail  service  with  the  rail 
road,  looking  after  it  for  about  5  years.  He 
afterward  went  to  Europe  and  purchased  some 
pure  bred  horses,  which  he  again  sold  realizing 
a  handsome  profit  on  the  transaction.  He  then 
returned  to  the  hardware  business  and  con 
tinued  for  2  years  when  he  sold  out  and  ceased 
to  be  engaged  actively,  at  any  calling,  as  his 
health  and  strength  would  not  permit  it.  He 
has,  however,  been  enabled  to  build  up  sufficient 
resources  to  amply  provide  for  himself  and  fam 
ily  during  his  ill  health  and  declining  years. 

He  was  a  son  of  James  Ryan,  who  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania  in  1798,  of  Irish  descent.  His 
grandfather  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 
His  mother's  name  was  Sarah  Place,  of  German 
ancestry,  and  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  He 
had  the  following  brothers  and  sisters:  James, 
Susan,  Lucinda,  William  L.,  George,  Alonzo 
D.,  Hiram  N.,  Mary  and  Frances  M.  George 
was  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  came  out  safe 
and  is  still  living. 

Mr.  Ryan  is  a  Freemason,  and  a  member  of 
Post  G.  A.  R.,  No.  68.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  draws  a  pension. 


NORMAN  PRINGLE,  of  Decatur,  111.,  who 
made  a  creditable  record  in  the  army 
fighting  for  his  country,  was  born  at  De 
catur,  111.,  June  /,  1846,  and  living  with  his 
grandmother,  spent  the  early  years  of  his  life 
in  that  city,  attending  school  and  assisting  in 
work  at  the  hotel  which  was  conducted  by 
his  people.  His  father,  Charles  Pringle,  a  na 
tive  of  New  Hampshire,  born  of  old  Colonial 
stock,  who  died  in  1854,  was  a  carpenter,  builder 
and  cabinet-maker.  The  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Amanda  Harrell,  born  in  Va.,  of  Scotch 
progenitors. 

Norman  Pringle  enlisted  for  three  months' 
service  at  Decatur,  June  2,  1862,  in  Company  I., 
6;tri  111.  Inf.,  June  5,  1862.  The  Regt.  was  im 


mediately  ordered  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  where 
it  was  armed  and  sent  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  re 
maining  thereMuring  the  term  of  its  enlistment, 
performing  patrol  duty  in  and  about  the  city. 
The  regiment  was  then  furnished  transportation 
to  Springfield,  Ills.,  and  discharged  Sept.  26, 
1862.  Returning  to  Decatur  Mr.  Pringle  re 
sumed  his  duties  at  the  hotel  until  his  second 
enlistment,  Mar.  19,  1864,  in  Co.  F.,  2nd  Ills. 
Cav.,  which  was  mustered  in  at  Springfield, 
April  28th,  and  soon  moved  to  St.  Louis,  and 
thence  to  Baton  Rouge.  After  some  delay  it  then 
marched  to  Clinton,  La.,  and  'was  out  about 
twenty  days  during  which  there  was  a  number 
of  skirmishes  with  rebel  cavalry  in  which  Mr. 
Pringle  had  his  first  experience  under  the  fire 
of  the  enemy.  This  raid  resulted  in  the  capture 
of  several  pieces  of  artillery,  a  number  of  pris 
oners,  and  some  of  the  enemy  killed;  but  as  it 
was  a  rapid  march  without  rest  the  men  were 
nearly  exhausted  when  they  returned  to  their 
camp  at  Magnolia  Grove  near  Baton  Rouge, 
where  the  regiment  then  formed  the  chain 
picket  line  for  the  post. 

From  this  place  details  were  sent  out  almost 
daily  into  the  country  for  the  purpose  of  ob 
serving  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  pro 
curing  forage.  On  one  of  these  expeditions 
Mr.  Pringle  went  to  the  Highland  Stockade 
about  seven  or  eight  miles  from  the  city,  which 
was  built  as  an  outpost  for  one  of  the  cavalry 
companies,  and  finding  it  partially  destroyed,  re 
paired  and  occupied  it.  Here  pickets  and  all 
parties  of  the  Union  army  were  continually  fired 
upon  by  rebel  soldiers  and  citizens,  and  many 
efforts  were  made  to  capture  them,  but  it  was 
difficult  because  the  simple  change  of  a  coat 
often  transformed  a  rebel  who  had  been  firing 
upon  the  Union  troops  to  an  apparently  innocent 
citizen  whose  rights  as  such  must  be  respected. 
From  Baton  Rouge  a  long  movement  was  inaug 
urated  which  included  the  Mobile  expedition, 
the  transportation  to  New  Orleans,  and  a  march 
to  within  a  short  distance  of  Spanish  Ft.,  where  a 
successful  charge  was  made  on  Ft.  Blakely,  but 
being  so  far  in  advance  of  its  support  the  regi 
ment  did  not  attempt  to  hold  its  position. 
When  the  infantry  arrived  the  cavalry  took  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


outposts  and  guarding  all  approaches  to  the 
fort  were  under  constant  fire  until  the  place 
was  captured,  Then  under  General  Canby's 
command  this  regiment  marched  through  the 
country  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  and  entered 
that  place,  shortly  afterwards  starting  on  the 
Red  River  expedition,  on  which  transports  were 
employed  to  Shrevesport. 

Mere  Mr.  Pringle  becoming  sick  was  sent 
to  New  Orleans,  and  placed  in  the  hospital 
for  a  time  and  then  sent  to  a  general  distribu 
tion  camp  until  mustered  out,  Sept.  9.  1865. 
When  he  returned  home  Mr.  Pringle  learned 
the  finisher's  trade  and  worked  in  it  for  seven 
years,  when  receiving  an  appointment  on  the 
police  force  served  in  that  occupation  six  years. 
He  was  elected  to  the  office  of  City  Marshal 
acting  one  term,  and  was  employed  some  time 
in  the  County  Clerk's  office,  when  securing  a 
position  in  the  Railway  Mail  Service,  is  now 
engaged  in  that  capacity.  Mr.  Pringle  was 
married  at  Decatur,  June  17,  1867,  to  Sarah 
Ann  Herman,  of  Pennsylvania  ancestry,  and 
has  one  child — Charles  H.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  Post  No.  141,  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  al 
ways  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  working  of 
this  order.  He  was  one  of  the  first  members 
of  the  old  Post  No.  I.  He  has  filled  the  office 
of  Sergeant  Major,  and  is  now  holding  his 
third  term  as  Adjutant.  He  is  a  Republican 
and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  a 
gentleman  highly  estemed  in  the  community 
where  he  resides. 

THOMAS  BETTS  was  born  at  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Dec.  6,  1832.  His  father,  Thomas  Betts, 
was  born  in  England,  June  20,  1799.  His 
paternal  grandfather,  also  was  born  and  died  in 
England.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was 
Mary  Wilson,  also  born  in  Yorkshire.  He  had 
two  sisters — Frances  and  Mary,  who  are  mar 
ried.  His  father  and  family  remained  at 
Rochester  until  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
six  years  of  age,  when  he  removed  to  Naper- 
ville,  taking  up  Government  lands  on  which  he 
settled.  Young  Betts  continued  upon  the  farm 


until  he  attained  the  age  of  18  years,  when  he 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  married 
Miss  Hannah  Wilson  (a  cousin)  at  Monroe, 
Wis.,  May.  9,  1856.  They  had  the  following 
children:  Mary,  Charles,  Thomas  and  Olive 
E.  He  enlisted  with  the  Union  army  at 
Aurora,  111.,  Oct.  8,  1861,  as  1st  Sergt.,  Co.  I., 
58th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  called  "Lyon  Color  Guard" 
after  Gen.  Lyon,  who  had  previously  been 
killed  at  Mill  Springs  Mo.  His  Regt.  was 
ordered  to  the  front  the  same  day  it  had  been 
mustered  in,  and  during  the  night  was  placed 
on  board  the  cars  for  Ft.  Donelson,  arriving 
at  that  point  Feb.  12,  and  there  joined  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland  and  was  assigned  to  Hurl- 
but's  Div.,  2nd  Brig,  commanded  by  Col. 
Thayer,  late  Governor  of  Nebraska.  Snow  fell 
that  night  to  the  depth  of  six  inches,  causing 
the  death  of  many  of  the  sick  and  wounded  of 
the  Union  army.  The  following  morning  was 
clear  and  cold  when  the  rebels  attacked  the 
Union  forces,  but  were  repulsed  and  pursued 
until  they  secured  shelter  behind  their  works. 
In  this  attack  and  pursuit,  Mr,  Betts  received  a 
charge  of  buckshot  in  the  thigh,  five  of  which 
has  kept  him  close  company  ever  since. 

His  Regt.  then  marched  to  Ft.  Henry  14  or 
15  miles  distant,  whither  he  had  the  doubtful 
honor  of  being  carried.  The  Regt.  remained 
there  about  three  weeks  garrisoning  the  fort, 
which  had  recently  been  captured  by  Com 
modore  Foot.  Afterwards  his  Regt.  was  order 
ed  on  transports  and  went  to  Crump's  Landing. 
It  next  marched  to  Purdy,  Tenn.,  where  it  de 
stroyed  the  railroad  bridge  and  then  returned 
to  the  landing,  where  it  remained  about  two 
weeks,  or  until  ordered  to  Pittsburg  Landing 
where  it  was  shortly  after  engaged  in  the 
"  Hornet's  Nest"  battle,  fought  at  that  place. 
The  slaughter  in  his  Regt.  may  be  understood, 
when  it  is  known  that  it  lost  420  men  (out  of 
800)  of  which  only  218  were  taken  prisoners, 
and  even  of  that  number  130  were  wounded— 
some  fatally.  Mr.  Betts  was  one  of  the  wound 
ed,  being  shot  through  both  thighs  and  taken 
a  prisoner,  but  the  rebels  seeing  his  condition 
abandoned  him  before  removing  him  from  the 
field.  It  is  asserted  by  some,  and  passed  into 


1 84 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


history  as  a  fact  that  the  surrender  occurred  in 
the  morning.  Mr.  Betts  claims  that  he  has  an 
excellent  memory  and  the  best  of  reasons  to 
remember  it  and  all  the  doings  of  that  day, 
and  certainly  has  a  most  vivid  recollection  of 
all  that  transpired,  and  asserts  that  the  sur 
render  took  place  in  the  afternoon,  about  five 
o'clock  and  not  earlier.  After  being  wounded, 
Mr.  Betts  was  left  on  the  field,  where  he 
remained  until  Tuesday,  but  regaining  some 
strength,  he  was  enabled  to  endure  his  terrible 
suffering  and  thus  rob  the  "potters  field"  of  a 
victim.  Being  picked  up  by  union  soldiers  on 
that  day,  he  was  sent  to  the  Sister's  Hospital, 
on  the  4,  at  St.  Louis.  Those  of  his  Regt.  taken 
prisoners  were  exchanged  and  paroled  after 
seven  months'  imprisonment,  when  they  re 
turned  to  Camp  Butler,  at  Springfield,  and 
reorganized  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1863. 
Mr.  Betts,  on  leaving  the  hospital,  reported 
to  his  Regt.  at  Springfield,  Apr.  15,  1865;  he  was 
still  on  crutches,  but  was  detailed  for  recruiting 
service  at  Aurora,  where  he  remained  until  June 
23,  then  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Camp  Butler.  On 
examination,  his  officers  concluded  that,  physi 
cally,  he  was  not  fit  for  service,  and  could  not 
recover,  hence  he  was  reluctantly  compelled  to 
return,  and  was  discharged  July  19,  1863,  and 
immediately  returned  home  and  continued  un 
der  the  Doctor's  care  until  Feb.  8,  1864.  when 
he  reenlisted  in  Battery  I.,  2nd  111.  Light  Art., 
and  reported  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  for  duty. 
His  battery  was  assigned  to  the  2nd  Div.  of 
I4th  A.  C.,  Sherman's  Army,  with  Gen.  Jas. 
John  D.  Morgan,  Division  commander,  while 
Gen.  John  M.  Palmer  commanded  the  Corps. 
His  battery  was  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Atlanta 
campaign.  In  front  of  Atlanta,  a  question  of 
rank  arose,  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman  relieved  Gen. 
Palmer,  who  was  succeeded  by  Gen.  Jefferson 
C.  Davis.  This  resulted  from  a  dispute  between 
Gens.  Schofield  and  Palmer  after  the  death  of 
Gen.  McPherson.  After  the  campaign  of  At 
lanta,  rebel  Gen.  Hood,  with  his  army,  marched 
northward.  Mr.  Betts'  Div.  was  ordered  to  fol 
low,  and  after  chasing  Hood  to  Nashville, 
where  he  was  met  by  Gen.  Thomas,  his  (Mr. 
Betts)  Div.  returned  south  to  Cartersville,  Ga., 


and  subsequently  to  Atlanta,  where  it  arrived 
Nov.  14,  1864.  The  day  following  it  started  on 
the  march  to  Savannah,  and  participated,  en 
route,  in  the  battle  of  Big  Buck  Head  Church. 
Afterward  it  occupied  a  position  in  front  of 
Savannah,  but  the  place  was  surrendered  with 
out  much  fighting.  He  remained  there  until 
Jan.  23,  1865,  when  he  marched  to  Sister's 
Ferry  and  crossed  into  S.  C.  Was  in  action  at 
Sallatchie,  then  marched  up  intoN.C.,  and  par 
ticipated  in  the  Cheraw  conflict,  where  the 
army  captured  sixty  pieces  of  heavy  artillery, 
that  had  recently  arrived  from  Charleston. 

Mar.  16,  he  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Averysborough,  where  his  Div.  struck  remnants 
of  Hood's  army,  now  under  Gen.  Johnston,  and 
three  days  after  fell  in  with  them  again  at 
Bentonville,  where  they  were  severely  whipped. 
Mr.  Betts'  next  move  was  to  Goldsboro,  N.  C., 
and  at  this  point  he  rejoined  the  23rd  corps, 
and  went  to  Raleigh  when  news  arrived  of  the 
surrender  of  Richmond.  From  here  they 
marched  to  Avens'  Ferry  on  Cape  Fear  River, 
where  they  heard  of  Lee's  Surrender.  They 
remained  in  line  of  battle,  facing  Johnston's 
army  until  the  latter  surrendered,  then  they 
moved  to  Richmond,  remaining  there  a  week, 
during  which  time  they  destroyed  their  own 
artillery,  amunition  and  camp  supplies  ;  then 
went  to  Washington  and  participated  in  the 
Grand  Review.  The  following  day  were 
ordered  to  Springfield,  Ills.,  where  they  were 
discharged  and  paid  off.  Mr.  Betts  then  re 
turned  home  to  Aurora,  and  went  to  work 
upon  the  farm.  He  was  Town  Clerk  of  Aurora 
in  1866;  Constable  in  1867.  He  removed  to 
Naperville  in  1868,  where  he  owns  a  fine  home 
and  considerable  other  real  estate.  He  has 
held  the  position  of  Assessor  of  Naperville 
Township  for  8  years,  ending  in  1888;  Super 
visor  of  the  same  township,  and  is  now  serving 
the  third  year.  He  has  served  three  years  as 
Police  Magistrate  ;  is  now  serving  the  second 
year  as  Alderman,  and  has  been  School  Di 
rector  for  some  2O  years,  and  still  occupies  this 
position.  His  name  is  on  the  public  tablets  in 
the  Soldier's  Memorial  Hall  at  Aurora,  where 
the  names  of  all  the  soldiers  that  enlisted  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


185 


that  place  are  inscribed.  He  is  a  member  of 
Walter  Blanchard  Post  No.  386,  G.  A.  R.  He 
has  been  Sr.  V.,  Jr.  V.,  and  Officer  of  the  Day 
of  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Naperville.  He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Union  Veteran  Republican  Club  of 
Chicago,  and  was  President  of  the  58th  Regt. 
Vet.  Assn.,  which  held  its  reunion  there  July  31, 
and  Aug.  I,  1891.  He  is  a  member  of  Euclid 
Lodge  No.  65,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.(  and  Euclid 
Chapter  No.  13.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
Naperville  Lodge  No.  Si,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  re 
ceives  a  pension  of  $8  per  month,  and  is  a  Re 
publican  in  politics. 


GEORGE  O.  LLOYD,  of  Bloomington,  111., 
entered  the  service  in  Co.  B.,  93rd  111. 
Inf.,  as  his  father's  servant  at  La 
Moille,  Bureau  County,  111.  Was  assigned  to' 
duty  with  the  1st  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  i;th  A.  C. 
He  was  in  his  first  battle  before  he  enlisted. 
He  fought  at  Holly  Springs,  Raymond,  Jack 
son,  Miss.,  and  at  Champion  Hills.  During 
this  service  he  was  an  attendant  for  his  father, 
who  was  Captain  of  the  Company  and  who 
put  him  in  the  ranks  in  place  of  a  sick  man 
whom  he  excused  from  duty.  At  the  last 
named  battle  his  father,  Captain  David  Lloyd, 
was  instantly  killed,  being  shot  through  the 
heart.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained 
with  his  dead  father,  during  the  entire  night 
following  his  death.  He  tried  to  get  a  coffin 
in  which  to  send  the  body  home,  but  was  un 
able  to  do  so.  While  he  was  absent  on  this 
mission,  his  father  was  buried  in  a  ditch  with 
14  other  officers,  on  the  hillside  facing  toward 
Vicksburg,  where  his  body  still  lies. 

Young  George  was  taken  with  typhoid 
fever,  anil  was  sent  home,  remaining  until  Jan. 
30,  1864,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  B.,  52nd. 
111.  Inf.,  and  was  with  the  i6th  A.  C.,  until  after 
the  battle  of  Atlanta,  in  which  he  participated, 
after  which  his  service  was  in  the  I5th  A.  C. 
Was  in  the  fight  at  Joncsboro,  then  returned  to 
Atlanta  and  went  on  the  exhausting  march 
after  Hood,  as  far  as  Rome,  Ga.  After  cap 
turing  Rome,  they  were  ordered  to  the  relief 


of  the  garrison  at  Allatoona,  but  on  the  way 
there,  a  train  ahead  of  them  was  ditched  and 
they  were  obliged  to  get  off,  pass  around  the 
obstruction,  and  take  another  train  beyond. 
The  command  reached  Allatoona,  in  time  to 
see  the  enemy  retreating.  They  were  ordered 
to  charge  upon  them,  but  before  execution  the 
order  \vas  countermanded  and  the  regiment 
remained  at  Allatoona,  four  or  five  days  and 
then  returned  to  Atlanta  and  prepared  for  the 
"  March  to  the  Sea." 

During  the  march  a  feint  was  made  on 
Macon,  Ga.,  when  the  march  was  continued 
through  to  the  sea,  striking  Milledgeville, 
tearing  up  and  destroying  railroads,  burning 
ties  and  bending  the  iron,  etc.  Mr.  Lloyd  was 
detailed  as  one  of  the  foragers  on  the  "  March 
to  the  Sea,"  and  was  very  efficient  in  that 
service.  They  took  Savannah,  and  did  guard 
duty  there  for  a  time  and  then  started  on  the 
march  through  the  Carolinas.  Mr.  Lloyd  par 
ticipated  in  the  various  skirmishes,  exhaustive 
marches  and  engagements  of  that  campaign. 
He  was  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  at  the  time  of  the 
great  fire  and  assisted  in  trying  to  put  it  out. 
He  took  part  in  the  fight  at  Fayetteville,  and 
was  in  the  front  on  the  skirmish  line  at  Ben- 
tonvillc  near  Goklsboro,  where  the  regiment 
suffered  terribly.  This  was  the  last  battle  in 
which  Mr.  Lloycl  participated.  Then  began 
the  march  for  Washington.  The  army  halted 
for  a  few  days  near  Richmond,  where  the  52nd 
drew  new  clothing  to  give  them  a  favorable 
appearance  in  passing  through  Richmond. 
At  Alexandria,  Mr.  Lloycl  visited  the  hotel  in 
which  Colonel  Ellsworth  was  killed.  Encamped 
opposite  Washington  for  a  time,  and  then  par 
ticipated  in  the  Grand  Review,  May  24,  1865. 
Subsequently  the  regiment  went  to  Larkinsvillc 
and  embarked  on  board  transports.  He  stop 
ped  for  a  while  at  Cincinnati  and  finally 
reached  Louisville  where  he  was  mustered  out 
of  service,  and  going  to  Chicago,  received  his 
final  discharge,  July  6,  1865.  He  returned  to 
his  home  at  LaMoille,  and  later  engaged  in 
farming  at  Dwight  one  year.  He  then  went  to 
Missouri,  where  he  remained  a  year  and  a  half. 
He  had  partly  learned  the  plasterer's  trade 


1 86 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


before  the  war,  and  engaged  in  that  business 
while  in  Missouri.  He  returned  home  and  was 
married  Nov.  25,  1870,  to  Julia  Dyer,  a  native 
of  New  York  City. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  Dec. 
8th,  1846,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Eliza 
(Seeley)  Lloyd,  who  were  the  parents  of  three 
sons  and  two  daughters, —  Hayden,  James, 
George,  Jennie  and  Lucy,  all  living.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lloyd  three  children  have  been  born 
— George  Francis,  born  March  26,  1871,  in  the 
employ  of  the  Bloomington  Electric  Light  Co.; 
Harry,  born  Aug.  I,  1873,  died  Sept.  22,  1874; 
and  Lucy,  born  Jan.  27,  1878.  Mr.  Lloyd  is  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  was  a  member  of 
the  \Ym.  T.  Sherman  Post,  No.  146,  G.  A.  R., 
which  he  joined  May  23,  1883.  He  was  honor 
ably  discharged  from  this  membership  Nov.  1 1, 
1887,  and  joined  the  Union  Veteran's  Union, 
No.  I.  He  is  a  member  of  Evergreen  City 
Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F. ;  Independent  Order  of  Red 
Men;  Knights  of  Honor;  and  the  Mason's 
Union.  Mr.  Lloyd  was  elected  by  the  Repub 
lican  party  in  1888,  as  Health  Officer,  serving 
one  term  in  which  he  made  a  record  of  being 
one  of  the  most  efficient  officers  the  city  ever 
had.  Is  a  Republican  and  a  pensioner. 

Mr.  Lloyd  passed  through  many  hardships 
and  trying  scenes  during  the  war.  Going  as 
his  father's  servant  whom  he  afterwards  saw 
shot  dead  before  him;  he  then  enlisted,  shoul 
dered  the  musket,  taking  in  a  measure  the  place 
of  his  father,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  making  a  record  as  a  brave,  active  and 
gallant  soldier. 


OKIN   B.    GRANT,    was    born    January    12, 
1840,  at  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  son 
of  Henry  H.,  and  Mary  Jane   (Brooks) 
Grant,  both  of  Scottish  descent.     His  parents 
had  the  following  children:    Orin  B.,  Elizabeth, 
Margaret  J.,  William  Henry,  Norman  B.,    Van 
Ransselaer,  George  H.,  Mary  Ellen,  FYances  M. 
and  Ruth  M.     Norman  enlisted  during  the  late 
rebellion  in  Company   D.,    iO4th   111.,  and    was 
killed  in  the  battle   of  Peach  Tree  Creek,   July 


22,  1862,  and  was  buried  in  the  National 
Cemetery  at  Marietta,  Ga.  Mr.  Grant  was 
brought  up  on  a  farm  where  he  assisted  his 
father  in  the  work  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  His  natural  ability  coupled  with 
an  indomitable  will  and  a  determination  to  ed 
ucate  and  inform  himself,  enabled  him  to  ac 
quire  a  good  practical  business  education.  In 
1846,  he  removed  with  his  father  from  New  York 
to  Illinois,  and  on  attaining  his  majority,  rented 
a  farm  which  he  continued  to  operate  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  field 
plowing  when  his  brother  brought  him  the 
news  that  Fort  Sumpter  had  been  fired  upon, 
and  a  call  for  troops  had  been  issued.  lie 
finished  his  furrow,  unharnessed  and  stabled  his 
horses,  employed  a  man  at  £16  a  month, 
hastened  to  Ottawa,  and  enlisted  for  service  in 
the  Union  Army,  April  20,  1861,  as  his  patriot 
ism  would  not  permit  him  to  remain  idle  while 
the  Republic  was  in  danger. 

Rendezvoused  at  Springfield  in  Camp  Yates; 
was  mustered  into  service,  Co.  I,  nth  111., 
April  30,  1861,  for  three  months  and  proceeded 
to  Camp  Hardin,  111.,  where  he  remained  two 
months  drilling  and  performing  camp  duty. 
Then  moved  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  and  there 
also  did  camp  and  garrison  duty  until  the  pe 
riod  of  enlistment  had  expired,  in  the  mean 
time  doing  some  skirmishing,  but  was  not 
otherwise  actively  engaged.  At  Bird's  Point, 
he  was  mustered  out  August  4,  1861,  returned 
to  Ottawa,  111.,  and  resumed  the  occupation  of 
farming.  He  continued  on  the  farm  until 
November  23,  1861,  when  he  re-enlisted,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  Nov. 
25  of  the  same  year,  in  Company  C.,  53rd 
111.  Inf.,  known  as  "  Cushman's  Brigade,"  under 
command  of  Colonel  Cushman.  The  regiment 
remained  in  camp  at  Ottawa  until  Feb.  27, 
when  it  removed  to  Chicago,  and  was  there 
employed  in  camp  duty  and  guarding  prison 
ers  captured  at  Fort  Donelson.  It  remained 
at  Camp  Douglas  until  March  23,  when  it 
was  ordered  to  St.  Louis  and  from  there  to 
Savannah,  Tenn.,  where  they  went  into  camp 
until  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing.  During 
this  battle,  Mr.  Grant  was  detailed  with  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


187 


medical  staff,  and  assisted  them  in  amputating 
limbs  and  dressing  the  wounded.  He  contin 
ued  such  services  until  June,  when  he  was  acci- 
dently  injured  while  lying  in  a  hospital  tent  at 
Gravely  Ridge,  Tenn.  He  was  sent  to  Kvans- 
ville,  Ind.,  and  placed  in  a  hospital,  where  he 
remained  for  eight  months  under  the  care  of 
the  United  States  Medical  Staff. 

At  the  earliest  moment,  and  even  before 
his  condition  would  warrant  the  step,  he  re 
turned  to  his  command  joining  it  at  Jackson, 
Tenn.,  and  there  resumed  service  with  his  com 
pany.  Almost  immediately  after  his  arrival, 
the  regiment  started  under  orders  on  double 
quick  march  to  attack  the  enemy  who  were 
then  about  five  miles  distant.  It  soon  found 
them  in  force,  when  an  engagement  took  place 
which  has  been  known  as  "Hatchier  Mata- 
mora."  While  the  regiment  was  approaching 
the  point  at  which  it  was  to  form,  it  was  neces 
sary  to  cross  Davis'  Bridge  which  spanned 
the  Hatchie  River.  The  enemy  had  a  battery 
planted  on  Matamora  Hill  commanding  the 
bridge,  and  as  Mr.  Grant's  regiment  crossed  by 
right  flank  the  column  was  raked  with  murder 
ous  accuracy  by  this  death  dealing  battery; 
but  reckless  of  danger  and  death  it  marched 
across  and  formed  immediately  in  front  in  line 
of  battle.  A  regiment  in  the  advance  was 
forced  back  through  the  latter's  lines,  but  soon 
reformed  and  made  a  splendid  charge.  Dur 
ing  this  charge  the  regiment  lost  heavily  in 
officers  and  men;  Mr.  Grant's  company  having 
2  killed,  and  many  wounded.  After  the  battle 
the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Holly  Springs 
and  Oxford,  but  subsequently  returned  to 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  there  took  transports  to 
Vicksburg,  then  to  Haines'  Bluff  on  the  Yazoo 
River.  From  there  it  marched  immediately  in 
the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  and  took  position  inline 
near  Fort  Hill,  remaining  43  days  in  line  under 
constant  fire,  when  finally  Vicksburg  was  sur 
rendered,  July  4,  1863.  He  participated  in  the 
unsuccessful  assault  upon  that  town,  May 
22nd. 

His  next  move  was  to  Jackson,  Miss.,  under 
General  Sherman,  and  while  closing  the  lines 
around  that  pUce,  Mr.  Grant's  brigade  was 


ordered  to  charge  the  rebel  works.  His  bri 
gade  was  comprised  of  the  4ist,  53rd,  28th  111., 
and  the  3rd  Iowa,  and  in  all  about  900  men 
when  they  first  made  the  charge.  They  first 
drove  in  the  rebel  pickets,  who  drew  the  brigade 
into  an  ambush  and  then  directed  their  fire  par 
ticularly  against  Mr.  Grant's  regiment.  After 
twenty  minutes'  action  out  of  the  total  900  who 
moved  in  the  brigade,  740  were  left  upon  the 
field,  either  killed  or  wounded.  Mr.  Grant  was 
wounded  in  both  legs,  but  succeeded  in  crawl 
ing  from  the  field  while  the  enemy  charged 
over  him,  and  afterward  when  the  enemy  were 
repulsed,  the  rebel  army  retreated  over  him. 

After  crawling  about  three-quarters  of  a 
mile,  he  was  met  by  the  stretcher  corps,  and 
carried  back  to  where  the  surgeons  were 
engaged.  After  he  was  wounded  he  tore  his 
handkerchief  in  two  parts,  and  with  it  bound 
up  the  wounds  in  both  legs  in  order  to  lessen 
the  flow  of  blood,  which  he  realized  was  fast 
sapping  his  life.  While  on  the  field  he  cut 
his  cartridge  box  to  pieces  and  broke  his  rifle 
over  a  stump  to  prevent  them  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy;  and  on  all  fours,  suffer 
ing  excruciating  pain,  he  abandoned  the  field. 
Even  after  his  arrival  within  the  Union  lines 
and  where  the  surgeons  were  engaged,  he  had 
little  to  expect  from  that  corps,  as  hundreds 
were  there  before  him,  and  perhaps  more  seri 
ous  cases.  By  borrowing  a  pair  of  forceps  he 
succeeded  in  extracting  a  ball  from  his  right 
leg,  but  the  one  which  entered  his  left  limb,  he 
still  unwillingly  carries  as  a  memento  of  the 
war,  and  an  ever  present  reminder  of  the  har 
rowing  suffering  he  endured  for  his  country. 
He  remained  in  the  Field  Hospital  until  placed 
in  the  Floating  Hospital  at  Vicksburg,  and 
there  received  from  General  Grant,  in  person, 
a  furlough  of  30  days,  with  instructions  to 
report  at  the  nearest  hospital  to  his  home  for 
discharge.  He  returned  to  Ottawa,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  his  furlough  reported  to  the 
Marine  Hospital  at  Chicago,  where  he  was 
placed  on  detailed  service  in  the  medical 
department  and  was  there  engaged  for  one 
year,  when  the  authorities  proposed  placing 
him  in  the  reserved  corps,  which  he  promptly 


1 88 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


refused  as  he  desired  to  rejoin  his  regiment. 
He  therefore,  started  for  and  met  it  at  Atlanta, 
Ga. 

On  reporting  to  his  company  he  was  placed 
on  detail  duty  with  independent  scouts,  and 
remained  with  them  through  Sherman's  march 
to  the  sea.  His  occupation  consisted  of  for 
aging  for  supplies  for  the  army.  At  Savannah 
he  embarked  on  a  ship  and  was  taken  to  New 
York  City,  and  from  there  by  rail  to  Spring 
field,  111.,  where  he  was  mustered  out  and  dis 
charged,  July  4,  1865,  having  served  from 
November  21,  1864,  until  his  discharge,  over  his 
term  of  enlistment,  and  for  which  he  has  been 
unable  to  obtain  any  remuneration.  He  re 
sumed  farming,  bui  owing  to  his  injuries  was 
compelled  to  abandon  it.  He  then  learned  the 
carpenter  trade  which  he  followed  until  three 
years  ago,  when  his  injuries,  received  nearly 
thirty  years  before,  began  to  undermine  his 
health,  forcing  him  to  abandon  physical 
labor  altogether.  He  has  since  been  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  office  he  still  holds 
and  discharges  the  duties  pertaining  thereto 
with  dignity,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  com 
munity.  He  is  also  a  Police  Magistrate  by  vir 
tue  of  his  office.  He  has  also  served  as  Col 
lector  of  the  Township  in  which  he  resides. 
He  is  past  master  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  Lodge;  a 
member  of  the  Select  Knights  of  America; 
The  Modern  Woodmen  of  America;  the  Re 
becca  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Degree  of 
Honor,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Joseph  Woodruff 
Post  No.  281,  G.  A.  R.  He  has  been  sent  as 
delegate  to  the  State  Encampment;  also  has 
been  on  the  Financial  Committee  most  of  the 
time.  He  married  Miss  Emily  A.  Swartz, 
November  6,  1861,  at  Ottawa,  111.,  by  whom  he 
has  had  eleven  children:  Orin  F.,  Sherman  S., 
Harrison,  Orville,  Carrie  L.,  Nellie  J.,  Millie 
C.,  Fred.  Ray,  Louts  G,,  Marie  R.,  of  whom  six 
are  still  living. 

He  is  cripple'd  in  both  legs  and  has  a  severe 
curvature  of  the  spine,  which  incapacitates  him 
for  any  kind  of  physical  labor.  He  receives, 
in  the  shape  of  a  pension,  the  small  pittance 
oi:  Sio  per  month.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics. 


LEWIS  L.  GROVER  was  born  in  Dane  County 
Wisconsin,  July  1st,  1847,  anc^  was  the 
son  of  Benjamin  and  Lucy  Grover,  who 
were  natives  of  Maine.  His  parents  removed 
from  Wisconsin  to  Lee  County  Ills,,  where  they 
purchased  and  settled  on  a  farm.  Here  Lewis 
was  raised,  doing  light  work  and  attending 
school  whenever  opportunity  afforded  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  took  up  the 
carriage  making  trade.  After  perfecting  him 
self  in  this  trade  he  concluded  that  the  carpen 
ter's  trade  presented  larger  opportunities  and 
decided  to  take  up  that  line  of  work,  and  has 
continued  in  that  business  to  the  present  time. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  in  1861, 
although  only  fourteen  years  of  age,  prompted 
by  a  spirit  of  adventure,  he  desired  to  join  the 
army  and  engage  in  that  conflict  which  proved 
so  fatal  to  many  a  brave  soldier,  but  his  youth 
prevented  him  from  going  into  active  service 
at  that  time.  The  war  continuing,  the  oppor 
tunity  again  presented  itself  and  young  Grover 
enlisted  at  Sublet,  Lee  County  Ills.,  January 
5th,  1864,  in  Company  C.,  /th  Ills.  Vol.  Cav. 
His  regiment  served  under  General  Hatch,  and 
he  participated  in  the  battles  of  Nashville, 
Franklin  and  Cardeville,  also  in  the  siege  in 
front  of  Memphis.  At  the  battles  of  Nashville 
and  Franklin  Mr.  Grover's  regiment  was  ex 
posed  to  the  enemy's  fire  for  several  hours.  He 
and  his  comrades,  however,  were  there  to  fight 
for  their  country  and  were  not  dismayed  by 
surrounding  dangers. 

Although  Mr.  Grover  had  only  been  in 
active  service  a  short  time  he  found  the  change 
from  a  comfortable  home  too  great,  and  suffered 
much  from  the  exposure  and  lack  of  whole 
some  and  nourishing  food.  He  found  these 
privations  more  than  his  constitution  could 
bear  at  so  tender  an  age,  and  when  near  Mem 
phis  became  dangerously  ill  and  had  to  be 
removed  to  the  hospital  at  Germantown.  He 
continued  poorly,  was  unable  to  rejoin  his 
regiment  and  consequently  was  mustered  out 
November  5th,  1865,  at  Springfield  Ills.,  and 
discharged. 

Immediately  after  being  relieved  from  army 
duty  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Illinois,  re- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


189 


maining  there  about  two  years.  He  then  sought 
employment  in  Iowa,  subsequently  going  to 
Kansas.  The  inducements  held  out  to  him 
were  not  sufficient  to  persuade  him  to  settle  in 
either  State.  The  Government  however,  hav 
ing  offered  the  discharged  soldiers  lands  in 
Kansas,  under  the  "  Soldiers  Homestead  Act," 
he  embraced  the  opportunity  and  selected  his 
quota  in  Republican  County.  This  property 
being  situated  near  the  thriving  town  of  Scan- 
dia  has  become  very  valuable  and  is  said  to  be 
worth  at  least  $10,000. 

After  leaving  Kansas  he  settled  in  Ottawa 
111.,  and  again  engaged  in  the  building  trade, 
and  is  still  doing  a  nice  business. 

He  married  Miss  Emma  S.  Douglass,  April 
1 3th,  1869,  the  daughter  of  Robert  A.  Douglass. 
They  have  one  child,  Charles  Benjamin,  a  bright 
promising  lad.  Mr.  Grover  is  a  member  of 
Briner  Post  No.  67,  G.  A.  R.  of  Peoria,  and  is  a 
Republican. 


DR.  FLOYD  CLENDENEN,  of  La  Salle,  111., 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army  for  the  war 
of  the  Rebellion  in  Cass  County,  Mich., 
and  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  Assistant 
Surgeon,  to  the  Quarter  Master's  department. 
He  only  remained  a  few  months  in  the  service, 
as  by  reason  of  having  been  exposed  in  wet 
and  inclement  weather,  and  sleeping  upon  the 
ground,  contracted  rheumatism  in  its  worst 
form,  thereby  wrecking  his  health,  and  render 
ing  his  right  foot  and  hand  almost  useless, 
compelling  him  to  resign  his  command  in  the 
November  following  his  enlistment.  His 
brother,  V.  B.  Clendenen,  was  also  in  the  war — 
having  enlisted  in  the  I2th  Mich.  Vol.  Inf.— 
and  while  in  the  service  sustained  serious 
injuries  which  resulted  in  his  death,  soon  after 
the  war  closed. 

Dr.  Clendenen  was  born  near  Charleston, 
W.  Va.,  in  the  year  1837,  and  was  the  son  of 
Robert  and  Amanda  (Hinchman)  Clendenen, 
the  former  of  Scotch-Irish,  and  the  mother  of 
English  descent.  The  father  was  one  of  West 
Virginia's  pioneers,  and  had  the  honor  of  being 


the  first  to  erect  a  house  in  Charleston,  which 
has  since  been  made  the  Capital  of  that  com 
monwealth,  and  afterward  he  became  a  very 
prominent  figure  in  the  politics  of  his  adopted 
State,  and  was  elected  and  served  several 
years  in  the  Legislature,  as  well  as  occupied 
positions  on  the  bench  in  the  lower  courts  for 
the  district  in  which  he  resided.  In  the  year 
1848  our  subject's  parents  removed  from  Vir 
ginia  and  settled  in  Cass  County,  Mich.,  where 
the  father  died  in  1851.  At  the  time  of  the 
reported  immense  "Gold  finds"  near  Pike's 
Peak,  Col.,  our  subject  joined  a  party  and  pro 
ceeded  across  the  plains  and  mountains  to  that 
place,  but  the  excitement  soon  collapsed  for 
want  of  gold  to  sustain  it,  therefore,  he  went 
over  the  mountains  to  California,  and  after 
visiting  all  the  places  of  interest  there,  re 
turned  to  his  home  by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of 
Panama. 

After  his  discharge  from  the  war,  he  spent 
some  time  in  Montana,  in  mining  and  trading 
with  the  Indians,  where  he  succeeded  in  laying 
aside  sufficient  funds  to  enable  him  to  complete 
the  study  of  the  profession  which  he  now  follows. 
Returning  to  Illinois,  he  entered  the  Bennett 
Medical  College,  and  after  a  course  of  three 
years  at  that  institution,  was  graduated  Jan. 
27,  1874,  at  the  head  of  his  class,  and  received 
his  diploma.  He  then  located  at  La  Salle,  and 
entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession 
which  he  has  devoutly  followed  ever  since. 

He  married  in  1875,  Josephine  W.  Whipple, 
a  native  of  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Warren  W., 
and  Phcebe  Whipple,  and  by  her  has  one  child 
—Edith,  a  bright  promising  girl  of  1 1  summers. 

The  Doctor  has  served  as  Coroner  for  La 
Salle  County  for  six  years,  and  performed  the 
duties  pertaining  to  that  position  with  dignity, 
satisfaction  to  the  people,  and  honor  to  that 
profession,  in  which  he  is  always  recognized  as 
a  leading  ornament.  Dr.  Clendenen  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Masonic  order;  in  politics  a  Demo 
crat;  a  prominent  member  of  Post  No.  242 
G.  A.  R.  at  La  Salle,  of  which  he  is  the  Surgeon 
and  Chaplain,  and  holds  an  appointment  as  a 
member  upon  the  Examining  Board  of  Pen 
sions.  He  has  been  successful  in  his  practice 


and  enjoys  the  confidence,  respect,  and  patron 
age  of  many  of  the  best  citizens  of  his  town 
and  surrounding  country.  He  is  a  bright, 
pleasing,  and  talented  gentleman,  interested  in 
his  State  and  County,  and  always  holds  him 
self  in  readiness  to  help  any  enterprise  for  the 
advancement  and  promotion  of  the  public  weal. 


M 


AJ.-GEN.  WM.  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN  was 
born  at  Lancaster,  Ohio,  Feb.  18,  1820. 
Entered  West  Point  Military  Academy 
in  1836.  Graduated  June,  1840.  Entered  serv 
ice  as  2nd  Lieut,  in  the  3d  Regt.  U.  S.  Artillery 
and  joined  his  Regt.  in  Florida.  He  was  pro 
moted  to  1st  Lieut.  Nov.  1841,  and  to  Captain 
in  1850.  In  1853  he  resigned  his  commission 
and  quit  military  service.  When  the  war  of 
Rebellion  commenced,  he  tendered  his  services 
to  the  Government,  and  was  appointed  Colonel 
of  I3th  Reg.  U.  S.  Inf.,  May  14,  1861.  He  was 
made  Brig.-Gen.  Aug.  3,  1861,  and  Maj.-Gen. 
of  Vol.  May  i,  1861.  Gen.  Sherman,  as  Lieut., 
served  one  year  in  Florida  against  the  Seminole 
Indians  ;  was  transferred  thence  to  Fort  Moul- 
trie  in  Charleston  Harbor;  and  in  1846  he  was 
sent  to  California  where  he  remained  on  duty 
during  the  Mexican  War.  In  1850  he  was  made 
Commissary  of  Subsistence  and  assigned  to 
duty  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.  From  there  he  was 
transferred  to  post  duty  at  New  Orleans.  He 
soon  after  resigned  his  commission,  removed 
to  California,  and  engaged  in  the  banking 
business.  After  spending  four  years  there,  he 
accepted  the  Presidency  of  the  La.  State  Mili 
tary  Academy  in  1858.  Located  among  South 
ern  people,  Sherman  enjoyed  unusual  facilities 
for  observing  the  tendency  of  public  affairs  at 
the  South.  The  incidents  of  the  Presidential 
canvass  in  1860  excited  in  his  mind  painful  ap 
prehensions  of  an  approaching  war.  He  was 
surrounded  by  a  powerful  combination  of 
Southern  influence.  He  enjoyed  the  confi 
dence,  friendship,  and  liberal  patronage  of  a 
large  number  of  wealthy  and  influential  South 
ern  leaders;  they  had  marked  him  as  a  man 
whose  talents  and  experience  would  prove 


eminently  serviceable  to  them  in  their  con 
templated  struggle  for  independence  ;  hence, 
he  was  tempted  by  all  the  blandishments  of 
wealth,  patronage  and  power.  All  these  attrac 
tions  were  powerless.  He  indignantly  spurned 
their  tempting  offers,  and  turned,  with  a  devo 
tion  pure  as  the  light  of  Heaven,  to  the  vener 
ated  flag  of  his  country.  Sherman  proudly 
defied  the  power  he  could  not  combat,  resigned 
his  position,  and  left  the  State.  Among  other 
things  he  wired  the  Executive  of  the  State  :  "I 
beg  you  to  take  immediate  steps  to  relieve  me 
as  Superintendent  the  moment  the  State  deter 
mines  to  secede;  for,  on  no  earthy  account,  will 
I  do  any  act,  or  think  any  thought,  hostile  to, 
or  in  defiance  of,  the  old  Gov't  of  the  U.  S." 
He  proceeded  to  Washington  City,  and  faith 
fully  warned  the  authorities  of  the  impending 
storm.  His  knowledge  and  discernment  were 
far  in  advance  of  the  time,  and  it  took  the 
Gov't  a  year  to  learn  what  Sherman  then  knew. 
He  declared  that  war  must  come,  and  urged 
preparations.  His  policy  was  rejected  ;  but  he 
received  the  appointment  of  Colonel  in  the 
regular  army,  and  followed  the  flag  on  the  fatal 
field  of  Bull  Run. 

Although  this  was  a  terrible  disaster,  no 
troops  ever  fought  with  more  intrepid  courage 
than  did  Sherman's  Brig.  When  the  battle  was 
over,  and  the  reports  made,  the  record  of  blood 
told  by  whom  the  fighting  was  done. 

Sherman  was  soon  transferred  to  the  West, 
and  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Dep't  of 
Ohio.  Sherman  saw  the  gathering  strength  of 
the  revolt  in  Ky.,  and  Tenn.,  which  the  Govt. 
failed  to  appreciate.  He  had  about  5,000  badly 
armed  and  partially  equipped  troops,  and  urg 
ed  the  necessity  of  sending  re-enforcements. 
His  little  army  then  confronted  the  rebel  Gen. 
Buckner,  with  25,000  men,  at  Muldraugh's 
Hill.  Receiving  no  aid,  he  grew  restive,  and 
the  Sec'y.  of  war  came  in  person  to  confer  with 
him.  During  the  interview,  Sherman  was 
asked  how  many  troops  would  be  needed  to 
hold  Ky.,  and  advance  South.  He  answered, 
"Two  hundred  thousand."  The  Sec'y  and  his 
Adjt.-Gen.  decided  that  his  views  were  extrav 
agant  and  wild.  This  expression  gave  rise  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


191 


the  report,  afterward  so  extraneously  circula 
ted,  that  Sherman  was  crazy.  The  war  had  not 
continued  a  year,  however,  until  the  public 
learned  that  what  had  been  considered  proofs 
of  Sherman's  insanity,  were  truths  of  vital  im 
portance,  too  long  overlooked  by  the  Gov't. 
Finding  his  policy  not  agreeable  to  the  views  of 
the  Administration,  he  was,  at  his  own  request, 
relieved  by  Gen.  Buell,  and  assigned  to  duty  at 
St.  Louis.  Shortly  he  was  ordered  to  join  Gen- 
Grant  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  Tenn.,  where  he 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  5th  Div.  of  Gen. 
Thomas'  Corps.  Encamped  at  Shiloh  Church, 
Sherman's  Div.  held,  as  it  were,  a  Key  position, 
and  was  engaged  both  days  of  the  battle,  and 
nobly  acted  their  part.  The  value  of  Sher 
man's  services  may  be  estimated  from  an  offi 
cial  report  of  Gen.  Grant,  in  which  alluding  to 
him,  he  says:  "lam  indebted  for  the  success 
of  that  battle,  to  his  individual  efforts."  For 
his  conduct  on  this  occasion  he  was  promoted 
to  Maj.-Gen.  Sherman's  Div.  was  now  placed 
in  front,  and  the  army  advanced  on  Corinth. 
After  a  short  siege,  the  Rebels  evacuated 
Corinth. 

Sherman  was  next  placed  in  command  at 
Memphis,  where  he  remained  until  he  united 
with  Grant  in  the  operations  against  Vicksburg, 
Ascending  Yazoo- River,  he  assailed  the  ene 
my's  works  at  Chickasaw  Bluff.  During  two 
days  desperate  fighting,  two  lines  of  Rebel 
works  were  carried  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
The  fortifications  were  of  immense  strength, 
and  defended  by  a  great  number  of  heavy 
guns.  After  repeated  attempts  to  take  them 
by  storm,  the  effort  was  abandoned  and  the 
army  withdrew. 

Next,  in  conjunction  with  Gen.  McClernand, 
he  proceeded  to  Arkansas  Post,  a  very  strong 
position  held  by  the  enemy  on  the  Arkansas 
River.  Assisted  by  a  fleet  of  gunboats  under 
Admiral  Porter,  the  army  attacked  the  place  on 
Jan.  11,  1863,  and  after  a  severe  struggle  of 
three  hours,  captured  the  post,  with  7,000  pris 
oners  and  a  large  quantity  of  artillery,  ammu 
nition  and  supplies.  Sherman  and  his  I5th  A. 
C.  took  a  leading  part  in  the  battles  between 
Vicksburg  and  Jackson.  His  command  partici 


pated  in  the  siege,  but  was  soon  after  sent  to 
raid  the  Rebel  Gen.  Johnston,  at  Jackson, 
where  a  severe  battle  was  fought,  and  the  Reb 
els  defeated.  Sept.  23,  it  was  sent  to  re-en 
force  Grant  at  Chattanooga.  Nov.  15,  wearied 
by  a  long  march,  they  were  ordered  to  take 
possession  of  the  north  end  of  Mission  Ridge, 
then  strongly  fortified  and  held  by  the  enemy. 
The  result  of  that  memorable  battle  of  Mission 
Ridge  was  secured  by  a  beautiful  system  of 
co-operation  movements,  and  largely  by  the 
fierce  and  incessant  attacks  of  Sherman  and  his 
brave  "boys."  They  carried  the  strong  works 
at  the  north  of  Mission  Ridge,  and  how  well 
they  succeeded,  52  captured  cannons  and  5,000 
prisoners,  tell  in  language  plain  and  unmistaka 
ble.  Next  Sherman  was  ordered  to  E.  Tenn 
essee  to  relieve  Gen.  Burnside's  army.  The 
3d  day  after  receiving  the  order,  his  advances 
was  skirmishing  with  Longstreet's  rear  guard. 
Upon  Sherman's  approach  the  Rebels  raised 
the  siege,  and  started  to  Va.  March  I2th, 
Grant  was  made  Commander-in-Chief,  and 
Sherman  his  successor  in  the  command  of  the 
Armies  of  the  Tenn.,  Ohio  and  the  Cumber 
land.  Preparations  were  now  commenced  for 
the  great  expedition  to  the  Atlanta.  His  army 
consisted  of  98,797  men  of  all  arms;  6,OOO  of 
these  were  cavalry  that  had  to  be  remounted. 
May  7th  his  army  was  ready  for  a  move.  Nev 
er  did  the  eyes  rest  on  a  more  stirring  scene 
than  was  presented  when  Sherman's  army  filed 
out  into  the  defiles  of  N.  Ga. 

On  the  2d  days'  march,  the  army  was  met 
by  the  enemy  at  Buzzard's  Roost  Gap.  The 
post  was  taken  and  our  "boys"  moved  on.  The 
next  conflict  occurred  at  Dalton.  The  place 
taken,  the  Rebels  falling  back  to  Resaca. 
Eighteen  miles  further  on  the  enemy  was  again 
fortified,  and  prepared  for  battle.  May  I4th, 
this  position  was  captured.  The  foe  continued 
their  retreat,  and  Sherman  halted  at  Kingston, 
for  the  purpose  of  bringing  up  his  trains.  Cross 
ing  the  Etowah  with  20  days'  rations,  Sherman 
and  his  brave  boys  marched  S.  W.  and  flanked 
the  great  Allatoona  Pass,  a  mountain  gorge, 
where  the  Rebels  had  hoped  to  crush  the  Union 
army.  May  28th,  the  battle  of  Dallas  was  be- 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


gun  and  continued  at  New  Hope  Church  three 
days.  Both  sides  lost  heavily,  but  again  the 
Rebels  were  repulsed  and  driven  from  the  field, 
falling  back  toKenesaw  Mt.  This  position  was 
found  to  be  immensely  strong,  embracing  three 
parallel  ranges.  Lost  Mt.,  Pine  and  Kenesaw, 
each  one  of  which  furnished  a  natural  fortress 
of  great  strength.  Pine  Mt.  was  first  assailed. 
The  enemy  evacuated  and  strengthened  their 
position  on  Lost  Mt.  This  was  soon  carried 
and  they  finally  concentrated  on  the  ragged 
heights  of  Kenesaw.  The  position  was  assault 
ed  unsuccessfully,  with  a  loss  of  3,000  killed 
and  wounded. 

The  place  was  finally  flanked  and  the  enemy 
evacuated.  The  Rebels  fell  back  and  being 
again  pressed,  continued  to  retreat  to  the 
works  around  Atlanta.  Sherman  halted  his 
army  on  the  river,  July  I7th,  he  again  moved 
and  sat  down  in  silent  grandeur  before  Atlanta, 
the  object  of  all  his  toils,  marches  and  battles. 
He  sent  out  several  expeditions  to  destroy  the 
railroads  and  cut  off  communications.  July 
2Oth,  Gen.  Hood,  massed  his  forces  and  made  a 
furious  attack  on  Gen.  Hooker's  Corps.  The 
contest  was  fierce,  the  loss  on  both  sides  heavy. 
On  the  22d  the  enemy  again  attacked  the  Union 
left  with  great  impetuosity.  The  Rebels  were 
under  a  new  and  dashing  leader.  The  fortunes 
of  war  had  long  been  against  them,  and  they 
were  now  desperate.  Six  times  they  furiously 
charged,  only  to  be  repulsed  with  fearful 
slaughter.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  reckless 
daring  of  the  rebels  on  this  occasion.  Column 
after  column  would  move  up  in  the  face  of 
a  withering  fire.  As  one  line  would  melt  away 
before  the  burning  grape,  another  would  take 
its  place,  and  advance  with  cheers  to  the  har 
vest  of  death.  The  field  became  a  vast  slaughter 
pen,  3,200  Rebels  having  been  killed  on  the 
field,  and  many  wounded  and  prisoners  fell 
into  our  hands.  July  28th  Hood  threw  his 
whole  forces  on  Gen.  Logan's  I5th  A.  C. 
Again  were  these  infatuated  heroes  "welcomed 
with  bloody  hands  to  hospitable  graves,"  and 
5,000  more  of  the  deluded  victors  of  treason 
fell  on  this  field  of  carnage.  The  bold  rebel 
commander  now  lost  20,000  men  in  three  battles 


of  his  own  choosing.  As  a  last  resort,  he  sent 
his  cavalry,  to  gain  the  rear,  and  cut  Sherman's 
line  of  communication.  Learning  this  move 
ment,  Sherman  swung  his  army  around  Atlanta 
to  the  west,  and  destroyed  the  railroad  connec 
tion  of  that  place.  Whole  corps  were  sent  out 
to  protect  their  roads;  in  vain.  Finding  them 
all  cut,  and  the  position  fllanked,  the  Rebel 
Gen.  hurriedly  left  Atlanta,  to  meet  the  Union 
army  at  Jonesboro,  where  the  enemy  were 
totally  routed,  with  great  loss.  The  city  was 
entered  by  the  victors,  Sept.  2d,  and  the  cam 
paign  ended,  having  occupied  100  days,  every 
one  of  which  witnessed  more  or  less  fighting. 

It  was  a  moving  fight  continuing  over  150 
miles.  Sherman  garrisoned  Atlanta,  and  pur 
sued  the  enemy,  until  they  were  driven  from 
his  lines,  and  retreated  west  into  Ala.  Select 
ing  60,000  men,  with  light  equipment  and  dar 
ing  courage,  he  abandoned  everything  like  a 
military  base,  and,  Nov.  5th,  started  from 
Atlanta  on  a  grand  military  raid  to  Savannah. 
Sherman's  strong  cavalry  arm  plundered  every 
place  he  did  not  wish  to  take,  and  thus  the 
Confederates  were  utterly  confused.  He  took 
Fort  McAllister,  the  key  to  Savannah,  and  next 
assailed  the  city  in  the  rear.  The  authorities 
capitulated  the  city  without  resistance  Dec.  21, 
1864,  and  1,000  prisoners,  150  cannon,  and  30,- 
OOO  bales  of  cotton  were  among  the  trophies 
captured.  Jan.  14,  1865,  he  started  into  S.  Caro 
lina.  Striking  northeast  he  cut  off  all  com 
munications  with  Charleston. 

On  the  1 8th  Sherman  reached  Columbia 
which  was  evacuated  on  his  approach,  the 
enemy  first  firing  the  city.  He  overtook  the 
enemy  at  Bentonville  N.  C.,  fought  the  last 
battle  of  the  \var,  and  then  effected  a  junction 
with  Gen.  Schofield  at  Goldsboro,  N.  C.  From 
here  he  moved  to  Raleigh,  and  unfurled  the 
National  flag  from  the  dome  of  the  State  house. 
Proceeding  west,  he  overtook  the  enemy  at 
Greensboro.  While  pushing  forward  to  attack 
them,  he  was  met  by  a  white  flag,  with  an  offer 
of  capitulation.  A  meeting  was  arranged  with 
Johnston,  the  Rebel  commander,  which  resulted 
in  the  surrender  of  the  whole  Rebel  army. 
May  24th,  the  army  appeared  on  a  grand  re- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


'93 


view  in  Washington.  The  war  was  now  over 
and  the  Nation  rejoiced.  Sherman  who  had 
so  nobly  shared  its  toils  and  dangers  was 
spared  to  mingle  in  its  triumphs.  His  army 
was  disbanded,  but  the  services  of  this  great 
leader  were  deemed  too  valuable  to  be  lost  and 
he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Dep't. 
of  the  N.  W.,  headquarters  at  St.  Louis.  He 
retired  from  the  command  of  the  army  of  the 
U.  S.  Nov.  i  1883.  He  died  1891.  In  person 
Gen.  Sherman  was  tall  and  slender,  with  light 
hair,  fair  complexion,  deep  blue  eyes,  whiskers 
red  and  naturally  short,  nose  long,  and  eye 
brows  heavily  shading  the  restless  and  search 
ing  orbs  beneath.  Calm  and  reserved  in  his 
address,  he  impressed  rather  by  force  of 
character  than  by  winning  attractions.  In  con 
versation  he  was  hurried,  impatient  and  volu 
minous,  little  inclined  to  listen,  but  talked 
with  much  enthusiasm.  Singularly  constructed 
he  was  singularly  great;  a  chieftain  whose  mili 
tary  renown  will  be  preserved  to  the  end  of 
American  history. 


LUTHER  BARNARD,  of  Decatur,  111.,  was  born 
June  20,  1844,  a  son  of  Calvin  Barnard, 
who  was  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  early 
New  England  families.  The  grandfather  was 
killed  by  the  Indians  in  a  bloody  battle  near 
Dcerfield,  Mass.  Many  of  our  subject's  ances 
tors  were  in  the  revolutionary  war.  Luther's 
grandmother  was  Mary  Nims,  of  English  an 
cestry,  and  could  trace  her  ancestors  who  lived 
in  this  country  back  tP  the  year  1600.  Her 
brother  and  father  were  in  the  war  of  1812. 
The  homestead  upon  which  she  was  born  was 
sold  a  few  years  ago  by  her  brother,  the  grant 
to  her  ancestor  being  signed  by  King  George 
III.  of  England;  descending  from  generation 
to  generation  since.  The  sale  above  referred  to 
being  the  first  deed  of  the  land  since  the  grant 
from  the  crown  of  Great  Britain. 

Luther's  early  life  was  passed  in  Ohio  upon 
a  farm,  and  in  attending  school  at  times  until 
he  enlisted,  Aug.  8,  1862,  as  a  private  in  Co.  G. 
I23rd  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.  He  continued  at  Camp  of 
instruction  where  the  men  were  uniformed  and 

13 


equipped;  left  camp  Oct,  16,  and  proceeded 
successively  to  the  following  points:  Marietta, 
Parkersburg,  Va.,  Clarksburg,  Buchanan,  Bev 
erly,  Rich  Mountain,  Huntsville,  Phillips,  Web 
ster,  and  New  Creek  Station,  now  known  as 
Keyser,  remaining  at  the  latter  place  until  Dec. 
17,  then  marched  to  Petersburg  and  Morefield, 
where  he  had  his  first  skirmish;  then  moved  to 
Romney,  arriving  there  Jan.  10,  1863,  going 
into  winter  quarters.  During  the  following 
march  his  Reg.  moved  to  Winchester,  where 
headquarters  were  made,  having  heavy  march 
ing  and  skirmishing  in  the  surrounding  country; 
then  participating  in  the  battle  of  Winchester, 
which  opened  June  13.  On  the  5th  Mr.  Bar 
nard  and  many  others  were  taken  prisoners  and 
transferred  to  Libby  Prison,  where  they  were 
detained  nntil  July  16,  when  they  were  paroled, 
but  for  want  of  transportation  continued  in 
prison  an  additional  two  weeks.  Their  prison 
fare  was  bread  twice  a  day,  one  corn  loaf  three 
inches  square  for  four  men  and  one  pound  of 
meat  per  day,  divided  between  ten  men,  in  which 
no  allowance  was  made  for  bone.  They  had  no 
covering  of  any  kind  during  their  detention. 
They  dug  holes  in  the  sand  to  catch  surface 
water,  into  which  also  flowed  the  filth  from  the 
sinks,  but  there  was  no  resource  for  the  men 
but  to  use  the  mixture  to  quench  the  terrible 
thirst.  Each  day  the  thousands  of  prisoners 
were  counted,  those  too  ill  to  pass  in  line  were 
counted  lying  upon  the  ground,  and  during  this 
ceremony  Mr.  Barnard  saw  on  one  occasion  a 
rebel  officer  deliberately  disembowel  a  prisoner. 
Upon  their  arrival  at  Libby,  Major  Turner, 
the  officer  in  charge,  instructed  them  that  when 
called  to  "fall  in"  they  were  at  once  to  form 
in  fours.  The  following  morning  before  the 
men  had  finished  sleeping,  Turner  passed 
through  and  called  out  to  the  men  to  "  fall  in." 
Some  of  the  men  were  completely  exhausted 
and  could  not  fall  in,  whilst  others  did  not  do 
so  as  quickly  as  he  thought  they  should,  where 
upon  he  fired  upon  them  with  his  revolver, 
wounding  one  man  and  killing  another,  at  the 
same  time  declaring  that  he  would  teach  them 
to  fall  in  at  his  command.  Two  of  the  boys 
cut  open  their  canteens  which  was  used  to  dip 


194 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


water  and  drink  soup  from,  and  Turner  being 
informed  of  this  tied  their  hands  behind  them, 
then  tied  them  up  by  the  thumbs  for  half  an 
hour,  declaring  that  it  was  punishment  for 
destroying  property. 

Soon  after  being  captured  Mr.  Barnard  was 
smitten  with  bowel  trouble,  which  soon  devel 
oped  into  chronic  diarrhoea,  which  speedily 
reduced  him  in  weight  from  183  to  I3olbs.,and 
this  ailment  has  since  clung  to  him.  Finally 
he  was  paroled  and  went  home  where  he 
remained  until  exchanged  in  October,  when  he 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  Martinsburg,  Va.  It 
was  scattered  then  along  the  B.  &  O.  R.  R., 
guarding  it  until  the  following  spring,  when  it 
with  other  regiments  formed  two  brigades 
under  General  Sigel,  marched  to  New  Market, 
where  they  were  badly  defeated  by  the  enemy, 
and  forced,  after  a  heavy  loss,  to  retreat  to 
Cedar  Creek.  The  regiment  then  started  upon 
the  Lynchburg  raid  under  General  Hunter, 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Piedmont,  captur 
ing  about  1500  prisoners,  moved  then  to  Staun- 
ton  and  from  there  to  Lexington,  where  they 
burned  the  Lexington  University  used  pre 
viously  as  a  rebel  arsenal;  captured  several 
canal  boat  loads  of  provisions,  destroyed  what 
could  not  be  utilized,  then  crossed  the  Alleghany 
Mountains  and  on  to  Charleston,  W.  Va. ;  thence 
by  boat  and  rail  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  then 
into  Maryland.  The  regiment  was  next  in  the 
battle  at  Berryville,  General  Sheridan  in  com 
mand,  Sept.  3;  again  at  Winchester  Sept.  19, 
during  which  Mr.  Barnard  was  wounded  by  a 
ball  passing  through  his  hip,  the  regiment  hav 
ing  lost  in  this  engagement  out  of  188,  officers 
and  men,  seven  killed  and  forty-two  wounded. 
Our  subject,  with  his  brother,  who  was  wounded 
at  the  same  time,  was  taken  into  Winchester, 
after  having  laid  on  the  field  for  three  days  and 
nights  without  food  or  his  wounds  being  dressed. 
Some  days  later  with  others,  he  was  taken  in 
army  wagons  over  a  rough  road  42  miles  to 
Sandy  Hook,  Md.,  the  trip  taking  24  hours. 
He  was  separated  from  his  wounded  brother, 
Henry  C.,  when  he  was  taken  to  Baltimore,  the 
brother  going  to  the  Philadelphia  hospital.  It 
is  simply  impossible  to  describe  his  suffering 


on  this  occasion,  caused  by  the  shattered  hip, 
from  which  since  that  terrible  ride  many  pieces 
of  bone  have  been  taken.  It  was  seven  years 
before  the  wound  healed.  Later  he  was  taken 
to  Baltimore,  where  he  remained  until  Oct.  19, 
when  his  brother  came  after  him  and  took  him 
home.  He  returned  to  Columbus  the  follow 
ing  April,  where  he  was  discharged  May  11, 
1865,  by  reason  of  disability. 

He  was  unable  to  do  anything  for  three 
years,  but  being  somewhat  improved,  moved  to 
Decatur  in  1870,  which  has  since  been  his  home, 
being  employed  at  his  trade  as  an  engineer. 

He  married  Feb.  19,  1868,  Mary  E.  Nims, 
and  by  her  has  three  children,  viz:  Allison 
Frank,  Charles  Clifton,  and  Mary  Diana. 

Mr.  Barnard  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  141, 
G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  has  been  Officer  of  the 
Day,  and  Senior  Vice  Commander;  a  Republi 
can  in  politics,  a  pensioner  and  a  Congrega- 
tionalist  in  his  form  of  worship. 


ERSKINE  M.  HAMILTON,  a  United  States 
Pension  Attorney  of  Bloomington,  111., 
hails  from  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
first  saw  the  light  of  day  Jan.  8,  1839.  His  par 
ents  were  F.  H.  and  Ruth  A.  (Cady)  Hamilton, 
the  former  a  native  of  Brookfield,  Mass.,  and 
the  latter  of  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.  In 
1852,  they  removed  to  Steubenville,  Ohio,  where 
the  father  was  engaged  as  a  railroad  contractor. 
The  Hamilton  family,  which  consisted  of  one 
daughter  and  four  sons,  verily,  four  patriots, 
was  strong  in  its  Union  sentiment.  Indeed,  so 
staunch  that  when,  in  1861,  the  electric  wires 
flashed  throughout  the  North  the  echoes  of 
Fort  Sumpter,  there  rallied  forth  from  beneath 
its  roof,  the  last  of  four  able-bodied  sons.  All 
went  forward  in  defense  of  the  stars  and  stripes. 
Edward  C.  enlisted  in  Company  F.,  84th  Ohio 
Inf.,  served  until  the  expiration  of  his  time,  re- 
enlisted  in  Company  B.,  15/th  Ohio  Inf.,  and 
died  of  typhoid  fever  while  in  the  service. 
Arthur  C.  served  his  term  in  Company  F.,  84th 
Ohio  Inf.,  then  in  Company  C.,  I57th,  and  en 
listed  a  third  time,  joining  Company  H.,  I95th 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


'95 


Ohio  Inf.  Chauncy  A.  was  a  soldier  in  Com 
pany  H.,  igth  Ohio  Inf.,  and  served  the  term  of 
enlistment.  Comrade  Hamilton,  our  subject, 
first  enlisted  in  Company  F.,  84th  Ohio  Inf,, 
May,  1862.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
campaign  against  the  guerrillas  along  the  Balti 
more  &  Ohio  Railroad,  from  Harper's  Ferry 
to  New  York  and  Grafton.  Next  we  find  him 
in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  participating  in  all 
the  maneuvers  under  Major  General  Tolbert. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Camp  Dela 
ware,  where  it  was  reviewed  by  Governor  Tod, 
who  complimented  the  boys  upon  their  effi 
ciency  and  the  value  of  the  service  they  had  ren 
dered.  Thus  his  term  having  expired  he  lost  no 
time,  but  re-enlisted  in  Company  B.,  1 57th  Ohio 
Inf.  This  was  a  three  months'  organization,  and 
when  its  term  expired  he,  like  a  true  patriot, 
enlisted  a  third  time,  enrolling  his  name  in 
Company  H.,  of  the  iQ5th  Ohio  Inf.  In  this 
organization  he  served  one  year  and  was  finally 
mustered  out  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  Dec.  18,  1865. 
Thus  after  over  three  years  of  active  service  our 
comrade  returned  to  his  parental  roof  at  Steu- 
benville,  Ohio.  Previous  to  his  enlistment  he 
had  commenced  the  study  of  law,  and  on  re 
turning  resumed  his  law  studies  in  the  office  of 
R.  S.  Moody,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  soon 
after. 

In  1868,  he  was  elected  City  Attorney  of 
Steubenville,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term, 
removed  to  Bloomington,  111.  Here  he  contin 
ued  his  profession  for  several  years,  but  now 
gives  his  exclusive  time  to  the  prosecution  of 
government  claims.  In  this  he  has  been  ex 
ceedingly  successful,  and  his  services  are  fully 
appreciated  by  the  old  soldiers  of  this  portion 
of  the  State.  While  the  boys  in  the  Hamilton 
family  have  all  demonstrated  their  patriotism 
on  the  field  of  battle,  their  only  sister,  Miss 
Kate  W.,  who  resides  with  our  subject,  has 
doubly  honored  them  by  gaining  fame  in  the 
literary  world.  She  is  an  authoress  by  profes 
sion,  and  as  such  has  attained  renown.  A  mis 
sionary  leaflet  entitled  "Thanksgiving  Ann" 
has  excited  a  great  deal  of  favorable  comment. 
She  has  written  a  number  of  books,  and  is  a 
constant  contributor  to  the  Youth's  Companion 


and  the  principal  literary  magazines  of  the  day. 
Mr.  Hamilton,  himself,  is  a  man  of  literary 
tastes.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  political  affairs.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  also 
of  the  M.  W.  of  America  and  belongs  to  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  146.  An  affable  and  public 
spirited  gentleman,  he  is  a  most  worthy  and 
respected  citizen. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  William  Henry 
Sunderland,  Ottawa,    111.,    was    born    in 
Glasgow,  Scotland,  Nov.  17,  1851,  and  is 
the  son  of  William  and  -  — Sunderland. 

William  Sunderland  was  a  coal  miner  by  occu 
pation.  William  H.  came  to  this  country  in 
1856,  in  company  with  his  sisters  Mary,  Eliza, 
Kate,  Adelia,  Anna  and  his  cousin  John,  land 
ing  N.  Y.  In  1857,  Mr.  Sunderland  and  his 
sister  Adelia  left  N.  Y.  and  came  to  Ottawa, 
111.,  where  after  a  few  years'  residence,  Mr.  Sun 
derland  went  to  Chicago  to  learn  tailoring, 
serving  three  years  when  he  became  night , 
blind.  He  then  went  to  the  Southern  part  of 
the  State  and  worked  on  a  farm  for  eighteen 
months,  at  $10.  per  month,  after  which  he  left 
the  farm  for  the  East,  to  visit  his  sisters  in 
Utica,  only  going,  however,  as  far  as  Buffalo, 
where  he  enlisted  in  Co.  E.,  3rd  N.  Y.  Cav., 
Apr.  23,  1863.  The  Co.  went  to  Plattsburg, 
remaining  there  awhile  in  training  for  the  war; 
they  then  went  to  Warlind,  N.  Y.,  and  from 
there  to  Washington,  where  they  received  their 
arms  and  horses.  The  3rd  remained  in  Wash 
ington  three  weeks  and  were  then  ordered  to 
Alexandria  and  from  there  to  Fairfax  Court 
House,  where  they  were  attached  to  the  3rd. 
Brig.,  2nd  Div.,  2Oth.  A.  C.  They  remained  at 
Fairfax  Court  House  all  winter,  looking  after  the 
guerillas,  principally  Col.  Mosby's,  with  whom 
they  had  an  encounter  in  the  Blue  Ridge 
Mountains.  At  Fairfax  Station  they  were 
again  engaged  with  Mosby,  when,  after  a  hot 
and  sanguinary  fight,  they  were  defeated.  The 
Capt.  (Fleming)  was  killed  and  Mr.  Sunder 
land,  with  about  fifty  of  the  command,  were 


196 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


taken  prisoners  and  taken  to  Harpers  Ferry, 
While  Mr.  Sunderland  was  going  for  water  one 
day  as  he  was  allowed  to  do,  he  succeeded  by 
a  very  adroit  move  in  effecting  his  escape, 
rejoining  his  Co.  the  same  night,  at  Vienna. 
He  had  secured  the  confidence  of  Mosby  who 
had  given  him  chance  to  escape.  From  Vienna 
the  Co.  was  ordered  to  Fredericksburg,  where 
they  remained  during  most  of  the  summer. 

Mr.  Sunderland  and  his  Regt.  participated 
in  that  battle  and  were  badly  cut  up;  there 
were  only  ten  of  his  Co.  left,  and  about  20  of 
the  Regt.  fit  for  duty.  They  were  ordered  to 
Washington,  where  they  were  consolidated 
with  the  i6th  N.  Y.  Cav.,  June  23,  1863.  They 
were  sent  from  Washington  to  Fort  Buff alo,Va., 
where  they  remained  about  thirty  days,  having 
the  satisfaction  of  meeting  Mosby  once  more, 
and  this  time  defeating  him  in  a  remarkable 
encounter.  They  only  numbered  100  men, 
while  Mosby  had  1,000.  The  affair  was  a  night 
attack.  Again  Mr.  Sunderland  and  his  com 
rades  moved  to  Fairfax  Court  House  and  went 
into  camp  there,  doing  scouting  duty  about  the 
country.  They  then  went  on  a  seven  days' 
scout  to  Warrenton  Junction,  and  had  several 
skirmishes  with  the  celebrated  rebel  Morgan, 
while  out.  At  one  time  Mr.  Sunderland,  with 
a  comrade,  went  out  to  look  for  something  to 
eat.  Entering  a  farm  house  Mr.  Sunderland 
had  secured  a  ham  and  tucked  it  under  his 
arm,  when  the  farmer  succeeded  in  locking  the 
two  maruaders  in.  Mr.  Sunderland  knocked 
his  unwilling  host  down  with  a  sabre,  and  made 
his  escape  with  his  comrade-  and  the  ham, 
although  some  rebels  had  come  up  and  given 
chase.  They  followed  him  to  White  Plains, 
where  Mr.  Sunderland  secreted  himself  in  a 
negro's  cabin,  and  succeeded  in  eluding  his 
pursuers.  He  started  out  next  morning  after 
his  Regt.  which  he  overtook  near  Washington. 
They  went  into  camp1  at  Vienna,  where  they 
remained  about  five  months,  and  while  there 
they  were  engaged  in  scouting  and  various 
camp  duties. 

Another  seven  days'  scouting  expedition 
followed,  this  time  to  Culpeper,  where  they 
had  a  fight  with  the  rebels.  In  this  encounter 


Mr.  Sunderland  was  wounded,  receiving  a 
bayonet  thrust  in  the  neck.  He  was  sent  to 
the  hospital,  but  after  remaining  there  two 
weeks,  he  ran  away  and  joined  his  Regt.  at 
Vienna,  Then  came  another  fierce  engage 
ment  with  Mosby  at  Naperville,  where,  after  an 
all  day  fight,  the  Union  forces  succeeded  in 
driving  the  enemy  out.  The  Federals  re 
turned  to  Vienna,  and  next  moved  on  Lees- 
burg,  meeting  their  old  and  formidable  enemy 
Mosby  again,  and  driving  him  out,  after  a  hard 
fight.  In  this  encounter  five  of  Mr.  Sunder- 
land's  company  were  wounded.  They  next 
had  an  encounter  with  Morgan,  who  retired 
after  a  little  skirmish,  not  caring  to  hazard  a 
battle  with  his  former  victorious  foes.  They 
followed  him  up  a  little,  and  then  returned  to 
camp,  remaining  there  a  week,  when  they 
were  ordered  to  White  Plains.  There  they 
had  quite  a  number  killed  in  a  night  encounter 
with  a  guerrilla  force;  and  some  of  the  boys 
becoming  separated  from  the  command,  they 
had  to  shift  for  themselves.  Mr.  Sunderland 
went  to  a  farmer's  house,  where  he  was  ac 
quainted,  and  the  lady  of  the  house  secreted 
him  in  a  barrel.  The  rebels  searched  the  house, 
even  tipping  up  the  barrel,  but  they  did  not 
find  him.  They  went  away,  but  becoming  sus 
picious  again,  returned  and  made  a  second 
search  of  the  house.  The  lady  had  transferred 
Mr.  Sunderland  from  the  barrel  to  a  soft  place 
under  the  sofa,  where  he  remained  undiscovered 
until  the  rebels  had  departed.  After  breakfast 
next  morning  he  started  for  camp,  where  he 
arrived  all  right. 

Mr.  Sunderland  took  part  in  the  exciting 
scenes  surrounding  the  capture  and  death  of 
John  Wilkes  Booth,  the  assassin  of  Lincoln. 
While  his  Regt.,  the  i6th  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  were 
in  camp,  a  telegram  arrived  ordering  them  to 
go  out  in  pursuit  of  Booth.  The  message  came 
at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  i6th 
started  out  and  scouted  all  that  day,  and  re 
turned  to  camp  that  night. 

Early  the  next  morning  they  were  out 
again,  riding  as  far  as  Goose  Creek,  which  they 
forded.  In  crossing,  some  of  the  horses  were 
drowned.  While  out  on  this  expedition,  he 


CAPT.   CHRISTIAN   RIEBSAME. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


197 


was  taken  sick.  Subsequently  they  were  or 
dered  back  to  Washington  and  went  into  camp  at 
Camp  Lincoln.  Aftera  stay  there  of  a  week,  they 
were  ordered  into  Md.,  still  in  search  of  the 
assassin,  and  this  time  they  were  successful- 
They  tracked  him  through  information  received 
from  a  negro.  They  went  South  according  to 
directions,  meeting  a  man,  who  said  there  was 
a  stranger  whom  the  doctor  was  attending,  at 
a  house  in  the  neighborhood.  It  proved  to 
have  been  Booth,  but  he  had  fled  when  they 
arrived  there.  They  pushed  on  and  crossed 
the  ferry;  then  they  made  a  search  of  a  house 
near  by,  but  were  unsuccessful.  Again  moving 
on  they  saw  a  boy  coming  out  of  a  barn.  It 
proved  to  be  the  barn  where  Booth  was  in  hid 
ing.  The  boy  had  the  key  to  the  door.  He 
confessed  that  Booth  was  inside,  whereupon 
the  men  surrounded  the  barn,  receiving  orders 
to  keep  their  places.  The  barn  had  taken  fire 
somehow;  they  had  discovered  that  fact  when 
they  first  came.  Corporal  Corbet  called 
through  a  crevice  in  the  side  of  the  barn  for 
Booth  to  surrender.  He  refused,  and  asked 
for  fair  play;  asked  that  they  give  him  forty 
yards,  saying  he  was  wounded  and  could  not 
get  away.  Corbet  fired  upon  him  then,  hitting 
him  in  the  back  of  the  head,  about  the  same 
place  where  the  assassin's  murderous  bullet 
struck  his  illustrious  victim.  When  the  men 
finally  entered  the  barn,  Booth  was  dying.  He 
left  the  following  strange  message:  "Tell  my 
mother  I  was  fighting  for  my  country."  He 
asked  for  a  drink  of  water,  which  was  given 
him.  He  then  requested  that  they  press  on 
his  throat, as  he  was  choking.  His  request  was 
complied  with.  He  asked  the  man  to  press 
harder.  His  object  was  then  discovered — he 
wanted  to  be  choked  to  death.  The  men 
brought  the  body  back  to  Washington,  taking 
Pool  and  Harris  with  them  as  prisoners.  The 
1 6th  then  went  into  quarters  at  Camp  Lincoln, 
where  they  remained  until  they  were  mustered 
out,  August  18,  1865.  Mr.  Sunderland  received 
his  discharge  at  Harrytown,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  4th.  He 
subsequently  went  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  from 
there  back  to  N.  Y.  City,  where  he  engaged  as 
fireman  of  the  Steamer  "  City  of  Boston,"  of  the 


Inman  Line;  making  three  trips  across  the 
Atlantic.  Subsequently  he  was  engaged  in 
various  pursuits  in  different  places  about  the 
country.  In  1870,  his  adventurous  spirit  di 
rected  his  footsteps  toward  the  Pacific  Slope. 
He  visited  almost  every  State  and  Territory 
West  of  the  Miss.,  employed  as  chanceor  fancy 
might  direct  him,  returning  East  after  several 
years  and  locating  at  Ottawa.  In  1878,  he  re 
moved  by  wagon  to  Neb.,  where  he  purchased 
a  160  acre  tract  and  commenced  stock  farming. 
This  did  not  prove  financially  successful,  and 
after  six  years  of  adversity,  he  sold  out  and 
again  returned  to  Ottawa,  and  engaged  in  til 
ing.  In  1890,  he  went  to  work  for  Mr.  Scan- 
Ian,  contractor,  and  is  still  with  him.  Mr. 
Sunderland  was  married  March  10,  1891,  to 
Mrs.  Clara  Shober,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Maria  Stephenson.  Mrs.  Shober  had  two 
children  by  her  first  marriage — George  and 
Sadie.  Mr.  Sunderland's  father  is  still  living, 
but  his  mother  has  passed  away.  He  is  a 
a  U.  S.  pensioner,  and  a  member  G.  A.  R.  Post, 
No.  156.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


CAPTAIN  CHRISTIAN  RIEBSAME,  a  resident 
of  Bloomington,  111.,  is  a  native  of 
Mutterstadt,  Germany,  where  he  was 
born  June  I,  1839.  When  three  years  of  age 
his  parents  moved  to  Speyer,  on  the  beautiful 
Rhine,  where  Christian  enjoyed  the  advantages 
of  the  excellent  schools  of  that  country.  In 
1853,  the  family  sailed  for  America,  landing  at 
Philadelphia,  Nov.  I7th.  Our  subject  resided 
in  the  cities  of  New  York,  Brooklyn,  Chicago, 
and  finally  settled  at  Decatur,  111.,  in  1858. 
Here  he  loyally  rallied  forth  under  the  folds  of 
his  newly  adopted  flag,  and  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  Co.  B.,  n6th  111.  Inf.,  Aug.  n,  1862.  The 
ii6th  Ills.  Inf.  was  assigned  to  the  1st  Brig., 
2nd  Div.,  1 5th  Army  Corps,  and  served  in  the 
famous  Army  of  the  Tennessee  to  the  end  of 
the  war.  The  regiment  was  never  on  detached 
duty,  always  forming  a  part  of  Gen.  Sherman's 
moving  and  fighting  column.  At  the  battle  of 
Chickasaw  Bayou,  Dec.  28,  1862,  he  was  pro- 


1 98 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


moted  to  Sergeant,  and  for  gallant  and  merito 
rious  services  at  Arkansas  Post,  he  received 
the  epaulettes  of  a  ist  Lieut.  The  sanguinary 
battle  of  Missionary  Ridge  created  a  vacancy 
in  the  next  higher  grade,  and  our  comrade  was 
honored  with  a  Captain's  commission,  dated 
Jan.  24,  1864.  Shortly  we  find  the  Captain  on 
the  Tallahatchie  march;  he  then  followed 
Sherman's  Yazoo  expedition,  and  at  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  and  Chickasaw  Bluff,  Dec.  27-29,  1863, 
he  received  his  first  baptism  of  the  enemy's 
fire.  During  this  hot  engagement  the  regiment 
acquitted  itself  most  gallantly  and  received  the 
highest  compliments.  Jan.  i,  1863,  they  moved 
on  the  expedition  against  Arkansas  Post,  where, 
Jan.  10  and  11,  they  fought  the  second  battle, 
Company  B.  especially  sustaining  very  heavy 
losses.  Jan.  22,  they  landed  at  Young's  Point, 
La.,  and  assisted  in  digging  the  historical  canal. 
Here  the  gallant  ii6th  lost  over  100  of  its 
members  by  sickness.  In  the  month  of  March 
they  went  up  to  Black  Bayou  and  Deer  Creek 
where  they  assisted  in  the  rescue  of  Admiral 
Porter's  fleet,  having  a  desperate  fight. 

April  30,  the  Captain  was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Snyder's  Bluff.  May  14,  he  fought  at 
Jackson,  Miss.,  and  May  16  and  17,  he  faced 
the  hot  fire  of  the  enemy  in  the  bloody  charges 
of  Champion  Hills  and  Black  River  Bridge. 
Then  followed  the  long  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
inaugurated  by  the  desperate  assaults  May  19 
and  22,  1863.  The  next  day  after  the  sur 
render  of  the  city,  July  4,  they  started  in  pur 
suit  of  the  rebels,  chasing  them  beyond  Jack 
son.  After  this  continued  round  of  hard  duty, 
the  survivors  of  the  regiment  went  into  camp 
on  the  Big  Black  River,  remaining  until  Sept. 
26,  when  they  moved  upon  Chattanooga  and 
participated  in  the  memorable  battles  of  Look 
out  Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge  Novem 
ber  23-25.  After  the  victory  and  without  be 
ing  permitted  to  return  to  camp  for  blankets 
or  overcoats,  the  heroic  ii6th  was  hurried  for 
ward  to  Knoxville  to  the  relief  of  Burnside. 
The  weather  was  very  cold  and  while  they 
could  keep  warm  when  marching,  the  suffering 
while  camping  at  night  was  great.  Rations 
a'so  were  very  short,  and  when  at  last  the  regi 


ment  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Larkinsville, 
Ala.,  Jan.  9,  1864,  they  all  felt  they  had  been 
on  the  hardest  campaign  during  their  service. 
In  May  we  find  the  Captain  starting  out  on  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  and  shortly,  he  fought  in 
the  tragic  battles  of  Dalton,  Snake  Creek  Gap, 
Resaca,  New  Hope  Church,  Dallas,  Big  Shanty, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  assault  on  Kenesaw, 
Nickajack  Creek,  Chattahoochie,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Atlanta,  Ezra  Chapel,  siege  of  Atlanta, 
Jonesboro,  and  Lovejoy  Station.  After  the 
fall  of  Atlanta,  the  Ii6th  went  in  pursuit  of 
Hood.  Returning  they  joined  "Uncle"  Sher 
man  on  the  march  to  the  sea,  arriving  near 
Savannah,  Dec.  12,  and  participating  in  the 
storming  and  capture  of  Fort  McAllister.  A 
few  days  rest,  and  then  onward  through  the 
Carolinas,  chasing  the  enemy  through  swamps, 
through  creeks,  across  rivers,  skirmishing 
almost  constantly  until  they  reached  Columbia, 
S.  C.  At  Bentonville,  N.  C.,  March  19,  our 
gallant  Captain  fought  his  last  fight.  Onward, 
onward,  finally  reaching  Richmond,  and  May 
24,  amid  paens  of  victory,  he  led  his  company 
in  the  grand  review  at  Washington.  The  great 
rebellion  had  closed  and  he  was  mustered  out 
June  7,  1865.  The  foregoing  briefly  stated 
career  of  Captain  Riebsame  is  a  military  record 
seldom  equaled,  and  certainly  never  excelled 
in  the  annals  of  our  country.  A  German  by  birth, 
his  adopted  country  may  justly  feel  proud  to 
do  him  honor  as  one  of  her  most  loyal  sons. 

Captain  Riebsame  was  married  September 
21,  1869,  to  Miss  Bertha  Trimter,  who  was  born 
at  Marklissa,  Germany,  June  7,  1843.  By  tms 
union  have  been  born  five  children,  of  whom 
are  living  Emma,  Carl,  Bertha  and  Edward. 
Captain  Riebsame  was  a  chartered  member  of 
the  first  post  of  the  G.  A.  R.  in  the  United 
States,  organized  Aprih6,  1866,  at  Decatur, 
111.  He  is  an  active  andrjonored  member  of 
Wm.  T.  Sherman  Post,  No.  146,  Dept.,  Ills.,  and 
is  a  member  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal 
Legion  of  the  United  States,  Insignia  No.  5932, 
and  a  life  member  of  the  Society  of  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee.  He  is  a  Mason,  a  Pioneer 
member  of  the  North  American  Turnerbund 
and  a  worthy  and  highly  respected  citizen. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


199 


CAPTAIN  GEORGE  W.  Howe,  may  be  found  on 
his  beautiful  farm  near  Tonica,  La  Salic 
County,  Ills,  where  he  is  always  at  home 
to  his  neighbors  of  the  surrounding-  country, 
and  by  whom  he  is  held  in  universal  esteem. 
A  G.  A.  R.  member  especially,  will  be  well  re 
warded  by  a  visit  to  his  farm,  and  will  always 
receive  a  right  royal  welcome,  from  Mr.  Howe 
and  his  hospitable  wife  and  interesting  family. 
He  was  born  in  Roylston,  Vermont,  December 
15,  1822,  and  received  a  common  school  edu 
cation,  improved  however  by  a  wide  range  of 
general  reading.  He  removed  from  Vermont  to 
Illinois  in  1850.  When  he  went  West  he  had  some 
money  and  it  was  his  purpose  to  enter  a  quarter 
section  near  Tonica  where  he  located;  but  owing 
to  the  long  sickness  of  his  wife,  who  died  in 
January,  1851,  followed  by  the  sickness  of  his 
son,  who  also  died,  his  means  which  he  had 
brought  with  him  were  pretty  much  exhausted 
and  accordingly  he  engaged  at  farm  work  for 
a  time.  Later  he  leased  the  farm  of  Asa 
Holdridge,  who  had  taken  a  great  liking  to 
him,  and  continued  to  operate  that  farm  for 
nine  years,  with  financial  success.  In  1851  he 
had  secured  a  soldier's  warrant  of  1812  service 
and  by  power  of  attorney,  located  it  (one  qr. 
sec.)  in  Allen  Tp.,  and  later  purchased  the  tract. 
Subsequently  he  sold  it  at  a  good  price.  In 
1 858,  having  accumulated  a  fine  sum  of  money,  he 
purchased  a  quarter  section  in  Vermillion  Town 
ship  which  he  has  improved  and  where  he  now 
resides.  He  has  an  elegant  farmhouse  and  sub 
stantial  farm  buildings.  The  grounds  about 
his  house  are  ornamented  with  fine  shade  trees 
which  he  planted.  The  Captain  takes  great 
pride  in  his  home  and  has  one  of  the  best  farms 
in  the  county  and  one  of  the  most  pleasantly 
located. 

When  the  President's  proclamation  called 
for  troops,  Mr.  Howe  interested  himself  in  the 
organization  of  a  Company,  but  as  La  Salle 
County  had  by  the  tirrfe  it  was  formed,  enlisted 
its  full  quota  of  men,  this  Company  was  not 
accepted.  In  August  of  the  following  year, 
however,  he  again  raised  a  Company  which  was 
accepted  and  he  was  mustered  into  the  service  as 
a  Captain  of  Company  B.,  iO4th.,  Ills.  Vol.  Inf., 
having  been  unanimously  chosen  by  a  vote  of 


his  Company  to  fill  that  position.  He  received 
orders  to  report  at  Louisville  Kentucky, 
where  the  Company  was  uniformed  and  sup 
plied  with  arms  and  equipped  with  munitions 
of  war.  In  the  reorganization  of  General 
Buell's  Army  his  Company  was  assigned  to 
General  Dumont's  Division  and  was  on  the  left 
of  the  Army  in  Buell's  pursuit  of  Bragg;  going 
first  to  FYankfort  Ky.,  where  he  remained  till 
Oct.  26th,  then  marched  on  to  Bowling  Green, 
Glasgow,  Tompkinsville,  and  on  the  first  of 
December,  reached  Hartsville,  Tenn.  Here  the 
Brigade  consisted  of  the  iO4th,  111.,  io6th  and 
io8th  Ohio,  two  Companies  of  Cavalry,  with 
two  pieces  of  Artillery,  in  all  about  900  men; 
three  Companies  of  the  iO4th,  being  de 
tached  on  other  duties.  The  rebels  under 
General  Morgan  with  3,500  men  attacked  them 
at  Hartsville  about  daybreak,  the  ;th  of  De 
cember.  The  Brigade  formed  instantly  with 
the  iO4th,  on  the  left,  and  a  charge  was  made 
by  the  enemy;  the  I04th,  held  its  ground  but 
the  other  regiments  fell  back,  leaving  them  to 
hold  the  position  alone.  The  iO4th  not  only 
held  its  position  but  repulsed  the  attack  of  the 
Infantry  and  were  driving  them  from  the  field 
when  Morgan's  Cavalry  dismounted  -and  at 
tacked  them  on  the  right  flank  and  in  the  rear, 
completely  surrounding  and  obliging  them  to 
surrender.  The  battle  lasted  I  hour  and  15 
minutes  and  the  iO4th  lost  in  killed  44,  and 
1 50  wounded.  Although  this  was  the  first  en 
gagement  in  which  this  regiment  had  taken 
part,  it  fought  with  desperation  and  effect  and 
standing  at  the  head  of  Company  B.,  urging 
and  cheering  on  his  brave,  courageous  men,  in 
sensible  to  the  danger  of  flying  bullets,  was  the 
figure  of  our  hero,  Captain  Howe.  Had  the 
other  regiments  stood  their  ground  and  fought 
with  half  the  bravery  of  the  iO4th,  there  is  no 
doubt  the  enemy  instead  of  carrying  them  off 
as  prisoners,  would  have  been  ingloriously 
driven  from  the  field. 

Mr.  Howe  with  his  regiment  was  marched 
to  Murfreesboro,  where  they  were  all  paroled 
with  the  exception  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hapeman  and  Major  \Vidmer,  who  with  1 1 
other  officers  were  held  as  hostages.  Captain 


200 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Howe  after  being  paroled  returned  to  Chicago 
with  his  regiment,  where  he  did  guard  duty 
during  the  winter  of  1862-3.  He  left  Chicago 
April  14,  1863,  with  the  regiment,  going  to 
Nashville;  thence  toward  Franklin  as  an  ad 
vance  guard  for  the  protection  of  that  place. 
He  was  thus  engaged  for  about  a  month,  when 
he  returned  with  his  regiment  to  Nashville  and 
went  into  camp  for  a  couple  of  weeks.  While 
at  Nashville  he  made  several  trips  to  Murfrees- 
boro  in  charge  of  trains.  The  regiment  then 
moved  to  Murfreesboro  and  was  ordered  out 
on  the  Tullahoma  campaign.  Captain  Howe's 
company  was  assigned  as  the  skirmish  company, 
and  the  greater  part  of  the  time  was  on  the 
skirmish  line.  After  this  campaign  the  regi 
ment  went  into  camp  at  Decherd,  Tenn.,  and 
while  there  Captain  Howe,  finding  his  health 
failing  and  being  unfit  physically  for  any  vio 
lent  excercise,  having  little  hope  of  recovery 
unless  he  immediately  sought  rest  and  quiet, 
he  reluctantly  resigned  his  command  Aug.  26, 
1863.  He  regretted  the  necessity  for  taking 
this  step,  as  he  was  a  general  favorite  with  his 
men,  who  had  confidence  in  his  bravery  and 
good  judgment,  and  in  his  honor  as  a  gentle 
man.  They  felt  assured  they  would  be  able 
with  him  as  their  leader  to  distinguish  them 
selves  on  the  battlefield  even  in  an  unequal 
conflict,  and  were  willing  to  repeat  the  many 
acts  of  daring  and  bravery  displayed  by  them 
on  the  field  at  Hartsville.  Physically  sick  and 
much  chagrined  at  being  compelled  to  resign 
his  command,  he  sought  quiet  repose  on  his 
farm,  where  he  was  nursed  and  attended  by  a 
loving  wife,  and  two  interesting  children.  He 
soon  showed  signs  of  improvement  which 
gradually  continued  until  he  was  partially  re 
stored  to  his  former  good  health.  He  has 
since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  has  been 
married  twice,  the  present  wife  being  Armina 
H.,  daughter  of  Asa  Holdridge,  of  Tonica,  to 
whom  he  was  married  Feb.  15,  1853,  and  by 
w^hom  he  has  two  children,  Viola,  and  Ellis. 

Captain  Howe  comes  from  a  fighting  family; 
his  maternal  grandfather  James  Wallace  hav 
ing  been  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
Besides  serving  his  country  faithfully  as  a  sol 


dier,  Capt.  Howe  was  selected  as  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  La  Salle  County,  the  duties  of 
which  office  he  has  performed  with  becoming 
dignity  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all 
those  who  regard  high  honor  and  integrity  in 
the  administration  of  justice  as  the  bulwark  of 
our  constitution. 

He  was  prominent  in  organizing  the  Post 
No.  93,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Tonica,  and  so  universally 
respected  by  his  comrades  as  to  be  elected  a 
commander,  taking  an  active  part  in  all  its  busi 
ness  matters.  He  now  holds  an  important 
position  in  the  Big  Bend  Veteran  Reunion 
Association,  and  has  done  so  since  its  forma 
tion,  in  1885.  He  is  a  Master  Mason,  member 
of  Peru  Chapter,  No.  63,  and  a  Knight  Templar. 
When  men  congregate  and  discuss  politics  in 
La  Salle  County  if  you  want  to  find  Captain 
Howe,  don't  waste  your  time  by  searching 
among  the  Democrats. 


ALFRED  WHITFIELD,  of  Rutland,  111.,  mem 
ber  of  G.  A.  R.,  Post  No.  292,  enlisted 
in  the  army,  July  15,  1861,  as  a  private, 
in  Company  B.,  nth  111.  Inf.  This  Regt.  was 
first  called  into  service  under  the  proclamation 
of  the  President,  Apr.  16, 1861,  for  three  months' 
service,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Bird's  Point 
where  it  had  been  on  duty,  and  then  re-enlisted 
for  three  years.  The  first  expedition  in  which 
Mr.  Whitfield  was  engaged  was  to  Madrid,  Mo., 
Sept.  gth  and  nth.  From  there  it  moved  to 
Charleston,  Bloomfield  and  Commerce,  return 
ing  via  Cape  Girardeau. 

The  forepart  of  Jan.  1862,  another  expedition 
was  made  to  Charleston  with  some  skir 
mishing  with  the  Jeff  Thompson's  force. 
This  was  followed  with  a  reconnoisance  under 
Grant,  of  Columbus,  Ky.  Feb.  2,  Mr.  Whit- 
field  embarked  with  his  Regt.  on  transports  for 
Ft.  Henry.  The  Regt.  did  not  take  part  in  the 
lively  and  effective  fight  at  that  place,  but  was 
held  in  reserve.  It  made  up  for  this,  however, 
in  the  next  battle  which  was  Fort  Donelson  in 
which  it  came  out  with  distinguished  honors. 
It  was  heavily  engaged  with  the  enemy  about 
five  hours,  and  if  hard  fighting  is  to  be  meas- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


20 1 


urccl  by  its  losses  the  I  ith  should  certainly  take 
first  place  in  that  battle.  Its  loss  in  killed, 
wounded  and  missing  was  329;  of  this  number 
72  were  killed  and  182  wounded. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  not  spared; 
he  was  thrice  wounded,  once  by  a  sabre  cut  in 
the  head,  was  shot  in  the  right  leg  and  had  a 
finger  of  his  left  hand  shot  off.  He  concluded 
from  this  that  the  rebels  made  a  very  commend 
able  effort  to  disqualify  him  for  further  service  in 
behalf  of  the  Union.  He  was  sent  to  the  hos 
pital  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  remained  there  for  a 
time  and  then  removed  to  Mound  City,  and 
later  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  As  soon  as  he  was 
able  to  travel  he  received  a  furlough  and  went 
home.  Though  much  disabled  his  thoughts 
were  with  the  army  that  was  fighting  in  the 
field  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Union  and  he 
longed  to  be  once  more  with  his  comrades. 
This  feeling  became  so  strong  that  he  left 
home  and  rejoined  his  regiment,  then  at 
Paducah,  Ky.  He  was  with  his  regiment  in  its 
movements  tor  a  time,  but  his  old  wounds 
troubled  him  so  much  that  he  was  finally  ob 
liged  to  leave  his  regiment  and  abandon  the 
cause  he  loved  and  had  shed  his  blood  to  sus 
tain.  He  was  discharged  at  Cairo,  111.,  March 
18,  1862,  on  account  of  disability.  He  returned 
to  Rutland  and  subsequently  moved  East 
where  he  lived  for  eleven  years,  then  moved  to 
Rutland,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
For  some  years  past  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  livery  business. 

Mr.  Whitfield  was  born  in  England,  Nov. 
26,  1836.  When  he  was  six  years  of  age  he  and 
his  parents  emigrated  to  the  United  States, 
locating  in  Phila.  Pa.,  where  he  was  sent  to 
school  and  where  after  he  grew  up  he  learned 
the  blacksmith  trade.  In  1857,  he  moved  West, 
locating  in  Chicago,  and  the  year  following  he 
moved  to  Rutland,  pursuing  his  trade  there 
until  he  enlisted  for  the  war.  Since  he  left  the 
army  he  has  not  been  able  to  follow  his 
trade.  Mr.  Whitfield  was  married  in  1864  to 
Caroline  McCuen.  Two  children  have  been 
born  to  them — \Vm.  H.  and  Caroline  E.  He 
has  supported  the  Republican  party  ever  since 
it  was  organized.  At  present  he  is  officer  of 
the  Guard  of  the  Rutland  Post,  and  is  the  re 


cipient  of  a  pension.  He  is  a  man  much  re 
spected  in  the  community  where  he  has  lived 
so  long.  Frederick  A.,  brother  of  Mr.  Whit 
field  served  in  the  United  States  Navy  during 
the  war. 


Louis  BIBEL,  of  Bloomington,  111.,  was  born 
in  Poland,  in  1839,  and  came  to  America 
when  a  youth  of  17  on  the  ship  Rappa- 
hannock.  He  married  a  Southern  lady  in 
Chockland  Co.,  Ala.,  and  lived  in  Clark  Co., 
Miss.  Before  the  war  he  was  a  staunch  aboli 
tionist,  and  for  his  loyal  sentiments  was  con 
demned  to  be  hanged  by  the  Miss.  Regulators, 
but  a  Confederate  officer  of  Union  sentiments 
saved  his  life.  He  was  placed  in  irons  and  his 
wife  and  children  came  to  the  prison  to  say 
good-bye  to  him  before  going  to  the  "  Demo 
cratic  Slaughter  Pen,"  as  he  very  significantly 
calls  the  Confederate  prisons.  The  officer  to 
whom  he  owes  his  life,  was  Captain  Lawrence, 
of  Company  E.,  I4th  Miss.,  who  was  captured 
at  Fort  Donelson  and  confined  in  prison  at 
Chicago.  While  there  he  did  much  for  the 
Union  cause  by  writing  favorably  of  his  prison 
life  and  contrasting  it  with  the  treatment  ac 
corded  the  Union  prisoners. 

Captain  Lawrence  came  to  Shubuta,  Miss., 
as  Provost  Marshal  of  that  district,  and  through 
his  intervention  Louis  was  forced  into  the  Rebel 
army,  was  dragged  off  in  chains  and  hand 
cuffed  to  Columbus,  Miss.,  and  placed  in  the 
37th  Miss.  Conscript  Regt.  Here  he  was 
shrewd  enough  to  get  into  a  band  as  musician 
under  Professor  Adam  Goss,  and  never  carried 
arms  against  his  adopted  country  —  in  which 
statement  he  takes  a  great  deal  of  pride.  In 
the  first  battle  between  Corinth  and  Boonsville, 
Miss.,  Gen.  Lytle  was  killed.  While  here  hav 
ing  a  hospital  ribbon  on  his  arm  he  pretended 
to  be  in  search  for  Gen.  Lytle's  body,  and  in 
tuitively  became  attracted  by  the  gaudy  blue 
of  the  Yankee  soldiers,  and  kept  so  well  to  the 
front  that  he  ran  into  the  Union  Army,  first 
meeting  the  I4th  111.  At  once  he  donned  the 
blue  jacket  of  a  dead  Yank,  and  thus  in  his  gray 


2O2 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


breeches,  began  his  very  interesting  career  as  a 
Union  soldier. 

Previous  to  leaving  the  "Democracy,"  how 
ever,  and  while  practicing  in  the  bushes  a  con 
troversy  arose  between  some  of  the  band  and  one 
Williams,  the  latter  made  the  remark  that  the 

band  was  nothing  but    G d   Yankee    spies. 

He  had  scarcely  uttered  the  insulting  language, 
when  our  subject  struck  him  with  his  B-flat 
horn,  smashing  his  nose,  and  leaving  him  hors 
de  combat.  While  in  Shubuta  prison,  before  be 
ing  executed  by  the  rebels,  Louie  jumped  the 
dead  line,  knocked  a  stack  of  arms  over,  which 
fell  down  stairs  and  wounded  Owen  Boughey 
and  several  others,  his  determination  being  to 
sell  his  life  as  dearly  as  possible  and  get  "blood 
for  blood."  During  Louie's  sojourn  as  a  resi 
dent  of  Shubuta,  Miss.,  a  little  hamlet  of  23 
houses,  13  men  were  assassinated  for  expressing 
Union  sentiments.  Among  these  Mr.  Bibel  re 
members  Joseph  Landrum,  two  brothers  named 
Cooper,  a  merchant  named  Woods,  "Coffee" 
West. 

Few  men  have  had  such  an  exciting  and 
blood-curdling  experience  during  the  war  as 
Louie  Bibel.  His  experience,  though  severe 
and  disastrous,  has  only  tended  to  increase  his 
devotion  to  hisadopted  country.  He  concluded 
to  try  the  Naval  service  for  a  time,  but  soon 
tired,  and  sought  are-enlistment  in  the  infantry 
at  Cairo,  but  failing  walked  all  the  way  to 
Bloomington,  111.,  where  he  at  once  re-enlisted 
under  John  L.  Routt,  (now  Governor  of  Colo 
rado  ),  as  Captain  of  Company  A.,  94th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  The  Captain  offered  him  $50.00  County 
Bounty,  which  Louis  refused,  as  his  object  was 
to  fight  for  his  adopted  country,  and  not  for 
money,  but  accepted  5c  and  a  drink,  when 
about  that  time  a  big  burly  Democrat,  named 
Louis  Beck,  offered  him  $50.00  to  go  back  to 
the  Confederate  army.  Louie  told  him  he  was 
a  Union  man  and  had  recently  left  a  vacancy 
for  him  in  the  37th  Miss.  Conscript  Regt.  At 
this  Beck  struck  Louis  in  the  face,  and  Louis 
drew  his  pistol  and  remarked,  "I  have  enlisted 
to  kill  Democrats,  and  I'll  begin  at  Blooming- 
ton,"  and  fired.  Beck  was  wounded.  The  re 
cruiting  officer  got  Louis  out  of  the  difficulty, 


and  in  a  few  hours  he  was  uniformed,  defying 
the  mob  but  not  the  law.  He  served  until  the 
capture  of  Mobile,  after  which  he  was  appointed 
special  Assistant  Superintendent  of  the  Freed- 
man's  Bureau,  with  headquarters  at  Indianap 
olis,  also  on  the  Tom  Bigbee  River.  Served 
several  months  in  this  capacity,  when,  believing 
the  way  open  to  reach  his  former  home  at  Shu 
buta,  Miss.,  he  resigned,  and  making  search  for 
his  wife  and  children  found  them  still  at  Shu 
buta  in  a  destitute  "Confederate"  condition. 
While  obliged  to  lay  over  at  Shubuta  awaiting 
the  opportunity  to  get  away,  lying  on  the  floor 
with  one  hand  on  a  revolver  and  the  other  on  a 
shot  gun,  about  12  o'clock  at  night  he  heard  a 
rap  at  the  shanty  door;  inquiring  who  was 
there,  he  was  informed  that  it  was  Uncle  Massy 
Jones'  negro,  warning  him  not  to  attempt  to 
move  that  night  or  he  would  be  assassinated. 
Three  times  during  that  night  he  received  a 
similar  warning.  He  decided  to  obey  the  wana- 
ing,  and  telegraphed  to  General  Millen  at  Me 
ridian  for  rescuers.  The  general  responded, 
and  one  of  those  guards,  Ed.  Cutting,  is  a  resi 
dent  of  Bloomington  to-day.  Enlow,  now  de 
ceased,  was  another.  Under  a  group  of  about 
25  men  he  conveyed  an  unreconstructed  rebel, 
his  wife,  and  two  children  to  liberty. 

General  Kirby  Smith,  Commander  of  the 
Mobile  district,  gave  him  a  pass  for  himself  and 
family  to  New  Orleans.  His  regiment  was  there 
ready  to  go  home,  but  Louie  was  sick  on  a  boat 
and  unable  to  communicate  with  his  command, 
and  reached  Bloomington  two  days  behind  his 
regiment,  being  again  deprived  of  the  pleasant 
reception  accorded  to  the  returned  victorious 
warriors.  But  poor  in  purse,  with  impaired 
health  and  downcast  in  spirit,  isolated  from  his 
Southern  friends,  he  is  satisfied  to  cast  his  lot 
among  the  people  for  whom  the  better  part  of 
his  life  was  devoted,  and  for  whom  he  endured 
so  many  trials,  dangers  and  privations. 

Here  help  was  offered  him  by  many  of  his 
former  comrades  in  arms,  and  particularly  by 
N.  H.  Winslow,  who  gave  him  a  lot  on  which  to 
erect  a  home,  with  the  understanding  that  it 
was  always  to  be  his  whether  he  succeeded  in 
paying  for  it  or  not.  His  comrades  loaned  him 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


203 


money  to  build  a  house.  He  went  to  the  Sol 
diers'  Home  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  remained 
three  months.  This  institution  he  regards  as 
a  National  blessing  for  those  worthy  ex-soldiers 
who  have  no  homes  of  their  own.  He  returned 
to  Bloomington,  owes  no  man  a  cent,  and  is 
doing  well  in  his  business. 

Mr.  Bibcl  was  appointed,  under  President 
Johnson,  as  overseer  of  a  lighthouse  on  Mobile 
Bay.  General  McNulta,  Peter  Folsom  and  Gen 
eral  Ormc.  deceased,  were  his  recommenders 
and  bondsmen.  While  Johnson  asked  if  Bibel 
would  submit  to  "  My  Policy,"  the  said  Bibel 
wrote,  "To  Andy  Johnson,  President  of  the 
United  States,  per  accident,  I'll  see  you  dead, 
damned  and  in  h— 1  before  I'll  submit  to  '  My 
Policy.'  At  this  time  our  subject  was  in  great 
financial  embarrassment,  but  he  declined  to  sub 
mit  to  oppression  even  to  secure  a  good  posi 
tion  under  the  Government,  a  characteristic  of  • 
the  man  all  through  his  life.  He  is  a  member  of 
G.  A.  R.  Post  of  Bloomington,  and  was  a  char 
ter  member.  He  was  a  member  for  20  years, 
and  when  a  Democrat  came  into  the  post  he 
withdrew. 


ANCIL  C.  STEVEXS,    of   Decatur  Ills.,    who 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,    was    born    at   Tompkinsville, 
Ky.,  April  18,  1824,  and  spent  his   early  life  on 
a  farm  in  that  State,  until  27  years  of  age.    His 
father  was  a  farmer,   and  moved  to    Ky.  when 
about  22  years  old,  and  died  in  that  State.  The 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Lucretia  Brown,  a 
native  of  Tenn.  of  Scotch   ancestors,  her  father 
serving  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

Ancil  C.  Stevens  at  the  age  of  nine  years 
attended  school  for  two  months,  and  that  was 
the  extent  of  his  school  privileges.  In  1850, 
he  moved  to  111.,  and  lived  one  year  near  Van- 
dalia,  Ideating  then  in  Macon  County,  where 
his  residence  has  since  been,  except  about  four 
years  when  he  was  farming  in  Missouri.  While 
in  Missouri  prior  to  1861,  Mr.  Stevens  was 
Captain  of  a  Co.  of  Home  Guards,  organized 
for  the  protection  of  property,  and  when  the 
Co.  decided  to  unite  with  the  rebel  regiment 


he  refused  to  go  with  it,  and  this  embittered 
the  company  so  that  he  was  fired  upon  by  the 
very  men  who  offered  him  the  command  of 
a  company  then  the  regiment.  This  occurred 
subsequent  to  the  surrender  at  Lexington,  and 
deciding  to  leave  that  part  of  the  country  Mr. 
Stevens  sent  his  team  to  Jefferson,  and  here 
joined  by  six  other  teams  made  his  way  to 
Louisana,  Mo.,  crossed  the  river  and  came  to 
Decatur.  Here  he  raised  one  crop  on  a  farm, 
and  then  enlisted.  Aug.  4,  1862,  in  Company  A., 
Ii6th  Ills.  Inf.,  which  was  mustered  early  in 
Sept.,  and  in  Nov.,  after  equipment  and  instruc 
tion  at  Camp  Macon,  went  via  Cairo  to 
Memphis. 

In  a  short  time  the  regiment  marched  on 
the  Tallahatchie  campaign  as  far  as  College 
Hill,  and  the  supplies  having  been  captured  at 
Holly  Springs,  it  returned  to  Memphis  and 
took  transports  for  Chickasaw  Bayou,  where  it 
was  first  engaged  in  battle,  losing  a  number  of 
men.  Boarding  steamers,  the  regiment  went 
up  to  Haines'  Bluff  then  steamed  down  the 
Yazoo  River  to  the  Miss,  and  up  that  river  to 
the  White  River  and  to  Arkansas  Post.  Dis 
embarked  Jan.  10,  1863,  and  on  the  n,  made  a 
charge  and  carried  the  works  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet.  In  this  the  loss  was  serious,  and 
Sergeant  Stevens  was  slightly  wounded.  After 
guarding  the  prisoners  and  burying  the  dead, 
the  regiment  again  embarked  and  was  landed 
at  Young's  Point,  La.,  to  work  on  the  canal. 
Feb.  i,  Sergeant  Stevens  was-  sent  to  the  camp 
sick,  where  he  remained  until  about  March  15, 
when  transferred  by  hospital  boat,  he  was 
placed  in  the  Van  Buren  hospital  at  Milliken's 
Bend  and  detained  until  June  1st.  During  this 
time  he  was  made  sutler  for  the  camp,  and  ward 
master.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  and  took  com 
mand  of  his  Co.  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg; 
then  in  the  movement  and  battle  to  Jackson 
and  back  to  camp  Sherman.  Subsequent  to 
the  engagement  at  Jackson  and  Bolton,  in 
which  the  company  participated,  a  change  in 
the  command  was  made — Col.  Tuppcr  taking 
command  of  the  Brig.,  Lieut.  Col.  Boyd,  com 
mand  of  the  regiment  and  Sergeant  Stevens 
resumed  his  position  as  Sergeant. 


204 


SOLDIERS   AND  PATRIOTS' 


After  a  furlough  home  Sergeant  Stevens 
joined  his  Regt.  at  Eastport,  Tenn.,  and  with 
it  went  to  Chattanooga,  crossing  at  Bridgeport 
and  again  at  Lookout  Point,  reaching  a  place 
above  Chattanooga  about  three  miles  above 
the  mouth  of  the  Chickamauga.  Here  the 
u6th  111.  and  the  6th  Mo.,  were  detailed  to 
man  the  pontoon  boats  to  transport  the  soldiers 
to  their  positions.  Muffling  the  oars  the  men 
pulled  down  along  the  west  bank  as  quietly  as 
possible,  and  when  signaled,  crossed  to  the  east 
bank  at  the  mouth  of  the  Chickamauga,  landed 
the  men,  one  half  on  each  side  of  that  river, 
and  at  once  commenced  to  excavate  deep  rifle 
pits.  Sergeant  Stevens  and  his  comrades 
landed  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Chickamauga, 
and  in  the  first  skirmish  pit  of  the  enemy,  dis 
covered  five  men  and  three  officers  playing 
cards. 

At  noon  the  pontoon  boats  were  in  order 
for  the  Union  army  to  cross  the  river,  and  by  4 
P.  M.  Gen.  Sherman's  army  was  all  over  and 
ready  to  move  up  the  valley.  That  evening  a 
movement  was  made  about  four  miles,  driving 
the  rebels  with  heavy  skirmishing  from  their 
camp  as  they  were  cooking  supper.  The  u6th 
was  now  in  the  ist  Brig.,  2nd  Div.,  I5th  A.  C., 
under  Gen.  Morgan  L.  Smith,  commanding  the 
Div.  Resting  during  the  night  after  the  skir 
mish  the  division  was  moved  to  the  extreme 
left  of  Missionary  Ridge,  and  Sergeant  Stevens 
was  placed  in  command  of  a  skirmish  line. 
The  line  was  gradually  extended  with  some 
opposition  from  the  enemy  and  Sergeant 
Stevens  here  received  a  serious  wound,  which 
has  ever  since  given  him  trouble.  At  Mission 
ary  Ridge  the  entire  valley  was  visible  from 
the  point  occupied  by  Sergeant  Stevens  and  he 
was  enabled  to  witness  the  charge,  which  he 
states  was  the  grandest  sight  that  ever  passed 
before  a  soldier's  eyes.  This  was  the  only 
event  of  this  character  that  the  Sergeant  ever 
saw  during  the  war  on  account  of  his  active 
participation  in  the  many  others  where  he  was 
engaged.  After  this  battle  the  regiment  was 
ordered  on  a  forced  march  to  Knoxville  to 
raise  the  siege  where  Longstreet  was  holding 
General  Burnside.  This  being  accomplished 


a  return  was  made  to  Chattanooga  and  a  march 
ordered  to  Larkinsville,  Ala.,  where  winter 
quarters  were  established.  Here  Sergeant 
Stevens  was  very  sick  for  a  month,  but  recov 
ering,  was  detailed  to  drill  50  new  recruits 
which  had  been  received  for  the  regiment,  and 
this  duty  was  so  faithfully  performed  that  these 
men  took  a  place  with  the  old  veterans  without 
difficulty. 

In  April  Sergeant  Stevens  had  charge  of 
some  40  men  detailed  to  chop  cord  wood,  and 
made  headquarters  in  an  old  log  still  house. 
The  men  received  50c.  per  cord  and  the  officer 
$i  per  day  for  this  extra  service  in  addition  to 
their  regular  pay  as  soldiers.  Starting  in  May 
on  the  march  to  Atlanta  the  first  engagement 
was  at  Buzzard's  Roost.  Then  at  Resaca  the 
regiment  bravely  made  a  dangerous  and  heavy 
charge  in  which  the  Col.  was  mortally  wounded. 
At  this  charge  the  Major  was  in  possession  of 
the  plans  of  the  movement,  but  failing  to  keep 
up  with  the  regiment  it  went  150  yards  further 
than  necessary,  and  this  mistake  gave  the 
enemy  an  opportunity  to  pour  a  disastrous  en 
filading  fire  upon  the  regiment.  When  Sergeant 
Stevens  had  assisted  the  wounded  Col.  to  the 
rear,  he  went  back  to  join  his  company  and 
overtaking  the  Major  enquired  the  location  of 
the  Regt.  and  he  said  it  had  gone  up  the  hill; 
passing  on  Sergeant  Stevens  reported  to  Cap 
tain  White,  the  Senior  Captain,  that  the  Major 
was  not  coming  up,  and  Captain  White  assum 
ing  command  sent  to  ascertain  where  the 
enfilading  fire  came  from,  and  this  detail  capt 
ured  a  number  of  prisoners.  The  Regt.  then 
fell  back  to  the  position  it  should  have  taken 
at  first  and  found  temporary  breastworks.  The 
next  day  more  substantial  works  were  erected 
and  the  second  night,  'Sergeant  Stevens 
in  charge  of  a  picket  line,  received  orders  to 
advance  the  line  at  early  daybreak.  In  this 
charge  Sergeant  Wm.  Smith,  color  'bearer, 
brought  forward  the  regimental  colors  and 
Sergeant  Stevens  planted  them,  the  first  on  the 
Fort,  and  as  Sergeant  Stevens  and  Sergeant 
Smith  were  holding  the  flag  a  gun  shot  struck 
their  hands  wounding  both  and  carrying  away 
a  part  of  the  flag  staff,  as  can  be  seen  now  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


205 


the  Memorial  Hall  at  the  State  Capitol.  The 
enemy  in  retreat  set  fire  to  the  bridge  over 
Ostenula  River  and  two  men  in  Sergeant 
Stevens'  company  Sergeant  James  Long  and 
G.  W.  Lyon,  went  forward  and  extinguished 
the  flames  by  carrying  water  in  their  hats, 
although  under  fire  of  the  rebels.  The  army 
then  came  up  and  was  enabled  to  pass  over 
the  bridge  that  thus  had  been  saved. 

After  this  came  the  engagement  at  Tunnel 
Hill  and  at  Dallas.  Then  came  Big  Shanty 
and  Kenesaw  Mountain,  where  at  the  former 
place  Sergeant  Stevens  had  charge  of  the  pris 
oners  and  finding  some  brother  Masons  among 
them,  gained  considerable  information  concern 
ing  the  condition  of  affairs  on  their  side.  At 
Pumpkinvine  Creek  there  was  a  heavy  skirm 
ish.  July  22,  during  a  skirmish  near,  Sergeant 
Stevens  saw  the  men  carrying  back  the  body  of 
Gen.  McPherson,  and  in  the  charge  one  of- 
the  Sergeant's  men  who  was  shot  dead  fell  on 
him  arid  delayed  him  so  the  rebels  near, 
called  him  to  surrender,  and  refusing  was  fired 
at,  but  falling  to  the  ground  escaped  both  inju 
ry  and  capture.  This  force  then  moved  around 
to  the  right  of  Atlanta,  and  in  the  engagement 
July  28,  it  repulsed  seven  charges  in  about  four 
hours  with  fearful  loss  to  the  enemy.  During 
the  siege  here  the  men  lay  in  the  lines  until 
Aug.  31,  when  they  participated  in  the  battle  at 
Jonesboro.  Here  Sergeant  Stevens  had  charge 
of  the  first  skirmishers  that  went  into  that 
place,  and  Gen.  Nelson  of  the  I4th  Corps  was 
the  first  general  officer  to  enter  the  city.  The 
next  move  of  the  command  was  to  Lovejoy 
Station,  which  ended  the  campaign,  and  the 
men  were  sent  into  camp  at  Eastpoint,  Ga., 
then  followed  Hood  for  a  time  and  returned  to 
Vining  Station,  until  they  started  on  the  his 
toric  march  to  the  sea,  which  perpetuated  in 
song  and  story  will  stand  out  in  prominent  re 
lief  until  the  history  of  the  nation  is  obliter 
ated. 

At  Fort  McAllister  the  ii6th  was  one  of  the 
regiments  in  the  Brig,  detailed  to  charge  the 
Fort,  on  which  Sergeant  Stevens  and  Sergeant 
Smith  planted  the  regimental  colors.  The  oys 
ter  beds  and  fisheries  were  also  made  to  contrib 


ute,  and  soon  materially  changed  the  culinary- 
department  of  the  army,  where  short  rations  had 
for  some  time  been  the  rule.  Here  Sergeant 

o 

Stevens  had  charge  of  Gen.  Hazen's  Head 
quarter  Guards  for  two  weeks.  From  this  point 
the  troops  embarked  for  Hilton  Head  and 
marched  through  the  Carolinas.  In  the  en 
gagement  at  Columbia,  Sergeant  Stevens  had 
charge  of  the  skirmish  line  in  the  morning  and 
crossing  the  Ogeeehe  River,  camping  near  the 
Railway  Depot,  saw  it  burn.  When  the  regi 
ment  returned  it  was  accompanied  by  a  number 
of-  Northern  people  who  were  glad  to  avail 
themselves  of  this  opportunity  of  escape.  At 
Bentonville  there  was  a  heavy  engagement  and 
the  1 1 6th  performed  good  service  in  assisting 
to  save  the  2Oth  Corps  from  a  dangerous  posi 
tion.  This  was  the  last  battle  the  ii6thwas 
engaged  in,  and  it  then  went  to  Goldsboro  and 
Raleigh,  where  Johnston  surrendered,  then  on 
to  the  grand  march  to  Richmond  to  participate 
in  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington  where  it 
camped  on  Capitol  Hill  until  discharged  June 
7,  1865. 

Sergeant  Stevens  after  his  active  and  bril 
liant  military  service,  settled  on  a  farm  near 
Decatur  until  1887,  when  moving  into  the  city- 
he  assisted  in  reorganizing  the  G.  A.  R.,  of 
which  he  was  a  member  in  1868.  He  was  en 
gaged  in  real  estate  and  insurance  until  1885, 
when  he  assumed  the  duties  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  which  he  continues  to  discharge.  He  was 
married  at  Tomkinsville,  Ky.,  in  1848,  to  Susan 
M.  Hammer,  of  that  place,  and  has  eight  chil 
dren  :  Wm.  B.,  the  eldest,  died  in  Sultcn  City, 
Washington,  Nov.  21,  1890,  leaving  a  wife  and 
four  children.  This  son  was  left  in  care  of  the 
family  during  the  father's  absence  in  the 
army,  and  faithfully  discharged  his  duty.  The 
wife  of  Sergeant  Stevens  died  October,  1866, 
leaving  an  infant  one  month  old.  Then  he 
married  Louisa  H.  Pope,  of  Macon  County, 
born  in  Springfield,  and  she  has  one  son,  a 
promising  young  man  who  graduates  from  the 
Chicago  Medical  College  in  1892. 

Sergeant  Stevens  is  a  Methodist,  a  Repub 
lican,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  No.  8, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  which  he  was  S.  W.  for  one 


2O6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


year  ;  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  where  he 
is  Senior  Vice. 

This  brief  history  of  an  active  participation 
in  some  of  the  most  prominent  events  of  the 
Civil  War,  and  the  creditable  service  rendered 
by  the  gentleman,  entitles  him  to  the  grateful 
esteem  with  which  these  scarred  veterans  should 
be  regarded  by  those  who  enjoy  those  blessings 
these  men  sacrificed  so  much  to  secure. 


HENRY  HOLMES,  of  Ottawa,  111.,  was  born 
Nov.,  1840,  at  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  a 
son  of  John  and  Rachel  Holmes,  who 
have  now  attained  the  ages  of  75  and  70  years 
respectively.  His  parents  were  born  in  Penn 
sylvania,  and  are  of  German  descent.  Mr.  H, 
had  six  brothers,  viz.:  Georg'e  Washington, 
Commodore  Perry,  Jeremiah  S.,  John,  Leander 
and  Archibald.  His  mother  having  died  in 
1852,  his  father  married  again  and  had  ten  child 
ren  by  the  second  marriage.  Mr.  Holmes' 
brothers,  Commodore  Perry,  Jeremiah  and 
John,  also  became  soldiers  during  the  war  of 
the  rebellion,  and  were  in  the  igth  Mich.  Inf., 
and  attached  to  the  20th  Army  Corps.  The 
first  named  lost  three  fingers  off  the  right  hand 
at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  and  John  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  on 
the  20th  of  July.  The  latter  recovered  and 
rejoined  his  regiment,  but  Commodore  Perry 
was  disabled  and  unable  to  resume  service. 
Our  subject  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and 
applied  himself  to  ordinary  farm  work  until 
he  attained  the  age  of  19  years,  when  he  de 
termined  to  hoe  his  own  road,  and  therefore 
started  afoot,  in  1859,  to  Pike's  Peak,  Col.  At 
the  present  day  such  a  decision  and  journey  do 
not  involve  much  sacrifice  of  money,  time,  or 
loss  of  sleep,  and  if  they  did,  that  country 
would  have  continued  unknown.  When  Mr. 
Holmes  concluded  to  go  thither,  he  was  forced 
to  face  a  walk  of  over  2,000  miles,  with  its  at 
tendant  trials,  hardships  and  privations,  but 
which  journey  he  successfully  accomplished. 
Those  portions  of  Colorado  he  visited  did  not 
hold  out  much  promise  for  him,  consequently 


he  retraced  his  steps,  stopping  at  Mendota,  111., 
on  his  return,  where  he  hired  with  Chas.  Pratt, 
driving  blind  ditches;  was  subsequently  en 
gaged  in  the  ice  business  with  L.  P.  Marsh,  and 
there  continued  until  his  enlistment.  He  mar 
ried  Miss  Ella  Cummings  on  Christmas  day, 
1861. 

His  wife  was  born  in  August,  1838,  at  Water- 
town,  N.  Y., — was  the  daughter  of  a  French 
man, — and  by  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Holmes 
the  following  children  were  born:  George, 
Mamie,  Belle,  Harry,  Bessie  and  Henry.  His 
first  wife  having  died  the  2.  of  Feb.,  1879,  he 
married  again  Feb.  i8th,  1880,  to  Emma 
Walthers.  Two  children  were  born  of  the  last 
union,  viz:  Flora  M.  and  William  B.  He  en 
listed  on  Dec.  6,  1861,  at  Ottawa,  and  the  same 
day  was  mustered  into  the  53rcl  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  The  regiment  was  shortly  after  or 
dered  from  Camp  Cushman  to  Camp  Douglas 
at  Chicago,  where  it  remained  guarding  pris 
oners  captured  at  Fort  Donelson.  His  regiment 
left  Camp  Douglas  for  St.  Louis,  from  there 
was  ordered  to  Savannah,  Term.,  thence  on  to 
Shiloh,  where  it  arrived  the  Monday  following 
the  commencement  of  that  ever  memorable 
battle  of  the  same  name.  His  regiment  was 
detailed  to  carry  off  and  bury  the  dead,  but  did 
not  participate  in  the  engagement.  It  also 
assisted  in  building  fortifications  along  the  line 
of  march  to  Corinth,  during  which  time  it  was 
continually  attacked  by  the  enemy.  His  com 
pany  lost  men,  either  killed  or  wounded,  every 
day  up  to  the  time  the  rebels  evacuated  Corinth. 
On  its  evacuation  his  regiment  marched  to 
Grand  Junction,  then  to  Holly  Springs.  At  the 
latter  place  it  was  engaged  guarding  the  prop 
erty  of  southern  slaveholders.  During  his  stay 
here  Lincoln's  famous  Emancipation  Procla 
mation  was  issued,  whereupon  the  troops  ceased 
guarding  the  property  of  those  who  were 
looked  upon  as  traitors.  From  here  his  regi 
ment  proceeded  to  LaGrange,  there  went  into 
camp  for  about  a  month,  then  started  for  Vicks- 
burg,  but  was  compelled  to  fall  back  upon 
Tallahatchie,  a  distance  of  208  miles,  by  reason 
of  its  supplies  following  in  the  rear,  having 
been  captured. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


207 


During  this  march  the  regiment  was  con 
stantly  under  fire  from  all  sides,  and  being 
without  rations  was  compelled  to  subsist  on 
parched  corn  foraged  on  the  march;  and  even 
on  the  arrival  at  Tallahatchie  was  compelled 
to  exist  upon  similar  food  for  eight  days  there 
after.  From  here  it  was  ordered  to  Oxford 
where  it  remained  until  March  and  engaged  in 
several  skirmishes  with  guerrilla  parties  during 
its  stay  at  the  latter  place.  Then  it  proceeded 
to  Memphis  by  transport,  and  then  to  Bird's 
Point,  Miss.,  and  was  engaged  in  various 
marches  and  skirmishes  along  the  Yazoo  River 
towards  Jackson.  From  here  it  was  sent  to 
Vicksburg.  This  regiment  was  stationed  in 
the  immediate  rear  of  Vicksburg  near  Fort 
Hill  facing  the  enemy's  works  and  participated 
in  the  assault  made  upon  that  place  on  the  igth 
and  22nd  days  of  May,  and  otherwise  assisted 
in  the  siege  until  July  4th  when  the  town  sur 
rendered.  The  regiment  then  marched  to  Jack 
son  and  was  there  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
July  1 2th,  where  all  the  regiment  with  the  ex 
ception  of  22  were  killed,  wounded  or  captured, 
and  even  the  majority  of  those  who  escaped 
were  wounded.  There  they  remained  in  camp 
for  about  one  week,  when  the  regiment  marched 
under  Gen.  McPherson  to  Meridian,  Miss, 
amidst  continuous  firing  from  the  rebel  sol 
diers.  Whilst  at  this  point,  the  remnant  of  the 
regiment  did  some  foraging,  also,  destroyed 
considerable  of  the  enemy's  property,  then 
returned  to  Black  River  about  ten  miles  in  the 
rear  of  Vicksburg  and  went  into  camp  until 
spring.  Having  rested  during  the  winter 
months,  the  regiment  became  anxious  to  seek 
and  conquer  the  enemy,  and  therefore,  wished 
to  be  on  the  move,  consequently  it  took  trans 
ports  to  Natchez,  and  there  remained  in  camp 
for  over  two  months,  but  afterwards  returned 
to  Vicksburg  where  nearly  all  the  men  of  the 
regiment  re-enlisted.  Mr.  Holmes  there  had 
charge  of  his  company  under  command  of  a 
Mr.  Johnson,  the  former  having  previously 
been  appointed  a  corporal;  and  was  afterward 
detailed  to  drill  recruits,  being  recognized  as  a 
good  disciplinarian  and  drill-master.  A  squad 
of  1 8  non  veterans  and  50  recruits  were  after 


wards  detailed  for  special  duty  when  Mr. 
Holmes  was  placed  in  command,  and  proceed 
ed  under  orders,  by  transport  to  Cairo,  thence 
to  Paducah,  Ky.,  where  they  successfully 
engaged  a  rebel  force  under  Jackson.  Mr. 
Holmes  regards  the  charge  he  then  made  as 
one  of  the  most  successful  and  brilliant  occur 
rences  of  the  war,  and  had  the  honor  to  be  in  com 
mand  of  the  Union  soldiers  who  took  part  there 
in.  He  then  returned  to  Cairo  and  afterward 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  Louisville  and  pro 
ceeded  to  Chattanooga  and  there  joined  Gen 
eral  Sherman  under  whom  they  marched  to 
Atlanta.  He  was  engaged  in  the  various  battles 
of  the  Atlanta  campaign  preceding,  and  result 
ing  in  the  evacuation  of  that  city. 

At  the  celebrated  engagement  on  the  left 
of  Atlanta,  on  the  2 1st  of  July,  his  regiment 
charged  the  enemy's  works  twice  when  its 
.  losses  were  severe  in  killed  and  wounded.  On 
the  following  day,  the  22nd  of  July,  the  famous 
battle  of  Atlanta  was -fought  and  won.  Mr. 
Holmes'  regiment  was  in  the  thickest  of  the 
fight,  and  it  was  in  the  early  part  of  that  day 
and  battle  that  General  McPherson,  who  was 
in  command,  of  the  left  wing  of  Sherman's 
army,  and  occupied  a  situation  in  full  view  of 
Mr.  Holmes,  fell  dead  pierced  by  a  bullet  of 
the  enemy.  His  death  recalls  to  Mr.  H's  mind 
the  brave  and  military  genius  of  General 
John  A.  Logan,  who  as  next  senior  officer, 
assumed  command  and  in  a  few  well  chosen 
words  of  encouragement,  urged  his  men,  who 
in  perfect  sympathy  responded,  to  avenge  the 
cruel  death  of  the  gallant  McPherson.  After 
the  battle  they  buried  the  dead,  reorganized 
what  few  soldiers  were  left  of  the  regiment, 
and  went  into  camp  to  obtain  a  well-earned 
rest.  On  the  25th,  it  was  ordered  to  the  ex 
treme  right,  from  which  point,  it  watched  the 
terrible  battle  of  that  day  in  progress,  without 
participating.  The  regiment  remained  in  line 
and  kept  advancing,  covering  its  position  by 
throwing  up  works  until  the  28th.  Mr.  H.  was 
in  the  skirmish  line  on  the  26th,  on  the  night 
of  the  2/th,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  28th, 
and  after  being  relieved,  and  whilst  on  his  way 
to  camp  was  wounded  in  the  left  leg.  He  lay 


208 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


on  the  battle  field  for  two  days  and  nights, 
during  which  time  both  armies  charged  and 
recharged  over  and  around  him.  Col.  McClaus- 
an,  after  the  field  was  recaptured,  spared  time 
from  his  duty  and  bound  up  his  wounded  leg. 
Long  before  relief  arrived  he  became  uncon 
scious  from  pain  and  hunger,  and  in  this  con 
dition  was  removed  to  Marietta,  but  continued 
unconscious  until  removed  to  Atlanta,  where 
he  remained  until  taken  to  Louisville,  Ky.  He 
was  subsequently  taken  to  Springfield,  111., 
where  he  was  discharged,  June  26,  1865.  For 
three  years  thereafter  Mr.  Holmes  was  unable 
to  walk,  and  was  continually  in  pain  caused  by 
pieces  of  bone  being  thrown  off.  Then  a  fresh 
cause  of  anxiety  arose — in  the  contraction  of 
the  cords  of  the  leg  thereby  drawing  up  the 
foot  and  causing  a  deformity. 

Since  his  discharge  he  has  been  in  such 
business  as  his  crippled  physical  condition 
would  permit.  He  first  engaged  in  the  ice 
trade,  which  he  continued  for  18  years,  but  was 
forced  to  abandon  it,  as  too  heavy  to  be  handled 
except  by  a  man  blessed  with  healthy  limbs. 
He  is  now  owner  of  a  livery  stable  which  he 
operates  successfully,  affording  a  good  living 
for  himself  and  family.  He  is  a  pensioner,  and 
receives  $6  per  month,  which  is  a  small  com 
pensation  to  him,  in  view  of  his  many  hard 
ships,  privations  and  sufferings,  without  con 
sidering  in  the  computation,  the  loss  of  a  leg. 


M 


R.  ROBERT  MARSDEN,  formerly  private  in 
Co.  E.,  127,  111.  Vol.,  and  now  a  mem 
ber  of  the  St.  Charles  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  is 
of  English  origin,  having  been  born  in  York 
shire,  Dec.  7,  1843.  Both  of  his  parents, — Roger 
andElizabeth  (Metcalf)  Marsden — were  natives 
of  the  same  shire.  While  yet  a  mere  infant,  in 
1845,  Mr.  Roger  Marsden  sought  a  home  in  the 
new  world,  coming  as  far  West  as  Chicago, 
where  he  settled.  Upon  the  outbreak  of  the 
cholera  epidemic  he  removed  to  St.  Charles, 
Kane  Co.,  where  he  carried  on  his  trade  of 
shoemaking,  and  where  he  died  in  1864.  His 
wife  survived  him  2$  years,  dying  in  1889. 


Robert  was  the  oldest  of  three  sons,  and  up  to 
the  age  of  19  attended  school  in  St.  Charles. 

On  Aug.  14,  1862,  he  enlisted,  and  as  a 
raw  recruit,  was  sent  to  the  camp  of  instruction 
at  Chicago  where  he  remained  until  Nov.  9. 
His  Regt.  was  first  ordered  into  the  field  at 
Memphis,  and  assigned  to  Gen.  David  Steward's 
command,  being  at  first  employed  on  picket 
duty  for  about  two  weeks.  Their  next  service 
was  a  participation  in  the  expedition  to  Talla- 
hatchie,  Miss.,  during  which  they  were  on  the 
march  almost  constantly  for  ten  days.  On 
Dec.  19,  the  I27th  descended  the  Miss,  to  the 
Chickasaw  Bayou,  and  rendered  efficient  serv 
ice  in  the  campaign  around  that  locality  under 
Gen  Sherman,  sustaining  some  loss.  Proceed 
ing  southward  on  Jan.  I,  Arkansas  Post  was 
captured  10  days  later,  and  from  thence  the 
command  advanced  to  Young's  Point,  on  the 
Miss.  River  opposite  Vicksburg.  Here  they 
remained  in  camp  during  the  rest  of  the  winter. 
The  monotony  of  camp  life,  however,  was  re 
lieved  by  an  expedition  at  once  difficult  and 
perilous.  Commodore  Porter  had  penetrated 
into  what  was  known  as  the  "Delta  country" 
going  up  the  Sunflower  River,  and  Deer 
Creek  as  far  as  the  Streter  Bayou.  While  on 
Deer  Creek  he  was  hemmed  in  by  the  Con 
federates,  who  dammed  the  stream  in  both 
front  and  rear,  effectually  preventing  his  re 
treat.  In  response  to  his  summons  for  aid  the 
1 27th  with  its  brigade  was  sent  to  his  relief. 
The  journey  was  made  by  boat  to  what  was 
supposed  to  be  the  nearest  point  on  the  Miss., 
and  thence  on  foot,  inland,  over  bottoms  over 
flowed  with  water.  For  a  mile  and  a  half,  the 
men  were  obliged  to  extemporize  a  road  by 
cutting  down  sapplings  which  they  interwined 
as  best  they  could,  with  a  view  to  keeping 
themselves  as  much  out  of  the  water  as  possible 
After  extricating  Porter  from  his  unpleasant 
position,  and  having  gathered  such  booty  from 
the  surrounding  country  as  they  could  con 
veniently  carry,  the  troops  returned  to  Young's 
Point,  where  several  of  the  Regt.  died  in  con 
sequence  of  the  fatigue  and  exposure  under 
gone  on  the  expedition.  Another  expedition 
was  made  from  Young's  Point  to  Richmond, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


209 


La.,  where  the  men  built  a  Fort  and  constructed 
a  corduroy  road  along  the  river  for  the  pass 
age  of  the  artillery.  After  rejoining  the  main 
body  of  troops,  the  Rt,gt.  dropped  down  to 
Hard  Times  Landing,  where  they  crossed  the 
river  to  Grand  Gulf,  Miss.  After  landing,  a 
successful  charge  was  made  upon  the  Con 
federate  works,  by  the  troops  who  preceded 
their  command,  the  defenders  being  driven 
from  their  trenches  and  their  guns  captured. 
The  Union  troops  were  sent  on  their  way  to 
Raymond,  and  thence  they  advanced  to 
Champion  Hills.  During  the  battle  at  the 
latter  point,  the  I2;th  was  held  in  reserve  but 
was  exposed  to  a  disastrous  fusilade  from  the 
Confederates.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  en 
gagement,  the  ist  Brigade  marched  to  Black 
River,  and  on  the  following  day  to  Vicksburg, 
arriving  there  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  as 
saults  of  the  igth  and  22nd  of  May,  1863. 

The  Regt.  was  next  ordered  to  Camp,  on 
the  Yazoo  River  where  it  was  assigned  to  pro 
vost  duty  until  July  i,  when  it  was  ordered 
back  to  the  works  in  front  of  Vicksburg.  In 
the  memorable  fight  which  followed,  the  I27th 
played  a  not  unimportant  part  and  had  the 
satisfaction  of  entering  the  city  after  its  fall. 
On  the  night  of  July  4,  the  Brig,  left  Vicksburg 
enroute  for  Jackson,  Miss.,  which  place  they 
captured,  and,  after  which  the  I27th  went  to 
Black  River  Junction,  where  the  Regt.  re 
mained  in  camp  until  Oct.  In  that  month 
orders  were  given  to  proceed  to  Memphis  and 
from  there  to  Chattanooga,  which  city  was 
reached  after  a  most  exhausting  march,  but 
not  until  after  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge. 
Gen.  Burnside  at  this  time  was  hemmed  up  in 
Knoxville  by  Gen.  Longstreet,  and  Mr.  Mars- 
den's  Regt.  was  among  the  troops  that  were  dis 
patched  to  raise  the  siege.  From  there  the 
1 27th  returned  as  far  as  Larkinsville  Station 
and  went  into  winter  quarters.  On  May  5, 
camp  was  broken  and  the  Regt.  started  on  the 
Atlanta  campaign.  It  participated  in  the 
engagements  at  Resaca,  Adairsville,  Big 
Shanty,  Sandtown,  Ezra  Chapel,  Rossville 
(where  they  destroyed  the  iron  foundry),  Kee- 
nesaw  Mt.,  and  other  points.  At  Atlanta  the 


command  to  which  Mr.  Marsden  was  attached 
was  assigned  to  the  support  of  DeGrasse's 
Battery.  When  McPherson  fell,  the  I27th 
with  a  part  of  its  brigade  was  ordered  to  the 
Howard  house  to  resist  the  Confederate 
onslaught  at  that  point.  When  the  enemy 
broke  and  fell  back  the  command  succeeded 
in  capturing  250  prisoners,  when  taking  their 
former  position.  During  their  absence  the 
enemy  had  captured  the  battery.  The  Regt. 
charged  gallantly  and  after  a  short,  sharp  con 
test  succeeded  in  reoccupying  the  ground, 
though  at  heavy  loss.  Of  Mr.  Marsden's  Co., 
Corporal  Ozro  B.  Pratt  was  killed,  and  Julius 
A.  Green  was  wounded.  Subsequently  the 
Regt.  was  ordered  to  the  Southwest  of  Atlanta 
with  Sherman's  flank  movement  to  meet  the 
Confederate  forces  at  Jonesboro,  Lovejoy's 
Station  and  other  points  in  that  neighborhood. 
Shortly  thereafter — on  Sept.  27 — Mr.  Marsden 
came  home  on  a  30  day  furlough  which  was 
extended  until  after  election.  On  his  return 
he  went  as  far  as  Chattanooga,  and  went  from 
there  to  Bridgeport  Station,  where  he  remained 
until  Jan.  19,  his  Regt.  being  with  Sherman's 
army.  On  that  day  he  with  others  was 
ordered  to  Nashville,  where  was  formed  a 
corps  known  as  the  Provisional  Div.  of  the 
army  of  the  Term.,  to  which  they  were  at 
tached.  Mr.  Marsden  was  placed  in  charge  of 
the  commissary  department  of  one  battalion. 
The  new  corps  took  boat  up  the  Ohio  River 
landing  near  Mt.  Vernon,  whence  they  pro 
ceeded  by  rail  to  Annapolis,  Md.  Here-  the 
Western  troops  embarked  under  sealed  orders, 
not  to  be  opened  until  after  Fortress  Monroe 
had  been  passed.  When  the  seal  was  broken, 
the  men  learned  that  they  were  bound  for 
Beaufort,  N.  C.,  where  they  landed  after  hav 
ing  passed  through  a  severe  storm.  The  next 
objective  point  was  Newbern,  and  here  the 
division  was  attached  to  the  command  of  Gen. 
Palmer  of  New  York.  An  advance  was  made 
upon  Kingston,  Gens.  Palmer  and  Schofield 
acting  in  concert,  and  the  city  was  captured. 
The  line  of  march  was  taken  up  to  Goldsboro 
where  a  junction  was  effected  with  Gen.  Sher 
man.  There  the  Provisional  Div.  was  dis- 


14 


2IO 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


banded  and  the  men  rejoined  their  respective 
commands.       The    army    then     advanced    to 
Raleigh,  the  news  of  the  assassination  of  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  being  received  by  the  troops  the 
day   before  its    capitulation.      After   the    sur 
render  of  Johnston  the  army  at  once  turned  its 
course  northward,  passing  through   Richmond 
where  the  loyal    citizens  set  out  refreshments 
for  the  homeward    bound   soldiers.     The  dis 
tance    from    Richmond    to   Washington    was 
covered  at  the   rate  of  31    miles    per   day,  the 
Capital  being  reached  in  time  for  participation 
in  the   grand   review.      After   the    parade  his 
regiment  went  into  camp  on  the  outskirts  of  the 
city,  and  on  June  5,  1865,  the  regiment  was  mus 
tered  out  and    started    for  Chicago    where  the 
men   Vere  paid  off.     Mr.   Marsden    although 
actively   engaged  in  some  of  the  hottest   con 
tests  of  the  war,  escaped  without  a  wound,  nor 
had    his    exposure  on  the  march    and   in  the 
Southern   swamps    brought  on  any  serious  at 
tack  of  sickness,  he  never  having  passed  a  day 
in   the    hospital    during    his    term  of  service, 
although  unable  for  duty  for  about  six  months. 
He    once    fell    into   the   hands  of  the  enemy 
while  a  little  in  advance  of  a   foraging    party 
but    was    released    upon  the   approach  of  his 
comrades.      On  his    return  to  St.  Charles   he 
learned  the  tinner's  trade   with  Messrs.  Butler 
&  Gibb,  where  he  remained    until  1891,  when 
he  purchased  the  interest  of  the  junior  partner, 
of  the  then  firm  of   Baker  &  Zabriskie,   and  is 
now  a  prosperous  hardware  merchant.     He  has 
been  S.  V.  C.  and  J.  V.  C.  of  his  post,  and  now 
(1891)  holds  the  office  of  Post  Commander. 

Mr.  Marsden  was  married  March  14,  1869,  to 
Ethel,  daughter  of  Nathan  H.  and  Marietta 
Dearborn,  who  were  respectively  natives  of 
Plymouth,  N.  H.,  and  Natural  Bridge,  N.  Y. 
Mr.  Dearborn  was  a  member  of  the  same 
family  as  Gen.  Dearborn,  who  served  with  dis 
tinction  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  and  his  wife 
settled  in  St.  Charles. in  1836,  and  there  Mrs. 
Marsden  was  born  and  educated.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Marsden  have  three  children.  In  politics 
he  is  an  independent  Republican. 


GENERAL  GEORGE    F.  DICK   was  born  at 
Tiffin,  Ohio,  Feb.  22,  1830.     When  two 
years  old  he  removed   with  his  parents 
to  Cincinnati,  where  he  learned   the  trade  of  a 
tobacconist.     In  1855  he  came   to  Attica,  Ind., 
where  he  continued  the  business  as  a  success 
ful  dealer  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion 
in   1861.     He  assisted  in  raising  a  Co.  for  the 
20th  Ind  ,  to  which  he  was  unanimously  elected 
Captain. 

Captain  Dick  served  with  that  Regt.  faith 
fully — was  with  it  in  all  its  fatiguing  marches, 
skirmishes,  battles  and  trying  times  until 
November  i,  1862.  He  was  acting  Major  of 
the  Regt.  through  the  memorable  Peninsular 
campaign  of  Gen.  Pope,  during  which  time  the 
battles  of  the  Second  Bull  Run  and  Chantilla 
were  fought,  and  in  Sept.  1862,  was  appointed 
Major.  In  the  following  Nov.  he  received  the 
appointment  of  Lieut.  Col.  of  the  86th  Regt. 
From  this  time  until  his  promotion  Gen.  Dick- 
is  found  actively  directing  the  movements  of 
his  regiment.  Upon  the  formation  of  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland,  General  Dick  was  assigned 
to  the  Second  Brig.,  3rd  Div.  (Van  Cleve's), 
2ist,  A.  C.,  and  led  his  Regt.  at  the  battle  of 
Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862,  and  Jan.  ist  and 
2nd,  1863.  When  the  right  of  our  army  gave 
way,  our  Div.  rushed  rapidly  to  its  support,  and 
arrived  in  time  to  materially  check  the  enemy. 
It  was  at  this  juncture  that  Gen.  Rosencrans 
led  a  charge  in  person,  which  drove  the  enemy 
for  nearly  a  mile.  The  Regt.  lost  in  this  battle, 
24  killed,  and  24  wounded;  a  total  of  forty- 
eight.  On  Jan.  14,  1863,  after  the  battle  of 
Stone  River,  he  was  promoted  to  the  Colonelcy 
to  succeed  Orville  S.  Hamilton,  resigned. 

Soon  after  his  promotion  he  was  assigned 
to  the  command  of  the  2d  Brig.,  3d  Div.,  2ist 
A.  C.,  which  command  he  retained  until  the  re 
organization  of  the  army  of  the  Cumberland. 
He  was  in  command  of  the  Brig,  during  the 
sanguinary  battle  of  Chickamauga,  then  fellback 
with  the  main  army  to  Chattanooga,  and  was 
there  on  duty  during  the  siege  of  that  place, 
and  later,  led  his  command  up  the  fortified  and 
precipitous  heights  of  Mission  Ridge  in  the 
face  of  a  crest  crowned  with  rebel  bayonets,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


through  a  hail  of  leaden  musketry.  So  deter 
mined  was  the  onslaught,  that  the  men  swept 
up  the  rugged  hillside  and  over  the  enemy's 
works,  regardless  of  commands.  Through  the 
severe  winter  campaign  in  East  Tenn.,  he  was 
ever  ready  to  cheer  and  comfort  his  men  in 
their  greatest  suffering,  showing,  though  rigid 
in  discipline,  that  he  had  a  tender  and  an  af 
fectionate  regard  for  the  men  who  were  so 
bravely  enduring  the  hardships  and  privations 
incident  to  a  soldier's  life.  He  participated  in 
the  famous  Atlanta  campaign  and  throughout 
the  many  hardships  and  privations  endured 
upon  that  terrible  expedition;  always  encour 
aged  his  men  by  his  own  brave  and  soldierly 
conduct,  inspiring  confidence  in  them,  and  de 
termination  to  prove  themselves  worthy  of  the 
reciprocated  trust  imposed  in  them  by  their 
gallant  commander.  He  led  the  Brig,  in  all  the 
important  battles  of  the  expedition,  among  • 
these  being  Resaca,  Pickett's  Mills,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Atlanta,  Lovejoy  Station,  and  Jonesboro. 
After  a  short  rest  at  Atlanta,  leading  his  Brig,, 
he  moved  toward  Chattanooga  to  watch  and 
pursue  Gen.  Hood,  it  being  the  policy  of  Sher 
man  to  drive  that  Gen.  and  his  army  as  far 
North  as  necessary.  The  pursuit  was  not  very 
vigorous,  and,  upon  reaching  Gaylesville,  was 
discontinued.  The  4th  Corps  was  then  assigned 
to  the  command  of  Gen.  Thomas,  and  moving 
northward,  Gen.  Dick's  Brig,  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Franklin,  on  the  3Oth  of  Nov.,  and  the 
1 5th  and  i6th  of  Dec. 

For  a  short  time  previous  to  the  battles  of 
Nashville,  the  enemy  under  Hood  had  been  in 
position  in  front  of  Nashville,  commanding  its 
southern  approaches.  On  the  I5th  of  Dec. 
Gen.  Thomas  assumed  the  offensive.  Thornas'1 
line  was  formed  with  Wilson's  cavalry  on  the 
right,  then  A.  J.  Smith,  Wood  and  Steadman, 
Schofield's  Corps  being  in  reserve.  After  an 
opening  fire  from  our  batteries,  Steadman  made 
a  strong  demonstration  on  the  right,  the  real 
attack  being  designed  for  the  center  and  left. 
Wood  carried  the  strong  works  in  the  center. 
Our  batteries  then  advanced,  and  Smith  assailed 
the  hostile  left.  Schofield  came  up  on  Smith's 
right,  outflanking  the  enemy,  who  began  to 


give  way.  Our  right  was  thrown  between  the 
river  and  the  enemy's  left,  which  was  hurled 
back  on  the  center.  Wilson's  cavalry  now 
pushed  forward,  and  our  whole  line  advanced 
in  the  face  of  a  hot  fire.  The  enemy's  works 
were  carried,  and  he  fell  back  in  confusion. 
The  next  morning  the  fight  was  renewed  with 
decided  success^  the  enemy  being  driven  from 
each  successive  line  of  iritrenchments,  and  fall 
ing  back  to  Franklin.  The  pursuit  was  briskly 
pressed,  and  the  defeated  and  demoralized 
enemy  driven  across  the  Tenn.  River,  when 
our  army  ceased  pursuit.  Gen.  Dick  was  thrice 
wounded  in  action,  the  first  occasion  being  in 
the  foot  during  the  Peninsular  campaign  at 
Charleston  Cross  Roads.  The  others  were  at 
the  battle  of  Pickett's  Mills,  Ga.,  where  he  was 
twice  wounded;  the  first  occasion  being  in  the 
hip,  caused  by  a  piece  of  shell  which  first  struck 
his  sword,  destroying  its  usefulness;  then  the 
broken  fragments  of  the  shell  entered  his  hip, 
causing  a  severe  wound  which  has  been  perma 
nent  in  character.  The  old  weapon  which 
saved  its  owner  from  a  terrible  if  not  a  fatal 
wound,  is  still  preserved  as  a  momento  of  the 
dark  days  of  the  rebellion.  He  also  received 
during  the  same  day  a  gunshot  wound  in  the 
breast,  but  was  not  so  serious  as  the  other. 
Being  incapacitated  for  active  field  duty,  he 
was  granted  a  furlough  of  thirty  days,  but  long 
before  his  wound  had  healed,  Gen.  Dick  was 
again  at  the  front,  cheering  his  men  by  his 
courage  and  gallantry,  but  being  unable  to 
mount  a  horse,  performed  his  duties  upon  foot 
until  sufficiently  recovered  to  remount.  He 
was  a  spectator  of  the  great  naval  battle  be 
tween  the  Merrimac  and  Monitor  at  Newport 
News.  That  same  night  having  retired,  was 
thrown  from  his  bed  by  the  explosion  of  the 
magazine  on  the  ship  "Congress,"  although  it 
was  supposed  any  danger  from  that  source  had 
ceased.  The  2Oth  Ind.  enlisted  an  aggregate 
of  1403  men,  of  whom  IOOO  were  killed,  wounded 
or  died  in  the  service,  whilst  1 14  were  captured. 
Soon  after  the  battle  of  Nashville  he  camped 
at  Huntsville,  until  Nov.  16,  1864,  receiving  in 
the  meantime  his  commission  of  Brevet  Brig. 
Gen.  of  volunteers  for  meritorious  condu 


212 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


upon  the  field;  then  moved  into  East  Tenn., 
subseqnently  returning  to  Nashville,  remaining 
there  in  camp  until  June  6,  1865,  at  which  date 
he  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  and  at  once 
started  on  the  journey  homeward. 

Gen.  Dick  was  married  in  Cincinnati,  to 
Miss  Anna  Myers,  removed  to  Attica,  Ind., 
in  1855,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacturing 
of  tobacco.  After  the  war,  he  removed  to 
Bloomington  in  the  fall  of  1865,  and  then 
resumed  his  business  until  1873,  when  he 
was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Bloomington, 
holding  that  office  for  twelve  years.  Subse 
quently  he  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  North 
western  Life  Insurance  Company  of  Blooming- 
ton,  a  position  which  he  held  for  three  years 
when  he  retired  from  active  life.  He  has  a 
very  handsome  sword  which  was  presented  to 
him  by  the  members  of  the  20th  Ind.,  his  old 
regiment,  and  which  he  prizes  highly,  and  well 
he  may.  It  is  a  very  valuable  keepsake,  and 
yet  in  comparison  with  the  one  he  carried,  and 
which  probably  saved  his  life,  his  feelings  and 
sentiments  naturally  make  him  have  a  prefer 
ence  for  the  latter. 

The  General  had  the  misfortune  of  losing 
his  first  wife,  she  having  died  in  1878,  leaving 
one  child,  Ella  B.,  now  wife  of  George  B.  Mil 
ler.  He  married  again  Oct.  8,  1881,  Miss 
Emma  R.  Kemball,  a  native  of  New  Hamp 
shire,  and  three  sons  have  resulted  from  the 
union,  viz:  Geo.  F.,  Carl  and  Harvie.  In  poli 
tics,  General  Dick  is  always  found  taking  an 
active  part  in  the  Republican  party;  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Veteran  Union's  Union,  John  A.  Lo 
gan,  Command  No.  I ;  a  member  of  Wait  Bar 
ney  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.;  and  of 
Evergreen  Lodge  No  265,  I.  O.  O.  F.  of  which 
Lodge  he  is  a  P.  G.,  and  has  represented  his 
district  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  Indiana 
and  Illinois. 


M 


K.  MARTIN  L.  BURSON  was  born  in  Col- 
umbina  County,  Ohio,  Jan.  5,  1839.  His 
early  life  was  spent  in  farming  in  Ohio 
where  he  attended  school  until  his  iQth  year, 
receiving  such  education  as  the  common 


schools  at  that  time  afforded.  He  went  then  to 
Cincinnati  and  attended  a  medical  college  fora 
time.  The  war  fever  in  Indiana  was  at  this 
time  at  its  height,  and  as  it  appeared  in  epi 
demic  form,  young  Burson  did  not  escape  its  in 
fluences  and,  therefore,  set  out  for  Logansport, 
Ind.,  where  he  enlisted  in  September,  1861,  and 
was  mustered  into  service  Oct.  17,  1861,  in  Co. 
H.,  46th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  of  which  he  was  ap 
pointed  2nd  Duty  Sergeant,  the  regiment's  Col. 
being  Graham  N.  Fitch.  It  camped  there  for 
about  two  months,  drilling  and  performing 
camp  duties,  from  which  point  it  moved  to 
Indianapolis,  then  to  Ky.,  crossing  the  Ohio  at 
the  mouth  of  Salt  River,  and  went  into  Camp 
Wycliffe  for  a  short  time.  From  here  the  Regt. 
proceeded  by  boat  up  Salt  River,  and  on 
to  Cairo,  there  disembarked  and  remained  for 
some  days,  then  moved  to  Commerce  on  the 
Miss.  River ;  then  marched  to  New  Madrid, 
which  it  succeeded  in  capturing.  The  Regt. 
was  ordered  to  Ruddles  Point  whither  it 
marched  by  night,  drawing  by  hand  its  artil 
lery,  and  arriving  there  in  the  midst  of  a  vio 
lent  storm.  It  immediately  commenced  to  build 
a  temporary  fort,  having  selected  a  position 
about  two  miles  from  a  clearance  so  it  could 
not  be  observed  in  the  daytime,  and  continued 
building  the  fort  at  night,  the  object  being  to 
cut  off  the  rebel  supplies.  Here  it  was  attacked 
by  the  enemy's  fleet  and  two  of  its  guns  were 
silenced,  but  it  held  its  works  and  had  the  dis 
abled  guns  replaced  by  12  pound  rifle  guns, 
by  which  it  was  enabled  to  hold  the  enemy  at 
a  distance  until  Gen.  Pope,  by  a  well  directed 
effort  had  captured  Island  No.  10. 

The  Regt.  next  moved  on  transports  to  Fort 
Pillow,  remaining  there  only  a  few  days,  when 
it  steamed  to  Memphis,  which  city  it  assisted 
in  capturing.  It  remained  there  about  ten  clays, 
then  proceeded  down  the  river  to  St.  Charles, 
situated  at  the  junction  of  the  White  and  Miss. 
Rivers.  The  instructions  to  Mr.  Burson's  com 
manding  officer  was  to  capture  St.  Charles,  and 
in  attempting  to  take  possession  of  it,  a  sharp 
skirmish  took  place  with  the  rebels,  resulting  in 
the  surrender  of  the  town  to  the  Union  troops. 
After  remaining  there  a  short  time,  the  regi- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


21 


ment  was  ordered  to  DuVall's  Bluff,  continued 
there  over  night,  then  returned  to  Helena,  Ark., 
where  it  went  into  quarters  for  the  winter  of 
1862-3,  doing  guard  and  garrison  duty.  There 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  promoted  to  1st 
Sergeant.  In  the  early  spring  it  proceeded  by 
boat  to  Moon  Lake,  cutting  timber  and  clear 
ing  out  the  bayou  through  to  the  Yazoo  River, 
then  returning  to  Helena,  they  sailed  down  the 
Miss.  River  to  Milliken's  Bend,  disembarked, 
and  marched  through  to  Grand  Gulf,  crossing 
the  river  on  their  route,  near  Vicksburg,  May  I, 
1863.  The  regiment  engaged  the  enemy  at  Fort 
Gibson,  and  then  took  part  in  the  sanguinary 
battle  of  Champion  Hills,  May  i6th,  where  the 
Doctor's  brother,  Perry,  was  killed.  Gen.  Mc- 
Clernand  was  now  the  commander  of  the  Corps, 
and  Gen.  Hovey  had  charge  of  the  Div.  Dr. 
Burson's  Regt.  was  placed  in  the  front  when 
the  lines  were  established  around  Vicksburg. 
His  Regt.  participated  in  the  assaults  made 
upon  the  rebel  works  on  May  19  and  22,  re 
spectively,  and  were  continuously  under  the 
enemy's  fire  until  the  surrender  of  that  city 
July  4,  1863.  After  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  Dr. 
Burson  received  a  commission  as  2nd  Lieut. 
but  was  not  mustered  in,  as  the  Co.  had  not 
sufficient  men  to  install  that  officer.  His  Regt. 
joined  Gen.  Sherman's  army  on  his  Jackson  ex 
pedition,  and  was  skirmishing  almost  daily 
along  the  line  of  march,  in  one  of  which  its  1st 
Lieut,  was  wounded.  They  participated  in  the 
battle  which  gave  the  last  named  place  into  the 
hands  of  Gen.  Sherman.  After  the  evacuation 
of  Jackson.,  the  Regt.  marched  back  to  Vicks 
burg;  it  then  went  into  camp  for  a  short  time, 
and  afterwards  took  transports  to  New  Orleans, 
stopping  a  few  days  on  the  way  to  Natchez. 

Leaving  New  Orleans  a  little  later  the  Regt. 
crossed  the  river  to  Algiers,  then  on  by  rail  to 
Buricks  Bay,  where  it  again  made  a  stop  for  a 
few  days ;  then  took  transports  for  Texas,  remain 
ing  there,  Matagorda  Peninsula,  two  or  three 
weeks.  The  Regt,  then  returned  to  New  Orleans 
camping  close  to  Lake  Pontchartrain,  and  there 
the  Regt.  re-enlisted  with  the  understanding 
that  the  men  should  be  furloughed  for  30  clays. 
The  furloughs  were  written  out  and  signed,  but 


withheld  in  consequence  of  the  celebrated 
cotton  expedition  contemplated  by  Gen.  Banks. 
Dr.  Burson  accompanied  his  Regt.  up  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Red  River  by  boat,  marched  from 
there  to  Pleasant  Hill,  and  then  by  a  forced 
march  to  Mansfield,  where  it  was  engaged  in 
deadly  conflict.  For  several  hours  of  this 
engagement,  Dr.  Burson  commanded  his  Co.  and 
by  his  gallantry  and  boldness  won  the  esteem  of 
his  superior  officers,  and  the  compliments  of  the 
men  who  fought  under  him.  His  Co.  fought 
with  desperation  and  bravery  whilst  the  amu- 
nition  lasted,  then  with  a  wild  rush  advanced 
and  engaged  in  a  hand  to  hand  conflict,  and 
only  ceased  their  work  of  slaughter  when 
ordered  to  withdraw.  From  here  the  regiment 
fell  back  to  the  igth  A.  C.,  marching  the  en 
tire  night,  covering  18  miles,  and  absolutely 
without  anything  to  eat.  From  here  it  moved 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Red  River  which  occupied 
28  days. 

It  was  daily  engaged  in  heavy  skirmishes 
with  the  rebels  and  was  obliged  to  build  dams 
for  the  purpose  of  raising  the  water  in  the 
river  to  allow  the  gunboats  to  pass,  and  this 
was  accomplished  only  by  working  both  day 
and  night.  It  crossed  the  Red  River  near  its 
mouth  and  marched  to  the  Miss.,  where  it 
again  took  steamers  for  New  Orleans,  and  on 
arrival,  was,  with  the  others  of  his  Regt.,  pre 
sented  with  his  furlough  hitherto  withheld, 
and  thus  permitted  to  start  for  home.  On  ar 
riving  at  Logansport,  the  Regt.,  received  a 
grand  reception  from  the  citizens  of  that  town. 
Those  who  had  followed  the  movements  of  the 
Doctor  and  his  Co.,  had  not  failed  to  appre 
ciate  the  valuable  service  they  had  rendered, 
and  also  recognized  the  fact  that  their  gallantry 
and  bravery  had  shed  luster  upon  the  town 
which  produced  so  able  a  lot  of  men.  His 
leave  of  absence  having  expired,  he  returned 
to  Indianapolis  and  there  rejoined  his  Regt., 
went  to  Cincinnati,  then  up  the  Ohio  River  to 
Big  Sandy  River,  with  forage  for  Gen.  Bur- 
bridge's  army,  which  the  transports  attempted 
to  ascend,  but  by  reason  of  the  shallowness  of 
the  river  were  obliged  to  push  the  boats  with 
poles  for  a  long  distance.  They  finally  arrived 


214 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


at  Prestonsburg,  Va.;  from  there  were  ordered 
back  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  the  Regt.  camped 
for  a  period  and  then  took  up  its  march  to 
Lexington,  and  went  into  camp,  occasionally 
performing  provost  duty.  It  remained  here 
until  'the  spring  of  1865,  when  it  moved  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  and  was  there  mustered  out  of 
the  service,  Nov.  5,  1865.  At  Lexington,  Ky., 
Dr.  Burson  was  discharged  by  reason  of  pro 
motion  about  June  iQth,  and  was  at  once  mus 
tered  in  as  1st  Lieut.,  after  which  he  commanded 
his  Co.  a  part  of  the  time  and  also  Co.  I. 

He  was  also  selected  on  several  occasions 
to  perform  special  detached  duties.  After 
being  mustered  out,  he  proceeded  to  Indian 
apolis,  thence  to  Plymouth,  Ind.,  where  he 
entered  Dr.  West's  office,  where  he  remained  for 
about  18  months.  He  removed  t6  Streator,  111., 
in  1869.  Immediately  on  arriving  at  Streator, 
he  opened  an  office  and  commenced  the  prac 
tice  of  his  profession,  which  he  has  successfully 
and  honorably  carried  on,  growing  year  by  year 
in  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  patients,  un 
til  now  he  has  a  large  and  successful  practice. 

Dr.  Burson  is  the  son  of  Dr.  James  Burson, 

a  native  of  Va.,  born  in    1813  of    Irish  descent, 

who  was    at   one   time  of  Van  Wert    County, 

Ohio.     His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Feana 

Dickey,  also  of  Irish  descent,  and  who,  besides 

the  Doctor,  had  four  children — George,  Henry, 

Commodore    Perry,  and    Wm.  B.     George,  the 

first  named,  is   Judge  of   the   Circuit    Court  in 

Indiana.     He  enlisted  in  the  late  Rebellion  and 

was  Capt.  of   Co.  H.,   46th  Ind.   Vet.  Vol.  Inf., 

and  commissioned  as  Maj.  of  1st    Ark.  C.  R. 

Henry   was  a  soldier  in  the  looth  111.  Inf.,  and 

was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  April 

6,  1862.     Commodore    Perry   was    born  in  Van 

Wert,  in  1844,  and  was  also  a  soldier  in  the  46th 

Ind.  Regt.,  and  was    killed  at  Champion  Hills, 

May   16,     1863. ^    Dr     Burson    was    married    at 

Joliet,  111.  to  Sophono  Goodenough,  in  October, 

1867,  and  four  children   have  blessed  the  union 

-Clara  M.,  Laura    G.,   Markus  V.,  and    infant, 

all    of    whom    are    living    except     one.       Dr. 

Burson   is  a  member  of  the   Streator   Post  No. 

68,  G.  A.  R.,  and  surgeon  of  the  same.     He  is  a 

Republican. 


CHARLES  McCREADY,  of  Earlville,  111.  en 
listed  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  at 
Earlville,  Dec,  10,   1861,  and  was  mus 
tered  in  as  a  Corporal  of  Company  D.,  53rd  111. 
Vol.  Inf.     He  went  with  his  regiment,  Feb.  27, 
1862,  to  Chicago  where    the  organization    was 
completed,  and  in  the   mean  time,   assisted  in 
guarding  the  Confederate  soldiers  captured  at 
Fort  Donelson.     On  March  23,  he  proceeded  to 
St.  Louis,  then    to    Savannah,    Tenn.,    and    on 
April  7,  arrived  at  and  participated  in  the  battle 
of   Pittsburg   Landing.     He   afterward   moved 
with  his  regiment  to  Corinth,  and  took  part  in 
the  siege  of  that  place,    and    as  a    reward    for 
meritorious  conduct  the  regiment  was  presented 
with  Springfield  rifles.     Subsequently  the  regi 
ment  moved  to  Bolivar,  Tenn.,  where  it  arrived 
Sept,  13,  and    camped    until    Oct.    14,    when  it 
again  moved  to  Hatchie  Bridge,  and  on  the  fol 
lowing  day  engaged  four  times  its  number  then 
retreating  from  Corinth.     While   crossing  the 
Davis'    Bridge   on   the  Tallahatchie    River,   a 
Union  Regt.  was  forced  back  through  the  lines 
of  the  53rd,  but  the  latter  moved  steadily  for 
ward  regardless  of  the    terrible   fire    from    the 
enemy,  held  the  bridge  and  road  for  upwards  of 
two  hours,  thus  allowing  the   troops    to    cross 
and  be  placed  in  position  and  thereby  forcing 
the  rebels  back.     The   loss  of  Mr.  McCready's 
Regt.     in    this    battle    was    16    killed    and    49 
wounded.     His  next  move  was  back  to  Bolivar, 
remaining  there  until  Nov.  4,  when  he  marched 
to    La    Grange,  and    afterwards    moved    with 
Grant's    army    south    to   Cold    Water,    Holly 
Springs,    Waterford,  Abbeyville,   Oxford,   and 
Yocona  Creek  where  he  remained  until  the  27, 
then  joined  the  march  northward  toward  Talla 
hatchie  River.     His  regiment  spent    the   early 
part  of  the  winter  at  Macon,  Tenn.,  and  the  latter 
part  at  Memphis,  remaining  there  until    May 
17,  1863,  when  it  embarked  for  Young's  Point. 
On  the  20,  his  Regt.  moved  to  Haines'  Bluff, 
and  on  the  25,  to  Vicksburg,  having  been  placed 
on  the  left  of  the   13  A.  C.,  with    Major   Ord 
commanding,  and  to  which    his    Div.    was    at 
tached.     He  continued  in  the  siege  of  Vicks 
burg  until  its  surrender,  and  on  the  following 
day  accompanied  Sherman's  army  against  Jack- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


215 


son,  Miss.,  where  on  the  I2th,  his  regiment- 
before  the  Union  lines  closed  around — was  or 
dered  to  charge  the  rebel  works,  which  it  did 
gallantly,  but  with  disastrous  results.  It  entered 
the  contest  with  250  men  and  officers,  and 
emerged  with.  66  men  left.  The  color  bearers 
were  all  either  killed  or  wounded  with  the  ex 
ception  of  our  subject,  who  carried  from  the 
field  the  colors,  saturated  with  the  blood  of 
Sergeant  Poundstone,  the  bearer.  After  this 
battle  the  regiment  remained  inactive,  stationed 
first  at  Nashville,  then  at  Natchez,  and  after 
ward  returned  to  Nashville  where  the  men  re- 
enlisted,  and  on  the  23,  of  the  same  month 
started  on  the  Meridian  Campaign,  which  when 
completed,  it  returned  to  Vicksburg.  The 
Regt.  was  then  sent  to  Ottawa,  111.,  arriving 
March  23,  and  was  furloughed  for  30  days. 
Mr.  McCready  rejoined  his  Regt.,  and  with  his 
Div.  moved  up  the  Tenn.  River  to  Clifton,  then 
marched  via  Huntsville  and  Decatur,  joining 
Gen.  Sherman's  army  at  Kingston,  Ga.  He  was 
afterwards  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Atlanta  and 
in  the  engagements  there  on  the  19,  20,  21,  and 
22  days  of  July,  in  which  time  his  Regt.  lost  101 
men  in  killed  and  wounded.  He  was  also  en 
gaged  in  the  action  at  Jonesboro,  then  went 
with  the  army  as  far  south  as  Lovejoy's  Station, 
and  afterwards  took  part  in  the  reconnoissance 
toward  Sandtown. 

About  Oct.  15,  our  subject  was  detailed  to 
accompany  the  body  of  Quarter  Master,  Lind- 
ley,  to  his  late  home  at  Ottawa,  which  he  did. 
He  then  rejoined  his  regiment  near  Atlanta, 
and  participated  in  the  "  March  to  the  Sea." 
Dec.  10,  his  regiment  closed  upon  the  enemy's 
works  around  Savannah,  the  city  soon  after, 
fallinginto  the  handsof  the  Government.  While 
there,  the  Regt.  was  consolidated  with  the  4 1st 
111.,  which  had  been  reduced  to  222  men,  the 
latter  Regt.  afterward  forming  Companies  G. 
and  K.  of  the  53d.  It  then  embarked  for 
Beaufort,  S.  C.,  and  afterward  to  Pocotaligo. 
In  the  organization  for  the  campaign  through 
the  Carolinas,  the  53d  had  a  place,  and  set  out 
on  that  expedition,  Jan.  29,  1865,  moving  by 
way  of  Orangeburg,  Columbia,  Fayetteville,  and 
Cheraw,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Ben- 


tonville,  March  2oth  and  2ist,  in  which  the 
Regt.  lost  I  killed  and  6  wounded.  Leaving 
here  he  marched  to  Goldsboro,  Raleigh,  and 
Jones  Station,  and  after  the  surrender  of  John 
ston,  marched  with  the  army  to  Washington 
and  participated  in  the  grand  review.  His 
Regt.  was  then  sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where 
July  22d,  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  and 
sent  to  Chicago,  where  the  men  received  their 
final  pay  and  discharge  on  the  22d  of  the  same 
month. 

During  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  our  subject 
was  taken  sick,  and  went  into  a  hospital,  but 
recovered  sufficiently  at  the  end  of  one  week 
to  enable  him  to  return  to  his  Regt.,  and  was 
promoted  to  Sergeant. 

Mr.  McCready  was  born  at  Plattsburg,  Clin 
ton  Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  22,  1838,  and  was  the  young 
est  of  a  family  of  12  children,  9  of  whom  are 
now  living.  He  had  three  brothers  in  the  war 
of  the  rebellion,  they  having  enlisted  in  N.  Y. 
regiments. 

He  married  in  1864,  Miss  Pauline  Smith, 
who  died  six  years  afterward.  In  18/1,  he 
married  again,  Miss  Belle  Sealey.  After  his 
discharge,  he  removed  to  La  Salle  County  and 
engaged  in  farming  for  four  years,  when  he 
sold  out  and  took  up  the  horse  business,  which 
he  followed  until  the  year  1891,  then  sold  out 
and  became  the  proprietor  of  the  Wallace 
House,  at  Earlville,  which  he  has  since  con 
ducted.  He  has  been  a  successful  business 
man,  and  everything  he  has  touched  resulted 
favorably,  from  a  financial  standpoint.  He  is 
in  receipt  of  a  small  pension,  and  in  politics  he. 
is  a  Republican. 


JOHN  W.  REDMAN,  of  Decatur,  111.,  was  born 
in  Ohio,    Nov.    22,1842.     The  family  was 
originally  of  Virginia  Colonial  stock.    His 
father  was  Thompson  Redman,  and  his  mother 
Euphenia  McVeigh,  a  native  of  Virginia. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  only 
member  of  his  family  in  the  military  service 
during  the  Rebellion.  He  enlisted  in  Aug.  1882, 
in  Co.  K.,  I22d  Ohio  Inf.  Under  the  command 


2l6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


of  Colonel  William  Ball,  the  Regt.  Oct.  i  went 
by  rail  to  Martinsburg,  Va.,  thence  marching 
to  Winchester,  and  remaining  there  during  the 
winter.  While  here  Mr.  Redman  participated 
in  several  skirmishes  with  the  rebels.  In  April, 
1863,  Lee  attacked  the  force  of  Gen.  Milroy, 
and  the  I22d  Ohio  was  engaged  in  action  for 
two  days,  doing  the  most  desperate  fighting, 
but  were  finally  surrounded  and  had  to  cut  their 
way  through  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  falling 
back  to  Harper's  Ferry.  While  on  the  retreat 
to  Harper's  Ferry  Mr.  Redman  was  detailed  to 
prevent  a  surprise.  In  the  performance  of  this 
duty  he  was  wounded  by  being  shot  through 
the  leg,  and  with  a  comrade,  also  wounded, 
came  across  a  negro  who  was  hauling  manure 
in  a  cart,  who  drove  them  to  Harper's  Ferry; 
thus  preventing  their  capture. 

Mr.  Redman  subsequently  went  with  his 
regiment  to  N.  Y.  City,  during  the  threatened 
riot  there,  being  in  quarters  near  Broadway  for 
about  two  weeks.  Here  he  was  taken  sick  with 
typhoid  fever,  but  remained  with  his  Regt. 
until  their  arrival  at  Alexandria,  when  he  was 
sent  to  Wolf  Street  Hospital,  where  he  was  con 
fined  for  about  six  weeks.  When  he  began  to 
recover  he  was  seized  with  an  almost  unappeas 
able  appetite,  and  the  cook  permitting  him  to 
go  to  the  table  he  so  overloaded  his  stomach 
as  to  bring  on  a  relapse  and  his  detention  for 
six  weeks  longer.  He  rejoined  his  regiment, 
then  at  the  front,  and  went  into  winter  quarters 
near  Brandy  Station,  Va. 

The  Regt.  had  heen  assigned  to  the  2d  Brig., 
3d  Div.,  6th  Corps.  They  took  part  in  the  cam 
paign  around  Richmond  in  the  spring  of  1864, 
and  were  in  action  during  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  where  Mr.  Redman  in  a  charge 
upon  the  enemy's  works  on  the  third  day  was 
wounded  by  a  minnie  ball,  which  struck  his 
canteen,  passing  through  it  and  through  his 
cartridge  belt,  'breaking  two  of  his  ribs,  and 
lodging  near  the  spine,  where  it  still  remains. 
He  fell  in  the  act  of  scaling  the  works  in  the 
morning  and  remained  in  a  helpless  position  on 
the  ground  until  the  following  evening.  There 
was  a  small  stream  near  "where  he  was  lying, 
which  he  finally  reached  by  dragging  himself 


along  with  great  difficulty,  obtaining  water  to 
allay  his  thirst,  and  bathe  his  wound,  by  press 
ing  the  canteen  into  the  running  stream.  He 
could  draw  himself  along  the  ground  but  could 
not  raise  his  body  from  a  recumbent  position. 
He  was  finally  approached  by  a  rebel  soldier, 
who  turned  him  over  with  his  bayonet,  and  re 
ported  to  his  comrades  that  he  was  too  far  gone 
to  be  moved,  after  which  he  left  him.  A  rebel 
chaplain  next  came  up  to  him  and  examined 
his  wound  taking  from  it  pieces  of  leather,  tin 
and  clothing,  which  he  was  allowed  to  keep, 
and  which  he  afterward  brought  home.  The 
chaplain  exhibited  great  kindness,  prayingover 
him  and  returning  several  times  to  see  him  and 
make  his  burden  less  heavy.  The  battle  raged 
furiously  above  and  around  him,  and  when 
finally  his  men  got  possession  of  the  ground, 
he  was  removed  on  a  stretcher  to  the  field  hos 
pital,  where  he  remained  without  attention,  the 
wounded  'being  in  such  numbers  as  to  cause 
much  delay  in  being  properly  cared  for. 

They  were  at  last  loaded  into  a  wagon  and 
driven  at  full  speed  until  about  10  o'clock  the 
next  day,  when  it  was  discovered  that  two  of 
the  wounded  had  died.  Mr.  Redman's  wound 
was  not  dressed  for  five  days  and  he  was  swol 
len  to  more  than  twice  his  normal  proportions. 
On  his  arrival  at  Fredricksburg,  he  was  placed 
upon  a  brick  hearth  in  a  large  hotel  building 
which  had  been  converted  into  a  hospital,  with 
out  blanket  or  other  covering,  using  his  shoes 
for  a  pillow.  That  evening  he  was  given 
surgical  treatment  but  the  Surgeon  was  too 
busy  to  probe  for  the  ball,  which  doubtless 
might  have  been  extracted  at  that  time.  Upon 
the  news  of  the  approach  of  Lee's  army,  he 
with  other  wounded  men  was  conveyed  to 
Washington  and  placed  in  Lincoln  Hospital, 
where  he  was  kindly  cared  for.  As  the  wound 
was  now  nearly  healed  the  Surgeon  did  not 
deem  it  prudent  to  probe  for  the  ball.  His 
broken  ribs  were  never  set,  the  consequence 
being  that  they  have  large  and  irregular  joints. 
After  being  here  about  thirty  days  he  was  al 
lowed  a  furlough  to  go  home  to  Ohio,  and  re 
turning  to  the  hospital  at  Washington,  was  de 
tailed  for  duty  in  preparing  dead  bodies  for 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


217 


interment.  He  rebelled  at  this  obnoxious  task 
and  requested  to  rejoin  his  regiment,  but  they 
offered  to  discharge  him  to  which  he  ob 
jected.  This  led  to  his  being  transferred  to  Com 
pany  B.,  1 4th  Regiment  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 
He  was,  however,  excused  from  duty  on  account 
of  disability.  During  his  stay  in  Washington 
he  attended  Ford's  Theatre  on  the  evening  of 
President  Lincoln's  assassination,  and  saw 
Booth  when  he  emerged  from  the  box  after 
•firing  the  fatal  shot.  He  also  attended  the 
trial  of  the  conspirators,  including  that  of  Mrs. 
Surratt.  He  \vas  mustered  out  at  Washington, 
D.  G.,  in  Aug.,  1865,  and  returned  to  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio. 

He  continued  at  home  unable  to  perform 
any  labor  until  the  spring  of  1866,  when  he 
went  to  work  on  a  farm.  Removing  in  the  fall 
of  1867,  to  McDonough  Co.,  Ills.,  he  settled  on 
a  farm,  remaining  for  four  years,  and  going  to 
Edgar  Co.,  where  he  also  farmed  for  four  years, 
thence  returning  to  Douglass  Co.,  where  he  still 
owns  the  farm.  He  removed  to  Decatur  in  the 
fall  of  1889,  and  at  present  is  engaged  in  the 
loan  business. 

In  the  fall  of  1865,  he  married  Sarah  Leasure, 
of  Zanesville,  Ohio,  and  they  have  had  four 
children — Alonzo,  Ellsworth,  Harrison  and  Jo 
sephine.  Alonzo  died  from  the  effects  of  be 
coming  overheated  at  a  threshing  machine  ;  his 
son  Harrison  was  kicked  to  death  by  a  mule, 
and  his  wife  is  hopelessly  insane.  These  calam 
ities  have  conspired  to  cause  him  to  give  up  a 
pleasant  and  lucrative  business. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Decatur  Lodge,  G. 
A.  R.,  No.  141,  and  is  a  good  Republican,  and 
an  honorable  and  influential  citizen. 


WARREN    H.    LlGHTHRT     of    LaSalle,  111., 
commenced  his  soldier  life  by  enlist 
ing  in  the  Union  army  for  the  war  of 
the   Rebellion,  at  Dixon,   111.,  Jan  5,  1864,  and 
was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Springfield  as 
a  private   in   Company   D.  46th   111.  Vol.    Inf., 
joining  the  regiment  at  Freeport,  Ills.,  where  it 
was  on  its  return  furlough.     Returning  after  its 


holidays,  having  in  the  meantime,  been-  re 
cruited  and  comprised  987  men  and  officers. 
From  Freeport,  it  went  to  Cairo,  111.  by  rail, 
thence  to  Vicksburg  by  boat  through  to 
Camp  Hebron,  ten  miles  east  of  Vicks 
burg,  where  it  joined  the  2nd  Brigade, 
4th  Division,  I7th  A.  C.  From  March  10, 
to  April  16,  the  regiment  was  in  camp  of 
instruction,  and  on  the  last  named  date  marched 
to  Big  Black  Ridge,  twelve  miles  east  of  Vicks 
burg  and  reported  to  Brigadier  General  Devens. 
On  April  25,  it  moved  to  Vicksburg  and  en 
camped  near  Battery  Ransom,  nearest  the  city, 
doing  garrison  duty,  and  subsequently  went  on 
an  expedition  to  Yazoo  City,  Miss.;  thence  to 
Liverpool,  Sartaria,  Haines'  Bluff,  and  on  to 
Camp  Vicksburg,  remaining  in  camp  at  the  lat 
ter  place  until  July  3,  when  it  started  on  the 
Jackson  expedition.  Before  reaching  Jackson 
it  was  engaged  in  a  skirmish  with  the  rebels, 
and  again  in  returning,  met  a  large  force  of  the 
enemy,  and  an  engagement  ensued  which  was 
continued  on  the  following  day,  the  7th,  and 
afterwards  pursuing  its  march,  reached  Vicks 
burg  on  the  9,  having  sustained  a  loss  of  43  men 
on  the  expedition — 3  killed,  36  wounded,  I 
captured  and  3  missing.  The  regiment  next 
advanced  by  boat  down  the  river,  disembarking 
at  Morganzia  Bend,  La.,  where  it  did  guard 
duty  for  some  time. 

Shortly  after  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  he  was 
detailed  on  special  duty  in  connection  with  the 
army,  and  so  continued  for  some  months,  and 
during  the  same  time  was  mustered  out  and 

o 

immediately  re-enlisted.  He  was  wounded  in 
the  battle  of  Jackson,  by  being  struck  in  the 
right  leg,  but  refused  to  go  into  the  hospital, 
or  accept  a  furlough  beyond  that  allowed  to  all 
of  the  veterans.  He  continued  with  his  regi 
men*  during  the  spring,  summer,  and  autumn 
of  1865,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  Jan. 
20,  1866,  and  on  February  2,  was  finally  dis 
charged  at  Springfield,  111. 

He  was  born  at  Harrison,  111.,  in  September, 
1847,  and  u7as  the  son  of  Luther  and  Tryphena 
Lighthrt.  His  father  was  a  railroad  contractor, 
and  the  work  had  such  a  fascination  for  the 
son  that  he  studied  civil  engineering,  and  fol- 


218 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


lowed  it  for  many  years,  in  the  employ  of  the 
Chicago,  Dubuque  &  Minn.  R.  R.  Co.,  in 
Wisconsin  and  Minnesota.  In  the  year  1883 
he  removed  to  La  Salle,  where  he  has  been  in 
the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad  com 
pany  as  clerk. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E.,  daughter 
of  Richard  and  Mary  E.  Patterson  of  Freeport, 
111.,  Feb.  13,  1871.  They  have  six  children — 
Walter  P.,  Jerome  B.,  May,  Fannie,  Frank,  and 
Luther.  He  is  a  member  of  the  John  Davis 
Post  No.  90,  G.  A.  R.;  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.;  and 
in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 


FREDERICK  C.  HELD,  Deputy  U.  S.  Rev 
enue  Collector,  for  Freeport,  111.,  en 
listed  in  the  army,  for  the  late  war  in 
1863,  but  for  some  reason  was  refused.  Subse 
quently  he  concluded  to  make  another  attempt 
and  accordingly  enlisted  Feb.  I,  1865,  and  was 
mustered  in  as  a  private  in  the  46th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  continued  with  his  regiment  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  joined  his  Regt.  at  Fort 
Gaines,  Dauphin's  Island,  Ala.,  and  March  18, 
1865,  commenced  the  march  with  the  Corps  to 
Mobile,  and  on  the  way  thither  participated  in 
the  terrible  assault  upon  and  capture  of  Spanish 
Fort,  and  Fort  Blakely,  arriving  at  Mobile 
April  12,  1865.  May  12,  the  Regt.  moved  to 
Meridian,  Miss.,  afterwards  returned  and  em 
barked  for  New  Orleans  and  later  proceeded 
to  Alexandria,  Natchitoches,  and  Shreveport, 
on  the  Red  River.  Subsequently  it  moved  to 
Grand  Ecore,  La.,  where  it  did  Garrison  duty, 
until  Nov.,  when  it  returned  to  Shreveport,  then 
to  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  and  Springfield,  111.,  for 
final  muster  and  discharge.  The  men  were 
mustered  out  at  Baton  Rouge,  Jan.  20,  1866, 
then  started  for  Springfield,  111.,  arriving  there 
on  the  27,  and  were  finally  paid  off  and  dis 
charged,  Feb.  1866. 

Mr.  Held  was  born  at  Lippedetmold,  Ger 
many,  Aug.  26,  1844,  and  is  a  son  of  Christian 
and  Amelia  (Fritzmuer)  Held,  who  emigrated 
from  Germany  to  America,  during  the  year 
1856,  and  located  in  Freeport,  111.,  where  they 
are  both  now  spending  the  evening  of  their 


days  at  the  matured  age  of  74  and  78  years, 
respectively.  They  are  the  parents  of  two 
children  besides  our  subject,  viz:  Amelia,  wife 
of  Isaac  Myers,  of  Lancaster  Township,  and 
August  S.  Held,  Vice  President  of  the  Freeport 
Stone  Manufacturing  Co.  The  parents  have 
been  life  long,  consistent  and  honored  mem 
bers  and  liberal  supporters  of  •  the  German 
Lutheran  Evangelical  Church,  and  their  good 
names  are  respected  by  all  who  have  the  pleas 
ure  of  their  acquaintance. 

Our  subject  came  to  this  country  when  only 
twelve  years  of  age,  adopted  Freeport  as  his 
future  home,  and  after  receiving  at  home  and 
in  the  State,  a  good  education,  he  became  Clerk 
for  A.  F.  Honkmurger  &  T.  K.  Best, .and  was 
clerking  until  he  went  into  the  army. 

He  has  been  twice  married,  the  first  occasion 
being  Aug.  16,  1868,  to  Caroline  Legran,  by 
whom  he  has  three  children,  viz:  Gracie  J., 
Cora  A.,  and  George  A.  A.  Mrs.  Held  died  in 
Sept.  1886.  He  married  on  the  second  occasion 
Olive  Lichtenberger,  May  3,  1888,  a  daughter 
of  Cyrus  and  Hattie  (Hooper)  Lichtenberger, 
who  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Jo  Davies 
County. 

Mr.  Held  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
order;  a  charter  member  of  the  Knights  of  the 
Globe,  in  which  he  held  the  position  of  Cap 
tain;  a  member  of  the  John  A.  Davis  Post,  No. 
98,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Freeport,  in  which  he  was 
elected  Commander  in  the  year  1890.  He  is 
an  outspoken  yet  reasonable  Republican,  and 
was  appointed  to  his  present  position  in  Sept., 
1889.  Although  he  is  of  the  political  faith 
indicated,  being  an  all  round  good,  jovial  gen 
tleman,  he  has  been  twice  elected  in  the  Dem 
ocratic  city  of  Freeport,  as  its  Treasurer,  a  fact 
which  indicates  louder  than  words  can  express, 
the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his  fel 
low  townsmen,  irrespective  of  creed,  faith  or 
politics. 

Faithful  as  a  Government  officer,  enterpris 
ing  and  public  spirited  as  a  citizen  and  genial 
as  a  true  born  gentleman,  it  scarcely  requires 
to  be  said  that  he  is  respected  and  admired  by 
the  citizens  of  Freeport,  as  also  by  the  people 
of  Stephenson  County. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


219 


ALANSON  N.  HOLMES,  ot  Sycamore,  111.  In 
the  war  of  1812,  Nathan  Holmes,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  being  enthusiastic 
in  his  patriotism  and  devotion  to  the  Republic, 
responded  to  his  country's  call  for  soldiers, 
offered  his  services,  was  accepted,  and  passed 
through  many  of  the  important  battles  of  the 
war  of  1812.  He  subsequently  married  and 
became  the  head  of  a  family  of  nine  children, 
viz:  Ebenezer  H.,  Thomas,  Nathan,  Julia,  Tem 
perance,  Janet,  Mary,  Elizabeth  and  Alanson, 
the  subject  of  this  notice.  The  brave,  am 
bitious,  military  spirit  of  the  parent  appears  to 
have  been  transmitted  to  the  son,  and  when 
the  Governor  of  this  State  called  for  100  day 
volunteer  men,  Mr.  Alanson  N.  Holmes  was  one 
of  the  first  to  step  forward  and  enlist,  in  May 
3,  1864,  in  Co.  H.,  I4ist  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Milton, 
UuPage  Co.,  111.  He  rendezvoused  at  Elgin, 
and  was  mustered  in,  June  16,  1864.  His  regi 
ment  occupied  some  time  in  drilling  and  pre 
paring  themselves  for  the  anticipated  contests. 
About  the  2/th  of  the  same  month  it  was 
ordered  to  Columbus,  proceeding  by  way  of 
Cairo.  When  the  men  enlisted,  the  only 
danger  they  anticipated,  was  that  arising  from 
the  bullets  of  the  rebels,  but  while  at  Cairo, 
even  a  more  disastrous  enemy  threatened  their 
ranks  with  even  more  deathly  results  than 
many  regiments  experienced  by  exposure  in 
open  battle.  The  heat  became  unbearable, 
and  16  men  of  Mr.  Holmes'  Regt.  were 
victims  of  sunstroke.  He  proceeded  on  to 
Columbus,  arriving  there  the  latter  end  of  the 
same  month,  where  they  went  into  camp  for 
about  three  months.  While  at  this  point, 
he  was  compelled,  by  reason  of  a  persistent, 
wasting  sickness,  to  rest,  while  his  Regt.  made 
a  raid  up  the  Ohio  River  and  captured  horses, 
cattle,  and  some  merchandise.  The  Regt. 
however,  returned  in  about  ten  days,  and  he  re 
joined  his  comrades  and  did  picket  duty  until 
the  latter  part  of  September.  From  this  place 
it  was  ordered  back  to  Camp  FVy,  Chicago, 
and  was  there  mustered  out,  Oct.  I2th,  1864, 
paid  off  and  discharged. 

Mr.   Holmes  was  born  in   Fairview,  Pa.,  in 
1832,  and  has  been  a  life  long  Republican;  so  far, 


has  not  received  a  pension,  but  looks  forward 
to  receiving  one  shortly,  as  a  partial  compen 
sation  for  his  many  hardships  endured  during 
the  short  period  of  his  service. 


THOMAS  CRINIGAN,  of  Ivesdale,  111.,  is  a  rep 
resentative  of  the  race  from  "dear  old 
Erin,"  whilst  he  is  a  patriotic  and  de 
voted  American,  born  at  Glen  Grove,  N.  Y., 
Jan.  10,  1846,  a  son  of  William  and  Ann  Crini- 
gan  who  were  of  Irish  ancestry.  He  was  brought 
up  on  his  father's  farm,  but  in  the  year  1850, 
with  his  parents  moved  to  the  Western  Prairies 
locating  in  111.,  near  Peru  in  La  Salle  Co.  Re 
ceiving  an  ordinary  country  school  education, 
young  Crinigan  was  at  an  early  period  of  the 
Rebellion,  overflowing  with  ambition  to  enter 
the  army  and  was  permitted  to  do  so  Jan.  18, 
1863,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C.,  I4th  111.  Cav. 
He  went  to  the  front  and  soon  met  the  South 
ern  rebels  in  a  heavy  skirmish  near  Covington 
and  again  at  Buzzard's  Roost  and  Lexington. 
With  his  Regt.,  Mr.  Crinigan  marched  through 
Cumberland  Gap  into  East  Tenn.,  and  so  on 
through  Powell's  Valley,  where  several  severe 
skirmishes  with  the  enemy  took  place,  but 
finally  he  passed  on  to  Knoxville.  In  the  spring 
of  1864  he  participated  in  the  campaign  against 
Atlanta,  and  was  always  found  fighting  in  many 
of  the  most  desperate  encounters  of  that  death- 
dealing  expedition,  where  his  comrades  were 
falling  thick  and  fast  around  him,  yet  young 
Crinigan  fought  right  along  displaying  courage 
and  bravery,  equaled  by  few  and  surpassed  by 
none.  In  the  engagement  at  Sun  Shine  Church, 
whilst  fighting  with  desperation,  he  with  many 
others  became  separated  from  the  command 
and  was  captured,  July  29,  1864.  He  was  taken 
to  Macon,  Ga.,  then  that  slaughter  pen,  An- 
dersonville,  was  selected  as  his  abiding  place, 
where  for  four  months  he  suffered  all  the  tor 
tures  and  privations  that  man  could  endure:  in 
fact  only  those  of  iron  will  and  rugged  frame 
did  endure  it,  as  thousands  of  prisoners  died 
there  from  starvation.  Subsequently  he  was 
transferred  to  Charleston,  S,  C.,  where  instead 


220 


SOLDIERS    AND  PATRIOTS' 


of  his  surroundings  being  improved,  and  as  if 
to  overflow  his  cup  with  bitterness,  there  was 
added  to  his  previous  privations  that  of  being 
cast  into  an  open  field  without  shelter,  and  the 
cold  raw  winds  penetrated  his  enfeebled  body 
and  made  life  almost  unendurable.  After  the 
end  of  two  weeks  he  was  again  transferred  to 
Florence,  S.  C.,  where  all  the  bad  and  vicious 
systems  of  the  prisons  were  united  in  this  one. 
One  of  the  Co.,  who  was  a  prisoner  with  Mr. 
Crinigan,  John  W.  January,  whose  inhuman 
treatment  became  notorious,  was  one  of  the 
instances  which  indicates  to  some  extent  what 
prison  life  at  that  time  meant.  The  flesh  liter 
ally  rotted  off  January's  feet  and  to  rid  himself 
of  the  decaying  members,  he  used  a  knife,  sev 
ering  the  cords  and  letting  his  feet  fall  by  his 
bedside.  Mr.  Crinigan  took  it  for  granted 
January  had  died  later  in  prison,  and  it  was  not 
until  18  years  afterward,  the  former  knew  the 
contrary,  hence  paid  him  a  visit.  When  our 
subject  entered  the  prison  he  weighed  168  Ibs,, 
but  on  being  released  was  reduced  to  92  Ibs., 
which  occurred  Feb.  23,  1865,  having  spent  in 
that  involuntary  exile  upwards  of  seven  months. 
When  discharged  it  was  not  considered  prob 
able  he  could  long  survive.  He  was  granted  a 
furlough  and  went  home,  then  went  to  St.  Louis, 
but  he  was  still  too  feeble  to  join  his  Regt.,  and 
was  sent  to  Springfield  where  he  remained 
until  July  12,  1865,  where  he  was  discharged 
with  his  Regt. 

He  returned  to  his  home  in  Peru  where  he 
continued  three  years,  and  in  1868  removed  to 
Campaign  Co.,  locating  at  Ivesdale  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  for  some  years,  but  his 
health,  completely  shattered  by  his  prison  life, 
would  not  permit  him  to  endure  physical  toil 
therefore  he  abandoned  it.  He  is  a  G.  A.  R. 
member,  and  one  of  the  charter  members  of  his 
lodge.  He  has  filled  many  of  the  offices  in 
his  Post,  among  them  being  Junior  Vice  Com 
mander,  as  well  as  many  offices  of  his  munici 
pality,  among  the  many  being  Town  Clerk  of 
Ivesdale.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  Mr. 
Crinigan  was  married  in  1872  to  Miss  Ella  Joyce 
by  whom  he  has  seven  children,  vi/,.:  Annis  L., 
Mary  E.,  Kittie  P.,  Ida  L.,  Gertrude  E.,  Lillian 


F.,  and  Thomas  Jr.  True  to  himself,  patriotic 
to  his  country,  Mr.  Crinigan  for  his  bravery  and 
devotion  to  the  Union  cause,  enjoys  the  esteem 
of  his  fellow  comrades. 


EDWIN  A.  ESTABROOK,  of  Sandwich,  111., 
enlisted  for  the  late  Rebellion  April  19, 
1861,  at  Sandwich,  rendezvoused  at  Cairo, 
where  he  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  a 
private  in  Co.  C.,  loth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  his  en 
listment  being  for  three  months.  His  regiment 
was  engaged  upon  garrison  duty  at  Cairo  dur 
ing  its  whole  term,  in  the  meantime  making 
expeditions  towards  Columbus,  Ky.,  and  to  Ben- 
ton,  Mo.  On  Aug.  29th  Mr.  Estabrook  re-en 
listed  and  was  mustered  in  for  three  years 
service,  in  Co.  H.,  roth  111.,  and  soon  moved 
to  Mound  City,  111.,  where  the  Regt.  passed  the 
winter,  taking  part,  in  Jan.,  in  the  movement  of 
Grant's  forces  towards  Columbus  and  Paducah. 
In  Feb.  it  moved  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  and  on 
March  1st  had  a  brisk  engagement  with  Jeff. 
Thompson's  troopers,  near  Sykestown,  Mo., 
taking  several  prisoners.  It  now  joined  in  the 
seige  of  New  Madrid,  captured  it,  then  crossed 
the  river  in  advance  of  Gen.  Pope's  army,  and 
intercepted  rebels  retreating  from  Island  No. 
10,  whom  it  assisted  in  capturing,  in  all  about 
6,000  men.  It  next  participated  in  the  opera 
tions  against  Corinth,  having  a  brisk  fight  May 
3d,  forced  a  passage  through  the  four  mile 
swamp,  losing  several  men  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing.  After  entering  Corinth,  Mr.  Es 
tabrook  and  his  Regt.  pursued  the  retreating 
Rebels  to  Boonesville,  then  returned  to  Corinth 
and  lay  in  camp  at  Big  Springs  until  July  2ist, 
when  they  marched  to  Tuscumbia.  Leaving 
here  they  marched  for  Nashville  via  Florence, 
Athens  and  Columbia,  losing  five  men  killed  by 
guerrillas  on  the  march,  and  remained  at  Nash 
ville  until  July,  1863,  with  occasional  move 
ments  into  the  surrounding  country.  Garri 
soned  Fort  Negley  until  they  marched  to  New 
Fosterville  on  July  2Oth,  thence  to  Bridgeport, 
Ala.,  in  Aug.  On  Oct.  1st  they  made  a  forced 
march  of  28  miles  up  the  Sequahatchie  valley, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


221 


driving  out  Wheeler's  cavalry,  where  they  had 
raided  and  destroyed  about   1,200  loads  of  sup 
plies.     They  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Mission 
Ridge,  then  pursued    Hardee's  retreating  col 
umn,  the  rear  guards.     They  followed  the  re 
treating  army  to  Ringgold,   then  returned  and 
started  for  Knoxville   to  relieve  Burnside,  but 
before    reaching    there    Longstreet    withdrew, 
hence  Mr.  Estabrook's    command  returned    to 
Rossville    and  went  into  winter    quarters.     In 
Jan.,    1864,    Mr.  Estabrook  re-enlisted  and  was 
granted  a  veteran  furlough,  when   he  returned 
home.     His  Regt.  reassembled,  and  on  May  2d 
broke  camp  and   moved  with    Sherman's  army 
towards    Atlanta.     During   the    campaign    our 
subject  participated    in    the   following  battles, 
Buzzard's     Roost,     Resaca,     Rome,     Kenesaw 
Mountain,    besides    many    other    very    heavy 
skirmishes.     After  the  fall  of   Atlanta  he  fol-" 
lowed    Hood    northward    to     Galesvllle,    and 
after  the  Regt.  was   recruited,  took  part  in  the 
"  March   to   the    Sea,"  which  ended    with    the 
taking   of    Savannah.     Jan.  9,  1865,  his   Regt. 
moved  towards  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  thence  to  Poco- 
taligo,  crossed  the  Salkahatchie   River,   where 
the  crossing  was  contested  by  the   enemy,  and 
a  sharp  contest    ensued,  causing  a  loss  of  40 
men  to   the  Regt.     At  Snicker's  Bridge    they 
encountered  the  enemy  and  had  a  lively  con 
test.     They  then  moved  on  through  the  Caro- 
linas,    having    constant    skirmishes    with    the 
enemy    until    Goldsboro  was    reached.     They 
took  an  active  part  in  the  battle  of  Bentonville 
and    suffered  the   loss  of   60   men,   killed   and 
wounded,  then  moved  to  GoldsborOj  thence  to 
Raleigh,  and,  after  the  surrender  of  Johnston, 
on  to  Washington,  via  Richmond,  where   they 
participated  in  the  Grand  Review. 

Mr.  Estabrook  was  mustered  out  of  the  serv 
ice  July  4,  1865,  paid  off  at  Chicago  when  he 
returned  to  his  home  in  Sandwich.  Whilst  his 
Regt.  was  at  Nashville  he  was  taken  with  ty 
phoid  fever  and  confined  to  the  hospital  for 
eight  months.  He  has  always  resided  at  Sand 
wich  where  he  has  followed  different  callings, 
but  principally  been  engaged  in  merchandising. 
He  had  one  brother  in  the  army  during  the 
war  who  served  with  him  in  Co.  H.,  loth  111., 


from  Feb.,  1864  until  Aug.,  1865,  and  was 
wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June  19,  1864. 
He  is  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 


ELMER  E.  FITCH,  Editor  of  the  News,  Galva, 
Ills.,  was  born  in  Trumbull  Co.,  Ohio, 
Aug.  13,  1846.  His  parents  were  George 
and  Deborah  (Boleyn)  Fitch.  His  father  was 
a  descendant  of  Gov.  Thomas  Fitch  of  Con- 
neticut,  and  his  mother's  progenitors  were 
from  highly  respected  settlers  in  Pennsylvania 
and  Virginia.  His  mother's  father,  Eli  Boleyn, 
was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  while 
serving  in  Western  Ohio,  had  the  toes  of  both 
of  his  feet  frozen,  necessitating  his  discharge. 
His  grandson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  re 
members  to  have  heard  him  relate  how  he 
amputated  his  frozen  toes  with  a  chisel.  George 
Fitch,  the  father  of  Elmer  E.,  died  when  his 
son  was  yet  an  infant,  and  his  mother  brought 
him  up  to  hard  labor  on  the  farm.  He  had  two 
brothers,  one  of  whom  served  in  an  Iowa 
and  the  other  in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment, 
as  did  his  sister's  husband,  who  was  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 

Elmer  E.  Fitch  enlisted  in  the  service  of 
his  country  Aug.  14,  1862,  the  day  succeeding 
his  i6th  birthday,  in  the  38th  Regiment,  Iowa 
Inf.,  at  West  Union,  Iowa.  His  regiment  was 
ordered  to  Dubuque  and  thence  to  St.  Louis, 
going  into  winter  quarters  at  New  Madrid,  Mo. 
In  June  1863  they  went  to  Vicksburg  and  were 
there  during  the  siege  co-operating  with  the 
1 3th  Corps.  The  position  of  Mr.  Fitch's  com 
mand,  in  a  swamp  full  of  malaria,  was  the 
cause  of  the  loss  from  disease  of  over  600  out 
of  the  1,000  men  with  which  it  entered  the  serv 
ice.  After  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  the  com 
mand  moved  up  the  Yazoo  River,  returning  to 
Port  Hudson,  where  fever  broke  out  among 
the  troops,  many  succumbing  to  its  ravages,  at 
one  time  details  from  other  regiments  having 
to  be  made  to  bury  the  dead  of  the  38th  Iowa, 
only  30  men  being  reported  for  duty.  Mr. 
Fitch  was  of  the  number  thus  daily  reported  for 
duty. 


222 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


The  regiment  subsequently  spent  two 
months  at  New  Orleans  to  recruit,  and  was 
then  ordered  to  Brownsville,  Texas.  It  was  while 
here  that  they  witnessed  the  engagement  at 
Matamoras  between  the  French  and  Mexicans, 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  from  their 
position.  From  Brownsville  they  went  by 
transport  to  Fort  Morgan,  assisting  in  the  capt 
ure  of  that  point,  and  thence  to  Louisiana, 
where  the  regiment  was  consolidated  with  the 
34th  Iowa.  The  command  afterward  partici 
pated  in  the  action  at  Blakely,  Ala.,  charging 
that  stronghold  at  sunset,  Apr.  9,  1865,  and 
capturing  several  thousand  prisoners.  They 
thence  moved  on  to  Selma,  Ala.,  where  they 
encamped  for  two  weeks,  then  returned  to 
Mobile  where  they  encamped  for  some  time. 
While  here  they  witnessed  the  accidental  blow 
ing  up  of  the  ordnance  depot,  which  laid  the 
lower  part  of  the  city  in  ruins  and  killed  quite 
a  number  of  people.  The  regiment  did  good 
service  for  several  days  in  going  in  among  the 
bursting  shells,  where  the  city's  police  and  fire 
men  refused  to  go,  and  fighting  the  fire,  and 
saving  the  property  of  the  citizens  from  the 
flames.  From  Mobile  the  regiment  went  to 
Houston,  Texas,  where  they  were  mustered  out 
of  the  service  and  returned  to  Davenport,  Iowa. 
Here  the  men  received  their  final  discharge  and 
returned  to  their  homes.  Mr  Fitch,  with  the 
exception  of  about  nine  days  in  the  hospital 
from  sickness  at  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  was  not 
during  the  whole  period  of  his  service  absent 
from  his  regiment.  After  his  return  home  he 
attended  the  Upper  Iowa  University,  and  sub 
sequently,  the  State  University  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1874.  On  graduation  he  was 
appointed  principal  of  West  Hill  School  at 
Burlington,  Iowa.  The  following  year  he  came 
to  Galva  to  assume  his  duties  as  the  Superin 
tendent  of  the  schools  of  that  town,  filling  that 
position  for  eight  years.  He  served  for  a  time 
as  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Henry  County, 
Illinois. 

In  1883  he  purchased  the  Galva  News  and 
has  since  been  its  editor  and  proprietor.  He 
was  appointed  under  the  present  administra 
tion,  Postmaster.  He  is  a  Republican  and  his 


paper  is  the  advocate  of  the  principles  of  his 
party.  He  married  Rachel  Helgesen,  daugh 
ter  of  Thomas  Helgesen,  of  Decorah,  Iowa, 
and  three  children  have  been  born  to  them: 
George  H.,  Rachel  L.  and  Robert  Haines,  all 
now  attending  school.  Mr.  Fitch  is  a  member 
of  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No  33,  of  Galva,  and  Past 
Commander  of  the  Post,  and  is  in  every  true 
sense  as  faithful  a  conservator  of  the  duties  of 
citizenship  as  he  was  of  those  attaching  to  a 
soldier. 


AUSTIN  M.  DUSTIN,  of  Kewanee,  was  born 
in  Orleans  Co.,  Vt.,  Oct.  17,  1845,  and 
settled  near  Mason  City,  Ills.,  with  his 
parents  in  1857,  where  the  family  home  was 
made  until  it  was  changed  to  French  Grove, 
Peoria  Co.  Here  the  young  man,  only  16  or  17 
years  of  age,  enlisted  in  Co.  G.,  77th  Ills.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  went  into  the  army  as  drummer,  as  he 
could  not  be  accepted  as  a  soldier  on  account 
of  his  size.  He  carried  a  drum  four  months 
and  then  received  permission  to  exchange 
positions  with  a  man  in  the  ranks  named  An 
derson.  At  Covington,  Ky.,  this  regiment 
started  in  pursuit  of  John  Morgan,  and  went  on 
to  Louisville,  and  down  to  Memphis.  Here  it 
took  boats  and  steamed  down  the  Mississippi 
River  and  the  Yazoo  with  General  Sherman, 
and  was  at  the  battle  of  Chickasaw  Bayou.  It 
then  wrent  to  the  White  River,  to  the  Arkansas 
Post,  where  Mr.  Dustin  was  on  the  skirmish 
line,  and  the  regiment  lost  heavily.  The  Post 
was  taken  and  the  command  moved  back  to 
Milliken's  Bend,  where  it  worked  on  the  canal 
across  the  point.  A  march  was  made  to  Ft. 
Gibson,  where  the  77th  was  in  the  fight,  and 
then  followed  on  to  "Raymond,  Jackson,  Cham 
pion  Hills,  and  Black  River  Bridge. 

In  this  march  they  once  came  to  a  bayou 
where  the  water  did  not  appear  deep,  but  was 
found  deep  enough  to  nearly  drown  the  men, 
and  wet  them  thoroughly.  At  Vicksburg  Mr. 
Dustin  was  in  the  great  charge  of  May  22,  was 
in  the  fort  for  an  hour,  and  crawled  into  the 
porthole  of  a  cannon  just  after  it  was  fired. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


223 


The  men  in  his  charge  finally  fell  back  under 
cover  of  night  after  severe  loss;  Co.  G.  muster 
ing  that  night  only  about  36  men,  as  some  had 
remained  in  the  fort. 

This  regiment  was  in  Vicksburg  during  the 
whole  siege,  and  was  engaged  in  undermining  . 
and  blowing  up  the  rebel  forts,  many  of  which 
were  already  prepared  to  be  exploded  July  4, 
but  as  the  enemy  surrendered,  it  did  not  become 
necessary  to  carry  the  plan  into  execution. 
Leaving  Vicksburg  it  assisted  in  the  2d  battle 
at  Jackson,  and  moved  to  New  Orleans.  While 
here  Mr.  Dustin  was  detailed  on  Capt.  Smith's 
force  as  provost  guard  of  the  city.  With  his 
regiment  he  was  on  the  Red  River  expedition, 
and  afterwards  at  the  siege  at  Spanish  Fort 
and  Fort  Blakely.  At  this  latter  place  Mr. 
Dustin  was  sent  with  an  order  to  Gen.  A.  J. 
Smith,  when  on  the  way  his  horse  stepped  on  a 
torpedo  that  the  rebels  had  concealed,  and  it 
exploded  blowing  the  entire  hind  quarter  of 
the  horse  away  and  throwing  the  rider  several 
rods  down  a  hill.  The  shock  rendered  him 
nearly  senseless,  but  he  secured  a  mule  arid 
delivered  the  order.  The  next  movement  was 
to  Mobile,  and  the  pursuit  and  capture  of  Gen. 
Dick  Taylor,  who  was  brought  to  Mobile. 
There  was  no  further  fighting,  as  this  campaign 
virtually  closed  the  war,  and  the  soldiers 
were  rapidly  discharged  and  sent  to  their 
homes. 

Mr.  Dustin  returned  to  his  home  and  in 
about  a  year  located  in  Kewanee,  where  he  now 
resides.  In  1874,  by  an  accident  in  a  threshing 
machine  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  right 
arm,  and  received  other  serious  injuries  which 
nearly  cost  him  his  life  and  greatly  disabled 
him,  but  he  has  so  far  recovered  that  he  ac 
complishes  much  more  than  many  men  who 
have  never  been  injured. 

He  was  married  and  has  one  child — Nellie 
May.  His  wife's  name  was  Lydia  H.  Hart,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  W.  Hart.  Mr. 
Dustin  is  a  Republican.  Was  elected  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  and  has  served  as  Town  Collector 
for  5  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  143 
G.  A.  R.,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  both  mem 
bers  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 


This  gentleman  has  proved  himself  faithful 
and  competent  in  the  discharge  of  the  respon 
sible  duties  that  have  been  entrusted  to  him  by 
his  fellow  citizens,  and  fully  merits  the  con 
fidence  and  honor  he  has  received. 


Lucius  H.  TILDEN,  of  Waupansee,  111.,  the 
youngest  son  of  Isaac  and  Minerva 
(Sherwood)  Tilden,  and  a  descendant  in 
this  country  of  Isaac  Tilden,  who  was  born  in 
Sitnats,  Mass.,  in  1670,  was  born  in  St.  Law 
rence  County,  N.  Y.,  April  23,  1841,  where  he 
lived  until  he  was  1 1  years  old,  when  his  parents 
made  their  home  in  Grundy  County,  111.,  where 
they  lived  the  remainder  of  their  years.  They 
had  a  family  of  7  children.  Here  Lucius 
grew  to  man's  estate,  and  Aug.  7,  1862  enlisted 
as  a  soldier  in  Company  D.,  I27th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
which  was  mustered  into  service  Sept.  6,  1862, 
and  was  sent  to  the  field,  first  at  Memphis  and 
took  up  the  trail  after  "Old  Pap  Price."  Mr. 
Tilden  was  with  General  Sherman  at  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  and  shortly  after  was  taken  sick  with 
measles,  and  for  this  reason  was  with  the  boats 
when  the  "boys  "  were  in  the  fight  at  Arkansas 
Post.  The  regiment  was  then  sent  to  Young's 
Point  just  above  Vicksburg,  and  was  employed 
on  "  Old  Ben  Butler's  Canal."  While  working 
here  the  water  burst  through  the  banks  and  the 
men  were  compelled  to  flee  to  the  levee.  On 
account  of  sickness,  Mr.  Tilden  was  left  behind 
when  the  regiment  went  on  its  expedition  by 
the  way  of  Grand  Gulf  and  Jackson,  Miss.,  to 
obtain  a  position  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg.  He 
was  afterward  sent  to  Clear  Creek  in  charge  of 
his  physician  as  he  was  just  able  to  get  around, 
having  been  reduced  to  less  than  100  pounds 
in  weight  from  the  result  of  Chronic  Diarrhea. 
About  this  time  his  people  at  home  sent  him 
some  pills  composed  of  laudanum,  Venice  tur 
pentine  and  bread  crumbs,  which  appeared  to 
benefit  him,  as  they  did  others  that  used  them. 
An  attempt  was  made  to  induce  him  to  join  the 
invalid  corps  but  he  refused.  After  the  fall  of 
Vicksburg,  the  regiment  went  east  of  the  town 
about  14  miles  and  remained  sometime,  after 


224 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


whilch  it  was  sent  to  Memphis,  Term.,  then  to 
luka,  Miss.,  and  from  thence  to  guard  a  train 
to  Chattanooga,  Tenn.  This  was  remembered  as 
the  pleasantest  march  during  the  whole  service 
in  the  army,  as  there  was  good  water,  fine 
weather  and  other  pleasant  surroundings,  such 
as  chickens,  pigs,  sweet  potatoes  and  honey. 
Under  these  favorable  conditions,  Mr.  Tilden 
soon  recovered  his  heath.  These  soldiers  were 
soon  sent  forward  and  they  assisted  in  the  en 
gagement  at  Missionary  Ridge.  They  were 
then  forwarded  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  to  relieve 
General  Burnside. 

In  this  movement  they  were  forced  to 
march  35  to  40  miles  per  day  and  were  placed 
on  short  rations,  subsisting  21  days  on  5  days 
rations.  To  add  to  the  sufferings  of  the  situa 
tion,  the  weather  was  so  cold  that  fires  were 
necessary  to  keep  the  men  from  freezing  at 
night.  Many  became  footsore  and  some 
were  nearly  naked  before  supplies  could  be  ob 
tained.  Soon  after  a  winter  camp  was  made  at 
Larkinsville,  Ala.,  where  the  forces  remained 
until  spring,  when  the  Atlanta  campaign  was  in 
augurated.  Here  Mr.  Tilden  was  left  with 
about  40  others  to  take  charge  of  the  quarter 
master's  supplies.  From  this  point  they  were 
soon  moved  to  Dalton,  Ga.,  where  they  were 
held  for  some  time.  The  detachment  soon 
united  with  its  regiment,  which  was  in  the 
battles  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Chattahoochie 
River,  and  Peach  Tree  Creek,  after  which  Mr. 
Tilden  was  detailed  to  serve  in  Battery  A.,  1st 
111.,  and  in  this  branch  of  the  service  was  inthe 
battle  of  Atlanta  where  the  battery  lost  25  men, 
75  horses,  and  4  pieces  of  artillery.  The  divi 
sion,  attempting  to  hold  both  sides  of  the  rail 
road,  had  been  weakened  by  having  three  regi 
ments  sent  to  another  part  of  the  field.  When 
these  regiments  returned  to  fill  a  space  between 
the  i6th  and  I7th  A.  C.,  they  retook  the  works 
and  saved  Battery  H.,  1st  111.,  and  the  left  sec 
tion  of  our  own  Battery.  This  was  on  July 
22nd.  On  the  28,  at  Ezra  Chapel,  Mr.  Tilden's 
Corps  lost  very  heavy,  the  "Johnies"  having 
charged  7  times.  The  next  fight  was  at  the 
battle  of  Jonesboro,  and  from  this  the 
march  was  to  Eastport.  This  command  was 


then  sent  to  the  relief  of  General  Corse  and 
was  in  the  famous  party  that  signaled  "Hold 
the  Fort  for  we  are  coming."  A  return  was 
made  to  Chattanooga,  and  from  thence  a  move 
ment  was  made  to  Nashville  and  to  Fort 
Negley,  returning  again  to  Chattanooga  about 
Feb.  20,  where  the  artillery  was  supplied  with 
horses,  and  fine  quarters  were  erected  which 
were  said  to  be  the  best  equipped  in  that  camp. 
The  boys  went  to  the  hill  at  Missionary  Ridge 
and  split  30,000  "shakes"  and  cut  logs  to  build 
log;  houses  for  themselves  and  stables  for  the 

o 

horses.  They  remained  here  until  June  17, 
when  they  were  discharged  and  sent  North,  ar 
riving  at  home  about  July  I,  and  shedding  off 
the  blue,  became  citizens  again. 

Mr.  Tilden  returned  to  his  home  in  the 
country  and  was  married  April  10,  1866  to  Miss 
Lucie  E.  Willis,  to  whom  he  had  been  engaged 
some  time  while  both  were  waiting  until  "  the 
cruel  war  was  over."  To  this  soldier  and  his 
wife  four  children  have  come  and  all  are  living — 
Lillian  E.,  now  a  young  lady  teaching  school 
in  the  home  neighborhood;  Guy  W.,  a  young 
man  of  18,  living  at  home;  Mary  E.,  attending 
school;  and  Roy  E.,  a  boy  of  eleven  years. 

Mr.  Tilden  in  1879,  purchased  the  fine  farm 
near  the  village  of  Wauponsee,  on  which  he 
now  resides  surrounded  by  evidences  of  com 
petence  and  excellent  management,  which  will 
insure  a  comfortable  and  peaceful  old  age. 
He  votes  with  the  Prohibitionists  but  will  not 
accept  a  nomination  for  office.  He  is  a  Meth 
odist  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 


M 


AJOR  ALLEN  F.  MILLER,  a  prominent 
citizen  and  Postmaster  of  Galva,  111., 
was  born  in  Steuben  Co.,  N.  Y.,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Keuka  Lake,  and  lived  there  until 
about  six  years  of  age.  His  parents  William 
B.,  and  Esther  (Ford)  Miller,  a  daughter  of 
Dyer  Ford,  who  married  Louisa  Morris,  whose 
parents  were  residents  of  Greenfield,  N.  Y. 
The  Ford  family  is  an  old  New  England 
family  of  French  extraction.  William  B. 
Miller  was  a  son  of  Allen  Miller,  whose  father 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


225 


was  Samuel  Miller.  The  Miller  family  is  of  old 
Scotch  descent,  and  for  generations  were  rep 
resented  in  the  English  army  and  navy. 

Allen  F.  Miller  was  left  an  orhpan  at  an 
early  age,  and  following  the  inherited  instincts 
of  his  ancestors  was  for  some  time  inclined  to 
travel,  but  after  a  few  years  made  his  home 
with  his  maternal  uncle,  Hon.  M.  M.  Ford,  of 
Galva,  Ills.  In  1861,  Mr.  Miller  was  in  Mo., 
but  when  the  old  flag  was  fired  upon  at  Ft. 
Sumter  he  started  North  on  horseback, 
reached  Iowa  in  the  summer  of  1861,  and  later 
joined  the  i6th  Iowa  at  Davenport,  which  was 
soon  after  ordered  to  the  field  and  met  the 
enemy  in  battle  at  Shiloh,  where  Maj.  Miller 
received  a  wound  from  a  piece  of  shell,  which 
crippled  him  for  life. 

He  was  subsequently  placed  on  the  open 
deck  of  a  steamer  and  lay  there  that  night 
while  the  boat  was  used  to  transport  Buell's 
men  across  the  river  for  the  next  day's  fight. 
He  was  then  sent  to  Hamburg  landing  and  to 
St.  Louis,  remaining  until  in  Oct.,  1862,  when 
being  somewhat  improved  he  left  the  hospital 
and  reached  home  the  igth.  When  wounded 
Mr.  Miller  weighed  150  Ibs.,  but  when  he  came 
home  his  weight  was  less  than  90.  His  condi 
tion  when  arriving  at  home  was  such  that  he 
was  unable  to  move  except  by  dragging  him 
self  a  few  inches  at  a  time  with  crutches,  and 
was  bent  so  that  his  back  was  in  a  semi-hori 
zontal  line  from  the  hips.  He  has  improved 
somewhat,  so  that  he  is  able  to  walk  with  the 
aid  of  crutch  and  cane. 

In  1865,  Mr.  Miller  was  appointed  Post 
master  by  President  Lincoln,  and  held  the  of 
fice  1 8  years.  During  that  time  he  was  an  active 
citizen,  and  organized  a  company  known  as  the 
Grant  Sharpshooters,  and  also  assisted  in  or 
ganizing  the  4th  Regt.,  Ills.  Nat.  Guards.  He  was 
elected  Captain  of  company  H.  and  received 
his  commission  from  the  Governor,  and  later 
was  promoted  to  Major  of  the  regiment.  After 
leaving  the  postoffice,  Mr.  Miller  engaged  in 
business,  and  had  stock  and  land  interests  in 
the  west,  his  stock  ranch  being  located  near 
the  Niobrara  River  in  Nebraska.  These  inter 
ests  he  closed  out  a  few  years  ago  and  pur- 
is 


chased    land    in    Northern    Iowa,  where    he  is 
interested  in  raising  horses  and  cattle. 

Mr.  Miller  is,  as  his  family  has  been  for  some 
time,  a  Republican  in  politics.  His  grand 
father  Dyer  Ford  was  what  was  known  in 
early  days,  a  conductor  on  the  "Underground 
Railroad,"  which  may  be  stated  was  assisting 
the  fugitive  slaves  on  their  way  to  Canada 
where  they  would  be  free. 

Mr.  Miller  notwithstanding  his  crippled 
condition  is  a  gentleman  of  ability  and  energy. 
He  has  served  one  term  as  Town  Collector  of 
Galva,  has  also  been  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the 
Court  of  Ills.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  the  oldest  Past  Post  Commander  of  Post 
No.  33,  being  one  of  the  charter  members. 


JAMES  A.  McGREW,  of  Pekin,  111.,  was  born 
in  Pa.  May  6,  1817.  When  17  years  of 
age  he  started  west,  settling  in  Pekin,  111. 
This  was  at  a  time  long  before  railroads  had 
intersected  the  State.  At  the  time  of  the 
Texas  troubles  Mr.  McGrew  joined  the  army 
and  served  his  country  with  the  famous  Sam 
Houston,  and  participated  in  many  of  the  bat 
tles  of  that  war.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Alamo 
in  which  Davy  Crockett  lost  his  life,  as  also  in 
that  of  Colorado  River,  when  the  Chief  Bowles 
was  killed.  After  that  war  was  terminated  he 
took  up  640  acres  of  land  on  the  banks  of  the 
Colorado  River  one  mile  below  the  City  of 
Austin,  granted  to  him  on  condition  of  his  res 
idence  thereon  for  one  year,  before  his  title 
would  become  absolute.  He  grew  weary  of  life 
there,  abandoned  his  land  and  returned  to 
Pekin.  Subsequently  with  four  others  he  de 
scended  the  Miss.  River  on  a  flat  boat  to  New 
Orleans,  then  went  to  Galveston  and  many 
other  points  in  Texas. 

He  was  married  in  1841  to  Miss  Clifton, 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  Clifton  of  Newport,  Ky. 
When  the  late  Rebellion  broke  out  he  became 
pilot  upon  the  gunboat  "Carondelet,"  assuming 
that  position  before  the  Siege  of  Vicksburg. 
He  ran  his  boat  past  the  Rebel  batteries  at  Ft. 
De  Russey  and  up  the  Red  River  to  assist  the 


226 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Union  batteries,  going  as  far  as  Snaggy  Bayou. 
He  participated  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  as 
sisting  the  land  forces.  He  obtained  a  leave  of 
absence,  visited  Washington,  called  upon  Gov. 
Johnson  and  Gen.  Thomas,  by  whom  he  was 
cordially  received.  He  rejoined  his  ship  and 
continued  with  it  until  June  20,  '65,  when  the 
ship  went  out  of  service  at  Mound  City.  He 
returned  to  Pekin  where  he  embarked  in  the 
grain  and  coal  business.  Afterwards  he  went 
to  Colo,  for  a  year,  where  he  had  an  interest  in 
a  gold  mine.  Since  then  he  has  followed  vari 
ous  avocations.  He  has  three  children,  viz.: 
Lillie,  wife  of  Martin  Schenck,  Nathan,  and 
Lydia,  wife  of  Dr.  Van  Horn. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  his  first  vote, 
however,  being  cast  for  Henry  Clay.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 


OUR  present  subject,  John  C.  Frederick, 
of  Pekin,  111.,  was  born  in  Germany 
Nov.  19,  1838,  and  15  years  later  came 
with  his  parents  to  America  and  settled  in  Pe 
kin.  When  the  late  war  broke  out  he  was  the 
second  man  in  that  county  to  enroll  his  name 
in  response  to  President  Lincoln's  call  for 
troops.  He  went  to  the  front,  proceeding  as  far 
as  Cairo,  where  he  was  engaged  in  various  du 
ties,  until  his  term  of  enlistment  had  expired. 
Returning  home  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co. 
A.  44th  III.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  again  returned  to  the 
field,  receiving  on  the  way  thither  his  arms  and 
accoutrements.  Shortly  before  the  battle  of 
Pea  Ridge  the  44th  was  sent  towards  the  mount 
ains,  in  the  Indian  Terr.,  and  after  a  heavy 
day's  march  the  men  had  just  laid  down  for  a 
much  needed  rest,  when  they  were  hurriedly 
called  to  arms  and  started  upon  the  march  back 
which  occupied  all  night,  arriving  in  the  morn 
ing  just  in  time  to  take  their  places  in  the 
Union  lines  and  engage  in  the  bloody  battle  of 
Pea  Ridge.  For  three  days  this  contest  raged, 
and  finally  the  Rebels  were  driven  from  the  field. 
On  the  last  day  of  the  battle  Mr.  Frederick 
had  a  narrow  escape  from  severe,  if  not  fatal 
injuries  by  the  bursting  of  his  gun  which  ex 


ploded  in  his  hand.  His  Regt.  then  went  to 
Batesville,  thence  to  Cape  Girardeau  a  long  and 
weary  march  occupying  12  days,  and  on  arrival 
took  transport  for  Pittsburg  Landing.  It  joined 
Halleck's  Command,  moved  to  Corinth,  then  to 
Rienza  where  it  remained  several  months  and 
then  was  employed  in  guarding  the  R.  R.  near 
Cincinnati  and  Louisville,  threatened  by  Mor 
gan.  He  was  an  active  participant  in  the  en 
gagement  at  Elizabethtown,  driving  the  Rebels 
from  a  spring,  but  later  they  received  heavy 
reinforcements,  and  compelled  the  Union  forces 
to  retire.  After  that  battle  the  44th  started  out 
for  Nashville  and  on  the  march  Mr.  Frederick 
became  sick,  caused  by  the  terrible  dust  in 
haled  and  raised  by  the  troops  as  they  marched 
along.  He  was  laid  aside  from  active  duty  for 
a  few  days  only. 

During  the  great  Stone  River  Battle,  in 
which  he  took  an  active  part,  Mr.  Frederick- 
saw  what  he  could  not  believe  possible,  and 
certainly  would  not  repeat  had  he  not  wit 
nessed  the  occurrence.  It  was  an  artillery 
private  setting  astride  a  cannon  which  he  was 
attempting  to  save,  drawn  by  one  horse.  The 
man  had  one  leg  shot  off  above  the  knee  but 
not  entirely  severed,  and  the  foot  was  dangling 
upon  the  ground  as  the  owner  moved  solemnly 
along.  Our  subject  then  set  out  upon  the 
Chattanooga  campaign,  during  which  he  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  Tullahoma  and  Chicka- 
mauga.  In  the  latter  battle  whilst  Mr.  Fred 
erick  with  his  Regt.,  was  leading  an  attack 
upon  the  rebels  he  was  wounded  by  a  bullet  in 
the  neck,  exposing  the  jugular  vein  and  rend 
ering  him  senseless.  His  comrades  being 
forced  to  fall  back  he  was  found  by  a  rebel  offi 
cer  who  gave  him  water  and  tied  a  moistened 
handkerchief  over  the  wound.  Rebel  Jackalls 
however  found  him  in  that  condition  and 
robbed  him  of  all  his  belongings,  even  to  the 
handkerchief,  covering  his  wound,  at  the  same 
time  threatening  to  bayonet  him.  The  ball 
which  struck  him  also  struck  and  killed  com 
rade  Kopp,  who  stood  behind  him,  both  falling 
together.  The  regimental  surgeon  was  taken 
prisoner  at  the  same  time  and  to  whose  kind 
ness  and  skill,  our  subject  attributes  his  recov- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUMT. 


227 


ery  from  the  terrible  wound.  He  was  taken 
to  Dalton,  then  to  Atlanta,  Richmond,  Belle 
Island  Castle,  Libby,  Scott  Prison  and  Dan 
ville,  where  nearly  all  the  prisoners  had  small 
pox  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Frederick,  al 
though  he  slept  with  two  of  the  boys  whose 
cases  were  severe.  He  was  next  moved  to 
Andersonville  and  there  remained  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  With  the  thousands  of  other 
prisoners  there  confined  he  took  scurvy  render 
ing  him  unable  to  walk.  In  the  spring  of  1865 
he  was  sent  to  Vicksburg  to  be  exchanged, 
then  proceeded  to  Springfield  where  he  was 
discharged.  It  is  impossible  to  give  in  detail 
the  sufferings  he  endured  whilst  in  the  Rebel 
prisons,  and  it  would  be  simply  sickening  to 
truthfully  describe  his  personal  condition.  He 
married  Miss  Anna  Ahrends  by  whom  he  has 
two  children,  Charles  and  William,  the  former 
now  deceased.  Mrs.  Frederick  died  in  1877. 
He  married  again,  Miss  Josephine  Haefle  and 
two  children  have  resulted  from  the  union. 
Since  the  war  he  has  been  an  Alderman  for 
his  town,  Street  Commissioner,  City  Marshal, 
and  in  1890  was  elected  Sheriff  of  the  County 
upon  the  Democratic  ticket.  At  the  time  he 
was  wounded  he  was  Orderly  Sergeant  of  his 
Company.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  Mr. 
Frederick  must  be  a  popular  and  deservedly 
respected  citizen,  otherwise  he  would  not  have 
been  selected  to  the  many  public  positions 
which  he  has  been  called  upon  to  fill. 


RICHARD  BRACKIN,  father  of  Patrick  Brae- 
kin,  of  Lemont,  111.,  was  a  native  of  Long 
ford  County,  Ireland,  and  emigrated  to 
this  country  in  1848,  locating  in  Herkimer  Co., 
N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  6  years  and  then  re 
moved  to  Lemont,  111.,  and  there  continued  until 
the  time  of  his  death  which  occurred  in  1888. 
His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Catherine  Murphy, 
who  was  also  a  native  of  Ireland.  They  had 
the  following  children  besides  the  subject  of 
this  sketch;  Rose,  Mary,  Rose  (2nd  of  the 
same  name),  Kate,  and  Mary  (2nd  of  same 
name).  Patrick,  our  subject,  was  born  in  the 
County  of  Longford,  Ireland,  March  10,  1846, 


and  emigrated  to  this  country  with  his  parents. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  where  he  ac 
quired  sufficient  education  to  fit  him  for  an 
active  and  successful  business  life.  Havine 

o 

come  to  this  country  when  young,  he  grew  up 
with  it  in  perfect  sympathy  with  its  institutions 
and  laws.  During  the  early  years  of  the  re 
bellion,  he  longed  for  the  arrival  of  the  time 
when  he  would  be  old  enough  to  enlist,  which 
period  came,  and  on  Feb.  16,  1865,  he  joined 
the  army  for  one  year,  or  during  the  war.  He 
rendezvoused  at  Camp  Fry,  Chicago,  and  was 
mustered  in  there  a  day  or  two  after  as  a  pri 
vate  in  Co.  D.,  I47th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  About  one 
week  after,  his  Co.  received  orders  to  go  to 
Dalton,  Ga.,  and  join  the  Army  of  the  Cum 
berland,  which  it  did  and  was  attached  to  and 
became  a  part  of  the  1st  Brig.,  2nd  (Independent) 
Div.  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  com 
manded  by  Gen.  Thomas.  The  Regt.  then 
went  to  Tunnell  Hill,  Ga.,  and  was  detailed  on 
guard  duty,  protecting  the  railroad  and  tunnel, 
where  it  remained  about  three  months,  when 
by  command  it  went  to  Resaca  and  followed 
Gen.  Sherman's  army  in  its  march  to  the  sea, 
during  the  progress  of  which  it  engaged  in 
provost  duty  and  guarding  the  railroads. 
From  Resaca  it  was  ordered  to  Americus,  Ga., 
where  it  remained  two  or -three  months,  then 
removed  to  Savannah  where  the  Regt.  was 
mustered  out,  in  Feb.  1866,  and  in  the  latter 
part  of  this  month,  was  discharged  and  paid 
off  at  Springfield,  111.  During  the  greater 
part  of  his  service  he  was  selected  by  the 
company  and  detailed  on  special  guard  duty. 
He  was  promoted  to  be  a  Corporal  at  Ameri 
cus.  Immediately  after  his  discharge,  he  re 
turned  to  his  home  in  Lemont,  where' he  has 
resided  ever  since.  He  was  in  the  employ  of 
Bodenschatz  &  Earnshan  Stone  Company  for 
9  years,  and  on  the  organization  of  the  West 
ern  Stone  Company,  was  offered  the  position 
of  Division  Superintendent,  of  quarry  No.  I, 
which  position  he  still  holds.  He  married, 
Jan.  10,  1877,  Miss  Amelia  Sophie  Reardon,  at 
Lockport,  111.,  who  is  a  native  of  Lemont,  but 
of  Irish  descent.  They  have  the  following 
children:  George,  Arthur  Edwin,  Albert,  Fred 


228 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


erick,  Edmond   Emmet,  and  Leonard.     Arthur 
Edwin,  and  Edmond  Emmet  are  dead. 

Mr.  Brackin  was  a  member  of  Joseph  B. 
Rood  Post  No.  158,  G.  A.  R.,  before  it  dis 
banded.  He  is  at  present  a  member  of  the 
village  board  of  Lemont;  belongs  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Foresters,  No.  242,  of 
Lemont,  of  which  he  is  Treasurer;  is  also  a 
member  of  and  is  Financial  Secretary  of  Stone 
City  Lodge  Independent  Order  of  Mutual  Aid. 


BH.  MOSHER,  a  member  of  the  famous 
"  Eagle  Brigade,"  enlisted  at  Panola, 
Woodford  Co.,  Ill,  Aug.  18,  1861,  in  Co. 
I.,  47th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  which  formed  a  part  of  the 
brigade  that  carried  the  war  eagle,  "  Old  Abe  " 
through  the  war.  Mr.  Mosher  was  mustered 
in. at  Peoria,  111.  as  a  private,  and  went  to  St. 
Louis  Sept.  25,  then  was  ordered  to  Jefferson 
City,  then  went  in  pursuit  of  "Old  Price"  driv 
ing  him  out  of  Springfield,  and  returned  to  St. 
Louis  via  Boonville  and  St.  Charles.  The  4/th 
then  joined  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  under 
Gen.  John  Pope,  and  was  brigaded  with  the  8th 
Wis.,  nth  Mo.,  5th  Minn.,  and  2d  Iowa  battery. 
It  then  proceeded  down  the  Mississippi  on  the 
steamer  "Hawkeye  State"  to  Saxton,  Mo.,  and 
to  Island  No.  10.  March  2,  1862,  the  force 
arrived  at  New  Madrid  and  began  the  siege 
that  ended  in  the  capture  of  that  place.  It  was 
in  the  engagement  that  captured  the  boat 
"Ohio  Belle,"  taking  some  5,000  rebel  prison 
ers,  and  was  then  ordered  up  the  river  to  near 
Pittsburg,  to  reinforce  the  Army  of  the  Tenn. 
At  the  battle  of  Farmington,  Miss.,  Mar.  9, 
there  was  a  heavy  loss,  the  Regt.  losing  its 
commander,  Col.  Miles  and  56  men,  killed  and 
wounded.  May  30  and  31,  Mr.  Mosher  was 
on  picket  duty  during  the  skirmish  before 
the  rebel  works  at  Corinth,  and  while  making 
his  way  up  the  railroad,  discovered  that  the 
trains  going  out  were  loaded  with  rebel  sol 
diers.  He  concluded  that  the  enemy  was  evac 
uating  the  place  or  preparing  to  make  a  flank 
movement,  so  he  had  these  facts  reported  to 
Gen.  Pope,  who  gave  orders  to  advance  at  day 


break.  Mr.  Mosher  remained  at  or  near  Cor 
inth  until  the  middle  of  August,  then  took  part 
in  the  Tuscumbia  Valley  expedition,  returning 
from  this  with  his  command  bringing  the  first 
contrabands  of  the  war,  numbering  about 
15,000,  which  was  certainly  a  good  beginning. 
At  luka,  Miss.,  the  Regt.  was  engaged  Sept. 
igth,  and  lost  about  50  men.  It  continued  in 
pursuit  of  the  retreating  enemy  for  a  time,  then 
returned  to  Corinth  taking  a  conspicuous  part 
in  the  battle  there,  Oct.  3rd  and  4th. 

On  the  first  day  at  Corinth  the  brave  Col. 
William  A.  Thrush  was  killed  while  bravely 
leading  his  men  in  a  charge,  and  in  these  two 
days  the  Regt.  lost  30  killed,  and  over  100 
wounded.  After  these  battles  and  losses,  the 
force  was  pushed  on  in  pursuit  of  Price  and 
Van  Dorn  up  the  Hatchie  River  to  Ripley,  and 
so  closely  were  the  rebels  followed  that  they 
abandoned  an  artillery  train  and  nearly  all 
their  wagons  and  baggage,  which  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Union  army.  Returning  to  Corinth 
from  this  successful  pursuit,  which  dispersed 
the  rebel  forces,  the  4/th  lay  in  camp  until 
Nov.,  when  it  was  formed  with  the  I5th  A.  C., 
commanded  by  Gen.  Sherman.  Mr.  Mosher 
was  at  Holly  Springs  and  in  the  skirmish  at 
Coffeeville.  At  Farmington  Heights  he  re 
ceived  an  injury  by  being  ruptured  which  nearly 
ended  his  army  life,  and  when  the  Regt.  went 
down  the  river  to  invest  Vicksburg  in  Feb., 
1863,  he  was  left  at  Fort  Pickering,  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  to  be  discharged  on  account  of  disability. 
When  he  was  examined  for  discharge  the  sur 
geon  said,  "If  you  have  20  or  25  dollars  you 
can  get  discharged."  Such  meanness  and 
treachery  disgusts  the  honest  soldier  who  had 
from  true  patriotism  given  so  much,  so  he  told 
the  surgeon  to  go  to  that  locality  where  it  is 
stated  that  winter  does  not  come  and  water  is 
hard  to  get,  and  said,  "  I  am  not  trying  to  buy 
my  way  out  of  the  army."  Refusing  to  take  a 
discharge,  he  rejoined  his  Regt.  near  Vicks 
burg,  where  it  remained  in  camp  until  ordered 
to  advance  toward  Vicksburg,  took  part  in  the 
battle  at  Jackson,  capture  of  Haines'  Bluff,  and 
went  down  the  Yazoo  River  to  Young's  Point. 
After  this  Mr.  Mosher  was  sick  for  some  time 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


229 


but  was  able  to  be  at  the  final  surrender  of 
Vicksburg.  In  recounting  these  incidents  he 
says,  from  April  24  to  July  4  he  was  not  beyond 
the  sound  of  the  enemy's  guns.  Mr.  Mosher 
was  in  that  close  engagement  at  Champion 
Hills  before  Vicksburg  was  reached,  and  was 
about  this  time  detailed  to  serve  at  the  head 
quarters  of  Gen.  Palmer,  but  he  asked  to  be 
relieved  as  he  preferred  to  be  in  the  ranks  with 
his  comrades.  He  was  examined  again,  Aug. 
18,  1863,  and  ordered  to  be  sent  to  the  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  and  arriving  at  St.  Louis  Dec. 
29,  1863,  went  to  the  Alexander  Barracks  and 
was  assigned  to  Co.  H.,  8th  Regt,  1st  Bat.  Vet. 
Reserve  Corps,  where  he  served  on  guard  duty 
until  the  expiration  of  his  enlistment,  Sept.  3, 
1864, 

B.  H.  Mosher  was  born  in  Saratoga  Co., 
N.  Y.,  Nov.  20,  1840,  of  old  Revolutionary 
stock.  His  mother's  father,  Benjamin  Packer, 
was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  the  father  of  Ben 
jamin  Packer  was  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution 
Mr.  Mosher's  father's  father,  Samuel  Mosher, 
was  a  soldier  in  1812,  and  the  father  of  Samuel- 
Mosher,  was  a  Revolutionary  veteran.  There 
fore  it  is  not  difficult  to  determine  where  Mr. 
Mosher  obtained  his  brave  and  soldierly  quali 
ties.  He  removed  from  New  York  when  14 
years  of  age,  and  with  his  parents  located  in 
Mich.,  and  after  three  years  came  to  111.,  in  the 
spring  of  1857,  settling  at  Panola,  Woodford 
Co.  In  1864,  on  coming  out  of  the  army,  Mr. 
Mosher  made  his  home  at  Buda,  111.,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  grew  up  on  a  farm  until 
going  into  the  army,  and  for  some  four  years 
after  the  war  he  was  associated  with  others  as 
contractor  and  builder  until  1871,  when  he 
engaged  in  merchandising  and  has  contiued  to 
the  present  time  in  that  business.  He  was 
instrumental  in  organizing  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at 
Buda,  and  served  five  successive  years  as  its 
Adjutant,  and  was  also  Commander  in  1890.  Is 
a  prominent  Odd  Fellow  and  in  the  Masonic 
order;  is  a  Knight  Templar,  belonging  to  the 
Princeton  Commandery.  In  politics  is  a  Dem 
ocrat. 

Mr.  Mosher  was  married  Jan.  8,  1866,  to 
Julia  Curtis,  a  Michigan  lady.  One  ,of  the 


chief,  characteristics  of  this  gentleman  is  a 
hatred  of  sham  and  meanness.  He  is  thor 
oughly  upright  and  honest,  and  is  determined 
and  outspoken  in  his  views  and  convictions. 
His  friends  are  never  uncertain  in  regard  to  his 
position,  and  he  has  a  creditable  reputation  for 
unquestioned  honor,  integrity  and  enterprise. 


WB.  WAGGNER  of  Fisher  111.,  comman 
der  of  Post  No.  300,  enlisted  in  the 
•  Union  Army  Aug.  19,  1862  and 
became  a  member  of  Co.  E,  121  Ohio  Vol. 
Inf.  Sept.  iith  he  was  mustered  into  the 
service  then  started  for  the  front  passing 
through  Covington, Louisville  and  on  to  the  ever 
memorable  battlefield  of  Perryville.  During 
this  battle  Mr.  Waggner  was  detached  and 
guarded  the  amunition  train,  then  went  upon 
garrison  duty  for  the  following  five  weeks.  He 
next  moved  to  Lebanon  Ky.,  where  he  was 
taken  sick,  placed  in  hospital  No.  I  for  two 
weeks  when  he  rejoined  his  command  at 
Columbia,  Ky.,  and  under  orders  moved  back 
to  Lebanon,  Ky.  Here  an  asthmatical  trouble 
forced  him  to  return  to  the  hospital,  but  soon 
again  he  joined  his  command  and  moved  thence 
to  Franklin,  then  on  to  Shelbyville  where  he  was 
assigned  to  Provost  guard  duty.  He  then  went 
to  Fayetteville,  Tenn.,  and  was  detailed  a 
drummer,  and  started  upon  the  Chattanooga 
campaign,  under  Gen.  Steadmam,  and  when 
within  one  mile  of  Ringgold  they  opened  fire 
upon  the  town  from  their  big  guns,  which  was 
promptly  replied  to  by  Gen.  Longstreet  who  had 
recently  arrived  there  and  so  hot  was  the  fire, 
the  Union  forces  found  it  convenient  to  retire. 
Mr.  Waggner  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mt.,  and  Mission  Ridge, 
in  all  of  which  he  bore  his  full  share  of  the  dan 
gers  encountered,  and  the  privations  endured. 
At  the  first  named  battle  his  Capt.  was  severely 
wounded  and  Mr.  Waggner  was  the  first  to 
reach  his  side  and  assist  him  to  the  field  hos 
pital.  After  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  his 
Regt.  made  a  forced  march  to  Lookout  valley 
to  assist  Gen.  Hooker's  command  then  de 


230 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ployed  at  that  place,  and  after  successfully,  per 
forming  that  duty  they  were  ordered  to  fall 
back  to  Raccoon  Ridge  where  they  went  into 
camp,  from  which  they  soon  had  to  move, 
marching  for  Knoxville  to  relieve  Gen  Burn- 
side,  but  before  arrival  the  siege  was  raised, 
therefore  they  returned  to  Rossville  near  Chat 
tanooga  where  they  made  their  winter  quarters. 
Mr.  Waggner  rested  with  the  army  during  the 
winter,  1863-4  during  part  of  which  time  he  en 
dured  many  hardships  and  privations  from 
cold,  hunger  and  exposure  which  can  only  be 
understood  by  those  who  have  seen  service  in 
time  of  war.  On  the  arrival  of  spring  the 
armies  are  again  placed  in  motion  with  that  of 
Sherman  on  his  famous  Atlanta  Campaign,  and 
we  find  brave  young  Waggner  at  his  post  and 
participating  in  all  the  marches,  skirmishes  and 
battles  of  that  successful  expedition,  which 
closed  with  the  occupation  of  the  city  of  At 
lanta.  His  next  move  was  with  the  same  army 
upon  the  march  to  the  sea.  during  which  Sher 
man's  whole  army  lived  by  foraging  off  the 
country.  Under  those  circumstances  it  will 
not  be  surprising  to  know  that  the  men  were 
frequently  without  rations,  and  at  the  best  of 
times  were  upon  short  allowance. 

Savannah  was  finally  reached,  passed  into 
government  control,  and  soon  thereafter  Mr. 
Waggner's  command  started  upon  the  march 
through  the  Carolinas  and  were  actively 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Bentonville.  He  then 
went  to  Goldsboro',  Raleigh  and  Holly  Springs, 
N.  C.,  and  then  started  upon  a  forced  march  of 
180  miles  for  Richmond,  upon  which  he  was 
engaged  for  7  continuous  days.  The  Rebellion 
had  about  the  time  he  arrived  faded  out,  there 
fore  his  Regt.  started  for  Washington,  where  it 
took  part  in  the  Grand  Review,  arriving  home 
June  8,  1865,  after  a  service  of  three  years. 

Mr.  Waggner  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1843,  a 
son  of  Jacob  arid  Rebecca  Waggner;  the  father 
died  when  our  subject  was  but  7  years  of  age. 
After  his  father's  death  he  lived  with  his  grand 
father,  Joseph  Laycox,  until  he  entered  the 
army.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
Ohio,  remained  there  until  1870,  when  he 
returned  to  Rantoul,  111.,  where  he  worked  as 


a  tinsmith  and  afterwards  became  engaged  in 
farming.  In  1883  he  removed  to  Kansas  where 
he  was  employed  for  6  years,  then  returned  to 
111.,  and  located  at  Fisher  where  he  has  charge 
of  the  tinning  business  in  the  principal  hard 
ware  store  of  that  town.  In  1874  he  married 
Miss  N.  Elizabeth  Campbell  by  whom  he  has 
three  children.  William  E.,  Lucia  and  Louis. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  His  brother 
Joseph  also  served  in  the  army  and  was  a 
member  in  the  northwestern  Independent  Rifle 
Regt.,  and  afterwards  the  44th  111.,  in  which  he 
served  for  three  years. 


GEORGE  WALTERS,  of  Princeton,  111.,  en 
listed  at  the  first  call  of  his  country  as 
a  soldier  in  the  Union  Army  at  Harris- 
burg,  Pa,,  April  21,  1861,  in  Co.  I.,  I5th  Penn. 
Vol.  Inf.  He  at  once  went  to  the  front,  and 
July  2,  in  the  same  year,  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Falling  Water,  Va.,  and  confined  in  the  rebel 
prisons  at  Winchester,  Va.,  Richmond,  Va.,  New 
Orleans,  La.,  and  Saulsbury,  N.  C.,  fora  period 
of  eleven  months  and  one  day. 

In  this  manner  he  was  detained  as  a  soldier 
nearly  a  year  after  his  term  of  enlistment  had 
expired.  After  gaining  his  liberty,  was  dis 
charged  in  New  York  City  in  June,  1862,  and 
re-enlisted  Aug.  9,  1864,  in  Co.  F.  2OOth  Pa.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  was  assigned  to  gth  A.  C.,  commanded 
by  Gen.  Parkes. 

In  this  service  he  was  in  the  battle  of  Fort 
Steadman,  at  the  capture  of  Fort  Hill,  and 
then  joined  the  gth  A.  C.  under  Gen.  Grant,  and 
was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee.  He 
was  mustered  out  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  June  — , 
1865,  after  participating  in  the  Grand  Review 
at  Washington. 

George  Walters  was  born  at  Jonestown, 
Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.,  March  5,  1842,  learned  the 
trade  of  shoemaker,  and  at  an  early  age  went 
to  Princeton,  111.,  where  he  has  since  resided 
and  worked  at  the  same  business.  He  was 
married  in  Sept.,  1868,  to  Leah  Wolfersberger, 
and  has  had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are 
living,  whose  names  are:  Florence  Elizabeth 
and  Roger  William. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


231 


THOMAS  CROSSLEY,  of  Princeton,  111.,    en 
listed  at  Princeton.  111.,  Oct.  12,  1861,  in 
the  Qth  111.  Cav.,  and  was  mustered  in  at 
Chicago  under  Colonel  A.  G.  Brackett. 

Mr.  Crossley  went  to  St.  Louis  and  began 
active  service  in  the  field,  but  was  soon  re 
turned  to  Princeton  to  recruit  men  for  the  regi 
ment,  which  he  rejoined  at  Helena,  Ark.  He 
was  a  non-commissioned  officer,  and  most  of 
the  time  was  on  detached  duty  while  in  the 
army.  Becoming  sick  with  chronic  diarrhea 
and  heart  disease,  was  for  some  time  in 
the  hospital  at  Helena,  Ark.,  and  Jef- 
erson  Barracks,  Mo.,  and  receiving  a  Sur 
geon's  certificate  of  disability  and  his  dis 
charge,  returned  to  Princeton  and  resumed  his 
employment  of  farming. 

In  1871  he  entered  the  flouring  mills  at 
Princeton,  owned  by  his  father,  George  Cross- 
ley,  and  became  manager. 

Thomas  Crossley  was  born  in  Clearmont 
Co.,  Ohio,  Aug.  18,  1840,  and  when  14  years  of 
age  came  with  his  parents  to  Princeton,  where 
he  was  a  farmer.  He  spent  two  years  in  Cali 
fornia,  and  was  for  a  time  in  the  butcher  and 
stock  business,  before  going  into  the  mills. 

He  was  married  in  1866,  to  L.  C.  Jones,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  who  came  to  Princeton  when 
five  years  of  age  with  her  parents.  Three  chil 
dren  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crossley, 
named  Frank,  Charles  and  Maro. 


CE.  MILLER,  of  Earlville,  111.  ,was  born  in 
Rensselaer  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the 
•  youngest  of  a  family  of  seven  children. 
His  father,  Henry  Miller,  was  a  native  of  the 
same  State.  Father  and  mother  are  now  de 
ceased.  Mr.  Miller  was  raised  at  home  until 
about  the  age  of  1 1  years,  receiving  such  edu 
cational  advantages  as  were  offered  in  those 
days  by  the  common  schools.  At  the  above 
mentioned  age  he  went  to  La  Salle  Co.  to  live 
with  a  brother  who  was  a  farmer,  where  he  was 
occupied  in  farming,  and  attending  school  dur 
ing  the  winter.  Subsequently  he  hired  out  as 
a  farm  hand,  and  was  thus  employed  up  to  the 


time  of  his  enlistment,  July  26,  1862,  being  then 
18  years  of  age.  He  was  mustered  in  at  Iowa 
City,  Iowa,  as  a  private  in  Co.  D.,  22d  Iowa 
Inf.  The  Regt.  rendezvoused  for  a  while  at 
Iowa  City,  and  leaving  the  State  Sept.  14,  went 
first  to  Benton  Barracks,  then  to  Rolla,  Mo. 
It  was  stationed  there  and  in  other  points  in 
Missouri  until  March,  1863,  when  it  joined 
Grant's  army  for  the  campaign  against  Vicks- 
burg.  It  was  assigned  to  Lawler's  Brig.  (2d) 
Car's  Div.,  I3th  A.  C.  Its  first  engagement  was  at 
Port  Gibson — which  was  the  opening  battle  of 
the  Vicksburg  campaign — when  it  lost  two  killed 
and  twenty-one  wounded.  It  was  held  in  reserve 
at  Champion  Hills,  but  was  in  action  at  Black 
River,  where  the  command  carried  off  the 
honors  of  the  day.  It  then  took  part  in  the 
assault  on  Vicksburg,  May  22,  sustaining  great 
loss,  amongthe  killed  being  Mr.  Miller's  brother 
George  H.  Mr.  Miller  was  in  the  long  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  and  after  its  surrender  was  with  his 
regiment  in  the  pursuit  of  Johnston  to  Jackson, 
and  took  part  in  the  battle  at  that  place,  re 
turning  after  the  defeat  of  the  enemy  to  Vicks 
burg.  In  August  the  Regt.  then  in  Washburne's 
Division  moved  to  New  Orleans,  and  served  in 
that  department  the  12  ensuing  months.  The 
regiment  was  first  stationed  at  Algiers,  from 
which  place  it  embarked  on  transports  for  Port 
Lavaca,  Tex.,  where  it  went  into  winter  quar 
ters.  In  the  spring  of  1864  it  returned  by  the 
gulf  to  New  Orleans,  and  was  ordered  to  join 
Bank's  Red  River  expedition.  Mr.  Miller  took 
part,  and  suffered  with  the  other  soldiers  en 
gaged  in  that  ill-advised  andjanfortunate  cam 
paign.  Upon  the  return  from  that  expedition 
the  22d  was  placed  in  the  igth  Corps,  and  with 
it  proceeded  to  Virginia,  landing  first  at  Ber 
muda  Hundred,  from  there  it  moved  to  Wash 
ington,  where  it  went  into  camp  for  a  while,  and 
then  moved  to  Harper's  Ferry.  The  next  serv 
ice  of  the  regiment  was  with  Sheridan  in  his 
Shenandoah  campaign,  in  which  it  took  a  prom 
inent  part,  participating  in  the  action  of  Win 
chester  and  Opequon;  the  memorable  battle  of 
Cedar  Creek,  and  was  in  the  fight  at  Fisher's 
Hill;  after  the  latter  fight  following  the  enemy 
up  as  far  as  Strasburg.  At  the  battle  of  Win- 


2\2 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Chester  Mr.  Miller  lost  his  knapsack  containing 
his  diary,  the  loss  of  which  he  regretted  ex 
ceedingly  as  it  contained  much  valuable  mem 
oranda.  From  the  Shenandoah  Valley  the 
command  was  ordered  to  Baltimore,  and  from 
there  on  transports  to  Savannah,  Ga.,  to  relieve 
Sherman's  army  then  preparing  for  the  cam 
paign  of  the  Carolinas.  From  Savannah  the 
Regt.  marched  to  Augusta,  where  it  remained 
sometime,  and  then  was  ordered  back  to  Sa 
vannah,  where  it  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service,  sent  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  paid  off  and 
the  men  discharged  Aug.  4,  1865. 

During  the  period  of  his  service,  although  in 
some  of  the  harde.st  fought  battles,  where  shot 
and  shell  were  whizzing  about  him,  he  passed 
through  the  service  without  a  wound,  and  was 
only  in  the  hospital  one  week  from  illness. 
•\fter  his  discharge  Mr.  Miller  returned  to  his 
nome  in  Earlville  and  once  more  engaged  in 
peaceful  pursuits.  He  was  married  Dec.  2, 
1866,  to  Ellen  Bristol,  and  by  her  has  had  five 
children  of  whom  Lee  E.,  Jennie,  Ray  and 
Josie  are  living.  Mr.  Miller  has  an  interesting 
family  in  which,  as  an  affectionate,  devoted 
husband  and  father,  he  takes  great  pride.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  475,  of 
Earlville,  and  is  at  present  honored  by  his 
comrades  with  the  office  of  Commander.  He 
takes  an  active  part  in  all  G.  A.  R.  matters, 
and  is  much  thought  of  and  respected  by  his 
fellow  comrades,  as  well  as  by  the  community 
with  whom  he  has  so  long-  dwelt. 


GEORGE  H.  KNOTT,  of  Elgin,  111.,  was  born 
in  Leicester,  England,  Feb.,  8,  1838. 
Subsequently  he  came  to  this  country 
and  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  Aug.  15,  1862, 
at  Elgin,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Chicago  Sept. 
6,  as  a  private  in  Co.  C.,  12/th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  The 
Regt.  continued  in  Chicago  for  a  time  then 
proceeded  to  Memphis  .went  into  camp,  and  be 
came  attached  to  the  2nd  Brig.,  2nd  Div.,  I5th 
A.  C.  Leaving  Memphis  it  joined  in  the  Talla- 
hatchie  expedition  to  Boles  Mills,  and  returned 
to  Memphis,  after  having  several  skirmishes 


with  the  enemy.  Its  next  move  was  on  the 
Chickasaw  Bayou  Campaign,  where  it  was  heav 
ily  engaged  with  the  rebels.  Moving  to 
Young's  Point,  it  soon  went  to  Arkansas  Post, 
engaged  and  defeated  the  enemy,  and  was  the 
first  to  plant  the  stars  and  stripes  upon  the 
rebel  works.  Returning  to  Young's  Point;  it 
engaged  in  the  visionary  project  of  attempting 
to  dig  the  Butler  Canal,  which  was  abandoned. 
The  Regt.  then  went  to  Deer  Creek,  assisted  in 
the  relief  of  Admiral  Porter's  gunboats,  escorted 
them  up  the  Mississippi  River  and  then  re 
turned  to  the  camping  ground. 

Mr.  Knott  subsequently  took  part  in  the 
Vicksburg  Campaign,  proceeding  to  Richmond, 
La.,  where  he  did  garrison  duty  about  a  week, 
being  appointed  acting  orderly  Sergeant,  which 
position  he  held  until  the  expedition  termina 
ted.  Then  moving  to  Hard  Times  Landing,  he 
proceeded  to  Raymond,  Miss.,  and  the  follow 
ing  day  took  part  in  the  Champion  Hills  battle. 
He  then  marched  with  his  Regt.  direct  to  Vicks 
burg.  Here  they  assisted  to  close  the  lines 
about  the  doomed  city,  and  participated  in  the 
assaults  upon  that  town  May  19  and  22.  Before 
the  first  assault  Mr.  Knott  and  his  lieutenant 
approached  the  rebel  works  and  passing  through 
a  gap,  reached  within  a  short  distance  of  their 
lines.  A  hazardous  enterprise  indeed,  and  the 
fact  being  reported  to  the  Div.  Commander  this 
gap  was  filled  out  with  part  of  the  I3th  A.  C. 
The  day  following  the  2nd  assault,  the  I27th 
was  detached  and  went  to  Chickasaw  Bayou, 
having  been  so  ordered  by  Gen.  Sherman,  as  a 
recognition  for  meritorious  services  rendered 
during  the  assaults  mentioned.  After  a  rest  of 
a  few  days  it  returned  and  continued  in  the 
trenches  before  Vicksburg  until  the  surrender 
of  that  Southern  stronghold.  It  then  went  to 
Black  River,  from  there  to  Helena,  where  with 
the  sanction  of  Sherman  it  looted  the  stores, 
and  then  continued  on  to  Memphis  where  the 
men  assisted  repairing  the  R.  R.  Then  followed 
the  overland  march  of  about  300  miles  to  Chatta 
nooga,  where  later  they  took  part  in  the  battle 
of  Lookout  Mt.  and  Missionary  Ridge.  It  then 
went  to  the  relief  of  Burnside  at  Knoxville  and 
on  his  being  relieved,  returned  to  Larkinsville 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


233 


where  it  went  into  camp  for  the  winter.  On 
the  way  thither  whilst  fording  a  stream  Mr. 
Knott's  mule  laid  down,  and  to  avoid  danger 
he  waded  the  stream,  unincumbered  by  his 
stubborn  mount. 

In  the  following  spring  he  joined  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign  and  was  in  all  the  battles 
fought  up  to  July  22.  Among  the  number 
may  be  mentioned  Resaca,  Dallas,  Kennesaw 
Mt.,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Atlanta,  where  he 
was  captured  and  taken  prisoner  to  East  Port, 
and  whilst  there  observed  Sherman's  chief 
scout  peddling  bread  as  a  rebel.  He  was 
afterwards  taken  to  Andersonville,  where  he 
was  confined  until  exchanged  Sept.  19,  1864. 
During  his  61  days  of  confinement  in  that  liv 
ing  tomb,  he  lost  80  pounds  in  flesh,  weighing 
but  65  pounds  when  he  was  freed.  He  re 
ported  for  duty  at  West  Point,  proceeded 
to  Chattanooga  and  thence  to  Nashville,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  battle  at  that  place.  He 
returned  to,  and  wintered  at  Chattanooga, 
where  he  was  mustered  out  June  14,  1865,  and 
paid  off  at  Louisville. 

Mr.  Knott  has  four  children,  viz.:  Lillie  M., 
Emma  E.,  George  R.  and  Leon  Sherman.  He 
was  wounded  in  the  war  but  has  never  applied 
for  a  pension.  He  has  been  Commander  twice 
of  Post  No.  49,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Elgin,  and  was  dur 
ing  his  war  service  in  25  battles,  besides  many 
raids,  expeditions  and  skirmishes, 


ALEXANDER  MANAHAN,  of  Elgin,  111.  It  Was 
in  the  early  days  of  the  rebellion  that 
Mr.  Manahan's  patriotism  assumed  a 
practical  shape  when  he  suddenly,  without  con 
sulting  any  one,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  at 
Aurora,  July  20,  1861.  He  remained  at  Aurora 
a  few  days  and  was  ordered  with  his  Regt.,  the 
36th  111.  Inf.  to  Rolla,  Mo.,  where  it  remained 
until  the  January  following.  There  his  Co.  was 
drilled  and  occasionally  sent  in  pursuit  of 
bushwhackers.  From  there  it  started  in  pur 
suit  of  Price  and  passed  through  the  State  of 
Mo.  into  Ark.,  where  it  was  engaged  in  a  sharp 
skirmish  at  Bentonville,  March  ist.  He  then 


marched  to  Pea  Ridge,  arriving  there  March  6, 
and  on  the  following  day  participated  in  the  Pea 
Ridge  engagement.  His  Regt.  occupied  the 
right  and  supported  a  battery,  and  there  the 
rebel  McCullough  was  shot  and  killed.  On  the 
morningof  the  second  day  of  the  battle,  his  Regt. 
was  placed  in  the  center,  and  in  the  afternoon 
it  occupied  the  left.  Col.  Greusel  was,  during 
this  battle,  Brig,  commander,  and  Gen.  Curtis, 
Corps  commander.  During  the  engagement 
the  men  captured  about  400  rebel  soldiers.  They 
followed  Price  and  camped  the  first  night  in  the 
valley  below  Keittsville.  The  pursuit  was  sub 
sequently  abandoned  and  the  Regt.  sent  to  Cape 
Girardeau;  from  thereto  Pittsburg  Landing, 
and  followed  the  retreating  rebels  to  Corinth 
and  thence  to  Boonville.  His  Regt.  then  re 
turned  to  Corinth,  thence  to  Rienzi,  and  estab 
lished  a  permanent  camp,  where  it  remained 
about  six  weeks  guarding  the  railroad.  After 
this  it  was  ordered  to  Cincinnati,  thence  to  Lou 
isville,  Ky.,  remaining  three  or  four  weeks  ex 
pecting  an  attack  from  Bragg.  Buell  with  his 
command  arrived  at  Louisvjlle  and  joined  the 
brigade  before  the  rebel  Gen.  could  reach  there. 
The  36th  111.  Regt.  started  in  pursuit  of  Bragg 
Oct.  1st,  skirmishing  all  the  way  along  to  Per- 
ryville;  was  engaged  in  Perryville  battle  Oct, 
8th,  1862,  and  occupied  the  center  of  the  line. 

It  afterward  pursued  the  enemy  as  far  as 
Crab  Orchard,  then  retraced  their  steps  and 
moved  to  Nashville,  where  it  halted  for  four  or 
five  weeks,  when  it  was  again  started  in  pursuit 
of  Price.  The  armies  met  at  Stone  River,  and  a 
desperate  and  bloody  conflict  occurred,  com 
mencing  Dec.  2O,  1862,  with  skirmishes,  and 
later  with  an  advance  all  along  the  line,  which 
continued  for  four  days,  then  fell  back  to  Mur- 
freesboro  where  it  wintered.  The  following 
year  it  participated  in  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  under  Rosencrans  as  commander,  with 
W.  H.  Lytle  as  Brigade  commander,  and  Gen. 
Sheridan  as  Div.  Commander. 

Our  subject's  Regt.  also  took  part  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Chattanooga,  which  occurred  Sept.  17, 
1863,  also  in  an  engagement  fought  at  Lookout 
Mountain,  and  was  in  all  the  battles  of  the  At 
lanta  campaign,  terminating  in  the  fall  of  that 


234 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


city.  After  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  his  Regt.  was 
attached  to  Gen.  Thomas'  command.  Its  next 
move  was  to  Franklin,  where  it  was  attacked 
by  Gen'.  Hood,  whose  army  outnumbered  that 
of  the  Union  forces  three  to  one,  but,  notwith 
standing  the  disparity  between  the  opposing 
armies,  by  reason  of  the  greater  numerical 
strength  of  the  rebels,  the  latter  were  defeated. 
Mr.  Manahan's  Regt.  returned  to  Chattanooga, 
then  to  Nashville,  where  it  remained  for  up 
wards  of  a  month.  It  also  engaged  in  the  bat 
tle  precipitated  by  Hood's  attack  on  Nashville, 
where  he  suffered  a  severe  defeat,  then  retreated 
and  was  followed  by  the  36th  regiment  for 
about  50  miles,  when  the  pursuit  was  abandoned, 
the  latter  returning  to  Nashville.  Here  Mr. 
Manahan  was  taken  with  rheumatism  and  com 
pelled  to  go  into  a  hospital,  where  he  remained 
for  five  weeks,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time 
he  was  discharged,  Jan.  25,  1864,  paid  off  at 
Louisville,  and  mustered  out  of  the  service. 
Whilst  at  New  Market,  Ky.,  comrade  Manahan 
lay  down  at  night  in  a  cornfield.  It  had  thawed 
during  the  daytime  and  at  night  there  was  a 
heavy  frost.  When  the  sound  of  reveille  awoke 
him  in  the  morning,  he  discovered  his  hair 
frozen  to  the  cold  earth.  Calling  to  Maj.  Geo. 
Sherman,  he  stated  his  predicament,  and  who, 
at  his  suggestion,  cut  his  hair  with  a  pocket 
knife,  which  Mr.  Manahan  carried  through  the 
war  and  still  prizes  as  a  relic. 

After  his  discharge,  he  proceeded  to  Elgin, 
111.,  engaged  in  farming  and  photography,  and 
enjoyed  a  comfortable  living  for  himself  and 
family.  He  married  July  5,  1872,  Rebecca 
Dumser,  by  whom  he  has  five  children,  Charles 
F.,  Nellie  A.,  Clara  M.,  May  E.  and  Grant  D. 
Mr.  Manahan  is  a  member  of  the  National 
Union  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 
He  is  a  Past  Commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post 
at  Elgin,  and  a  worthy  citizen  in  the  commu 
nity  in  which  he  lives,  respected  and  esteemed 
by  his  townsmen.  Mrs.  Manahan  is  an  enthu 
siastic  member  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps, 
No.  3,  of  Elgin,  she  having  called  the  first 
meeting  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  corps, 
auxiliary  to  the  Post  of  which  her  husband 
wsa  commander. 


JOHN  A.  GRUVER,  of  Rantoul,  111.,  enlisted 
as  a  private  for  the  late  war  at  Paxton, 
Jan.  5, 1864, and  became  a  member  of  the 
loth  111.  He  was  mustered  into  the  service  at 
Danville  then  went  to  Springfield,  thence  to 
Little  Rock,  Ark.,  where  he  joined  his  Regt. 
Whilst  proceeding  thither  by  boat,  he  was 
taken  seriously  ill  and  soon  after  arrival  at 
his  destination,  was  sent  to  the  hospital  where 
his  illness  developed-  dangerous  symptoms, 
which  for  several  months  threatened  to  result 
fatally.  Month  after  month  passed,  with  Mr. 
Gruver  in  the  hospital  and  many  times  he  des 
paired  of  his  life,  but  as  the  spring  of  1865  ad 
vanced  he  began  to  improve.  The  disease, 
however,  had  settled  in  his  eyes,  and  even  when 
he  was  otherwise  physically  able  to  leave  the 
hospital  his  sight  remained  very  much  impaired. 
About  May  I,  1865,  he  rejoined  his  Regt. 
which  had  just  returned  to  little  Rock  from  the 
Red  River  expedition,  and  soon  after  accom 
panied  it  to  New  Orleans,  thence  to  Mobile 
where  he  was  present  when  that  city  sur 
rendered.  He  then  went  with  his  Regt.  up  the 
Red  River  to  Shreveport,  La.,  and  on  July  8, 
left  for  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  where  he  arrived 
Aug.  i.  Here  he  continued  to  be  engaged  in 
subjugating  the  hostile  Indians  until  Nov.  22, 
when  his  Regt.  was  mustered  out  and  sent 
north  via  Galveston  and  New  Orleans  reach 
ing  Camp  Butler  Jan.  I,  1866,  when  he  received 
his  first  pay  and  was  discharged.  The  trip 
from  Shreveport  to  San  Antonio  occupied  four 
weeks  continuous  riding  on  horseback,  and  on 
reaching  the  latter  place  Mr.  Gruver,  with  10 
others,  was  detailed  to  carry  dispatches  to 
Indianola,  occupying  another  week  which  made 
the  fifth  week  he  was  continuously  in  the  sad 
dle. 

Mr.  Gruver  was  born  in  Iowa  in  1837,  his  par 
ents  being  among  the  first  settlers  in  that 
State.  His  father  served  as  a  soldier  of  his 
country  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  When  the 
son  was  eleven  years  of  age,  and  as  there  was  a 
large  helpless  family  he  was  compelled  to  go 
forth  and  earn  his  own  living.  He  learned  the 
blacksmith  trade  which  he  followed  principally 
until  he  entered  the  army.  He  had  two  broth- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


235 


ers  in  the  same  war,  one  of  whom  was  three 
times  wounded  yet  survived  and  returned  home, 
the  other  was  also  wounded.  His  two  brothers- 
in-law,  Joseph  Charles,  and  Christopher  Stacker, 
were  both  killed  in  the  assault  upon  Vicksburg. 
After  the  war  Mr.  Gruver  returned  to  Paxton, 
but  after  a  short  stay  removed  to  Iowa,  where 
he  continued  .until  seven  years  ago,  when  he 
returned  to  Ills,  settling  at  Rantoul.  The  dis 
ease  of  his  eyes  contracted  when  in  the  service, 
continued  to  grow  worse,  finally  blinding  him, 
in  which  condition  he  remained  for  many  years. 
Being  thus  rendered  helpless,  he  applied  for 
and  obtained  a  generous  pension  of  $75  per 
month.  Some  short  time  ago  he  consulted  an 
oculist  who  advised  an  operation  upon  the  eye, 
which  was  performed  and  was  partially  success 
ful,  in  that  Mr.  Gruver  regained  sufficient  sight 
to  enable  him  to  move  around  without  an 
escort,  but  not  sufficient  to  embark  in  business. 
He  has  been  three  times  married,  the  last 
occasion  being  in  1890  to  Mrs.  Jessie  Boten,  a 
lady  of  German  birth.  He  has  been  enabled 
to  provide  himself  with  a  comfortable  home 
and  has  accumulated  sufficient  of  this  world's 
goods  to  spend  the  evening  of  his  days  in  peace 
and  plenty,  surrounded  by  many  warm  friends 
and  acquaintances.  He  is  a  Republican. 


CAPTAIN  SYLVESTER  S.  NEWTON,  one  of 
Wyanet's  most  prominent  men,  raised  a 
company  which  afterward  formed  Co.  F. 
of  the  1 5 ist  111.  Vol.  Inf.  and  of  which  com 
pany  he  was  commissioned  Chaplain.  The 
regiment  was  mustered  in  Feb.  23,  1865,  at 
Quincy,  111.,  and  proceeded  at  once  by  rail  to 
Springfield.  There  the  men  received  their 
arms  and  accoutrements,  and  then  set  out  for 
Nashville,  Tenn.  Shortly  they  started  for 
Dalton,  Ga.,  arriving  March  13,  and  engaged  for 
some  days  in  drilling,  as  also  in  picket  and 
guard  duty.  April  23,  Colonel  Woodall  with  a 
body  guard  of  several  men  was  detailed  to  pro 
ceed  under  a  flag  of  truce  to  Macon,  Ga.,  via 
Atlanta  to  communicate  with  Maj.  Gen.  Wilson, 
and  also  carry  terms  offered  to  the  rebel  Gen. 


Warford  for  his  surrender,  together  with  that 
of  his  command.  This  mission  was  executed 
with  credit  and  dispatch  and  evoked  the  com 
pliments  of  Brig.  Gen.  Judah,  who  was  at  the  time 
commanding  the  brigade.  Following  up  the 
object  of  the  trip  to  Macon,  they  proceeded  on 
May  2nd  to  Kingston,  Ga.,  by  way  of  Resaca  and 
Calhoun,  where,  they  arrived  on  the  I2th,  after 
a  toilsome  march.  They  marched  into  this 
town  with  the  precision  of  regulars,  and  on 
May  1 3th,  1 4th,  and  I5th  received  the  surrender 
of  Gen.  Warford  and  his  command,  1 1,000  men, 
who  were  immediately  paroled  and  given  their 
freedom.  The  Regt.  was  divided  and  sent  on 
guard  and  garrison  duty  at  different  places, 
Capt.  Newton's  company  being  sent  to  garrison 
Rome.  On  the  last  day  of  July,  the  Regt.  was 
ordered  to  report  at  Columbus,  Ga.,  a  distance 
of  250  miles.  Arriving  Aug.  5,  they  went  into 
camp  about  a  mile  distant  from  the  city.  Aug. 
24,  Capt.  Newton  was  detailed  with  a  command 
of  35  men  to  go  to  Hamilton,  as  provost- 
marshal  of  Harris  County.  Whilst  there  a  large 
number  of  discharged  rebel  soldiers  after  "tak 
ing  on  board"  a  copious  supply  of  Southern 
liquids,  which  did  not  flow  in  streams,  con 
cluded  to  have  some  fun,  and,  among  other 
amusements,  decided  to  clean  out  the  "Yanks" 
who  occupied  quarters  in  the  town. 

Whilst  in  a  hilarious  condition,  they  ap 
proached  Captain  Newton's  tent,  but  a  casual 
glance  into  the  barrels  of  thirty  shining  rifles 
caused  a  paleness  and  languor  to  creep  over 
faces,  a  few  moments  before  beaming  with  color 
and  determination,  producing  at  the  same  time 
a  feeling  of  sickness  to  grow  upon  them,  ex 
tending  from  the  soles  of  their  boots  to  the  lin 
ings  of  their  hats,  but  gravitating  towards  and 
having  its  prominent  place  about  their  stom 
achs,  sobering  and  terrifying  them  to  such  an 
extent  that  they  began -tumbling  over  each 
other  in  their  desperation  to  get  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  Yankee  bullets.  It  need  hardly  be 
stated  that  this  amusement  was  not  repeated. 
Next  day  Capt.  Newton  prohibited  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  liquors  in  the  city,  which,  being 
observed,  contributed  largely  to  maintaining 
that  good,  order  and. peace  which  afterward  set- 


236 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


tied  down  upon  the  pleasant  city  of  Hamilton. 
In  the  marches  before  spoken  of  from  Dalton 
to  Ringgold,  as  also  that  from  Nashville  to 
Memphis,  the  Captain  and  his  men  endured  ter 
rible  suffering.  The  latter  march,  a  distance  of 
45  miles  was  done  without  rest,  and  at  its  ter 
mination  the  men  were  so  tired  that  they  lay 
down  on  the  snow-covered  ground  and  slept 
without  protection  amidst  a  driving  rain.  The 
former  was  performed  when  the  ground  was 
covered  with  water  and  the  streams  all  swollen, 
many  of  which  they  were  compelled  to  ford 
and  then  leave  their  clothes  to  dry  upon  their 
bodies  as  they  marched  along.  The  men  did 
not,  however,  complain  much  about  fording 
streams  so  long  as  their  heads  protruded  above 
the  ripples,  as  the  march  was  performed  under 
a  continuous  heavy  rain,  consequently  ford 
ing  streams  did  not  add  anything  in  degree  to 
their  universal  discomfort.  Captain  Newton 
continued  in  the  service  until  Jan.  24th,  1866, 
when  the  Gov't,  for  want  of  other  employment 
for  him  or  his  men,  had  them  mustered  out,  and 
he  afterward  was  discharged  and  paid  off  at 
Springfield. 

While  in  Georgia  he  purchased,  with  some 
others,  a  large  cotton  plantation  of  4,200  acres, 
and  subsequent  to  his  discharge  proceeded 
there  to  assist  in  its  operations,  but  his  strong 
views  in  favor  of  the  North,  which  he  did  not 
hesitate  to  express,  made  him  an  unsuitable 
subject  to  reside  in  the  Southern  atmosphere, 
especially  while  the  war  fever  exercised  such  a 
controlling  influence  over  the  Southern  popula 
tion.  Finding  his  property  in  danger,  and  his 
person  none  too  safe,  he  concluded  to  abandon 
the  plantation,  and  was  thankful  to  have 
escaped  with  his  life,  leaving  1,600  acres  of  cot 
ton,  500  acres  of  corn  and  150  of  rye  growing 
finely. 

His  grandfather  was  in  the  war  of  the  Revolu 
tion,  while  his  father,  Caleb  Newton,  was  in  the 
war  of  1812.  His  brother,  F.S.  Newton,  entered 
the  Union  army  and  served  in  the  /th  Kan.  Reg., 
during  the  entire  war,  and  for  bravery  was  pro 
moted  to  be  Captain  of  Co.  D.,  /th  Kan.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  now  resides  at  Lincoln,  Neb. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Courtland  Co.,  N. 


Y.,  April  29th,  1826,  residing  there  upon  a  farm 
with  his  parents  until  1846,  when  he  came  West 
and  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  has  adopted 
as  his  life  calling.  He  purchased,  many  years 
ago,  the  farm  near  Wyanet,  upon  which  he  re 
sided  for  many  years,  but  eight  years  ago  re 
moved  into  town,  still  continuing  his  farming 
operations  with  abundant  success. 

Captain  Newton  married,  in  1850,  Miss  Eliza 
Stratton,  of  Bureau  County,  by  whom  he  has 
ten  children,  viz.:  Tryphena  M.,  J.  Wesley, 
Metta  O.,  S.  Nathan,  Emily  M.,  Abram  C.,  L. 
Eddy,  S.  Darlene,  Earle  E.  and  Lenny  L.  He 
is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  Post  No.  198, 
G.  A.  R.,  at  Buda.  He  is  a  genial  and  honor 
able  gentleman,  consequently  highly  respected 
by  his  many  friends  and  acquaintances. 


JAMES  McCoRMICK  WlLSON,  of  Aledo,  111., 
was  one  of  those  soldiers  that,  owing  to 
unfortunate  circumstances  beyond  his 
control,  was  not  able  to  display  patriotism  in 
the  heroic  manner  that  others  were  permitted 
to  enjoy.  Filled  with  the  devotion  of  his 
country,  and  a  desire  to  repel  the  arrogant  foe 
that  would  disrupt  the  National  Union,  and  de 
stroy  the  prosperity,  if  not  the  life,  of  the  Re 
public,  Mr.  Wilson  with  a  number  of  his  asso 
ciates,  enlisted  in  July,  1862,  as  a  private  in  Co. 
K.  iO2cl  111.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Knox- 
ville,  111.,  Sept.  ist.  In  about  two  weeks  the 
Regt.  started  South,  and  soon  found  service  in 
gaurding  against  the  guerrilla  bands  and  bush 
whackers  in  Ky.  It  reached  Gallatin,  Term.,  in 
Nov.,  and  went  into  winter  quarters.  After 
some  weeks' service  in  this  locality,  the  Regt. 
moved  South  and  was  actively  engaged. 

As  the  result  of  severe  marching  and  expos 
ure,  Mr.  Wilson  suffered  from  inflammatory 
rheumatism,  and  was  compelled  to  leave  his 
regiment  and  go  into  the  hospital  at  Scottville 
Ky.,  and  on  account  of  resulting  disability  re 
ceived  his  discharge  from  the  service  at  Galla 
tin,  Tenn.,  Feb.  3,  1863.  While  thus  deprived 
of  the  satisfaction  of  participation  in  the  act 
ive  warfare  and  battles  of  the  rebellion,  Mr. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


237 


Wilson  demonstrated  his  willingness  to  make 
any  sacrifice  that  might  be  required,  and  for 
this  expression  of  the  motive  and  incentive  he 
is  entitled  to  the  credit  that  is  due  to  all  who, 
in  those  perilous  days,  manifested  their  integ 
rity  and  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the  Nation. 

Mr.  Wilson,  in  connection  with  his  army  ex 
perience,  thus  relates  an  incident  in  which  he 
participated,  which  will  probably  be  apprecia 
ted  by  those  who  were  acquainted  with  the 
facts:  "  I  was  one  of  a  detachment  of  soldiers 
sent  by  the  brigade  commander  to  a  certain 
point  to  perform  some  sort  of  duty,  that  never 
was  clearly  ascertained,  under  an  energetic 
Captain,  brave  enough,  though  new  in  the  serv 
ice  as  we  all  were,  who  unfortunately  lost  all 
the  men  in  his  detail,  but  not  in  battle,  except 
myself  and  a  comrade.  I  being  sick  and  una 
ble  to  walk  saved  so  much  of  the  command  on 
that  service,  the  comrade  having  been  detailed 
to  assist  me." 

James  McCormick  Wilson  was  born  at  Fay- 
ette  City,  Fayette  Co.,  Pa.  Dec.  I,  1822.  His 
parents,  now  both  dead,  were  David  B.  Wilson 
and  Mary  (McCormick)  Wilson.  The  father 
was  born  April  17,  1773,  near  Winchester,  Va., 
and  the  mother's  native  place  was  Uniontown, 
Pa.,  where  she  was  born  in  1793.  The  grand 
father,  John  Wilson,  was  a  native  of  Belfast, 
Ireland,  born  Aug.  16,  1725,  and  his  wife,  Jean- 
ette,  was  born  about  1730,  near  the  same  place, 
and  emigrated  to  America,  landing  at  New 
York,  Aug.  25,  1771. 

Mr.  Wilson's  early  life  was  passed  on  a  farm, 
and  he  attended  school  some  of  the  time  at  a 
log  schoolhouse,  the  spaces  between  the  logs 
being  filled  with  clay  as  was  common  in  the 
early  pioneer  history  of  the  country.  He  learned 
the  carpenter  and  joiner's  trade,  also  was  em 
ployed  in  cabinet  making,  and  later  was  a 
dealer  in  furniture.  Previous  to  his  enlistment 
he  began  the  study  of  law,  which  was  resumed 
after  his  return  to  Aledo,  from  the  army.  He 
was  soon  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  secured  an 
extensive  practice,  where  the  business  qualities 
and  ability  were  manifested  and  brought  the 
honors  and  responsibilities  of  important  posi 
tions.  Mr.  Wilson  has  been  almost  constantly 


in  office.  He  was  Postmaster  three  years, 
Clerk  of  Circuit  Court  four  years,  Master  in 
Chancery  four  years,  and  Judge  of  the  County 
Court  four  years,  also  member  of  the  County 
Board  of  Supervisors  three  years,  and  in  ad 
dition  to  this  long  public  service  he  has  estab 
lished  a  fair  law  practice  in  the  courts  of  the 
State. 

Judge  Wilson  was  married  at  Flat  Woods, 
Pa.,  Nov.  23,  1853,  to  Mary  Smith,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Rosetta  Smith,  who  are  of  Scotch 
and  Irish  descent.  The  children  of  the  Judge's 
family  are  six  daughters,  as  follows:  Sarah 
Caroline,  Mary  Rosette,  Nanna  M.,  Araminta 
Jane,  deceased,  Cora,  Cordelia  and  Fannie 
Leona.  Denominationally  he  is  a  Presbyterian, 
and  has  represented  his  church  in  the  Session 
Presbytery,  Synod  and  General  Assembly. 

Judge  Wilson  in  politics  is  a  Republican,  a 
member  of  Warren  Shedd  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  a 
prominent  Mason  in  the  Royal  Arch  and 
Knight  Templar  degrees,  and  a  public  spirited 
citizen  wrhose  influence  has  been  felt  in  the 
affairs  of  his  locality.  He  is  a  worthy  example 
of  the  advantages  given  in  this  country  to  the 
enterprising  and  persistent  young  man  who 
may  win  his  way  from  the  lowest  position  to 
the  highest  place  in  honor  and  influence.  From 
the  roughly  hewn  plank  seat  in  the  log  school- 
house  to  the  Judicial  bench  Judge  Wilson  has 
passed,  and  now  ripe  with  years  he  stands 
crowned,  not  only  with  honors  and  compe 
tence,  but  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his 
fellow  men  who  have  found  him  able,  upright 
and  faithful  in  every  trust,  and  under  all  cir 
cumstances. 


ALEX.  T.  CALHOUN,  of  Aledo,  111.,  Superin 
tendent  of  schools  of  Mercer  Co.,  111., 
and  one  of  the   prominent  members  of 
the  Warren  Shedd  Post  No.  262,  G.  A.  R.,  was 
born  in  Muskingum  Co.,  Ohio,  Oct.  5,  1840,  and 
is  a  son  of  James  and   Betsy   (Carnahan)  Cal- 
houn,  both  natives  of  Alleghany  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
both  of   Irish    descent.     The   mother's   father 
came  to  America  prior  to  the   Revolutionary 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


war,  and  served  three  enlistments  in  that  war, 
acting  as  Captain  of  a  company  of  scouts  or 
Indian  fighters;  after  the  Revolution  he  lived 
near  Pittsburg,  Pa.  The  father  of  Alexander 
Calhoun  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  moved 
to  Mercer  Co.,  111.,  in  1843,  and  died  at  New- 
Boston,  in  Aug.,  1847,  aged  fifty-one  years. 
The  mother  died  in  1877.  To  James  and  Betsy 
Calhoun  eleven  children  wrere  born,  of  whom 
eight  are  living  and  are  thus  mentioned:  David, 
Ann,  wife  of  Andrew  Lorimer,  a  farmer  resid 
ing  at  New  Concord,  Ohio;  John  K.,  James  H., 
Joseph  C.,  Samuel  C.,  Elizabeth  and  Alexander 
T.  The  parents  were  members  of  the  U.  P. 
Church. 

Alexander  T.  Calhoun  came  with  his  par 
ents  to  Mercer  Co.,  111.,  when  he  was  two  years 
old.  Was  reared  on  a  farm,  receiving  an  edu 
cation  in  the  district  schools,  and  later  attended 
high  school  for  two  years. 

He  resided  at  home  until  July  15,  1862, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  H.,  84th  111.  Inf.,  at 
Sunbeam,  Mercer  Co.,  under  Capt.  John  C. 
Pepper,  and  was  mustered  into  service  at 
Quincy,  111.,  Sept.  23.  The  Regt.  was  ordered 
to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  assigned  to  the  10th 
Brig.,  1st  Div.,  2ist  A.  C.,  under  Gen.  Crittenden. 
Here  Mr.  Calhoun  was  sick  with  billious  fever 
and  lay  in  the  hospital  about  four  weeks,  but 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  Glasgow,  Ky.,  where 
he  suffered  from  chronic  diarrhoea,  but  con 
tinued  with  his  command  about  two  months, 
when  he  was  compelled  to  go  to  the  hospital  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  remained  until  Feb., 
1863,  when  he  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  in  time  to  participate  iu  the  Tullahoma 
campaign,  and  was  afterwards  in  the  movement 
against  Chattanooga,  and  took  part  in  the  bat 
tle  at  Chickamauga,  where  two  were  killed  and 
12  wounded  in  his  company. 

The  84th  Regt.  was  in  what  was  known  as 
the  "  siege  "  at 'Chattanooga,  and  was  with  Gen. 
Hooker  at  Lookout  Mountain  in  "the  fight 
above  the  clouds."  After  this  the  force  moved 
across  the  valley,  and  participated  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  conflict  at  Missionary  Ridge,  and 
continued  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  to  Ringgold, 
Ga.,  returning  to  camp  at  Whiteside,  Dec.  4, 


1863.  Co.  H.  was  transferred  to  the  3rd  Brig., 
1st  Div.,  4th  A.  C.,  on  the  reorganization  of  the 
army  in  Jan.,  1864. 

This  division  of  the  army  left  camp  at 
Whiteside  and  moved  through  Chattanooga  to 
Cleveland,  and  then  forward  to  Buzzard's 
Roost,  and  there  had  an  engagement  Feb.  25, 
after  which  a  camp  was  formed  at  Cleveland 
until  May  3,  1863,  when  the  advance  was  made 
on  Atlanta,  during  which  the  men  were  under 
fire  every  day  until  Sept.  8th.  The  84th  Regt. 
took  an  active  part  in  all  the  battles  of  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  such  as  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
Resaca,  Dallas,  Pine  Mt.,  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Smyrna 
Camp  Ground,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta, 
Jonesboro,  and  Lovejoy's  Station,  after  which 
it  remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Atlanta  until 
Oct.  7,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Rome,  Ga.,  where 
it  was  lying  when  Gen.  Sherman  started  on  his 
historic  march  to  the  sea.  It  was  then  ordered 
to  Chattanooga,  and  thence  to  Pulaski,  Tenn., 
where  it  remained  until  Nov.  23,  when  it  fell 
back  before  Hood's  advancing  columns  in  the 
direction  of  Nashville,  participating  in  the 
battle  of  Franklin,  Nov.  25th,  and  in  the  battle 
of  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and  16.  From  this  point 
the  4th  A.  C.  was  in  the  advance  in  pursuit  of 
Hood's  retreating  army.  The  84th  Regt.  ar 
rived  at  Huntsville  Jan.  6,  and  was  assigned  to 
Provost  duty  until  March  13,  1865,  when  it  was 
transferred  by  rail  to  Knoxville,  and  marched 
from  that  point  to  Bull's  Gap,  80  miles  distant. 
This  place  was  held  by  this  command  until 
Lee's  surrender,  and  it  was  sent  by  rail  April 
19,  to  Nashville.  June  8,  1865,  at  Camp  Doug 
las,  Springfield,  111.,  an  honorable  discharge 
was  given  to  these  faithful  veterans  of  an  active 
service,  who  had  escaped  death  in  the  camp 
and  battle,  and  returned  to  enjoy  the  blessings 
of  peace  that  they  had  sacrificed  so  much  to 
secure  and  maintain.  The  84th  Regt.  when 
mustered  in  had  939  men,  and  when  mustered 
out  showed  a  list  of  339;  and  of  these  missing 
and  absent  112  were  killed  in  battle  or  died 
from  wounds  received  in  action, 

Co.  H.  entered  the  battle  of  Stone  River  52 
strong,  and  after  two  hours'  fighting,  retired 
with  a  loss  of  12  dead  and  15  wounded.  When 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


239 


it  had  served  18  months,  it  had  received  96 
wounds.  It  originally  mustered  98  men  and 
officers,  and  the  Mercer  Co.  monument  bears 
the  names  of  32  of  the  company — being  y$  of 
the  entire  strength  of  the  company. 

At  the  end  of  his  service  in  the  army  Mr. 
Calhoun  returned  to  his  home  in  Mercer  County, 
from  which  he  had  been  absent  three  years, 
and  gave  his  attention  to  farming  operations, 
in  which  he  has  been  interested  since.  He 
resided  about  eight  years  in  Taylor  Co.,  Iowa, 
and  was  while  there  employed  in  teaching.  In 
1882,  returned  to  Mercer  Co.,  111.,  and  pur 
chased  a  farm,  but  not  being  personally  able  to 
perform  farm  labor  he  has  given  the  greater 
part  of  his  time  to  school  work.  Politically 
Mr.  Calhoun  is  a  Republican,  and  has  always 
given  support  to  the  principles  of  that  party. 
The  character  and  ability  of  this  gentleman 
have  received  recognition,  and  he  has  been 
honored  with  many  expressions  of  public  con 
fidence.  For  five  years  he  was  Assessor  in 
Millersburg  Township,  and  in  1890  was  elected 
by  a  flattering  majority  to  the  responsible  posi 
tions  of  County  Superintendent  of  Schools. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  and 
the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

Alexander  T.  Calhoun  and  Elizabeth  Emer 
son  were  united  in  marriage  Sept.  17,  1868,  and 
have  a  family  of  six  children,  whose  names  are: 
Belle,  Orr  C.,  Lee,  Reid,  Clare,  and  Grace.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Calhoun  are  members  of  the  Presby 
terian  Church,  and  are  widely  known  through 
out  the  country  as  highly  cultured  and  genial 
people,  of  kindly  sympathies  and  refinement, 
which  with  integrity  of  character  and  social 
standing  give  them  an  enviable  position  in  the 
esteem  of  their  many  friends  and  associates. 

WILLIAM  BORING,  a  most  royal  son  of  war, 
whose  valiant  service  on  the  field  of 
battle  cost  him  a  leg,  is   a  citizen  of 
Homer,   111.     He  enlisted   at  Springfield,   111., 
April    17,  1861,  in  response  to  the  first  call  for 
volunteers,  in  Co.  I.,  7th  111.  Inf.,  and  was  mus 
tered  in  as  a  private.     At  the  expiration  of  the 


regiment's  three  months'  service,  which  was 
spent  principally  in  guard  and  drill  duty  at 
Alton,  Cairo  and  Mound  City,  our  comrade  im 
mediately  re-enlisted  in  the  same  organization. 
The  command  soon  proceeded  to  Cairo,  then 
to  Ironton,  Mo.,  returning  overland  by  forced 
march  to  Cape  Girardeau,  thence  going  into 
winter  quarters  at  Fort  Holt,  Ky.  About  Feb. 
i,  1862,  came  the  order  to  break  camp.  Then 
they  marched  to  Fort  Henry,  and  onward  to 
Fort  Donelson,  where  on  Feb.  13,  1862,  our 
soldier  faced  the  enemy's  deadly  fire  and  per 
formed  gallant  service  in  the  sanguinary  battle 
of  that  place.  On  the  evening  of  the  I5th, 
came  the  first  and  desperate  charge  on  the 
enemy's  stronghold.  During  the  fierce  and 
and  bloody  conflict,  while  bravely  serving 
where  shot  and  shell  were  flying  the  thickest, 
our  loyal  comrade  was  struck  by  a  cannon  ball, 
which  in  an  instant  severed  his  right  leg  below 
the  knee,  totally  shattering  the  bone  and 
leaving  the  limb  suspended  only  by  a  single 
muscle.  In  its  wide  and  deadly  course  of  des 
truction  this  demonlike  ball  killed  his  comrade 
before  him  and  carried  with  it  the  leg  of  two 
others.  Mr.  Boring  states  that  when  the  fatal 
ball  struck  and  carried  away  his  leg  he  expe 
rienced  the  feeling  of  stepping  into  a  hole,  and 
not  until  he  attempted  to  gather  himself  up 
did  he  realize  he  had  lost  a  leg.  His  shattered 
limb  was  amputated  in  the  field  hospital.  He 
had  sacrificed  a  limb,  but  did  so  amid  the  pcens 
of  victory.  He  was  soon  transported  to  Mound 
City,  where  he  remained  in  the  hospital  until 
the  latter  part  of  April,  when  he  was  transferred 
to  Jefferson  Barricks,  St.  Louis,  where  he,  alas, 
had  to  submit  to  a  second  painful  operation, 
brought  about  by  not  having  received  proper 
care  and  treatment,  leaving  the  bone  so  ex 
posed  that  it  protruded  several  inches.  Words 
are  but  hollow  in  trying  to  portray  the  intoler 
able  pain  suffered  by  comrade  Boring,  it  being 
a  thousand  times  worse  than  the  first.  His 
general  health  had  grown  much  impaired,  and 
his  physical  condition  so  weak  that  the  sur 
geons  at  first  refused  to  proceed  with  the  ope 
ration.  But  with  grim  death  staring  on  the  one 
side  and  small  rays  of  hope  on  the  other,  Mr. 


240 


SOLDIERS   AND  PATRIOTS' 


Boring  insisted  on  a  procedure  of  the  ope 
ration.  Chloroform  was  administered  in  as  large 
quantities  as  would  be  safe.  As  the  saw 
reached  the  bone,  our  invalid  came  to,  but  like 
a  brave  soldier  manfully  stood  the  excruciat 
ing  ordeal  which  meant  the  agonies  of  a 
thousand  deaths.  He  remained  in  the  hospital 
until  July  17,  1862,  when  he  returned  home  near 
Springfield,  111.  Although  the  surgeon  advised 
him  not  to,  Mr.  Boring  was  determined  to  take 
his  discharge.  Thus  ended  the  soldier's  career 
of  one  of  America's  brave  and  true  sons.  Mr. 
Boring  was  born  and  reared  near  Wheeling, 
W.  Va.,  in  1837,  a  son  °f  Geo.  W.  and  Nancy 
(Artelony)  Boring.  His  father  who  did  good 
service  in  the  war  of  1812  was  of  Scotch  an 
cestry,  while  the  mother's  antecedents  were 
English.  After  the  war,  our  subject  learned 
the  shoemaker  trade,  but  in  1884  moved  to 
Homer,  and  has  since  followed  the  butcher 
business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
since  1882.  Has  been  officer  of  the  day,  S.  V. 
and  J.  V.,  of  the  Post  at  Homer.  He  wras 
married  in  May,  1863,  to  Louisa  J.  Wise,  who 
was  born  in  Sangamon  Co.,  111.,  and  to  this 
union  have  been  born  four  children:  George 
A.  (died  in  infancy),  Sarah  J.,  now  Mrs.  J.  W. 
Nickles,  Ella,  now  the  wife  of  E.  J.  Eaton,  and 
Nellie  now  Mrs.  Wm.  E.  Cotton.  The  latter 
two  were  twins.  In  politics  Mr.  Boring  is 
Republican.  He  is  respected  and  esteemed  as 
a  true  soldier,  and  a  good  and  worthy  citizen. 


ALEXANDER  CRAIGMILE  of  Gifford,  111., 
commander  of  Simon  Cameron  Post  No. 
679,  enlisted  in  the  army  at  Chicago  in 
Feb.  1865  and  became  a  member  of  Co.  "D" 
156  111.  Vol.  Inf.  under  Capt.  William 
Blanchard.  He  proceeded  to  the  front  to 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  then  to  Chattanooga  and 
thence  to  Dalton,  Ga.,  where  he  was  on  de 
tached  duty  during  his  stay  at  that  place. 
Subsequently  he  removed  to  Columbus,  Tenn., 
thence  to  Memphis,  where  he  was  taken  vio 
lently  ill  and  compelled  to  go  into  an  hospital 
where  he  remained  for  upwards  of  a  month. 


Having  entered  the  army  at  a  late  day  of  the  war, 
he  had  not  the  opportunity  of  taking  an  active 
part  in  the  terrible  struggles  which  had  oc 
curred  previous  to  his  enlistment.  This  how 
ever  was  no  fault  of  his,  as  he  had  long  before 
that  time  offered  his  services,  but  on  exami 
nation  by  the  army  surgeon,  was  rejected  on 
account  of  his  health.  He  was  finally  mustered 
out  of  the  service  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  in  Oct. 
1865. 

He  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the 
Post  at  Gifford;  of  which  he  is  its  present  com 
mander,  having  previously  filled  the  office  of 
Adj.  in  the  same  institution.  Mr.  Craigmile 
was  born  in  Scotland,  near  Aberdeen,  in  1843, 
immigrating  with  his  parents  to  Upper  Canada 
when  but  a  child  and  with  them  in  1852  re 
moved  to  111.,  locating  on  a  farm  near  Hins- 
dale,  111.  In  1872  he  removed  to  Champaign 
Co.,  purchased  a  farm  near  Gifford,  upon  which 
he  has  since  resided  and  where  he  has  by  a 
frugal  and  industrious  life,  and  honest  methods 
accumulated  sufficient  of  this  world's  goods  to 
satisfy  the  wants  and  necessities  of  a  modest 
man.  Owing  to  his  popularity  he  has  been 
selected  to  fill  the  principal  offices  of  his 
county,  such  as  Assessor,  Collector  and  Super 
visor.  In  1874  he  joined  the  Benedicts  by  mar 
rying  Miss  Agnes  Calder,  a  native  of  Canada 
and  6  bright,  intelligent  children  now  adorn  the 
home  of  comrade  Craigmile  A.  Homer,  Erva 
J.,  Mary,  Archibald,  Eunice  and  Charles.  We 
find  in  Mr.  Craigmile  a  gentleman  of  industry 
and  unquestioned  integrity,  always  command 
ing  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  many  ac 
quaintances  and  the  admiration  of  his  intimate 
friends. 


WILLIAM  R.  BUZZELL,  now  a  farmer  re 
siding   near   Hampshire,    Kane    Co., 
111.,  was  born  at  Stafford,  Vt.,  in  1845. 
His  father  was  Aaron  Buzzell,  a  farmer,  whose 
birthplace  was  Vt.   The  grandfather,  Rev.  Aaron 
Buzzell,  of  English  ancestry,  a  Baptist  minister 
and  a  soldier  in   the    Revolutionary  War,  was 
born  in  Vt.  and  spent  his  life  in  that  State. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


241 


The  mother's  name  before  marriage  was 
Mary  Uo\v,  whose  father,  Daniel  Dow,  was  a 
farmer  who  lived  and  died  in  Vt.  His  ances 
tors  came  to  America  in  the  Mayflower,  and  he 
is  of  the  same  family  as  the  distinguished  Neal 
Dow,  and  the  eccentric  Lorenzo  Dow.  The 
parents,  Aaron  and  Mary  Buzzell,  in  1856  moved 
from  Vt.,  and  made  a  new  home  on  a  farm  near 
Hampshire,  Kane  Co.,  111.,  where  the  mother 
died  in  1884  and  the  father  in  1889. 

William  R.  Buzzell,  next  to  the  youngest 
child  in  a  family  of  seven,  passed  his  early  years 
upon  a  farm,  receiving  such  educational  advan 
tages  as  the  country  schools  afforded,  and  at 
the  early  age  of  16  enlisted,  Aug.  12,  1862,  at 
Chicago,  in  Co.  B.,  88th  111.  Inf.  But  a  few 
weeks  were  spent  in  camp  for  necessary  drill 
when  the  Regt.  started  for  the  field  of  war, 
making  temporary  halts  at  Jeffcrsonville,  Cin 
cinnati,  Louisville,  where  orders  were  received 
to  move  in  pursuit  of  General  Bragg,  who  was 
overtaken  and  given  battle  at  Perryville,  which 
is  remembered  as  the  first  fight  in  which  the 
88th  engaged,  and  where  a  few  men  in  Co.  B. 
were  first  wounded.  From  this  field  the  Regt. 
was  sent  to  Nashville,  but  Mr.  Buzzell  was  de 
tained  at  Bowling  Green  about  two  weeks,  re 
joining  his  command  at  Nashville,  and  soon 
after  marched  with  it  to  Murfreesboro,  where  it 
was  in  the  skirmish  line  during  the  first  day  and 
fought  the  whole  of  the  second  day,  going  after 
the  battle  into  camp  for  the  winter  near  Mur 
freesboro. 

In  the  spring  the  first  movement  made  was 
in  pursuit  of  Bragg,  who  was  followed  toward 
Chattanooga,  halting  a  few  days  at  Bridgeport 
for  a  skirmish  with  the  rebels  who  had  de 
stroyed  the  bridge,  before  starting  for  Chicka- 
mauga  under  command  of  Gen.  Sheridan.  Ar 
riving  at  Chickamauga  the  division  for  a  time 
lay  in  front,  but  when  the  Federal  lines  were 
broken,  it  filled  up  the  gap,  and  also  took  part 
in  the  charge  on  Vine  Ridge.  After  laying  two 
months  at  Chattanooga,  Comrade  Buzzell,  with 
his  Regt.,  participated  in  the  terrible  charge  on 
Missionary  Ridge.  The  relief  of  Gen.  Burn- 
side  was  the  next  object,  and  the  88th  was 
ordered  to  Knoxville  and  then  to  Strawberry 

16 


Plains,  where  a  camp  was  occupied  for  a  montn 
or  more,  when  a  backward  movement  was  made 
to  the  Tenn.  River  near  Knoxville,  where  some 
time  was  spent  in  transferring  prisoners  and 
supplies  and  performing  garrison  duty.  Orders 
then  came  which  sent  Mr.  Buzzell  and  his  re<ri- 

O 

ment  to  Chattanooga  to  join  Gen.  Sherman  in 
the  Georgia  campaign,  which  was  a  continuous 
fight  all  the  way  to  Kenesaw  Mt.,  where  Mr. 
Buzzell  was  seriously  wounded  June  27,  and 
taken  to  the  hospital  at  Nashville,  from  which 
in  Aug.,  1864,  he  was  furloughed  home.  The 
Presidential  election  being  now  at  hand  his  fur 
lough  was  extended  to  enable  him  to  vote  at 
home,  and  in  Dec.  returned  to  Nashville,  but 
still  being  too  weak  for  duty  was  made  Corpo 
ral  and  remained  in  the  hospital  until  May  13, 
1 865,  when  he  was  discharged  and  returned  home. 

In  1866,  Mr.  Buzzell  married  Susan  A.  Dow, 
a  cousin,  and  a  native  of  Vt.  Her  parents  were 
Royal  and  Susan  Dow,  whose  lives  were  spent  in 
Vt.  Royal  Dow  was  a  son  of  Daniel  Dow,  already 
mentioned.  Mrs.  Buzzell  had  two  brothers  in 
the  army,  Francis  R.,  now  at  Minneapolis,  Minn., 
who  became  a  veteran,  serving  through  the  war, 
and  Henry  C.,  who  enlisted  for  nine  months, 
and  re-enlisted  for  three  years;  was  in  the  ser 
vice  to  the  end  of  the  war,  but  died  soon  after 
returning  home. 

Mr.  Buzzell  was  engaged  in  farming  for  some 
years  after  his  military  duty  closed,  but  in  1878 
went  to  Chicago  and  spent  about  6  years  on  a 
street  ear  line,  when  he  returned  to  his  brother 
Daniel's  farm,  at  the  old  home,  which  consists 
of  260  acres  of  land,  finely  located  Y\  miles 
from  Hampshire.  He  is  a  charter  member  of 
Miller  Post,  No.  453,  G.  A.  R.,  in  which  he  is 
officer  of  the  day.  He  served  as  Township  Col 
lector  one  year,  but  is  not  ambitious  for  office, 
preferring  to  improve  the  broad  acres  of  his 
beautiful  farm,  which  shows  every  evidence  of 
thorough  cultivation  and  skillful  improvement. 


CAPTAIN  ALEX.   MURCHISON.  of  Kewanee, 
111.,  was  born  in  New  Kelso,  Locharron, 
Scotland,  July  7,   1831,  where    he   was 
reared  and  received  his  earlier  education.     His 


242 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


parents  were  Alex,  and  Ann  (McKensie)  Mur- 
chison,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
when  our  subject  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  his 
birthday  occurring  while  he  was  on  the  Ocean. 
The  family  went  immediately  West,  locating  at 
Elmira,  Stark  Co.,  1 11.,  where  the  father  engaged 
in  farming,  and  where  both  mother  and  father 
died. 

When  the  war  broke  out  and  the  President 
issued  his  call  for  troops  to  put  down  the  re 
bellion,  Mr.  Murchison  left  his  plow  in  an  un 
finished  furrow  and  enlisted.  Captain  Murchi 
son  was  quite  familiar  with  the  manual  of  arms 
and  other  military  matters,  having  as  early  as 
1857  assisted  in  the  organization  of  a  private 
company  at  Elmira,  to  compete  for  a  prize,  for 
the  best  drilled  company  (mounted).  This 
company  became  quite  noted  for  its  proficiency 
in  drill,  and  in  1859  it  was  organized  as  an  in 
dependent  military  company  with  Charles 
Stewart  as  Captain,  and  the  subject  of  this  me 
moir  as  2d  Lieut.  Under  the  first  call,  how 
ever,  the  company  was  not  able  to  get  into  the 
service.  June  12,  a  dispatch  was  sent  to  the 
captain  to  report  to  Chicago.  He  was  away  at 
the  time,  and  Lieut.  Murchison  called  the 
"boys"  together,  86  of  whom  responded,  and 
after  consultation,  completed  arrangements  and 
started  for  Chicago,  arriving  there  June  I2th. 
There  the  company  was  filled  up,  and  was  mus 
tered  into  the  U.  S.  service,  at  Camp  Long,  as 
Co.  B.,  i  gth  111.  Inf.,  Captain  Murchison  going  in 
as  2d  Lieut.  Afterremaining  in  camp  forawhile 
the  Regt.  received  orders  to  move  to  the  front, 
and  July  1 2  tents  were  struck,  and  it  proceeded  to 
Quincy,  thence  to  Palmyra,  Mo.,  where  it  was 
engaged  in  guarding  the  railroad  between  Han 
nibal  and  Palmyra.  July  27,  it  received  orders 
to  meet  the  enemy  concentrating  under  Pillow 
at  Bird's  Point.  Arriving,  it  was  detailed  to 
take  a  position  six  miles  below,  at  Norfolk, 
where  its  duties  were  quite  difficult  and  ardu 
ous.  From  there,  Mr.  Murchison  with  his  com 
mand  moved  back  to  Bird's  Point,  and  then  to 
Ironton,  from  which  point  the  command  as  a 
part  of  Gen.  Prentiss'  expedition,  started  to 
ward  Dallas  and  Jackson.  From  the  latter 
place  it  moved  to  Camp  Girardeau,  then  to  Cairo, 


From  there  the  command  moved  across  the 
river  to  Fort  Holt,  Ky.,  and  then  down  the 
river  to  Ellicott's  Mills.  While  there  the  igth 
received  orders  to  proceed  to  Washington, 
D.  C.,  Sept.  16,  1861,  they  proceeded  by  two 
trains  on  the  O.  &  M.  R.  R.,  toward  Cincinnati. 
When  about  46  miles  East  of  Vincennes,  Ind., 
the  second  train  containing  part  of  the  Regt., 
with  the  staff,  during  the  night,  went  through 
bridge  No.  48,  which  spanned  Beaver  Creek, 
killing  in  the  smash  24  men,  and  wounding 
105.  This  horrible  accident  changed  the 
course  of  the  regiment.  It  was  sent  to  Cin 
cinnati  to  await  orders,  and  subsequently  into 
Ky.  to  look  after  the  enemy  that  had  then 
assumed  a  formidable  front.  It  reached 
Lebanon  Junction  by  rail,  where  after  thous 
ands  of  miles  of  travel  by  river  and  rail,  it 
went  into  a  permanent  camp. 

From  thereit  moved  Oct.  22,  on  to  Elizabeth- 
town,  went  into  camp  at  Bacon  Creek. 
While  in  both  camps  it  was  engaged  almost 
constantly  in  drilling,  and  it  became  known 
afterwards  as  one  of  the  best  drilled  regiments 
in  the  service.  The  first  movement  made  then 
was  to  Bowling  Green,  where  it  assisted  in  the 
capture  of  a  large  amount  of  rebel  stores.  It 
then  moved  in  the  rear  of  Buell's  army  at 
Nashville,  arriving  there  March  4th,  where  it 
was  left  on  guard  duty,  while  the  main  army 
moved  to  Pittsburg  Landing.  While  at  Nash 
ville  Mr.  Murchison  was  promoted  to  the 
captaincy  of  Company  B.,  and  soon  after  his 
promotion  the  Regt.  moved  to  Murfreesboro, 
thence  to  Shelbyville  and  to  Huntsville,  Ala., 
taking  possession  of  the  Memphis  and  Charles 
ton  R.  R.,  thus  breaking  the  enemy's  direct 
communications  at  Corinth.  It  was  constantly 
moving  about  in  that  section  of  country  hold 
ing  strong,  stragetic  points,  having  frequent 
skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  and  finally  with 
the  Union  forces  concentrated  at  Nashville 
and  formed  a  part  of  the  garrison  under  Gen. 
Jas.  S.  Negley. 

From  Nashville,  Dec.  10,  it  moved  out  on 
the  Franklin  Pike  and  on  the  26,  it  took  part 
in  the  general  movement  toward  Murfreesboro, 
then  held  by  Bragg,  Capt.  Murchison,  took 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


243 


part  in  that  great  battle,  and  distinguished 
himself  for  the  gallant  manner  in  which  he 
handled  his  company,  which  lost  18  men,  in 
killed  and  wounded.  The  igth  performed 
effective  service  and  received  merited  praise 
from  the  commanding  officers.  Its  next 
important  operations  were  in  the  Tullahoma 
campaign.  After  its  arduous  service  in  that 
campaign  it  crossed  the  Tennessee  Sept.  8,  to 
take  a  hand  in  that  of  Chattanooga.  It  was 
engaged  in  all  the  movements  leading  up  to 
the  engagement  at  Chickamauga,  and  then 
participated  in  that  battle.  In  that  fight  Cap 
tain  Murchison  was  quite  severely  wounded  on 
the  head,  and  was  soon  after  taken  sick,  but 
recovered  in  time  to  take  command  of  his 
company  and  participate  in  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign,  leading  his  company  in  all  the  engage 
ments  the  Regt.  was  in,  up  to  that  at  Marietta. 

At  Buzzard's  Roost,  Feb.,  1864,  being  the 
ranking  Captain,  he  was  in  command  of  the 
regiment  to  the  left  of  the  railroad,  in  front  of 
Rocky  Face  Ridge,  where  he  skirmished  all 
day  with  the  enemy.  The  command  then  re 
turned  to  Chattanooga,  and  subsequently  met 
the  enemy  at  Rasaca,  June  12.  The  Regt.  was 
near  Marietta,  when  the  time  of  enlistment  was 
up  ;  it  had  not  vetaranized,  as  there  was  not 
enough  men  left  to  do  so.  It  had  depleted  its 
ranks  through  its  hard  service  to  this  extent, 
leaving  its  brave  dead  on  many  battlefields  and 
was  sent  to  Chicago,  where  it  was  mustered  out 
July  12,  1864. 

Captain  Murchison  after  his  faithful  and 
hard  service  in  behalf  of  his  country  returned 
home  to  Kewanee,  and  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1866,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Margaret  N., 
daughter  of  Rev.  N.  C.  Weed  of  Stark  Co.,  111., 
formerly  of  Perm.  Mr.  Weed  was  a  native  of 
N.  C.,  of  an  old  American  family,  distinguished 
for  the  part  it  had  taken  in  the  wars  of  this 
country.  Mrs.  Murchison's  maternal  grand 
father  Robert  C.  Campbell  died  from  wounds 
received  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  widow  mar 
ried  John  Marshall,  who  \vas  a  comrade  in  arms 
with  her  husband. 

To  Captain  Murchison  and  his  wife  were 
born  three  children.  Alex.  C.,  a  dentist  in 


Kewanee  ;  Lorena,  now  Mrs.  Wm.  Plamer,  and 
Frances.  Mr.  Murchison  has  a  happy  pleasant 
family  in  which  he  takes  great  pride.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  while  he  docs  not 
aspire  to  office  he  has  accepted  the  position  of 
Supervisor,  and  School  Director,  as  a  matter  of 
duty  to  the  community  in  which  he  resides  and 
which  he  has  been  so  long  held  in  confidence  and 
esteem.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post 
of  Kewanee,  No.  142  and  its  present  popular 
Commander. 


ELIAS  SHOCKLEY,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  was  born 
Jan.  I,  1844,  at  Milford,  Del.,  and  re 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Stark  Co.,  111. 
in  1849,  where  he  continued  until  the  war.  He 
enlisted  in  the  army  Aug.  12,  1862,  and  was 
mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  B.,  95th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  His  first  experience  in  battle  was  in  Mis 
sissippi,  going  from  there  to  Lake  Providence, 
where  he  assisted  on  the  famous  Butler  Canal, 
and  after  that  project  was  abandoned  went  to 
the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  doing  his  first  heavy 
fighting  at  Black  River  Bridge.  Subsequently 
he  joined  in  the  assault  upon  Vicksburg,  May 
22,  1863,  and  advanced  until  the  regiment 
planted  its  colors  in  the  rebel  rifle  pits  where 
the  Colonel  fell  wounded  and  was  supposed  to 
be  dead  until  he  turned  up  next  morning,  after 
lying  in  the  pits  all  night.  Shortly  after  this 
Mr.  Shockley  was  wounded  in  the  left  foot, 
sent  back  to  Memphis  and  when  his  injuries 
had  improved,  was  taken  with  a  violent  illness, 
necessitating  his  remaining  for  several  months. 
He  obtained  a  furlough  and  came  home  for  a 
time,  and  returning,  joined  his  regiment  at 
Vicksburg  in  its  return  from  Natchez.  In  the 
spring  of  1864  he  participated  in  the  Red  River 
campaign,  taking  part  in  all  the  engagements 
of  the  Regt.  without  missing  a  day  from  duty, 
but  at  the  expense  of  his  constitution,  as  he,  by 
the  exposure  and  fatigue  endured  at  the  time 
was  made  unfit  for  any  physical  exertion  for 
years  afterward.  His  weight  at  the  beginning 
of  the  campaign  was  168,  and  at  the  close  only 
130  pounds.  Notwithstanding  his  sickness  he 


244 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


joined  in  the  plundering  Sturgis  raid,  during 
which  the  Regt.  lost  nine  officers  and  a  large 
number  of  men,  who  even  before  being  shot 
were  more  dead  than  alive.  Unable  longer  to 
bear  up,  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital,  obtained  a 
furlough  and  went  home  where  he  soon  im 
proved,  and  once  again  joined  his  Regt.  at  East- 
port,  where  his  only  rations  for  a  time  was 
small  quantities  of  corn.  He  next  went  by 
steamer  to  New  Orleans  and  by  vessel  across 
the  gulf  to  Mobile,  landing  at  Dauphin  Island, 
and  later,  participated  in  the  siege  of  Spanish 
Fort,  occupying  thirteen  days,  then  the  en 
gagement  of  Fort  Blakely,  which  closed  the 
ever  memorable  rebellion.  He  afterwards  went 
to  different  points,  among  the  number  being 
Montgomery  and  Opelaka,  and  then  was  sent 
home  for  final  discharge.  He  returned  to  his 
home  at  Toulon  where  he  lived  until  1881,  when 
he  removed  to  Galesburg.. 

He  married  Miss  Lizzie,  daughter  of  John 
McMullen,  of  Missouri,  and  has  one  daughter, 
Ida,  wife  of  Oscar  Durant.  Mrs.  Shockley  died 
in  1883.  He  subsequently  married  Miss  Eliza 
Read  of  Lake  Geneva,  Wis.  He  is  a  Republi 
can  and  a  member  of  James  S.  Post  No.  45, 
G.  A.  R. 


JOHN  L.  BARBER,  of  Seneca,  111.,  who  made 
an  honorable  record  in  the  late  Civil  war, 
was  born  at  Hadley,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  30,  1840. 
His  father's  name  was  Zina  Barber,  born  Nov. 
16,  1809,  in  New  York  and  married  to  Huldah 
Dean.  To  these  parents  were  born  eight  child 
ren — Emily  E.,  Charles  W.,  Sally,  Carrie,  John 
L.,  Cicero,  Alden,  Ruth,  and  Roselle.  Of  these 
three  brothers  were  in  the  service  of  their  coun 
try.  John  L.,  in  the  Cavalry  Company  attached 
to  the  53d  111.  Inf.  Cicero  died  at  Wier  Bot 
tom  Court  House,  May  20,  1864,  and  Alden, 
wounded  at  Deep  Bottom,  May  16,  1864,  was 
captured  and  died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  June  18, 
1864,  but  his  remains  were  never  identified. 

John  L.  Barber,  in  his  boyhood  days,  at 
tended  the  district  school  in  his  native  State, 
and  worked  in  a  mill  in  the  lumber  business.  In 


the  latter  part  of  1851,  the  father  and  family 
moved  to  111.  and  made  a  home  on  a  farm  near 
Marseilles,  where  John  L.  now  resides.  In  his 
new  home  he  went  to  the  district  school  in  the 
winter  months  and  devoted  his  time  during  the 
summer  to  farm  work  until  he  reached  the  age 
of  1 8  years,  when  he  assumed  charge  of  the 
farm  at  his  father's  death.  He  continued  in 
this  work  until  the  call  of  country  became  more 
imperative  than  all  other  duties  and  he  enlisted 
Jan.  18,  1862,  at  Ottawa,  111.,  in  what  was  known 
as  Co.  A.  Cavalry,  53d  111.,  going  into  camp  at 
Ottawa,  the  enlistment  of  muster  rolls  bearing 
the  same  date.  The  company  was  sent  to  Camp 
Douglas  for  guard  duty  over  prisoners  until 
March  24,  when  it  was  sent  to  St.  Louis,  where 
it  drew  horses  and  was  mounted.  After  re 
maining  a  few  weeks  for  preparatory  duty  it 
boarded  the  steamer  "Continental,"  which  was 
Gen.  Halleck's  headquarters,  and  was  detailed 
as  one  of  the  companies  composing  the  Gener 
al's  body  guard. 

The  objective  point  was  Pittsburg  Landing 
which  was  reached  April  iith,  and  on  the  I3th, 
disembarked,  going  into  camp  at  headquarters. 
The  company  continued  in  this  duty  until  Gen. 
Halleck  was  sent  East,  which  was  about  July 
24,  when  the  army  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Cor 
inth.  When  that  place  was  evacuated  Co.  A. 
was  assigned  temporarily  as  bodyguard  at  Gen. 
Grant's  headquarters,  in  which  it  was  retained 
until  Sept.,  when  it  was  relieved  from  detail  duty 
and  assigned  to  the  regular  cavalry  service. 
While  at  Corinth  it  was  sent  on  scouting  duty 
and  about  Sept.  I3th,  broke  camp  to  move  out 
to  Chevalle,  where  it  remained  until  Oct.  3d, 
doing  outside  picket  and  scouting  duty. 

When  the  battle  of  Davis'  Bridge,  on  the 
Hatchie  River  occurred,  this  company  was  in 
action  and  returned  to  Corinth.  On  the  eve 
ning  of  Oct.  2,  Mr.  Barber  was  detailed  as  an 
orderly,  to  serve  at  the  headquarters  of  Colonel 
Oliver,  who  at  that  time  commanded  the 
brigade.  After  the  battle  of  Corinth  the  re 
treating  enemy  was  pursued  in  force.  Later 
Mr.  Barber  was  relieved  from  detail  duty  and 
rejoined  his  company,  which  he  found  camped 
in  what  was  known  as  the  "bone  yard,"  where 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


245 


it  remained  until  late  in  Nov.,  and  was  then 
ordered  to  Smith's  Bridge  on  the  Tuscumbia 
River,  where  winter  quarters  were  erected  and 
a  stockade  made.  It  lay  in  camp  here  until 
Dec.  then  went  to  Glendale  and  was  held  until 
April,  or  May,  1863,  when  the  company  was 
placed  in  the  I5th  111.,  Cav. 

From  Glendale  the  company  was  ordered 
out  with  one  day's  rations,  but  was  absent  three 
weeks  and  during  the  time  was  engaged  at 
Barton  Station,  and  reached  a  point  about  18 
miles  East  of  the  Tuscumbia  River,  and  re 
turned  to  Corinth  to  go  into  camp.  Here  Mr. 
Barber  was  detailed  to  go  out  with  Captain 
Spencer,  of  Gen.  Dodge's  staff,  with  a  flag  of 
truce,  on  this  duty  he  camped  two  days  with 
the  enemy's  pickets  and  returned  to  Corinth, 
where  he  remained  until  into  August.  During 
this  time  the  rebels  made  a  raid  on  the  camp, 
and  on  the  retreat  were  pursued  to  the  vicinity 
of  luka,  Miss.,  where  battle  was  given.  This 
fight  lasting  about  an  hour  and  forty  minutes, 
resulted  in  the  rout  of  the  enemy.  In  August 
a  movement  was  made  to  Memphis  where 
transports  were  boarded  for  Helena  and  the 
Regt.  lay  there  doing  all  the  scouting  for  the 
post,  also  camp  and  garrison  duty  until  January 
1865. 

In  May  1864,  Mr.  Barber  was  sent  to 
hospital  at  Helena,  and  at  the  end  of  five  weeks 
was  given  a  furlough  for  30  days  to  visit  his 
home  at  Marseilles.  Returning  to  the  hospital 
at  Helena,  although  unfit  for  duty  he  was  de 
tailed  for  service  at  headquarters,  for  about  six 
weeks,  when  he  was  sent  to  sick  quarters  suffer 
ing  with  ague  and  dysentery.  He  was  detained 
here  until  January  1865,  when  he  reported  for 
duty  and  took  transport  to  Duvall's  Bluff,  Ark., 
thence  marched  to  Brownville  near  Little  Rock, 
where  he  was  mustered  out  Jan.  17,  1865. 
Returning  to  111.  Mr.  Barber  took  charge  of  his 
mother's  farm,  where  he  still  resides. 

He  was  married  Dee.  25,  1871,  to  Amanda 
Brodbeck,  a  lady  of  German  descent,  and  they 
have  had  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  living. 
Their  names  are,  Vic,  Alden  C.,  Lora  E.,  Lucia 
M.,  Gertie  M.,  Edith  A.,  Carrie  E.,  George  Z., 
and  Leslie  D. 


Mr.  Barber  is  an  influential  Republican.  He 
is  a  prominent  member  in  a  number  of  orders 
and  organizations,  holding  active  membership 
in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  which  he  is  Past  Grand. 
Is  a  member  of  the  Joseph  Woodruff  Post,  No. 
281,  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  also  an  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  be 
longing  to  Seneca  Lodge,  No.  532. 

Mr.  Barber  was  pensioned  on  account  of  in 
juries  to  his  eyes,  and  has  suffered  much  from 
the  disability  that  kept  him  in  the  hospital  so 
long  a  time,  and  remained  for  years  after  his  re 
turn  from  the  army,  in  a  state  of  debility  and 
danger. 

This  gentleman  continues  to  take  an  active 
interest  in  local  and  national  matters,  and 
makes  his  influence  felt,  in  a  quiet  and  unos 
tentatious  manner,  in  the  locality  in  which  he 
resides. 


RF.  BURRILL,  of  Urbana,  111.,  Senior  Vice 
Commander  of  Black  Eagle  post  129, 
•  enlisted  as  a  soldier  m  the  late  war  as  a 
member  of  Co.  I,  74th  111.  Inf.  Aug.  4,  1862.  In 
the  early  days  of  Oct.  with  his  Regt.  he  started  for 
Louisville,  Ky.,  where  it  was  assigned  to  Jeff.  C. 
Davis' Division.  He  participated  in  that  longand 
tedious  campaign  after  Bragg;  was  present  and 
held  in  reserve  at  the  battle  of  Perryville  and 
followed  the  wanderings  of  his  Regt.  until  the 
last  day  of  that  year  when  he  was  actively 
engaged  in  the  terrible  conflict  at  Stone  River, 
which  raged  with  desperate  fury  until  the  2d 
day  of  the  following  month.  Soon  after  this 
Mr.  Burrill  was  overtaken  with  sickness  and 
placed  in  a  hospital  at  Murfreesboro,  where  his 
illness  necessarily  detained  him  for  the  follow 
ing  4  months.  Recovering  he  rejoined  his  Regt. 
at  Winchester,  Tenn.,  and  joined  in  the  Chatta 
nooga  campaign  participating  in  the  battles  of 
Chickamauga  and  Mission  Ridge,  then  started 
for  Knoxville  with  a  view  of  raising  the  siege 
instituted  by  Gen.  Longstreet,  against  Gen. 
Bnrnside.  On  an  expedition  up  the  Little 
Tenn.  River,  whilst  at  Morgan's  Ferry  Mr. 
Burrill  and  three  of  his  comrades  were  taken 
prisoners,  Feb.  22,  1864.  He  was  first  detained 


246 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


in  Greenville  jail  and  finally  at  Belle  Island 
and  in  Richmond,  Va.  After  one  year's  terri 
ble  suffering  in  rebel  prisons  Mr.  Burrill  was 
liberated  on  the  22d  day  of  Feb.,  1865,  it  being 
the  anniversary  of  his  capture.  He  was  sent  to 
Benton  Barracks,  where  he  was  granted  a  60 
days'  furlough,  returned  home  to  recuperate 
his  health  and  gain  his  wonted  strength  so 
sadly  broken  down  in  those  horrible  Southern 
prisons.  On  the  expiration  of  his  furlough  he 
returned  to  Benton  Barracks  and  was  sent  to 
Springfield  111.,  and  discharged  June  I2th,  1865, 
by  reason  of  telegram  from  War  Department, 
after  a  service  of  two  years  and  ten  months,  of 
which  one  year  was  spent  a  captive  in  Rebel 
prisons.  The  monotony  of  prison  life  was  to 
some  extent  relieved  in  his  case  as  he  was  per 
mitted  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  other  prison 
ers  who,  from  injury  and  disease  were  unable  to 
assist  themselves,  and  when  it  is  known  that 
there  were  many  hundreds  of  such,  readers 
may  conclude  Mr.  Burrill's  time  was  fully 
occupied. 

He  was  born  in  Massachusetts  Feb.  22,  1841, 
son  of  John  and  Mary  (Francis)  Burrill,  who 
when  the  son  was  7  years  of  age,  removed  to 
Stephenson  Co.,  111.,  where  the  father  engaged 
in  farming.  The  son  continued  upon  the  farm 
until  he  entered  the  army.  After  the  war  he 
went  to  Lincoln,  111.,  engaged  in  the  carpenter 
business  with  his  brother,  and  in  1868  removed 
to  Champaign  Co.,  where  he  returned  to  farm 
ing.  Four  years  later,  owing  to  trouble 
some  fever,  he  concluded  to  move  farther  west 
settling  in  Nebraska  upon  a  homestead,  where 
he  remained  three  years.  He  soon,  however 
returned  to  Urbana,  where  he  became  employed 
at  school-teaching,  farming  and  working  at  his 
trade  in  turns  until  1889.  That  year  Mr.  Burrill 
with  characteristic  enterprise  started  a  windmill 
and  pump  business  at  Urbana,  which  business 
has  been  fairly  remunerative  to  the  owner.  Mr. 
Burrill  not  having  met  his  ideal  for  a  wife;  has 
so  far  remained  a  contented  happy  bachelor, 
but  is  liable  to  be  seized  with  the  matrimonial 
fever  at  any  time. 


FRANCIS  M.  SNYDER  of  Urbana,  111.,  enlisted 
in  the  army  July  22,  1862  as  a  private  in 
Co.  B,  ;6th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  went  to 
the  front  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  thence  to  Bolivar, 
Tenn.,  where  he  remained  for  four  weeks  then 
moved  to  La  Grange,  then  commenced  a  long 
series  of  skirmishes  through  Tenn.  and  Miss, 
accompanied  with  continuous  heavy  marching. 
With  his  Regt.  he  participated  in  the  assault 
upon  Vicksburg,  under  Col.  S.  T.  Busey  now  a 
member  of  Congress  from  Urbana,  then  went 
to  Jackson  Miss.,  where  he  was  actively  engaged 
in  the  battle  at  that  place  and  then  returned  to 
Vicksburg.  He  next  joined  in  the  Meridian 
campaign  during  which  he  was  continously  ex 
posed  to  rebel  fire  either  in  general  battle  or  in 
heavy  skirmishing.  Mr.  Snyder  was  from  his 
boyhood  days  a  proficient  musician,  conse 
quently  was  about  this  time  detached  and 
assigned  to  duty  with  the  regimental  band  Co., 
which  removed  him  from  the  ranks  but  not 
from  danger.  He  then  moved  to  Natchez,  and 
the  14,  15,  and  46  111.  veteranized  and  returned 
home  on  a  furlough.  Although  Mr.  Snyder 
had  not  at  that  time  veteranized,  he  also  was 
granted  a  furlough  and  went  home.  Owing  to 
the  exposure  and  hardships  endured  whilst  in 
the  service  his  health  began  to  give  way  and  in 
consequence  the  furlough  was  extended  an  ad 
ditional  30  days,  at  the  expiration  of  which  he 
was  about  to  join  his  command  at  Huntsville, 
Ala.,  but  was  again  ordered  on  detached  duty 
at  Paducah,  Ky.,  where  he  remained  for  seven 
months.  He  subsequently  rejoined  his  Regt. 
near  New  Orleans  but  was  again  assigned  to 
the  musical  department  of  the  command.  Ills 
Regt.  soon  embarked  for  Fort  Morgan, 
upon  the  transport  "Gen.  Peabody"  and  when 
two  days  at  sea  bad  weather  was  encountered 
and  the  ship  became  disabled.  It  became  evi 
dent  that  unless  the  ship  was  lightened  all  must 
perish,  and  as  they  had  on  board  2,000  mules  it 
was  decided  that  these  animals  should  be  sacri 
ficed.  To  Mr.  Snyder,  that  was  one  of  the 
hardest  sights  of  the  war,  and  he  hopes  never 
again  to  be  the  unwilling  witness  of  such  a 
scene. 

The    neighingj  and  futile]  attempts  of  those 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


247 


poor  animals  to  again  board  the  ship  melted  the 
hearts  of  numerous  old  soldiers  who  had  fought 
in  many  a  bloody  battle  field,  when  their  com 
rades  were  falling  dead  around  them.  The 
dangerous  position  of  the  ship  was  not  at  all 
exaggerated,  therefore  the  necessity  of  sacri 
ficing  the  poor  mules  could  not  be  avoided — it 
was  not  "  a  question  of  the  survival  of  the  fit 
test,"  for  the  reason  that,  even  if  all  the  human 
lives  had  been  sacrificed,  the  mules  would  have 
met  the  fate  which  overtook  them.  The  re 
lating  of  this  incident,  even  at  this  distant  day, 
causes  the  eye  of  comrade  Snyder  to  moisten, 
and  he  cannot  repeat  it  without  visibly  display 
ing  his  human  and  kindly  emotions.  The  strong 
wind  and  storm  abated,  the  ship  was  again 
headed  for  New  Orleans,  where  the  Regt. 
embarked  on  other  boats  and  crossed  the  Gulf 
to  Barancras,  Fla.,  and  afterwards  to  a  point 
near  Mobile.  Mr.  Snyder  took  part  in  the  siege 
and  assault  at  Spanish  Fort,  as  also  in  the  en 
gagement  at  Fort  Blakely,  which  was  the  last 
battle  of  the  Rcgt.  and  practically  the  last  of 
the  war.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to 
Galveston,  Tex.,  was  mustered  out  Aug.  22, 
1865,  and  finally  discharged  npon  his  arrival  at 
Chicago.  He  then  returned  to  Urbana,  where 
he  has  since  resided. 

Mr.  Snyder  was  born  at  Honesdalc,  Pa.,  Nov. 
19,  1834,  a  son  of  Dr.  Jacob  F.  Snyder,  a  prom 
inent  physician  of  his  day.  When  he  was  but 
a  child  his  parents  moved  to  Terra  Haute,  Ind., 
where  he  received  the  rudiments  of  an  English 
education.  He  abandoned  school  when  16  years 
of  age,  and  commenced  to  learn  the  printing 
trade,  and  in  1850  removed  to  Urbana,  where  he 
set  the  first  newspaper  type  set  in  that  county. 
In  18/0,  after  a  long  experience  in  that  busi 
ness,  he  started  the  Urbana  Republican,  but  mis 
fortune  soon  overtook  the  enterprise,  his 
printing  office  having  been  consumed  by  fire, 
in  which  he  also  came  near  losing  his  life.  He 
was  taken  from  the  burning  building  inan  uncon 
scious  condition,  and  after  lying  at  the  point  of 
death  for  some  two  weeks  he  recovered.  He  had 
fought  and  won  other  battles,  therefore  Mr. 
Snyder  was  not  disposed  to  surrender  on  meet- 
irie  with  even,  this  terrible  loss.  .He  moved  to 


new  quarters,  and  soon  the  newsy  Republican 
was  again  keeping  the  citizens  of  Urbana  in 
formed  upon  the  questions  and  news  of  the 
day.  He  established  a  fine  and  lucrative  busi 
ness,  with  every  prospect  of  a  propitious  future, 
but  the  fates  had  decreed  otherwise,  and  again 
all  his  worldly  possessions  were  swept  from  his 
grasp  by  fire.  His  health  was  not  robust  since 
the  war,  and  now  having  his  worldly  posses 
sions  swept  from  him  for  the  second 
time,  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  his  news 
paper  business,  which  he  fought  so  hard  to 
establish.  In  1885  he  was  elected  Clerk  of 
Urbana  Township,  and  in  1889  Police  Justice, 
both  of  which  he  still  holds,  having  had  them 
tendered  to  him  owing  to  his  popularity  with 
his  fellow  townsmen. 

Mr.  Snyder  is  the  present  commander  of 
Black  Eagle  Post  No.  129,  G.  A.  R.,  having 
held  the  position  of  adjutant  of  that  post  for 
seven  years.  He  is  a  prominent  member  in 
all  G.  A.  R.  matters,  and  holds  a  relatively  con- 
picuous  position  in  the  Odd  Fellows  Order, 
holding  at  the  present  time  a  commission  as 
Assistant  Inspector  General  for  the  Division 
of  the  Lakes.  Before  the  war,  Mr.  Snyder  was 
a  Democrat,  but  his  opinion  changed  at  the 
time  of  the  war,  since  which  time,  he  has  been 
a  strong  Republican.  He  married  June  21, 
1860,  Miss  Clara  Goodspeed,  a  most  estimable 
and  cultivated  lady,  and  8  children  have  re 
sulted  from  the  union,  all  of  which  are  living 
except  one. 

The  many  important  offices  Mr.  Snyder  has 
held  in  the  Odd  Fellows  order  and  G.  A.  R., 
as  also  public  positions  which  he  has  by  popu 
lar  vote  been  called  upon  to  fill,  testify  in  elo 
quent  language  to  the  universal  respect  in  which 
he  is  held  by  his  brethren  in  those  Societies 
as  also  by  his  fellow  townsmen. 


ISAAC  N.  HARDING,  of  Urbana,  111.,  was  born 
in  Tioga  Co.,  Penn.,  Jan.  19,  1830,  a  son  of 
Joseph     M.    and    Permelia    M.    (Hayden) 
Harding.     His  father  was  in  the  U.  S.  service 
in  the  war  of   1812,  in  defense  of  sailors  rights, 
and  his  grandfather,  Samuel    Harding,  enlisted 


248 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


in  the  Revolution  for  American  Independence, 
at  the  age  of  16,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the 
war.     As  a  citizen  of  the  new  born  nation  he 
became  a  prisoner  until  his  death,  at  the   ripe 
age  of  84  years  and  6  months.     His  paternal 
grandmother,    whose  maiden    name   was  Love 
Mayhew,  was  born  on  Martha's  Vineyard,  a  de 
scendant  of  Col.  Markwell  Mayhew,  who  could 
boast  of  a  truly  noble  pedigree,  being  a  descen 
dant   of  the   merchants    of    South    Hampton, 
England,  who  in  the  days  of  Charles  the  First 
obtained  a  grant  in  the  Vineyard,  planted  the 
first   English  Colony  there,  and  were  the  first 
white  settlers.     Col.    Mayhew  was    a    man  of 
blessed  memory  who  spent  his  life  in  the  serv 
ice  of  God  and  man.     He  taught  white  men  to 
live  in  peace  with  their  red-skinned  brethern. 
He  practiced  the  faith  he  preached  among  the 
Indian  tribes,  and  became  the  progenitor  of  a 
family  that  recorded  among  its  members  six 
successive   generations    of    able   and   devoted 
ministers    who    are    still  remembered    as    the 
"Venerable   Mayhews."      Joseph   M.    Harding 
was    a    man  characterized  for    his  brave    and 
liberal    views,   an    excellent    scholar,   and    for 
many  years  followed  the  profession  of  teacher. 
It  was  under  the  tuition  of  his  father  that  our 
subject   received    his  early    training  which   so 
abundantly  fitted  him  for  the  responsible  duties 
in   life,  which  he  has  been   called  upon   to  fill, 
and  which  he  has  performed  so  well.     He  also 
became  a  teacher  of  district  schools,  and  later 
a  solicitor  for  a  publishing  house,  and  was  en 
gaged  as  an  agent   in  various  capacities  up  to 
1861.     In  the  spring  of   1861    he  emigrated  to 
LaFayette,  Ind.,and  in  May,  i86i,was  enrolled 
in   the  army   for  three  months  under  the  Pres 
ident's  first  call  for   75,000  troops.     The   quota 
being  previously  filled  he  was  obliged  to  return 
home.     A  few   months  later  he  enlisted  in  the 
4Oth   Ind.   Vol.    Inf.,  and    was  mustered   in   at 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Dec.,  1861.     He   went  with 
his  Rcgt.,  to  various  points  in  Ky.,  to   Bowling 
Green   and   Nashville  at    the  time  the  enemy 
was  evacuating.     Then    to    Pittsburg  Landing 
where  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  terrible 
battle    of  Shiloh,    April   6th    and     7th,     1862. 
Then  followed  the  move  on  to  Corinth.     For  six 


weeks  the  "boys  "  skirmished  and  were  under 
fire  constantly,  advancing  a  little  each  day, 
until  finally  Corinth  was  evacuated.  From 
there  they  moved  to  luka,  Tuscumbia,  Decatur, 
Hindsville  and  Stevenson,  Ala.  Then  onward, 
to  Tullahoma  and  McMinnville,  Tenn.  At  the 
latter  named  place,  our  comrade  being  ruptured 
and  otherwise  disabled  for  duty,  he  was  dis 
charged  and  sent  home  Aug.  1862.  Return 
ing  to  Indianapolis  he  was  employed  in  the 
U.  S.  arsenal  and  embraced  every  opportunity 
that  presented  itself  for  the  Union  cause. 
Being  desirous  to  do  what  he  could  in  put 
ting  down  the  Rebellion  and  save  the  Union; 
he  re-enlisted  in  May,  1864,,  in  the  I32d  Ind. 
Vol.  Inf.,  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  a  hospital 
nurse. 

He  faithfully  served  in  that  position,  until 
his  already  injured  constitution  again  succum 
bed,  and  he  was  placed  in  a  hospital  at  Nash 
ville,  Tenn.,  later  transferred  to  Madison,  Ind., 
then  to  Indianapolis,  where  he  was  mustered 
out  with  his  Regt. 

We  now  find  young  Harding  retiring  from 
the  war,  permanently  injured,  with  his  general 
health  impaired,  all  brought  upon  him  owing 
to  his  patriotic  devotion  to  his  native  country, 
whose  flag  he  was  only  too  willing  to  save.  In 
1865  he  located  in  Springfield,  111.,  which  State 
he  has  made  his  home  since.  For  the  past 
twenty  years  he  has  lived  in  Champaign  Co.. 
where  he  is  engaged  in  the  papering  and  paint 
ing  business.  Mr.  Harding  was  married  in 
1872  to  Miss  Elizabeth  D.  Gillespie.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  the  Christian 
Church. 


JACOB  T.   FOKKEK,  Corpl.    of    Cottage    12, 
I.  S.  &  S.  II.,  at  Quincy,  111.,  is  a  native  of 
Switzerland,  born  Sept.  5,  1830.     He  lived 
there    till    21    years    of   age,  when  he  came  to 
America,  and   lived  the  first  year  in   New  Or 
leans,  afterward  going  to  Peoria,  111.,  where  he 
enlisted   in  Co.   A.    nth    111.  Cav.  in  Col.  R.  G. 
Ingersoll's  Regt.,  on  Oct.   I,    1861.     He  served 
with  that  Regt.  until  disabled  by  a  fall   which 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


249 


broke  his  right  shoulder  and  he  has  been  dis 
abled  thereby  ever  since.  This  occurred  at 
Pittsburg  Landing,  in  which  battle  he  partici 
pated.  Was  discharged  from  service  July  12, 
1862,  then  he  returned  to  Peoria  where  he  re 
mained  until  he  came  to  the  "Home"  four  and 
a  half  years  ago.  He  was  never  married.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Mary  (Wirth)  Torrer. 
Their  lives  were  spent  in  Switzerland,  four  chil 
dren  were  born  of  this  union,  three  sons  and 
one  daughter.  One  brother,  John  L.,  was  a 
teacher  in  his  native  country,  where  he  died  in 
1870.  Nicholas  L.  was  a  wagon-maker  by  trade 
and  came  to  America  in  1854.  He  enlisted  in 
Woodford  Co.,  111.  in  the  i;th  111.  Inf.,  and 
served  three  years.  Has  not  been  heard  from 
by  subject  since  1865.  The  sister,  Mrs.  Eliza 
Smith  died  in  Peoria,  111.,  about  10  years  ago, 
leaving  a  family  of  7  children.  His  mother 
died  in  1836,  and  the  father  remarried,  and  died 
1844.  Subject  is  liberal  in  his  political  views 
voting  for  measures  rather  than  for  men.  At 
the  "Home"  he  is  honored  with  the  appoint 
ment  of  Corporal  in  his  ward,  a  position  which 
gives  him  some  authority,  and  brings  some  rec 
ompense  from  the  State.  Not  a  pensioner. 


SERGT.  JOHN  TuLLYwas  born  in  Marion  Co., 
111.,  April  11,  1825.  There  is  but  one  liv 
ing  native  of  Marion  Co.  who  is  an  older 
resident  of  the  Sucker  State.  His  parents  were 
Mark  and  Susannah  (Ingram)  Tully,  who  mar 
ried  in  E.  Term.,  and  removed  to  Ind.,  and  in 
1821  to  111.,  and  settled  in  Marion  Co.,  where 
both  died.  One  brother  and  two  sisters 
of  subject  are  now  living,  the  balance  of  a 
family  of  fifteen  have  crossed  the  dark  river. 
Our  subject  lived  in  Marion  Co.  until  his  mar 
riage,  March  6th,  1849,  tne  lady  being  Miss  Sa 
rah  E.  Elston,  a  native  of  Vincennes,  Ind.  She 
died  in  Clay  Co.,  111.,  in  1888.  Six  children 
were  born  to  them,  five  of  whom  are  living  — 
Joseph  E.,  Ida,  William  M.  (deceased),  Agnes, 
Rose  and  Lucy.  All  married  except  Agnes. 
Our  subject  was  reared  to  farm  life,  but  his 
principal  business  in  early  life  was  handling 


horses.  In  1847  ne  enlisted  for  the  Mexican 
war,  and  became  a  member  of  Co.  C,  1st  Reg. 
111.  Vol.  He  served  under  Capt.  Van  Trump 
Turner,  the  ist  Lieut,  being  I.  N.  Haney,  after 
wards  Col.  of  48th  111.,  in  civil  war,  and  at  one 
time  Adjt.-Gen.  of  111.  The  regiment  rendez 
voused  at  Alton,  where  it  remained  from  May 
till  the  latter  part  of  June,  1847,  when  it  went 
to  Fort  Leavenworth,  leaving  the  latter  place 
for  the  plains  on  the  7th  of  July.  It  was  sta 
tioned  in  New  Mexico,  being  sent  to  relieve 
Sterling  Price,  who  afterward  became  a  noted 
general  in  the  confederate  army.  They  did  gen 
eral  duty  along  the  borders  in  New  Mexico, 
simply  holding  possession  of  the  country,  the 
Regt.  being  divided  into  three  sections  and  sta 
tioned  at  different  places.  His  enlistment  was 
"  during  the  war  unless  sooner  discharged."  He 
crossed  the  plains  with  120  wagons  loaded  with 
provisions,  drawn  by  ox  teams,  a  slow  and  tedi 
ous  trip.  Oct.  13,  1848,  they  were  discharged 
from  service  at  Alton,  1 11.,  having  been  in  service 
nearly  a  year  and  a  half.  Mr.  Tully  returned 
to  his  parental  home,  where  he  remained  until 
his  marriage,  before  referred  to.  During  the 
civil  war  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  4th  U.S., 
under  Col.  Haney,  of  the  48th  111.,  his  former 
Lieut,  in  the  Mexican  war  service.  He  went 
with  the  Regt.  to  Cairo,  and  made  a  trip  into 
Ky  ,  and  was  afterward  promoted  Brigade  wagon 
master,  and  was  at  the  battles  of  Forts  Henry 
and  Donelson,  in  charge  of  his  teams,  with  Mc- 
Clernand's  Brig.,  employed  by  Col.  Dunlap,  the 
Brig.  Q.  M.  Subject  ranked  as  Capt.,  though 
not  regularly  commissioned,  being  not  enlisted, 
but  had  the  pay  and  emoluments  of  such  rank. 
A  disagreement  arising  between  him  and  the 
commanding  Gen.,  he  asked  for  his  discharge, 
and  received  the  same,  returning  to  his  home 
at  Xenia,  111.,  where  he  operated  a  livery  stable 
for  over  twenty  years.  The  death  of  his  wife 
broke  up  his  home,  and  he  came  to  the  Soldiers' 
Home,  believing  that  his  services  justly  entitled 
him  to  the  rights  generously  provided  by  the 
State.  A  resident  of  111.  for  67  years  makes 
him  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  the  State.  Po 
litically  our  subject  is  a  staunch  Republican. 
Beiii£  a  non-enlisted  man  in  the  late  war,  al- 


250 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


though  having  rendered  valuable  service  to  the 
cause,  he  is  not  eligible  to  membership  in  the 
G.  A.  R.,  which  surely  seems  rather  ironclad 
when  applied  to  Mexican  soldiers.  His  son 
Joseph  E.  served  through  the  war,  being  a  mem 
ber  of  two  111.  Regs.  He  is  now  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Xenia,  where  he  is  a  merchant. 


JOHN  P.  BEERS,  a  member  of  John  Wood 
Post,  No.  96,  G.  A.  R,  Quincy,  111.,  is  a 
native  of  Knox,  Co.,  Ohio,  born  Jan  15, 
1842.  Parents  were  James  K.  and  Perlina  F. 
(Eerris)  Beers,  who  removed  to  la.,  when  sub 
ject  was  about  14  years  of  age.  Here  he 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Mount  Pleasant, 
and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Quincy,  111., 
in  the  fall  of  1859,  where  -he  attended  a  busi 
ness  school  and  acquired  a  good  business  edu 
cation.  Aug.  15,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K., 
/8th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  at  Quincy,  111.  He  went  to 
Jeffersonvillc,  Ind.,  where  he  was  uniformed 
and  fully  equipped  for  service.  The  "boys" 
started  on  their  first  march  through  the  streets 
of  Louisville,  loaded  with  all  the  paraphernalia 
of  full  fledged  soldiers,  besides  an  extra  citizens' 
suit,  rendered  supernumerary  by  reason  of 
"Uncle  Sam's"  bequest  of  "blue"  and  as  the 
march  was  tedious,  the  line  was  trodden  with 
superfluous  soldier  belongings.  The  /8th  did 
patrol  duty  on  the  line  of  the  Louisville  and 
Nashville  Ry.,  for  several  months  after  enter 
ing  service,  and  when  relieved  was  ordered  to 
Louisville,  were  sent  in  company  with  a  large 
body  of  troops  up  to  Nashville,  and  from  thence 
to  Eranklin,  Tcnn.,  and  became  a  part  of  the 
army  of  the  Cumberland  under  command  of 
Gen.  Gordon  Granger.  He  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga.  This  was  a  disastrous 
battle  and  subject  remembers  very  distinctly 
that  he  was  nearer  the  rear  than  he  desired 
during  the  retreat  to  Chattanooga.  Says  he 
would  have  had  no  particular  objections  if  the 
column  had  been  headed  the  other  way. 
After  Battle  of  Missionary  Ridge  the  Regt. 
followed  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  and  con 
tinued  to  skirmish  and  ca-pturc  stragglers  and 


trains  until  it  passed  through  the  Gap  at  Ross- 
ville. 

The  4th  Army  Corps  and  part  of  the  1 4th  Corps 
followed  Genl.  Longstreet's  command  to  Knox- 
ville,  compelling  the  Rebels  to  raise  the  siege  at 
that  point.  The  boys  suffered  greatly  on  this 
march,  eating  parched  corn,  etc.,  for  several  days. 
Wintered  at  Rossville,  and  in  the  spring  went 
into  the  Atlanta  campaign,  on  continuous  line 
of  duty  until  the  fall  of  Atlanta.  At  the  battle 
of  Jonesboro.  Ga.,  he  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  right  arm,  which  renders  it  useless.  He  was 
carrying  his  regimental  colors  at  the  time  he 
received  this  wound,  and  says  it  is  an  event  in 
his  military  history  of  which  he  is  proud.  He 
was  in  the  hospital  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  for  three 
months,  after  which  was  sent  to  Chattanooga 
and  from  there  without  stop  to  Nashville.  Was 
there  about  two  weeks,  when  he  received  a  fur 
lough  and  went  home  to  Quincy.  While  at 
home  he  got  a  transfer  from  the  Nashville  hos 
pital  to  that  at  Quincy,  where  he  remained  till 
Eeb.  24,  1865,  when  finally  discharged.  June 
7th,  1865,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lillie  K. 
Summers,  a  native  of  Quincy,  111.,  and  daughter 
of  Nathaniel  Summers.  He  superintended  a 
farm  for  some  months,  afterward  engaged  in 
insurance  in  a  neighboring  State.  He  subse 
quently  returned  to  Quincy  and  wras  variously 
employed  for  several  years.  Afterwards  re 
moved  to  Lewis  Co.,  Mo.,  and  re-engaged  in 
farming,  remaining  3  years.  Then  came  back 
to  Quincy  and  engaged  in  fruit  raising  near  the 
city,  operating  that  for  two  years,  and  while  in 
this  business  he  received  an  appointment  as  a 
letter  carrier  in  Quincy,  and  followed  that 
business  from  1872  till  1881  when  he  was  ap 
pointed  in  the  R.  M.  S.  and  has  continued  to 
this  date.  His  present  field  of  labor  is  from 
Quincy,  111,,  to  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  a  run  he  has 
had  for  two  and  a  half  years.  He  first  operated 
on  the  Wabash,  between  Quincy  and  LaEay- 
ette,  Ind.,  then  on  C.,  B.  &  Q.  from  Quincy  to 
Galesburg,  then  from  Chicago  to  Quincy.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beers,  four  children  have  been 
born,  two  of  whom  are  living,  the  eldest  and 
youngest  are  deceased.  Bertha  L.,  married 
Daniel  C.  Hodges  and  resides  in  Chicago;  Mar- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


garet  E.,  now  Mrs.  Charles  W.  Messick,  resides 
in  Quincy.  Subject  is  P.  P.  C.  of  John  Wood 
Post,  No.  96  G.  A.  R.;  is  P.  G.  of  Gem  City 
Lodge,  No.  357,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  a  member  of 
Lambert  Lodge  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 

Mr.  Beers  is  an  active  and  energetic  member 
of  Vermont  St.  M.  F.  Church;  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  a  Prohibitionist  in  sentiment. 


ALANSON  L.  WEED  is  a  native  of  Hancock- 
Co.,  Ilk,  born  Aug.  22,  1840.  His  parents 
were  William  and  Margaret  (Winfield) 
Weed.  Mother  was  a  distant  relative  of  Gen. 
Winfield  Scott.  She  died  when  subject  was  a 
child,  our  subject  being  their  only  child.  The 
early  life  of  subject  was  spent  at  Augusta,  Ilk, 
where  he  attended  school,  and  then  learned  the 
blacksmith  trade.  He  enlisted  May  24,  1861, 
in  Co.  B.,  1 6th  111.  Inf.,  and  from  Quincy  went 
to  Hannibal,  Mo.,  and  spent  the  summer  of 
1861  guarding  the  H.  &  St.  Joseph  R.  R.  He 
wintered  at  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  up  to  Jan.  or  Feb., 
when  he  returned  to  Quincy  and  went  to  Cairo 
or  Bird's  Point.  Went  from  there  to  New  Mad 
rid,  Mo.,  and  Gen.  Morgan  of  Quincy  com 
manded  the  Brig.  New  Madrid  was  the  first 
initiation  into  the  mysteries  of  active  warfare. 
He  participated  in  the  following  engagements: 
Tiptonville,  Fort  Pillow,  Pittsburg  Landing, 
Siege  of  Corinth.  He  went  on  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  in  front  of  Atlanta  received  a 
wound  from  a  spent  ball  which  disfigured  his 
nose.  Went  to  Joncsboro  and  was  engaged  in 
that  fight,  then  on  Sherman's  raid  and  at  Bcn- 
tonville.  Mar.  20, 1865,  he  lost  his  left  arm.  He 
was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  David's  Island,  N.Y., 
where  he  remained  until  discharged  June  24, 
1865.  Returned  to  Bushnell,  Ilk,  where  he  con 
tinued  one  year,  when  he  went  to  Augusta  and 
remained  there  till  1871,  where  he  served  4 
years,  as  Township  collector.  He  went  to 
Galesburg  as  night  watch  for  a  R.  R.  Co.,  8 
months,  and  then  to  Quincy  in  1872,  and  con 
tinued  in  the  same  business  for  nine  years,  for 
the  C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Since  quitting  this  work- 
he  has  worked  at  painting  a  portion  of  the 


time,  but  latterly  he  has  been  operating  a  sta 
tionary  engine.  He  was  married  when  home 
on  veteran  furlough,  Feb.  11,  1864,  to  Miss 
Amanda  Rugh,  a  resident  of  Bushnell,  111. 
Three  sons  were  born  from  this  union,  John  W., 
Clarence  F.,  and  Alanson  L.,  all  living  —  the 
former  in  St.  Louis,  the  others  in  Quincy.  This 
union  proving  uncongenial  it  was  dissolved  by 
mutual  consent,  and  subject  was  again  married 
to  Miss  Margaretta  Wollebee,  a  native  of  Ohio. 
Four  children  were  born  to  this  marriage,  two 
died  in  infancy  and  two  living,  Ira  and  Claude 
are  deceased,  Earle  and  Hattie  are  at  home. 
Mr.  Weed  is  a  member  of  John  Wood  Post, 
No.  96,  G.  A.  R.  Is  also  a  member  of  the 
South  side  Boarding  Club,  and^  votes  with  the 
Republican  party. 


HARRY  A.  STEWARD,  of  Quincy,  Ilk,  is  a 
native  of  Philadelphia,  born  May  22, 
1836,  youngest  child  of  Charles  and 
Fliza  (Stewart)  Steward,  who  were  the  parents 
of  a  family  of  14  children — three  pair  of  twins — 
seven  sons  and  seven  daughters,  all  dead  ex 
cept  our  subject.  He  lived  in  Philadelphia  un 
til  14,  then  went  to  Pitttsburg  where  he  learned 
the  machinist's  trade,  but  engaged  with  Robin 
son  Circus  at  Cincinnati,  and  accompanied  that 
troupe  for  14  years.  He  visited  nearly  every 
city  of  prominence  in  the  U.  S.,  and  also  in  S. 
America.  He  was  at  New  Orleans  at  the  out 
break  of  the  Rebellion,  and  went  to  Cincinnati 
with  the  intention  of  enlisting  in  the  3  months' 
service,  but  the  quota  was  filled,  then  went  on 
to  Pittsburg  and  Governor  Curtain  authorized 
the  enlistment  of  the  Pa.  Reserve  Corps,  in 
which  he  enlisted  April  21,  1861,  in  Co.  B.,  8th 
Pa.  Reserve  Corps  under  Col.  Hayes.  He  re 
mained  in  camp  till  just  before  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  when  the  Regt.  was  sent  to  the  front. 
Subject  was  in  a  skirmish  in  Dec.  1861,  where 
two  men  were  wounded  in  this  Co.,  and  capt 
ured  a  number  of  Rebel  prisoners.  This  was 
his  first  baptism.  He  wintered  near  Arlington 
Heights,  Va.,  then  went  with  McClellan's  "for 
ward  movement"  on  Manassas  in  the  spring  of 


252 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


1862,  and  returned  to  Alexandria  and  took 
transports  down  to  Fortress  Monroe,  and  up  the 
Peninsula  to  Yorktown.  Here  they  had  their 
full  share  of  digging.  After  the  evacuation  of 
Yorktown,  followed  up  the  Peninsula  and  took 
position  along  the  Chickahominy.  \Yas  in  the 
battle  of  Games'  Mills,  commencing  June  26, 
1862,  and  on  the  2/th  subject  received  three 
wounds, — first  a  ball  passed  through  his  jaw 
knocking  out  three  teeth  and  coming  out  of  his 
mouth.  Refusing  to  go  to  the  rear,  he  again 
received  a  wound  in  each  leg,  and  lay  on  the 
battlefield  from  Friday  until  Sunday,  with  no 
water,  no  food,  and  no  attention  to  his  three 
wounds.  During  the  first  night,  while  lying  be 
tween  4  dead  men,  one  of  the  human  ghouls 
who  infested  the  battlefield  came  and  robbed 
him  of  $30  in  money,  a  watch,  and  pulled  the 
boots  off  his  feet,  nearly  killing  him  with  the 
pain  caused  by  wrenching  his  wounded  legs. 
Sunday  morning  the  Rebels  took  him  in  charge 
to  Libby  Prison,  where  he  heard  the  remark 
among  the  Rebel  Doctors,  that  there  was  "no 
use  doing  much  with  him,  he's  gone."  His  jaw 
was  swollen  and  so  sore  that  he  could  not 
speak,  but  he  wrote  his  name,  Co.  and  Regt. 
on  a  tab.  A  lady  present  became  his  benefactor 
and  visited  him  every  day,  carrying  palatable 
food  and  giving  him  humane  treatment.  He 
gives  her  credit  with  having  saved  his  life.  He 
never  knew  who  this  angel  of  mercy  was.  She 
was  heavily  veiled  and  dressed  in  black.  He 
also  thinks  that  it  was  through  the  influence  of 
his  unknown  friend  that  he  was  not  sent  to 
Andersonville. 

While  in  prison  gangrene  set  in  and  his  suf 
ferings  were  terrible.  He  was  exchanged  in 
Oct.  and  sent  to  Clifburn  hospital,  at  Washing 
ton,  D.  C.  Here  the  larger  bone  in  his  right 
leg  was  removed,  hoping  thereby  to  save  the 
limb  in  that  crippled  condition.  The  left  leg 
was  shot  through  the  knee  and  the  joint  be 
came  stiff.  At  Clifburn  hospital  he  was  placed 
on  a  "water  bed," — a  rubber  mattress  filled  with 
water.  President  Lincoln  came  in  and  was 
looking  at  him  and  talking  to  him  when  he  ac- 
cidently  leaned  against  the  mattress  and 
:->ubject  was  so  nearly  thrown  off  on  the  flu«r 


that  the  Prest.  saved  him  the  fall  by  catching 
hold  of  him.  exclaiming,  "My  God!  young 
man,  I  didn't  mean  to  do  that,"  and  stood 
there,  his  great  sympathetic  heart  overflowing 
with  tears.  After  three  operations,  he  was  sent 
to  Cincinnati,  where  his  right  leg  was  ampu 
tated  above  the  knee.  He  remained  in  the 
Good  Samaritan  hospital  until  July  4,  1863.  At 
Cincinnati  he  was  taken  care  of  by  those  angels 
of  mercy,  the  Sisters  of  Charity,  and  he  never 
can  express  his  gratitude  to  them  for  their 
never  tiring  care  and  kindness.  He  continued 
in  Cincinnati  till  1867.  He  was  married  July 
9.  186",  to  Miss  Lourinda  Chapman.  Mrs. 
Steward  was  his  nurse  in  the  Gallipolis,  Ohio, 
hospital  about  18  months.  This  matrimonial 
alliance  was  culminated  with  the  principal 
actor  seated  on  a  chair.  He  removed  to  Au 
gusta,  111.,  in  1868,  and  in  1872  came  to  Quincy, 
111.  Here  he  spent  his  time  in  collecting,  solic 
iting,  etc. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Steward,  Harry  J.,  William  Sherman, 
Emma,  wife  of  Charles  Eddy,  and  Charles, 
who  died  when  14  months  old.  Mr.  Steward  is 
a  member  of  the  John  Wood  Post,  No.  96,  G.  A. 
R.,  and  of  the  "  Mutual  Aid."  Mrs.  Steward  is 
an  active  member  of  the  W.  R.  C..  and  Harry 
J.  is  an  enthusiastic  worker  in  the  Sons  of  Vet 
erans.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Co.  D,  5th 
I.  S.  M.  The  family  attend  the  Congregational 
Church. 


THOMAS  C.  DEBOKD,  of  Quincy,  111.,  is  a 
native  of  Shelbyville,  Ind.,  born  Sept. 
21,  1843.  Parents  were  David  and  Mar 
garet  (  Bishop  )  De  Bord.  Five  sons  and  seven 
daughters  were  born  to  them,  subject  being  the 
sixth  child.  Seven  of  the  family  are  now  liv 
ing  —  Nancy  E.  now  Mrs.  G.  Snell;  Isaac  B.; 
Sarah  J.,  married  J.  Elliot;  James  K.;  Minerva, 
(deceased).  Mary  became  Mrs.  James  Vice,  is 
now  a  widow;  Lorenda  now  Mrs.  Jackson.  Sub 
ject  went  with  his  parents  to  Edina,  Mo.,  when 
he  was  9  years  old,  worked  with  his  father  who 
was  a  brick-work  contractor,  up  to  the  date  of 


- . 


iis  enlistment.  He  attended  die  D  ufc ._ 
during  winter  and  otodier  times  wnen  con 
venient.  iCCjmring;  i  good  scftooi  educario  n.  En 
Sepc.  cjfc' L.  ie  enlisted  Ea  Co-  B...  5d  Mo.  Cav...  at 
Palmyra,  Mo,  Tie  neigicoriood  was  about 
equally  divided  or  Lmon  and  anti-Union,  senti 
ment,  subject  being  tiree  or  four  times  taken 
prisoner  by  die  secessionists,  witi  iv-iew  to  en 
forcing  rrrrrr  into  tie  Rebei  army,  or  preventing; 
iis  sup po rr.ng  tie L'nio n cause.  To  be  a  L~nio n- 
ist  in  Mo.  it  tiis  trytng  rrrrre..  meant  more 
•^.EP-  simply  to  espouse  i  cause  unrversaliv-  ar- 
dorsed  wiere  tiere  was  no  division  of  senti 
ment.  Tie  ^d  Mo..  Cav.  was  known  as  tilover's 
Cav.  Reg_  and  tieir  record  during  die  war  is  a 
matter  of  iistory.  not  necessary  to  be  rereatsd 
iere  in  detail.  Subject  pamcipated  in  tie  en- 
^TiCiment  it  Mount  Zion^  Mo-.»  on  Ciristmos 
Lite,  tiat  being-  iis  irst  experience  in  battle. 
Tiis  was  i  nerce  battle.  Our  subject  was  o  ne  o f 
^5  men  selecte'i  to  attack  tie  ambusied  enemy 
and  learn  tierr  position,  a  very  perilous  task,  tn 
wiici  several  o-f  die  little  band  were  killed  or 
wounded.  Hid  monv  skirmisaes  and  r-  : 

Cialk  Bluff,  near  tie  St..  Francis  River.,  wiere 
tne  v  zac.  i  running  ti^nt  o  t  several  cavs 

Van  IV m  and  Shelby.     Tie  entire  seoice  of 

^  *i  ^    ^   .  _.    T>          T>  *       \ 

"\-        "\- 

next  engagement  was  it  Brownsville.  Ark.  Af 
ter  tils  battle  subject  was  raken  sick  witi  con- 
^^^?di**^  c^  -  ^ 

in  die  battle  of  Little  Rock,  soon  after  Frowns- 
ville.  He  was  on  tie  exreditio-n  to  Comden, 
wiici  went  to  meet  Bonks  on  tie  Red  River. 
defeating  iim  and  returning  to  Little  Rock, 
He  iaJi  many  narrow  escapes  from  capture,  was 
fired  upo  n  by  ildden  enemies  omocg  tie  rvcks. 
Two  days  after  reaciing  Little  Rock,  ie  was 
widi  a  racket  patrol  and  was  ~  -  . 


i_r: 


den  enemies,  trsere  be-iag  RXIT 
fort>-  o-c  tie  bcsitwctackers..     Scb-rect   was  <b 
in  nine   pCacesv  aavtng  a  bail   and  three-  beck- 
<ic-cs  pass  tirocigi  iis  left  <£tv>c.;ioer.  rendering- 
tie  arm   ~_selessv     Tbe-  otceer  wv>vin\is   t> 
ra,r.f--.i  ^.:  :.~;v  trme  were  nv>t  < 


.  :-:.      eac     :     :    - 
ne  i  £864.     He  was  in  die 
R.civ    for  rv  :    -.-.-::.:-     .:.:•: 
it    >c  l_.;c:s.    !?ec.  :  :. 
His  wis  tr-ily  i  ti.-_....-: 
inoe.      Tie  ^::_iier^  i. 
:«.    —  :  :  -  •:.- 

50   faitaftrCLy  gaacdwl  t 
transportatioa.  igainst  tfte  cfeprcdatrijas  of  dre- 
etenuarc  o€  die  rebel  anmr.     He  returned 


ent  of  tie  sc 
book  ogettt  and 
ears.,    and    ~ 


xre  inciined  Do 
:n  :  :c  -  \\i>: 
t  sulies,  am 


from  Edina.     Att^n 
not  scurci  die 

rocm..     He  was  en 

various  timgs  for 
-•:     :   i 

Sandwicrt  Lj 


benent  of  tie  ocean  as  a  pamicea.  :      •   - 
iealti.     Returned  and  spent  tmree  moacis  at 
Suu:    r-ur-rsc-:    i:~  :     ~         -        :>-•:      :    tii 
oiant  service  bccnui  ^r  >.-ctii  Arnerca, 
around  Cape  Horn,  wastferee  years  front  konte 
on.  tiis  voyage.     Made  several   voyages 
West  India  trade.     En   E$;rr  lie  was  tniirr-  . 
i^uiicy.  IIL^  to-  Miss  Sirepta  Dtxotiv  ami  tiere 
ie  settled  dcwu  to  ea.:oy  rest  sc  welt  e*arc>- 
ictive  labor.     Eigat  caHidrea  ftave  been  bent 
to  dieax.  six  living  —  Clara,  Amelia.  Kottie  ami 
Join,  twtnsv   Mary.  Sceita.    Mabeii  onxi  YtrgiL 
L>  Lafayette.     Mabel  ami   Fofiut  are  deceased. 
tie  ociers  are   at   ctome.  and  attend    sc 
Subrect  ias    been    a  rnenuber  «?f  tie    Rtpcist 
oiurca  scace   ae   was-  tf  years  of  age.     Mrs. 
LTeBoni  ts  a    member  o-f  die  M.  E".    ci^ 

.-.-:  -.s  JL  -.ne'-rrber  :  :  ."  ^art  Wood  PosJL  No  g^.. 
G^  A  R.  Feiionged  to  die  Sons  of  Temperance 
ooxi  GOVHI  Templars  en  «&tetr  day.  P 
a  Repdxican..  and  a  penstoner  at  $ti.  For  tne 
iast  >•  years  5te  ias  been  etrtpioyed  tat  connectiott. 
witfit  tie  Gerji  City  Business  College  tn  Qv 


LA  Fxvirrre'  WLLLIS^.  a  resident  of 
irsc  saw  die  Lig&t  v>f  >iay  at 
lattd.  »L>bL»?<  T«t   tt?fc  :$4>     His  parents 
were  'oan  and  Perlev  ^  Taaver  •   Wtlusv 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


father  was  a  mechanic  and  died  in  Union,  Can 
ada,  Oct.  13,  1853,  at  the  age  of  46  years.  The 
mother  is  a  widow  and  resides  in  Michigan. 
To  them  was  born  five  sons  and  one  daughter 
of  whom  three  are  now  living.  Archalaus,  a 
broker,  resides  at  Toronto,  Canada,  John,  an 
army  soldier  now  residing  at  Port  Huron, 
Mich.,  served  in  the  1st  Mich.  Cav.  from  1861 
until  disabled  and  discharged.  La  Fayette 
spent  his  early  days  attending  school  in  Canada. 
In  1862  he  returned  to  his  native  city  and  was 
apprenticed  to  the  ship  building  business  con 
tinuing  one  year;  he  went  to  Nashville,  Tenn., 
was  employed  by  the  U.  S.  Gov't.  in  a  repair 
shop  and  shortly  returned  to  Cincinnati,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  a  shipyard  until  he  enlisted. 
This  patriotic  event  occurred  Feb.  20,  1864,  and 
after  going  to  Carlisle,  Pa.,  for  drill  and  equip 
ment,  he  was  finally  assigned  to  Co.  G,  3d 
U.  S.  Cav.,  faithfully  served  three  years  and  was 
discharged  at  Fort  Bascom,  N.  M.,  Feb.  20, 
1867.  He  was  principally  engaged  in  sentinary 
and  picket  duty,  with  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  as 
headquarters.  There  was  a  continuous  war 
fare  against  guerrillas  and  bushwhackers,  hence 
our  comrade  saw  but  little  rest  from  active 
duty,  and  was  engaged  in  a  good  many  spirited 
skirmishes  and  some  hot  fights.  Nov.  8,  1864, 
while  a  band  of  only  13  men,  were  engaged  in 
guarding  a  Gov't.  coal-pit,  near  Little  Rock,  it 
was  attacked  and  surrounded  by  about  50 
rebels,  and  all  were  taken  prisoners,  our  sub 
ject  being  one  of  the  number.  They  were 
transported  to  Camden,  Ark.,  stripped  of  all 
outside  clothing  and  turned  into  prison  with 
nothing  on  but  shirt,  drawers  and  pants. 
Shortly  they  were  taken  to  Shreveport,  La., 
Being  barefoot,  of  course  it  was  difficult  to 
walk,  and  their  escort  being  on  horseback, 
they  were  considerably  hurried  and  frequently 
threatened  with  death,  the  threat  being  empha 
sized  by  revolvers  leveled  at  their  heads.  Their 
rations  were  a  meagre  portion  of  meal  which 
was  cooked  into  mush  and  thus  the  brave  little 
band  was  made  to  suffer  intolerably  at  the 
hands  of  their  brutal  captors.  At  Shreveport 
they  were  lodged  in  a  stockade  for  about  3 


months,  then  taken  to  Tyler,  Tex.,  where  they 
were  nearly  starved.  Their  daily  rations  was  a 
pint  of  cornmeal,  but  frequently  when  the 
roads  were  bad,  they  were  without  food  for  3 
or  4  days. 

May  27,  1865,  they  were  paroled  and  then 
marched  back  to  Shreveport,  a  distance  of  1 10 
miles,  with  only  a  single  meal  on  the  entire  route. 
At  Shreveport  they  received  4  crackers  and  a 
little  coffee  and  this  was  the  last  ration  for 
four  days,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  they 
reached  the  mouth  of  the  Red  River,  where 
they  were  finally  exchanged  and  turned  over  to 
the  U.  S.  authorities.  When  coming  in  sight 
of  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  this  emaciated  crowd 
let  up  a  heartfelt  hurrah,  as  if  thundered  from 
heaven  itself.  After  being  taken  to  New 
Orleans,  comrade  Willis  rejoined  his  Regt.  at 
Little  Rock,  Ark.,  where  he  remained  until 
June  1866,  when  he  started  across  the  plains  to 
New  Mexico  and  Colorado,  where  he  was 
actively  engaged  in  guarding  the  frontier  and 
fighting  the  Indians  until  discharged.  As  a 
result  of  his  loyal  and  patriotic  army  services 
Mr.  Willis  is  entirely  blind,  he  having  lost  his 
eyesight  two  years  after  his  discharge.  Thus 
he  sacrificed  himself  at  the  altar  of  his  country, 
only  that  the  grand  old  Flag  might  be  pre 
served,  more  than  words  or  pen  can  ever 
portray,  more  than  the  government  can  ever 
compensate  with  gold.  Mr.  Willis  is  an  enthu 
siastic  member  of  the  Col.  Morton  Post,  No.  707 
G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is  now  J.  V.  C.  He  is  a 
true  soldier  and  highly  respected  citizen. 
Politically  he  says  he  "  is  not  so  blind  but  that 
he  can  see  to  vote  as  he  shot,"  i.  e.  Republican. 


JOHN  P.  NELSCH,  of  Quincy,  111.,  was  born 
at  Jacksonville,  111.,  April  18,  1840.      Par 
ents   were  John    P.    and    Clara    (Grouse) 
Nelsch,  natives  of  Germany  who  came  to  Amer 
ica  before  marriage.     Mother  died  when   our 
subject  was  a  child.     Two  sons  and  one  daugh 
ter  were  born  to  first  marriage,  subject  being 
second  child.      Only  one  brother  living,   Lewis 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


255 


resides  in  Quincy,  Louisa  married  Jake  Schaffcr, 
she  died  20  years  ago.  Subject's  father  came 
to  Quincy  in  1842  and  has  since  resided  there. 
He  is  now  80  years  old.  Subject  received  his 
education  in  Quincy.  Enlisted  in  the  three 
months'  service  in  Co.  C  loth  111.  Inf.  early 
in  April  1861,  and  served  his  time  at  Cairo,  111., 
going  there  directly  from  Quincy.  Was  en 
gaged  in  guarding  R.  R.  and  bridges.  He  came 
home  remaining  10  days  when  he  re-enlisted  in 
the  same  Co.  and  Regt. — nearly  all  having  re- 
enlisted.  This  service  was  no  "  play  soldier 
business."  Wherever  a  record  of  the  loth  111. 
is  found  it  will  appear  that  the  Regt.  did  its 
whole  duty.  Comrade  Nelsch  participated  in 
all  the  battles  in  which  the  Regt.  was  engaged, 
and  followed  it  with  its  varying  fortunes  for 
four  years  and  four  months  in  the  three  years' 
service,  he  having  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  in 
the  field.  Went  with  Sherman  to  the  sea,  up 
through  the  Carolinas  to  Richmond  and  Wash 
ington  and  from  there  to  Chicago,  where  he 
was  paid  off  and  discharged.  He  never  missed 
a  day's  duty  during  his  over  four  and  a  half  years 
continuous  service  and  never  was  wounded. 

He  returned  to  Quincy  and  was  married 
there  in  1870,  to  Miss  Mary  Crosby,  a  native  of 
Woodstock,  111.,  and  four  children  have  been 
born  to  this  union — Lizzie,  Annie,  Albert  and 
Clara — all  at  home  an  unmarried.  Politically 
Mr.  Nelsch  is  a  Democrat;  a  member  of  John 
Wood  Post,  No  96,  G.  A.  R.;  the  Firemen's 
Benevolent  Association  and  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 
Mrs.  Nelsch's  father,  John  Crosby,  died  in 
Libby  Prison  during  the  war.  Her  mother 
died  in  Chicago,  111.,  about  39  years  ago.  Her 
stepmother  died  about  a  year  ago  in  Wood 
stock,  111.  One  brother  was  also  in  the  army 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  and  it  is  not 
known  whether  is  alive  or  dead. 


JAMES  A.   BENNESON,  jeweler   and  optician, 
506  Hampshire  St.,  Quincy,  111.,  is  a  native 
of  Pa.,  born  Nov.  16,  1839,  son  °f  Nathan 
iel    D.   and    Mary  A.    (Middleton)    Benneson. 
They  were  natives  of  Del.     Father   was   born 


June  25,  1805,  a°d  is  now  living  in  Los  Angeles, 
Cal.  Mother  born  in  Oct.  30,  1815,  and  died  in 
Quincy,  111.,  Feb.  n,  1887.  Of  the  family  there 
were  three  sons  and  one  daughter,  of  whom 
subject  was  the  eldest.  Father  had  been  pre 
viously  married,  one  son,  Win.  T.,  being  the 
only  issue.  Robert  served  in  the  Miss.  Squad 
ron  U.  S.  Navy  as  an  engineer.  Nathaniel  re 
sides  in  Kansas  City,  was  in  the  Kansas  Militia. 
Eliza  J.  married  James  F.  Cosby  and  resides  in 
Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

The  early  life  of  our  subject  was  spent  in  his 
native  city,  where  he  attended  school  and 
learned  the  business  of  watchmaker  and  jeweler. 
In  the  fall  of  1860  he  went  to  Middletown,  Del. 
and  enlisted  in  Co.  I  5th  Del.  Inf.,  Nov.  6th, 
1862,  for  nine  months,  did  general  duty  on  the 
line  of  the  thoroughfare  between  Philadelphia 
and  Washington  until  July,  1863,  when  they 
were  transferred  to  Fort  Delaware.  Here  their 
time  expired  and  they  were  mustered  out  of 
service  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  on  Aug.  6,  1863,  by 
reason  of  expiration  of  term  of  enlistment.  He 
returned  to  Middletown  and  worked  at  his  trade 
there  about  one  year  when  he  went  to  Philadel 
phia,  remained  two  years  and  in  Nov.,  1866, 
went  to  Quincy,  111.,  and  continued  his  business 
as  a  journeyman  until  1874,  when  he  engaged 
in  business  on  his  own  account,  continuing  to 
the  present.  Was  married  in  Middletown,  Del. 
May  i,  1862,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Tibbels,  a  native 
of  Philadelphia.  She  died  Jan.,  1868,  leaving 
two  children.  He  was  again  married  in  Quincy, 
April  14,  1871,  to  Miss  Annie  A.  Nichols,  a  na 
tive  of  Pa.  Her  father,  John  Nichols,  was  a  sea 
Captain  for  many  years.  To  the  first  marriage 
he  has  two  children,  named  Harry  K.  and  Mary 
E.,  now  Mrs.  Manseau,  residing  at  Duluth.  To 
the  second  marriage  he  has  three  children, 
Joseph  N.,  Floyd  S.  and  Lloyd  L.,  twins,  the 
latter  of  whom  died.  The  names  were  given  in 
rememberance  of  two  army  comrades,  Lieut. 
Lloyd  and  Comrade  Floyd.  Of  the  social  or 
ders  Mr.  Benneson  is  a  member  of  Robt. 
Brooker  Lodge,  No.  406,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which 
he  is  a  Past  Grand;  is  also  a  Past  Grand  of  Allen 
Encampment  No.  4;  P.  G.  of  Red  Cross  Lodge 
No.  44,  K.  of  P.;  and  Improved  Order  Red  Men. 


256 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


He  belongs  to  John  Wood  Post,  No.  96,  G.  A. 
R.  He  is  a  staunch  Republican  in  political 
faith.  Mrs.  Benneson  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church. 


JOHN  J.  GRUHN  of  Quincy,  111.,  is  a  native  of 
Poland,  where  he  was  born  March  11, 
1844,  the  second  child  in  a  family  of  three 
children.  His  parents  were  John  J.  and  Julia 
(Close)  Gruhnowsky,  the  original  family  name, 
the  last  two  syllables  being  dropped  by  com 
mon  consent.  The  father  was  one  of  the  Revo 
lutionists  in  Poland,  his  property  was  con 
fiscated,  he  was  killed  and  his  family  were 
driven  to  America  as  refugees  in  1857.  From 
1848  to  1857,  the  family  were  in  various  places 
in  European  countries. 

Dec.  14,  1857  the"  family  landed  at  Baltimore, 
The  next  year  they  moved  to  St.  Louis,  then 
located  at  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1858  the  mother  invested  all  her  little  fortune 
in  Kansas  land  and  lost  it  all.  John,  our  subject, 
received  a  liberal  education  in  his  native  land, 
and  to-day  reads  and  writes  six  languages.  At 
St.  Louis  he  learned  the  art  of  scenery  painting, 
and  was  engaged  in  that  calling  and  photog 
raphy  up  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  great  Re 
bellion.  When  the  U.  S.  Flag  was  torn  from 
the  Court  House  in  St.  Louis,  his  young  and 
royal  Polish  blood  was  up,  and  his  love  of  lib 
erty,  which  is  synonymous  to  Poland,  prompt 
ed  him  to  offer  his  service  to  his  foster  country. 
Accordingly  he  enlisted  April  17,  1861  in  Co. 
D,  2d  Mo.  Inf.,  as  a  musician.  He  partici 
pated  in  the  battle  of  Boonesville,,  Mo.,  then 
proceeded  to  Springfield,  Mo.,  where  his  three 
months'  enlistment  expired.  Returning  to  St. 
Louis,  the  Regt.  was  reorganized,  and  our  sol 
dier  re-enlisted  for  three  years,  without  taking 
a  discharge.  Onward  he  went  to  Tipton,  thence 
to  Springfield  and  Rolla,  where  they  wintered. 
In  the  spring  of  1862,  they  returned  to  Spring 
field,  thence  to  Bentonville,  Ark.,  and  Sugar 
Creek,  where  they  had  a  skirmish,  returning  to 
Bentonville,  where  the  2d  Mo.  fought  under 
Gen.  Sigel.  Moving  to  Elkhorn,  the  Regt. 


was  attacked  in  the  front  and  rear  by  Indians. 
Comrade  Gruhn  was  slightly  wounded  but  con- 
continued  with  the  "boys"  and  took  part  in  the 
bloody  battle  of  Pea  Ridge.  Here  he  made  him 
self  useful  by  carrying  water  to  the  boys.  Hav 
ing  captured  a  horse,  he  loaded  him  down  with 
canteens,  and  traveled  back  and  forth  "receiving 
and  delivering." 

The  next  engagement  was  at  Shiloh,  followed 
by  the  capture  of  Corinth,  after  which  they 
moved  to  Rienzi,  Miss,  and  then  on  to  Cincinnati, 
to  protect  that  city  against  Bragg's  threatened 
attack.  Later  he  was  placed  in  the  invalids' 
corps,  ordered  to  Chicago,  and  finally  discharged 
Sept.  9,  1864.  As  a  result  of  the  exposure  of 
field  service,  he  contracted  atrophy  of  the  mus 
cular  system,  the  stomach  being  affected 
equally  with  the  locomotive  muscles,  a*nd  he  is 
thus  totally  helpless.  He  is  unable  to  turn 
himself  in  bed,  though  he  can  sit  in  an  easy 
chair.  He  has  use  of  both  hands,  only  from 
the  wrist,  and  has  been  in  this  condition  about 
12  years.  He  was  married  to  Louisa  Hanson, 
who  died  May  31,  1879,  leaving  4  children,  Lucy 
J.,  John  W.,  (deceased)  Charles  W.,  and  Jessie. 
April  19,  1880  he  was  married  to  Sara  Carrol, 
and  to  this  union  has  been  born  3  children  ; 
William  F.,  Ernest  E.  and  Alfred  C.  Mr.  Gruhn 
is  a  man  of  indomitable  energy  and  pluck, 
a  worthy  and  public  spirited  citizen,  who  has 
the  love  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 
He  is  a  church  member  and  organizer  of  Col. 
Morton  Post,  No.  707,  G.  A.  R.  of  which  he 
is  Q.  M.  He  never  misses  a  meeting  notwith 
standing  he  has  to  be  wheeled  there  in  his  chair 
and  carried  upstairs.  Politically  he  is  a  Re 
publican — "always  was  and  always  will  be." 


M 


AJOK  GENERAL  GEORGE  H.  THOMAS  was 
born  in  Va.,  July  31,  1816.  Educated  at 
West  Point,  graduating  number  twelve  in 
a  class  of  45,  June,  1840.  Entered  military  serv 
ice  as  2cl  Lieut.,  Third  Artillery,  July  I,  1840, 
and  immediately  joined  his  Regiment  in 
Florida.  Was  promoted  to  First  Lieut.  May 
17,  1843;  to  Cap.  Dec.,  1853;  Major  of  2nd  U.  S. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


257 


Cav.  in  1855;  Lieut.  Col.,  April  25;  Col.  of  5th 
Cav.,  May  5,  i86i;Brig.  Gen.  of  Vols.,  August  17, 
1861;  Maj.  Gen.  of  Volunteers,  April  25,  1862; 
Brig.  Gen.  of  Regular  Army,  October  27,  1863, 
andjto  Maj.  Gen.  in  Regular  service,  Dec.  16, 
1864. 

Gen.  Thomas'  first  military  service  was  ren 
dered  in  Florida,  against  the  Seminole  Indians, 
where  he  early  displayed  military  qualities  of 
good  promise,  and  for  meritorious  conduct  was 
promoted  to  First  Lieut,  in  the  regular  army. 
In  July,  1845,  ne  was  sent  to  Texas  with  orders 
to  report  to  Gen.  Taylor,  then  in  command  of 
our  Southwestern  frontier.  On  reaching 
Corpus  Christi,  he  was  assigned  to  duty  with 
the  garrison  in  Fort  Brown,  which  post  was 
soon  afterwards  invested  by  a  large  body  of 
Mexicans,  and  fighting  began  with  great  spirit. 
The  defense  was  successful  and  the  Mexicans 
repulsed  after  a  siege  of  six  days'  duration. 
Thomas  was  next  ordered  to  Monterey,  and 
took  part  in  the  bloody  engagement  fought  at 
that  place.  In  this  action  Gen.  Thomas  dis 
tinguished  himself,  won  the  hearty  commenda 
tion  of  the  veteran  Taylor,  and  was  promoted  to 
a  Captaincy  for  gallant  bearing  under  fire. 
From  Monterey  he  marched  with  the  army  of 
invasion  until  the  Mexican  legions  surrounded 
and  attacked  Gen.  Taylor  at  Buena  Vista.  On 
this  ensanguined  field,  Captain  Thomas  bore 
himself  with  his  usual  courage,  and  fought  with 
great  constancy.  The  same  noble  and  useful 
qualities  that  characterized  Thomas  in  after 
life,  shone  first  conspicuously  at  Buena  Vista. 
As  the  long  lines  of  savage  Mexicans  drove  in 
fierce  charges  on  Gen.  Taylor's  little  army, 
Captain  Thomas  was  one  that  stood  in  stern 
defiance  against  overwhelming  numbers,  and 
for  two  hours  struggled  to  save  the  American 
cause  from  what,  at  times  seemed  an  inevitable 
defeat.  The  same  steady  habits  in  battle,  that 
won  for  him  immortal  fame  at  Chickamauga, 
attracted  the  notice  of  Gen.  Taylor  at  Buena 
Vista. 

For  efficiency  and  soldierly  bearing  in  this 
memorable  engagement,  Captain  Thomas  was 
breveted  Major.  At  the  close  of  the  Mexican 
war,  Major  Thomas  returned  to  Texas,  and 

13 


(like  most  other  officers  in  the  regular  army) 
spent  the  passing  years  in  garrison  duty  along 
the  coast.  In  1851  he  was  sent  to  West  Point 
as  instructor  of  artillery,  where  he  remained 
until  1854,  when  he  was  ordered  to  California 
in  command  of  a  battalion  of  artillery.  In  1855 
he  was  placed  in  command  of  the  2d  Cav., 
and  ordered  to  Texas,  where  he  remained  until 
the  outbreaking  of  the  late  Rebellion.  In  April, 
1861,  he  was  assigned  to  duty  in  Gen.  Patter 
son's  department,  in  Pcnn.  After  serving  a 
short  time  with  Generals  Patterson  and  Banks 
in  N.  Va.,  he  was  ordered  to  report  to  Gen. 
Robert  Anderson,  then  in  command  of  the 
Department  of  the  Cumberland. 

He  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Camp 
Robinson,  which  had  just  been  organized  by 
Gen.  Nelson,  on  Green  River  near  Columbia, 
Ky.  Here  he  commenced  organizing  an  army 
for  a  campaign  in  E.  Tenn.  Removing  his 
headquarters  to  Crab  Orchard,  Ky.,  Thomas 
was  rapidly  preparing  for  his  advance,  when  he 
was  ordered  by  Gen.  Buell  to  proceed  to 
Lebanon  Ky.,  for  the  purpose  of  co-operating 
in  a  movement  on  Bowling  Green,  then  held 
by  Gen.  Albert  Sidney  Johnston  with  a  large 
rebel  army.  While  at  Lebanon,  news  reached 
Gen.  Bucll  that  the  rebels  under  Zollicoffer  had 
crossed  the  Cumberland,  for  the  purpose  of 
invading  Ky.  Gen.  Thomas,  in  command  of 
six  regiments,  started  to  meet  and  oppose  t he- 
confident  Rebels  in  their  march  to  the  North. 
After  a  few  days  march,  he  found  Zollicoffer 
well  fortified  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Cumber 
land  River.  While  advancing  to  attack  the 
position,  he  was  met  by  the  Rebel  forces  on 
the  1 8th  of  January,  at  Logan's  Cross  Roads, 
and  the  battle  of  Mill  Springs  resulted.  This 
was  one  of  the  first  and  certainly  one  of  the 
best  fought  battles  of  the  year.  It  was  the 
first  battle  in  which  Gen.  Thomas  had  com 
mand.  His  iron  will  shone  out  in  all  its 
strength;  the  powers  of  his  great  soul  expanded 
in  the  midst  of  battle,  and  with  the  increasing 
danger.  The  victory  was  complete  and  the 
honors  fairly  won. 

Gen.  Thomas  had  now  organized  the  nucleus 
of  what  was  to  become  the  great  army    of  the 


258 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Cumberland.       He  was  ordered  to    Nashville, 
Term.,  by  Gen.  Buell,  and  arrived  at  that  place 
March  2.  1862,  his  command  forming   the    re 
serve  of   the    army    under    that   officer.     Gen. 
Thomas'  Div.  was  not  ordered  up  to  the  battle 
of    Shiloh,    until     the    enemy    had    retreated. 
From     Pittsburg    Landing    he    assisted    Gen. 
Halleck  in  the  capture  of  Corinth.    When  Gen. 
Buell  started  on  his  famous  foot-race  against 
Bragg's  army,    Thomas  was    made    second    in 
command  and  traversed  the  whole  track  from 
Tenn.  River,  in  N.  Ala.,  to  Louisville,  Ky.     On 
reaching  Louisville,  the  command  of  the  whole 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  was  tendered  to  Gen. 
Thomas,  which  he  modestly  declined,  insisting 
with  characteristic  generosity  that  Gen.  Buell 
should  be  retained  in  his  position.    Gen.  Rosen- 
crans    was   soon    after    placed  in  command  of 
the  army,  and  the  Rebels  driven  south.     Gen. 
Thomas    commanded   the    I4th   Corps,  consti 
tuting  the  center  column.     After  passing  Nash 
ville,   the    fighting    was    desultory,    but    fierce, 
until  the  1st  of  December,  when  the  great  battle 
of    Stone    River    commenced,    in    which    Gen. 
Thomas  displayed  more  than  his  usual  firmness 
and  intrepidity  on  the  field. 

When  McCook's  corps,  holding  the  Union 
right,  was  swept  in  confusion  from  the  field, 
the  centre  was  struck  by  the  rushing  tide  of  ad 
vancing  Rebels.  Like  a  rock  amidst  the  dashing 
waves  of  the  stormy  deep, Thomas'  corps  stood 
on  the  banks  of  Stone  River,  on  the  1st  and 
2nd  of  January,  1863.  Calm  and  unmoved, 
Gen.  Thomas  stood  amid  the  fearful  conflict, 
always  in  front,  cheering  and  inspiring  his 
troops  by  his  presence  and  example.  If  the 
centre  was  broken,  the  day  was  lost.  With 
a  constancy  that  never  faltered,  a  devoted 
heroism  that  was  insensible  to  danger,  Thomas 
continued  to  cheer  his  men,  repulsing  every 
charge,  and  finally  held  his  position.  For  three 
days  the  tide  of  blood  ebbed  and  flowed  at 
Stone  River.  At  length  the  disappointed 
Rebels  sullenly  abandoned  the  field  and  drew 
off  their  bleeding  and  shattered  columns. 
His  conduct  on  the  field  met  the  following 
commendation  from  the  commanding  Gen.  in 
his  report  :  "  True  and  prudent,  distinguished 


in  command,  and  celebrated  for  courage  on 
many  battle  fields." 

The  battle  of  Chickamauga  was  fought  on 
the  20th  of  September,  1863.  The  right  of 
Rosencrans'  arny,  under  McCook  and  Critten- 
den,  attacked  by  an  overwhelming  force,  after 
a  brief  struggle,  instantaneously  gave  way  and 
broke  in  confusion,  leaving  the  centre  under 
Thomas,  once  more  to  retrieve  the  fortunes  of 
the  day  or  be  overwhelmed  in  the  disastrous 
tide  of  battle.  During  the  first  day  fortune 
seemed  to  favor  General  Thomas'  command. 
While  other  divisions  of  the  army  were  re 
treating  broken  and  confused,  he  was  pouring 
a  steady  fire  into  the  hostile  ranks,  without 
stopping  to  inquire  how  the  battle  was  going  on 
right  or  left.  All  the  troops  on  his  right  had 
been  driven  from  the  field  ;  Rosencrans  himself 
had  returned  to  Chattanooga,  and  all  gave 
up  the  day  as  lost.  Away  in  the  mountain 
gorges,  cut  off  from  other  portions  of  the  army, 
Thomas  was  still  fighting  on  his  own  hook.  On 
the  first  day  he  strove  for  victory,  and  several 
times  repulsed  the  enemy.  On  the  second  day, 
the  lines  being  broken  on  the  right,  he  was  cut 
off  and  flanked.  On  the  third  day  he  was 
flanked  on  both  sides  and  assailed  by  massed 
columns  in  front.  His  position  was  at  this  time 
one  of  terrible  grandeur— a  single  corps  of  a 
broken  army  contending  unsupported  against 
the  whole  Rebel  force,  vastly  superior  in  num 
bers.  He  dare  not  retreat,  could  not  advance  and 
would  not  surrender.  At  last, on  the  afternoon  of 
the  third  day,  while  enveloped  in  the  smoke  of 
the  Rebel  guns,  awaiting  in  deep  suspense  the 
result,  he  was  reinforced  by  three  fresh 
brigades  under  Gen.  Steadman.  The  enemy  was 
speedily  repulsed,  and  Gen.  Thomas  drew  off 
his  troops  to  a  strong  position  at  Rossville.  By 
common  consent  he  is  recognized  as  the  hero 
of  Chickamauga. 

Chattanooga  was  besieged  by  the  Rebel 
army.  Reinforcements  arrived  under  Hooker 
from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  Sherman 
from  the  Army  of  the  Tenn.  Gen.  Thomas 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  and  Grant  took  command  in  chief. 
Preparations  were  speedily  effected,  and  the 
glorious  action  of  Mission  Ridge  was  fought 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


259 


and  won  on  the  25th  day  of  November,  1863. 
While  Hooker  occupied  the  right,  and  Sher 
man  the  left,  Thomas  assumed  once  more  com 
mand  of  the  center.  When  the  flanking  pre 
liminaries  had  been  perfected,  and  the  long 
expected  order  came,  "Central  column,  for 
ward,"  the  troops  moved  off  in  admirable  style, 
confident  of  victory  and  eager  for  the  fray.  In 
the  face  of  a  fire  from  fifty  hostile  cannons,  they 
marched  up  the  rugged  steeps  of  Mission  Ridge, 
drove  the  menacing  enemy  from  their  position, 
captured  the  works,  and  planted  the  stars  and 
stripes  on  the  heights. 

Gen.  Thomas  held  the  post  of  honor  on  this 
occasion,  and  commanded  the  finest  charge 
recorded  in  history.  Then  the  great  campaign 
of  Georgia  was  opened.  From  Chattanooga  to 
Atlanta,  General  Thomas'  command  was,  as 
usual,  placed  in  the  center.  During  the  well 
remembered  hundred  days'  fighting  between 
these  two  points,  he  was  constantly  in  front, 
faithful  and  efficient  in  every  emergency. 

Then  the  campaign  had  terminated,  and 
Sherman  determined  to  launch  out  into  the 
hollow  Confederacy,  he  wisely  chose  Thomas 
to  protect  the  conquered  territory.  This  was  a 
responsible  duty,  and  nobly  performed.  Dec. 
1 5th  and  i6th,  1864,  his  forces  gallantly  carried 
the  day  and  routed  the  enemy  in  the  battle  of 
Nashville. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Gen.  Thomas  was 
placed  in  command  of  a  military  department, 
headquarters  at  Nashville,  the  scene  of  his  last 
and  greatest  conquest.  The  leading  charac 
teristics  of  Gen.  Thomas,  was  firmness,  stern 
resolve,  purity  of  purpose,  and  unassuming 
modesty.  He  was  emphatically  a  man  of  sys 
tem,  and  especially  exact  in  military  matters. 
No  man  in  the  Union  army  has  been  more 
uniformly  successful,  secured  more  fully  the 
confidence  of  his  men,  or  achieved  a  more 
enduring  fame.  He  died  April  5th,  1870. 


DR.  JOHN  O.  PATTERSON,  of  Galva,  111.,  was 
born  in  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  Dec.  13, 
1819,  where  he  was  raised  and  received 
his  preliminary  education.     He   is   the    son  of 


John  R.  and  Mary  (Orr)  Patterson.  Both  fam 
ilies  were  raised  in  Westmoreland  and  Lancas 
ter  Counties,  the  Orrs  being  of  American  stock. 
John  R.  was  the  son  of  Robert  Patterson,  who 
removed  from  Lancaster  to  Westmoreland 
County  in  1790,  and  who  was  of  Scotch  ancestry. 
At  the  age  of  23,  he  attended  the  Transyl 
vania  University,  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  where  he- 
was  graduated  in  1846.  He  then  studied  med 
icine,  and  having  received  his  license,  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  his  native 
county.  He  had  a  successful  practice  there 
for  three  years,  and  then  removed  to  Pittsburg, 
where  he  remained  until  1856,  when  he  again 
moved,  this  time  to  Oquawka,  Henderson  Co., 
111.  Dr.  Patterson  continued  his  practice  at 
Oquawka  until  1864,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
D.,  1 38th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  for  the  100  day  service. 
The  Regt.  was  organized  at  Quincy,  and  from 
there  went  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  where  it  was 
assigned  to  garrison  duty  and  the  care  of  the 
government  property,  with  Col.  Goodwin  com 
manding  the  post.  While  there  the  troops  were 
threatened  by  Quantrell,  the  rebel  guerrilla, 
and  at  one  time  he  made  an  attempt  to  cross 
the  river  below  the  city,  but  was  defeated  in 
this  movement  by  the  I38th.  While  the  Regt. 
remained  at  the  fort,  Dr.  Patterson  acted  as  as 
sistant  surgeon,  and  also  had  charge  of  the 
hospital  stores.  Being  well  along  in  years,  and 
having  more  than  his  share  of  hard  work,  the 
Doctor  was  taken  sick  with  rheumatism,  and  a 
typho-malarial  form  of  fever,  and  as  soon  as  he 
was  able  to  travel  he  was  sent  home,  very  much 
against  his  wishes,  on  a  short  furlough,  which 
was  extended,  rejoining  his  Regt.  on  its  way 
home  for  muster  out,  which  occurred  at  Spring 
field,  111.,  Oct.  14,  1864.  Dr.  Patterson  returned 
to  Oquawka  very  much  broken  in  health,  and 
has  never  been  free  from  rheumatism  since. 

Dr.  Patterson  was  married  at  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
to  Annie,  a  daughter  to  Robert  Wallace  of  that 
city.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born, 
—Thomas  W.,  a  telegraph  operator  and  station 
agent,  who  is  married  and  has  four  children; 
Frank,  now  a  resident  of  Topeka,  Kan.,  en 
gaged  as  train  dispatcher  for  the  At- 
chison  &  Santa  Fe  R.  R.,  which  position  he 


260 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


has  held  since  he  was  21  years  of  age.  Previ 
ous  to  his  engagement  with  the  Santa  Fe,  he 
was  train  dispatcher  for  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  Road 
at  Galesburg,  111. 

Mrs.  Annie  Patterson  died  in  March,  1859. 
Dr.  Patterson  was  married  the  second  time  to 
Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Esther  M. 
Neally,  whose  father  is  at  present  living  in 
Nebraska  at  the  age  of  86.  Dr.  Patterson  be 
longs  to  the  G.  A.  R.  of  Galva,  was  one  of  its 
charter  members,  and  served  as  Surgeon  con 
tinuously  since  its  organization.  Mrs.  Mary  E. 
Patterson,  wife  of  the  doctor,  is  a  charter  mem 
ber  of  the  W.  R.  C.  No.  19  Galva  111.,  and  is 
now  its  president. 

The  Doctor  has  now  retired  from  active 
practice  and  lives  surrounded  by  old  friends 
and  neighbors,  who  have  long  known  and  es 
teemed  him. 


SERGEANT  JOHN  STIEF,  of  Cottage  No.  10,  111. 
S.  and  S.  Home,  Quincy'  111.,  hails  from 
Hessen  Cassel,  Germany,  where  he  was 
born  Aug.  3,  1817,  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Mar 
tha  (Saenger)  Stief,  who  both  died  in  their  native 
country.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  John  left  his  Fa 
therland  and  sailed  for  New  York,  where  he 
worked  for  some  time.  The  stringent  financial 
straits  of  1837,  and  1838,  made  it  necessary  for 
him  to  enlist  in  the  regular  army.  This  he  did 
Nov.  22,  1839,  in  the  West  Point  detachment  of 
artillery,  and  served  a  five  years'  term  of  enlist 
ment.  The  country  was  at  peace  with  the 
world  during  his  entire  term,  and  the  life  was  a 
monotonous  one.  Being  discharged  Nov.  22, 
1844,  he  immediately  returned  to  Germany 
where  he  remained  nine  months.  Sergeant 
Stief  has  always  been  a  steady,  temperate  and 
trustworthy  man,  who  had  the  entire  confidence 
of  his  superior  officers,  and  he  regrets  that  he 
did  not  continue  in  the  army,  as  he  had  an 
excellent  opportunity  to  remain  as  a  non-com 
missioned  officer.  Returning  from  Europe,  he 
engaged  in  farming  one  year  in  Texas.  In  the 
meantime  the  Mexican  war  had  assumed  threat 
ening  proportions,  and  he  enlisted  at  Gal  veston, 


July  i,  1846,  for  six  months.  The  Regt.  was 
unfortunate.  Two  ships  containing  many 
members  were  lost  at  sea.  The  others  were 
discharged,  Aug.  24,  1846,  by  reason  of  the  dis 
organization  of  the  Regt.  Comrade  Stief  again 
offered  his  services  to  his  adopted  flag  and 
re-enlisted  at  New  Orleans,  Dec.  6,  1846,  as 
Orderly  Sergeant.  The  command  went  to 
Tampico,  Mexico,  remained  in  camp,  battling 
with  dysentery  and  yellow  fever,  and  was 
mustered  out  July  6,  1848.  Thus  our"  comrade 
retired  from  military  life  after  having  spent 
over  seven  years  in  the  U.  S.  armies.  Subse 
quently  he  moved  to  Prince  William  County, 
Va.,  where  he  lived  neutral  during  the  civil  war. 
He  was  in  the  Virginia  militia  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  war,  and  many  of  his  associates  joined 
the  Confederacy,  and  went  into  the  Rebel 
army.  Having  property  there  and  being  on  the 
border  line,  he  thought  best  for  the  safety  of 
his  family  and  preservation  of  his  property  to 
remain  neutral.  During  the  four  terrible  years 
of  war  his  family  suffered  much  from  want  of 
necessaries,  to  say  nothing  of  the  anguish  im 
posed  by  the  presence  of  armed  men  around 
them.  His  sympathies  were  with  the  Union 
cause  and  if  he  had  enlisted  it  would  have  been 
as  an  advocate  of  that  cause.  He  was  finally 
compelled  to  leave  his  home,  having  received 
notice  through  a  friend  that  a  detachment  of 
rebels  were  to  come  after  him  that  very  night, 
with  orders  to  take  him  as  a  conscript,  dead  or 
alive.  Leaving  every  thing  he  had,  he  escaped 
to  Alexandria,  and  was  followed  by  his  family 
a  fortnight  later.  John  Stief  never  returned  to 
his  "  old  Virginia  home."  He  moved  to  Free- 
port,  111.,  and  remained  about  seventeen  years. 
Numerous  financial  losses,  crippled  with  advanc 
ing  years  and  poor  health,  compelled  him  to 
seek  relief  from  the  trials  of  life  in  the  home 
provided  by  a  grateful  people  for  their  indigent 
soldiers,  and  he  entered  the  111.  S.  and  S.  H., 
May  15,  1887. 

Sergeant  Stief  was  married  in  1853,  to  Miss 
Anna  Thien,  a  native  of  Germany.  Of  the  four 
children  born  by  this  union  but  one,  Sabina  E., 
now  Mrs  John  Benjamin,  of  Dixon,  111.,  is  liv 
ing.  The  two  youngest  children  and  their 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


261 


mother  died  in  the  course  of  one  week — the 
mother  from  the  effects  of  her  hardships,  fear 
and  grief  over  the  danger  surrounding  her  fam 
ily  during  their  terrible  experience  in  the 
war.  In  the  home  Sergeant  Stief  has  charge  of 
Cottage  No.  10,  a  position  of  trust  and  respon 
sibility. 

He  spends  much  of  his  time  in  reading  his 
Bible,  wherein  he  finds  great  comfort  in  his  lone 
liness.  Lonely  because  his  loved  ones  are  not 
here,  and  without  them  he  feels  his  dependence. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and 
is  an  exemplary  Christian  man.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican. 


JOHN  W.  LOWE,  of  Kankakee,  111.,  a  son  of 
pioneer  parents,  and  a  soldier  in  the  war 
for  the  defense  of  his  country,  was  born 
Feb.  7,  1840,  in  Brown  Co.,  Ohio.  His  father, 
Harrison  Lowe,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1812,  and 
the  mother,  Frances  (Caldwell)  Lowe,  at  Law- 
renceburg,  Ind..  Feb  15,  1812.  The  history  of 
these  parents  is  of  interest,  as  it  is  a  record  of 
the  privations  of  early  days  that  arc  scarcely 
known  or  realized  in  these  times.  Such  con 
ditions  would  seem  impossible  to  be  endured 
by  the  present  generation  living  in  the  midst  of 
so  many  luxuries  and  conveniences. 

Harrison  Lowe  and  Frances  Caldwell,  above 
mentioned,  were  married  at  Lawrenceburg,  Ind., 
in  1831.  About  1841  or  1842,  they  literally 
went  out  into  the  wilderness  to  make  a  home 
and  "look  up"  160  acres  of  land  at  Gross  Point, 
upon  which  a  log  cabin  was  erected  with  a 
"  shake"  roof  made  with  the  husband's  ax. 
The  family  were  settled  in  this  cabin  before  a 
floor  was  made,  and  thus  they  lived  until  the 
father,  who  was  a  carpenter,  could  hew  "punch 
eons"  from  logs  to  make  a  suitable  floor.  Piece 
by  piece  the  furniture  was  all  made  from 
material  gathered  from  the  woods  by  the 
same  industrious  and  skill-ful  hands;  and  it  is 
probable  that  the  wife  and  mother  was  by  no 
means  idle  or  seeking  amusement  elsewhere, 
and  her  hands  doubtless  did  their  part  in  the 
spinning,  washing,  weaving,  sewing  and  other 


numerous  duties  that  home  and  children  de 
manded.  Often,  it  is  stated,  the  Indians  came 
and  camped  near  them.  After  some  years  of 
this  life  the  family  moved  to  111.  and  settled 
on  a  farm  near  Elgin,  then  went  to  Chicago* 
about  the  time  of  the  Mexican  War.  Remained 
in  Chicago  until  1852,  then  went  to  Pekin,  and 
while  there  he  owned  a  boat,  and  was  in  busi 
ness  on  the  canal.  The  next  move  was  to  Tip- 
pecanoe  Bottom,  Ind.,  where  they  lived  seven 
years,  then  to  Aurora,  Ind.,  where  they  re 
sided  until  the  rebellion  was  manifested  in  the 
challenge  of  war.  They  then  moved  to  a  farm 
and  made  it  their  home  until  the  father  died 
Mar.  1 1,  1876.  He  was  an  exemplary  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  and  always  held  important 
offices  in  the  same.  In  politics  he  was  a  Henry 
Clay  Whig,  opposed  to  the  extension  of  slavery, 
but  later  joined  the"  Republican  party.  The 
venerable  mother,  rich  in  years  of  experience,  is 
still  living,  having  reached  the  age  of  eighty. 
She  is  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church. 

To  these  parents  ten  children  were  born, 
and  all  that  were  spared  by  death  have  a  cred 
itable  record.  They  are  thus  mentioned: 
Amanda,  died  at  the  age  of  16;  George  W., 
died  of  cholera  in  1852,  aged  1 5 ;  Mary,  deceased 
at  the  age  of  7;  John,  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch;  Simon  D.,  who  enlisted  in  Company  D. 
37th  Ind.  Inf.,  was  wounded  at  Wartrace,  Tenn., 
Aug.  31,  1862,  and  died  Sept.  1862;  Andrew  J., 
a  member  of  the  I3th  Ind.  Inf.,  with  which  he 
served  one  year,  was  then  transferred  to  the 
4th  U.  S.  Battery,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Coal  Harbor,  June  3,  1864,  after  serving  3 
years  and  participating  in  the  battle  of  Rich 
Mt.,  and  in  all  the  engagements  that  his  Regt. 
and  battery  were  ordered  to  meet.  Caroline 
died  at  the  age  ot  4  years;  Franklin  R.,  who 
died  of  consumption  at  the  age  of  21;  Emma 
J.,  wife  of  Benj.  Hamm,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and 
Cynthia,  widow  of  Joseph  Stiner,  of  Selma,  Ala. 

John  Lowe  acquired  his  education  in  the 
district  schools  of  Indiana  and  Chicago,  and 
lived  with  his  parents  until  he  enlisted  Apr.  20. 
1861,  in  Co.  G.,  7th  Ind.  Inf.,  for  three  months' 
service.  This  was  one  of  the  first  regiments  of 


262 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Indiana  troops  to  leave  the  State.  It  was  mus 
tered  in  at  Indianapolis.  Mr.  Lowe  was  with 
the  Regt.  but  a  short  time  before  he  was  de 
tailed  on  detached  duty  as  orderly  to  Gen. 
Morris,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  mus 
tered  out.  He  went  to  Mo.  to  serve  in  Gen- 
Fremont's  body  guard,  and  enlisted  in  the  35th 
Ind.  Inf.,  Co.  F.,  joining  the  Regt.  at  Louisville. 
The  command  was  ordered  to  Bargetown,  Ky., 
and  then  to  Mills  Springs,  from  whence  it  took 
die  prisoners  back  to  Bargetown,  and  joined 
Nelson's  Div.  on  a  movement  to  Bowling  Green, 
in  1862,  then  to  Nashville,  then  to  Shiloh,  par 
ticipating  in  the  second  day's  fighting.  A 
movement  was  inaugurated  after  this  which  in 
cluded  Fayettville  on  the  Huntsville  branch 
•ail way,  and  the  march  which  was  a  part  of 
Buell's  retreat  to  Louisville,  on  which  a  skir 
mish  took  place  at  Cave  City.  Proceeded  then 
to  Louisville,  where  the  regiments  were  reor 
ganized  and  sent  to  Perryville,  Ky.,  where  Mr. 
Lowe  was  wounded  in  the  foot  while  in  a 
charge.  Marched  to  Nashville  and  lay  about 
that  place  until  the  battle  of  Stone  River  in 
Dec.,  1862,  during  which  battle  Mr.  Lowe  was 
struck  by  missiles  of  war  five  times  on  the  head, 
side  and  hip,  and  in  the  last  charge  under  Gen. 
Breckinridge,  was  hit  five  times  in  twenty  min 
utes.  To-day  he  carries  rebel  lead  in  his  hip 
which  made  him  a  cripple  for  life.  lie  lay  on 
the  field  where  he  was  wounded,  about  an  hour, 
and  when  the  Union  troops  drove  back  the 
rebels,  was  taken  to  a  field  hospital  where  he 
lay  three  days  before  the  wounds  were  dressed, 
as  the  Surgeon  thought  he  would  die,  and  it 
would  be  time  wasted  to  try  to  do  anything  for 
him.  After  remaining  sometime  in  the  field 
hospital  he  was  sent  home  in  April  and  lay  sick 
with  his  wounds  for  six  months.  The  more 
:  crious  wounds  were  a  torn  side  made  by  a  piece 
if  shell,  a  shot  in  the  hip,  and  the  bullet  wound 
;-i  his  head  which  fractured  the  skull.  He  re- 
reived  his  discharge  on  the  Surgeon's  certificate 
of  disability,  as  he  was  too  badly  injured  to  join 
the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 

Just  prior  to  the  battle  of  Stone  River, 
while  on  a  foraging  expedition  the  party  was 
attacked  by  Wheeler's  rebel  cavalry  at  Dob 


bins  Ford,  where  the  Union  forces  were  from 
1800  to  2,000  and  the  rebels  numbered  5,000. 
The  Union  soldiers  held  this  army  back  until 
late  in  the  afternoon,  when  Wheeler  sent  a  flag 
of  truce  that  he  might  gather  up  the  wounded, 
and  from  this  expedition  the  boys  in  blue 
returned  to  Nashville  with  a  loss  of  only  75 
men  killed  and  wounded. 

Mr.  Lowe  was  married  Aug.  10,  1865,  to 
Lucy  Knapp,  a  native  of  N.  Y.,  and  one  daugh 
ter,  Laura  J.,  is  the  only  descendant.  He  holds 
membership  in  Whipple  Post  414,  G.  A.  R.,  in 
Kankakee,  111.,  at  present  acting  as  Vice  Com 
mander,  having  held  other  positions.  He  is 
also  a  prominent  Odd  Fellow,  having  occupied 
the  chair  of  Vice-Grand  and  other  subordinate 
offices.  A  Republican,  a  voter  instead  of  office 
seeker.  Mr.  Lowe  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  politics,  education  and  general  im 
provement,  and  is  invariably  found  in  the  line 
of  right  and  progress.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowe  by 
their  kindness,  benevolence  and  genial  hospi 
tality  have  made  a  warm  circle  of  friends 
throughout  the  country  where  they  reside. 


GEORGE  W.  HARVEY,  of  Neponset,  111.,  was 
born  Sept.  27,  1837,  m  Muskegon  Co., 
Ohio,  where  he  resided  until  he  was  18 
years  of  age.  He  came  to  111.  and  settled  at 
Kewanee  about  1855.  Here  he  remained  until 
1857,  when  he  visited  Iowa  and  Ind.  In  the 
latter  named  State,  at  Aurora,  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
I.  1 6th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  April  22,  1861,  and  went 
to  the  Potomac  where  he  spent  one  year,  taking 
part  in  several  engagements,  a  number  of  skir 
mishes,  and  considerable  marching.  After  this 
service  he  returned  to  Ind.  and  started  for  his 
home  in  111.,  but  stopped  at  Newton,  111.,  with 
a  grandfather,  and  as  two  of  his  uncles  were 
going  into  the  gSth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  he  decided  to 
go  with  them. 

While  the  Regt.  was  on  the  way  to  the  front 
the  train  was  thrown  from  the  track  at  Bridge 
port,  111.,  and  a  large  number  of  the  men  in  Co. 
K.  killedand  wounded.  Under commandof  Gen. 
Buell  the  gSth  was  in  the  battles  of  Hartsville, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


263 


Term.,  Hoover's  Gap,  and  McMinnville.  The 
next  place  was  at  Missionary  Ridge,  where  this 
command  captured  Gen.'Bragg's  headquarter 
teams  and  then  moved  to  Cumberland,  Tenn., 
and  into  winter  quarters.  The  next  spring 
moving  to  Buzzard's  Roost,  and  on  to  Dallas, Ga. 
The  gSth  was  in  active  service  as  a  mounted 
Regt.  at  the  battles  of  Chickamauga  in  the  sum 
mer  of  1863,  where  it  opened  the  fight,  and  also 
during  the  next  year  at  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mt., 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Decatur,  Coving- 
ton,  Ga.,  and  Jonesboro,  and  went  with  Gen. 
Thomas  to  Franklin  and  Nashville, Tenn.  The 
next  important  move  was  with  Gen.  Wilson  to 
Macon,  Ga.,  and  on  this  trip  Mr.  Harvey  was 
in  many  more  engagements,  the  battle  of  Selma 
being  particularly  disastrous  to  both  men  and 
officers. 

Mr.  Harvey  was  here  assigned  to  search  for 
Jefferson  Davis,  with  a  squad  of  men  dressed  in 
Confederate  uniform.  One  time  halting  for  the 
night,  they  assumed  to  have  been  part  of  Jeff 
Davis'  body  guard,  and  the  Colonel  with  whom 
they  were  stopping  told  them  where  Davis  was, 
so  Mr.  Harvey  with  his  men  started  that  night 
for  the  place  indicated.  Reaching  the  place  in 
the  morning  he  found  the  Union  troops  had  al 
ready  captured  the  Confederate  President.  Mr. 
Harvey  and  his  squad  were  arrested,  as  they 
were  supposed  from  their  uniform  to  be  rebels, 
and  Jeff  Davis  also  under  the  same  impression 
shook  hands  with  them  when  they  met  at  head 
quarters. 

After  this  capture  Mr.  Harvey  returned  to 
Nashville,  and  then  went  to  Springfield,  where 
he  was  discharged  July  7,  1865,  after  having 
served  in  the  army  4  years  and  7  months  with 
out  ever  being  in  a  hospital  or  an  ambulance,  ex 
cept  once  when  he  fell  from  his  horse  during  a 
very  hard  forced  march,  which  he  undertook 
contrary  to  the  advice  of  his  surgeon,  when  he 
was  taken  up  and  carried  for  half  a  day. 

Mr.  Harvey  was  in  every  battle  his  Regt. 
was  engaged  in,  and  took  part  in  a  fight  where 
his  regiment  was  not  in  action.  Returning 
home  to  Kewanee,  111.,  Mr.  Harvey  afterwards 
moved  to  Neponset,  111,  and  opened  a  restaur 
ant,  but  is  now  in  the  poultry  business,  which 


has  furnished  him  employment  for  a  number  of 
years. 

He  was  married  Sept.  20,  1868,  to  Clara 
Bigelow,  a  daughter  of  B.  F.  Bigelow  of  Ne 
ponset,  111.  Ten  children  have  been  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harvey,  of  whom  7  are 
living.  Their  names  are  Nellie,  Frank,  Minnie, 
Luella,  Delia,  Clyde,  and  Blaine. 

Mr.  Harvey  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been 
elected  Town  Collector  on  that  ticket.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  284. 


NATHAN  C.  RANNEY  of  Little  York,  111.,  was 
born  in  Cape  Girardeau  Co.,  Mo.,  July 
9,  1842,  a  son  of  of  R.  Ranney  whose 
ancestors  took  part  in  the  Revolutionary  war 
and  the  war  of  1812.  When  Nathan  was  five 
years  old  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Mercer 
Co.,  111.,  and  settled  shortly  after  near  the  farm 
he  now  occupies.  He  enlisted  at  Oquawka 
with  J.  W.  Morris  and  C.  W.  Noble,  anticipat 
ing  he  would  be  credited  to  Warren  Co.  but 
they  were  taken  to  Quincy  and  credited  to 
Adams  Co.,  and  assigned  to  Co.  C.,  9ist,  III. 
Vol.  Inf.  which  then  was  stationed  at  Browns 
ville,  Texas,  whither  he  proceeded  and  joined 
the  Regt.  and  continued  doing  guard  fatigue 
duty  until  July,  when  the  gist  moved  to  Brazos 
de  Santiago,  Texas,  where  it  garrisoned  that 
place  until  the  following  Sept.  when  it  had  a 
sharp  fight  with  the  rebels  near  Bagdad,  on 
the  Rio  Grande  River  and  drove  the  enemy 
over  the  old  battle  ground  of  Palo  Alto  of 
1846.  Dec.  24th  his  Regt.  took  steamer  for 
New  Orleans  arriving  on  the  29th,  and  there 
did  provost  duty  until  Feb.  when  it  took  trans 
ports  for  Mobile  Point.  The  next  move  was  on 
March  17.  1865,  when  it  took  up  the  march  for 
Spanish  Fort,  passing  through  swamps,  build 
ing  corduroy  bridges,  wading  creeks  and 
swamps  as  it  passed  along.  They  met  the 
enemy  in  force  March  27th,  the  gist  being  in  ad 
vance  and  in  double  column  moved  out  to  the 
attack  on  the  double  quick.  The  enemy  re 
treated  within  Spanish  Fort  and  Blakely, 
the  key  to  Mobile.  The  battle  opened 


264 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


and  after  a  siege  of  14  days,  Spanish  Fort 
surrendered,  and  that  same  evening  the 
Regt.  moved  ten  miles  and  arrived  in  the 
rear  of  Blakely,  and  assisted  in  its  capture  the 
same  evening.  Two  days  later,  Mobile  also 
surrendered.  Gen.  Hardee  in  command  of  the 
rear  guard  of  the  enemy's  forces  lingered  be 
hind  attempting  to  get  away  with  the  rebel 
stores,  but  the  3d  Div.  with  Mr.  Ranney's  regi 
ment  in  advance  took  the  railroad  north  and 
when  near  Whistler  on  Eight  Mile  Creek  came 
upon  the  enemy.  His  Regt.  was  deployed  as 
skirmishers  under  command  of  Capt.  Jas.  A. 
Wells,  who  put  the  enemy  to  route  after  a  run 
ning  fire  of  three  miles.  This  was  the  last  en 
gagement  east  of  the  Mississippi. 

At  Whistler  one  of  the  men  upset  a  bee  hive 
whereupon  the  insects  lit  upon  Mr.  Ranncy, 
stinging  him  very  severely.  He  was  com 
pelled  to  go  to  hospital  at  Mobile,  where  he 
remained  for  upwards  of  a  week  and  his  bee 
experiences  on  that  occasion  have  sufficed  fora 
life-time,  being  unable  ever  since  to  even  taste 
honey,  and  a  field  cannot  be  found  large 
enough  for  a  bee  and  himself.  He  joined  his 
Regt.  up  the  Tombigbee  River,  afterward  was 
present  at  Mobile  and  witnessed  the  terrible 
explosion  of  the  magazine  at  that  place. 
About  this  time  he  was  transferred  to  the  28th 
111.  which  had  moved  to  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Rio  Grande  River,  where  he  remained  until 
about  August,  then  proceeded  to  Brownsville 
and  whilst  there  witnessed  the  battle  between 
Maximilian's  troops  and  the  Mexicans.  Dur 
ing  the  progress  of  this  engagement  one  of  the 
contending  parties  directed  their  guns  upon 
the  American  troops  which  were  upon  their 
own  territory,  some  of  the  shot  falling  uncom 
fortably  close.  The  men  returned  to  camp 
for  their  guns,  determined  to  cross  the  border 
and  forcibly  reprimand  the  insulters,  but  wiser 
counsel  prevailed.  The  Regt.  continued  there 
until  March  I5th,  1866,  then  set  out  for  Illinois 
where  the  men  were  mustered  out  and  dis 
charged. 

He  returned  to  his  home  arriving  in  April 
where  he  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  which 
he  immediately  set  about  improving,  it  being 


upon  the  prairie.  Three  years  later  he  married 
Miss  Emma  C.  Whelan,  a  daughter  of  James 
and  Margaret  Whelan,  and  ten  children  have 
blessed  the  marriage,  two  of  whom  died  in  in 
fancy.  The  following  are  those  living:  Mary 
A.,  Wm.  G.,  James  R.,  Joseph  J.,  Margaret  M.,, 
Lottie  E.,  Tillie  G.  and  Maud  E.,  the  baby. 
Joseph,  although  a  smart  robust  young  lad,  has, 
lately  been  afflicted  with  inflammatory  rheuma 
tism,  and  for  months  was  unable  to  help  him 
self  in  any  way,  but  has  greatly  improved  with 
every  prospect  of  recovery.  Mr.  Ranney  has 
farmed  and  prospered  and  kept  adding  to  his 
homestead  until  now  he  has  430  acres  in  one 
block,  through  which  the  Central  Iowa  Rail 
road  runs,  with  a  station  upon  the  farm.  He 
has  made  stock  raising  his  principal  business, 
and  ships  each  year  four  car  loads  of  stock  to 
the  great  Chicago  slaughter  houses.  He  has 
always  taken  an  active  part  in  the  local 
affairs  in  his  county  and  held  several  of  the 
Township  offices.  He  has  been  Commissioner 
of  Highways,  School  Director,  and  is  now  serv 
ing  his  second  year  as  Supervisor.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,has  taken  a  prominent 
part  in  all  the  matters  pertaining  to  his  lodge, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  of 
which  were  also  his  parents.  In  politics  he  is 
a  Republican  when  that  party  adheres  to  hon 
esty  and  good  government,  but  he  parts  com 
pany  with  his  party  when  the  general  good  of 
the  people  is  overlooked  for  the  advantage  of 
the  party  and  its  more  prominent  leaders. 


M 


ILFORD  ENYART,  of  Kankakee,  111.,  a  mem 
ber  of  Co.  F.,  I5ist  Ind.  Inf.  during  the 
war,  was  born  April  29,  1844,  at  Peru, 
Ind.  His  parents  were  Silas  Enyart,  a  native 
of  Ohio,  of  Irish  and  Dutch  descent,  and  Mar 
tha  (  Mowbray)  Enyart,  of  Scotch  ancestry,  to 
whom  were  born  nine  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living,  named  and  located  as  follows:  Mil- 
ford,  a  grocery  merchant  in  the  firm  of  Enyart, 
Son  &  Co.,  at  Kankakee,  111.;  Mariza,  wife  of 
C.  A.  Dole,  of  Miss.;  Ellen,  wife  of  Geo.  T. 
Elliott,  residing  at  La  Grange,  111.;  Emma,  wife 
of  W.  W.  Hatch, living  at  Kankakee,  111.  Silas 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


265 


Enyart  in  early  life  was  a  Democrat,  but  later 
became  a  Whig,  and  when  the  Republican  party 
was  formed  affiliated  with  the  same  until  his 
•death  in  1884.  His  wife  died  in  1859.  In  1836 
the  family  settled  in  Miami  Co.,  Ind.,  and  in 
.1865,  removed  to  Kankakee,  111. 

Milford  Knyart  after  one  or  two  unsuccess 
ful  attempts  to  enlist  in  the  army  joined  the 
1 5 1st  Ind.,  and  rendezvoused  at  Indianapolis  for 
a  time,  and  then  was  sent  to  Nashville,  Tenn. 
Was  then  ordered  to  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  where 
it  was  on  duty  in  various  lines  until  June,  when 
it  was  marched  to  Nashville,  arid  assigned  to 
guard  duty.  On  account  of  serious  disability, 
Mr.  Enyart  was  not  able  to  continue  in  the  serv 
ice,  and  reluctantly  accepting  his  discharge, 
returned  home.  Although  his  army  life 
was  thus  cut  short,  to  his  great  disappoint 
ment,  he  had  demonstrated  his  patriotism  and 
his  willingness  to  serve  his  country  in  her  hour 
of  need  and  peril,  and  he  should  receive  honor 
and  credit  with  thousands  of  others  whose 
hearts  were  inspired  with  patriotism,  and  were 
anxious  to  serve  on  the  field  of  battle,  but 
were  reserved  to  the  harder  fate  of  unavailing 
struggle  against  inexorable  circumstances 
which  deprived  them  of  the  ability  to  prove 
their  devotion  to  their  country,  as  they  were 
certainly  eager  to  do. 

Mr.  Enyart  was  united  in  marriage  Jan.  26, 
18/0,  in  Kankakee  Co.,  111.,  to  Martha  J.  Drayer, 
who  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  has  three  children — 
Silas  H.,  Alfred  F.  and  Laura  Alice.  Mr.  En 
yart  has  been  in  business  since  1882  at  his  pres 
ent  location,  and  has  succeeded  in  establishing 
and  maintaining  a  large  and  increasing  trade. 
He  is  a  leading  member  in  the  Whipple  Post, 
No.  444,  of  which  he  was  elected  Commander 
in  1891,  having  previously  held  the  office  of 
Adj.  and  O.  M.;  is  also  a  Master  Mason,  and  a 
member  of  I.  O.  O.  F.,  where  he  has  filled  all 
the  positions,  and  represented  the  society  in  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

Mr.  Enyart  is  a  straightforward  business 
man,  prompt  and  energetic,  but  at  the  same 
time  is  interested  in  all  that  tends  to  the  pros 
perity  and  advancement  of  his  locality,  and  the 
improvement  of  his  fellowmen. 


LEWIS  L.  CAMPBELL,  a  resident  of  Peoria, 
111.,  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  was 
one  of  four  able-bodied  brothers  who 
shouldered  a  gun  and  went  forward  "  to  do  or 
die"  in  the  ranks  of  that  great  army  which  so 
gallantly  preserved  the  honor  of  our  flag. 
Four  cousins  also  responded,  and  gave  up  their 
lives  for  their  country,  which  plainly  established 
the  fact  that  the  Campbells  were  an  exception 
ally  loyal  and  patriotic  family,  with  "fighting" 
blood  flowing  freely  through  their  veins. 

This  son  of  war,  our  subject,  was  born  Oct. 
18,  1844,  at  Rising  Sun,  Ohio  Co.,  Ind.  At  the 
age  of  eleven  years,  he,  with  his  parents,  re 
moved  to  a  farm,  where  Lewis  lived  and  as 
sisted  in  the  work  during  the  summer  season, 
and  attended  school  during  the  winters,  until 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  With  the  echoes 
of  Fort  Sumter  still  ringing  in  his  cars,  he  was 
little  contented  in  the  schoolroom.  Accordingly 
he  packed  his  grip  one  morning  and  proceeded 
towards  the  depot.  On  his  way  he  stopped  at 
the  old  schoolhouse  to  bid  "good-bye"  to  his 
schoolmates  and  his  teacher,  who  was  surprised 
to  see  young  Lewis  with  his  journeying  outfit, 
greeted  him  with  a  "Where  are  you  going?" 
"  Going  to  war,"  was  the  answer.  "Well,"  said 
the  teacher,  "you  had  better  go  back  to  your 
mother."  But  our  soldier-boy  had  long  cast  off 
his  swaddling  clothes,  and  moved  in  rapture  to 
the  first  three  years'  call.  He  subscribed  his 
name  at  Versailles,  Ind.,  in  Aug.,  1861,  and  was 
enrolled  the  i8th  day  of  Sept.,  in  Co.  A.,  3/th 
Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Lawrenceburg,  Ind.,  and  being 
rather  small  te  carry  a  gun,  he  was  made  bugler. 
Subsequently  they  went  into  camp  near  Lou 
isville;  Ky.,  where  the  "  boys"  were  thoroughly 
drilled  in  the  tactics  of  a  soldier.  Shortly,  the 
first  marching  order  came,  and  on  they  tramped 
to  Elizabethtown,  Ky.,  being  overburdened  with 
the  load  of  the  inexperienced  soldier,  many 
fell  exhausted  by  the  wayside.  Onward  to  Ba 
con  Creek,  where  they  were  thoroughly  initiated 
in  the  real  privations  of  army  life.  Inclement  as 
the  weather  was,  sleeping  immediately  on  the 
cold,  wet  ground,  with  naught  but  brush  or 
leaves,  underneath,  and  drinking  stagnant  water, 
broughton  universal  sickness,  as  many  as  eleven 


266 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


of  Campbell's  Regt.  dying  off  in  one  single  day. 
The  ne::t  important  move  was  Mitchell's  march 
to  Bowling  Green.  They  camped  out  every 
night.  Fifteen  of  them  slept  under  the  old  style 
Sibley  tent,  which  was  blown  down  during  the 
stormy  night.  The  snow  had  piled  on  several 
inches,  and  thus  they  were  found  by  their  com 
rades  who  made  search  for  them,  and,  arising 
out  of  a  heavy  perspiration,  they  tramped  on, 
marching  all  day  and  all  night,  arriving  in 
Bowling  Green  just  in  time  to  partake  of  a  hot 
breakfast  which  the  fleeing  rebels  had  left  be 
hind.  On  they  proceeded  to  Huntsvslle,  Ala., 
and  after  months  of  constant  marching  and 
counter-marching,  interspersed  with  frequent 
skirmishes  and  minor  battles,  the  army  went 
into  winter  quarters  at  Nasville,  Tenn.  Here 
they  were  obliged  to  do  constant  foraging,  pre 
paring  coffee  out  of  parched  acorns,  and  Lewis 
now  began  to  think  that  "  Uncle  Sam  "  had  a  big 
contract  on  his  hands. 

Next  came  the  march  to  Murfreesboro,  with 
fourteen  days  of  constant  picketing  and  skirm 
ishing,  and  Dec.  31,  1862,  our  soldier  was  ini 
tiated  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River;  the  Regt. 
fighting  in  the  front  and  right,  in  Gen.  Negley's 
Div.  Early  in  the  morning  while  the  "boys" 
were  breakfasting  the  firing  suddenly  com 
menced,  Campbell's  immediate  comrade  being 
shot  while  drinking  his  coffee.  Down  galloped 
brave  Major  Hull  on  his  big  roan  horse,  with 
the  order,  "Fall  in  line!  Fix  bayonets!  Charge!" 
and  heroically  the  37th  did  charge, —  over  the 
open  field,  right  in  the  face  of  volley  upon 
volley  of  the  hot  fire  of  the  enemy  with'  not 
even  a  single  breastwork  to  fall  back  on.  Anon 
the  Major  fell  off  his  horse  wounded;  the 
"boys"  with  young  Campbell,  now  also  carry 
ing  a  gun,  still  pressing  forward  to  within  a  few 
paces  of  the  rebel  line.  On  account  of  the  lines 
breaking  on  the  right  and  left  they  were  forced 
to  retreat,  and  down  they  were  mowed,  the  Regt. 
losing  near  half  their  number  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing. 

Jan.  2,  1 863,  alter  being  actively  engaged  for 
several  days  and  nights,  the  battle  in  which 
the  Union  forces  lost  2,836  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing,  closed,  Campbell's  command  re 


ceiving  the  ho.nor  of  marching  into  Murfrees 
boro  first.  The  next  important  engagement 
was  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.  Prior  to  that  memor 
able  battle  his  Div.  was  detailed  on  the  skirmish 
line,  with  young  Campbell  acting  as  bugler. 
For  meritorious  services,  he  was  now  appointed 
to  brigade  bugler  and  was  furnished  with  a 
horse.  Sept.  19,  and  20,  1863,  the  terrible  battle 
of  Chickamauga  was  fought,  during  which 
Campbell  acted  as  orderly  to  the  brigade  com 
mander.  During  the  siege  of  Chattanooga  the 
37th  did  its  share  of  duty,  as  well  as  in  suffer 
ing  from  hardships,  privations  and  almost 
starvation.  Mr.  Campbell  was  eye-witness  to 
Hooker's  charge  on  Lookout  Mt.  With  the 
rebels  on  the  high  peak  amidst  the  golden  rays 
of  sunshine,  and  the  Union  soldiers  under  a 
heavy  rain  at  the  base,  with  clouds  floating  be 
tween,  he  says  it  was  one  of  the  grandest  sights 
he  ever  witnessed.  Subsequently  Mr.  Campbell 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge. 
His  next  important  engagement  was  at  Buzzard's 
Roost,  and  though  only  19  years  of  age  was 
shortly  appointed  Postmaster  of  the  brigade, 
being  actively  engaged  all  through  the  Atlanta 
campaign.  After  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  Ga., 
Aug.  3,  1864,  he  returned  to  Indianapolis,  Ind., 
and  was  mustered  out,  Oct.  27,  1864,  time  being 
out,  having  served  his  country  for  over  three 
long  years;  yet  he  remained  home  but  a  few 
months  when,  as  a  typical  soldier,  he  returned 
to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  re-enlisted  in  Co.  G.,  I3th 
Ohio  Cav.,  and  at  once  went  to  the  front  at 
City  Point,  Va.  After  participating  in  all  the 
services  of  the  Regt.,  including  the  final  battle 
before  Petersburg,  he  was  mustered  out  at 
Amelia  Court  House,  July  4,  1865,  the  rebel 
forces  having  all  surrendered. 

Mr.  Campbell  is  the  son  of  Alexander  and 
Sophia  (Cunningham)  Campbell,  the  father 
being  of  Scotch  ancestry,  and  the  mother  a 
descendant  of  the  "Mayflower."  She  comes 
from  a  long  lived  family,  her  father  having 
addressed  a  large  assemblage  on  the  looth  an 
niversary  of  his  birthday.  After  the  close  of 
the  war  Mr.  Campbell  pursued  his  studies  at 
Moore's  l\\\\  College,  Ind.,  and  in  1868  settled 
down  at  Princeville,  111.  At  present  he  fills  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


267 


trusted  position  of  U.  S.  Gauger  at  Peoria,  Ills., 
and  is  interested  in  mercantile  business  at 
Monica,  111. 

Jan.  i,  1874,  at  Princeville,  111.,  Mr.  Camp 
bell  led  to  the  altar  his  present  amiable  wife, 
Miss  Sophia  Edwards,  who  bore  him  one 
daughter,  Edith  L.  A  soldier,  and  an  excellent, 
fellow-like  citizen,  he  has  won  the  respect  of 
a  troop  of  friends. 


DR.  D.  W.  CRAIG,  Aledo,  111.,  a  prominent 
physician  and  business  man,  was  born 
at  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  March  27th, 
1828,  and  is  a  son  of  William  Craig,  a  native  of 
Va.,  of  Scotch  descent,  who  died  June  16,  1828. 
Out  of  a  family  of  ten  children  the  Doctor  is 
the  only  surviving  representative.  He  attended 
in  his  youth,  the  common  and  higher  schools, 
laying  the  foundation  of  a  good,  practical 
education;  after  which  he  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  and- surgery,  graduating  as  a 
physician  from  the  Rush  Medical  College  in 
the  year  1852.  He  entered  upon  his  profession 
at  Georgetown,  111.,  where  he  soon  built  up  a 
prosperous  and  successful  practice.  In  1860, 
however,  for  a  larger  field  he  removed  to  Aledo, 
where  he  resumed  his  profession,  but  the  re 
bellion  breaking  out,  he  concluded  to  join  the 
Union  army.  He  enlisted  Aug.  7,  1861,  at 
Cairo,  111.,  and  was  afterward  mustered  into 
the  service  as  ist  Lieut.,  of  Co.  E.,9th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  On  the  night  of  Sept.  5,  1861,  his  Regt. 
moved  to  Paducah,  taking  possession  of  that 
city,  early  on  the  following  morning,  thus  de 
feating  a  similar  intended  movement  on  the 
part  of  the  rebels.  Mr.  Craig's  Regt.  then  as 
sisted  in  tearing  up  several  miles  of  railroad 
and  destroying  a  bridge  about  twelve  miles  out 
from  Paducah.  Having  accomplished  the 
objects  of  the  raid,  he  returned  to  the  last 
named  place  and  there  took  up  winter  quarters, 
engaging,  however,  in  several  reconnoissances 
during  his  stay  at  that  point,  among  the  number 
being  a  movement  up  the  Cumberland  River 
on  a  steamboat,  landing  at  night  north  of  Eddy- 
ville  and  marching  out  in  the  night,  attacked 


at  daybreak  200  rebels  at  Saratoga,  killing  and 
wounding  15,  and  capturing  36  men.  The 
Regt.  then  returned  to  Paducah,  where  it  re 
mained  until  Feb.  5,  1862. 

Feb.  1 5th  it  took  part  in  the  terrible  battle  of 
Fort  Donelson,  and  after  that  long  and  des 
perate  engagement,  out  of  600  men  engaged, 
sustained  the  loss  of  35  killed  and  160  wounded, 
as  also  6  prisoners.  It  moved  again  on  the 
22nd,  passing  through  Fort  Sevier,  Nashville, 
Clarksville,  and  thence  embarked  for  Pittsburg 
Landing,  where  it  participated  in  the  ever 
memorable  battle  of  Shiloh.  Dr.  Craig's  Regt. 
was  in  the  thickest  of  the  battle  and  filled  a  gap 
in  the  Union  lines  between  Gens.  Hurlbut  and 
Stuart's  brigades.  It  entered  the  battle  with 
578  men,  but  by  the  time  night  had  closed  the 
day's  operations,  61  of  the  number  lay  dead 
upon  the  field,  three  hundred  wounded,  besides 
the  loss  of  five  captured,  thus  showing  a  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded  unparalleled  by  the  history 
of  any  regiment  during  the  war,  which  fact 
sufficiently  attests  its  bravery  and  gallantry. 
During  this  battle  the  Doctor  was  wounded  by 
a  rebel  bullet  in  the  right  arm,  but  not  suffi 
ciently  serious  to  lay  him  aside  from  active 
duties.  His  Regt.  then  joined  in  the  advance 
upon  Corinth,  and  was  there  engaged  upon 
guard  and  provost  duty  until  the  second  battle 
of  Corinth,  in  which  he  was  again  actively  en 
gaged — the  Regt.  losing  on  this  occasion  20 
killed,  82  wounded  and  57  prisoners.  Our  sub 
ject  was  afterwards  on  detailed  duty  in  111.  in 
connection  with  the  recruiting  department.  In 
March,  1863,  the  Regt.  was  mounted  and  was 
kept  constantly  at  work,  almost  day  and  night, 
tor  several  months  thereafter. 

In  April,  the  Regt.  with  others,  made  a 
feint  movement  in  N.  Ala.  which  occupied 
eighteen  days  continuous  hard  work,  and 
necessitated  several  important  skirmishes  re 
sulting  in  one  company  being  cut  off  and  taken 
prisoners  by  the  enemy.  Again  it  joined  in  a 
raid  to  Florence  to  destroy  some  factories, 
and  had  several  sharp,  hot  skirmishes.  The 
Doctor  was,  June  I5th,  1863,  commissioned  as 
Asst.  Surgeon  to  the  Regt.,  shortly  after  which, 
he  went  to  Athens,  was  detached  and  put  in 


268 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


charge  of  a  General  Hospital  at  Pulaski,Tenn., 
where  he  was  employed  for  six  months.  About 
this  time,  however,  Gen.  Sherman  started  upon 
the  Atlanta  campaign,  therefore  the  hospital 
was  broken  up,  whereupon  he  joined  his  Regt. 
at  Eaton  River,  and  was  engaged  for  sometime 
forward  guarding  trains  and  railroads,  until 
after  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  when  the 
Regt.  was  ordered  to  Springfield,  111.,  where,  in 
Aug.,  1864,  our  subject  was  mustered  out  and 
honorably  discharged. 

The  Doctor  returned  to  Aledo,  where  he 
practiced  for  several  years,  and  seeing  a  good 
opening  for  a  drug  store,  opened  up  business 
in  that  line,  and  by  diligence  has  built  up  a 
most  prosperous  and  growing  trade.  He  is  a 
Free  Mason  and  Knights  Templar,  a  member 
of  Warren  Shedd  Post,  No.  262,  G.  A.  R., 
and  in  politics,  has,  from  conscientious  motives, 
allied  himself  with  the  Republican  party  of 
which  he  is  recognized  as  a  prominent  sup 
porter.  In  connection  with  the  G.  A.  R.  Post 
he  has  held  the  position  of  Medical  director  of 
the  State  Department. 

Dr.  Craig  selected  as  a  life  partner  Clara  P. 
Reeves,  whom  he  led  to  the  altar  Nov.  I2th, 
1852,  and  three  children  have  resulted  from  this 
marriage — Kate  D.,  wife  of  Cliff  G.  Turner,  of 
Pueblo,  Col. ;  W.  R.,  who  was  telegraph  operator 
and  station  agent  at  New  Boston,  Ills.,  died 
Sept.  1883;  and  Dr.  Augustus  L.,  a  bright  and 
promising  physician  and  surgeon.  Mrs.  Craig 
was  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Rowell) 
Reeves.  The  father  was  a  prosperous  farmer 
who  retired  some  years  before  his  death,  thus 
living  the  evening  of  his  days  in  comfort  and 
ease,  surrounded  by  all  the  luxuries  required 
for  a  modest,  honorable  man.  He  died  at 
Minonk,  111.,  in  the  year  1872,  his  wife  hav 
ing  died  in  the  year  1867.  They  had  six 
children,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living, 
viz.:  Mrs.  Craig,  and  Mary,  widow  of  Louis 
G.  Keedy,  who  died  in  the  army,  in  honor  of 
whose  name  the  Post  at  Minonk  is  called.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Craig  are,  and  have  been  for  many 
years,  consistent  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church 
at  Aledo.  We  have  in  Mr.  Craig  a  man  well 
known  throughout  the  State  as  a  reliable  busi 


ness  and  public  spirited  gentleman,  deservedly 
prosperous,  and  universally  respected  by  all 
who  have  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance. 


PETER  PIERSON,  of  Princeton,  111.,  a  worthy 
pensioner  of  the  late  civil   war,  enlisted 
at  Princeton,  111.,  in  the  second  company 
organized  in  Bureau  Co.,  at  the   beginning  of 
the  war.     Not  waiting  for  bounty  or   draft,  or 
the  desperate  condition  of  the  Nation  to  spur 
him  to  action,  Mr.  Pierson  was  among  the  first 
to  respond  to  the  call  for  troops,  when  patriot 
ism  was  the  only  incentive. 

He  enlisted  in  Co.  I.,  I2th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
April,  1861,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Springfield, 
April  24,  1861,  for  three  months,  and  although 
anxious  to  meet  the  enemy  in  the  front  "where 
glory  calls"  and  "honor  waits,"  this  Regt.  was 
assigned  to  duty,  during  its  term  of  enlistment, 
within  the  lines  of  its  own  State,  where  its  serv 
ice  was  doubtless  as  valuable  and  contributed 
as  much  toward  the  general  result  and  grand 
victory,  as  if  it  had  been  in  the  midst  of  battles 
or  storming  the  walls  of  blazing  forts. 

At  the  end  of  three  months,  although  Mr. 
Pierson  was  mustered  out  for  disability,  he 
could  not  rest  contented  at  home,  when  the 
country  was  pulsing  with  the  spirit  and  enthu 
siasm  of  war  and  the  fires  of  patriotism  were 
burning  in  every  household  which  eagerly 
watched  the  fluctuating  fortunes  of  the  battle 
fields,  so  he  immediately  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862, 
as  a  private  in  Co.  K.,  93rd  111.  Inf.,  for  three 
years  or  during  the  war.  After  mustering  in  at 
Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  the  Regt.  was  ordered 
south  to  Cairo,  where  it  was  equipped  and  sent 
at  once  to  Memphis  to  join  Gen.  Grant's 
actively  moving  army,  in  the  Northern  Missis 
sippi  Campaign.  It  went  to  Yacona  Creek, 
thence  by  Lumkin's  Mills  to  Memphis,  from 
which  it  again  immediately  marched  to  LaFay- 
ette  and  returned  to  Ridgeway  where  it  went 
into  winter  quarters  during  Jan.  and  Feb. 
March  3,  1863,  it  embarked  for  Lake  Provi 
dence  and  from  that  place  moved  to  Helena, 
making  it  a  starting  point  to  go  down  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


269 


river  on-the  Yazoo  Pass  Expedition.  Entered 
Moon  Lake  March  22,  and  landed  near  Green 
wood,  and  after  reconnoitering  the  position 
of  the  enemy  re-embarked  and  returned  to 
Helena. 

April  10,  a  movement  was  ordered  to  Milli- 
ken's  Bend  and  on  the  25,  began  the  Vicksburg 
Campaign,  on  which  it  marched  through  Bruins- 
burg,  Port  Gibson,  Raymond  and  Clinton  to 
Jackson,  Miss.,  where  the  93d  was  first  under 
fire.  On  the  16,  it  was  engaged  in  the  battle 
of  Champion  Hills,  where  Co.  K.  was  flanked 
and  suffered  the  loss  of  its  Captain,  David 
Lloyd,  and  many  of  its  men.  In  this  fierce 
and  desperate  conflict  Mr.  Pierson  was  wrounded 
in  the  right  breast,  also  captured  as  a  prisoner 
by  the  rebels,  but  was  soon  paroled  and  sent  to 
the  hospital  at  Vicksburg,  then  to  the  hospital 
at  Memphis,  and  afterward  to  the  parol  camp 
at  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  where  he  was 
exchanged.  He  then  joined  the  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  and  served  in  Michigan  doing 
garrison  duty  until  July  15,  1865,  when  he  was 
discharged  at  Detroit.  After  this  long  and 
faithful  service  he  returned  to  his  home  at 
Princeton  and  resumed  his  business. 

Peter  Pierson  is  a  native  of  Sweden,  born  in 
Christiana,  Feb.  3,  1841,  and  emigrated  with  his 
parents  to  America  in  1855,  located  at  Prince 
ton,  111.,  where  his  early  years  were  passed  and 
where  he  now  resides.  The  father,  Louis  Pier- 
son,  was  killed  by  fire-damp  in  a  well,  many 
years  ago  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home.  Two 
brothers  of  Peter  Pierson  were  in  the  army — 
John,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  57th,  Ills.  Inf., 
and  Swan,  who  served  in  Co.  A,  I39th,  111., 
Inf. 

Mr.  Pierson  was  married  in  1865,  at  Pontiac, 
Mich.,  to  Helen  McCraken,  a  resident  of  that 
place.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post  in  Princeton,  and  is  a  substantial  citizen, 
reliable  and  faithful  to  the  duties  of  his  station. 
He  can  take  satisfaction  in  the  completion  of 
the  record  he  made  in  the  conflicts  of  his  adop 
ted  country,  and  be  proud  in  these  days  when 
veteran  is  an  honored  name,  that  his  service 
and  battle  scars  justly  entitle  his  name  to  be 
recorded  with  its  brave  defenders. 


M 


K  E.  D.  WAY,  who  has  established  him 
self  in  a  flourishing  grocery  business,  at 
Peoria,  111.,  was  born  July  16,  1837, 
at  Ashtabula  Co.,  Ohio.  His  parents  were 
Elisha  A.  and  Anna  (Luce)  Way,  and  were 
natives  of  New  England.  Our  subject  spent 
his  boyhood  days  in  his  native  country  where 
he  received  his  education.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Henry  Co.  111.,  where  he  lived  up  to  the  time 
of  his  enlistment,  in  the  service  for  the  defense 
of  his  country's  honor.  In  May,  1861,  in  re 
sponse  to  the  first  call,  Mr.  Way  with  others 
organized  a  company  at  Kewanee,  111.,  but  the 
quota  already  having  been  filled,  it  could  not 
be  accepted.  Later  came  another  call  and  he 
again  responded  at  the  very  first  onset — this 
time  not  in  vain.  He  enlisted  at  Kewanee,  111., 
June  12,  1861,  Co.  B.,  which  was  the  first  to 
leave  Stark  Co.  to  which  it  was  accredited, 
igth  111.  Inf.  under  Col.  Turchin,  formerly  a 
Colonel  of  the  Russian  army.  Five  days  later 
he  was  mustered  in  at  Chicago,  and  July  12, 
amidst  the  touching  scenes  of  parting,  cheering, 
and  whistling  of  locomotives,  the  igth  111. 
started  on  its  martial  career  of  three  years 
service,  given  practically  and  voluntarily  to  the 
Nation  and  the  government.  On  the  1 3th,  they 
arrived  at  Quincy,  111.,  where  they  were 
equipped  ready  for  the  duties  of  the  battle 
field.  The  following  day  they  embarked  for 
Hannibal,  Mo.,  where  upon  their  arrival,  they 
were  at  once  loaded  and  locked  into  cattle 
cars,  and  transported  to  Palmyra,  Mo.  Here 
young  Way  saw  the  first  wormy  hard-tack, 
which  they  laid  on  the  railroad  track  and 
pounded  into  small  pieces  fit  for  eating.  When 
not  engaged  in  guard  and  foraging  duty,  they 
made  expeditions  in  pursuit  of  the  troublesome 
band  of  bushwackers.  On  one  occasion  the 
foragers  brought  a  well  fed  steer  into  camp. 
It  was  soon  slaughtered  and  turned  into  a 
royal  feast  for  the  "boys"  who  had  not  seen 
any  fresh  meat  since  they  left  Chicago. 

About  the  time  they  were  ready  to  leave  camp, 
a  farmer  who  wished  to  know  if  the  soldiers 
had  aught  to  sell,  appeared  on  the  scene.  On 
being  shown  the  hide  of  the  spotted  steer,  he 


270 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


remarked:  "Well,  boys  if  I  had  seen  him  before 
he  was  butchered,  I  would  have  bought  him  as 
an  exact  mate  to  the  one  I  have,"  not  realizing 
at  the  time  that  it  was  the  remnant  of  his  own 
quadruped.  On  the  iQth  the  Regt.  proceeded 
to  St.  Louis,  joined  a  large  flotilla,  and  landed 
at  Bird's  Point.  Here  it  was  immediately  de 
tailed  to  go  to  Norfolk,  as  an  advance  guard, 
where  its  duties  were  difficult  and  arduous. 
Subsequently  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Pilot 
Knob,  and  while  here  our  soldier  was  taken  sick 
and  confined  to  the  hospital  at  Ironton.  He 
remained  there  several  days,  during  which  time 
he  lay  on  the  floor  with  naught  but  a  blanket. 
Comrades  were  dying  off  daily,  and  one  morn 
ing  he  awoke  finding  both  of  the  men  at  his 
immediate  sides  dead.  This  partly  portrays 
some  of  the  pitiful  scenes  of  a  hospital,  and  Mr. 
Way  decided  he  could  face  them  no  longer. 
How  to  get  out  was  the  question.  He  could 
not  walk.  Finally  between  himself  and  a  com 
rade,  they  raised  ninety  cents — all  the  money 
they  had — and  were  transported  to  the  conva 
lescent  camp  at  Pilot  Knob.  After  several  days 
the  entire  camp  was  loaded  on  to  open  flat  cars, 
and  run  on  to  St.  Louis  under  a  heavy  rain  and 
storm.  He  later  reported  to  his  Regt.  at  Fort 
Holt,  Ky.,  but  being  unfit  for  a  day's  march  he 
was  sent  back  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  was 
confined  to  the  New  House  of  Refuge  hospital. 
In  Nov.  he  joined  his  comrades  at  Elizabeth- 
town,  Ky.,  where  the  Regt.  was  assigned  to 
Gen.  Mitchell's  Div.,  Army  of  the  Ohio.  There, 
on  reviewing  the  different  commands,  Gen. 
Buell  confessed  to  Col.  Turchin  that  he  never 
saw  a  better  drilled  Regt. 

Feb.  14,  1862,  the  Div.  marched  on  to  Bow 
ling  Green,  where  the  igth  gallantly  led  the 
charge  on  the  rebels.  The  next  march  was  to 
Nashville,  thence  to  Murfreesboro.  Having 
marched  through  miles  of  snow  and  sleet, 
nearly  barefooted,  Mr.  Way  was  taken  critical 
ly  sick  with  typhoid  pneumonia,  and  confined 
to  the  hospital  at  Murfreesboro.  He  was  re 
ported  home  "  as  dangerously  sick  and  not 
expected  to  live."  His  parents  immediately 
dispatched  a  man,  who  came  prepared  with  all 
the  paraphernalia  requisite  for  the  transporta 


tion  of  their  son's  remains.  He  arrived,  found 
the  invalid  soldier  still  hanging  on  to  life,  but 
did  not  flatter  himself  but  what  he  might  soon 
make  use  of  the  appendages.  He  finally  con 
valesced  and  received  discharge,  July  31,  1862, 
being  unfit  for  duty.  He  returned  home  but 
was  not  contented.  His  thoughts  were  with 
his  comrades  in  the  exciting  scenes  of  the 
South.  Sept.  following  he  went  to  Springfield, 
111.,  with  the  intention  of  joining  his  Regt.,  but 
the  examining  surgeon  refused  to  accept  him, 
and  Mr.  Way  proceeded  to  Columbus,  Ky.,and 
tendered  his  services  to  the  ordinance  depart 
ment.  Shortly  afterward  he  was  placed  in 
charge  of  a  force  to  gather  up  the  remnants  of 
rebel  stores.  Jan.,  1863,  he  was  ordered  to 
Memphis  in  charge  of  a  boat  load  of  ammuni 
tion.  Here  he  joined  the  U.  S.  sanitary  com 
mission,  and  early  in  March  went  to  the  front 
in  charge  of  the  first  boat  load  of  stores  that 
went  to  Vicksburg.  He  was  busily  engaged 
furnishing  different  hospitals,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1863,  we  find  Mr.  Way  at  Natchez  in  charge  of 
a  branch  of  the  Sanitary  commission,  returning 
to  Vicksburg  in  the  spring,  and  continuing  in 
similar  duties,  and  later  he  was  ordered'  to 
Paducah,  Ky.,  to  open  a  soldier's  home,  fur 
nishing  as  high  as  a  thousand  meals  a  day, 
afterwards  opening  another  home  at  Jefferson- 
ville,  Ind.  The  great  rebellion  finally  came  to 
an  end,  and  about  Aug.  20,  1865,  after  having 
served  his  country  for  over  fouryears,  he  return 
ed  home,  shortly  establishing  himself  in  business 
at  Wyanet,  111.,  and  in  1883,  located  at  Peoria, 
where  he  has  resided  ever  since. 

Mr.  W7ay  was  married  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind. 
Oct.  5,  1865,  to  Miss  Maggie  Piper,  whom  he 
first  met  at  Natchez,  where  as  a  legal  repre 
sentative  of  her  native  State  she  had  been 
placed  in  charge  of  the  laundry  department 
in  the  marine  hospital.  Here  his  duties  fre 
quently  brought  him  in  contact  with  Miss 
Piper.  The  friendship  that  sprung  up  soon 
ripened  into  love,  such  as  has  never  grown 
cool  even  to  the  present  day.  By  this 
happy  union  there  were  born  three  children, 
of  whom  are  living  Fred,  who  has  grown  to 
manhood  and  who  is  a  member  of  the  Sons 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


271 


of  Veterans  Corps,  Camp  Trush,  and  little 
blue-eyed  Verna,  a  charming  little  lady  of  only 
a  few  summers.  Mr.  Way  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  and  the  igth  111.  Veteran  Club,  is  a 
\vide-a-wake  and  highly  respected  citizen,  who 
takes  active  interest  in  all  pertaining  to  the 
welfare  of  his  home  and  his  city,  as  well  as  to 
that  of  his  comrades.  Recently  he  held  a 
reunion  of  his  company  at  his  beautiful  residence. 
He  invited  all  who  remained  of  the  brave  old 
gray-beards,  and  with  them  the  sons  and  daugh 
ters  of  those  veterans.  They  sang  war  songs 
and  told  old  camp  lies.  They  sang  and  they 
ate,  and  were  royally  entertained  at  the  hands 
of  comrade  Way  and  his  excellent  wife. 


GENERAL  PHILIP  SIDNEY  POST,  of  Gales- 
burg,  111.  The  chronicles  of  the  War  of 
the  Rebellion,  replete  as  they  are  with 
the  deeds  of  gallantry  and  heroic  sacrifices  of 
the  noble  defenders  of  the  Union,  instance  no 
more  illustrious  example  than  that  of  Gen. 
Philip  Sidney  Post.  Rising  by  successful  pro 
motions  from  a  2d  Lieut,  to  that  of  a  Brig.  Gen., 
he  justifies  thehigh  commendation  of  hissuperi- 
ors  in  command,  and  will  leave  to  history  a  lega 
cy  of  a  brilliant  and  honored  name.  He  was  born 
at  Florida,  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  after  a  pre 
liminary  education,  entered  Union  College, 
Scheneqtady,  N.  Y.,  from  which  he  was  grad 
uated.  He  began  the  study  of  law  in  1855,  and 
was,  after  proper  preparation,  admitted  to  the 
bar,  acquiring  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
an  identity  consistent  with  its  lucrative  prose 
cution.  Atthe  call  to  arms  in  1861,  he  promptly 
responded  and,  with  a  commission  of  2d  Lieut., 
went  to  the  front  with  the  59th  111.  Inf.  After 
his  participation  in  the  first  Mo.  campaign,  dur 
ing  which  he  incurred  recognition  for  meri 
torious  and  gallant  services,  he  was  promoted 
to  Major,  and  assigned  to  the  command  of  his 
Regt.  He  was  dangerously  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  Ark.,  where  his  valor 
brightly  shone,  in  a  charge  upon  the  enemy's 
position,  resulting  in  the  extrication  of  the  army 
from  its  liability  to  great  disaster,  from  having 


advanced    too    far,  without    support,    into   the 
enemy's  country. 

His  wound  was  of  a  nature  to  forbid  any  ac 
tive  service,  and  following  his  design  to  get  to 
his  home,  notwithstanding  his  separation  from 
the  nearest  railway  station  by  several  hundred 
miles,  he  engaged  a  vehicle  and  began  the 
journey.  His  route  was  through  a  country 
overrun  by  guerrillas,  but  with  only  his  negro 
servant,  in  whose  fidelity  and  loyalty  he  had 
implicit  confidence,  he  pushed  on,  and  when 
impatient  to  proceed  at  a  more  rapid  pace  than 
was  possible  to  the  vehicle,  having  himself  as 
sisted  to  his  saddle  and  riding  his  horse, 
although  suffering  acutely  from  his  wound, 
which  in  all  the  time  occupied  in  reaching  St. 
Louis  had  not  been  dressed.  While  in  the  hos 
pital  there  he  received  his  commission  as  Col 
onel  of  the  59th  111.  Inf.,  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge. 
Though  still  unable  to  mount  his  horse  unas 
sisted,  he  rejoined  his  Regt.,  at  that  time  on  the 
advance  to  Corinth,  and  was  at  once  assigned 
to  the  command  of  a  Brig. 

From  May,  1862,  to  the  end  of  the  conflict, 
Gen.  Post  was  of  the  foremost  in  all  the  battles 
of  the  campaigns  in  which  his  command  was 
engaged,  always  evincing  that  magnificent  and 
daring  spirit  which  was  born  of  his  heroic  na 
ture,  and  which  ever  inspires  the  soldier  with 
an  ambitious  courage.  Subsequently  he  was 
delegated  as  a  member  of  a  commission  for  the 
examination  of  the  officers  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  with  reference  to  their  military 
knowledge  and  skill. 

He  was  employed  in  this  service  several 
months,  in  the  meantime  retaining  the  com 
mand  of  his  Brig.  In  the  attack  on  Mont 
gomery  Hill,  during  the  battle  at  Nashville,  on 
the  morning  of  Dec.  15,  1864,  led  by  Gen.  Post, 
and  "  carried  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,"  he 
exhibited  such  masterly  precision  in  directing 
and  completing  the  movement  upon  the  most 
strongly  fortified  and  best  supported  position 
of  the  enemy,  as  to  be  characterized  by  Gen. 
Thomas  as  "  taking  the  initiative  and  inciting 
the  whole  army  to  the  brilliant  deeds  of  that 
day."  Regarding  the  successful  issue  at  Nash 


272 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ville,  as  exemplifying  the  great  genius  of  Gen. 
Thomas  as  a  military  strategist,  no  greater 
compliment  than  the  quoted  words  from  that 
distinguished  and  eminent  officer,  could  have 
been  paid  General  Post,  as  a  prominent  figure  in 
this  great  and  decisive  battle.  In  the  after 
noon  of  the  same  day  at  Nashville,  Gen.  Post 
added  still  further  laurels  to  his  fame,  and  suc 
cessfully  conducted  a  charge  upon  the  inner 
works  of  the  enemy,  and  on  the  succeeding 
day  by  dint  of  a  desperate  attack  upon  Over- 
ton's  Hill,  the  last  hope  of  the  enemy  was 
destroyed,  followed  by  utter  rout  and  the  con 
fusion  and  dismay  of  the  whole  Confederate 
army. 

In  this  last  and  most  effective  action  Gen. 
Post  fell  in  the  advance  of  his  men,  almost 
upon  the  enemy's  breastworks,  being  struck 
by  a  grape  shot  in  the  hip,  the  bones  of  which 
were  badly  shattered.  His  wounds  were  for 
some  days  regarded  by  the  attending  surgeons 
as  mortal,  but  a  splendid  physical  constitution 
and  proper  care  and  nursing,  soon  indicated 
the  lapse  of  the  crisis  and  his  ultimate  re 
covery.  It  was  not  until  July,  1865,  that  he 
was  again  capacitated  for  duty.  His  Corps 
Commander,  in  an  official  communication  to 
the  Secy,  of  War,  uses  the  following  commen 
datory  expressions  of  Gen.  Post's  military 
services.  "  I  most  respectfully  and  earnestly 
recommend  Brig.  Gen.  Philip  Sidney  Post,  as 
Colonel  in  the  regular  army  of  the  United 
States.  Gen.  Post  entered  the  military  service 
as  a  2nd  Lieut.,  but  soon  rose  by  his  superior 
merits  to  Major.  He  commanded  his  Regt.  in 
the  obstinately  fought  battle  of  Pea  Ridge, 
and  was  severely  wounded.  Shortly  after  that 
battle  he  was  promoted  Colonel  of  his  regi 
ment.  Returning  to  the  field,  even  before  he 
had  recovered  from  his  wound,  he  joined  his 
Regt.  in  front  of  Corinth  and  was  placed  in 
command  of  a  Brig.  From  that  time  to  the 
end  of  the  war,  Gen.  Post's  career  was  an  un 
broken  term  of  arduous  service,  useful  labor 
and  brilliant  actions.  He  participated  honor 
ably  in  some  of  the  most  obstinately  contested 
and  glorious  victories  of  the  war.  In  the  great 
battle  and  decisive  triumph  of  Nashville,  Gen. 


Post's  Brig,  did  more  hard  fighting  and  ren 
dered  more  important  service  than  any  like 
organization  in  the  army.  In  the  grandest  and 
most  vigorous  assault  that  was  made  upon  the 
enemy's  intrenchments,  near  the  close  of  the 
fighting  on  the  second  day,  Gen.  Post  fell, 
mortally  wounded  as  it  was  at  first  supposed, 
at  the  head  of  his  Brig.,  leading  it  to  the  on 
slaught.  A  discharge  of  grape  instantly  killed 
his  horse  under  him,  and  tore  away  a  portion 
of  his  left  hip.  I  know  of  no  officer  of  Gen. 
Post's  grade,  who  has  made  a  better  or  more 
billliant  record.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  fine 
manners  and  high  moral  integrity;  his  physique, 
which  is  a  matter  of  no  light  importance  in 
making  a  soldier,  is  uncommonly  fine." 

Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  was  pleased  to  add 
his  tribute  to  Gen.  Post 's  high  merit  as  an  offi 
cer  in  recommending  his  appointment  as 
Colonel  in  the  following  \vords:  "Gen.  Post  is 
an  active,  energetic  and  intelligent  officer,  and 
his  bravery  in  battle  is  beyond  question.  His 
capability  and  efficiency  as  a  commander  of 
troops  has  been  fully  demonstrated." 

While  serving  in  Texas  Gen.  Post  expe 
rienced  much  suffering  from  his  wound,  which 
had  been  aggravated  from  too  much  exercise  in 
the  saddle,  and  acting  by  the  advice  of  his 
surgeon,  on  his  return  home  in  1866, he  accepted 
the  post  which  was  tendered  him  as  Consul 
General  at  Vienna,  Austria.  The  reports  of  his 
consulate  were  embodied  as  Authoritative,  in 
the  "Statesman's  Year  Book,"  and  elicited 
much  attention,  notably  his  deductions  on  beet 
sugar,  patent  laws  and  railway  legislation.  In 
the  latter  instance  he  conclusively  presents  the 
necessity  of  a  "system  in  railway  legislation," 
to  prevent  the  abuses  implied  in  "plundering 
and  jobbery"  in  the  construction  and  operation 
of  railways,  and  thereby  protect  the  true  inter 
ests  of  investors  and  builders,  those  who  bear  the 
expenses,  and  the  government,  which  charters 
them.  Resigning  his  Consulate  in  1879,  he  re 
turned  to  Galesburg,  Hi.,  which  has  since  been 
his  home. 

In  a  speech  delivered  by  Gen.  Post,  to  his 
Regt.  upon  their  receipt  of  the  order  to  be  mus 
tered  out,  he  signalized  himself  as  an  orator 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


273 


whose  patriotic  sentiments  swelled  the  hearts 
of  the  noble  and  gallant  veterans,  who  so  glad 
ly  drank  the  music  of  his  words.  This  speech, 
as  most  appropriately  closing  the  military  life  of 
Gen.  Post,  was  as  follows :  "  Four  years  and  a 
half  you  have  devoted  to  the  defense  of  your 
country's  flag.  You  have  patriotically  toiled 
and  manfully  fought,  and  now  your  cause  is 
triumphant  and  the  victory  complete.  You  are 
about  to  return  to  your  peaceful  homes.  The 
history  you  have  made  during  these  years  will 
sparkle  upon  the  records  of  your  country  for 
ever.  Rushing  to  arms  when  patriotism  was 
neither  stimulated  by  enormous  bounties,  nor 
the  apprehension  of  a  speedy  draft,  you  trav 
ersed  the  southwest,  and  on  the  border  of  the 
Indian  Territory  took  a  glorious  part  in  the 
bloody,  but  victorious  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  Ark. 
Hurrying  across  the  country  to  a  new  field  of 
danger,  many  of  you  marching  barefoot  and  so 
rapidly  that  the  last  250  miles  before  reaching 
the  Mississippi,  were  passed  over  in  less  than 
10  days,  you  were  able  to  join  the  forces  be 
sieging  Corinth  and  were  among  the  first  to 
press  through  that  smoking  town  in  swift  pur 
suit  of  the  enemy.  After  many  affairs  and 
skirmishes,  among  which  figure  your  surprise 
and  capture  of  Bay  Springs,  Miss.,  and  your  ener 
getic  expedition  to  Alsbro,  Ala.,  in  which  you 
marched  36  miles  in  18  hours,  you  turned  north 
ward  and  confronted  the  invading  army  under 
Gen.  Bragg  at  Perryville,  and  assisted  in  hurl 
ing  it  back  in  confusion  whence  it  came.  You 
initiated  the  battle  of  Stone  River.  Through 
out  the  Tullahoma  campaign  ;  at  Chickamauga, 
where  you  found  yourselves  in  the  rear  of  the 
whole  Confederate  army,  your  conduct  was  all 
that  might  become  soldiers.  During  the  siege 
of  Chattanooga  you  occupied  the  post  of  honor, 
and  danger — the  extreme  front.  You  crossed 
the  Tennessee  ;  climbed  Wild  Cat  Mt. ;  re- 
crossed  the  Tennessee,  and  attacked  the  enemy 
on  the  giddy  heights  of  Lookout  Mt.  and  again 
attacked  him  upon  the  rugged  sides  of  Mission 
Ridge,  and  continuing  the  pursuit  inflicted  a 
parting  blow  upon  him  at  Ringgold.  In  the 
great  campaign  of  1864,  you  first  found  the  foe 
upon  the  ledges  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge.  You 


fought  him  again  at  Resaca.  You  brought  him 
to  bay  at  Cassville,  and  he  confronted  you  at 
Dallas.  You  assailed  his  works  at  Kenesaw 
Mt.  and  were  the  first  U.  S.  soldiers  to  set  foot 
in  Marietta. 

The  4th  day  of  July,  you  celebrated  amidst 
the  rattle  of  musketry  and  the  hissing  of  shot 
and  shell  from  morn  till  night  in  an  open  field, 
sweltering  under  a  burning  sun  and  but  a  few 
yards  from  a  determined  foe,  stoutly  defending 
his  works.  You  crossed  the  Chattahoochie; 
presented  yourselves  before  the  eastern  walls 
which  defended  Atlanta,  and  took  an  honorable 
part  at  Lovejoy  Station,  where  the  last  blow 
was  given  the  enemy,  in  that  campaign.  You 
boldly  confronted  superior  numbers  at  Colum 
bia,  Tenn.;  defied  them  as  they  crossed  Duck 
River,  and  punished  their  rashness  at  Franklin. 
In  the  great  struggle  which  obliterated  rebel 
'  armies  in  the  West,  you  were  in  the  foremost 
ranks.  The  battle  of  Nashville  was  afitending 
for  your  brilliant  career,  and  the  annals  of  war 
bear  no  example  of  the  desperate  bravery  of 
the  American  soldiery,  which  will  shine  brighter 
upon  its  pages  than  the  reports  of  the  storming 
of  Montgomery  and  Overton  Hills.  If  your 
gallant  services  have  not  received  just  recogni 
tion,  it  cannot  dim  the  splendor  of  your  record. 
The  fiat  of  man  makes  Generals;  God  alone 
makes  heroes,  and  they  may  exist  unheralded 
by  fame.  You  have  marched  more  than  10,000 
miles  and  the  blood  of  your  comrades  has 
flowed  in  19  battles  and  in  many  affairs  and 
skirmishes.  Of  the  2,OOO  men  whose  names 
have  been  entered  upon  your  rolls,  many  sleep 
upon  the  fields  which  they  helped  to  renderim- 
mortal,  and  the  memory  of  their  gallant  deeds 
is  bequeathed  to  their  companions  in  arms. 
You  are  about  to  disperse  to  your  homes,  where 
anxious  hearts  are  awaiting  you.  As  you  lay 
aside  your  weapons  and  your  habits  of  camp 
and  resume  the  occupations  of  civil  life,  you 
will  show  that  the  most  heroic  soldiers  upon 
the  battlefield  in  time  of  war,  are  the  most  af 
fectionate  fathers,  brothers  and  sons,  and  the 
most  industrious  and  independent  citizens  in 
times  of  peace.  I  bid  you  all  a  good-bye  and  a 
God  speed!  Our  connections  are  here  severed; 


18 


274 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


our  race  as  soldiers  has  been  run,  and  as  a  sol 
dier  I  desire  nothing  from  fame,  but  to  record, 
that  I  was  a  comrade  of  yours;  that  from  Pea 
Ridge  to  Nashville,  my  name  stood  at  the  head 
of  your  muster  rolls  and  that  I  am  entitled 
with  you  to  an  equal  share  in  the  glorious  rep 
utation  of  the  59th  Regt.,  Vet.  Inf." 

General  Post  has  been  three  times  elected 
as  a  Representative  in  Congress,  from  his  dis 
trict,  and  is  nowserving  his  third  term.  Wherever 
he  has  been  placed — in  battle,  or  in  the  National 
Council,  he  has  shown  himself  a  worthy  expo 
nent  of  all  that  is  true  and  noble  and  heroic. 
As  a  citizen  he  has  shown  abilities  to  serve 
his  country  fully  commensurate  with  his  bril 
liant  services  as  a  soldier.  To  few  men  have 
been  committed  the  rare  talents  of  General 
Post,  and  no  man  can  wear  the  honors  they 
have  brought  him,  more  gracefully  and  more 
appropriately  than  he. 


JAMES  S.  RITTENHOUSE,  a  resident  of  Peoria, 
was  born  near  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  Jan.  13, 
1846,  and  is  the  son  of  John  S.  and  Sarah 
(J.  Veatch)  Rittenhouse,  the  father  being  a  na 
tive  of  Ohio,  and  the  mother  of  Maryland.  In 
1858  they  settled  in  Champaign  Co.,  111.,  where 
the  father  died  Dec.  23,  1873,  the  mother  Nov. 
8,  1864.  The  Rittenhouse  family  have  an  in 
teresting  history,  the  most  distinguished  ances 
tors  being  William  and  David  Rittenhouse. 
The  original  ancestor  in  this  country  was  a 
Wilhelm  Rittenhouse,  who  on  account  of  his 
religious  belief  was  driven  from  his  home  in 
Amsterdam.  On  the  invitation  of  William  Penn, 
in  1688,  this  Wilhelm,  with  his  family,  came 
to  Pennsylvania  and  located  in  Germantown. 
In  1690,  he  bought  a  twenty  acre  tract  on  the 
pretty  Missahickon,  and  on  this  he  built  the 
first  paper  mill  in  America,  manufacturing  the 
first  paper  used  in  the  Continental  Congress, 
and  also  supplied  the  paper  used  by  William 
Bradford,  Pennsylvania's  first  printer.  Wm. 
Rittenhouse  was  also  the  first  preacher  and 
Bishop  in  Pa.  David  Rittenhouse,  the  build 
ing  of  whose  birthplace  is  still  retained  by  the 
Fairmount  Park  Commissioners,  and  whose 


memory  is  still  preserved  by  Philadelphians,  in 
"  Rittenhouse  Square,"  and  "  Rittenhouse 
Street,"  was  the  celebrated  astronomer  who 
conceived  the  idea  of  representing  by  machin 
ery  the  planetary  system.  After  laboring  three 
years  he  perfected  the  celebrated  orrery,  a  won 
derful  piece  of  mechanism,  which  Princeton 
College  still  possesses.  In  1776,  the  distin 
guished  Scientist  was  unanimously  chosen  first 
State  Treasurer,  and  later  was  made  the  first 
Director  of  the  Mint,  under  President  Wash 
ington.  Truly  the  patriotism  of  these  eminent 
ancestors  was  transmitted  to  the  descendants. 
This  fact  was  demonstrated  at  the  outbreak  of 
the  great  rebellion;  thus  when  the  echoes  of 
Fort  Sumter  made  known  to  the  North  that 
the  preservation  of  that  grand  "old  flag"  was 
threatened,  five  illustrious  and  stalwart  sons 
responded  from  beneath  one  single  paternal 
roof,  and  went  forward  "to  do  or  die."  Aye! 
blessed  be  the  memory  of  the  mother  who  of 
fered  them,  but  who  alas  did  not  live  to  greet 
them  on  their  victorious  return.  Brothers, 
William,  Veatch,  and  Levi,  all  enlisted  at  the 
very  outbreak  of  the  great  struggle,  each  serv 
ing  his  full  three  years,  Veatch  and  Levi  subse 
quently  dying  from  the  effects  of  wounds  re 
ceived  and  disease  contracted.  Joseph  H.  enlist 
ed  in  Aug.  1862,  and  was  discharged  the  follow 
ing  Jan.  on  account  of  expiration  of  term  of 
service.  James  G.,  our  subject,  though  only  a  boy, 
had  taken  great  interest  in  the  war  from  its 
beginning.  In  vain  he  pleaded  with  his  par 
ents,  who  objected  on  account  of  his  youth. 
But  fixed  in  his  resolutions,  young  James, 
though  just  17  years  of  age,  finally  ran  away 
from  home,  and  enlisted  Mar.  6,  1863,  at  Terre 
Haute,  Ind.,  in  Co.  B.  6th  Ind.  Cav. 

The  Regt.  went  into  camp  at  Burnside  Bar 
racks,  Indianapolis,  where  they  were  drilled  in 
the  tactics  of  war,  and  engaged  in  guarding  the 
prisoners, making  frequent  expeditions  through 
out  the  State  to  check  the  disloyal  element, 
who  had  called  a  State  meeting  at  Indianapolis, 
and  who  came  in  armed  by  the  thousands, 
menacing  the  authorities  and  threatening  to 
take  possession  of  the  State  government  and 
liberate  the  prisoners.  July,  1863,  they  were 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


275 


ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky,  and  immediately 
started  in  pursuit  of  Morgan's  troublesome 
band,  keeping  on  their  tracks  for  six  con 
secutive  days,  and  after  numerous  skirmishes, 
captured  them  near  Cincinnati,  O.  Subse 
quently  they  joined  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  and 
then  onward  the  difficult  marches  continued. 
Onward,  over  the  Cumberland  Mts.,  on  to 
Knoxville,  where  the  construction  of  works  im 
mediately  began.  Oct.  i6th  they  met  the 
enemy  in  the  battle  of  Campbell's  Station,  the 
company  losing  three  killed  and  several  wound 
ed.  Then  followed  the  memorable  siege  of 
Knoxville,  in  which  the  cavalry  did  most  ex 
cellent  service, being  kept  in  motion  almost  con 
stantly,  guarding  and  scouting,  being  part  of 
the  time  dismounted.  Nov.  29,  when  Long- 
street  made  his  most  desperate  charge, 
the  rebels  were  foiled  into  a  ditch  by  means  of 
a  wire  which  had  been  stretched,  and  thus 
within  thirty  minutesthey  lay  slaughtered.  Like 
one  vast  graveyard,  sealed  in  blood,  the  dead 
lay,  500  in  number,  in  the  ditch,  piled  up  eight 
and  ten  high.  During  the  long  siege  the  "boys" 
were  almost  reduced  to  skeletons — a  day's 
rations  consisting  of  a  half-pint  of  corn  meal 
ground  with  the  cob.  Immediately  after  the 
siege  the  victorious  Union  "  boys  "  followed 
the  retreating  rebels  as  far  as  Morristown,  the 
cavalry  being  engaged  in  a  spirited  fight  at 
Strawberry  Plains  and  Dandridge,  Tenn.  The 
.winter  was  largely  spent  at  Knoxville  and 
vicinity.  Food  and  clothing  were  very  scarce, 
the  weather  was  cold,  but  our  eighteen-year-old 
soldier  boy  weathered  the  privations  bravely. 
In  the  spring  the  command  joined  the  Army 
of  the  Ohio,  under  Gen.  Sherman,  and  the 
Georgia  campaign  was  impressibly  introduced 
to  our  young  hero  at  Varnell's  Station,  where 
they  encountered  a  lively  fight,  the  company 
losing  several  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  Mr. 
Rittenhouse's  immediate  comrade,  Turner 
Lacey,  being  shot  in  the  hip.  During  the  time 
he  assisted  Mr.  Lacey  on  his  horse,  his  Regt. 
had  fallen  back,  and  thus  our  soldier  boy  and 
his  comrade  were  left  in  the  immediate  ad 
vance  of  the  enemy,  literally  as  a  target  for  the 
entire  rebel  force. 


Subsequently  he  participated  in  all  the 
marches  of  the  Georgia  campaign,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Calhoun, 
Kingston,  and  others,  and  in  all  the  operations 
incident  to  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  after  which 
they  were  sent  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  for  a  new 
supply  of  horses  preparatory  to  the  "march  to 
the  sea."  Gen.  Forrest  coming  into  Tennessee 
at  this  time  they  were  dispatched  in  his  pursuit, 
meeting  the  rebels  in  the  battle  of  Pulaski,  next 
participating  in  the  bloody  and  tragic  battle  of 
Nashville,  Dec.  15,  and  16,  1864,  and  then  after 
several  weeks  of  chasing  and  skirmishing  he 
was  mustered  out  Sept.  15,  returning  to  Indian 
apolis  and  receiving  his  discharge  Sept.  28 
1865. 

The  thunder  of  the  great  rebellion  was  sub 
dued,  and  our  gallant  "son  of  war"  returned 
home,  and  in  1867,  entered  the  State  Normal 
University,  diligently  pursuing  his  studies  for 
three  years.  Subsequently  he  was  employed 
as  teacher  in  various  grades  of  schools;  later 
was  established  in  the  insurance  business,  and 
in  Sept.  1889,  was  appointed  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury  as  U.  S.  Gauger  in  the  Internal 
Revenue  service,  which  position  he  holds  at 
the  present  time. 

Mr.  Rittenhouse  found  his  ideal  wife  in  the 
person  of  Miss  Laura  M.  Mooberry,  a  most  es 
timable  lady,  whom  he  joined  in  matrimony, 
Sept.  9,  1875,  at  Farmdale,  111.  She  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  and  her  par 
ents,  Wm.  and  Matilda  Mooberry,  are  one  of 
the  'oldest  and  best  known  families  in  Tazewell 
Co.  Illinois.  Mr.  Rittenhouse  is  a  member  of 
Bryner  Post,  No.  67,  Peoria,  of  which  he  has 
been  Quartermaster  for  five  years.  A  soldier, 
a  scholar  and  a  gentleman  in  the  best  sense  of 
the  term,  he  is  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 


JAIRUS  G.  EVANS,  a  resident  of   Peoria,  111., 
and  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Margaret  (Wolf) 
Evans  was  born  July  26,  1  839,  at  Coshocton, 
Ohio.     His  father  was  of  Welsh  and  his  mother 
of  German  descent.     Father  followed  farming 
in  Coshocton,  the  county  of  which  he  was  sup 
posed  to   be   the   first   white   male  child.     In 


276 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


1852,  parents  moved  to  Crawford  Co.,  111., 
where  they  resided  up  to  the  time  of  their  death. 
Our  subject  spent  his  early  days  on  the  farm, 
receiving  a  good  common  school  education. 
Scarcely  had  the  echoes  of  Fort  Sumter  died 
out,  when  we  find  Mr.  Evans  already  in  the 
service  of  his  country.  He  lost  no  time  but 
enlisted  April  20,  1861,  at  Lawrenceville,  111., 
Co.  I.,  8th  111.  Inf.  under  Col.  Richard  J. 
Oglesby.  The  Regt.  was  mustered  in  at 
Springfield,  111.,  and  at  once  moved  to  Cairo, 
111.,  remaining  there  engaged  in  constant 
guard  duty,  making  frequent  expeditions  into 
Missouri  in  pursuit  of  the  troublesome  bands  of 
bushwhackers.  July  25,  1861,  the  term  of  serv 
ice  having  expired,  they  were  mustered  out, 
and  Mr.  Evans  returned  to  the  farm.  Little 
contentment  he  could  find  there,  when  in 
spirit  he  was  with  the  "boys  in  blue,"  defend 
ing  the  honor  of  the  stars  and  stripes.  Ac 
cordingly  he  hastened  to  his  native  State,  Ohio, 
and  re-enlisted  Oct.  22,  1861,  at  Rocsal,  Ohio, 
Co.  G.,  76th  Ohio  Inf.  The  Regt.  ren 
dezvoused  at  Camp  Sherman,  Newark,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  appointed  2nd  Sergeant  of  Co. 
'G.,'  and  Feb.  9,  1862,  started  for  Fort  Donel- 
son,  arriving  Feb.  14,  1863,  landing  three  miles 
below  the  fort  thence  marching  by  a  circuit 
ous  route  to  the  rear,  where  his  Regt.  bivouacked 
during  the  night,  and  the  following  morning 
participated  in  the  battle  .of  Fort  Donelson. 
During  the  night,  for  the  first  time,  the  boys 
camped  out  under  the  open  sky,  awakening 
next  morning  covered  with  several  inches  of 
snow — being  one  of  the  many  phases  of  a  sol 
dier's  hard  life.  During  this  fight,  Mr.  Evans 
saw  the  first  bloodshed,  which  was  the  severest 
shock  he  had  received,  subsequently  witness 
ing  more  tragic  sights  with  little  agitation, 
thus  depicting  how  human  nature  can  readily 
become  hardened,  even  to  such  ghastly  sights 
as  those  of  a  battlefield.  After  almost  con 
stant  marching  they  appeared  on  the  night  of 
April  6th  on  the  bloody  field  of  Shiloh,  partic 
ipating  actively  in  the  second  day's  battle. 
The  roar  and  thunder  of  the  hard,  desperate 
fighting,  in  which  the  Union  army  suffered  a 
total  loss  of  3096  in  killed,  wounded  and  miss 


ing,  continued  without  interruption  the  entire 
day,  the  76th  Ohio,  having  been  assigned  to  the 
left  center,  under  Gen.  Lew  Wallace,  Com 
mander  of  the  Div. 

The  next  day  our  soldier  was  detailed  to  dig 
trenches  and  bury  the  dead,  and  now  he 
noticed  where  the  entire  brush  had  been  lit 
erally  mowed  down  by  shot  and  shell.  After 
making  several  scouting  expeditions  around 
Corinth,  they  were  engaged  in  almost  constant 
marching  from  April  22,  to  June  30,  when  they 
arrived  at  Memphis.  They  went  into  camp  at 
Fort  Pickering  and  at  once  began  the  construc 
tion  of  the  fort,  remaining  until  July  24,  1862. 
Up  to  this  time  they  had  gathered  up  a  large 
number  of  negroes,  who,  many  a  night  would 
arise  in  stampede,  having  their  fear  of  being 
returned  to  their  master  aroused  by  some  of  the 
boys,  who  would  jokingly  shout:  "Massah  is 
comin'!"  They  next  proceeded  to  Helena, 
Ark.,  by  boat.  Here  the  boys  were  introduced 
to  Miss,  water,  and  many  were  taken  very  sick. 
Aug.  16,  1863,  under  Gen.  Steele,  they  made  the 
famous  expedition  to  the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo, 
and  only  for  a  lack  of  knowledge  of  circum 
stances  at  that  time,  could  have  marched  into 
Vicksburg  without  opposition,  as  later  informed 
by  the  rebels.  After  skirmishing  with  the  ene 
my  at  Milliken's  Bend,  Greenville,  and  Bolivar, 
they  returned  to  Helena,  Aug.  27th,  subse 
quently  going  by  boat  to  Cape  Girardeau, 
thence  marching  to  Pilot  Knob,  around  which 
point  they  were  engaged  in  almost  constant 
scouting.  Returned  to  Camp  Steele,  Miss., 
opposite  Helena,  Ark,,  and  on  Dec.  21,  the 
command  joined  Gen.  Sherman's  expedition 
against  Vicksburg. 

Shortly  we  find  Sergeant  Evans  busy  in 
assisting  in  the  construction  of  Butler's  canal, 
and  on  the  27th  we  find  him  participating  in 
the  hard  fought  battle  of  Chickasaw  Bayou, 
his  Regt.  losing  heavily,  the  total  loss  of 
Union  men  being  1450  in  killed,  wounded  and 
missing.  Jan.  11,  with  Sergt.  Evans  acting  as 
file  closer,  the  gallant  boys  made  a  charge  on 
Arkansas  Post,  Capturing  several  thousand 
prisoners  and  the  entire  contents  of  the  fort. 
In  their  subsequent  marches  they  had  to  indulge 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


277 


in  considerable  foraging,  and  a  dish  of  "lamb 
and  Yam,"  cooked  into  a  mush  was  a  royal  feast, 
greatly  relished  by  all  the  boys.  Onward  they 
marched  through  mud  and  water,  onward,  cap 
turing  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  proudly  flinging  the 
stars  and  stripes  to  the  breeze  from  the  Capitol. 
From  this  time  up  to  July  4,  the  76th  was 
actively  engaged  in  the  great  and  memorable 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  the  "boys"  suffering  many 
hardships  and  eating  a  four  days'  ration,  which 
at  that  time  consisted  of  a  cracker,  a  small  piece 
of  meat  and  a  little  coffee,  easily  and  com 
fortably  in  one  single  meal.  This,  many  did, 
subsequently  relying  on  what  little  foraging 
they  could  do.  At  Jackson  after  the  fall  of 
Vicksburg,  they  were  under  constant  fire  of  the 
enemy's  artillery  for  six  days,  after  which  they 
took  steamers  for  Memphis  and  then  marched 
across  the  country  with  Sherman  to  Bridge 
port,  Ala.,  being  in  almost  constant  motion 
and  having  frequent  skirmishes  with  the  enemy. 
About  this  time  our  subject  was  detailed  on 
recruiting  service,  rejoining  his  Regt.,  which 
had  been  home  on  a  furlough,  at  Columbus, 
Ohio.  Shortly  it  joined  the  Army  of  theTenn. 
and  took  part  in  the  famous  Atlanta  campaign, 
and  from  May  I,  1864,  to  the  time  of  the  siege 
of  Atlanta,  suffered  almost  daily  from  hard  fir 
ing,  hard  marching,  "hard"  eating  and  "hard" 
privations,  fighting  in  the  .tragic  battles  of 
Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Chattahoochie, 
Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  and  others.  At  the  last 
named  battle  Sergeant  Rufus  W.  Henthorn  was 
shot  through  the  head  at  the  immediate  side 
of  Lieut.  Evans.  Then  came  the  "  march  to 
the  sea"  with  a  line  of  battle  forty  miles  in 
width,  participating  in  almost  daily  encounters, 
and  living  on  only  what  they  could  forage. 

After  the  siege  of  Savannah,  came  the  vic 
torious  march  through  the  Carolinas.  Forward 
to  Washington,  where  they  marched  under  the 
grand  review  and  deafening  huzzas  of  victory. 
Thus  the  great  Rebellion  was  o'er, — thus  our 
gallant  soldier  after  over  four  years  of  staunch 
and  heroic  service  returned  to  Columbus,  Ohio, 
and  was  mustered  out  July  15,  1865.  Mr.  Evans 
can  well  feel  proud  of  his  excellent  and  meri 
torious  service.  Having  entered  as  private,  he 


was  consecutively  promoted  to  2nd  Sergt.,  1st 
Sergt.,  2nd  Lieut.,  1st  Lieut.,  and  received  a 
captain's  commission,  having  been  in  full  com 
mand  of  his  company  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
As  mementoes  of  those  memorable  by-gone- 
days,  Captain  Evans  has  preserved  his  first 
gun,  a  rebel  knapsack,  a  sword  sash,  etc.,  a 
wing-bone  of  a  chicken  that  Gen.  Sherman 
picked  on  the  battle  grounds  of  Congaree 
Creek,  Feb.  15,  1865,  and  many  other  "tro 
phies."  While  in  camp  at  Newark,  Ohio, 
Captains  Evans  for  the  first  time  saw  his  future 
wife,  Miss  Biletta  McMullin,  whom  he  led  to 
the  altar  Oct.  10,  1867.  By  this  union  there 
were  born  two  children,  Ida  J.  and  George. 
Captain  Evans  is  a  member  of  Bryner  Post  No. 
67, G.  A.  R.  and  his  estimable  wife  a  member 
of  Bryner  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  No.  12.  In 
1866,  he  attended  the  first  National  encamp 
ment  at  Indianapolis,  as  a  delegate  of  the 
Chauncey  111.  Post,  of  which  he  was  at  that 
time  commander.  Mr.  Evans  at  present  holds 
the  responsible  and  entrusted  position  of  fore 
man  of  the  car  department  of  the  Peoria  &  Pekin 
Union  R.  R.  Comany,  and  staunch  as  he  was 
in  the  preservation  of  the  grand  "  old  flag,"  he 
could  not  else  but  make  a  most  excellent  and 
honorable  citizen. 


JOHN  WARREN  BEAMER  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  Feb.  loth,  1840.  His  parents  were 
David  and  Christina  (Sheer)  Beamer,  the 
father  born  in  Pa.,  and  the  mother  in  Ohio. 
John  is  one  of  a  family  of  five  sons  and  two 
daughters,  of  whom  he  was  the  eldest.  Four 
of  the  five  sons  gave  their  best  and  most  useful 
years  to  their  country  in  her  hour  of  peril. 
Subject  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  loth  Regt.  111. 
Inf.  in  the  three  months'  service;  afterwards, 
re-enlisted  for  three  years  and  then  veteranized, 
serving  in  all  four  years  and  three  months. 
The  loth  was  the  ist  111.  Regt.  to  cross  Mason 
and  Dixon's  line  and  enter  the  enemy's  terri 
tory.  Its  first  engagement  was  at  Belmont, 
where,  although  for  a  time  in  reserve,  it  was 
continually  under  fire.  It  next  took  a  hand  in 


278 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  fight  at  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  and  from  there 
proceeded  to  Pittsburg  Landing  and  Corinth. 
Then  it  moved  to  Nashville  and  became  part 
of  Sherman's  army,  remaining  there  during  the 
winter  1862-3,  where  Co.  C.  with  three  others 
were  detailed  on  garrison  duty  in  Fort  Negley. 
The  summer  of  1863  brought  with  it  the  stir 
ring  experiences  of  that  year.  Mr.  Beamer 
was  a  participant  in  the  battles  of  Stone  River, 
Missionary  Ridge,  two  of  the  most  desperate 
encounters  for  the  supremacy  during  the  war. 
The  following  year  he  was  with  Sherman  in 
his  "Atlanta"  and  "March  to  the  sea"  cam 
paigns,  and  was  engaged  in  many  of  the  heavy 
skirmishes  and  battles  of  these  expeditions,  in 
fact  it  was  a  continuous  skirmish  interspersed 
with  severe  battles  until  Savannah  was  capt 
ured.  From  Savannah  he  went  on  boat  to 
Buford,  S.  C.,  and  marched  from  Hilton  Head 
to  Fort  Pocotaligo,  where  he  -had  another 
fight,  driving  the  rebels  out,  following  them  to 
Columbia,  S.  C.,  where  occurred  another  trial 
of  strength.  The  city  was  captured,  the  roth 
111.  being  the  first  to  plant  its  flag  upon  the 
Capitol.  It  then  followed  Johnston's  army 
toward  Raleigh  and  at  Bentonville,  N.  C., 
occurred  a  severe  battle  lasting  three  days  and 
nights,  the  loth  suffering  severely. 

Reached  Raleigh  where  they  remained  until 
Johnston's  surrender,  then  moved  through  Rich 
mond,  Petersburg  and  on  to  Washington,  where 
they  participated  in  the  Grand  Review.  From 
Washington  they  were  sent  to  Louisville,  mus 
tered  out,  and  finally  discharged  at  Chicago,- 
July  4,  1865.  Mr.  Beamer  reached  Quincy 
after  a  service  of  upwards  of  four  years. 

His  brother  Jacob  died  in  the  war,  being 
killed  at  Vicksburg.  Returning  home,  Mr. 
Beamer  engaged  at  the  blacksmith  trade,  but 
owing  to  an  injury  received  in  the  war,  was  un 
able  to  follow  that  trade.  He  then  learned  en 
gineering,  which  he  has  since  followed,  and  is 
now  employed  in  the  flouring  mills  at  Quincy. 

He  was  married  March  1 5, 1866,  to  Miss  Mary 
Elizabeth  Prill,  and  to  this  union  four  sons  and 
four  daughters  have  been  born,  all  living  except 
one.  Those  living  are  Annie,  wife  of  David  M. 
Mallison;  John  W.,  Jr.,  Emma,  Minnie,  Nettie, 


Charles  Edward  and  Walter  Allen.  Politically 
Mr.  Beamer  is  a  staunch  Republican,  and  says 
he  votes  as  he  shot.  He  is  an  active  worker  in 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  being  a  member  of  Quincy  Lodge 
No.  12;  Allen  Encampment  No.  4,  and  Golden 
Rule  Lodge  No.  27,  D.  of  R.  His  two  daugh 
ters  also  belong  to  the  latter.  He  is  a  Past 
Grand  of  the  Subordinate  Lodge;  Past  S.  W.  of 
the  Encampment,  and  a  member  of  John  Wood 
Post  No.  96,  G.  A.  R. 


PROBABLY  none  are  more  worthy  of  repre 
sentation  on  the  pages  of  this  book  than 
William  T.  Boyd,  a  resident  of  Peoria, 
111.,  who  was  born  at  Northumberland,  Pa., 
March  29,  1846,  and  is  the  son  of  William  T. 
and  Catharine  G.  (Slater)  Boyd.  His  father  was 
a  native  of  Va.,  and  of  English  descent.  His 
mother  was  born  in  the  Empire  State  and  was 
of  Holland  ancestry.  The  Boyd  family  evi 
dently  inherited  spirited  patriotism,  for  not 
only  did  their  uncle,  James  Slater,  faithfully 
serve  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,  but  their  grandfather  Slater  had  al 
ready  carried  a  gun  during  the  Mohawk  and 
Pennsylvania  wars. 

At  the  very  outbreak  of  the  great  war, 
James,  a  brother  of  our  subject,  enlisted  and 
faithfully  served  in  the  ranks,  until  he  met  with 
the  sad  misfortune  of  losing  his  arm,  during 
the  second  hot  battle  of  Bull  Run.  After  re 
covering  he  was  commissioned  as  an  officer, 
serving  up  to  the  time  he  was  discharged,  on 
account  of  physical  disability.  A  second 
brother,  John,  enlisted  in  the  I39th,  111.,  served 
until  its  expiration  of  service,  and  was  trans 
ferred  to  the  47th,  111.,  in  which  he  loyally  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  mustering  out  Jan. 
21,  1866.  And  while  these  brothers  were  fight 
ing  under  the  colors  of  their  flag,  young  Wil 
liam,  too,  was  not  deaf  to  the  roar  of  the  cannon. 
Though  only  a  boy,  a  youth  of  sixteen,  he 
lacked  not  the  less  patriotism,  not  the  less  love 
for  the  stars  and  stripes,  but  accordingly  en 
listed  July  16,  1862,  in  Co.  C.,  I5th,  N.  J.  Inf., 
universally  noted  for  its  most  excellent  service. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


279 


Aug.  27,  1862,  with  947  officers  and  men,  the 
Regt.  moved  on  to  Washington,  arrived  in  time 
to  hear  the  roar  of  canonading  during  the  2nd 
battle  of  Bull  Run;  constructed  Ft.  Kearney, 
and  on  Sept.  30  proceeded  to  join  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac.  Onward  they  tramped,  and  Dec. 
13  our  soldier  boy  was  thoroughly  initiated 
under  fire  in  the  bloody,  tragic  battle  of  Fred- 
ericksburg.  Defeated,  they  fell  back  to  the 
old  camp,  and  subsequently  started  out  on  the 
famous  "Burnside  Mud  March,"  the  hardships 
of  which  will  ever  dwell  in  the  memory  of  all 
who  participated.  On  the  outset  the  weather 
was  fine,  soon  rain  poured  down  in  torrents, 
and  onward  they  pressed  through  mud,  knee 
deep,  often  bottomless.  The  Artillery  was 
mired  and  hundreds  of  horses  and  mules  per 
ished  in  the  mud.  After  this  failure  they  re 
turned  to  camp,  where  our  young  hero  was 
placed  on  picket  duty.  One  time  during  the 
deep,  silent  hour  of  midnight,  he  was  suddenly 
aroused  by  the  tramp,  tramp,  tramp  of  distant 
footsteps.  Nearer  and  nearer  they  came.  He 
cocked  his  gun  and  shouted,  "Who  comes?" 
A  moment  and  all  was  silent.  Anxiously  our 
soldier  awaits  the  foe.  There  he  stands  in  readi 
ness,  and  in  the  dark.  Anon,  a  sound,  a  grunt, 
"Ugh!  Ugh!  Ugh!"  and  up  comes  a  hog,  to 
the  utter  surprise'  of  young  Boyd. 

The  next  move  was  towards  Fredricksburg, 
and  on  May  1-3,  1863,  we  find  our  youthful 
soldier,  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Chancellors- 
ville,  Mary's  Heights  and  Salem  Church;  his 
regiment  on  the  third  day  losing  153  in  killed 
and  wounded,  and  young  Boyd  escaping  with 
a  slight  wound  in  his  leg.  Next  they  made  a 
forced  march  to  Centerville,  Va.,  then  crossed 
the  Potomac,  and  with  slight  intermission  con 
tinued  to  Manchester,  Pa. 

July  i,  at  10  P.  M.,  they  started  on  their 
famous  march  to  Gettysburg,  marching  15,000 
strong,  covering  38  miles  in  14  hours,  without 
food  and  regardless  of  the  intense  heat,  and 
participated  in  that  memorable  battle.  The 
next  engagement  was  at  Fairfield,  with  the  I5th, 
in  the  advance,  thence  onward  to  Williamsport, 
where  young  Boyd  detailed  on  the  picket  line 
was  engaged  in  a  very  spirited  skirmish. 


Onward,  marching  constantly,  finally  reach 
ing  Rappahannock  Station,  and  fighting  in  the 
battle  of  the  same  name.  Next  the  army  moved 
to  Brandy  Station,  erected  winter  quarters,  but 
on  Nov.  30,  were  ordered  to  participate  in  the 
action  at  Mine  Run,  the  "boys"  suffering  in 
tensely  from  the  cold.  They  returned  and 
while  in  camp,  our  gallant  soldier  was  ordered 
to  report  to  the  Colonel,  who  requested  him 
to  apply  for  a  commission  in  his  own  hand 
writing,  and  he  should  be  granted  one.  Being 
but  17  years,  not  the  required  age,  the  offer 
must  needs  be  declined. 

Feb.  26,  1864,  they  marched  on  a  five  days' 
reconnoissance,  suffering  untold  misery  under 
a  heavy  cold  rain,  and  snow  storm.  The  next 
important  event  in  comrade  Boyd's  soldier 
career,  was  Grant's  memorable  Wilderness'  cam 
paign,  May  5,  7,  1864,  we  find  him  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  where  all  was 
pell-mell,  amid  rivulets  flowing  crimson  with 
human  blood. 

Forward  again,  into  the  battle  of  Spotsyl- 
vania,  literally  marching  into  the  mouth  of 
death,  making  a  desperate  charge  May  8,  and 
four  days  later  participating  in  one  of  the  most 
sanguinary  battles  of  the  war,  which  has  well  been 
designated  the  "Bloody  Angle"  in  which  the 
noble  1 5th,  lost  over  half  its  number,  being  the 
fourth  regiment  in  the  combined  Eastern  and 
Western  army,  that  suffered  the  greatest  loss 
in  any  one  single  battle.  The  remnant  of  the 
Regt.  consisting  of  6  officers  and  136  muskets, 
subsequently  fought  under  Sheridan,  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,  losing  heavily  at  Cold 
Harbor;  constructing  Fort  Sedgwick,  later 
designated  "Fort  Hell,"  fighting  the  enemy  at 
Snicker's  Gap,  sustaining  another  terrible  per 
centage  of  loss  at  the  memorable  Winchester 
battle,  and  invincibly  participating  in  the 
battles  of  Opequon,  Va.,  Fisher's  Hill,  New 
market,  Mt.  Jackson,  Cedar  Creek  and  Middle 
Creek.  Returning  to  Petersburg,  he  again 
fought  victoriously,  during  the  .fall  of  the  city, 
the  flag  of  the  I5th,  N.  J.,  being  one  of  the 
first,  if  not  the  first,  to  proudly  float  over  the 
rebel  works  at  that  point.  They  continued  on 
the  heels  of  the-  rebels  until  Lee  surrendered. 


280 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Thus  closed  the  great  rebellion,  that  cost 
thousands  of  lives,  and  accordingly  our  invinci 
ble  young  soldier,  who  participated  in  36  bat 
tles  and  skirmishes,  was  mustered  out  June  22, 
1865,  as  one  of  the  341  men,  out  of  a  total  of 
1871,  mustered  into  the  Regt.  Returning  to 
his  home  at  Morristown,  N.  J.,  he  left  in  the 
following  Oct.  for  Peoria,  111. 

In  1869,  he  moved  to  St.  Louis,  returning  in 
1876  to  Peoria,  where  he  now  fills  a  responsible 
position  in  the  Government  Revenue  service. 

Mr.  Boyd  was  married  at  Peoria,  111.,  May 
12,  1881,  to  Miss  Clara  Scott.  By  this  happy 
union  there  were  born  two  children,  a  daughter, 
Emma,  and  a  son,  William  T.,  whom  we  hope 
is  a  counterpart  of  the  "old  block"  in  patriot 
ism,  as  well  as  in  name. 

Mrs.  Boyd,  who  is  an  amiable  and  estima 
ble  lady,  is  a  member  of  the  Woman's  Relief 
Corps,  while  comrade  Boyd  has  filled  the  offices 
of  Quarter  Master,  Quarter-Master  Sergeant  and 
Officer  of  the  Day,  in  John  Bryner  Post,  No- 
67,  Peoria.  He  is  a  member  of  the  order  of 
Mutual  Aid  and  Royal  League,  and  is  an  affec 
tionate  husband,  and  a  genial,  wide-awake 
excellent  citizen. 


OUR  present  subject,  John  T.  Hiteshew,  of 
Fisher,  111.,  was  born  June  Qth,  1833,  in 
Wyandotte  Co.,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
reared  upon  his  father's  farm.  In  the  year  1854 
he  was  siezed,  in  common  with  thousands  of  oth 
ers,  with  the  California  gold  fever, therefore  pro 
ceeded  thither  with  the  vain  hope  of  finding  a 
fortune,  but,  after  many  ups  and  downs,  generally 
the  downs,  he  concluded  to  become  a  soldier. 
Therefore  enlisted  at  San  Francisco  Aug.  I5th, 
1861,  in  Co.  A.,  1st  Cal.Vol.  Inf.  With  his  Regt. 
he  went  to  New  Mexico,  serving  his  full  term 
of  three  years  in  that  and  the  adjoining  terri 
tory  of  Arizona,  keeping  the  Indians  in  subjec 
tion  and  in  guarding  the  frontier.  His  Regt. 
was  divided  into  small  detachments  stationed 
at  different  points,  and  during  his  whole  period 
of  service  was  only  engaged  in  one  active  tilt 
with  the  Indians.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term 


he  was  mustered  out  and  discharged  Aug.  3ist, 
1864.  He  then  returned  to  his  native  State,  but, 
aftera  short  visit,  proceeded  to  111.,  and  engaged 
in  farming  in  Ford  Co.,  where  he  continued 
for  the  following  eleven  years.  In  1875  he  re 
turned  to  California,  and  worked  one  year, 
when  he  came  East  again,  settling  in  Fisher, 
where  he  has  been  employed  at  the  carpenter 
trade,  which  he  had  learned  when  a  young  man. 
He  had  two  brothers,  David  and  Alfred,  in  the 
army,  and  both  in  the  49th  Ohio  ;  the  latter 
having  served  for  three  years,  and  the  former 
for  one  year,  when  he  was  discharged,  owing  to 
disability. 

Mr.  Hiteshew  is  one  of  the  charter  members 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Fisher,  of  which  he  has 
served  as  commander  for  two  years.  He  is  also 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  soci 
ety,  and  a  lifelong  Republican.  He  was  married 
in  Illinois  in  1865,  to  Miss  Margaret  Hammers, 
and  five  children  have  resulted  from  their  mar 
riage — May,  Addie,  Annie,  Maud  and  Vie. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  JONES,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  is  a  member  of  John 
G.  Bryner  Post  No.  67,  of  Peoria,  111., 
was  born  in  Pekin,  the  same  State,  Sept.  10, 
1843,  and  is  the  son  of  Joel  S.  and  Jane  (Mc- 
Grew)  Jones.  His  father  was  born  near  Hamil 
ton,  Ohio,  June  4,  1812,  and  was  of  Scotch  de 
scent.  His  mother  was  a  native  of  the  prairie 
State,  and  died  in  child-birth,  March  4,  i860, 
when  but  32  years  old.  About  1842  his  parents 
settled  down  at  Pekin,  111.,  where  his  father 
established  himself  in  the  cooper  business, 
later,  in  the  grocery  trade,  and  subsequently 
moved  out  on  the  "Old  Gregg"  farm  near 
Pekin,  where  he  successfully  tilled  the  soil  up 
to  the  time  he  moved  to  Peoria,  where  he  died 
at  the  ripe  dd  age  of  77  years,  his  mother  hav 
ing  lived  to  see  the  85th  anniversary  of  her 
birthday.  George's  boyhood  days  were  spent 
at  Pekin,  where  he  was  reared  and  received  a 
common  school  education.  His  first  enlist 
ment  in  the  army  was  at  Pekin>  111.,  June  2,  1862, 
Co,  K.,  68  111.  Inf.,  in  response  to  a  call  made 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


281 


for  a  period  of  three  months,  June  20,  1862, 
at  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  111.,  when  but  a 
youth  of  eighteen  summers,  young  Jones  was 
mustered  into  actual  service,  as  1st  Corporal  of 
his  company.  July  5th  they  received  marching 
orders.  Leaving  camp  they  proceeded  by  rail 
to  Wheeling,  Va.,  from  where  they  moved  on 
to  Washington  City.  Here  the  Regt.  remained 
at  the  "Soldiers  Retreat,"  a  place  more  roman 
tic  and  endearing  in  name  than  in  fact,  until 
July  14,  when  under  special  orders  it  proceeded 
on  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  crossing  a  temporary 
bridge,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  just  after  the  origi 
nal  one  had  been  burned,  and  just  in  time  to 
escape  being  captured  by  the  rebel  cavalry  who 
were  right  on  their  heels.  After  remaining 
about  two  weeks,  during  which  time  the  meas 
les  appeared  among  the  ranks,  the  Regt.  was 
ordered  to  a  more  healthful  location  about  two 
miles  above  Alexandria.  Here  they  remained 
doing  guard  duty  and  drill  until  the  second 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  when  they  were  ordered  to 
the  rear  of  General  McClellan's  army  and  held 
in  reserve.  After  returning  to  the  old  camp, 
doing  patrol  duty,  until  the  expiration  of  its 
enlistment,  the  Regt.  returned  to  Springfield, 
111.,  where,  on  Sept.  26,  it  was  mustered  out. 

During  his  service  young  Jones  was  con 
fined  to  the  hospital  for  four  days,  on  account 
of  swelling  of  the  feet.  While  there  he  was 
kindly  attended  to  by  Mrs.  McCook,  mother  of 
the  heroic,  Robert  McCook,  who  was  good 
enough  to  supply  him  wifh  socks,  shirts  and 
other  wearing  apparel  After  the  second 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  his  company,  of  which  he 
was  Corporal,  was  kept  busy  for  a  whole  week 
burying  all  the  dead  and  transporting  the 
wounded  into  the  hospital  at  Alexandria,  where 
he  witnessed  the  horrible  and  pitiful  spectacle 
incident  with  the  amputation  of  countless 
numbers  of  human  limbs.  After  his  first  serv 
ice  as  a  soldier,  he  returned  to  his  home, 
where  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  grocery 
business,  up  to  the  time  a  volunteer  company 
was  being  organized  at  Peoria.  He  accordingly 
enlisted  and  was  mustered  in  at  Springfield, 
Feb.  8,  1865,  in  Co.  C.,  being  the  color  com 
pany,  of  I48th  111.  Inf,  The  Regt.  was  organ 


ized  at  Camp  Butler,  and  immediately  left 
for  Nashville,  Tenn.  March  ist,  it  moved  on 
to  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  where  it  remained  en 
gaged  in  guard  duty  and  making  frequent 
scouting  expeditions  after  the  troublesome 
band  under  Forrest,  till  June  i8th,  when  five 
companies  including  the  color  company,  were 
ordered  to  Decherd.  Here  they  remained 
guarding  the  Nashville  &  Chattanooga  rail 
road,  for  a  distance  of  about  100  miles,  being 
there  at  the  time  Jeff  Davis  was  captured,  only 
about  30  miles  out.  Sept.  5,  1865,  the  Regt. 
was  mustered  out  and  on  Sept.  gth,  our  soldier 
was  paid  off  and  discharged.  He  returned  to 
Pekin,  111.,  where  he  continued  in  the  grocery 
business  of  his  father,  up  to  1867,  when  he 
moved  to  Nokomis,  111.,  and  established  him 
self  in  the  cooper  business,  furnishing  barrels 
and  buying  wheat  for  Mulkey  &  Son,  for  about 
five  years,  or  up  to  the  time  the  firm  failed. 
Later,  he  reopened  a  cooper  shop  at  Pekin, 
111.,  and  subsequently  moved  to  Peoria,  where 
he  occupied  the  position  as  dry-gauger  with 
the  Woolner  Distillery  Company,  a  position  he 
has  held  without  interruption  for  the  past  ten 
years.  Mr.  Jones  was  married  Apr.  4,  1867,  by 
Squire  Lee,  Peoria,  111.,  to  Miss  LydiaTuteweiler. 
By  this  union  there  were  born  eight  children, 
of  whom  but  one,  Charles  Roy,  is  living. 
Three  healthful  children  were  summoned  on  the 
shore  beyond  within  one  week,  by  that  terrible 
disease,  diphtheria.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  member  of 
the  Druids,  and  is  a  genial,  whole-souled 
gentleman,  popular  with  all  who  know  him. 


JAMES  L.  ROWE  of  Sheridan,  111.,  is  a  native 
of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  was  born  April  5, 
1834.  His  parents,  Alexander  and  Eliza 
A.  (Phillips)  Rowe,  were  natives  of  the  Empire 
State,  removed  to  the  West  and  located  on  a 
farm  in  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  in  1835.  Our  subject 
was  of  Scotch  ancestry.  His  parents  were  mem 
bers  of  the  Universalist  Church,  and  were  much 
esteemed  by  all  who  knew  them.  Mr.  Rowe, 
the  senior,  died  Oct.  28,  1887,  and  his  wife  in 
June,  1859.  They  had  ten  children,  of  whom 


282 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


James  was  the  fifth  born.  He  received  his 
education  at  Mission,  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  and 
afterwards  assisted  his  father  at  the  homestead. 
In  1861  he  enlisted  at  Ottawa,  111.,  in  Co.  H., 
nth  111.  Inf.,  under  Capt.  T.  C.Gibson  and  Col. 
W.  H.  L.  Wallace.  It  proceeded  to  Spring 
field  and  joined  the  Regt.  under  Gen.  Hallack. 
From  there  it  went  to  the  southern  part  of  the 
State,  and  then  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.  Shortly 
afterward  the  term  of  enlistment  expired  and 
it  was  mustered  out  of  service,  Mr.  Rowe  re 
turning  to  his  home.  In  the  fall  of  1862  he 
again  enlisted,  this  time  at  Ottawa,  in  Co.  G., 
104  111.  Inf.,  under  command  of  Col.  Moore. 
The  Regt.  then  went  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  on  to 
Cave  Springs,  and  from  there  to  Hartsville, 
where  it  took  part  in  a  severe  battle,  and  where 
Mr.  Rowe  was  eventually  taken  prisoner  and 
sent  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  was  paroled,  and 
sent  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  then  to  Columbus, 
Ohio.  At  length  the  t\vo  contending  parties 
made  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  among  whom 
was  Mr.  Rowe,  who  was  sent  to  Chicago  on 
patrol  duty.  In  March,  1863,  he  went  to  Nash 
ville  and  rejoined  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 
From  there  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Murfrees 
boro,  and  then  to  Bridgeport,  Ala.  It  was  in 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  taking  an  active 
part.  The  command  was  next  ordered  to 
Chattanooga,  where  Mr.  Rowe,  Dec.,  1863,  re 
ceived  a  furlough  and  went  home.  Rejoining 
his  Regt.  in  March,  1864,  he  was  actively  en 
gaged  throughout  the  Atlanta  campaign. 

After  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  his  regiment  fol 
lowed  after  Hood  for  a  time,  then  returned  to 
Atlanta,  and  from  there  marched  to  Savannah 
with  Sherman.  He  took  part  in  all  the  seiges, 
and  was  engaged  throughout  the  whole  of  that 
memorable  campaign,  with  Sherman.  He  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  at  Washington,  D. 
C.,  June  6,  1865.  Mr.  Rowe  then  returned  home 
and  engaged  in'  farming.  In  July,  1869,  he 
went  to  Kansas,  where  he  located  on  a  farm, 
upon  which  he  resided  until  July,  1874,  when 
he  returned  to  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  and  where  he 
has  since  resided.  His  homestead  is  some  two 
miles  south  of  Sheridan,  and  is  replete  with 
evey  modern  improvement.  Mr.  Rowe  is  rec 


ognized  as  being  one  of  the  most  enterprising 
and  respected  farmers  residing  in  this  locality. 
He  is  a  bachelor.  He  is  a  member  of  G.  A. 
R.  Post,  No.  672.  His  patriotism  was  genuine, 
and  his  services  valuable  to  his  country.  Mr. 
Rowe's  first  vote,  by  the  way,  was  given  to  John 
C.  Freemont.  Another  of  the  family,  Edward 
M.  Rowe,  expressed  his  loyalty  to  the  Union 
by  entering  the  army.  A  sketch  of  his  life 
will  be  found  in  another  portion  of  this  work. 
His  father,  although  not  an  active  participant 
of  the  war,  did  all  he  could  for  the  Union,  and 
his  enthusiasm  did  much  toward  influencing 
others  in  the  same  good  cause. 

Personally,  Mr.   Rowe   is   much    esteemed, 
both  as  a  neighbor  and  a  friend. 


ONE  of  the  most  conspicuous  personages 
in  Peoria  County,  111.,  one  of  the  lea 
ding,  and  most  highly  respected  cit 
izens  in  the  city  of  Peoria,  is  comrade  Albert 
L.  Schimpff.  The  historical  city  of  Landau, 
Rheinisch,  Bavaria,  Germany,  is  his  native 
place,  where  he  was  born  Oct.,  19,  1844.  When 
but  four  years  old  Albert  lost  his  mother,  and 
in  1849,  the  father  with  four  children  sailed  for 
America,  subsequently  locating  at  Peoria,  111., 
where  he  was  summoned  to  the  other  shore  in 
1873.  Our  subject  and  his  brother  Ernest,  how 
ever,  remained  in  Germany,  living  with  their 
brother-in-law,  who  was  a  commanding  officer 
of  a  Bavarian  regiment,  stationed  in  a  garrison 
in  that  beautiful  and  strongly  fortified  city  of 
Landau.  Being  reared  amid  such  martial  en 
vironments,  and  under  the  tactics  of  a  German 
officer,  he  learned  to  enjoy  military  life,  and 
grew  older,  not  only  in  strength  and  wisdom, 
but  decidedly  so  in  patriotism,  in  love  for  lib 
erty  and  love  of  free  government.  When  Al 
bert  was  but  twelve  and  his  brother  a  year 
older,  they  jointly  set  out  forthe  "  New  World," 
landing  at  New  York,  and  immediately  pro 
ceeding  to  Peoria,  111.,  where  they  joined  their 
father  and  other  members  of  the  family.  Here 
he  diligently  pursued  his  studies,  acquiring  a 
thorough  education,  and  later  engaged  with  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


283 


father,  who  had  established  himself  in  the  gro 
cery  business.  Time  rolled  on.  Soon  the  elec 
tric  flashes  transmitted  throughout  all  the  North 
the  echoes  of  Fort  Sumter — the  great  war  of 
the  rebellion  had  been  inaugurated,  and  with  it 
young  Albert's  patriotism  was  aroused.  Days 
and  weeks  rolled  by  and  our  subject  became 
more  interested  in  the  loyal  cause  of  the  North. 
Each  day  he  grew  more  anxious  to  fight  for  the 
preservation  of  his  newly  adopted,  and  no  less 
beloved  flag.  He  vainly  pleaded  with  his  par 
ents,  who  objected  to  his  enlisting  on  account 
of  his  youth.  But  young  Albert  loved  "  life, 
liberty  and  freedom"  too  well.  The  spirit  in 
fused  into  his  mind  during  his  childhood  days 
had  taken  firm  root.  Indeed,  so  determined 
was  he  to  carry  a  gun,  that  one  dark  night, 
while  his  parents  were  attending  an  entertain 
ment,  this  youth  of  seventeen  quietly  packed 
his  "  worldly  goods,"  bid  good-bye  to  his  pa 
rental  roof,  boarded  a  steamer  and  "skipped" 
for  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Here  he  again  encountered  an  obstacle.  He 
lost  no  time  trying  to  enlist,  but  invariably  our 
young  hero  was  rejected  on  account  of  his 
youth,  and  his  being  of  a  rather  small  stature. 
Must  he  return  home?  No,  never!  He  was 
destined  to  enter  the  service  some  way  and 
finally  was  made  happy,  engaging  as  an  officer's 
servant  in  Co.  A.,  26th  Mo.  Inf.  In  this  capac 
ity  he  served  faithfully  for  several  months,  but 
these  duties  were  not  quite  in  harmony  with 
the  spirits  of  this  natural  born  soldier,  and  ac 
cordingly,  he  shortly  shouldered  a  gun  and  was 
actively  engaged  in  the  ranks  in  all  the  sieges, 
skirmishes,  and  scouting  expeditions  of  his 
company.  During  the  siege  of  New  Madrid, 
the  captain  insisted  on  Albert's  remaining  in 
camp;  but  like  a  brave  and  heroic  youth,  he 
replied:  "Unless  I  can  carry  a  gun  by  the  side 
of  my  comrades,  I  will  leave."  Thus  the  cap 
tain  consented  and  the  soldier  boy  went  into 
the  fight  as  a  fully  equipped  soldier.  At  Farm- 
ington,  Miss.,  May,  15,  1862,  he  enlisted  as  a 
regular  soldier  in  the  company  and  regiment 
he  had  served  from  the  outset.  After  months 
of  constant  skirmishing,  foraging  and  guard 
duty,  the  Regt.  was  hotly  engaged  at  luka, 


Sept.  19,  1862,  its  skirmishes  opening  that  bat 
tle;  the  whole  Regt.  was  soon  under  a  severe 
fire  in  which  many  were  killed  and  wounded. 
After  two  weeks  of  constant  skirmishing  we 
find  him  fighting  in  the  battle  of  Corinth,  Oct. 
3d  and  4.  During  the  winter  of  1862  to  63  the 
command  was  diligently  employed  in  guarding 
the  railroad  between  Memphis  and  Corinth,  and 
early  in  the  spring  it  embarked  for  down  the 
river,  landing  near  Helena,  Ark.,  from  whence 
the  Yazoo  expedition  was  fitted  out.  Next 
it  moved  on  to  Yazoo  City,  and  finding  the  en 
emy  too  strongly  fortified,  returned,  proceeding 
down  the  river  to  Milliken's  Bend  where  it 
joined  Grant's  army  on  its  victorious  campaign 
about  Vicksburg.  They  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Raymond  and  Clinton,  moved  on  to 
Jackson,  where  they  routed  the  enemy  un 
der  Johnston,  driving  him  across  the  Pearl 
river.  During  all  this  time  the  army  subsisted 
principally  on  what  they  could  forage  from 
the  enemy's  country.  May  16,  1863,  the  Union 
forces  encountered  the  rebels,  about  30,000 
strong,  at  Champion  Hills.  The  hot  firing 
opened  about  9  A.  M.  The  heroic  26th  Mo., 
one  of  the  gallant  300  fighting  regiments  of  the 
war,  was  assigned  to  the  front  and  on  the  left 
of  the  main  road.  The  roar  of  cannonading 
was  loud  and  terrific,  bullets  and  shells  were 
hissing  and  flying  thickly,  and  here  on  the 
bloody  battlefield  while  loyally  fighting  within 
TOO  feet  of  the  enemy,  right  in  the  face  of  its 
hot  firing,  comrade  Schimpff  was  shot  in  the 
left  shoulder  joint,  the  ball  passing  through  the 
arm,  fracturing  the  bone  and  necessitating  a  re- 
sectioning  of  the  joint.  He  was  taken  to  the 
division  hospital  in  the  rear  and  the  painful 
surgical  operation  was  performed.  The  army 
moved  on,  and  while  lying  here  in  his  serious 
condition,  confined  with  about  200  wounded 
comrades  out  of  his  own  division,  he  was  taken 
prisoner,  exchanged  three  weeks  later,  trans 
ported  to  Chickasaw  Bayou  and  there  put  on 
board  the  hospital  steamer  and  sent  to  Mem 
phis.  So  neglected  were  the  unfortunate 
wounded,  that  during  the  time  of  theircapture, 
1 20  out  of  the  200  died.  After  two  months  of 
suffering  at  the  hospital  at  Memphis,  our 


284 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


wounded  comrade  was  sent  to  Jefferson  Bar 
racks,  Mo.,  where,  after  remaining  another  two 
months,  he  was  honorably  discharged  Nov.  9, 
1863,  being  totally  unfit  for  further  service,  hav 
ing  lost  the  use  of  his  arm.  Thus  after  serving 
prtriotically  and  faithfully  under  the  stars  and 
stripes,  he  returned  to  Peoria,  where  he  has 
lived  ever  since.  His  brothers,  Gustavus  H. 
and  Ernest  A.,  both  enlisted — the  former 
served  three  years  in  the  8th  Mo.,  which  was 
noted  for  its  heroic  bearing,  and  the  latter 
served  up  to  the  time  he  was  accidentally  shot 
by  a  comrade  while  in  camp,  dying  shortly 
afterward  from  the  effects  of  the  wound. 

Mr.  Schimpff  has  been  engaged  in  the  man 
ufacture  of  cigars,  later  in  the  wholesale  gro 
cery  trade,  and  at  present,  as  senior  member  of 
the  firm  of  Schimpff  &  Slenker,  is  established 
in  the  cold  storage  business. 

On  March  31,  1875,  ^e  was  united  in  mar 
riage  to  Miss  Frida  Green,  the  estimable  and 
accomplished  daughter  of  Louis  Green,  of  Pe 
oria.  By  this  union  four  children  were  born, 
of  whom  Lillie  and  Emily  are  living.  Comrade 
Schimpff  is  a  conspicuous  figure  in  the  social, 
business  and  political  circles  of  Peoria.  He 
was  for  several  years  President  of  the  Peoria 
Turnverein,  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Edu 
cation,  Commander  of  the  John  Bryner  Post, 
No.  67,  of  Peoria,  and  has  been  a  delegate  to 
the  National  PLncampment.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  lodge,  and  is  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason  and  a  Knight  Templar.  He  has  also 
been  one  of  the  directors  of  the  German-Amer 
ican  Nat.  Bank  of  Peoria  since  its  organiza 
tion. 

His  politics  are  Republican,  and  his  party 
has  frequently  urged  him  to  accept  different 
political  nominations,  such  as  Mayor,  City 
Treasurer,  and  County  Treasurer,  but  he  has 
invariably  declined.  Liberal  minded  in  his  views, 
courteous  and  hdnorable  in  all  his  dealings,  Mr. 
Schimpff  has  won  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
all  who  know  him.  In  the  summer  of  1890  by 
act  of  Congress,  Peoria  was  made'  a  Port  of 
delivery,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  President 
Harrison  appointed  Mr.  Schimpff  Surveyor  of 
Customs  of  the  Port,  which  office  he  now  holds. 


BALSER  ASCHERMAN,  of  Dewey,  111.,  enlisted 
in  the  Union  Army  at  La  Salle,  Nov.  25, 
1862,  in  Co.  B.,  1 04th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He 
joined  his  Regt.  during  the  Chattanooga  cam 
paign,  and  was  in  the  terrible  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  and  from  that  time  forward,  was  with 
his  command  in  all  its  marches,  battles  and 
skirmishess,  defeats,  fatigues  and  victories.  Soon 
after  joining  he  was  detailed  and  sent  to  Nash 
ville  for  horses  and  mules,  to  replace  those 
that  had  died  from  starvation.  His  first  expe 
rience  while  in  actual  warfare  was  at  Buzzard's 
Roost,  during  which  his  Regt.  was  in  the  first 
division  and  i4th  A.  C.  He  assisted  in  destroy 
ing  the  railroad  from  Ringgold  for  a  distance 
of  60  miles,  burning  upwards  of  a  mile  of  cars. 
He  was  with  his  command  on  Sherman's  Atlan 
ta  campaign,  and  also  in  that  to  the  sea;  then 
northward  through  the  Carolina's,  to  Goldsboro 
when  the  Rebellion  was  brought  to  a  sudden 
close.  After  this  he  was  at  the  Grand  Review 
at  Washington,  where  he  was  transferred  to 
Co.  K.,  34th  111.,  and  assigned  to  the  2d  Brig., 
2d  Div.  and  sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.  After  a 
short  delay  there  he  was  ordered  to  Chicago 
and  mustered  out  of  the  service  in  July  1865. 

In  front  of  Atlanta  he  received  an  injury  in 
his  foot,  accidently  by  an  ax  in  the  hands  of  a 
comrade,  severing  a  leader  and  rendering  his 
foot  almost  powerless.  He  held  his  position  in 
the  ranks  but  in  long  and  heavy  marching  its 
weakness  became  apparent  to  its  commander, 
Col.  Hapeman,  who  frequently  permitted  him 
to  ride  one  of  their  extra  horses.  Mr.  Aschcr- 
man  was  born  in  111.  near  Henry  City,  in  1843, 
was  the  son  of  Christian  A.  and  Kate  Ascher- 
man  of  German  Antecedents.  His  mother 
died  when  he  was  six  weeks  old,  therefore,  he 
was  brought  up  by  friends.  His  father  having 
remarried,  the  son  lived  little  under  his  father's 
roof,  as  he  found  a  more  peaceful  home  with 
strangers,  and  grew  up  as  a  farmer.  On  Jan.  26, 
1867,  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Stephens,  then 
he  followed  farming  for  one  year  in  Putnam 
Co.;  the  two  following  years  in  La  Salle  Co., 
then  followed  the  carpenter  and  mason  trade, 
and  farmed  four  years  in  Ford  Co.,  111.  and  in 
1877,  removed  to  Champaign  Co.,  locating  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


285 


East  Bend,  where  he  built  the  third  home 
erected  in  the  village  of  Dewey.  He  resumed  the 
carpenter  business  until  he  established  a  meat- 
market  which  he  now  runs.  He  has  four  child 
ren,  John  Albert,  age  24  years;  Emily  Cenith, 
age  20  years;  William  A.,  age  14  and  Harry 
Joseph,  age  7  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  in  which  he  has  held  several  of  its 
offices,  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  an  out  and  out  Re 
publican. 


JOHN  F.  HUG,  Superintendent  of  Highland 
Park,  Quincy,  111.,  is   a  native  of  Baden, 
Germany,  born  Sept.  18,  1836.    His  parents 
were  Frederick  and  Catharine  Hug  natives  of 
Baden,  and  died  in  their  native  country.     John 
was  the  only  child  of  the  marriage.      He  came 
to  America  in  1854  arriving  in  St.  Louis  Feb.  7, 
where  he  learned  the  barber  trade,   and   after 
wards   removed  to  Wisconsin,    where    he    was 
employed  until  the  civil  war  broke  out. 

In  July  1861  he  returned  to  St.  Louis,  en 
listed  in  Co.  I,  ist  Mo.  Cav.  He  did  duty  in 
Mo.  and  Ark.  being  engaged  principally  in 
fighting  guerillas.  This  was  unquestionably  the 
most  dangerous  warfare,  inasmuch  as  it  in 
volved  the  division  of  the  Regt.  into  small 
parties  who  were  constantly  exposed  to  dangers, 
and  always  in  the  saddle.  Was  often  confronted 
by  the  notorious  Quantrell,  and  other  noted 
bushwhackers.  Occasionally  they  were  at 
tached  to  a  regular  command  for  a  time,  and 
then  relieved  and  returned  to  the  former  com 
mand.  Participated  in  the  battle  of  Sugar 
Creek,  Pea  Ridge,  Prairie  Grove,  Van  Buren, 
below  Fort  Smith,  Little  Rock  and  a  great  many 
skirmishes  and  battles  of  lesser  importance. 
Mr.  Hug  was  the  company  bugler.  At  Little 
Rock,  he  received  a  disabling  injury  to  his  right 
leg,  which  has  continued  ever  since.  Sept.  10, 
1864,  he  was  mustered  out  and  discharged  at 
St.  Louis  Mo.  After  a  collecting  tour  to  Wis. 
he  went  to  Quincy,  111.  where  he  resumed  his 
trade,  and  now  owns  one  of  the  finest  outfits 
for  the  business  in  his  town,  and  is  excelled  by 
few  in  the  State.  Latterly  he  has  been  obliged 


to  abandon  active  labor,  therefore  has  leased 
his  store  and  fixtures,  and  being  extensively 
interested  in  Highland  Park — a  noted  pleasure 
resort  in  the  suburbs  of  Quincy,  where  he  spends 
his  time,  superintending  the  interests  of  the 
stock-holders,  holding,  himself,  40  shares. 

March  30,  1865  he  was  married  in  Quincy, 
111,  to  Miss  Mary  Barth  a  native  of  Quincy. 
Her  father  Henry  Barth  came  to  Quincy  in 
1836  and  died  there  in  1875.  To  this  marriage 
6  children  have  been  born,  all  of  whom  are  liv 
ing  viz.:  Albert,  a  dentist  in  Quincy;  John 
Henry;  Robert,  studying  Pharmacy;  Carl  F., 
Emily  and  Frida.  Mr.  Hug  is  a  member  of 
John  Wood  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  as  also  of  the  Druids 
and  Mutual  Aid  Orders.  Politically  he  is  a 
liberal,  voting  for  the  man  or  party  who  comes 
nearest  his  ideal.  Two  of  the  sons  are  mem 
bers  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  and  take  an  active 
interest  in  building  up  the  order  and  in  per 
petuating  the  memory  of  the  father  and  his 
comrades  of  the  late  war. 


GILBURY  SPECIE,  of  Morris,  111.,  is  a  native 
of  Canada,  born  in   1837.     He  came  to 
the  U.  S.  with  his   parents  July  4,  1848. 
His  father  and  mother  were  Busiel  and  Angeline 
(McGree)    Specie.     The  family  home  was  at 
Dresden,  ,  where  all  resided  until  Gilbury 

and  his  three  brothers  entered  the  U.  S.  service, 
enlisting  in  June,  1861,  in  Co.  E.,  23rd  111.  Vol., 
which  was  known  as  Morgan's  regiment.  The 
Regt.  was  sent  to  Mo.,  forming  part  of  the 
Irish  Brig.,  and  was  captured  with  Col.  Mulligan 
at  Lexington,  Mo.  The  men  were  paroled  and 
afterward  re-enlisted  in  the  53d,  111.,  Cushman's 
Regt.,  and  recruited  at  Ottawa,  111.  They  were 
soon  sent  South  and  were  at  Corinth  and  on  the 
Hatchie,  then  moved  with  Gen.  Grant  to  Ox 
ford  and  Coffeville,  where  they  engaged  the 
enemy  at  Big  Hatchie.  At  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg  they  were  in  the  "horseshoe"  and  had 
many  close  calls.  When  Vicksburg  was  cap 
tured  the  portion  of  the  army  in  which  Mr.. 
Specie  was  serving  went,  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Sherman,  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Johnston, 


286 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


overtaking  him  at  Jackson,  Miss.  The  4th  Div., 
"the  bloody  fourth,"  as  it  was  designated,  was 
ordered  to  make  the  charge  upon  the  rebels 
who  had  turned  to  make  a  stand  against  their 
pursuers.  In  this  charge  Mr.  Specie  was  struck 
by  a  grape  shot,  which  carried  away  about  one- 
half  of  his  left  arm.  He  leaped  into  a  railroad 
ditch  and  started  for  the  rear.  He  had  not 
gone  far  before  he  met  three  rebels  who  called 
out  to  him  to  halt.  He  replied,  "Go  to  h — !" 
The  three  rebels  fired  on  him,  but  only  one 
ball  took  effect,  striking  him  in  the  foot,  bring 
ing  him  to  his  knees.  They  came  toward  him 
crying,  "  We've  (  got  the  Yankee,"  when  he 
jumped  up  and  said,  "  No,  you  have  not,"  and 
made  his  escape.  This  was  July  12,  1863.  He 
was  moved  from  point  to  point,  until  at  Jeffer 
son  Barracks  hospital,  suffering  with  gangrene 
he  came  near  dying.  His  arm  was  amputated 
within  six  inches  of  the  shoulder,  and  one 
of  his  toes  was  also  removed.  This  rendered 
him  useless  as  a  soldier,  and  he  was  discharged 
April  23rd,  1864. 

Mr.  Specie  was  married  April  24,  1867,  to 
Mrs.  Mary  E.  Harris,  a  daughter  of  V.  J.  Vass, 
who  was  the  son  of  Andrew  Vass,  of  Scotch 
and  Irish  descent.  Her  mother  was  Elizabeth 
Ralstaine,  who  was  the  daughter  of  James  Ral- 
staine,  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  in  the 
Mexican  War.  The  Ralstaine's  are  of  German 
descent.  V.  J.  Vass,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Specie, 
was  a  member  of  Co.  G.,  76th  111.  Vol.,  and  his 
brother  Olin  was  the  first  man  to  open  the  en 
gagement  at  Pea  Ridge.  He  was  color  bearer, 
and  the  flag  was  shot  from  his  hands  seven 
times. 

Daniel  D.  Harris,  the  former  husband  of 
Mrs.  Specie,  served  3  years  in  the  i6th  111.  Cav., 
and  during  this  time  was  in  prison  eleven 
months  and  three  days.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harris 
were  married  soon  after  he  was  discharged 
from  service  in  1865,  but  he  lived  only  six 
months,  having  been  bitten  by  a  mad  dog, 
which  caused  his  death. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Specie  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  church.  He  votes  with  the  Repub 
licans  every  time,  and  is  a  G.  A.  R.  man.  Mrs. 
Specie  belongs  to  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps. 


The  father  of  Mr.  Specie  was  a  British  soldier 
in  the  war  of  1812,  and  the  grandfather  of  Mr. 
Specie  was  in  the  same  war,  and  was  in  charge 
of  the  Arsenal  at  Montreal,  Canada. 

Prisk,  Joseph,  and  Peter,  brothers  of  Mr. 
Specie,  served  to  the  end  of  the  war  of  the 
rebellion. 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  SHORT,  a  resident  of  Peoria, 
111.,  and  Sr.  Vice-Commander  of  John 
Bryner  Post,  No.  67,  of  the  same  city,  is 
a  Bostonian  by  birth  and  dates  his  natal  day 
back  to  March  9,  1832.  He  is  the  son  of  Hugh 
and  Rebekah  Short,  who  were  of  New  England 
stock,  and  both  of  English  ancestry.  When 
but  six  years  of  age  young  John  lost  his  dear 
est  friend — his  mother — who  died  at  Boston. 
Eleven  years  later  he  left  his  parental  roof,  and 
bid  a  last  farewell  to  his  father,  who  having 
become  enthused  with  the  gold  excitement  in 
California,  started  and  went  overland  with 
stage  and  ox-tearn.  He  never  returned,  but 
continued  living  in  the  Golden  State  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death. 

Thus  it  was  that  our  young  friend  was 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources  and  learned  to 
battle  with  the  realities  of  life  when  but  a  mere 
boy.  He  received  a  good  common  school  edu 
cation,  and  continued  living  at  Boston,  until 
his  1 7th  year,  when  he  came  West  to  grow  up 
with  the  country;  locating  at  Waukegan,  111., 
later  moved  to  Chicago,  and  in  1857, 'perma 
nently  settled  at  Elgin,  where  he  accepted  a 
position  as  manager  of  the  furniture  factory 
and  warehouse  of  Peter  Van  Nostrand.  Here 
he  lived  up  to  the  time  the  echoes  of  Fort 
Sumter  rolled  loudly  over  the  prairies  of  his 
newly  adopted  State.  He  personally  organ 
ized,  and  was  Captain  of  the  Elgin  Light 
Guards,  who  enlisted  April,  1861,  Co.  E.,  Cap 
tain  Tazewell,  and  offered  their  services,  with 
Capt.  Short  as  ist  Lieut.,  in  response  to  the 
first  call  for  volunteers.  The  quota  having 
already  been  filled  they  were  not  accepted  at 
the  time.  In  July,  1861,  however,  they  went 
into  camp  Douglas,  at  Chicago,  and  were  mus 
tered  in  the  55th  111.  Inf.  Capt.  Short  brought 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


287 


the  Co.  fully  equipped  into  camp,  and  on  arrival, 
Col.  Stuart  turned  the  command  over  to  him. 
For  two  weeks  he  acted  as  commander  of  the 
camp,  being  Quartermaster,  attending  to  the 
commissary  duties,  and  in  fact  had  full  and 
absolute  charge  of  the  camp,  posting  the  very 
first  guards  at  Camp  Douglas.  Here  he 
remained  recruiting  and  drilling  the  company 
until  Oct.,  when  it  was  about  to  be  mustered  to 
the  front.  Up  to  this  time  Capt.  Tazewell  had 
been  intoxicated  almost  daily.  Lieut.  Short 
and  the  2d  Lieut.,  realizing  that  an  officer  who 
loved  his  glass  better  than  his  country's  flag 
was  disloyal  and  unfit  for  the  duties  of  war, 
refused  to  go  forward  under  such  conditions 
and  accordingly  resigned,  returning  to  Elgin, 
where  he  resumed  his  former  business.  But  a 
few  months  elapsed  when  he  again  responded, 
this  time  to  the  three  months'  call,  enlisting  at 
his  home,  June  ist,  1862,  in  Co.  B.,  6gth  111.  Inf. 
Their  command  at  once  went  into  camp  at 
Camp  Douglas,  where  our  subject,  who  was 
well  up  in  military  tactics,  assisted  in  drilling 
the  company,  and  was  mustered  in  as  1st  Sergt. 
June  14,  1862.  The  Regt.  remained  on  duty 
at  the  camp,  guarding  the  rebel  prisoners, 
about  i8,OOO  in  number,  until  Sept.  26,  1862, 
when  it  was  mustered  out.  By  this  time  Capt. 
Short's  love  for  the  "old  flag"  had  only  grown 
stronger,  and  he  re-enlisted  on  the  same  day, 
and  on  the  same  grounds,  as  private  in  the  5th 
111.  Independent  Battery,  Nov.  15,  1862,  he  was 
mustered  in  as  Sergeant  Major,  and  on  Jan.  9, 
1863,  the  command  left  for  Jeffersonville,  Ind. 
Here  it  remained  in  camp  until  March,  when  it 
was  ordered  down  to  Glasgow,  Ky.  While 
here,  Capt.  Short,  for  meritorious  services  was 
promoted  to  ist  Lieut.  July  4,  after  firing  a 
salute  at  sunrise  they  immediately  proceeded 
on  a  forced  march  after  the  rebels  under  John 
Morgan,  who  were  at  that  time  raiding  the 
country.  They  kept  on  their  heels  to  Mum- 
fordsville,  Ky.,  later  moved  on  'to  Lebanon, 
where  they  met  the  enemy  in  a  severe  skir 
mish;  thence  to  Newmarket.  Ky.,  and  then 
onward  under  Gen.  White,  in  the  difficult 
march  over  the  Cumberland  Mountains  to 
Louden,  Tenn. 


The  memory  and  incidents  of  that  event 
ful  March  will  ever  remain  green  in  the  mem 
ory  of  Capt.  Short.  The  trip  was  made  under 
the  most  strenuous  difficulties.  Its  incline  was 
almost  perpendicular,  the  timber  was  heavy 
and  almost  impenetrable.  On  this  occasion 
our  subject  personally  superintended  the  trans 
porting  of  the  heavy  and  gigantic  guns  or  car 
riages.  Four  times  he  descended,  and  four 
times  he  directed  the  hauling  of  the  carriages 
up  the  steep  and  hugely  bouldered  slopes. 
After  experiencing  the  same  obstructions  in  the 
descent,  they  finally  reached  their  destination. 
During  this  time  the  command  was  joined  to 
the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  Gen.  Burnside  com 
manding,  soon  fighting  the  rebels  at  Greenville, 
and  next  at  Kingston,  where  they  met  the 
enemy  in  a  hot  and  most  desperate  conflict. 
During  the  time  intervening  these  two  engage 
ments  Captain  Short  was  under  the  physician's 
care.  He  was  practically  unfit  for  duty,  it 
being  necessary  at  times  for  the  boys  to  assist 
him  in  mounting  or  dismounting  his  horse. 
But  our  gallant  soldier  was  staunch  in  his  duty, 
and  was  reluctant  to  part  with  the  two  guns  he 
so  faithfully  had  charge  of.  Finally  he  had  to 
succumb,  and  was  confined  on  his  back  for 
three  weeks,  refusing  to  go  to  the  hospital,  and 
entering  into  the  battle  of  Kingston  when  only 
partially  recuperated. 

The  next  time  our  subject  was  put  under 
fire  was  during  the  memorable  siege  of  Knox- 
ville,  Nov.  17  to  Dec.  3,  1863.  At  the  very 
outset  of  this  conflict  the  Surgeon  had  made 
an  application  for  a  leave  of  absence  for  Short, 
who,  however,  bravely  insisted  on  seeing  the 
fight  out,  and  only  returned  home  after  the 
victory,  remaining  twenty  days,  being  unfit  for 
duty.  He  returned  with  recruits  from  Spring 
field,  111.,  to  Louden,  and  was  breveted  Captain 
by  Governor  Yatesof  Illinois.  Shortly  he  was 
again  taken  seriously  sick,  ordered  home,  and 
March  7,  1864,  was  finally  discharged  for  phys 
ical  disability.  In  Elgin  he  resumed  his  for 
mer  responsible  position,  in  which  he  contin 
ued  until  December,  1875,  when  he  moved  to 
Peoria,  and  the  following  year  on  the  24th 
day  of  Sept,  1876,  married  Miss  Martha  Col- 


288 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Hers,  adopted  daughter  of  Theodore  Colliers, 
of  Peoria.  There  was  born  to  them  in  Sept., 
1880,  one  son,  Walter  Scott,  who,  judging  by 
the  interest  he  evinces  in  the  history  of  the 
great  rebellion,  has  evidently  inherited  the 
military  spirit  of  his  father. 

Captain  Short  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias,  and  a 
Royal  Arch  Mason.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub 
lican,  "dyed  in  the  wool." 


M. 


F.  LAUGHLIN,  of  Maiden,  111.,  was  born 
upon  his  father's  farm  in  Pa.  on  June 
7,  1844,  and  with  his  parents  removed 
nine  years  later  to  Maiden,  which  has  since 
been  his  home.  He  continued  at  home  with 
his  parents  until  August,  1862,  when  he  broke 
through  the  ties  which  bound  him  to  the  home 
stead  in  order  to  join  the  Union  army  and  par 
ticipate  in  the  exciting  scenes  and  deadly  con 
flicts.  Reaching  a  recruiting  Station  he  en 
listed,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co. 
I,  93rd  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Aug.  13,  1862.  His  Regt. 
proceeded  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  after  having 
spent  some  time  drilling  in  Chicago,  arriv 
ing  Nov.  14  and  almost  immediately  joined 
Gen.  Grant's  army  in  its  Northern  Mississippi 
Campaign.  Leaving  Memphis  they  arrived 
Dec.  30,  then  proceeded  to  LaFayette,  Tenn., 
and  afterwards  returned  to  Ridgeway.  March 
3,  his  Regt.  embarked  for  Lake  Providence, 
and  on  arrival  moved  to  Helena,  Ark.,  and 
from  there  moved  down  the  river  on  the  Yazoo 
Pass  expedition.  Mr.  Laughlin  although  sev 
eral  months  in  the  army  had  not  seen  much 
actual  service,  but  during  the  fall  and  winter 
had  been  exposed  by  day  and  night,  which  by 
the  spring  of  1863,  began  to  tell  upon  his 
young  and  not  over  strong  constitution.  By 
the  time  April  had  arrived  his  illness  which  he 
had  hoped  would  not  lay  him  aside  from  his 
duties  as  a  soldier  became  serious,  rendering 
him  unfit  longer  to  face  the  disease  without 
quitting,  at  least  for  a  time,  his  Regt.  He  was 
placed  in  a  hospital,  first  at  Memphis,  then  at 
Jefferson,  and  finally  at  Holly  Springs,  and  the 
Surgeons  concluding  that  he  would  not  be  fit 


for  service  for  several  months,  suggested  his 
retirement,  and  he  was  therefore  mustered  out 
at  Fort  Pickering,  Miss.,  in  June,  1863,  when  he 
returned  to  his  home  at  Maiden. 

Mr.  Laughlin  had  a  brother  Samuel  A.  in 
the  army  at  the  same  time,  who  was  also  in  the 
same  company  and  regiment,  and  died,  whilst 
in  the  service,  of  typhoid  fever  at  Memphis, 
Mar.  9,  in  the  year  of  1863. 

John  Laughlin,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  so  distinguished 
himself  as  to  be  promoted  to  the  position  of 
Captain,  which  he  held  until  the  close  of  that 
war.  In  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  advance 
ment  of  the  Grand  Army  work  our  subject 
takes  a  leading  part.  He  is  a  member  of  Post 
No.  309  G.  A.  R.  at  Princeton,  of  which  he  has 
been  Senior  Vice-Commander,  for  five  years,  as 
also  a  delegate  for  the  last  six  years  represent 
ing  his  comrades  at  the  annual  meetings  of  the 
State  Encampment.  He  has  held  the  position 
of  Supervisor  of  Berlin  Township  for  two 
years,  and  being  a  leading  Democrat  was  put 
in  nomination  for  the  Sheriff  of  the  county, 
but  as  the  district  has  always  been  recognized 
as  irretrievably  Republican,  it  will  not  astonish 
persons  to  know  that  honest,  popular  M.  F. 
Laughlin  was  defeated  on  election  day  by  a 
small  majority.  At  present  he  fills  the  posi 
tion  of  Police  Justice  for  his  town  with  dignity, 
and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  moral,  law-abid 
ing  citizens. 

He  has  been  twice  married,  on  the  last  oc 
casion  to  Miss  Libbie  Rackley,  whom  he  joined 
in  wedlock  on  Oct.  4,  1876,  and  five  children- 
George  F.,  Lulu  M.,  John  F.,  Arthur  J.,  and 
Mathew  C.,  have  been  the  result  of  that  mar 
riage.  Honest  and  upright  in  all  his  dealings, 
few  men  in  the  county  are  held  in  higher 
esteem  than  is  M.  F.  Laughlin  among  the 
many  friends,  acquaintances  and  comrades 
throughout  the  town  and  county  in  which  he 
resides. 

He  has  taken  deep  interest  in  assisting 
needy  comrades  in  procuring  evidence,  and 
assisting  them  in  obtaining  pensions,  when 
justly  entitled  to  the  same,  often  bearing  much 
of  the  expense  out  of  his  own  purse,  and  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


289 


has  earned  the  gratitude  of  many  who  owe 
much  of  their  success  to  his  intimate  acquaint 
ance  with  the  Pension  Law,  and  the  concise 
manner  and  promptness  with  which  he  has  for 
warded  their  papers. 


LEONIDAS  CONOVER,  of    Quincy,    111.,    is    a 
native  of  111.,  born  June  22,  1842.     His 
parents  were  Jonah  and  Esther  (Homan) 
Conover.     Father  was  a  farmer,   died   in   1873 
and  the  mother  died   in   1890.     Six  sons    and 
two  daughters  were  born  to  them,  five  of  whom 
are  now  living — Norris,  David,  Leonidas,  Thad- 
deus,  John,  Laura  and  Sarah  A.;  one  died  in  in 
fancy,  Sarah  A.,  and  David  are  also  deceased. 
Thaddeus   was   a  soldier  during  the  Rebellion 
serving  three  years  in  Co.   G.   iigth  111.     Our 
subject  grew  to    manhood  on  the  homestead, 
being  reared  to  farm  life.     He  enlisted  Dec.  19, 
1863  in  Co.  A.,  2ist  Mo.    Regt.,   under  the  call 
for  300,000  men,  at  Canton,  Mo.     He  served 
under  Gens.  Prentiss  and   Grant  in  the   i6th  A. 
C.,  and  took  part  in  the    battle    of    Pittsburg 
Landing,  that  sanguinary  engagement,  being 
his  first  initiation  into  the  horrors  of  war.     The 
Regt.  went  into  the  battle  with  1,165  men  and 
came  out  with  about  300.     He  took  part  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  and  continued  with  the  2ist 
Mo.,  through  its  varying   vicissitudes  .until  dis 
charged   in    Oct.   1864    on    account    of    heart 
disease.    This  disability  has  continued  from  his 
discharge  up  to  the  present  time.     The  trouble 
was  contracted  at  Pittsburg  Landing  as  a  result 
of  exhaustion  and  over-heating.     He  has  never 
been  able  to  do  any  heavy  labor  since.    He  has 
spent  a  small  fortune  in  his  effort  to  regain  his 
health  but  without  avail.     He  was  married  at 
Lima,  111.,   March  3,   1861 — the  day  before  the 
inauguration    of    President    Lincoln — to  Miss 
Mary   Elick,  a  native  of  Covington,  Ky.,  born 
Jan.  3,  1842.     Her  parents   were  Germans,  who 
came    to    111.  before  the  war.     Nine    children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conover,  seven 
living — Alfred  P.  the  eldest,  is  married  and  lives 
in    Lima,    111.,  a    blacksmith    by    occupation; 
Emma,  now  Mrs.  Thos.  Davis,  resides  in  Quin- 

19 


cy;  Royal,  married  and  is  a  farmer  near  Lima; 
Lillie,  married  Frank  Lewis,  and  died  in  Mo.; 
Harrison  is  engaged  in  farming;  Orville  died  in 
childhood;  William,  James, Olive  and  Flora  are 
under  the  parental  roof.  Our  subject  joined 
the  G.  A.  R.,  in  1883  and  was  Adjt.  of  the  Post 
for  sometime,  but  internal  contentions  and  dis 
agreements  caused  his  withdrawal.  Politically 
he  is  a  staunch  Republican  "and  always  expects 
to  be."  Mrs.  Conover  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.  Subject  is  a  physical  wreck 
as  a  result  of  his  many  services  whose  whole 
plan  of  life  has  been  materially  changed  in 
consequence.  To  say  that  he  has  suffered  in 
tensely  for  the  Union  cause  is  but  telling  the 
plain  truth. 


OSCAR      B.      CHAMPNEY,    a     resident     of 
Peoria,  111.,  was  born   May  30,    1837,  at 
what  was  then  called   Black  Rock,  N. 
Y.,  now  a  suburb  of  Buffalo,  and  is  the  son  of 
Julius   B.   and   Sarah    (Bradford)    Champney. 
Mr.  Champney  has  an  interesting  geneaology. 
His  paternal  ancestry  in  this  country  is  traced 
back  to  Richard  Champney,  who,  in  1634,  came 
from    Lincolnshire,    England,    and    settled    in 
Cambridge,  Mass.     He  was  a  ruling  elder  in  the 
church,  and  was  a  man  highly  esteemed  for  his 
piety,    and    his    exhibition    of     the    Christian 
virtues,  and  among  whose  descendants  we  find 
lawyers,      ministers,    physicians,    judges    and 
skilled    mechanics,    all    of  high    repute.     His 
mother,  who  is  of  good  old  Puritan  stock,  is  a 
descendant  of  Gov.  Wm.  Bradford,  who  landed 
at  Plymouth,  on  the  "Mayflower,"  and  who  was 
one  of  the  early  Govenors  of  the  colony.     The 
Bradfords  occupy  great  prominence  all  through 
out  the  history  of  the  Puritans. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  who  was  born 
Feb.  12,  1811,  at  New  Ispwick,  N.  H.,  was  a 
master  mechanic  by  trade,  and  ran  the  first 
train  from  Buffalo  to  Niagara,  making  the  run 
on  one  of  the  "good  old"  fashioned  locomo 
tives,  with  no  protection  from  the  elements, 
no  cover  but  the  blue  canopy  above.  The 
track  was  constructed  of  the  so  called  "strap" 


290 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


rails  which  the  locomotive  would  jump  about 
every  five  to  ten  miles.  Later  he  was  master 
mechanic  of  Boston  &  Fall  River  R.  R.,  and 
subsequently  had  a  similar  position  on  the 
Chicago  &  Rock  Island  road.  He  had  the 
happy  faculty  of  possessing  rare  literary  qual 
ities,  was  staunch  in  the  temperance  cause,  fre 
quently  making  lectures  on  that  subject,  and 
never  made  use  of  intoxicating  drinks  or 
tobacco  in  any  form  whatever.  He  died  at 
Girard,  111.,  Jan.  30,  1890,  having  nearly  reached 
his  79th  year.  His  mother  was  born  at  Dux- 
bury,  Mass.,  June  13,  1813,  and  died  at  the  same 
place  Jan.  16,  1850.  Of  the  four  children  born 
by  his  father's  first  marriage,  our  subject  is  the 
only  one  living.  He  spent  his  boyhood  days 
at  Fall  River,  to  which  place  his  parents  later 
moved,  and  where  he  received  an  excellent  and 
thorough  education,  attending  the  high  school 
of  that  city  up  to  his  i8th  year.  After  leaving 
school  he  entered  as  apprentice  in  the  jewelry 
and  watchmaking  business  of  his  uncle  at 
Troy,  N.  Y.  Finding  the  occupation  too  con 
fining,  and  not  adapted  to  his  taste,  he  joined 
his  parents  the  following  year,  and  went  west 
to  Illinois.  He  responded  to  the  first  call  of 
the  President  at  the  outbreak  of  the  great 
rebellion.  He  enlisted  in  Captain  Coates'  Com 
pany  of  La  Salle,  111.,  but  the  quota  for  that 
vicinity  having  been  filled,  the  company  was 
not  accepted.  Oscar's  patriotism,  however, 
would  not  be  quenched.  So  determined  was 
he  to  enter  the  service  that  he  walked  over  to 
Granville,  in  Putnam  Co.  about  nine  miles  dis 
tant,  where  a  company  was  being  formed,  and 
enlisted  May  8,  1861,  in  Co.  H.,  Capt.  Frisbee, 
2Oth  111.  Inf.  The  company  was  called  the 
Putnam  Co.  Rifle  Guards;  and  what  better  name 
could  the  company  have  chosen?  Whose  heart 
does  not  thrill  with  patriotism  at  the  sound  of 
that  name  "Putnam." 

May  11,  the  company  started  for  Peru,  111., 
in  wagons  accompanied  by  all  the  citizens  within 
a  range  of  seven  or  eight  miles,  and  where  they 
were  received  with  great  enthusiasm,  amidst 
music  and  cheering  as  was  customary  on  such 
occasions.  At  Joliet  they  went  into  camp 
and  organized  a  regiment  under  Col.  C.  C. 


Marsh.  Shortly  afterward  were  ordered  to 
Alton,  Ills.,  pitched  their  tent,  and  were  put  to 
grubbing  up  stumps,  which  was  evidently  one 
of  the  conditions  of  the  lease  of  the  camp 
grounds.  Next  they  embarked  on  boats  for 
St.  Louis,  camped  in  the  arsenel,  and  a  few 
days  later  were  transported  to  Cape  Girardeau, 
Mo.,  where  they  immediately  began  the  con 
struction  of  breastworks  and  fortifications,  and 
from  where  Oscar  participated  in  frequent 
raids  after  the  troublesome  guerrilla  bands 
under  Jeff  Thompson,  remaining  about  two 
months,  when  they  proceeded  on  to  Bird's- 
Point,  Mo.  From  there  they  made  frequent 
raids  into  the  adjoining  country,  and  on  one 
occasion  the  long  roll  was  beat  in  the  silent 
hour  of  midnight.  They  formed  into  line  in- 
stanter,  and  onward  they  marched  through  the 
dark  and  misty  night,  on  beyond  Charleston, 
and  about  4  A.  M.,  while  passing  a  tract  of 
dense  bushes  they  were  startled  with  a  volley 
of  shot  fired  upon  them  by  the  ambushed  bush 
whackers.  Three  were  killed  and  several 
wounded,  and  such  was  our  subject's  first  ex 
perience  under  fire.  They  returned  to  Bii;d's 
Point,  where  Mr.  Champney  was  taken  sevcrelv 
sick  with  typhoid  fever  and  was  transferred  to 
the  hospital  at  Mound  City,  Ills.,  where  he  was 
confined  several  weeks,  returned  home  on  a 
month's  furlough,  recruited  and  rejoined  his 
Regt.  at  Pittsburgh  Landing  April  3,  1862, 
under  Gen.  McClernand.  Here  he  generally 
attended  to  the  making  out  of  the  pay-rolls, 
and  such  other  duties  as  belonged  to  an 
orderly  sergeant.  Sunday  morning,  April  6, 
while  the  "boys"  were  preparing  their  break 
fast,  and  many  just  arising  from  their  slumbers, 
their  skirmishers  came  rushing  in  with  the 
enemy  under  Gen.  Johnston  on  their  heels.  No 
time  was  lost  in  breakfasting,  nor  in  meditat 
ing  over  the  surprise,  but  immediately  they 
were  ordered  into  line,  and  then  "Forward 
March,"  in  double  quick,  soon  encountering  the 
glistening  of  the  rebel  bayonets,  and  anon  the 
hot  firing  of  the  memorable  battle  of  Shiloh  had 
begun.  Mr.  Champney's  command  was  up  to  the 
front  in  the  very  hottest  of  the  battle,  where 
bullets  were  hissing  and  flying  the  thickest. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


291 


His  boon  comrades  were  falling  fast  and  thick 
by  his  side,  human  blood  was  running  in  little 
rivulets,  and  about  II  A.  M.,  our  young  hero 
was  wounded,  being  shot  through  the  thigh  by 
a  musket  ball,  which  grazed  and  fractured  the 
bone.  He  was  carried  to  the  Surgeon's  tent 
where  his  wound  was  dressed  amidst  the  roar 
and  thunder  of  the  conflict,  then  placed  in  an 
ambulance  and  transported  to  the  hospital 
boat  on  the  river.  Cold  water  alone  saved  his 
leg  and  his  life.  Shortly  he  was  taken  to  the 
hospital  at  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  St.  Louis, 
where  he  was  confined  about  a  month,  when 
having  partially  recovered  he  received  a  fur 
lough  and  returned  home. 

During  this  time  his  father  had  received 
news  from  a  neighbor's  son,  who  stated  that 
Oscar  had  been  killed.  Anxious  to  know  the 
particulars,  he  made  arrangements  to  visit  the 
battlefield.  He  was  to  depart  an  Monday,  but 
that  night,  at  the  still  hour  of  midnight,  when 
deep  sleep  held  all  in  repose  except  the  dis 
tressed  father,  the  soldier  boy  arrived  at  the  dear 
old  home.  A  loud  rap  came  upon  the  door, 
and  a  well  known  voice  called,  "  Father,  Father  ! 
it  is  I,  it  is  I  !"  and  anon  the  soldier  who  was 
mourned  as  dead  stood  before  his  father  and 
his  sisters,  who  clung  to  his  neck,  crying,  "  My 
brother !  Oh,  my  brother,  you  are  not  killed  ! 
Oh,  how  glad  we  are  that  you  are  home  again  !" 
Ah,  yes !  joy  and  gladness  reigned  supremely 
at  that  home  that  night.  He  stayed  but  fifteen 
days,  and  returned  to  the  hospital  at  St.  Louis, 
where  he  remained  until  about  the  middle  of 
August.  While  there  he  received  a  letter  from 
his  Captain,  stating  that  if  he  rejoined  his  com 
pany  he  would  promote  him  to  Adjutant.  Anx 
ious  to  return,  Mr.  Champney  at  once  applied 
to  the  Surgeon  for  leave.  He,  however,  shook 
his  head,  saying  he  had  positive  orders  not  to 
permit  anyone  to  go  who  was  not  able  for  a 
day's  march,  and  thus  our  soldier  was  honestly 
discharged  on  account  of  his  wound  and  phys 
ical  disability.  After  receiving  his  discharge 
Mr.  Champney  returned  to  Peru,  being  com 
pelled  to  go  about  on  crutches  for  several 
months  after.  Subsequently  he  moved  to  Peo- 
ria,  where  he  entered  into  the  employ  of  the 


C.,  R.  I.  &  P.  R.  R.  Co.,  remaining  with  them 
for  eleven  consecutive  years.  At  present  he  is 
entrusted  with  the  responsible  position  of  cash 
ier  and  bookkeeper  in  the  extensive  busi 
ness  of  James  Selby  &  Co.,  manufacturers  of 
corn  planters.  The  fact  that  he  has  held  this 
trustworthy  position  for  the  past  seventeen 
years  is  the  best  testimonial  of  his  ability  and 
integrity. 

To  find  his  ideal  wife  he  went  all  the  way  to 
Duxbury, Mass.,  where,  on  Aug.23, 1863,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Julia  Cushman,  daughter  of 
John  W.  and  Deborah  (Graff am)  Cushman.  By 
this  union  there  were  born  two  children — a  son, 
Julius,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Sarah,  who  is 
living  at  home. 

Mr.  Champney  is  a  member  of  the  John 
Bryner  Post,  No.  67,  Peoria,  111.,  of  which  he  has 
been  Chaplain;  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  a  member  of 
both  the  lodges  and  encampment;  is  a  Knight 
of  Honor,  an  A.  O.  U.  W.,  a  member  of  the 
Traveling  Men's  Ass'n,  and  also  of  the  Patriotic 
Sons  of  America,  of  which  he  was  first  Presi 
dent  of  the  camp  instituted  at  Peoria.  He  has 
always  voted  the  Republican  ticket ;  is  a  Uni- 
versalist,  and  is  a  highly-respected  citizen,  and 
a  gentleman  whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  meet. 


M 


AJ.  GF.N.  WINFIELD  SCOTT  HANCOCK,  was 
born  in  Penn.  in  1824.  Educated  at  West 
Point,  where  he  graduated  in  1844. 
Entered  military  service  immediately  after 
graduating  as  2d  Lieut,  in  the  6th  Regt.  U.  S. 
Inf.  In  this  capacity  he  went  to  Mexico  in 
1846,  and  served  under  Gen.  Scott  in  his  cam 
paign  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  Mexican  Capital. 
In  1847  ne  was  promoted  to  First  Lieut,  for 
brave  and  meritorious  conduct  at  the  battles  of 
Contreras  and  Cherubusco;  was  soon  made  Reg 
imental  Quartermaster,  in  which  he  continued 
until  1849,  when  he  was  chosen  Adjt.  of  the  6th 
Regt.,  U.  S.  Inf. 

Continuing  in  the  regular  army  until  the  be 
ginning  of  the  great  Rebellion,  Hancock  was 
appointed  Brig.  Gen.  of  Vols.,  and  ordered  to 
join  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  Sept.  21,  1861. 


292 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


During  Gen.  McClellan's  exciting  campaign  on 
the  Peninsula,  Hancock  took  a  leading  part, 
and  for  gallant  conduct  at  Yorktown  on  May 
5th,  1862,  was  promoted  to  Major  and  Lieut. 
Col.  in  the  regular  army;  to  Col.  June  27th,  and 
on  Nov.  29th,  1862,  was  commissioned  Maj. 
Gen.  of  Vols.  for  distinguished  service  at  the 
battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Va. 

Few  Generals  in  the  Union  service  have  done 
more  hard  righting  or  made  a  better  record  than 
Gen.  Hancock.  From  the  siege  of  Yorktown 
in  April,  1861,  until  the  surrender  of  Lee's  army 
on  the  gth  of  April,  1865,  he  was  star  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  participated  in  all 
its  great  battles,  and  in  almost  every  one  dis 
tinguished  himself.  So  signally  fortunate  did 
his  battles  result  that  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  war  his  name  became  a  tower  of  strength 
throughout  the  army. 

At  Williamsburg,  Va.,  one  of  the  most  im 
portant  conflicts  in  which  Gen.  McClellan's 
army  was  engaged,  Gen.  Hancock  was  singu 
larly  fortunate.  Our  troops  had  overtaken  the 
retreating  Rebels,  and  a  terrible  battle  was 
progressing,  doubtful  in  its  result.  The  con 
tending  forces  were  much  exhausted,  and  vic 
tory  inclined  to  neither  side.  At  this  critical 
time  Gen.  Hancock's  Div.  was  brought  upon 
the  field.  Forming  his  men  in  battle  line,  and 
hurriedly  surveying  the  field,  he  dashed  quickly 
to  the  front  and  shouted  the  call  to  charge.  A 
loud  cheer  rose  from  the  whole  line,  and  in  an 
instant  five  thousand  bayonets  gleamed  in  the 
face  of  the  foe.  Like  a  resistless  torrent  the 
advancing  lines  swept  across  a  small  ravine  and 
drove  the  enemy  in  confusion  from  the  field. 
This  was  the  first  bayonet  charge  of  the  cam 
paign,  and  the  first  successful  one  of  the  war. 
The  troops  at  that  time  had  never  seen  a  bay 
onet  charge;  yet  Gen.  Hancock  had  confidence 
in  his  men,  and  boldly  took  the  chances.  It 
was  a  masterly  stroke  and  a  brilliant  success, 
for  which  Hancock  received  universal  applause. 

At  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  Gen.  Han 
cock  was  again  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight. 
His  Div.  was  several  times  overwhelmed, 
flanked,  cut  off,  and  nearly  surrounded.  In 
this  unfortunate  affair  he  lost  one-third  of  his 


command,  and  was  himself  severely  wounded. 
At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  he  commanded 
a  corps,  and  was  again  dangerously  wounded 
and  carried  from  the  field.  Compelled  by  his 
wounds  and  failing  health  to  withdraw  from  ac 
tive  service,  he  was  appointed  during  the  spring 
of  1865  to  the  command  of  a  corps  of  veteran 
soldiers.  It  was  to  consist  of  fifty  thousand 
experienced  men,  all  of  whom  were  to  be  old 
soldiers,  tried  by  long  experience  in  the  fires  of 
battle.  The  intention  of  the  War  Department 
was  to  make  it  the  finest  body  of  fighting  sol 
diers  in  the  world,  and  in  command  of  it  Gen. 
Hancock  was  to  take  the  field  against  the  Re 
bellion.  The  known  popularity  of  the  proposed 
commander,  the  strength  and  efficiency  of  the 
corps,  made  the  new  organization  universally 
approved,  and  veteran  soldiers  crowded  into 
the  ranks.  Before  it  was  completed  the  Rebel 
lion  failed,  and  this  splendid  new  organization 
was  mustered  out  of  service.  Gen.  Hancock- 
remained  in  service  at  the  close  of  the  war,  a 
soldier  by  profession,  who  has  earned  his  fame 
and  won  renown  on  many  battlefields.  He  died 
Feb.  9,  1886. 


JOHN  G.  CORBETT,  a  resident  of  Peoria,  111., 
was  born  Dec.  13,  1845,  at  Newton,  Ham 
ilton  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and 
Eveline  (Glasgow)  Corbett,  who  was  a  native 
of  Mifflin  County,  Pa.,  the  father  being  of 
Irish  and  the  mother  of  Scotch  descent.  In 
1848,  when  John  was  but  two  years  of  age  the 
family  took  boat  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  for  Peru,  111., 
from  there  by  wagon  they  proceeded  to 
Princeton,  111.,  where  they  located,  and  where 
the  father  remained  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
his  widow  out-living  him  by  three  years. 

John  spent  his  boyhood  days  at  Princeton, 
111.,  where  he  attended  school  up  to  his 
eighteenth  year.  During  this  time  some  of  the 
"  boys  in  blue  "  were  home  on  a  furlough.  He 
freely  visited  and  conversed  with  the  soldier 
boys,  and  anon  his  patriotism  was  thoroughly 
aroused.  Accordingly  a  youth  of  eighteen 
years,  weighing  I2O  pounds,  bid  "good-bye" 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


293 


to  the  old  school  home,  and  went  forward  to 
"  do  or  die,"  enlisting  Feb.  18,  1864,  in  Co.  B., 
64th  111.  Inf.,  known  as  the  Yates  Sharp-Shoot 
ers,  with  Colonel  John  Morrill,  as  commander. 
The  Regt.  was  organized  at  Ottawa,  111.,  and 
after  a  long  tiresome  ride  in  freight  cars  ar 
rived  within  six  miles  of  Decatur,  Ala.,  during 
the  night  of  March  24th.  They  camped  out 
under  the  open  sky  of  the  "sunny"  south  and 
awoke  the  next  morning  buried  in  ten  inches 
of  snow.  Young  Corbett  having  been  so  com 
pletely  exhausted  he  never  noticed  the  snow 
storm  up  to  the  time  he  was  aroused.  The 
following  day  the  march  was  resumed  through 
deep  snow  to  Decatur,  Ala.,  here  the  boys 
remained,  engaged  in  garrison  duty  and  the 
building  of  breastworks,  having  frequent  skir 
mishes  with  the  guerrillas  under  Gen.  Rondy, 
until  May,  when  they  started  out  in  the  famous 
Atlanta  campaign,  joining  Sherman's  army  at 
Chattanooga.  Several  days  prior  to  their  de 
parture  our  soldier  boy  was  attacked  with  a 
severe  case  of  chronic  diarrhoea;  indeed,  so 
badly  that  his  Surgeon  insisted  on  his  remain 
ing.  But  young  Corbett  chose  to  follow  the 
"  old  flag",  tramping  with  blistered  feet,  and 
being  quite  unfit  for  the  difficult  march. 

The  first  skirmish  was  at  Snake  Creek  Gap, 
May  9,  they  flanked  the  rebels  at  Resaca,  and 
on  the  following  night  lay  on  thier  arms, 
standing  in  deep  mud  under  a  heavy  rain  ready 
to  give  the  looked-for  rebels  a  warm  reception. 
Co.  B.,  being  comprised  of  sharp-shooters  were 
immediately  deployed  to  do  the  skirmishing, 
and  the  advancing  for  the  corps.  May  I5th, 
the  day  the  battle  of  Resaca  was  fought,  Co. 
B.  and  D.,  advanced  the  skirmish  lines  across 
an  open  field,  right  in  face  of  the  firing  from 
the  rebel  sharp-shooters,  both  companies  losing 
heavily  in  wounded.  After  daily  skirmishing 
they  next  met  the  secessionists  at  Dallas,  Ga., 
where  in  the  night  of  May  25th,  they  came 
down  on  them,  rending  the  midnight  air  with 
loud  whoops  and  yells.  The  "boys  in  blue" 
were  soon  in  line  capturing  and  slaughtering 
the  enemy  in  great  numbers.  The  next  en 
counter  was  at  Big  Shanty,  and  on  June  27th, 
the  day  of  the  bloody  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mt., 


the  64th  and  66th  regiments  opened  out  the 
firing  on  the  left,  heroically  advancing  up  the 
high  mountains,  doing  most  gallant  service, 
driving  the  rebels  up  to  the  very  top,  and, 
though  expert  skirmishers,  suffered  a  heavy 
loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  July  4th,  was  cele 
brated  in  fighting  the  battle  of  Owen's  Ferry, 
in  which  Gen.  Noyes  lost  his  leg.  July  2Oth, 
they  captured  Decatur.  Before  Atlanta,  Cor- 
bett's  command  was  placed  in  the  rear  of  the 
1 7th  corps,  the  rebels  under  Hood  being  ex 
pected  to  make  their  attack  there,  but  instead, 
they  made  a  circuitous  march  during  the  silence 
of  the  night,  and  on  the  22nd  fell  down  upon 
the  Union  boys,  utterly  surprising  them,  and 
thus  commenced  the  first  tragic  battle  in  con 
nection  with  the  memorable  siege  of  Atlanta, 
during  which  Corbett's  brigade  lost  its  battery 
before  it  could  get  in  position,  and  nearly 
half  the  number  of  their  brave  men,  amongst 
whom  was  General  McPherson,  who,  riding  off 
on  an  inspection  tour  without  his  staff ,  was  sur 
prised  and  shot  through  the  heart  by  a  small 
stray  squad  of  rebels.  The  enemy  was  routed, 
leaving  about  10,000  in  killed,  wounded  and 
prisoners;  and  Gen.  Sherman  on  this  occasion 
paid  the  highest  compliment  to  the  i6th  corps, 
isolated  as  it  was,  for  its  most  gallant  service. 
Immediately  the  construction  of  works  began. 
On  the  28th  Hood  concentrated  his  rebel  army 
and  stubbornly  fought  all  day,  losing  nearly 
10,000  men.  Mr.  Corbett  says  that  during  this 
conflict  little  streams  were  flowing  crimson 
with  human  blood. 

After  this  Co.  B.  was  constantly  deployed 
in  advancing  and  throwing  up  works,  losing 
more  or  less  men  at  every  advance.  Aug.  25, 
the  army  fell  back  with  muffled  guns,  and  in 
the  night  of  the  28th  marched  to  Jonesboro, 
utterly  misleading  Hood,  as  well  as  the  Union 
boys.  Aug.  31,  we  find  our  young  soldier  fight 
ing  at  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  and  the  follow 
ing  day  the  enemy  evacuated  Atlanta.  Mr. 
Corbett  thinks  that  Gen.  Sherman,  in  flank 
ing  and  capturing  Atlanta  exercised  the 
greatest  military  skill  displayed  in  any  war. 
Sept.  8,  our  young  hero  was  taken  sick,  trans 
ported  to  the  hospital  at  Atlanta,  where  he  lay 


294 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


hovering  between  life  and  death  for  two 
months,  his  weight  dwindling  down  to  seventy- 
five  pounds.  Nov.  10,  he  arrived  at  home,  re 
cuperated,  about  two  months  later  returning,  and 
after  missing  his  regiment  in  its  march  through 
the  Carolinas,  joined  it  at  Alexandria,  Va.» 
and  was  with  it  in  its  grand  and  victorious  en 
tree  at  Washington.  After  participating  in  this 
jubilant  demonstration,  he  took  the  train  for 
Louisville,  Ky.,  where  he  was  mustered  out 
July  ii,  1865. 

He  returned  to  Princeton,  111.,  and  subse 
quently  established  himself  in  the  harness  and 
saddling  business.  This  he  followed  success 
fully  for  eight  years,  and  only  discontinued  it 
on  account  of  ill  health.  Later  he  went  into 
the  hotel  and  livery  business,  and  for  the  past 
eight  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Corbett  &  Cochran,  proprietors  of  one  of  the 
leading  restaurants  and  lunch  rooms  in  Peoria, 

111. 

He  was  married  March  2,  1873,  at  Prince- 
ville,  111.,  to  Miss  Sarah  Rice.  "By  this  union 
there  were  born  four  children,  namely:  Maud, 
Mabel,  Bessie,  and  Hazel.  Mr.  Corbett  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  is  a  Mason,  an  Odd 
Fellow,  and  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum. 
He  is  an  excellent  citizen,  and  wide  awake  in 
the  interests  of  his  city. 


JOHN  GRAHAM  McGurrix,  \vho  faithfully 
served  in  the  Union  army  in  the  war  of  the 
.  rebellion,  was  born  at  Claysville,  Washing 
ton  Co.,  Pa.,  Aug.  8,  1829,  of  Scotch  parents,  who 
came  from  Scotland  and  landed  in  America  Aug. 
6,  1790.  The  grandfather  was  William  McGuffin, 
born  at  Edinburgh  in  1762,  and  married  Eliza 
beth  Porter,  in  1791.  Win.  McGuffin,  Jr.,  was 
wedded  to  Mary  Graham.  The  family  is  Scotch, 
pure  and  unadwlterated,  the  name  anciently 
spelled  MacGuffin,  was  originally  Guffin,  but 
later  Mac,  meaning  son,  was  prefixed.  Henry 
McGuffin,  a  brother  of  William,  Senior,  was  one 
of  the  aids  to  Wellington,  the  Iron  Duke.  To 
William  and  Mary  McGuffin,  who  arc  now 
dead,  was  born  ten  children  who  were  named 


Martha,  Margaret,  Sarah,  William,  John  G., 
Hannah  J.,  Mary,  Nannie,  Ebenezer  and 
Esther. 

Mr.  McGuffin  gives  an  incident  that  occurred 
in  connection  with  his  parents'  emigration  to 
this  country,  which  by  contrast,  shows  the 
marked  improvement  in  ocean  transportation, 
particularly  in  regard  to  time  and  comfort. 
They  sailed  from  Scotland  May  7,  1790,  and 
were  91  days  on  the  water,  and  in  addition  to 
this  the  stock  of  provisions  becoming  exhausted, 
the  passengers  were  reduced  to  one  half  rations, 
and  during  the  latter  part  of  the  voyage,  the 
daily  bill  of  fare  was  one  pint  of  water  and  three 
tablespoonsful  of  oatmeal  for  each  person,  and 
"  no  cake  "  as  he  quaintly  observes.  From  this 
privation  many  people  died,  as  they  were  so 
nearly  starved  that  when  food  could  be  pro 
cured  the  abundance  caused  more  injury  than 
the  scarcity. 

Mr.  McGuffin  passed  his  early  days  on  a 
farm,  and  received  such  educational  advantages 
as  home  study  and  the  schools  of  the  times  aff 
orded.  He  entered  a  store  and  was  employed 
as  a  clerk  until  the  condition  of  the  country 
and  the  dangers  threatened  by  the  desperate 
powers  of  the  rebellion  appealed  to  his  patriotic 
heart,  and  he  enlisted  at  Alcdo,  111.,  Aug.  5, 
1862,  in  Co.  K.,  iO2nd  111.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered 
in  as  a  private  at  Knoxvillc,  111.,  Sept.,  1862.  In 
a  short  time  the  Regt.  went  to  Peoria  and 
Louisville  and  moved  southward  immediately, 
marching  through  Shclbyvillc,  Frankfort, 
Bowling  Green  and  Scottsvillc  to  Gallatin, 
Texas,  arriving  Nov.  26,  and  going  into  winter 
quarters. 

In  May  Col.  Smith,  with  a  detail  of  men 
went  to  Franklin  to  protect  a  railway  train  that 
was  expected,  from  the  bushwhackers  that  en 
deavored  to  capture  the  express  mail  matter 
and  to  annoy  the  movement  of  the  Union 
forces.  Col.  Smith  being  in  doubt  as  to  the 
locality  of  the  train  and  the  point  of  attack, 
left  a  part  of  his  men  and  boarded  the  cars  to 
go  to  Bowling  Green,  expecting  to  meet  the 
coming  train  at  that  place.  About  three  miles 
out  the  engineer  discovered  rails  displaced  at  a 
curve  on  an  enbankment  and  was  able  to  stop 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


295 


the  train  just  in  time  to  avoid  a  catastrophe. 
As  soon  as  the  train  stopped  a  volley  came 
from  the  woods  at  the  roadside,  killing  2  and 
wounding  5  men.  A  charge  was  immediately 
made  and  a  number  of  these  cowardly,  hiding 
bushwhackers  were  killed  and  the  remainder 
put  to  flight,  so  that  there  was  comparative 
freedom  from  danger  to  trains  thereafter.  In 
June,  1863,  the  Brig,  was  ordered  to  Lavergne, 
and  the  I02nd  was  sent  to  Stewart's  Creek,  a 
small  post  6  miles  South.  Here  five  companies 
were  mounted  on  horses  taken  from  disloyal 
citizens  in  that  locality,  and  when  these  were 
armed  with  Spencer's  Repeating  Rifles,  the 
Regt.  became  well  known  to  the  rebels  on  ac 
count  of  its  effective  service.  In  Feb.,  1864,  a 
forward  movement  was  made  through  Tulla- 
homa,  Decherd  and  Stevenson,  to  camp  in 
Wauhatchie  Valley,  Tenn.  At  this  place  the 
mounted  men  gave  up  their  horses,  but  retained 
the  repeating  rifles.  May  2,  began  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  this  Regt.  performed  valiant 
service  and  suffered  heavy  losses  in  the  en 
gagements  at  Resaca,  Camp  Creek,  Burnt 
Hickory,  Big  Shanty,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and 
at  Atlanta.  In  a  few  weeks  the  Savannah  march 
begun,  and  arriving  at  Milledgcville,  Nov.  22, 
1864,  crossed  the  Ogeechee,  and  Dec.  11  this 
Regt.  established  the  line  at  Savannah,  and  en 
tered  the  city  Dec.  2ist.  With  but  little  delay, 
marching  was  continued  to  Hardeeville,  Rob- 
ertsville,  Fayetteville,  and  March  16  was  en 
gaged  at  Averysboro,  and  on  the  23rd  was 
camped  at  Goldsboro.  In  April  a  march  was 
ordered  to  Raleigh,  where  a  halt  was  made 
until  the  surrender  of  Johnston,  and  this  virtu 
ally  ended  the  military  service  of  this  fighting 
regiment.  It  took  part  in  the  grand  review  at 
Washington,  and  was  sent  home  to  be  mustered 
out,  receiving  final  discharge  in  Chicago,  June 
14,  1865. 

Mr.  McGuffin  kept  a  daily  diary  while  in  the 
army,  and  has  many  personal  and  historical  in 
cidents  recorded.  He  was  one  of  those  men  of 
whom  it  was  said  he  could  sleep  even  while  on 
long  marches  at  night,  so  he  was  in  the  hospital 
only  one  month  during  his  service,  and  was 
absent  on  furlough  but  thirty  days;  and  it  may 


be  safely  stated  that  he  well-earned  his  pay. 
For  meritorious  service  Mr.  McGuffin  was  pro 
moted  from  5th  to  ist  Sergeant  at  Scottville, 
Ky.,  in  Sept.,  1862.  He  received  his  discharge 
at  the  hospital  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Oct.  6,  1864, 
on  account  of  disability,  and  returning  to  Aledo. 
111.,  has  since  been  a  bookkeeper  and  merchant. 
John  Graham  McGuffin  and  Margaret  Susan 
Harris,  of  Aleda,  a  daughter  of  David  R.  and 
Mary  A.  Harris,  were  married  Feb.  25,  1858,  and 
have  one  child,  who  is  named  William  Rice.  Mr. 
McGuffin  is  a  Republican  voter,  and  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  He  had  a  brother,  Ebenezer, 
who  served  in  a  Penn.  regiment.  Mr.  Mc 
Guffin  is  a  gentleman  who  bears  in  his  charac 
ter  the  impress  of  the  sturdy  ancestry  from 
which  he  descended,  and  by  these  qualities  has 
•not  only  made  comfortable  provison  for  him 
self  and  family,  but  has  also  won,  by  genial  sin 
cerity  and  strict  integrity,  the  esteem  and  con 
fidence  of  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  business 
associates. 


WILLIAM  M.  PERKY,  Elizabeth's  (111.) 
popular  Post  Master,  was  born  in 
Galena,  in  1846,  a  son  of  Oliver  H. 
and  Minerva  E.  (Wythe)  Perry,  natives  of 
Mass,  and  Vt.,  respectively.  The  parents  were 
married  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  in  1844,  then  removed 
to  Galena,  111.,  where  they  remained  many  years, 
afterwards  removing  to  Iowa,  where  Mr.  Perry, 
who  was  a  bricklayer  and  plasterer  by  trade, 
became  associated  with  Gen.  John  C.  Smith, 
in  the  contracting  and  building  business,  the 
former  doing  the  mason  work  and  the  latter 
the  carpenter's  part.  In  Aug.  1862,  the  two 
concluded  to  join  the  army  and  were  commis 
sioned  to  raise  a  company,  which  they  did,  part 
of  the  men  enlisting  from  Galena,  the  remain 
der  from  Elizabeth.  From  the  Galena  number 
Mr.  Smith  was  selected  as  Captain.  It  was  in 
tended  that  Mr.  Perry  should  be  ist  Lieut.,  but 
the  Elizabeth  men  desired  to  nominate  a  man 
from  amongst  their  number  for  that  position, 
which  was  permitted.  The  company  was  mus 
tered  as  Co.  I.,  96th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  which  our 


296 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


subject's  father  fought  all  through  the  war,  ren 
dering  his  country  splendid  service  and  never 
had  the  misfortune  of  being  captured  or 
wounded.  He  was  thrown  from  his  horse  at 
Wartrace,  Tenn.,  in  1863,  and  disabled  for  a 
time,  and  was  in  the  hospital  at  Nashville  at  the 
time  the  regiment  was  discharged.  He  inher 
ited  his  soldier  nature  from  his  famous  ances 
tor,  Commodore  H.  O.  Perry.  He  was  the 
parent  of  two  sons  and  five  daughters. 

William  M.  received  his  education  at  Galena, 
but  abandoned  school  when  but  sixteen,  and  en 
listed  in  the  army  in  his  father's  Regt.  as  a  fifer, 
but  at  the  organization  of  the  company,  it  was 
found  101  men  responded,  one  over  the  regula 
tion  number,  and  as  he  being  very  youthful  in 
appearance  and  small  of  stature,  was  rejected, 
whereupon,  boy  like,  he  retreated  behind  a 
building  and  began  to  cry.  One  of  the  men 
inquired  of  him  the  cause,  and  on  ascertaining, 
joined  another  company,  thus  making  room  for 
young  William,  who  was  permitted  to  become 
a  soldier.  His  Regt.  remained  at  Galena  for  a 
time,  then  moved  to  Camp  Fuller,  Rockford, 
where  it  was  mustered,  Allan  C.  Fuller  being 
the  officer  who  performed  that  duty,  and  seeing 
young  Perry,  said,  "You  are  too  small  to  carry  a 
gun, "but  on  being  informed  he  was  a  fifer,  per 
mitted  him  to  pass.  Oct.  i8th,  the  Regt.  left 
Rockford,  proceeding  to  Covington,  Ky.,  where 
Gen.  Morgan  was  expected  to  appear  and  assault 
the  place,  therefore  the  Regt.  was  engaged  on 
guard  for  several  weeks,  then  marched  to  Lex 
ington,  thence  to  Danville,  where  it  went  into 
winter  quarters  and  was  employed  upon  guard 
and  other  similar  duties,  making  however  sev 
eral  raids  into  the  surrounding  country.  In  the 
winter  of  1861-2,  it  marched  to  Louisville  and 
thence  to  Fort  Donelson,  reaching  the  latter 
point  just  in  time  to  save  that  place  from  capt 
ure.  It  marched  then  to  Nashville,  remaining 
there  sometime, «then  moved  to  Franklin  and 
after  a  week  or  two  went  to  Brentwood.when  it 
returned  to  Franklin  and  had  a  slight  skirmish. 
The  Regt.  then  moved  to  Triune,  where  it  had 
another  skirmish  and  was  continuously  in  line 
of  battle  for  a  day  and  part  of  the  night.  About 
this  time  Mr.  Perry  was  made  an  Orderly,  as  he 


was  an  indifferent  operator  upon  the  fife,  on  the 
staff  of  Gen.  Steadman,  filling  the  position  with 
distinction  and  not  surpassed  by  those  ex 
perienced  and  of  mature  years.  Leaving  Triune, 
the  Regt.  moved  to  Shelbyville,  where  it  capt 
ured  800  prisoners,  taking  them  to  Murfrees- 
boro,  then  went  to  Wartrace,  guarding  bridges 
and  doing  camp  duty,  and  subsequently  moved 
toward  Chattanooga. 

Our  subject  was  sent  from  headquarters  at 
Rossville  to  the  Chickamauga  battlefield  and 
was  captured  by  his  own  pickets  as  a  spy 
and  taken  to  headquarters,  where  he  was  not 
recognized;  was  kept  under  guard  that  night, 
but  next  morning  some  of  the  staff  officers 
recognized  him,  when  he  was  released,  and 
returned  that  same  day.  Gen.  Steadman  had 
the  sole  of  his  boot  torn  off,  and  sent  young 
Perry  to  Rossville  for  another  pair  and  in  pas 
sing  through  the  woods  he  came  upon  a  rebel 
whom  he  covered  with  his  gun,  and  ordered  to 
throw  up  his  hands,  disarmed  him  and  brought 
him  into  camp,  then  carried  out  his  order.  On 
the  early  morning  of  the  second  day's  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  with  his  Regt.  he  went  to  recon 
noitre,  and  regardless  of  danger  passed  along 
the  enemy's  lines  in  the  open  field  instead  of 
through  the  timber  as  the  others,  and  for  the 
remainder  of  the  clay  was  kept  busy  carrying 
orders  from  place  to  place,  and  at  the  close  of 
the  battle  found  himself  within  the  enemy's 
lines.  Being  mounted  he  put  spurs  to  his 
horse  and  escaped  capture  but  did  not  reach 
his  Regt.,  until  the  following  morning  after  24 
hours  of  continuous  riding  without  resting  or 
feeding  himself  or  horse.  He  was  completely 
used  up  and  exhausted  and  scratched  and 
bruised  with  passing  through  brush  and  tim 
ber,  and  his  horse  rendered  useless  and  was  never 
again  mounted.  The  96th  lost  in  that  battle 
216  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  Regt. 
then  fell  back  to  Chattanooga.  Here  the  army 
was  besieged,  during  which  time  the  men  were 
on  short  rations,  part  of  the  time  only  one- 
fourth,  whilst  later  they  had  only  one  ear  of  corn 
per  day,  until  relieved  by  Gen.  Grant's  army. 
Subsequently  Mr  Perry  rejoined  his  Regt.  as 
fifer,  and  continued  as  such  until  the  war  closed. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


297 


His  Regt.  then  took  part  in  the  Lookout  Mt. 
battle,  scaling  the  mountain  sides  and  was  the 
second  regiment  to  place  its  colors  upon  the 
rebel  works,  from  which  point  it  looked  down 
upon  the  surging  armies  in  the  battle  of  Mis 
sion  Ridge.  From  that  point  Mr.  Perry  wrote 
home  with  pen,  ink  and  paper  left  behind  by 
rebels,  which  letter  his  mother  preserves  and 
still  treasures. 

In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  joined  in  the  At 
lanta  campaign,  and  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Buzzard's  Roost,  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resaca, 
Dalton,  Dallas,  Big  Shanty,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Kenesaw  Mt.,  Siege  of  Atlanta,  and  Jonesboro; 
then  followed  Hood,  and  fought  in  the  battle 
of  Franklin,  marching  the  same  night  to  Nash 
ville,  where  he  took  part  in  that  engagement. 
He  again  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  Hood  to 
Pulaski,  and  on  to  Huntsville,  where  he  win 
tered.  In  east  Tenn.,  he  was  one  of  100  picked 
men  who  went  on  an  expedition  after  bush 
whackers  and  succeeded  in  taking  four,  to  whom 
no  mercy  was  shown, as  theCaptainhadabrother 
and  father  cruelly  murdered  by  the  rebels. 

From  Russellville  the  expedition  continued 
on  the  march,  and  at  Bull's  Gap  heard  the  news 
of  Gen.  Lee's  surrender,  and  death  of  President 
Lincoln.  It  then  received  orders  to  return  to 
Nashville  where  the  96th,  was  mustered  out 
June  10,  1865,  then  went  to  Chicago  and  was 
paid  off  and  discharged  July  4th,  only  50  of  the 
men  originally  enlisting,  returning  with  the 
Regt.  He  was  never  wounded,  captured,  fur- 
loughed,  or  in  hospital.  After  the  war  he  at 
tended  school  at  Galena,  and  was  afterward 
employed  in  the  Post  Office,  having  in  the 
meantime  married  Willie  C.  Fullen,  March  I4th, 
1867.  He  then  took  up  a  homestead  near  Sioux 
City,  Iowa,  where  he  lived  several  years,  then 
returned  to  Galena,  followed  plastering  until 
1876,  when  he  moved  to  Elizabeth  and  engaged 
in  the  confectionery  trade.  He  was  Township 
and  Village  Clerk,  Justice  ot  the  Peace,  and 
Notary  Public.  In  1888,  he  was  elected  Coro 
ner  for  JoDaviess  County,  the  only  Republican 
elected  in  the  county  in  the  election  of  1889, 
and  was  afterward  through  his  friends  appointed 
Post  Master. 


He  is  a  charter  member  and  Adjt.  of  David 
Hill  Post,  No.,  532,  G.  A.  R.  Our  subject  was 
Grand  Master  of  Hardin  Lodge  of  I.  O.  O.  F., 
No.  33,  at  Elizabeth.  He  has  three  children— 
Dr.  W.  Warren,  who  graduated  with  honor  from 
Iowa  State  University;  Jno.  Corson  Smith;  and 
Annette  Minerva. 


DAVID  Fox,  o-f  Quincy,  111.,  was  born  in 
Germany  Oct.  7,  1830.  His  father  was 
John  Fox,  who  served  under  Napoleon 
in  the  battle  of  Waterloo.  He  was  also  a  sol 
dier  for  6  years  in  the  German  Army.  He  came 
to  America  in  1850  and  located  for  a  short  time 
at  Philadelphia,  going  from  there  to  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  he  engaged  at  engine  driving,  farm 
ing  and  car  conducting  in  different  parts  of  the 
country  until  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  April 
26,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co.,  I.,  5th  Mo.  Inf.  at 
St.  Louis,  leaving  there  on  the  double  quick  to 
aid  in  the  capture  of  Camp  Jackson.  At  this 
place  they  found,  probably,  a  hundred  barrels  of 
what  purported  to  be  brandy,  whisky,  etc.  and 
many  boxes  of  the  size  and  shape  of  coffins. 
The  boys  thought  they  would  "sample"  the 
stuff  and  found  the  barrels  contained  ammuni 
tion  while  the  boxes  were  full  of  6  pound  can 
nons  and  other  munitions  of  war.  From  St. 
Louis  they  were  sent  to  Rolla,  Mo.,  then 
marched  out  to  Springfield,  and  from  there  to 
Carthage,  where  was  fought  the  battle  of  that 
name.  This  battle  was  fought  under  difficulties, 
the  enemy  being  in  the  woods,  while  the  Yanks 
had  to  take  the  field.  In  order  to  mislead  the 
wily  foe,  they  loaded  a  few  cannons  with  small 
stones  wrapped  in  horse  blankets.  This  had 
the  desired  effect.  The  rebels  thinking  the 
"Yanks"  had  no  ammunition  made  a  charge 
and  were  cut  to  pieces  with  grape  and 'canis 
ter.  The  battle  of  Wilson's  Creek  followed 
soon  after  in  which  Gen.  Lyon  was  killed. 
The  three  months'  men  were  here  discharged 
and  sent  to  St.  Louis  to  be  mustered  out,  sub 
ject  among  the  rest.  He  returned  to  Quincy 
and  worked  two  months,  for  his  Uncle,  then  re- 
enlisted  in  the  spring  of  1862  in  Co.  E.  84th 


298 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


111.  He  went  to  Louisville,  and  from  there  to 
Nashville,  under  command  of  Gen.  Buell,  after 
ward  under  Rosecrans.  He  was  in  the  battle 
of  Perrysville,  Ky.,and  Stone  River,  Tenn.,  and 
in  the  following  year  in  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  Ga.  Here  subject  had  the  hair  cut 
from  the  side  of  his  head  by  some  heavy  missile 
which  stunned  him,  and  he,  including  the  Col. 
of  the  Regt.,  and  about  16  others  were  taken 
prisoners.  They  were  sent  to  Dalton,  Ga.,  and 
treated  with  the  greatest  indignation  by  the 
militia  guards,  then  sent  on  to  Atlanta. 

Frequently  a  three  days  fast  was  enforced, 
with  but  very  slight  diet  to  break  it,  when  the 
time  did  come.  Three  days  without  anything  to 
eat,  and  then  received  7  crackers  each,  to  last 
them  through  a  seven  days'  trip  from  Atlanta 
to  Richmond.  Here  there  was  brought  them 
10  or  15  bushels  of  sweet  potatoes,  cooked  mud 
and  all,  for  about  700  men.  Our  boys  were 
kept  at  Richmond  about  3  months  in  the  2d 
story  of  the  Pemberton  building,  opposite 
Libby,  where  they  almost  froze  to  death.  Here 
their  fare  was  simply  terrible.  They  found, 
however,  that  the  basement  was  full  of  hogs 
heads  of  sugar.  The  boys  contrived  to  cut  a 
hole  through  the  floor  and  let  a  man  down  who 
filled  a  bag,  made  of  pieces  of  shattered  tent 
and  it  was  hoisted  up,  emptied  and  returned. 
This  continued  for  three  or  four  days,  when 
they  were  discovered  and  the  sweet  temptation 
removed.  He  was  next  sent  to  Danville,  and 
was  kept  in  a  tobacco  warehouse.  Here  60  or 
70  men  were  crowded  into  a  small  box  car  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet.  If  a  man  was  so  un 
fortunate  as  to  get  down,  he  was  most  assured 
ly  taken  out  dead,  five  to  seven  men  being 
taken  out  every  morning  trampled  to  death,  or 
dead  from  bayonet  wounds  and  exhaustion.  The 
object  in  loading  them  on  the  cars  was  to  ship 
them  to  Andersonville,  where  they  arrived  in 
the  spring  of  18,64.  The  horrors  of  Anderson 
ville  have  been  written  by  many,  but  the  half 
has  not  been  told.  They  were  searched,  a  fin 
ger  ring,  knife,  spoon,  mother's  or  sweetheart's 
picture,  a  comb — everything  was  taken  and 
thrown  in  a  heap  for  distribution  among  the 
spoilsmen,  and  if  any  protest  was  made,  they 


were  answered  by  a  bayonet  thrust.  The  suf 
fering  was  simply  appalling.  During  the  winter 
of  1864  and  1865,  while  emaciated  and  sick 
with  long  confinement  and  nothing  to  eat,  they 
were  required  to  lie  like  swine  upon  the  bare 
ground  with  no  covering  but  the  sky. 

When  the  cold  became  unbearable  to  their 
chilled  forms  they  could  take  the  alternative  of 
getting  up  and  running  around  or  being  chilled 
to  death,  and  many  chose  the  latter  in  order  to 
bring  their  terrible  suffering  to  a  close.  Al 
though  they  were  surrounded  by  thousands  of 
acres  of  timber  they  were  obliged  to  dig  out 
roots  to  make  a  fire.  Subject  remained  in  this 
hell  hole  a  full  year,  and  in  all  18  months  a 
prisoner.  He  says  he  has  seen  men  so  weak 
and  emaciated  that  they  would  ask  a  comrade 
to  fold  their  hands  that  they  might  pray  for 
their  friends  at  home.  The  ravages  of  vermin, 
scurvy  and  chronic  diarrhoea  were  terrible. 
When  the  teeth  had  fallen  out  from  scurvy, 
they  were  fed  on  half  cooked  black  beans,  and 
corn  bread.  The  cries  and  prayers  of  the  dying 
were  the  only  solace  to  the  apparently  deserted 
poor  victims  of  this  barbarous  rebel  govern 
ment.  Of  the  16  comrades  taken  with  subject, 
he  is  the  only  survivor.  His  narrative  was  told 
to  the  writer  while  copious  tears  flowed  down 
moistening  his  now  furrowed  cheeks.  His  re 
lease  came  when  the  war  was  over.  He  was 
carried  to  a  box  car,  with  nothing  to  lie  on  but 
the  bare  dirty  floor.  This  fare  a  well  man 
might  stand  for  a  while,  but  for  an  18  months' 
prisoner,  it  is  no  wonder  that  many  died  "in 
sight  of  home."  Subject  was  sent  on  a  boat 
and  paroled  at  Vicksburg.  The  Sanitary  Comr. 
took  charge  of  them  and  they  were  royally 
cared  for,  many  eating  so  much  that  they  died 
from  over  eating.  Clean  new  clothes  were  giv 
en  them,  and  they  felt  that  they  were  not  en 
tirely  forgotten  after  all.  Was  discharged  at 
Springfield,  111.,  in  the  summer  of  1865.  Re 
turned  to  Quincy,  where  he  was  married  in 
1867  to  Regina  Voegel,  a  native  of  Germany. 
Three  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born  to 
this  union — all  living— Frank,  Flora,  Henry, 
Sophia,  Herman  and  Clara.  Flora  is  now  the 
wife  of  Charles  Bimson  and  resides  in  Quincy. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


299 


The  others  are  unmarried.  Subject  is  a  phys 
ical  wreck  from  the  effects  of  his  suffering  in 
prison.  A  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member 
of  John  Wood  Post,  No.  96,  G.  A.  R. 


PETER  C.  JOHNSON,  of  Hinsdale,  111,  was 
born  May  25,  1835,  at  Ovanocker,  Sweden, 
and  was  the  second  son  of  Peter  John 
son,  born  in  the  same  place,  in  the  year  1800, 
who  emigrated  to  this  country  when  our  sub 
ject  was  in  his  i/th  year,  and  died  when  within 
ten  miles  of  his  destination.  Our  subject  was 
brought  up  on  a  farm  in  Sweden,  where  he  at 
tended  private  school  for  a  short  period.  Com 
ing  to  the  United  States  with  his  brothers  and 
sisters,  Bertha  and  Catherine,  he  worked  on  a 
farm  in  Victoria,  111.,  where  he  remained  for 
two  years,  then  moved  to  La  Fayette,  111., 
where  he  married  Martha  Vixel,  on  Oct.  2,  1858, 
she  also  being  of  Swedish  ancestry,  and  by 
whom  he  had  three  children — Luella,  Edward, 
and  Edgar,  the  two  former  of  whom  are  now 
dead. 

Mr.  Johnson,  shortly  after  the  outbreak  of 
the  Rebellion,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  in 
July,  1862,  at  Toulon,  111.,  rendezvoused  at  Peo- 
ria,  on  the  old  fair  ground,  and  was  mustered 
in  there,  Sept.  28,  1862,  as  a  private  in  Co.  F., 
ii2th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  Oct.  8,  his  Regt.  moved  to 
Covington,  Ky.  and  there  reported  to  Maj. 
Gen.  Gordon  Granger.  While  here,  Mr.  John 
son  was  taken  violently  ill  with  typhoid  pneu 
monia,  and  was  sent  to  hospital  at  Lexington, 
where  he  remained  until  March  21,  1863,  when 
he  rejoined  his  Regt.  which  moved  to  Danville, 
Ky.,  arriving  there  on  the  following  day. 

The  object  of  this  move  was  to  check  the 
advance  of  the  rebel  Gen.  Pegram,  who  was 
raiding  that  part  of  the  State,  and  whom  the 
1 1 2th  encountered  and  engaged  in  a  sharp 
skirmish,  causing  the  rebels  to  retreat  to  Stei- 
gal's  Ferry,  where  they  crossed  into  Tenn. 
Shortly  the  Regt.  marched  to  Harrisburg. 
While  there  Mr.  Johnson  obtained  a  furlough 
of  20  days  in  order  to  return  home,  having 
received  news  that  his  house  at  LaFayette,  111., 


had  been  burned  down,  leaving  his  wife  and 
child  homeless.  Shortly  after  his  arrival  his 
wife  died  of  conjestion  of  the  brain.  He 
rejoined  his  Co.,  at  Steigal's  Ferry,  where  it 
had  been  detached  from  the  Regt.,  and  doing 
guard  duty.  It  rejoined  the  Regt.  at  Sommer- 
set,  and  soon  it  was  ordered  to  pursue  Con 
federate  Gen.  Scott,  and  succeeded  in  driving 
him  first  to  Mount  Sterling,  then  back  vto  Som- 
merset  where  he  crossed  the  Cumberland. 
Then  Mr.  Johnson's  Brig,  marched  to  Stanford 
where  it  subsequently  organized  for  the  East 
Tenn.  Campaign  under  Gen.  Burnside,  and 
whom  it  accompanied  through  his  varying 
fortunes  in  the  ultimately  sucessful  cam 
paign.  The  Regt.  actively  participated 
in  all  the  campaigns  in  East  Tenn.,  up 
to  Feb.,  1864,  being  always  at  the  front,  and  at 
times  a  considerable  distance  from  the  main 
army,  was  therefore  compelled  to  perform  the 
severest  duties,  and  always  on  short  rations. 
The  battles  in  which  it  was  engaged  were  as 
follows:  Kingston,  Post  Oak  Springs,  Athens, 
Calhoun,  Charleston,  Cleveland,  Sweet  Water, 
Philadelphia,  London,  Campbell  Station,  Knox- 
ville,  Bean  Station,  Blane's  Cross  Roads, 
Dandridge,  Levinville,  Fair  Gardens,  Kelly's 
Ford,  Flat  Creek  Gap,  and  some  others,  at 
many  of  which  it  was  engaged  in  numerous 
skirmishes,  being  constantly  in  the  presence  of 
the  enemy. 

At  the  battle  of  Campbell  Station,  Mr.  John 
son's  company  occupied  an  advance  position, 
being  detached  and  guarding  a  by-road,  had  a 
narrow  escape  from  being  captured,  the  main 
army  having  fallen  back  to  Knoxville,  but  his 
company  managed  to  join  it  after  a  hairbreadth 
escape.  At  Calhoun,  the  H2th  brought  up  the 
rear  of  the  Brig.,  and  succeeded  in  holding 
Wheeler  and  Forrest's  army  in  check,  thus  sav 
ing  all  the  Union  stores,  for  which  the  company 
was  officially  complimented.  At  Knoxville, 
the  Regt.  was  thrown  in  front  to  check  Long- 
street's  advance  while  the  town  was  being  put 
in  a  defensible  condition,  and  Nov.  18,  1863, 
behaved  most  gallantly,  and  succeeded  admira 
bly  in  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  fighting, 
but  with  disastrous  results  to  the  Regt.,  having 


300 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


lost  about  100  men  in  killed  and  wounded,  and 
suffered  the  further  loss  of  having  20  men  cut 
off  and  captured.  Burnside  was  here  besieged 
by  Longstreet  until  Sherman  brought  relief, 
which  came  none  too  soon,  as  the  Union  troops 
had  each  only  four  ounces  of  bread  per  day 
with  one  pound  of  meat,  and  the  bread  that  was 
served  was  made  from  corn,  ground  up  cob,  husks 
and  all.  After  the  arrival.  Longstreet  retired  to 
Bull's  Gap,  being  pursued  by  Mr.  Johnson's 
Brig,  (with  others),  but  at  Bean  Station  the 
rebel  General  -made  a  stand,  and  an  engage 
ment  ensued.  At  Kelly's  Ford  the  3rd  Div. 
attacked  the  rebels  on  the  right  flank,  they 
being  mounted,  and  acting  with  the  cavalry. 
The  Regt.  was  there  dismounted  and  sent  on 
foot  over  the  mountains  to  Sterling,  Ky.,  about 
200  miles,  for  fresh  mounts. 

About  this  time  Gen.  Grant  took  command 
of  the  army  and  changed  all  orders,  perma 
nently  dismounting  the  Regt.,  and  moving  it  to 
Camp  Nelson,  and  refitted  it  as  an  Inf.  Regt. 
The  men  then  marched  back  over  the  mount 
ains  into  East  Tenn.,  arriving  at  Knoxville 
May  3,  1864.  May  8,  they  moved  to  Cleve 
land,  and  from  thence  to  Tunnell  Hill,  Ga.,  in 
charge  of  a  large  ordnance  and  ambulance 
train.  From  this  time  forward,  the  Regt.  par 
ticipated  in  the  campaign  of  Gen.  Sherman 
against  Atlanta.  At  Resaca,  it  lost  some  50 
men  killed  and  wounded,  the  Capt.  of  Co.  F. 
being  killed  and  the  Colonel  being  wounded. 
It  proceeded  to  Cartersville,  thence  to  Burnt 
Hickory.  During  this  march  it  rained  con 
tinuously,  filling  the  roads  with  water,  and  mak 
ing  the.  country  to  appear  like  an  immense 
lake,  and  thereby  delaying  their  arrival  until 
midnight.  That  night  the  men  slept  without 
shelter  and  under  the  storm.  Mr.  Johnson's 
Brig,  was  ordered  in  pursuit  of  the  rebels, 
marching  to  Pumpkinvine  Creek,  where  it  en 
countered  them  unexpectedly.  The  Brig, 
drove  in  the  Confederate  skirmishers,  built 
breastworks  and  held  them  in  that  position  for 
24  hours,  then  it  drove  them  into  the  Kenesaw 
Mts.,  where  the  battle  of  that  name  was  fought. 
From  there  it  marched  to  Chattahoochie  River 
crossed  it  on  pontoons  at  night  and  proceeded 


to  Atlanta.  From  Atlanta  the  23rd  corps  was 
detailed  to  follow  Gen.  Hood  back  to  Nash 
ville,  and  at  Allatoona  Mr.  Johnson  met  his 
brother,  Olif  G.,  whom  he  had  not  seen  for  ten 
years,  he  being  then  in  Co.  B.  44th  Minn,  and 
whom  he  visited  for  one  day.  The  corps  then 
proceeded  to  Pulaski,  and  afterwards  were  or 
dered  back  to  Columbia,  where  they  met  Gen. 
Hood's  army  approaching  that  town. 

The  rebels  under  Hood  were  three  times  as 
strong,  but  notwithstanding  the  disparity  of 
numbers,  Gen.  Schofield  stopped  the  rebel 
march,  and  held  them  for  three  clays  in  the 
open  field;  then  falling  back  across  Duck  River 
to  prevent  flank  movements  by  the  enemy, 
which  gave  Hood  possession  of  the  town,  but 
held  him  at  the  river  for  two  days  when  he 
forced  a  crossing  on  pontoons.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  main  body  of  Hood's  army  had  en 
circled  Schofield's  left,  where  the  latter  sent 
one  Div.  of  the  4th  corps,  back  to  Spring  Hill 
to  prevent  their  advance  and  keep  an  opening 
in  case  he  desired  to  retreat.  Gen.  Schofield, 
finding  himself  confronted  by  immensely 
superior  numbers,  fell  back  to  Franklin,  arriv 
ing  there  at  4  A.  M.,  Nov.  30, 1864,  after  a  march 
of  32  miles.  Mr.  Johnson  and  his  comrades 
snatched  one  hour's  sleep  on  their  arms,  when 
they  were  again  in  line  of  battle,  and  by  I  P.  M. 
of  that  day  the  Union  skirmishers  were  driven 
in.  The  battle  commenced  and  was  one  of  the 
most  stubbornly  fought  during  the  war,  and 
lasted  until  after  midnight.  The  Confederates 
succeeded  in  making  a  break  in  the  center  of 
the  Union  works,  and  through  the  opening 
poured  in  like  bees,  but  this  proved  a  veritable 
death  trap  for  them,  as  the  Union  forces  con 
centrated  their  fire  and  mowed  them  down  as 
corn  stalks  fall  before  the  sickle.  Much  of  this 
battle  was  fought  hand  to  hand  with  bayonets 
fixed,  and  when  they  became  disabled  the 
musket  was  used  as  a  club.  The  rebel  forces 
numbered  45,000  men;  Schofield's  about  16,000. 

During  that  night  Schofield's  command  fell 
back  18  miles  to  Nashville.  Here  he  joined 
Gen.  Thomas,  whose  forces  were  more  than 
equal  to  Hood's.  The  latter  fortified  a  range 
of  hills  within  sight  of  the  city.  Thomas  with 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


301 


his  entire  army,  Schofield's  corps  constituting 
the  right  wing,  attacked  Hood's  position.  The 
battle  was  engaged  in  and  lasted  about  two 
days,  resulting  in  Hood  being  completely 
routed,  his  army  cut  in  fragments,  and  nearly 
all  captured,  together  with  100  pieces  of  artil 
lery.  The  1 1 2th  pursued  Hood,  who  was  in 
full  retreat,  to  Clifton,  Tenn.  Here  Mr.  John 
son's  corps  was  transferred  to  Fort  Fisher, 
N.  C.  It  then  moved  to  Smithfield,  N.  C.,  then 
moved  in  line  of  battle  to  Fort  Anderson,  there 
co-operating  with  gunboats  for  the  reduction 
of  Fort  Anderson  which  it  captured. 

The  Fort  was  evacuated  on  the  night  of 
the  18,  and  the  following  morning  our  subject's 
Regt.  started  in  pursuit  and  captured  about 
200  rebels  at  Town  Creek,  and  drove  the  bal 
ance  back  to  Wilmington,  and  then  marched 
to  Goldsboro,  where  the  Army  joined  Gen. 
Sherman. 

From  here  the  Regt.  marched  to  Raleigh, 
and  the  next  day  the  army  was  ordered  to 
march  and  attack  Johnston,  who  had  refused  to 
surrender,  but  he  had  changed  his  mind  before 
they  had  proceeded  and  agreed  to  surrender. 
While  at  Wilmington  18  car  loads  of  prisoners 
were  exchanged  from  Andersonville  and  other 
places,  only  about  sixty  of  whom  were  able  to 
walk  from  the  train  up  town. 

Mr.  Johnson  had  two  brothers,  Jonas  and 
Olaf,  in  the  Union  army  during  the  rebellion 
and  were  both  in  Company  B.,  4th  Minn.  Vol. 
Inf.  After  the  war  Mr.  Johnson  worked  in 
Chicago  as  a  foreman  carpenter,  and  in  1873, 
removed  to  Hinsdale,  and  went  into  business 
for  himself.  In  1874  he  begun  his  present 
trade  of  upholstering  and  repairing  furniture. 

He  married  a  second  time  on  Feb.  7,  1867, 
Miss  Kate  A.  Riebeling  who  was  born  at  Buf 
falo,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  16, 1846,  and  by  whom  he  has  had 
6  children — Richard  and  Henry  (twins),  Bertha 
Gertrude,  Frederick  Otto,  Zoe  May,  and  Justus 
Charles,  all  of  whom  are  living  except  the 
twins  and  Frederick  Otto.  Mrs.  Johnson  was 
a  daughter  of  Justus  J.  Riebeling  who  was  born 
March  30,  1796,  at  Oberrola,  Hessen,  Germany. 
The  present  Mrs.  Johnson's  mother  was 
Margeret  Sobl,  born  April  5,  1819.  Justus 


Riebeling  served  15  years  in  the  German  army 
and  fought  against  Napoleon  ist,  and  was 
Orderly  on  the  staff  of  the  Hessian  Prince 
Louis,  son  of  Grand  Duke  William.  Justus 
Riebeling  was  son  of  Conrad  Riebeling,  and 
was  born  at  Hesse.  Mrs.  Johnson's  paternal 
grandmother's  name  was  Anna  Richard,  whose 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Krauss.  Mr. 
Johnson's  maternal  grandfather  died  at  the 
age  of  104  years,  and  had  many  relatives  in  the 
war  between  Russia  and  Sweden.  Mr.  Johnson 
is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  is  a  member  of 
Napier  Post,  No.  468,  G.  A.  R. 


TOWERING  prominently  to  the  front  among 
Peoria  (Illinois)  leading  business  men 
will  be  found  Captain  S.  S.  Tripp,  junior 
member  of  the  book  and  stationery  firm  of  D.  H. 
&  S.  S.  Tripp.  His  birthplace  is  Decatur,  Otse- 
go  Co.,  N.Y.,  where heappeared  upon  the  world's 
horizon  in  1835,  being  the  youngest  of  three 
sons  born  to  his  parents,  Nathan  and  Polly 
(Seward)  Tripp,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
the  Bay  State,  where  theirancestors  settled,  com 
ing  from  England  many  years  ago.  Our  subject's 
father  removed  West,  settling  near  Decatur, 
N.Y.,  where  he  followed  farming  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1847,  leaving  a  widow  with 
five  children.  The  widow,  hoping  to  improve 
her  prospects,  moved  West  three  years  later, 
with  her  four  youngest  children,  and  settled  in 
Marion  Co.,  Ohio,  where  she  had  a  sister  mar 
ried  to  a  Mr.  Flint,  with  whom  the  family  went 
to  reside.  Mrs.  Flint  subsequently  died,  and, 
following  scriptural  teaching,  the  widow  (Mrs. 
Tripp)  in  due  time  became  Mrs.  Flint,  thus 
uniting  the  two  families  and  making  a  comforta 
ble  home  for  the  Tripp  children.  Our  subject 
was  there  reared  upon  the  Flint  homestead,  and, 
being  disposed  to  work  upon  a  farm  in  prefer 
ence  to  attending  school,  was  indulged  by 
his  stepfather,  which  just  suited  him ;  thus 
both  continued  happy.  Even  at  an  early  age 
he  worked  hard  continuously,  and  has  always 


302 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


made  "  work  "  his  motto,  to  which  he  can  now 
attribute  his  past  and  present  successes.  Being 
once  asked  regarding  his  principal  work  in  life, 
he  gave  the  significant  answer:  "I  have  been 
sawing  wood  all  my  lifetime."  There  was  a 
great  truth  conveyed  to  the  mind  of  the  ques 
tioner  in  that  reply,  for  he  realized  that  the 
great  business  and  fortune  of  the  gentlemen  in 
terrogated  was  not  built  up  by  rapid  strides  or 
wild,  thoughtless  speculation,  but  from  a  small, 
infinitesmal  beginning,  he  had  gradually,  step 
by  step,  attained  the  financial  position  he  now 
so  modestly  adorns,  well  in  the  van  among  the 
business  men  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 

Thirty  years  ago  he  and  his  brother  started 
a  small  book  and  stationery  store,  the  same 
location  being  now  occupied  for  his  busi 
ness,  but  that  structure,  although  then  com 
mensurate  \vith  his  means  and  business,  soon 
gave  way  to  a  more  imposing  business  edi 
fice,  and  here  it  is  that  Captain  Tripp  has 
for  years  faithfully  and  energetically  been 
engaged  in  the  book  and  stationery  business. 
But  all  has  not  been  smooth  sailing  for  the 
little  craft  launched  upon  the  financial  seas  in  the 
year  1860.  Long  before  a  haven  was  reached 
the  civil  war  broke  out.  The  question  which 
then  disturbed  Captain  Tripp  was,  what  was  to 
be  done?  Everything  he  had  ever  made  was 
now  in  his  business,  which  he  could  not  leave 
without  a  sacrifice.  On  the  other  hand,  his 
country  and  government  demanded  his  assist 
ance,  which  he  considered  as  a  patriot  and  a 
citizen  he  had.  a  right  to  respect,  consequently 
intimated  his  determination  to  his  brother,  who 
had  a  family,  telling  him  to  keep  the  store  and 
he  would  do  the  fighting,  even  if  he  sacrificed 
his  life.  He  enlisted  in  Sept.,  1861,  as  a  private 
in  Co.  G.,  nth  111.  Cav.,  which  was  commanded 
by  Col.  Bob  Ingersoll.  Our  subject  went  into 
Camp  Lyon,  Oct.  10,  where  he  remained  until 
Feb.,  1862,  and  upon  the  organization  of  the 
Regt.  was  appointed  Orderly  Sergeant  of  his 
company,  and  soon  after  elected  2nd  Lieut.  His 
Regt.  proceeded  to  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis, 
where  he  was  again  promoted  to  Battalion 
Quarter  Master,  a  position  he  refused  to  accept, 
but  on  being  informed  that  he  must  either  ac 


cept  or  resign  the  service,  concluded  to  accept 
with  the  hope  that  he  would  soon  be  relieved 
and  permitted  to  rejoin  the  regiment.  His  hope 
soon  materialized,  he  being  commissioned 
Captain,  and  ordered  to  the  command  of  his  Co., 
which  he  led  throughout  the  war,  distinguish 
ing  himself  upon  many  a  hard  fought  field. 
Kind  and  genial  to  those  under  him,  he  made 
a  friend  of  every  man  in  his  regiment,  and  all 
speak  of  him  in  the  warmest  terms  of  praise, 
as  a  soldier  and  gentleman. 

In  March  of  1862,  his  regiment  was  ordered 
to  Pittsburg  Landing,  and  participated  in  the 
bloody  battle  of  Shiloh  which  lasted  two  days. 
He  continued  in  that  vicinity  for  a  time,  and 
in  Oct.  his  Co.  (G.)  was  detached  and  sent  as  an 
escort  to  Gen.  John  A.  McArthur,  after  which 
time  it  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee  from  the  date  the  latter  was  organized. 
By  way  of  showing  the  high  standing  of  Cap 
tain  Tripp's  Co.,  it  may  be  stated,  that  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  the  Captain  was  instructed  to 
join  his  Regt.  for  the  purpose  of  being  mus 
tered  out,  when  Gen.  Logan  said:  "That  Co. 
G.  belongs  to  no  regiment,  it  was  detached 
from  the  nth  111.  Cav.  and  assigned  to  the 
Army  of  the  Tenn.,  with  which  it  had  since  re 
mained,  and  is  known  as  Co.  G.  of  the  Army  of 
the  Tenn.,  and  by  the  gods  it  shall  be  mus 
tered  out  with  the  Army  of  the  Tenn," 
and  it  was  so.  Captain  Tripp  accompanied 
Grant's  army  from  Corinth  to  Oxford  and 
Holly  Springs,  then  to  Memphis  and 
on  to  Vicksburg,  going  into  camp  at  Lake 
Providence,  where  he  remained  until  the  army 
commenced  its  march  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg, 
after  which  he  was  with  Grant  at  Jackson, 
which  place  he  assisted  in  capturing,  then  re 
turning  to  Vicksburg,  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Champion  Hills,  and  afterwards  participated 
in  the  assaults  upon  Vicksburg.  Subsequently 
he  was  ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Crocker,  as 
his  escort,  who  had  been  placed  in  command  of 
the  4th  Div.,  and  accompanied  him  to  Natchez, 
where  the  Captain  remained  until  late  in  the 
fall  of  1863,  when  he  again  returned  to  Vicks 
burg  going  into  camp  on  Clear  Creek.  In  Jan 
uary,  1864,  his  Co.  veteranized,  with  the  ex- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


303 


ccption  of  three  men,  and  in  February  accom 
panied  Gen.  Sherman  on  his  Meridian  expedi 
tion,  then  returning  to  Vicksburg  where  he  and 
his  men  received  their  veteran  furlough.  At 
its  expiration  Captain  Tripp  and  Company  re 
joined  the  4th  Div.  of  the  i/th  A.  C.  at  Cairo, 
111. 

Early  in  May,.  1864,  they  proceeded  up  the 
Term.    River,   landing    at  Decatur,  Ala.,  when 
they  started'  on  that  tedious  march  across  the 
mountains,    joined    Gen.    Sherman's    army  at 
Ackworth,    Ga.,    participated    in    the  Atlanta 
campaign,    being  engaged    in    the    following 
battles:  Big    Shanty,    Kenesaw  Mt,  Nickajack 
Creek,    Atlanta    and  Jonesboro.     During    the 
siege,  Captain  Tripp  with  his   Co.,  was  ordered 
to  report  at   headquarters  of  the  i/th  A.  C.,  as 
an   escort  to  Maj.  Gen.    Frank    P.    Blair,    and 
acted  as  such  until  he  and  his   men  were  com 
pelled   to   abandon  their    horses,  as  they  were 
completely  exhausted    from   excessively  hard 
riding  and  lack  of  necessary  feed,  in  the  chase 
after    Hood's    Army  North  of    Atlanta.     The 
company  was  then  placed  in  charge  of  a  wagon- 
train  from  the  mountains  of  Alabama  to  Chat 
tanooga,  and  on  arrival  went  to   Nashville  for 
fresh  remounts  where,    after  a  tedious"  delay, 
they  finally  secured  the  animals   and  returned 
to  Chattanooga.     Whilst   here  he   received  or 
ders  to  join  Gen.  Sherman's  army  at  Atlanta, 
which  he  did   and  participated   in  the  famous 
march  to   the  sea,  and  passed  through   all  the 
trials  and  thrilling  incidents  of  that  memorable 
expedition.     The  gallant  captain  and  his  brave 
band  of  trusted  men   were   constantly  on  duty 
until  Savannah  fell  under  Government  control. 
Then    they   joined  in  the  march  through    the 
Carolinas,  taking  part  in    the  battle  of  Benton- 
ville,  and  after  the  close  of  the  war  went  with 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  to  Washington,  and 
there  took   part   in   the  grand  review.     Subse 
quently  he  was  ordered  to  Louisville  with  the 
Army  of  the  Tenn.,  where  he  and  his  men  were 
mustered  out,  July  14,  1865,  (under  the  circum 
stances  before  stated),  after  a  service  of  nearly 
tour  years,  having  participated  in  many  of  the 
desperate  battles  of  a  long  and  bloody  war,  and 
at  times  had  the  bullets  falling  and  taking  effect 


all  around  him.  Verily  he  endured  hardships 
which  would  have  broken  down  a  less  deter 
mined  man.  But  notwithstanding  his  many  hard 
marches,  exposures  and  privations,  he  passed 
through  his  army  life  and  returned  home  in 
good  health  and  without  a  wound  or  any  other 
mishap  to  indicate  he  had  been  so  often  en 
gaged,  except  a  slight  wound  in  the  knee  re 
ceived  at  Vicksburg,  which  did  not  incapacitate 
him  for  duty. 

Returning  to  his  business  he  found  it  sail 
ing  along  on  the  road  to  prosperity,  and  im 
mediately  joined  in  its  management  with 
energy.  Having  his  financial  affairs  in  a  pros 
perous  state,  the  Captain  concluded  he  required 
another  partner,  not  so  far  as  his  business  was 
concerned,  but  to  make  the  social  life  more 
pleasant.  Consequently  he  chose  as  a  help 
mate  Miss  Amelia  M.  Snyder,  a  most  estimable 
and  highly  cultured  young  lady  of  old  Penn 
sylvania  Dutch  stock  who  has  ever  been  a 
true  and  devoted  partner  in  sharing  his  many 
joys  and  in  frequent  sorrows,  and  who  may  be 
directly  accredited  to  some  extent  for  the  phe- 
nominal  prosperity  and  continued  happiness 
which  has  always  surrounded  the  genial  Cap 
tain.  Three  children  now  living  brighten  and 
illuminate  the  home  of  our  subject,  viz.:  Wil 
liam  K.,  a  bright  and  promising  young  man; 
Anna  P.,  wife  of  G.  T.  Mowatt,  chief  clerk  in 
the  T.  P.  &  W.  R.  R.  office  at  Peoria;  and 
Virgia  M.,  whom  they  call  their  Christmas 
present  who  is  just  budding  into  womanhood 
and  about  completing  her  education. 

Capt.  Tripp  is  a  worthy  and  enthusiastic 
member  of  Bryner  Post  No.  67,  G.  A.  R.  of 
Peoria,  also  a  member  of  the  Society  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tenn.,  in  which  he  takes  a  just 
pride.  He  is  a  staunch  Republican  but  in  no 
sense  a  political  machine,  being  too  much 
wrapped  up  in  his  business  and  family  affairs 
to  devote  more  time  to  politics  than  should  be 
done  by  every  true  patriot.  He  would  never 
permit  his  name  to  be  used  as  a  candidate  for 
any  position  to  which  a  reward  was  attached, 
being  amply  satisfied  with  his  abundant  per 
sonal  means  which  he  preferred  to  use  rather 
than  profit  by  the  application  of  public  funds. 


304 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


JOHN  HARRISON,  a  native  of  Middle  Musquo- 
doboit,  Nova  Scotia,  was  born  March  10, 
1837.  His  parents  were  Dr.  William  and 
Leticia  (Graham)  Harrison.  The  father  was 
born  in  England,  and  the  mother  in  Aberdeen, 
Scotland,  and  settled  in  Nova  Scotia  early  in 
their  married  life,  where  the  father  was  a  prac 
ticing  physician  in  Middle  Musquodoboit,  until 
the  day  of  his  death.  Our  subject  was  the  only 
son,  though  there  were  two  daughters  in  the 
family.  He  left  the  parental  home  when  in  his 
15  year,  went  to  Boston  and  has  never  seen  a 
relative  since.  His  father  accumulated  a  large 
fortune  in  Nova  Scotia,  but  John  was  practically 
disinherited,  he  being  unable  to  get  any  infor 
mation  relative  to  the  settlement  of  the  large 
estate.  In  Boston  he  worked  at  the  ship  car 
penter's  business  for  over  three  years,  then  came 
to  Mo.,  in  1858,  and  worked  at  saw-milling  until 
he  enlisted.  At  the  election  of  1860,  he  and  a 
man  named  William  Price,  cast  their  votes  for 
Abraham  Lincoln,  and  in  consequence  thereof, 
were  given  24  hours  to  leave  the  State.  Our 
subject  was  at  Waverly,  and  came  down  the 
Mo.  River  in  a  skiff,  arriving  at  Claysville. 
Feeling  that  he  had  something  of  a  grievance 
against  the  rebels,  they  having  taken  his  prop 
erty — 5  head  of  cattle,  a  horse  and  165  cords  of 
wood,  which  he  had  ready  for  the  market.  He 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  Jan.  19,  1862,  in  Co. 
B.,  Qth  Mo.,  S.  M.  Cav.  Previous  to  enlistment 
Mr.  Harrison  was  frequently  assaulted  and  shot 
at  by  rebel  sympathizers.  His  service  was 
largely  confined  to  Mo.,  fighting  bushwhackers 
and  guerrillas.  He  was  detailed  on  special  po 
lice  duty  as  Sergt.,  in  charge  of  16  men  serving 
in  that  capacity  at  St.  Joseph,  Mexico,  Jefferson 
City  and  Rolla.  He  served  9  months  as  Chief 
of  Police  at  St  Joseph,  finally  was  detailed  as 
U.  S,  Detective,  serving  in  that  capacity  9 
months,  of  the  latter  term  of  service  in  the 
army.  Whilst  so  serving  he  was  ordered  to 
Springfield,  111.,  by  order  of  Gen.  Fisk  com 
manding  N.  W.  Mo.,  to  arrest  three  noted  rebel 
horse  thieves  kno\vn  to  be  in  Springfield,  111., 
and  while  on  this  duty,  he  came  across  one  of 
the  men  while  alone  and  told  him  "he  was  under 
arrest."  He  asked  to  see  the  papers,  which 


were  produced.  He  refused  to  go,  and  subject 
seized  him  by  the  collar,  whereupon  prisoner 
drew  a  revolver.  Subject  drew  his,  and  struck 
him  with  it,  knocking  him  down.  For  this  he 
was  arrested  by  the  city  authorities  after  taking 
his  prisoner  to  the  Provost  Marshal's  office, 
and  was  taken  before  the  city  authorities  for 
trial — (he  had  however  in  the  meantime  com 
municated  with  Gen  Oglesby  at  Chicago)  and 
was  released  on  the  Governor's  telegraphic  or 
ders. 

He  was  taken  by  escort  of  10  men  to  Lin 
coln's  Head  Quarters,  placed  on  board  a  train 
and  advised  to  leave  the  place.  On  another  oc 
casion  a  horse  thief  under  arrest  jumped  off  a 
train  at  Hall's  Station,  Mo.,  and  subject  was 
ordered  to  go  at  once  to  the  place  and  capture 
him.  He  traced  him  to  the  house  of  an  Irish 
man  named  McGee,  and  on  opening  the  door 
saw  his  man.  He  said,  you  are  the  man  I  want. 
At  this  the  thief  leveled  a  revolver  in  the  face 
of  our  subject,  who  caught  it  and  prevented  his 
shooting.  The  men  grappled  with  each  other, 
subject  being  unable  to  draw  his  own  revolver, 
and  at  the  same  time  prevented  the  other  from 
using  his.  Finally  the  thief  fired  a  shot  which 
grazed  subjects  back  for  a  space  of  six  or  eight 
inches,  the  same  ball  killing  McGee.  The  thief 
then  broke  away,  and  four  shots  at  him  in  the 
darkness  failed  of  the  mark,  therefore,  he  es 
caped.  Mr.  Harrison  returned  to  St.  Joseph 
with  the  thief's  hat  and  revolver.  This  was  the 
occasion  for  considerable  merriment  among  the 
detectives,  at  the  idea  of  capturing  a  revolver 
from  the  hands  of  a  desperate  man,  and  the  man 
escaping.  Subject  participated  in  22  engage 
ments  and  as  many  fights,  besides  many  close 
calls  in  the  detective  and  police  service.  Among 
these  may  be  mentioned  Moore's  Mill,  Kirks- 
ville,  Stone's  Port,  Bear  Creek,  Black  Foot,  etc., 
etc.,  etc. 

While  in  the  detective  service  he  was  sent  to 
capture  a  rebel  Col.,  who  was  reported  to  be 
recruiting  in  DcKalb.  Arriving  there  in  the 
evening  about  4  o'clock  he  took  up  his  quarters 
at  the  hotel  where  the  illustrious  Col.  was  mak 
ing  his  headquarters.  The  plan  was  to  capture 
him  in  the  morning  at  breakfast.  Mr.  Harrison 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


305 


had  retired  for  the  night,  after  being  closely 
questioned  by  the  Rebel  landlord,  and  soon 
after  he  heard  horses  feet  clattering  on  the 
streets.  He  arose  and  cautiously  raised  the 
window,  and  there  saw  six  rebels  including  the 
Col.,  arousing  the  saloon  keeper  across  the 
street.  Soon  they  came  to  the  hotel  and  were 
informed  by  the  landlord  of  the  presence  of  a 
suspicious  character  up  stairs.  Well,  said  they, 
we  will  see  what  kind  of  stuff  he  is,  and  all 
started  up  the  stairs.  He  waited  until  they  were 
all  on  the  way,  and  then  raised  the  window  and 
jumped  from  the  second  story,  spraining  his 
ankle  so  severely  that  he  could  not  walk,  but  he 
crawled  to  the  timber  near  by,  and  towards 
morning  crawled  back,  broke  open  the  stable 
door  and  got  his  horse,  but  could  not  get  his 
saddle  or  bridle,  and  started  on  an  18  mile  ride 
for  St.  Joseph,  arriving  there  in  safety,  but 
with  a  very  sore  ankle  for  many  days  thereafter. 
At  the  battle  of  Bear  Creek,  subject  had 
a  hand  to  hand  contest  with  a  strapping  big 
rebel,  who  came  near  getting  the  better  of 
him.  He  had  run  him  down  on  horseback, 
the  rebel  being  in  front,  and  when  opposite 
to  him  he  leaped  from  his  horse  and  grappled 
with  the  rebel  \vho  had  just  before  shot  a 
Lieut,  in  the  Yankee  squad.  They  both  drew 
empty  revolvers  and  then  began  a  series  of 
pummeling  which  left  Mr.  Harrison  black  and 
blue  from  head  to  breast  for  many  a  day.  For 
tunately  he  was  reinforced  by  some  of  his  com 
rades,  or  he  thinks  the  rebel  might  have  "got 
away  with  him."  This  kind  of  service  continued 
for  something  over  three  years.  He  was  dis 
charged  at  Macon  City,  Mo.,  Feb.  28,  1865. 
He  was  married  Jan.  17,  1865,  at  Mexico,  to 
Miss  Sarah  McClanahan,  and  7  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  5  living;  John,  Clara,  Rolla 
(deceased),  Emma,  Charley,  Frank  (deceased), 
and  Janes — John  is  now  a  member  of  Co.  E., 
20th  U.  S.  Inf.,  and  is  now  stationed  at  Mon 
tana.  Clara  married  Wm.  Long  of  Quincy. 
Since  the  war  subject  has  served  14  months  on 
the  police  force  of  Quincy,  and  was  also  in  the 
Govt.  employ  for  14  months  as  chief  engineer 
on  the  river  and  harbor,  commencing  at  Keo- 
kuk,  la.,  and  terminating  at  the  mouth  of  the 


Miss.  The  balance  of  his  time  he  has  worked 
at  his  trade  as  opportunity  and  health  would 
permit.  He  is  a  member  of  John  Wood  Post, 
No.  96,  G.  A.  R.  Mr.  Harrison  is  a  life  long 
Republican. 


WILLIAM  J.  DINSMORE,  of  MeridenTown- 
ship,  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  a  prosperous 
farmer  who  has  a  creditable  war 
record,  was  born  in  Monroe  Co.,  Ind.,  March  4, 
1840,  and  wras  the  fourth  of  eight  children  born 
to  John  and  Margaret  (Small)  Dinsmore.  The 
parents,  born  1810  and  1807,  of  Scotch  descent, 
came  to  this  western  country  in  1838,  and 
settled  in  Monroe  Co.,  Ind.,  where  they  have 
since  that  time  made  their  home.  The  family 
have  always  been  tillers  of  the  soil.  The  father 
still  resides  on  the  old  homestead,  the  mother 
being  dead.  Of  the  eight  children  in  this  fam 
ily  three  sons  and  one  daughter  are  living,  and 
two  of  these  sons  were  in  the  army.  The  oldest 
son  resides  in  Kan.,  one  son  and  the  daughter 
live  near  the  homestead  in  Ind.,  and  William 
J.,  a  sketch  of  whose  life  is  here  given,  has  a 
beautiful  farm  and  home  in  Meriden  Township, 
near  Earlville,  111.  He  assisted  his  father  in 
farming  until  he  attained  his  majority,  obtain 
ing  such  education  as  the  common  schools  af 
forded,  then  he  went  to  La  Salle,  111.,  where  he 
continued  at  farm  labor  until  his  country's  call 
for  soldiers  reached  him,  and  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Co.  K.,  iith  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  March  27, 
1865,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Joliet,  and  placed 
in  the  I3th  Army  Corps,  known  as  the  Western 
Army. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  joined  his  regiment  at  Mobile 
just  after  the  capitulation,  where  he  remained 
about  a  month.  He  then  went  with  his  Regt. 
to  New  Orleans  and  from  there  up  the  Red 
River  to  Alexandria  where  they  remained 
about  four  weeks.  On  their  return  to  Baton 
Rouge  he  was  taken  sick  with  typhoid  fever 
and  placed  in  the  hospital,  so  he  was  not  in  any 
conflict  where  the  smoke  of  battle  and  the  boom 
of  cannon,  mingling  with  the  rattling  musketry, 
and  the  whistling  of  bullets  and  shriek  of  shell 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


mark  the  murderous  onslaught,  but  he  fought 
in  that  silent  conflict  with  evasive,  invisible 
foes,  where  his  life,  that  hung  trembling  in  the 
balance,  was  the  prize  and  the  object  of  the 
struggle. 

When  mustered  out  at  St.  Louis,  Sept.  4, 
1865,  Mr.  Dinsmore  returned  to  his  home  in 
La  Salle,  and  again  resumed  his  agricultural 
employment,  doing  some  work  in  the  coal  mines 
during  the  winter.  In  1879,  he  purchased  his 
present  home  of  120  acres,  which  is  now  under 
a  high  state  of  cultivation.  On  this  farm  -is  a 
fine  house  enclosed  with  luxuriant  evergreens, 
the  grounds  comprising  some  12  acres,  with 
barn  and  all  necessary  buildings  for  comfort 
and  convenience.  Mr.  Dinsmore  was  married 
June  5,  1867,  to  Mary  A.  Gatiss,  who  was  a 
daughter  of  Henry  Gatiss ;  her  mother  died 
when  she  was  quite  young.  Of  this  union  two 
children,  Annie  M.  and  Theophilus  W.,  have 
been  born.  Mr.  Dinsmore  is  a  member  of  the 
McCullough  Post  No.  475,  and  in  politics  has 
always  voted  with  the  Republicans.  He  has 
represented  his  town  four  years  as  Supervisor, 
and  has  served  three  years  as  School  Trustee, 
filling  these  offices  of  trust' satisfactorily  and 
creditably,  as  shown  by  his  long  service  and 
steady  re-election. 


CAPTAIN  ROBT.  M.  CAMPBELL — This  book 
containing  as  it  does  the  personal  rec 
ords  of  the  rank  and  file,  will  according 
ly  contain  the  entire  history  of  the  war.  Truly 
none  are  more  worthy  of  representation  in  the 
pages  than  Capt.  Robert  M.  Campbell,  assis 
tant  Postmaster  of  Peoria,  111.,  and  a  soldier  in 
the  best  sense  of  that  term.  He  was  born  Nov. 
10,  1839,  in  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  the 
son  of  Mungo  D.  and  Mary  A.  (Mabon)  Camp 
bell,  who  were  both  of  Scotch  descent.  His 
parents  located  at  Monmouth,  111.,  in  1856,  and 
have  resided  there  ever  since.  The  Campbells, 
who  are  evidently  soldiers  in  blood,  and  not 
soldiers  through  circumstances,  were  indeed  a 
patriotic  family. 

Robt.    Campbell,    the    grandfather    of    our 
subject,  was  an  officer  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 


died  from  the  effects  of  a  wound  received  in 
that  war.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  an 
officer  in  an  independent  artillery  company, 
which  volunteered  to  go  to  Mexico,  but  whose 
services  the  Govt.  did  not  except.  During  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  he  was  Captain  of  what 
was  known  as  the  "  Monmouth  Silver  Grays," 
who  tendered  their  services  in  the  darkest  days 
of  the  war.  The  extreme  old  age  of  these  vet 
erans  precluded  them  from  going  to  the  front. 
James  S.,  a  brother,  graduated  from  Monmouth 
College,  June,  1862,  and  two  months  later  en 
listed  in  Co.  C.,  83d  111.  Inf.,  was  orderly  Ser 
geant  of  his  Co.,  and  wras  shot  through  the 
heart  and  instantly  killed,  Feb.  3,  1863,  while 
standing  at  the  head  of  his  noble  band  of  com 
rades,  resisting  the  rebels  under  Forrest  at 
Fort  Donelson.  John  M.,  a  second  brother, 
served  six  months  in  the  I39th  111.,  re-enlisted 
in  1864  in  the  47th  111.,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war. 

Robert  M.,  our  subject,  spent  his  early  days  on 
the  farm.  At  the  age  of  17,  he  came  West  with 
his  parents,  pursued  his  studies,  and  had  just 
entered  Monmouth  College,  Monmouth,  when 
the  great  rebellion  was  inaugurated.  The 
echoes  of  Fort  Sumter  were  still  vibrating  in 
the  air,  when  in  response  to  the  very  first  call 
of  President  Lincoln,  he  enlisted  April  19,  1861, 
in  Co.  F.,  1 7th  Regt.  111.  Vol.  Inf.  and  mustered 
in  at  Peoria,  111.,  May  24,  1861,  Leonard  F. 
Ross,  Colonel.  The  Regt.  left  Peoria  June 
1 7th  for  Alton,  111.,  where  it  was  armed  and 
equipped  and  remained  in  camp  of  instruction 
until  July  i8th,  when  they  embarked  for  St. 
Charles,  Mo.,  thence  to  W;arrenton,  from 
there  to  St.  Louis,  where  they  embarked  Aug. 
1st,  on  transports  for  Bird's  Point,  Mo.  (oppos 
ite  Cairo,  111.),  remaining  there  on  garrison 
duty  until  Aug.  I5th,  when  they  embarked  for 
Sulphur  Springs  Landing,  joining  Gen.  Pren- 
tiss'  Command  at  Pilot  Knob,  thence  via  Fred- 
ericktown  and  Jackson  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Jeff. 
Thompson.  At  Jackson,  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  who 
had  just  been  appointed  Brig.  Gen.,  arrived  and 
assumed  command.  Again  the  Regt.  was  or 
dered  to  Cairo,  going  into  camp  at  Fort  Holt, 
Ky.,  and  going  on  frequent  raids  down  near 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


307 


Columbus,  Ky.  Oct.  3rd,  they  embarked  for 
Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  where  they  went  into 
winter  quarters,  from  whence  they  made  nu 
merous  raids  in  pursuit  of  the  rebels  under 
Jeff  Thompson,  meeting  and  defeating  them  at 
Fredericktown,  Mo.,  Oct.  21,  1861.  Pursuing 
them  they  were  again  engaged  the  following 
day  near  Greenville,  Mo.,  each  time  losing 
several  in  killed  and  wounded. 

Returning  to  camp  they  did  provost  duty 
until  Feb.  8,  1862.  Feb.  13-15,  we  find  Camp 
bell  participating  in  the  sanguinary  battle  of 
Fort  Donelson.  On  the  I3th,  the  i/th,  48th, 
and  49th  111.,  were  ordered  to  make  a  desperate 
charge  on  the  breastworks,  Campbell's  .Regt. 
losing  many  in  killed  and  wounded.  After 
making  two  more  attempts,  Gen.  Grant  ordered 
the  heroic  "boys"  to  withdraw.  During  the 
night  of  the  I4th,  our  subject  was  thoroughly 
initiated  in  the  hardships  of  soldier  life.  The 
night  was  cold;  snow  fell  heavily, and  when  the 
"boys"  awoke  the  next  morning  they  found, 
themselves  under  cover  of  snow  and  ice  A  fire 
was  built  and  the  shivering  comrades  gathered 
around  to  thaw  out,  and  make  some  coffee. 

Anon,  the  enemy  discovered  the  smoke, 
trained  their  battery  on  them,  killing  three  of 
the  regiment,  among  whom  was  Campbell's 
immediate  comrade,  Clark  A.  Kendall,  who 
stood  off  but  a  few  feet  from  him  at  the  time. 
On  the  morning  of  the  i6th  the  Fort  surren 
dered,  and  the  victorious  "boys  in  blue", 
marched  in,  capturing  15,000  prisoners,  30,000 
stand  of  small  arms,  125  pieces  of  artillery, 
together  with  immense  quantities  of  knives 
from  12  to  15  inches  long;  spears  and  revolv 
ers,  with  which,  especially  the  Texas  troops 
were  quite  unanimously  equipped.  March  4, 
1862,  they  embarked  on  steamer  for  Savannah, 
Tenn.,  and  comrade  Campbell  for  meritorious 
services  rendered  at  Fort  Donelson  was  now 
promoted  to  sergeant.  The  next  move  was  to 
Pittsburg  Landing,  where  the  Regt.  was  as 
signed  to  Gen  John  A.  McClernand's  Div. 
Campbell  says,  the  attack  of  the  Confederate 
forces  on  April  6,  was  a  surprise,  but  thinks  it 
should  not  have  been,  knowing  as  they  did  that 
the  rebels  were  at  Corinth;  breastworks  should 


have  been  built  and  preparations  for  the  battle 
entered  into  at  once.  Sunday  morning,  April 
6,  1862,  which  commemorates  the  opening  of 
the  bloody  battle  of  Shiloh,  Campbell's  Regt. 
was  ordered  to  support  Taylor's  battery  near 
by  Shiloh  Church,  immediately  on  the  left  of 
Sherman's  Div.  Here  they  fought  until  the 
line  on  the  right  gave  way  and  they  were  forced 
to  fall  back  abandoning  their  camps.  All  day 
long  the  battle  raged  ceasing  only  when  dark 
ness  set  in,  the  loss  being  very  heavy.  At  roll 
call  only  120  men  of  the  Regt.  responded. 

Volunteers  were  called  for  to  stand  picket 
between  the  lines  of  the  two  contending  armies. 
Campbell  was  one  of  three  out  of  his  company 
to  respond  and  remained  on  duty  the  entire 
night,  amid  a  heavy  rain  and  in  hearing  dis 
tance  of  the  cries  and  moans  of  the  wounded 
and  dying. 

During  the  night  reinforcements  arrived, 
and  Gen.  Grant  had  his  line  of  battle  reformed, 
and  at  sunrise  the  morning  of  the  /th  the  entire 
line  advanced  and  the  second  day's  battle 
opened.  Onward  they  marched  amid  wreck 
and  confusion,  making  several  fierce  and  stub 
born  charges,  and  finally  forcing  the  enemy 
to  fall  back.  Slowly  they  advanced,  pouring 
volley  upon  volley  upon  the  retreating  rebels, 
finally  during  the  evening  reaching  their  old 
camp  grounds,  finding  many  of  their  old  tents 
all  riddled  with  bullets,  and  their  camp  filled 
with  dead  rebels.  The  gallant  i/th  lost  some 
130  in  killed  and  wounded,  but  victory  was 
won,  and  now  began  the  sad  duties  of  bury 
ing  the  army  of  the  dead,  and  nursing  the 
wounded. 

April  29  they  marched  on  Corinth.  Here, 
on  account  of  the  many  weeks  of  constant  and 
severe  exposure,  Sergt.  Campbell  was  taken 
seriously  sick  with  typhoid  fever.  May  19,  in 
a  delirious  and  critical  condition,  he  was  trans 
ported  to  field  hospital  at  Hamburg,  Tenn. 
May  24,  he  was  transferred  to  convalescent  hos 
pital  at  Savannah,  where  he  received  the  tender 
and  excellent  care  of  mother  Bikerdike.  June 
18,  he  rejoined  his  Regt.,  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  and 
soon  the  army  moved  to  Bolivar.  July  27,  our 
young  Sergeant  was  detailed  to  go  home  on 


308 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


recruiting  services,  returning  Oct.  29.  Subse 
quently  they  moved  to  Holly  Springs,  where 
the  Regt.  was  transferred  to  the  I7th  Corps, 
under  Gen.  McPherson.  Jan.  13,  1863,  they 
marched  into  Memphis,  and  six  days  later  em 
barked  for  Vicksburg,  debarking  at  Young's 
Point,  re-embarked  for  Lake  Providence,  La. 
March  29,  1863,  the  commanding  officer,  repos 
ing  trust  and  confidence  in  the  patriotism,  valor 
and  abilities  of  our  subject,  promoted  him  to 
Color  Sergeant  of  the  Regt.  About  this  time 
Gen.  L.  Thomas,  Adj't-Gen.  of  the  army,  ar 
rived  and  commenced  the  organization  of  col 
ored  troops.  Comrade  Campbell  was  immedi 
ately  recommended  and  appointed  1st  Lieut, 
of  what  was  afterwards  designated  as  Co.  F., 
4/th  U.  S.  colored  troops.  June  6,  1863,  Captain 
Bishop  died  from  the  effects  of  a  wound  and 
Lieut.  Campbell  was  again  promoted,  this  time 
to  Captain.  Subsequently  they  went  into  camp 
at  Milliken's  Bend,  remaining  the  entire  sum 
mer  instructing  and  drilling  the  Regt.,  and 
participating  in  frequent  raids  after  troublesome 
bands  of  guerrillas.  The  1st  Lieut,  having  died, 
and  the  2nd  Lieut,  being  off  nearly  the  entire 
season  on  account  of  sickness,  Capt.  Campbell 
was  left  in  sole  charge  of  his  company.  Sept. 
28,  1863,  at  5:30  A.  M.,  the  camp  was  aroused 
by  the  cries  of  "Boat  on  fire!"  Captain  Camp 
bell  with  two  comrades  lost  no  time,  rushed  to 
the  bank,  jumped  into  a  skiff,  pulled  for  the 
steamer  which  was  wrapped  in  flames,  arriving 
just  in  time  to  save  seven  lives.  Oct.  15,  1863, 
they  embarked  for  Vicksburg,  remaining  there 
the  entire  winter,  assisting  in  the  reconstruction 
of  the  fortifications,  and  on  one  occasion  made 
an  expedition  after  large  quantities  of  cotton. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  March  5,  1864,  while 
in  camp  at  Yazoo  City,  they  were  attacked  by 
a  large  force  of  Texas  troops  under  General 
Ross.  The  conflict  was  hot  and  desperate,  con 
tinuing  until  4  P.  M.  The  "boys  in  blue"  were 
quite  surrounded,  but  after  heroic  fighting  suc 
ceeded  in  disbursing  the  enemy,  the  Regt.,  of 
only  seven  companies,  losing  69  in  killed  and 
wounded,  and  Capt.  Campbell  himself  being 
wounded  in  the  foot.  After  returning  to  Vicks 
burg  with  victory  and  honor,  our  loyal  and 


heroic  Captain  was  detailed  as  picket  officer 
on  Gen.  Schofield's  staff. 

Feb.  8,  1865,  they  embarked  on  steamer  for 
New  Orleans,  launched  out  into  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  landing  at  Barrances,  near  Pensacola, 
Fla.,  Feb.  26,  1865.  Here  Gen.  Steele  organ 
ized  his  army  to  operate  in  conjunction  with 
Gen.  Canby  in  the  great  and  memorable  cam 
paign  against  Mobile  and  its  defense.  Onward 
the  boys  marched,  the  rain  pouring  down  in 
torrents,  through  heavy  pine  timber,  over  al 
most  bottomless  swamps,  building  miles  and 
miles  of  corduroy  roads,  arriving  at  Fort 
Blakely,  where  they  at  once  engaged  themselves 
in  the  digging  of  entrenchments,  skirmishing 
their  way  almost  constantly,  building  forts  and 
gradually  bringing  up  the  artillery  and  prepar 
ing  for  the  capture  of  Mobile.  On  the  after 
noon  of  April  gth,  a  final  and  desperate  charge 
was  made.  Here  Captain  Campbell  led  his 
company  in  a  heroic  charge,  it  being  one  of  the 
first  to  advance  out  of  the  entrenchments. 
After  this,  the  last  notable  battle  of  the  war, 
they  subsequently  moved  up  the  Alabama  River 
under  constant  fire  of  guerrillas  scattered  all 
along  the  route,  landing  at  Selma,  and  return 
ing  with  large  quantities  of  confiscated  cotton. 
Later  they  embarked  for  New  Orleans,  went 
into  camp  at  Pineville,  La.,  where  Captain 
Campbell,  July  24,  1865,  was  detailed  with  two 
companies  on  a  steamboat  loaded  with  corn  to 
Trinity,  La.,  where  he  distributed  the  food 
among  the  destitute  in  that  section.  At  Alex 
andria,  La.,  he  was  on  constant  duty,  detailed 
as  Provost  Marshal  up  to  the  time  he  was 
ordered  to  Baton  Rouge,  where  he  was  finally 
mustered  out  Jan.  5,  1866.  After  having 
so  loyally  and  so  gallantly  served  the  grand 
"old  flag"  for  four  years  and  nine  months  he 
returned,  crowned  with  honor  and  with  glory, 
to  Monmouth,  111.,  and  subsequently  graduated 
at  the  Business  college  of  that  place.  In  Oct., 
1876,  he  moved  to  Peoria,  111.,  where  he  has 
lived  ever  since. 

At  Monmouth,  111.,  Nov.  13,  1871,  Captain 
Campbell  was  joined  in  marriage  to  Miss  Effie 
G.  Babcock,  the  estimable  and  accomplished 
daughter  of  George  Babcock,  of  Monmouth, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


309 


111.  By  this  happy  union  there  were  born  two 
children,  Nellie  P.  and  Minnie  A.  Of  his  sol 
dier  record  Captain  Josiah  Moore  in  a  letter 
speaks  of  him  thus:  "Captain  Robert  M. 
Campbell  as  a  young  student  enlisted  in  my 
company  at  Monmouth,  111.,  April  20,  1861, 
and  for  meritorious  service  was  promoted  to 
Color  Sergeant  of  the  regiment,  Feb.  18,  1863. 
In  campaign  marches  and  battles  he  was 
always  true,  and  ever  constant  and  faithful  in 
the  discharge  of  every  duty.  In  the  spring  of 
1863,  Adjutant  General  Thomas  visited  the 
army,  and  it  was  decided  to  put  colored  troops 
in  the  service,  and  in  order  to  make  this  new 
departure  a  success  he  directed  that  command 
ers  of  white  regiments  furnish  the  very  best 
men  from  their  commands  to  officer  these  ne\# 
regiments.  Sergeant  Campbell  was  promoted 
April  1 8,  1863,  from  my  command,  first  as 
Lieut.,  and  in  June,  1863,  at  the  death  of  Cap 
tain  Bishop,  he  received  his  commission  as 
Captain  of  Co.  F.,  47th  Regt.,  U.  S.  colored 
troops,  and  his  record  in  that  service,  as  while 
with  my  command,  was  worthy  of  the  highest 
commendation." 

During  the  campaign  of  1884,  our  subject 
a  most  highly  respected  citizen,  was  chosen 
President  of  the  Union  Veteran  Club.  In  the 
last  campaign  he  was  Marshal  of  the  Logan 
Club,  and  was  later  chosen  one  of  the  Vice- 
Presidents  of  the  Republican  Club  of  Peoria, 
111.  Three  times  he  has  been  chosen  Com 
mander  of  John  Bryner  Post,  No.  67,  G.  A.  R., 
of  Peoria,  without  opposition  or  solicitation, 
and  has  served  as  Senior  Vice  Department 
Commander  for  one  term. 

A  kind  and  affectionate  husband  and  father, 
a  soldier,  and  a  most  excellent  citizen,  Captain 
Campbell  is  a  gentleman  who  enjoys  the 
esteem  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 


CA.  CUTLER,  of  Pekin,  111.,  was  born  July 
30,1839,  inTazewell  Co. ,111.  His  mother 
•  was  a  daughter  of  Capt.  John  Hancock 
who   was  a  soldier  in  the   war  of   1812.       Our 
subject  enlisted  in  the  army  in  1861,  as  a  mem 


ber  of  Co.  B.,  47th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  His  Regt.  in 
Sept.  moved  to  St.  Louis,  then  to  Jefferson 
City,  Mo.,  remaining  there  until  Dec.,  when  it 
marched  to  Otterville  and  went  into  winter 
quarters.  In  the  following  spring  it  joined  the 
command  of  Gen.  Pope  at  New  Madrid,  and 
proceeded  to  Commerce,  Mo.,  where  it  was 
brigaded  with  the  nth  Mo.,  8th  Wis.  and  5th 
Minn.,  an  alliance  which  lasted  throughout  the 
war. 

After  the  capture  of  New  Madrid  the  Regt. 
went  to  Fort  Pillow,  returned  and  proceeded 
up  the  Tennessee  River  to  the  battlefield  of 
Shiloh,  then  on  and  participated  in  the  siege 
of  Corinth,  being  actually  engaged  for  the  first 
time,  in  the  battle  at  Farmington.  It  con 
tinued  in  the  siege  of  Corinth  until  its  surrender, 
then  marched  to  Boonesville  in  pursuit  of  the 
Rebels,  which  was.  abandoned,  returned  to 
Corinth  marching  a  distance  of  60  miles  in  two 
days.  It  continued  in  that  vicinity  until  Oct. 
when  the  Brig,  was  attacked  by  the  combined 
forces  under  Price  and  Van  Dorn  whom  after 
two  days'  hard  fighting  they  repulsed.  Here 
comrade  Cutler  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the 
hospital  at  St.  Louis.  On  recovering  he  re 
joined  his  Regt.  and  immediately  started  upon 
the  Vicksburg  campaign,  taking  part  in  many 
of  the  heavy  marches,  raids  and  battles  leading 
up  to  the  capture  of  that  rebel  stronghold. 
We  find  him  in  the  battle  of  Jackson,  and  on 
May  22d  storming  the  works  around  Vicksburg 
in  which  his  Regt.  suffered  very  severely  in 
killed  and  wounded.  It  then  moved  up  the 
Yazoo  River  and  engaged  the  enemy  at 
Mechanicsville  and  during  the  following  fall, 
proceeded  up  Black  River  where  it  arrived 
about  the  time  Sherman's  army  returned  from 
its  Meridian  raid.  It  then  went  to  LaGrange, 
thence  on  a  march  in  midwinter  to  Corinth, 
afterwards  to  Memphis,  and  from  there  started 
upon  the  Red  River  expedition,  capturing  Ft. 
De  Russey  with  about  1,300  prisoners.  Mr. 
Cutler  took  part  in  all  the  battles  and  skir 
mishes  of  that  campaign.  He  returned  to  Alex 
andria  as  assistant  Orderly  Sergeant  of  his  Co., 
and  on  arrival  was  detailed  to  assist  in  organ 
izing  a  colored  Regt.,  in  which  he  was  appointed 


3io 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Orderly  Sergeant,  and  the  Regt.  then  pro 
ceeded  to  Natchez,  Miss.,  and  became  the  70th 
U.  S.  Colored  Inf.,  in  which  he  was  commis 
sioned  2d  Lieut,  of  Co.  A.  He  followed  the 
fortunes  of  his  Regt.,  on  its  wanderings  until 
mustered  out. 

In  the  spring  of  1865,  it  was  sent  to  New  Or 
leans,  then  to  Mobile,  and  thence  to  Winches 
ter.  From  here  a  company  was  sent  to  each  of 
the  different  counties  to  help  conduct  the 
Freedman's  Bureau.  Lieut.  Cutler's  Co.  was 
sent  to  Green  County.  In  the  fall  he  was  de 
tached  to  Gen.  Wood's  Head  Quarters  at  Vicks- 
burg,  Miss.,  to  assist  in  mustering  out  the 
troops,  where  he  continued  until  March,  1866, 
when  he  was  finally  mustered  out  after  a  service 
of  4  years  and  7  months.  Lieut.  Cutler  then 
returned  to  Washburn,  111.,  and  later  located  in 
Minonk,  Woodford  Co.,  III.,  where  he  carried 
on  the  business  of  contractor  and  builder  until 
1882,  when,  upon  being  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  he  conducted  with  that  office  the  Insur 
ance  business,  and  continued  in  that  business 
until  1889,  when  he  was  appointed,  by  Secre 
tary  Windom,  a  U.  S.  Storekeeper  for  the  8th 
Internal  Revenue  District  of  111. 

He  was  married  in  1869,  to  Miss  Martha  J. 
Davenport  of  Lacon,  111.,  who  has  borne  him 
three  children,  Lena  D.,  John  C.,  and  Eva,  who 
died  when  two  years  of  age.  He  is  a  Repub 
lican,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  Fraternity,  and  an  independent  in 
his  views  on  religion.  His  father,  Clark  Cutler, 
was  also  in  the  army,  having  served  in  the  4<Uh 
111.  Inf.,  though  over  60 years  of  age,  and  among 
other  services  participated  in  Serman's  Atlanta 
Campaign  and  his  march  to  the  sea. 


M 


AJOR  GENERAL  GEORGE  G.  MEADE,  born 
at  Cadiz;  Spain,  in  1816.  Educated  at 
West  Point  where  he  graduated  in  1835. 
Entered  military  servive  as  brevet  Second 
Lieutenant  in  the  Third  Regiment  United 
States  Artillery  with  which  he  took  part  in  the 
Florida  war  against  the  Seminole  Indians.  In 
1837  resigned  his  commission  in  the  army,  and 


served  on  the  commission  to  run  the  boundary 
line  between  Texas  and  Mexico.  In  1842  he 
returned  to  the  army  and  enlisted  as  Second 
Lieutenant  of  Topographical  Engineers;  was 
made  First  Lieutenant  May  19,  and  Captain, 
August  4,  of  the  same  year.  May  19,  1856,  he 
was  promoted  to  Major,  to  Brigadier  General 
of  Volunteers,  August  31,  1861;  Major  General, 
November  29,  1862;  Brigadier  General  in  the 
regular  army,  July  3,  1863,  and  Major  General 
United  States  army,  August  8,  1864. 

Was  the  son  of  United  States  Consul  at 
the  time  residing  in  Spain,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  birth  belonged  to  an  ancient  Vir 
ginian  family.  During  the  Mexican  war, 
Captain  Meade  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and  in  the 
capture  of  Vera  Cruz.  In  the  war  of  the  Rebel 
lion,  served  in  McClellan's  campaign  against 
Richmond,  in  which  he  was  severely  \vounded 
at  Glendale,  Virginia,  June  30,  1862.  Took 
part  in  the  battle  of  Manassas,  August  29-30, 
1862;  commanded  a  division  at  the  battle 
of  South  Mountain  and  Antietam;  commanded 
Fifth  Army  Corps  at  Fredricksburg  and  Chan- 
cellorsville.  Was  made  commander  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  June  28,  and  fought  the 
great  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  1-3,  1863.  For 
masterly  disposition  of  troops,  military 
strategy,  terrible  loss,  and  far  reaching  results 
on  both  sides,  Gettysburg  was  perhaps  the 
most  important  battle  of  the  great  war.  The 
Confederate  army  of  Virginia  under  General 
Robert  E.  Lee,  had  defeated  McClellan  before 
Richmond;  Burnside  at  Fredricksburg;  Hooker 
at  Chancellorville  and  Pope  at  Manassas.  Lee 
had  90,000  men  and  250  pieces  of  artillery; 
Meade  had  65,000  men  and  200  cannon. 

At  early  dawn  on  Wednesday  morning, 
July  i,  1863,  General  Reynolds  opened  the 
bloody  drama.  Advancing  with  a  single  corps 
of  8,000  men,  he  was  met  by  Longstrcet  and 
Stonewall  Jackson  with  20,000  Rebels,  all  eager 
for  the  fight.  The  roar  of  artillery  mingled 
with  the  clash  of  small  arms,  soon  told  the 
fighting  to  be  hot.  The  first  Corps  was  already 
hard  pressed.  General  Howard,  with  the  Elev 
enth,  went  on  double  quick  to  the  rescue.  For 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


|]  i 


hours  the  two  corps  stood  together,  while 
40,000  yelling  Rebels  poured  down  upon  them. 
The  whole  Rebel  right  wing  had  concentrated 
on  the  Union  center.  Terrible  fighting  ensued 
all  along  the  line.  All  forenoon  this  unequal 
contest  went  on.  In  the  afternoon  the  Union 
lines  were  driven  back  by  overwhelming  num 
bers,  fighting  stubbornly  over  every  foot  of 
ground.  Late  in  the  evening  our  lines  were 
broken,  and  the  First  Corps  fled  in  disorder. 
General  Reynolds  fell  mortally  wounded  early 
in  the  day,  and  was  spared  the  sight  of  seeing 
his  brave  men  retreating  before  a  horde  of 
pursuing  Rebels.  During  the  afternoon  the 
fighting  was  terrible  beyond  description.  We 
had  lost  2,500  prisoners,  and  a  heavy  list  of 
killed  and  wounded.  The  enemy  had  beaten 
us  by  irresistible  concentration  on  one  of  our 
lines.  All  day  we  had  been  pressed,  fighting 
against  fearful  odds.  Slaughtered  and  driven 
back,  but  not  defeated.  Night  closed  the  car 
nage,  dark  on  the  Union  side.  Stubbornly 
resolved  to  do  or  die,  General  Meade  prepared 
to  renew  the  conflict.  All  night  the  work  went 
on.  Our  lines  were  reformed,  works  thrown 
up;  we  were  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of  the 
Fifth  Army  Corps.  All  the  forenoon  of  the 
second  day  the  enemy  were  seen  moving  their 
forces  and  throwing  up  earthworks,  prepara 
tory  to  a  speedy  renewal  of  the  battle.  Both 
sides  had  waited  for  the  other  to  advance.  At 
four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  Longstreet's 
corps  of  Rebels  \vere  seen  in  long  gray  lines 
moving  on  our  left  \ving.  For  miles  around 
the  hills  shook  with  thunders  of  contending 
artillery;  the  assault  was  furious  beyond 
precedent. 

The  object  of  the  enemy  was  to  capture 
Roundtop  Hill,  a  commanding  eminence,  with 
good  range  on  all  the  Union  lines.  Charge 
after  charge  was  made  by  massed  columns  of 
the  enemy.  A  murderous  fire  from  the  Federal 
lines  literally  covering  the  ground  with  the 
dead  and  wounded.  Each  charge  was  repulsed, 
and  every  repulse  a  slaughter,  charge  and 
counter  charge,  hand  to  hand,  and  bayonet 
thrust.  For  hours  the  carnival  of  death  went 
on.  Later  in  the  evening,  Rebel  yells  died 


away  in  wild  shouts  from  the  Union  soldiers. 
Heaps  on  heaps  the  Rebel  dead  and  wounded 
lay  mangled  and  bleeding  on  the  bloody  plain. 
The  tide  had  changed  and  the  detestable  Rebel 
ensign  was  trailing  in  the  dust.  While  the 
Rebel  lines  were  falling  back,  night  closed  the 
scene  on  the  second  day  of  the  bloody  drama. 
During  all  the  long  hours  of  the  struggle  the 
Union  lines  had  stood  unmoved  and  immovable. 
The  enemy  had  been  foiled  at  every  point. 
Prestige  was  to-night  on  the  Union  side,  and 
Rebel  boasting  'and  exultation  converted  into 
doubt  and  distrust.  Victory  was  in  the  air, 
and  the  Union  camp  glowed  with  hope  in  the 
issue  of  another  day.  Before  the  night  had 
passed,  our  lines  were  all  strengthened,  and 
the  loyal  army  ready  for  another  day's  work. 

Friday  morning,  July  3rd,  Meade's  cannon 
opened  full  on  the  enemy's  lines,  and  challenged 
the  Rebels  to  a  renewal  of  the  bloody  conflict. 
The  answer  was  ready.  Once  more  our  left 
center  was  assailed  with  a  ferocity  never  ex 
celled  in  the  annals  of  war.  The  enemy 
advanced  four  deep,  with  loud  shouts  and  de 
moniac  yells.  Fortunately,  the  Union  army 
held  inside  and  shorter  lines,  which  enabled 
General  Meade  to  throw  his  reserves  quickly 
on  either  wing.  Two  hundred  Union  cannons 
were  trained  on  the  doomed  columns  of  the 
foe  as  they  moved  on  the  plain  below.  On 
they  marched,  in  fast  thinning  ranks,  but  to 
die.  Our  artillery  fire  tore  wide  breeches  and 
bleeding  gaps  in  the  enemy's  line.  Union 
troops  were  moved  back  to  make  roads  for  the 
fatal  grape  and  canister.  Parked  cannon 
were  held  in  reserve  until  the  assaulting  col 
umns  came  within  easy  range,  and  then  opened 
with  fatal  aim  on  the  helpless  and  exposed 
ranks.  The  hills  along  the  Union  line  were  for 
the  time  a  blazing  volcano.  For  half  an  hour 
the  crash  and  roar  were  simply  indescribable. 
A  lull  in  the  pitiless  storm  of  fire,  the  dense 
cloud  of  smoke  floats  away  only  to  reveal  the 
untenanted  rout  on  which  the  columns  of  the 
enemy  had  advanced.  Whole  columns  had 
melted  away.  They  had  not  retreated;  they 
were  dead  and  lay  in  mangled  and  bleeding 
masses  on  the  field.  Next  day  General  Lee 


312 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


began  his  retreat,  recrossed  the  Potomac  and 
once  more  escaped  into  Virginia.  Rebel  loss 
at  Gettysburg  in  killed,  5,500;  wounded,  21,- 
ooo;  prisoners,  9,000;  stragglers  and  deserters, 
4,000;  total,  39,500.  Unionlossin  killed, 4,000; 
wounded,  13,000;  in  prisoners,  4,000;  total,  21,- 
ooo.  Gen.  Meade  died  Nov.  6,  1882. 


JOHN  SULLIVAN  of  La  Salle  Co.  111.,  was 
•  born  in  Ireland  in  1831,  and  with  his  par 
ents  emigrated  to  the  U.  S.  about  the  year 
1835,  locating  in  the  State  of  N.  Y.  His  father 
died  when  he  was  quite  young,  thus  throwing 
him  upon  the  world  to  commence  the  journey 
of  life  without  the  guiding  hand  of  an  expe 
rienced  sire  to  assist  him  or  make  suggestions 
for  his  welfare  on  that  rough  and  ragged  path 
way.  When  the  war  broke  out,  however,  the 
electric  current  had  scarcely  stopped  its  vibra 
tions,  calling  for  troops  to  suppress  the  rebel 
lion,  before  the  natural  impetuosity  of  the  dar 
ing  Irishman  impelled  him  to  abandon  his  call 
ing  of  mining  and  respond  to  the  call  to  arms. 
He  immediately  proceeded  to  Plattsburg, 
Clinton  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  enlisted  April  I4th, 
1861,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Al 
bany,  as  a  private  in  Co.  E.,  i6th  N.  Y.  Vol. 
Inf.  He  was  sent  with  the  Regt.  to  Washing 
ton,  thence  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  and  participated 
in  the  battle  of  the  ist  Bull  Run;  also  those  of 
Yorktown,  Games'  Mills,  Savage  Station, 
Charles  City,  Cross  Roads,  Malvern  Hill,  2nd 
Bull  Run,  Antietam,  FYedericksburg,  and  sever 
al  others  of  less  importance.  In  all  these  battles, 
Mr.  Sullivan,  with  his  Regt.  bore  a  prominent 
part,  and  his  Company  suffered  as  severely  as 
any  other  engaged  in  the  same  field.  His  term 
of  enlistment  having  expired  in  May,  1863,  and 
having  now  become  an  experienced  soldier,  he 
concluded  he  could  render  his  country  more 
service  at  that  period  than  at  any  previous  time, 
and  although  he  had  during  his  two  years'  active 
service,  endured  untold  suffering  and  hunger, 
he  considered  it  his  duty  to  again  go  forward. 

He  therefore  re-enlisted    in   April,    1864,  at 
Plattsburg,  N.    Y.,  in  Co.   H..  2nd   N.  Y.   Vet. 


Cav.,  and  moved  with  his  Regt.  to  New  Orleans, 
La.,  participating  in  many  skirmishes  about 
the  last  named  place,  as  also  at  Mobile,  Ala 
He  was  wounded  in  the  left  breast  at  what  is 
known  as  Hart's  Island,  by  the  accidental  dis 
charge  of  a  revolver  in  the  hands  of  a  comrade, 
and  was  compelled  to  go  into  hospital  at  that 
place,  and  again  at  Savage  Station  for  about  a 
month.  He  also  received,  during  his  army 
life,  seven  different  flesh  wounds,  but  none  of 
them  proved  to  be  serious;  yet  the  bullets  came 
sufficiently  often  and  close  to  indicate  the 
dangers  to  which  he  courageously  exposed 
himself.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Jackson, 
Miss.,  and  confined  in  Andersonville,  that 
awful  place  used  for  the  destruction  of  the 
Union  soldiers.  Mr.  Sullivan,  when  entering 
that  morgue  weighed  165  pounds,  but  when  as 
sisted  out,  six  months  after,  only  tilted  the  scale 
at  95  pounds.  He  had  also  been  a  prisoner  a 
short  time  during  his  first  term  of  service  at 
Belle  Island.  He  continued  in  the  service 
even  after  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion  and 
was  mustered  out  Nov.  24,  1865,  at  Albany,  N.  Y. 
Shortly  after  his  discharge,  he  removed  to 
La  Salle,  111.,  and  has  been  employed  in  the 
coal  mines  ever  since.  He  married  Mrs.  Ann 
Payne  (a  widow)  in  June,  1874,  by  whom  he 
has  one  child,  Annie.  He  has  always  been  in 
dustrious,  frugal  and  successful.  He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  Carter  Post,  No.  242,  G.  A.  R.,  an  officer 
therein,  and  assisted  in  its  organization.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics. 


O  PERRY  HYDE,  of  Rantoul,  Illinois, 
became  a  member,  on  Aug.  10, 
•  1861,  of  Co.  G.,  3/th  111.  Vol.  Inf. 
He  proceeded  with  his  Regt.  to  St.  Louis 
and  after  a  short  delay  went  to  Lexington, 
but  on  the  way  thither  they  were  ordered  to 
Sedalia,  where  they  went  into  winter  quarters. 
In  the  following  spring  he  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  New  Town,  Perry  Grove 
and  Van  Buren.  At  the  battle  of  Perry  Grove  Mr. 
Hyde  was  wounded  in  the  hip,  the  ball  breaking 
the  bone  and  glancing  down  the  leg  to  the  knee 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


where  it  lodged.  He  was  placed  in  the  hospital 
at  Fayetteville,  where  the  surgeons  proposed  to 
amputate  his  leg,  but  on  his  protesting  they 
searched  for  and  extracted  the  ball.  He  re 
mained  many  wreeks  in  the  hospital,  but  finally 
rejoined  his  command  and  accompanied  it  in 
its  many  skirmishes,  marches  and  battles  in 
Missouri  and  Kansas.  On  one  occasion  after  a 
series  of  heavy  marches  the  regiment  returned 
to  Camp  Logan,  but  instead  of  being  permitted 
to  rest,  was  immediately  ordered  to  march  to 
the  relief  of  Gen.  Blunt,  whither  they  proceed 
ed  upon  forced  marches,  covering  112  miles  in 
three  days,  and  at  the  end  of  the  journey  gal 
lantly  fought  and  defeated  the  enemy.  When 
operations  were  inaugurated  for  the  capture  of 
Vicksburg,  our  budding  patriot,  Hyde,  was  found 
in  the  ranks  of  his  Regt.  He  assisted  in  the 
siege  of  that  stronghold,  and  continued  in  the 
trenches  until  its  surrender.  He  then  proceed 
ed  to  Yazoo  City,  and  assisted  in  capturing  that 
place,  taking  many  prisoners,  thence  marched 
to  Big  Black  River  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy. 
Subsequently,  he  returned  to  Vicksburg,  en- 
route  to  New  Orleans,  where  the  Regt.  was  re 
viewed  at  Camp  Carrollton,  Sept.  4,  1863,  by 
Gen.  Grant.  After  passing  from  point  to  point 
the  enemy  was  again  encountered,  Sept.  29th, 
at  Morgan's  Bend,  where  the  brave  band  of 
i, 200  men  succeeded  in  scattering  a  Rebel  force 
of  3, coo.  On  Oct.  13  the  Regt.  started  for 
Brownsville,  Texas,  then  guarded  the  Rio 
Grande  River  as  far  north  as  Ringgold. 

Mr.  Hyde  re-enlisted  Feb.  1864,  for  a  fresh 
term  of  three  years,  receiving  a  furlough  of  30 
days,  when  he  visited  home  for  the  first  time  in 
three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  pro 
ceeded  to  Memphis  and  was  engaged  for  some 
scouting  through  East  Tenn.,  then  returning  to 
Memphis.  He  then  participated  in  Gen.  Banks' 
expedition  to  Etchafalaya  Bayou,  from  which 
he  narrowly  escaped  capture  by  the  rebel  Dick 
Taylor.  On  May  30  he  went  on  another  scout, 
marching  60  miles  to  Morganzia,  and  later  went 
up  the  White  River  to  St.  Charles,  then  return 
ing  to  Morganzia,  going  into  winter  quarters  at 
Duvall's  Bluff  Oct.  7.  In  the  early  days  of 
January,  1865,  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  New 


Orleans,  thence  to  Barrancas,  Fla.,  then  cross 
ing  the  country  to  Spanish  Fort,  taking  part  in 
the  siege  of  that  place.  It  also  assisted  in  the 
assault  preceeding  the  capture  of  the  fort,  as 
also  the  movement  against  Fort  Blakely,  which 
led  up  to  the  surrender  of  Mobile.  At  the  lat 
ter  end  of  June  it  went  by  transports  to  Gal- 
veston,  Tex.,  thence  to  Houston,  and  was  em 
ployed  guarding  the  railways  leading  into  that 
town,  where,  on  May  15,  1866,  the  3/th  was 
mustered  out  of  the  U.  S.  service  and  was  finally 
paid  off  and  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  after 
a  service  by  Mr.  Hyde  of  four  years  and  nine 
months.  He  traveled  during  his  service  up 
wards  of  17,846  miles,  3,286  of  which  were  cov 
ered  on  foot.  His  father,  William  B.  Hyde,  as 
also  his  two  brothers,  were  in  the  same  war  and 
served  for  three  years  in  the  loth  111.  Cav.  His 
step-brother,  James  Hunter,  was  also  in  the 
army  and  yielded  up  his  life  in  the  service  of 
his  country.  Mr.  Hyde  was  born  in  Ind.,  Aug. 
15,  1840,  and  when  nine  years  of  age  removed 
with  his  parents  to  111.,  locating  in  McLean 
County.  Here  his  young  life  was  spent  upon 
the  farm  and  in  attending  school.  He  learned 
the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  made  his  life 
calling.  He  is  prominent  in  all  matters  con 
nected  with  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Rantoul,  in 
which  he  has  filled  most  of  its  many  important 
offices.  He  was  married  May  2,  1867,  to  Emma 
Miller,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  namely:  Myron,  Effie,  Jesse,  Fred 
erick,  Elsie,  Ethel,  Frank,  Ruby,  Laura,  Martha 
and  William.  In  all  matters  relating  to  poli 
tics  Mr.  Hyde  entertains  very  pronounced 
opinions,  and  always  upon  the  Republican  side. 


GEO.  L.    BEIDLEMAN,    of   Kewanee,    111.,  a 
native  of  Ind.,   was    born    Aug.  17,  1847, 
and  in  early  life  went  to  Mount  Carmel, 
111.,  later  moving  to  Naperville  and  afterwards 
to  Henry,  Marshall  Co.,  where  he  resided  when 
he  enlisted.     He    was    young    in    years,    only 
about  17,  but  joined  Co.  I.,  146  111.  Vol.  Inf.  at 
Peoria,  and   was    mustered  in    Sept.,    1864,    at 
Springfield.     The  chief  work  of  this  Regt.  was 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Provost  duty  in  Chicago  and  other  places,  hav 
ing  charge  of  prisoners  and  drafted  men.  In 
this  service  two  trips  were  made  to  the  South 
in  the  winter  as  far  as  Chattanooga,  and  by  a 
special  order  this  Regt.  was  at  Springfield,  111. 
when  President  Lincoln's  body  was  brought 
there  for  burial.  He  was  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865.  Mr.  Beidleman,  after  leaving  the  army 
lived  at  Henry,  111.  for  several  years,  then  went 
to  Mo.  and  subsequently  returned  to  Marshall 
and  Bureau  counties  for  about  18  years,  then  to 
Kan.  where  he  resided  for  7  years.  He  was 
married  about  18  years  ago  to  Isabel  Motheral 
and  by  her  has  four  children — James  R., 
Charles  B.,  Lizzie  L.,  and  Howard  L.  He  is  a 
Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F., 
in  which  he  has  held  office  during- the  past  II 
years.  Mr.  Beidleman's  brother,  Alexander, 
enlisted  in  Taylor's  Battery  and  served  in  the 
war  up  to  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Cre.ek, 
where  he  was  killed.  His  body  with  13  others 
was  sent  home  by  the  Government  and  buried 
at  Rosehill  Cemetery,  near  Chicago.  J.  M. 
Beidleman,  another  brother  now  resides  at 
Chicago,  111. 


OUR  present  subject,  James  M.  Marlin,  of 
Buda,  111.,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army 
for  the  late  war,  Sept.  6,  1861,  at  Three 
Springs,  Huntingdon  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  mustered 
in  as  a  Corporal  in  Co.  B.,  i  loth  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.  at 
Camp  Crassman.  His  Regt.  rendezvoused 
there,  and  was  then  assigned  to  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  with  which  it  operated  through 
out  the  war.  He  was  principally  engaged  in 
Virginia,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Winchester,  Cedar  Mountain,  and  the  Second 
Bull  Run,  besides  many  heavy  skirmishes  and 
exhausting  marches.  In  May,  1862,  Mr.  Marlin 
contracted  typhoid  fever,  went  into  hospital  at 
Phila.;  obtained  a  furlough  of  30  days,  and 
after  his  recovery  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Alex 
andria,  Va.,  in  July  of  the  same  year.  In  Sept. 
he  became  afflicted  with  diarrhoea  which  devel 
oped  into  a  chronic  condition,  again  compelling 
him  to  seek  a  hospital  at  David's  Island,  N.  Y., 


where  his  disease  continued  to  incapacitate  him 
for  a  length  of  time,  consequently  he  was  mus 
tered  out  of  the  service  Feb.  6,  1863,  owing  to 
protracted  disability,  and  was  finally  discharged 
at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Mr.  Marlin  was  born  at  Huntingdon  Co., 
Pa.  His  parents  were  also  natives  of  the 
same  County  and  State.  His  maternal  grand 
father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 

Mr.  Marlin  received  a  common  school  edu 
cation,  then  learned  the  trade  of  a  mason 
which  he  followed  until  he  became  a  soldier. 
After  his  discharge  he  resumed  his  trade  at 
Huntingdon,  until  1865,  when  he  moved  West 
to  Ohio,  and  the  following  year  proceeded  to 
111.,  and  in  1867  to  Mo.,  where  he  was  employed 
for  four  years,  when  he  returned  to  111.,  settling 
in  Buda.  He  married  Nov.  24, 1868,  Miss  Mary 
E.  Hare,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Sarah  (Dalton) 
Hare  of  Lynchburg,  Va. 

Mr.  Marlin  was  Collector  of  Taxes  of  his 
Township  for  three  years,  and  now  holds  the 
position  of  Postmaster  for  Buda.  He  is  an  Odd 
Fellow,  member  of  Post  No.  198,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
in  politics,  decidedly  a  Republican. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marlin  are  among  the  favored 
of  earth,  having  a  family  like  unto  the  families 
of  olden  time,  8  in  number — 3  boys  and  5  girls. 
The  oldest  a  son,  22,  the  youngest  a  son,  2  years 
old. 


JAMES  MADISON  KENNEDY,  one  of  the  brave 
soldiers  who  came  to  the  aid  of  the  Union 
in  the  late  Rebellion,  was  born  March  2d, 
1842,  at  Aurora,  111.,  and  is  the  son  of  James 
and  Harriet  E.  (Newberry)  Kennedy.  The 
elder  James,  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  New 
York,  and  were  born  respectively  at  Watkins 
and  Poughkeepsie.  The  founder  of  the  Ken 
nedy  family  came  to  the  United  States  at  an 
early  day  and  was  of  Scotch  ancestry.  The 
Newberry's  immigrated  from  England  to  the 
United  States  before  the  Revolution,  and  took 
an  active  part  in  the  formation  of  the  Govern 
ment. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


315 


James  Kennedy's  moth'er  was  a  Van  Vort  of 
old  Knickerbocker  stock  of  New  York.  He 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  removed  to 
111.,  in  what  is  now  Kane  Co.,  being  one  of  the 
pioneers.  He  died  April  18,  1881,  much  re 
gretted  by  the  community  in  which  he  had  so 
long  lived.  His  widow  is  now  living  with  her 
son,  Herman  N.  Kennedy,  in  Chicago.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children  --the  subject 
of  this  memoir,  Herman  N.,  Delia  A.,  Alice  I., 
Etta  M.,  and  Scott  E.,  all  living  but  Alice  and 
Scott.  James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
carefully  reared  at  home  where  he  received  such 
educational  advantages  as  the  common  schools 
of  that  day  afforded,  and  where  he  assisted  his 
father  in  performing  such  work  as  boys  are  ac 
customed  to  on  farms.  At  the  age  of  17  years, 
he  was  sent  to  Wheaton  College  to  complete 
his  course  of  studies,  which  were  untimely  in 
terrupted  by  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion. 
He  early  responded  to  the  call  of  the  President 
for  troops,  gave  up  his  studies  and  took  up  the 
musket  to  defend  his  country,  enlisting  at  Au 
rora,  Aug.  2d,  1861,  inCo.  A.,  Cav.  36th  111.  Inf., 
and  was  mustered  in  at  Camp  Hammond,  Sept. 
23d,  where  the  company  was  uniformed  and 
mounted,  and  soon  after,  with  Co.  B.  was  or 
dered  to  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  where  the 
Cos.  received  sabers  and  revolvers,  and  com 
menced  to  learn  the  art  of  warfare.  The  in 
fantry  receiving  arms  at  the  Arsenal,  then  went 
forward  to  Rolla,  Mo.  Mr.  Kennedy  remained 
at  Benton  Barracks  with  his  Co.  for  about 
two  months,  when  the  company  was  ordered 
to  report  at  Rolla,  joining  there  the  Inf.  part  of 
its  regiment.  .  It  remained  there  during  the 
greater  part  of  the  winter  of  1861-62  engaging 
in  camp  duty  and  drilling. 

In  Jan.  1862,  his  command  was  sent  out  to 
meet  Price  at  Springfield,  who  retreated,  and 
was  followed  up  by  the  Union  forces,  and  after 
long  and  tedious  marches  was  met  in  battle  at 
Pea  Ridge,  March  7  and  8.  The  36th  was  in 
the  left  wing  of  the  army.  The  first  day  the 
Union  troops  had  the  worst  of  the  battle,  but 
the  second  day  they  made  a  gallant  and  stub 
born  fight  and  drove  the  enemy  back.  This 
was  Mr.  Kennedy's  first  experience  in  active 


warfare.  After  this  action,  the  36th  was  as 
signed  to  Asboth's  Brig,  and  went  to  Cape 
Girardeau,  where,  after  a  march  of  some  500 
miles,  and  by  boat  to  Hamburg  Landing,  they 
joined  Grant's  army.  The  Regt.  was  assigned 
to  Pope's  Corps,  and  took  part  in  the  siege  of 
Corinth.  Mr.  Kennedy  was  on  duty  about 
Corinth  for  about  six  months,  and  took  part  in 
the  second  battle  at  that  place.  Previous  to 
the  last  named  action,  he  fought  at  luka,  where 
his  Co.  was  hotly  engaged.  The  next  move 
of  the  company  was  with  Grant  toward  Vicks- 
burg,  which  movement  was  defeated  on  account 
of  the  loss  of  the  stores  at  Holly  Springs. 
After  this  came  the  Mississippi  campaign  as  it 
was  called.  Mr.  Kennedy's  Co.  was  sent  to  Mem 
phis,  Gen.  Rosencrans  was  transferred  to  the 
army  of  the  Cumberland,  Gen.  C.  S.  Hamilton 
took  his  place  and  Co.  A.  was  retained  as  his 
escort,  and  soon  after  moved  to  Memphis.  He 
remained  in  "Memphis  until  April  1863,  when 
he  with  his  Co.  joined  Grant's  campaign 
against  Vicksburg,  and  was  placed  as  escort  to 
Gen.  Lauman.  He  took  part  in  the  siege,  his 
command  being  under  Gen.  McClernand  on 
the  extreme  left.  After  the  surrender  of  that 
Confederate  stronghold,  he  participated  in 
Sherman's  Jackson  campaign  against  Johnston, 
and  had  some  very  hard  fighting.  After  de 
feating  Johnston's  army,  the  Union  forces  re 
turned  to  Vicksburg,  feeling  very  much  as 
though  they  were  able  to  meet  the  entire  con 
federate  army.  From  Vicksburg  Company 
A.  with  other  troops,  embarked  for  New  Or 
leans,  and  joined  Gen.  Bank's  army.  After  a 
few  days  at  New  Orleans,  they  moved  up  to 
Morganzie,  with  General  Herron's  Division, 
where  they  had  an  encounter  with  Kirby  Smith. 
Returning  to  New  Orleans  with  his  Co.,  he 
was  detailed  as  Orderly  to  Gen.  N.  J.  T.  Dana, 
the  Co.  remaining  with  Gen.  Lee,  Banks'  chief  of 
cavalry,  and  in  the  fall  went  to  Brownsville,  Tex., 
under  Gen.  Banks'  command.  After  remaining 
there  through  part  of  the  winter  of  i863-'64, 
they  moved  to  Matagorda  Bay.  They  remained 
there  for  two  months,  having  occasionally  slight 
action  with  the  rebels.  From  there  Mr.  Kenne 
dy,  with  four  others,  returned  to  New  Orleans  for 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  purpose  of  joining  his  Co.  Co.  A.  not  ar 
riving,  he,  with  the  others,  were  assigned  to 
Maj.  Reed's  Co.  of  Cav.,  from  Boston,  as  Gen. 
Lee's  escort,  and  took  an  active  part  in  all  the 
movements  of  the  disastrous  Red  River  cam 
paign.  No  soldier  was  ever  more  angry  than 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  when,  at  the  ter 
mination  of  the  fight  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads, 
caused  by  Banks'  mismanagement  and  failure 
to  take  advantage  of  favorable  opportunities. 
Gen.  Lee  was  relieved  of  command  by  Banks, 
and  sent  to  New  Orleans,  he  (Banks)  holding 
him  responsible  for  his  defeat.  Lee  returned 
to  New  Orleans,  taking  with  him  Mr.  Kennedy 
(who  was  a  great  favorite  with  him)  and  four 
others  of  Co.  A.  The  troops  were  some  two 
months  getting  back  to  New  Orleans  from  that 
expedition.  He  found  his  Co.  at  New  Orleans, 
and  remained  there  until  Aug.,  when  he,  with 
those  who  were  left  of  the  Co.,  were  ordered  to 
Helena,  Ark.,  and  became  Co.  I.,  I5th  111.  Cav. 
After  remaining  there  for  a  time,  those  who  did 
not  re-enlist  embarked  for  Springfield,  111.,  un 
der  command  of  Col.  Bacon,  where  they  were 
mustered  out  and  paid  off  Aug.  24,  1864,  return 
ing  then  to  their  respectives  homes,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  Mr.  Kennedy,  who,  having  been  taken 
sick,  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Springfield, 
and,  when  recovered,  he  returned  to  his  home 
at  Aurora.  His  first  occupation  was  that  of  rail 
roading,  which  he  followed  for  twenty  years, 
retiring  as  Passenger  Conductor.  He  was  then 
elected  City  Clerk  (in  1884),  and  has  been  con 
tinuously  re-elected  since,  which  is  a  high  com 
pliment  to  him  as  an  officer,  demonstrating  his 
efficiency  and  popularity.  Mr.  Kennedy  was 
united  in  marriage  at  Pottsdam,  N.Y.,  to  Mary 
E.,  daughter  of  Jasper  and  Augusta  (Cady) 
Stowe,  an  old  Vermont  family  of  English 
descent.  This  marriage  has  been  blessed  with 
four  children — Charles  M.,  Roy  Stowe,  Bessie, 
May  and  Jessie  Maud  (twins). 

Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post  No.  20;  has  passed  through  all  the  offices, 
and  is  at  present  Past  Commander.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Lodge  No. 
254,  and  is  a  counselor  of  the  order  of  Chosen 
Friends.  In  politics,  Republican.  This  sketch 


would  be  incomplete  if  we  did  not  state  that, 
while  Mr.  Kennedy  gallantly  discharged  all  the 
duties  imposed  upon  him  as  a  soldier,  the- war 
over,  true  to  the  character  of  the  American  sov 
ereign,  he  took  up  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life, 
and  has  none  the  less  distinguished  himself  as 
a  citizen  of  the  Republic  he  fought  so  bravely 
to  save. 


TANDY  PRITCHARD,  of  Fisher,  111.,  in  com 
mon  with  thousands  of  his  countrymen 
deeming  it  his  duty  to  assist  and  save 
the  Union  enlisted  in  the  army  Dec.  I,  1861,  in 
Co.  H.,  54th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  soon  on  the 
move  to  Columbus,  Ky.,  in  search  of  victims, 
who  were  numerous  in  that  vicinity,  and  with 
whom  he  had  an  encounter.  Serving  there  he 
went  to  Memphis,  and  returning  moved  to 
Union  City  where  he  remained  four  months. 
His  Regt.  was  defeated  by  Price  and  Marma- 
duke's  forces,  and  in  the  spring  moved  to 
Jackson,  thence  to  Memphis,  Helena,  Ark., 
and  then  to  Vicksburg,  where  it  was  engaged 
in  the  assault  upon  that  city,  and  followed  by 
the  siege  until  its  surrender.  After  the  capt 
ure  of  Vicksburg  it  went  on  boats  to  Helena, 
Ark.,  fought  and  defeated  Marmaduke  and 
Price,  which  was  repeated  again  at  Little  Rock. 
It  then  moved  to  Hickory  Station  where  a  part 
of  the  Regt.  was  captured,  but  Mr.  Pritchard 
was  one  of  those  who  escaped  and  reached 
Little  Rock.  He  re-enlisted  Dec.  21,  1863, 
went  home  on  Veteran  furlough,  and  when  the 
Regt.  had  reassembled  at  Charleston,  111.,  a 
band  of  some  300  guerrillas  led  by  Capt.  Wells, 
a  noted  rebel,  had  gathered  in  the  town,  but 
being  without  arms  attracted  but  little  atten 
tion.  Suddenly  those  bandits  collected  in  the 
Court  House  Square,  where  some  teams  loaded 
with  straw  were  standing,  supposed  to  belong 
to  farmers.  Without  warning  they  rushed  to 
the  straw-laden  teams  which  really  contained 
rifles  and  ammunition  and  opened  fire  upon  the 
unsuspecting  unarmed  soldiers,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  13  of  the  boys  had  fallen  victims  of 
those  cruel  guerrillas.  The  boys  telegraphed 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


317 


to  Mattoon  a  few  miles  distant  for  their  guns 
which  arrived  45  minutes  after  the  outbreak, 
and. then  their  turn  soon  came.  They  killed 
many  rebels  and  captured  100.  It  has  been 
supposed  the  raid  was  precipitated  by  some 
ill  advised  conduct  or  utterance  on  the  part  of 
a  boy  of  the  Union  ranks,  known  as  "  Black 
Hawk."  He  was  shot  and  mortally  wounded 
by  the  first  volley  from  the  Rebels,  but  even 
after  falling  he  drew  his  revolver  and  shot  and 
killed  the  Rebel  leader,  Capt.  Wells.  The 
Regt.  next  went  to  Island  No.  10  back  to 
Paducah  and  at  Little  Rock,  again  defeated 
Gen.  Price,  then  marched  to  Ft.  Smith  on  the 
Indian  frontier,  250  miles,  when  it  was  employed 
guarding  the  frontier  until  after  the  close  of 
the  war.  Mr.  Pritchard  was  mustered  out  Oct. 
15,  1865,  the  only  times  he  was  off  duty,  were 
when  he  took  his  furlough,  and  again  when  in 
hospital  at  Columbus  with  typhoid  fever. 

Mr.  Pritchard  was  born  in  111  .Aug.  12,  1844, 
a  son  of  John  A.  and  Jane  A.  (Hughes)  Pritch 
ard  who  were  of  Scotch  descent.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  Our 
subject  was  employed  upon  a  farm  until  his 
enlistment.  After  the  Rebellion  he  engaged 
in  hotel  business  at  Shelbyville,  111.,  but  later 
went  at  the  mason  trade  which  he  followed 
in  connection  with  his  contracting  business. 
In  1868  he  removed  to  Champaign  Co.,  and 
built  the  first  house  in  Fisher.  He  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Fisher,  a  Free 
Mason  and  a  Republican.  He  was  married  in 
1869  to  Miss  Virginia  J.  Rowlett  of  Tenn.  and 
they  have  5  children — Mattie,  Viola,  Frank, 
George  and  Fay.  He  had  a  brother,  J.  C. 
Pritchard,  also  in  the  war,  who  was  Capt.  of  Co. 
H.  in  the  i8th  Ky.  Inf.  and  who  was  three  times 
wounded,  viz.:  in  the  breast,  shoulder  and  had 
his  heel  shot  off,  by  a  piece  of  shell.  He  died 
since  the  war  from  the  effects  of  his  wounds. 


FREDERICK  J.DENNY,of  Peru, 111. ,was  working 
at  his  trade  as  a  tinsmith  in  Charleston, 
S.  C.,  when  the  war  of  the  rebellion  was 
inaugurated.     From  his  observation  and  knowl 
edge  of  the  situation,  he  was  convinced  that  a 


great  struggle  between  the  North  and  South 
would  be  the  result.  With  a  number  of  his  as 
sociates  Mr.  Denny  united  with  the  "  Marion 
Rifles"  a  local  home-guard  at  Charleston, 
which  was  armed  and  uniformed.  While  he 
did  not  participate  in  the  fight  he  was  on  what 
was  known  as  Cole's  Island,  and  from  there 
went  to  Farley  Island,  and  witnessed  the  bom 
bardment  of  Ft.  Sumter.  He  was  then  con 
vinced  that  before  long  some  severe  fighting 
must  be  done,  and  if  this  was  true  he  wanted 
to  do  his  fighting  on  the  Union  side.  He  there 
fore  began  to  lay  plans  to  escape  to  the  North, 
but  soon  discovered  that  this  was  not  an  easy 
matter  as  orders  had  been  issued  to  give  no  one 
a  leave  of  absence.  But  by  representing  to  his 
Capt.  that  he  wanted  to  go  to  St.  Louis  to  join 
a  Confederate  Regt.  there,  he  succeeded  in  ob 
taining  permission  to  depart.  He  was  a  spec 
tator  at  Charleston  convention,  Dec.  20,  1860, 
when  the  resolutions  of  secession  were 
passed  and  the  confederate  government  was 
formed.  He  had  no  idea  of  going  to  St. 
Louis,  and  finally  after  many  adventures  and 
experiences  he  reached  his  home  in  Peru,  111. 
Aug.  11,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Capt.  A.  J.  Bur- 
oughs  Co.,  and  was  assigned  to  the  I27th  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  first  Sergt.,  and  acted  as  drill- 
master  in  his  Co.  By  general  order,  allowing 
ten  men  out  of  each  Co.  of  Vol.  to  re-enlist,  he 
entered  the  service,  and  was  assigned  to  the 
ist  U.  S.  Cav.,  Co.  A.,  sent  first  to  Carlisle,  Pa., 
then  to  Capitol  Hill,  Washington,  D.  C.,  after 
wards  to  Arlington  Heights,  and  then  to  Camp 
Allen,  Va.  After  this  there  was  an  active  and 
continuous  service  during  the  war.  Mr.  Denny 
was  participant  in  31  battles  among  which  may 
be  noted  Gettysburg,  July  2,  3,  1863;  Falling 
Water,  July  14,  1863  ;  Culpeper  Court  House, 
Aug.  i,  1863;  Mine  Run,  Nov.  30,  1863;  Spot- 
sylvania,  May  8,  1864;  Cold  Harbor,  May  31, 
and  June  I,  1864;  and  was  with  Sheridan  on  his 
raid  on  Richmond.  He  was  wounded  at  Deep 
Bottoms,  Va.,  July  28,  1864,  and  from  the  effect 
of  the  wound  received  at  this  time  he  lost  his 
right  leg,  and  his  life  hung  for  a  long  time 
trembling  in  the  balance.  Many  times  he  had 
been  given  up  to  die  by  friends  and  doctors, 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


and  he  was  finally  sent  to  David's  Island  in 
New  York  Harbor,  where  he  received  his  dis 
charge  and  set  out  for  home  still  suffering  sev 
erely  and  seriously  ill.  When  he  reached  home 
his  health  rapidly  improved  and  he  was  soon 
out  of  danger,  although  it  was  seven  years  be 
fore  the  wound  entirely  healed. 

Mr.  Denny  was  born  at  Oregon,  Ogle  Co., 
111.,  in  1839,  and  two  years  later  moved  to  Peru, 
111.,  with  his  parents,  Michael  B.  and  Eliza 
McCormick,  who  settled  in  N.  Y.  in  1835,  and 
moved  to  111.,  in  1838.  In  early  life  he  served 
an  apprenticeship  at  the  tinner's  trade,  and  for 
a  time  was  in  business  with  his  brother  at  Peru, 
111.  He  has  also  worked  in  St.  Louis  and  at 
Charleston,  S.  C.  He  was  married  in  1881,  at 
Peru  to  Mary  Caroline  Stimson  and  two  children 
have  blessed  this  union — Jessie  May  and  Fred 
erick  J.,  Jr.  In  1869  he  received  the  appoint 
ment  of  City  Weigh  Master  of  Peru,  and  has 
held  this  position  since  that  date.  He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  E.  N.  Kirk  Post  656.  Mr. 
Denny  can  justly  enjoy  the  satisfaction  of  hav 
ing  contributed  no  small  part  to  the  permanent 
establishment  of  the  nation's  progress  and  pros 
perity. 


HON.  IVORY  H.  PIKE.  No  man  is  better 
known  among  the  general  people  of 
McLean  County  and  the  I4th  Congres- 
ional  District  of  Illinois,  than  Hon.  Ivory  H. 
Pike,  and  no  man  in  either  city  or  county  is 
more  popular  with  the  common  people.  He 
is  a  credit  to  the  race  of  modern  Amer 
icans,  being  one  of  the  finest  specimens 
of  manhood  to  be  found  in  111.  He  is  con 
structed  on  a  generous  scale,  mentally  and 
physically — big  bodied,  big  minded,  and  big 
hearted.  Honest  in  deed,  word,  and  action, 
Ivory  Pike  is  one  of  the  most  admirable  types 
of  well-balanced  citizenship.  One  of  the 
people  in  the  beginning,  no  honors  to  which 
he  has  been  elevated  have  caused  him  to  for 
get  for  a  moment  the  authors  of  his  prefer 
ment.  He  is  without  guile,  cunning  or  trick 
ery,  and  has  steadfastly  refused  to  ally  himself 
with  the  many  unworthy  schemes  and  combi 


nations  to  convert  politics  into  a  medium  to 
benefit  the  few  at  the  expense  of  the  many. 
Such  a  man  should  be  cultivated  for  his  con 
scientious  political  principles  and  for  his  sturdy 
conviction  of  right.  While  a  steadfast  Repub 
lican,  Ivory  Pike  has  never  been  drawn  into  any 
alliance  to  defeat  the  will  of  the  people  whom 
he  appreciates  and  respects,  and  to  whom  alone 
he  feels  responsible. 

Hon.  Ivory  Pike  was  born  in  Maine,  1844. 
He  came  to  Bloomington  in  1854,  and  has  lived 
in  McLean  Co.  almost  continuously  ever  since. 
When  a  boy  he  worked  in  the  Chicago  &  Al 
ton  car  shops,  but  managed  at  intervals  to 
acquire  a  fairly  complete  common  scool  edu 
cation.  When  not  yet  grown  he  enlisted  in 
the  military  service  of  his  country. 

He  was  taken  prisoner  and  served  almost  a 
year  in  Andersonville  and  other  Confederate 
prisons,  enduring  all  the  hardships  of  these  pest 
holes.  Mr.  Pike  was  mustered  out  of  the  army 
with  as  clean  a  record  for  honorable  service  as 
any  Union  soldier,  and  yet  while  inwardly  proud 
of  his  discharge  of  patriotic  duty  he  does  not 
advertise  this  merit  as  his  only  claim  to  public 
confidence  and  respect. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Pike  went  to  Washington, 
where  he  remained  five  years,  which  time  was 
passed  in  almost  constant  study,  taking  a 
course  each  at  Columbia  College  and  the  Na 
tional  University.  When  he  returned  to  Bloom 
ington  Mr.  Pike  wras  the  proud  possessor 
of  a  diploma  from  each  of  the  above  institur 
tutions,  having  creditably  acquired  the  degrees 
of  B.  L.  and  B.  C.  L.  in  Practical  Law.  He 
went  into  the  law  office  of  Judge  Thomas  F. 
Tipton,  and  received  the  benefit  of  that  gentle 
man's  legal  attainments.  Ivory  Pike  began 
life  as  a  poor  boy,  and  his  career  until  the  pres 
ent  time  may  be  traced  through  self  denial  and 
the  obstructions  thrown  in  the  path  of  the  young 
man  without  influence  and  wealth.  Yet  by 
habits  of  industry  and  economy  and  the  prudent 
management  of  his  affairs,  Mr.  Pike  has  ac 
quired  not  a  fortune,  but  a  fair  competency. 
He  is  a  devoted  home  man  and  his  residence 
in  this  city  is  a  comfortable  and  quietly  elegant 
abode  of  culture  and  family  devotion. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


319 


Hon.  Ivory  H.  Pike  was  elected  to  the  Legis 
lature  on  the  Republican  ticket  in  1884  and  re- 
elected  in  1888.  He  was  one  of  the  prominent 
and  active  members  of  the  House  in  the  exciting 
senatorial  contest  from  which  Gen.  Logan 
emerged  the  honorable  victor.  Mr.  Pike  was  the 
author  of  the  juror's  paybill  which  increased  the 
compensation  of  jurors  from  $1.50  per  day  to 
$2.00.  In  other  legislation  he  displayed  a  prac 
tical  knowledge  of  public  affairs  that  gained  for 
him  an  influence  among  his  co-laborers  as  well 
as  a  State  wide  reputation  among  the  people,  as  a 
legislator  worthy  and  able  to  care  for  their  rights. 

Personally  Ivory  Pike  is  one  of  the  most 
candid  and  genial  of  men,  offering  in  his  con 
duct  and  character  a  most  gratifying  contrast 
to  the  shuffling  equivocation  and  blameworthy 
unreliability  of  the  average  political  schemer. 
He  is  a  practical  man,  devoting  much  of  his 
time  to  conducting  the  affairs  of  his  farm. 
While  a  lawyer  by  profession  his  interests  and 
inclinations  are  largely  toward  the  life  and 
pursuits  of  farming.  Mr.  Pike's  private  char 
acter  is  possitively  beyond  reproach,  in  that  he 
is  indeed  exemplary  and  without  ostentation. 
He  was  married  Oct.  15,  1867,  at  Bloomington, 
to  Miss  Maggie  E.  Olinger,  by  whom  he  has 
two  children,  Maud  and  Daisy.  He  has  an  ac 
complished  and  most  estimable  wife,  who  with 
her  beautiful  daughters  made  a  large  circle  of 
friends  while  with  him  at  Springfield. 

Thus  is  presented  a  brief  memoir  of  one 
who  is  not  only  well  and  favorably  known  by 
the  people  of  McLean  County,  but  of  the 
State.  There  is  much  of  the  character  and 
career  of  the  man  to  admire  and  to  imitate. 
In  private  as  well  as  public  life  he  has  been  with 
the  people;  his  heart  has  always  been  with 
them  and  he  has  worked  for  their  welfare. 
Take  him  all  in  all,  Ivory  Pike  is  a  citizen  in 
whom  any  community  may  well  feel  proud  of, 
and  be  glad  that  he  dwells  among  them. 


JOHN  L.  TEMPLE,  of  Wataga,  Knox  Co.,  111., 
was  born  in  Crawford  Co.,  Ind.,  Feb.  20, 
1838,  were  he   was   reared  and  continued 
until   1873.     He   enlisted    in    the    Union    army 


Aug.  9,  1862,  in  Co.  G.,  66th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.  and 
went  into  Camp  Noble,  Ind.,  afterwards  going 
to  Ky.  where  he  participated  on  Aug.  30,  in 
the  battle  of  Richmond,  and  although  they 
were  confronted  by  an  immensely  superior  force, 
fought  with  vigor  and  determination  and  sus 
tained  a  loss  of  37  men  killed  and  wounded, 
Mr.  Temple  was  wounded  in  this  battle,  and 
captured,  having  been  struck  in  the  left  shoul 
der,  with  a  minie  ball,  cutting  off  his  left 
shoulder  blade  and  lodging  in  the  arm.  He 
was  soon  paroled  by  Kirby  Smith  and  the  pass 
handed  him  has  been  carefully  preserved,  as 
also  the  bullet  which  he  subsequently  had 
extracted  from  his  arm.  Having  been  ren 
dered  unfit  for  further  service  he  was  mustered 
out  and  discharged  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  then 
returned  to  Ind. 

He  married  in  the  year  1861,  Miss  Martha 
Powers,  a  daughter  of  Edward  Powers,  by 
whom  he  had  nine  children,  seven  of  whom 
are  still  living,  viz.:  Lettie,  now  married; 
George  Neal,  of  Galesburg,  married;  Ida,  wife 
of  Frank  H.  Pettie,  of  Chicago;  Mary,  wife  of 
George  Potts,  of  Galesburg;  Jennie,  wife  of 
James  M.  Corley,  of  Galesburg;  Edward  C.,  of 
Chicago,  Olloe  and  John  L.  both  at  home. 

Mr.  Temple,  about  the  year  1873  removed 
from  Ind.  to  111.  settling  upon  a  farm  near 
Knoxville  where  he  resided  for  several  years, 
then  moved  to  Wataga,  where  he  has  since 
been  engaged  in  buying  and  selling  stock. 
Eight  years  ago  he  opened  the  Wataga  house 
which  he  has  successfully  run  ever  since.  He 
has  served  as  Town  Constable  for  several  years; 
was  elected  Collector  of  his  township,  and  is 
now  President  of  the  Board  of  Village  Trustees. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  a  Republican, 
and  an  Odd  Fellow. 


JOHN  BAKER,  of  La  Salle,   111.,  came  to  the 
U.  S.  when  he  was  quite  a  young  boy.    He 
belonged  to  that  large  half  of  God's  people 
who  have  not  the   advantage    of   those    "born 
with  a  silver  spoon  in  their  mouths,"  and  hence 
was  compelled  at  an  early  age    to    hew  out  a 
way  for  himself,  and  win  his  fortune,  unaided 


320 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


by  a  wealthy  parent.  At  the  outbreak  of  the 
rebellion,  Mr.  Baker  was  following  his  business 
in  Pennsylvania,  but  when  men  were  wanted  as 
soldiers  to  suppress  the  insurrection  in  the 
Southern  States,  he  did  not  hesitate  a  moment 
to  tender  his  services  to  assist  in  saving  his 
adopted  country  from  disintegration,  and  put 
down  all  uprisings  antagonistic  to  the  rule  and 
good  government  of  the  Republic.  He  ac 
cordingly  enlisted  at  Pottsville,  Pa.,  and  was 
subsequently  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co. 
L.,  3rd  Pa.  Cav.,  with  Colonel  Young  as  Colonel 
of  the  Regt.  The  first  move  of  his  regiment 
after  enlistment  was  to  Arlington  Heights,  and 
while  there  acted  as  bodyguard  to  Gen. 
McDowell,  and  after  being  relieved  from  that 
duty,  with  his  regiment  participated  in  the  fol 
lowing  battles:  Williamsburg,  James'  Island, 
Malvcrn  Hill,  2nd  Bull  Run,  Antietam,  York- 
town  and  Fredericksburg.  During  the  Antie 
tam  engagement,  and  while  Captain  Gallagher 
was  leading  his  company  (closely  followed  by 
Mr.  Baker)  he  was  shot  and  mortally  wounded. 
At  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  being  the  last 
he  was  ever  permitted  to  engage  in,  our  sub 
ject  met  with  an  accident  which  almost  injured 
his  eyesight,  as  also  injuring  him  internally 
and  in  a  way  that  complete  recovery  cannot 
be  even  hoped  for.  In  consequence  of  his  in 
juries,  he  was  honorably  discharged  Feb.  21, 
1863,  and  returned  to  Pa.,  but  only  remained 
there  a  short  time  when  he  went  West  settling  in 
La  Salle,  111.  While  in  the  army  he  acted  for  a 
short  period  as  Aid  de  Camp,  first  to  Gen. 
Sickles,  and  then  to  Gen.  Hooker. 

After  Mr.  Baker's  arrival  at  La  Salle,  he  en 
gaged  in  mining  and  gardening,  and  by  his 
energy,  and  frugality  has  succeeded  in  building 
up  a  home  for  himself  and  otherwise  provided 
against  "a  rainy  day." 

He  was  born  in  the  year  1848,  at  Somer 
setshire,  England,  and  immigrated  with  his 
parents  as  above  stated.  He  was  married  in 
1868,  to  MissSusannah  Jenkinsof  Pennsylvania, 
by  whom  he  has  eight  children — Mary,  Eliza 
beth,  James,  Thomas,  John,  Sarah,  Susannah 
and  Eddie.  At  the  organization  of  the  Carter 
Post  No.  242,  G.  A.  R.  at  La  Salle,  Mr.  Baker 


became  a  member  and  has  since  continued  to 
take  an  active  interest  in  all  its  affairs.  By  the 
reason  of  his  defective  sight,  and  the  other 
permanent  physical  injury  before  referred  to, 
he  applied  for  and  was  accorded  a  pension  of 
58  per  month,  which  he  continues  to  receive. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  does  not 
hesitate  in  announcing  it  when  the  question  is 
asked. 


Louis  GERMAIN,  of  Gardner,  111.,  was  born 
in  Plattsburg,  Clinton  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March 
1 8,  1838,  and  was  reared  at  that  place  un 
til  he  was  15  years  of  age.  His  parents  were 
Peter  and  Julia  Christian  Germain  of  French 
Huguenot  stock,  the  name  originally  being  St. 
Germain.  The  families  on  both  sides  are  of 
French  nationality  and  speak  that  language. 

When  Louis  was  fifteen  years  old,  having 
worked  some  time  in  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  he 
went  to  Ind.,  where  he  lived  at  Goshen  and  Lig- 
onier  until  1859,  when  he  was  married  to  Mary 
A.  Stone,  a  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mary 
Stone,  who  were  formerly  residents  of  Penn. 

In  the  same  year  that  he  was  married,  Mr. 
Germain  moved  to  Gardner,  111.,  which  was  then 
a  new  town  just  located  on  the  open  prairie. 
Here  he  went  on  to  a  farm  of  his  father-in-law's, 
who  had  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the 
immediate  vicinity,  and  followed  this  business 
for  three  years.  Here  very  hard  times  were 
experienced,  as  prices  for  farm  products  were 
very  low, — eggs  selling  for  4c.  per  dozen,  corn 
I4c.  per  bushel,  and  oats  unsalable;  only  those 
having  cattle  and  hogs  to  dispose  of  were  suc 
cessful.  Sometimes  here,  families  were  without 
tea,  coffee,  or  other  luxuries  for  six  months  at 
a  time. 

Mr.  Germain  left  the  farm,  went  to  the  vil 
lage  and  began  business  on  his  own  account, 
meanwhile  doing  some  work  as  a  clerk.  In 
1862,  he  began  to  recruit  men  for  the  army,  and 
continued  this  for  some  time.  He  had  been 
anxious  to  go  into  the  service  ever  since  the  war 
began,  but  a  young  wife  and  child  depended 
upon  him,  and  other  circumstances  made  it  im- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


{21 


possible.  His  affairs  remained  in  about  the 
same  condition  until  1864,  when  he  assisted  in 
recruiting  and  organizing  the  I46th  111.  Regt., 
and  in  September  of  that  year  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  a  company  that  he  had  organized  in 
connection  with  Judge  Olin,  who  did  not  enlist, 
as  Governor  Yates  had  issued  an  order  to  the 
effect  that  all  officers  must  be  elected  by  the 
members  of  thecompany.  Mr.  Germain  went  into 
camp  at  Springfield,  111.,  and  in  fifteen  days  was 
elected  2d  Lieut,  and  soon  after  was  chosen  ist 
Lieut.  He  had  made  no  effort  to  obtain  pro 
motion,  and  the  first  indication  that  he  had  that 
he  was  to  be  so  honored  was  when  he  heard  his 
name  proposed  and  voted  on  as  he  stood  in  the 
ranks.  The  men  were  sent  to  S.  111.,  and  op 
erated  against  Gen.  Price.  They  also  assisted 
in  enforcing  the  draft,  which  was  an  unpleasant 
duty  for  men  who  were  anxious  to  be  sent  to 
the  field. 

Lieut.  Germain,  after  some  active  service, 
was  detailed  to  serve  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Oaks, 
keeping  the  records  of  the  regiments  that  were 
mustered  out.  This  command  served  one  year 
and  was  mustered  out  in  Sept.  1865. 

On  returning  to  his  wife  and  family  at  Gard 
ner,  and  resuming  his  business,  Mr.  Germain 
erected  the  buildingwhere  his  office  now  is,  and 
formed  a  business  partnership  with  Wm.  H. 
Schoonover,  which  continued  for  one  year, 
when  he  sold  out  his  interest  and  went  into  the 
produce  business.  In  1872  the  firm  of  Ger 
main  &  Huss  was  organized  to  carry  on  a  gen 
eral  merchandise  business,  and  at  the  end  of 
two  years  the  senior  partner  retired  and  entered 
the  firm  of  Snyder,  Lutz  &  Germain,  Grain 
Dealers.  When  this  firm  was  dissolved  Mr. 
Germain  for  some  time  operated  alone,  then  in 
a  co-partnership  with  Mr.  Lutz,  which  continued 
until  1880;  a  large  business  was  transacted. 

In  the  army  Mr.  Germain  contracted  a  severe 
cold,  which  resulted  in  a  deafness,  which  has 
been  a  serious  inconvenience  to  him.  In  poli 
tics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  represented  his 
town  as  Supervisor  for  twelve  years.  Was  six 
years  commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  305.  He 
has  also  been  Mayor,  and  served  in  othermunic- 
ipal  offices  of  honor  and  responsibility. 

21 


These  proofs  of  public  favor  and  confidence 
are  particularly  complimentary  to  Mr.  Ger 
main,  as  his  infirmity  with  regard  to  hearing 
renders  it  exceptionally  difficult  for  him  to 
transact  business. 

The  children  of  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Germain  are  Eva, 
the  wife  of  Geo.  L.  Wilkinson,  Dimmis,  Mabel, 
wife  of  H.  B.Gould,  of  Morris,  111.;  Grace,  who 
is  now  a  student  in  the  University  at  Evanston, 
111.,  and  Guy. 

Mr.  Germain  has  accumulated  property  that 
affords  him  a  comfortable  income.  He  is  a 
very  pleasant  gentleman,  and  favorably  im 
presses  all  who  come  in  contact  with  him  in  bus 
iness  relations  or  socially. 


ADAM  ROCKLIN  of  Peru,  111.,  was  born  in 
Germany,  April  24,  1826  and  came  to 
America  during  the  year  1856,  settling 
first  at  Little  Falls,  N.  Y.  ,  then  at  Michigan 
City,  Ind.,  finally  takingup  his  abodeat  Peru,  111., 
in  1858,  which  he  has  made  his  home.  When  of 
sufficeint  age  he  learned  the  painting  business, 
which  he  continued  to  follow  after  immigrating 
to  this  country.  In  the  early  days  of  the  late 
Rebellion,  he  enlisted  in  the  union  army,  Aug 
i,  1861,  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Ellsworth,  Chi 
cago,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  a 
private  in  Co.  A.,  44th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Sept.  13, 
and  on  the  following  day  the  Regt.  was 
ordered  to  St.  Louis  Mo.  Arriving  there  on 
the  15,  the  Regt.  was  armed  and  uniformed  at 
the  St.  Louis  Arsenal,  then  went  by  steamer  to 
Jefferson  City,  which  was  threatened  by  Price's 
army.  On  the  23,  it  marched  to  Sedalia,  Mo., 
and  was  there  assigned  to  Gen.  Sigel's  famous 
Div.  The  command  was  ordered  then  to 
Springfield,  Mo.  but  arrived  a  few  hours  too 
late  for  the  bloody  conflict  which  took  place 
there,  resulting  in  the  driving  of  the  rebel  cav 
alry  from  that  town.  Subsequently  his  Regt. 
moved  to  Wilson  Creek,  the  scene  of  the  terri 
ble  battle  of  the  same  name,  between  Gen. 
Lyon's  and  Col.  Sigel's  forces  and  the  rebel 
army  under  McCullough,  but  returned  the  fol 
lowing  ,day  to  Springfield,  and  followed  in 


122 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  rear  of  the  main  army  towards  Rolla, 
where  it  arrived  Nov  19,  and  went  into  winter 
quarters.  The  Regt.  suffered  severely  from 
sickness,  many  of  the  men  being  called  to  "  that 
house  not  made  with  hands,"  and  many  others 
were  discharged  from  disability.  Feb.  2,  1862, 
the  Regt.  joined  in  the  march  toward  Spring 
field,  Mo.,  where  the  rebels  under  Price  had 
concentrated,  but  the  latter  receded  upon  the 
approach  of  the  Union  forces,  thus  allowing 
that  city  to  again  come  into  the  possession  of 
this  government.  The  rebels  were  pursued, 
the  44th  occupying  a  position  in  advance  of  the 
Union  army,  which  was  continued  for  four 
days,  when  it  was  abandoned,  and  the  Union 
army  went  into  camp  at  Camp  Halleck,  Ark., 
for  a  few  days,  as  the  men  needed  rest  after 
their  terrible  and  protracted  march  through 
inclement  weather  with  several  inches  of  snow 
upon  the  ground.  March  5,  it  became  evident 
that  the  combined  forces  of  Van  Dorn,  Price 
and  McCullough  were  marching  to  give  battle 
upon  the  following  day. 

The  Union  army  marched  out  toward  Sugar 
Creek  Valley,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  that  day, 
its  rear  guard  was  attacked  and  repulsed  by  the 
enemy.  Thus  opened  the  terrible  battle  of  Pea 
Ridge,  which  resulted  so  disastrously  to  the 
rebels,  who  were  pursued  by  the  44th  for  three 
days,  when  it  succeeded  in  capturing  a  stand  of 
colors  and  many  hundred  prisoners,  besides  sev 
eral  pieces  of  artillery.  Our  subject  participated 
sometime  later  in  the  battle  of  Corinth.  He, 
however,  about  this  time  was  a  physical  wreck, 
caused  by  rheumatism,  from  which  he  became 
a  great  sufferer,  and  was  compelled  to  go  into 
the  hospital  at  Corinth,  and  from  there  was  sent 
to  Mound  City,  111.,  where  he  was  mustered  out 
and  discharged,  Sept.  30,  1862.  He  returned 
to  Peru,  and  when  sufficiently  recovered  in 
health,  resumed(  his  trade  and  continued  thus 
engaged  up  to  the  present  time. 

He  married  Miss  Christina  Bellinghausen,  a 
native  of  Germany,  by  whom  he  has  three  chil 
dren — Charles,  Georgiana  and  Carrie. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order; 
of  the  E.  H.  Kirk  Post  No  656,  G.  A.  R.,  at 
Peru,  and  a  Republican. 


JOHN    ULKICH,  of    Morris,  111.,  was  born  in 
Saxon  Godi,  Dec.  21,  1842.    He  was  known 
in  the  army  as  John  Aldrich,  the  orderly 
sergeant  of  his  company  being  an  Englishman, 
who  when  Mr.  Aldrich  enlisted  pronounced  his 
name  Haldrich,  not  understanding  the  German 
name. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Ulrich  were  Michael  and 
Regena  Ulrich,  who  came  to  America  when 
their  son  was  one  year  old,  and  settled  in 
Ouincy,  Adams  Co.,  111.,  where  the  child  ac 
quired  his  education  and  grew  to  manhood. 

May  8,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C.,  i6th  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  serving  for  a  time  with  Gen.  Fremont 
in  Mo.,  afterward  going  to  Cairo,  111.,  then  to 
Bird's  Point  and  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  and  Island 
No.  10,  taking  a  prominent  part  in  the  battle 
at  New  Madrid.  The  Regt.  was  transferred  to 
Gen.  Pope's  command  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
and  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  under 
Halleck's  command.  A  movement  was  then 
made  to  Tuscumbia,  then  on  to  Nashville, 
where  there  was  much  suffering  from  lack  of 
provisions,  as  the  supply  was  cut  off,  so  that 
the  rations  were  reduced  for  a  time  to  corn, 
sweet  potatoes  and  two  crackers  a  day.  At 
this  point  there  was  a  rest  until  the  arrival  of 
Buell's  army  and  the  battle  of  Stone  River  had 
been  fought.  From  Nashville  an  expedition  was 
made  into  Alabama,  where  the  Regt.  did  special 
duty  and  rejoined  the  main  army  at  Bridgeport 
in  1863,  on  the  Tennessee  River.  The  march 
then  led  to  Raccoon  Mountain  near  Lookout, 
and  here  it  held  the  Gap  while  Gen.  Hooker's 
men  passed  through,  moving  then  to  a  position 
on  Lookout  Mt.,  where  it  could  see  the  men 
climbing  up  and  preparing  their  way  to  the  top. 
The  next  engagement  occurred  at  Ringgold, 
Ga.,  and  a  continuous  march  followed  as  the 
enemy  was  pursued  to  Atlanta.  At  Rome,  Ga., 
the  term  of  enlistment  expired,  but  military 
necessity  requiring,  the  men  were  kept  on  duty 
over  two  weeks,  when  they  were  sent  to  Chat 
tanooga,  Tenn.,  where  they  turned  over  their 
arms  and  went  to  Springfield,  111.,  for  payment 
and  discharge. 

Mr.  Ulrich  did  not  re-enlist  but  resumed  his 
avocation  as  blacksmith,  in  which  he  has  con- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


323 


tinued,  and  is  now  foreman  in  the  blacksmith- 
ing  department  of  the  Coleman  Hardware  Co., 
of  Morris,  111. 

On  Christmas  day,  1868,  Mr.  Ulrich  married 
Miss  Anna  Keiser,  who  died  in  1880,  leaving 
three  children— George,  Lizzie  and  Frank.  In 
1865  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Agnes 
Klocker,  a  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Catherine 
Klocker.  Three  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  Lillie,  Ellen  and  Eddie. 

In  politics  Mr.  Ulrich  is  a  Democrat,  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


M 


AJOR-GENERAL  GEORGE  B.  MCCLELLAN 
was  born  in  Philadelphia,  December  31, 
1826.  Graduated  second  in  his  class  at 
West  Point  in  1846.  Was  assigned  to  duty  as 
2nd  Lieut,  in  the  Department  of  Engineers,  and 
served  with  distinction  in  the  Mexican  War 
under  General  Scott.  In  1853  and  1854  he  acted 
as  Chief  Engineer  of  the  survey  of  the  Pacific 
Railroad.  In  1856  he  was  sent  to  Europe  to 
report  information  to  his  Government  on  the 
Crimean  War.  In  1857  he  resigned  his  com 
mission  in  the  army  to  take  the  position  of 
Chief  Engineer  on  the  111.  Central  R.  R.  In 
the  s'pringof  1861  he  was  commissioned  Major- 
General  of  Volunteers,  and  put  in  command  of 
the  Department  of  Ohio.  This  department  em 
braced  Ohio,  Ind.,  111.,  W.  Va.  and  the  western 
part  of  Penn.,  all  of  which  was  threatened  by 
the  Rebellion.  He  was  made  Major-General 
of  the  regular  army  in  May  1861,  and  command 
ed  the  first  campaign  in  W.  Va.  In  this  cam 
paign  he  achieved  a  brilliant  success,  and  re 
ceived  a  vote  of  thanks  from  Congress. 

On  July  20,  1861,  Gen.  McClellan  was  or 
dered  to  Washington,  and  took  command  of 
the  army  of  the  Potomac.  On  the  resignation 
of  Gen.  Scott,  Gen.  McClellan  was  made  Com- 
mander-in-Chief  of  all  the  armies  of  the  U.  S., 
with  headquarters  at  Washington  City.  The 
winter  of  1861  and  1862  was  spent  in  organizing 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  on  March  loth, 
1862,  Gen.  McClellan  marched  into  Va.  with 
100,000  men  of  all  arms.  On  its  approach  the 


Rebels  evacuated  very  strong  works,  and  fled 
from  Centerville  and  Manassas  Junction.  Gen. 
McClellan's  army  was  next  transported  by  wa 
ter  to  the  Peninsula,  and  inaugurated  a  cam 
paign  against  the  Capital  of  the  Confederacy. 
During  this  campaign,  Gen.  McClellan  fought 
seven  days  in  succession,  ending  in  a  brilliant 
victory  at  Malvern  Hill,  July  I,  1862.  The  po 
sition  of  the  Union  troops  was  deemed  insecure 
by  the  authorities,  and  Gen.  McClellan  was  or 
dered  to  fall  back  to  Washington.  In  approach 
ing  the  Federal  Capital,  he  encountered  the 
Confederate  forces  under  Lee  at  Antietam 
Creek,  in  Eastern  Md.  The  battle  at  Antietam 
was  one  of  the  bloodiest  of  the  war.  McClellan 
had  85,000  and  Lee  65,000  men.  Gen.  Lee 
chose  the  position  which  made  his  army  really 
the  stronger.  His  ground  was  well  chosen  be 
tween  the  Potomac  River  and  Antietam  Creek 
Both  flanks  of  the  Rebel  army  were  amply  pro 
tected  by  these  streams,  and  his  artillery  com 
manded  all  approaches.  To  make  the  attack,  it 
was  necessary  for  the  Union  army  to  divide  and 
cross  a  deep,  rapid  stream,  with  few  bridges, 
and  fordable  at  but  few  places. 

The  1 5th  of  Sept.  was  occupied  arranging 
the  two  great  armies.  On  the  i6th  there  was 
some  heavy  artillery  firing,  and  Hooker's  corps 
crossed  the  creek  and  went  into  camp  within 
easy  range  of  the  enemy's  lines.  On  the  morn 
ing  of  the  i /th  Hooker  opened  fight  by  an  in 
trepid  advance  on  the  enemy's  left.  As  soon 
as  Gen.  Hooker  had  fully  engaged  the  enemy, 
Sumner  and  Burnside  advanced  on  the  center 
and  left.  Early  in  the  day  the  fighting  became 
general  all  along  the  lines.  The  Union  troops  sev 
eral  times  drove  the  enemy,  but  only  to  be  driven 
back  in  turn.  All  day  the  bloody  conflict  went 
on.  Both  armies  suffered  fearful  loss,  and  at 
night  the  result  lingered  in  doubt.  During  the 
night  McClellan  brought  up  his  reserves,  ready 
to  renew  the  conflict;  but  Lee  folded  his  tents 
and  silently  stole  away,  and  the  next  morning 
found  the  Rebel  army  dragging  its  weary  length 
along  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  in  full  retreat 
from  a  field  strewn  all  over  with  its  dead  and 
wounded  soldiers.  Gen.  Lee's  army  recrossed  the 
Potomac  River  and  escaped  back  into  Va.  The 


324 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Union  loss  was  2,016  killed,  9,417  wounded,  and 
1,043  missing.  General  Lee,  on  chosen  ground, 
and  fighting  on  the  defense,  lost  9,000  men  in 
killed  and  wounded.  This  was  a  well-fought 
field,  on  which  Gen.  McClellan  displayed  fine 
tactics  and  indomitable  courage.  For  allowing 
the  enemy  to  escape  from  his  grasp  on  this  oc 
casion  Gen.  McClellan  was  widely  censured,  and 
superseded  by  General  Pope,  on  Nov.  7th,  1862. 
He  soon  after  resigned  his  commission,  and  re 
tired  to  civil  life.  He  died  Oct.  29,  1885. 
In  person,  Gen..  McClellan  was  a  handsome, 
small  man,  light  complexion,  blue  eyes  and 
sandy  hair.  On  duty  and  in  camp  he  was  a 
modest,  unpretending  soldier,  and,  during  the 
winter  of  1861  and  1862,  while  he  was  Com- 
mander-in-Chief,  he  was  often  taken  for  a  lieu 
tenant  of  a  company. 


GEORGE  E.  DIBBLE,  of  Morris,  111.,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Vienna,  Oneida 
Co.,  N.  Y.  He  was  reared  upon  a  farm 
and  attended  the  district  schools.  He  was  a 
son  of  Jesse  and  Ann  (Palms)  Dibble,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Palms,  a  family  of 
old  American  stock  in  Conn.  Jesse  Dibble 
was  the  son  of  Jethro  and  Mary  Dibble,  who 
were  from  the  old  families  of  Conn.,  and  were 
acquaintances  before  moving  to  New  York. 
Jesse  Dibble  was  the  father  of  four  boys  and 
one  girl.  The  husband  of  this  daughter  was  in 
the  late  war,  serving  in  the  same  company  and 
regiment  with  Judson  C.  Dibble,  a  brother  of 
George  E. 

Our  subject  enlisted  in  the  Union  army 
and  was  mustered  in  Aug.  15,  1862.  He 
served  with  his  Regt.  around  Washington,  and 
his  first  experience  in  actual  conflict  was  in  the 
vicinity  of  Richmond.  The  next  field  of 
action  was  at  Charlestown,  S.  C.,  where  his 
company  was  detailed  during  the  winter.  In 
the  spring  it  started  out  on  an  expedition, 
reached  John  Island,  and  Folly  Island,  and 
from  thence  to  Sea  Brook  Island,  by  ferry 
boat,  and  by  wading.  On  one  of  these  excur 
sions,  in  which  they  had  a  sharp  eacounter,  the 
men  were  absent  five  days  with  only  two  days' 


rations.  A  supply  train  was  sent  out  to  meet 
them  with  hard  tack  and  fat  pork  which  was 
generally  called  "sow  belly."  Although  the 
men  had  been  on  short  allowance  and  some 
were  entirely  out  of  food,  they  issued  nothing 
but  crackers  the  first  night,  but  as  this  was 
rather  dry  eating,  Sergeant  Dibble,  who  was 
commanding  Sergeant  for  the  company,  de 
cided  to  improve  the  bill  of  fare,  and  he  soon 
had  an  opportunity  to  "freeze"  to  a  side  of 
bacon,  which  he  generally  shared  with  the 
boys,  much  to  their  satisfaction.  On  the  re 
turn  to  camp,  coming  to  an  arm  of  the  bay 
that  must  be  waded,  one  of  the  fastidious 
Lieutenants  thinking  he  could  cross  without 
getting  his  pants  wet,  decided  to  remove  them. 
Just  as  he  got  them  drawn  to  his  feet,  and  was 
in  a  stooping  position  on  the  bank  within  a 
few  feet  of  the  water,  he  was  observed  by  a 
captain  who  never  lost  an  opportunity  for  a 
practical  joke.  The  captain  came  up  behind 
the  Lieut.,  and  suddenly  pushed  him  headlong 
into  the  water  which  was  about  five  feet  deep. 
The  struggles  of  the  victim,  with  his  feet  en 
tangled  as  they  were,  afforded  considerable 
amusement  for  the  men. 

Another  time  this  company  was  on  detailed 
duty  with  a  part  of  the  3  rd  N.  Y.,  doing  picket 
duty  under  the  Colonel  of  the  3rd,  who  was  a 
surly  man  and  tested  his  pickets  by  giving  or 
ders  not  to  let  anyone  get  close  upon  them. 
He  then  went  out  and  attempted  to  approach 
a  picket,  and  received  a  bullet  hole  through 
his  ear.  He  admired  this  prompt  attention  to 
orders,  advanced  and  commended  the  soldier 
for  his  faithful  obedience  to  orders.  In  the 
spring  the  command  returned  to  Petersburg, 
then  under  Grant.  It  was  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness  and  Cold  Harbor,  then  partici 
pated  in  the  siege  of  Petersburg,  where  Ser 
geant  Dibble  was  wounded,  July  15,  by  a  piece 
of  shell  in  the  right  foot,  and  taken  to  Fortress 
Monroe.  After  three  days  he  was  taken  to 
Fort  Schuyler,  N.  Y.,  where  he  lay  for  five 
weeks  in  one  position  with  his  foot  raised 
higher  than  his  head.  During  this  time  gan 
grene  had  destroyed  the  flesh  so  the  tendons 
were  visible.  While  in  this  condition,  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


Surgeon  of  the  hospital  ordered  Dr.  Rockwell, 
who  had  charge  of  the  ward,  to  send  "that  Ser 
geant  up"  to  have  his  foot  amputated  the  next 
morning,  but  Mr.  Dibble  requested  that  it 
might  at  least  be  delayed  for  a  time,  so  the 
order  was  not  obeyed.  Again  the  Surgeon  re 
peated  the  order,  but  as  there  were  signs  of 
improvement,  the  patient  was  not  sent  up. 
The  Surgeon,  the  third  time  gave  his  directions 
and  was  angry  at  the  delay.  The  improvement 
rapidly  became  so  marked  that  the  matter  was 
abandoned,  and  as  a  result,  the  subject  now 
has  a  fairly  good  foot,  and  is  able  to  work  on 
his  farm.  From  this  hospital  he  was  trans 
ferred  to  the  Rochester  Hospital  by  the  special 
request  of  his  wife,  made  to  the  Governor  of 
the  State.  Here  he  lay  from  Dec.  to  the 
next  April,  when  he  received  a  furlough.  He 
was  discharged  May  31,  after  the  war  was 
ended,  and  two  months  before  his  term  of  en 
listment  had  expired. 

At  the  age  of  20,  Mr.  Dibble  was  married  to 
Jane  Crandall  of  Utica,  N.  Y.,  and  daughter  of 
Krastus  and  Elizabeth  Crandall.  One  son  was 
born  to  them  before  the  war,  and  two  after. 
The  wife  and  mother  died  in  New  York  State, 
March  i;th,  1883.  The  sons  are  Walter  E.,  a 
young  man  of  31  years,  employed  at  the  can 
ning  factory,  Oneida  Community  N.  Y.  He  has 
a  wife  -  Carrie-  and  two  children-  Lula  and 
George.  Willard  L.,  resides  on  a  farm  in  Liv 
ingston  Co.,  111.,  and  has  one  child,  a  girl. 
Charles  13.  is  at  home  with  his  father.  After 
the  death  of  his  wife  in  1883,  Mr.  Dibble  re 
moved  to  Lisbon  with  his  children,  for  one 
year.  He  then  returned  to  New  York  State, 
where  he  was  married  to  Miss  Celesta, 
daughter  of  Francis  Wheeler  and  Melissa  Camp 
bell  of  Annsville,  N.  Y.  One  child  George  E., 
has  been  born  of  this  marriage.  Mr.  Dibble  is 
a  Republican  and  has  been  the  recipient  of 
many  expressions  of  confidence  from  his  many 
friends,  as  he  was  chosen  to  fill  a  number  of 
Township  offices  in  his  native  State.  He  is 
now  a  member  of  Post  No.  329,  G.  A.  R.,  of 
Morris,  111.  He  is  running  an  extensive  dairy 
farm  and  has  achieved  an  amiable  position 
among  his  fellow  citizens. 


IRA  WILLIAM  HAMLIN,  of  Hinckley,  111.,  was 
born  in  Linden,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  15,  1839,  and 
was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Mercy  (Terrell) 
Hamlin,  natives  of  the  latter  State,  and  of 
Scotch  and  German  descent  respectively.  The 
father  removed  to  De  Kalb  Co.,  111.,  in  the  year 
1852,  where  he  is  still  living  at  the  advanced 
age  of  82  years.  The  parents  had  nine  chil 
dren,  of  whom  only  two  besides  our  subject 
are  now  living.  Ira  received  a  good  education 
in  the  common  schools,  and  when  18  years  of 
age  commenced  to  learn  the  blacksmith  trade, 
at  which  he  soon  became  proficient.  The  late 
war  breaking  out,  however,  the  hammer,  anvil, 
and  bellows  soon  lost  their  peculiar  charm  for 
our  friend  Ira,  therefore,  he  concluded  for  a 
time  at  least  to  abandon  them,  proceeded  to 
Sandwich,  111.,  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  army,  and 
was  subsequently  mustered  in  as  a  private  in 
Co.  H.,  loth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Cairo,  Aug.  28th, 
1861.  He  joined  his  Regt.  at  Mound  City,  111., 
and  there  remained  drilling  and  on  guard  duty 
during  the  succeeding  winter,  taking  part,  how 
ever,  in  Jan.,  1862,  in  the  movement  of  Grant's 
forces  toward  Columbus  and  Paducah.  In  Feb. 
the  Regt.  moved  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  and 
while  there,  March  I,  had  a  brisk  engagement 
with  Jeff  Thompson's  troops  near  Skyeston, 
taking  several  prisoners  and  two  field  pieces  of 
artillery.  It  next  engaged  in  the  siege  of  New 
Madrid,  having  in  a  night  movement,  March  12, 
advanced  on  the  place,  driving  in  the  enemy's 
pickets,  established  earthworks,  and  planted 
four  field  pieces  which  commanded  the  rebel 
forts,  without  having  raised  an  alarm,  and  at 
daylight  with  those  pieces  opened  fire.  A  con 
stant  fire,  which  was  joined  in  by  the  infantry 
on  both  sides,  was  kept  up  during  the  day,  and 
resulted  in  considerable  loss  to  the  contending 
parties. 

The  following  night  the  rebels  evacuated 
the  works.  The  loth  crossed  the  river  April  7, 
in  advance  of  Pope's  army,  intercepted  the 
rebels  retreating  from  Island  No.  10,  and  com 
pelled  the.  surrender,  at  Tiptonville,  of  Gen. 
McKall  with  2,500  men.  April  13,  it  pro 
ceeded  clown  the  river  on  transports  to  Fort 
Pillow,  and  afterward  returned  fo  Pittsburg 


326 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Landing.  Mr.  Hamlin  participated  in  the 
movements  of  Pope's  army  in  its  advance  on 
Corinth,  and  on  May  3,  had  a  sharp  engage 
ment,  forcing  a  passage  through  a  four  mile 
swamp  where  it  suffered  some  casualties,  capt 
ured  some  prisoners;  entered  Corinth  on  the 
3<Dth,  and  afterwards  pursued  the  retreating 
enemy  to  Boonville.  Subsequently  the  Regt. 
returned  to  Corinth,  remaining  in  camp  dur 
ing  the  month  of  June,  at  Big  Springs,  then 
marched  to  Nashville  by  way  of  Tuscumbia, 
Ala.,  Florence,  Athens,  and  Columbia,  reach 
ing  the  objective  point  Sept.  I2th.  Here  the 
Regt.  remained — with  an  occasional  movement 
into  the  surrounding  country — until  July,  1863, 
engaged  in  garrisoning  the  fort  at  that  place. 
July  20,  1864,  Mr  Hamlin's  Regt.  marched  to 
New  Forrestville,  afterwards  to  Bridgeport, 
Ala.,  leaving  there  Oct.  i,  with  the  loth  and 
I4th  Mich.,  i6th  and  6oth  111.,  and  a  section  of 
Ohio  Battery  under  command  of  Col.  Tillson 
in  connection  with  McCook's  Cav.,  made  a 
forced  march  of  28  miles  up  the  valley  of  the 
Sequatchie,  driving  Wheeler's  Cav.  out  of  the 
valley  where  they  had  raided  the  Union  sup 
ply  trains,  and  destroyed  nearly  1,200  wagons, 
no  of  them  being  laden  with  ordnance  and 
stores.  They  fortified  this  camp  at  Anderson's 
Cross  Roads  and  afterwards  moved  to  Igo's 
Ferry  on  the  Tenn.  River,  and  on  the  24, 
crossed  the  River  and  assisted  in  the  support 
of  Sherman's  attack  upon  Bragg's  right  at  the 
battle  of  Mission  Ridge. 

On  the  following  day  the  loth  111.  closely 
pursued  Hardee's  retreating  column,  and  at 
Chickamauga  Station  captured  20  of  the  rear 
guard  and  scattered  the  rebel  transportation 
trains,  then  pushed  into  Ringgold,  and  after 
ward  marched  toward  Knoxville  which  was  then 
invested  by  Gen.  Longstrect;  but  before  reach 
ing  that  point  Longstreet  had  withdrawn, 
therefore  the  ibth  was  ordered  to  Columbus, 
then  returning  to  Chattanooga  went  into  winter 
quarters  at  Rossville.  In  the  early  days  of 
Jan.,  1864,  294  men  of  the  loth  re-enlisted  as 
veterans,  and  granted  a  30  day  furlough,  re 
turned  again  in  Feb.  with  200  recruits.  The 
Regt.  joined  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  Mr. 


Hamlin  took  part  in  all  the  battles  in  which 
his  Regt.  was  engaged  up  to  the  fall  of  Atlanta. 
Mr.  Hamlin  during  this  expedition  was  detailed 
as  horseshoer.  He  was  mustered  out  Sept.  20, 
1864,  at  Jonesboro,and  paid  off  and  discharged 
at  Louisville. 

He  returned  to  his  home  at  Hinckley, 
resumed  his  trade,  on  this  occasion  starting 
business  for  himself.  Mr.  Hamlin  is  a  good 
mechanic,  sticking  closely  to  his  business,  and 
a  right  good,  honest  man,  commanding  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  his  comrades  and  neigh 
bors,  many  of  whom  may  be  found  congregated 
in  his  shop — on  the  front  of  which  is  displayed 
his  sign  bearing  the  peculiar  cognomen  of 
"  Old  Ike  Hamlin."  During  stormy  days,  talk 
ing  over  old  war  incidents  and  reminiscences, 
politics,  or  some  kindred  subject,  and  in  the 
midst  of  the  circle  will  be  our  whole-souled 
smithy  Hamlin,  as  the  prominent  figure. 

HENRY  S.  COMSTOCK,  of  Cambridge,  Henry 
Co.,  II.,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  for 
the  war  of  the  rebellion  at  Geneseo,  in 
June,  1862,  rendezvoused  at  Peoria  and  was 
there  mustered  into  the  service  as  2nd  Sergt.  in 
the  Ii2th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  but  was  promoted  3 
months  later  to  be  a  Lieut.  With  his  Regt.  he 
proceeded  by  rail  to  Cincinnati,  O.,  where  it 
was  immediately  ordered  over  the  Ohio  River 
to  report  to  Maj.  Gen.  Gordon  Granger  at  Cov- 
ington,  Ky.,  and  was  there  brigaded.  Having 
received  transportation  supplies,  it  started  Oct. 
18,  for  Falmouth,  Ky.,  but  before  reaching 
there  was  detached  and  sent  to  guard  a  supply 
train  to  Big  Eagle,  which  duty  it  successfully 
performed,  arriving  at  the  objective  point  on 
the  evening  of  the  2ist,  then  marched  to  Lex 
ington,  Ky.  Here  it  remained  in  camp  for 
about  4  months  performing  various  duties,  but 
was  principally  engaged  on  guard  and  provost 
duty;  although  detachments  were  occasionally 
sent  out  to  the  ferries  on  the  Ky.  River  to 
guard  against  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Mr. 
Comstock  has  abundant  reason  to  remember 
one  of  these  expeditions.  Having  returned  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


his  camping  ground  after  a  forced  march  of 
thirty  hours'  duration,  performed  under  a  cold 
drizzling  rain,  was,  with  his  comrades  busily  pre 
paring  supper,  when  the  bugle  called  him  to  fall 
into  line.  In  the  ordinary  paths  of  life  a  man 
would  usually  be  justified  in  hesitating,  and 
debating  the  propriety  of  such  an  unceremon 
ious,  and  to  him  inconvenient  call  for  a  sufficient 
length  of  time  to  have  enabled  him  to  have  par 
taken  of  his  much  wanted  supper;  but  things 
don't  proceed  that  way  in  the  army — the  bugle 
sounded,  ergo,  fall  in,  as  the  exhorting 
preacher  would  put  it,  "  not  in  the  afternoon, 
to-morrow,  or  next  day,  but  now.  And  as 
7ioiv  appeared  to  be  the  appointed  time,  and 
although  inimical  to  the  languishings  of  an 
empty  stomach,  comrade  Comstock  more 
ready  to  be  patriotic  to  his  country  than 
attentive  to  a  ponderous  appetite,  cheerfully 
responded  to  the  call.  His  and  two  other 
companies  were  started  off  on  the  double  quick 
to  Dick's  River  Bridge,  several  miles  distant  to 
prevent  its  being  burned  by  the  enemy. 

About  3  o'clock  the  following  morning  it 
was  supposed  the  necessities  for  guarding  the 
bridge  had  ceased,  therefore,  they  were  ordered 
to  return,  but  had  only  proceeded  a  short  dis 
tance  before  the  bridge  was  fired  by  the  enemy 
and  destroyed.  Arriving  "home  again"  about 
noon,  Mr.  Comstock  and  his  comrades  were 
permitted  to  combine,  supper,  breakfast  and 
dinner,  all  in  one  gorgeous  meal,  the  only  ele 
ments  of  which  were  hard  tack  and  sow  belly — 
goods  certainly  not  to  be  despised  by  men  as 
hungry  as  were  our  subject  and  his  friends. 
His  Regt.  afterward  marched  to  Nicholasville, 
and  from  thence  moved  by  forced  marches  in 
the  direction  of  Somerset,  Ky.,  in  pursuit  of 
the  enemy.  The  pursuit  was  abandoned, 
whereupon,  Mr.  Comstock's  Regt.  returned  to 
Stanford.  It  was  here  detached  from  the 
brigade  and  ordered  to  Milledgeville,  Ky., 
where  it  was  mounted  and  remained  in  camp 
until  April  26,  1863,  when  it  marched  to  Somer 
set,  Ky.,  joined  the  other  troops  and  moved  to 
Monticello  and  aided  in  driving  the  rebel 
troops  under  Gen.  Pegram,  from  that  place  and 
out  of  Ky.  into  Tenn.  In  this  expedition  it 


was  first  actively  engaged  in  the  active  opera 
tions  and  horrors  of  war,  and  by  reason  of 
the  bravery  and  steadiness  displayed  by  the 
men,  was  complimented  by  Col.  Woolford  who 
remarked,  that  he  could  scarcely  believe  that 
the  Regt.  had  never  before  been  under  fire.  It 
next  moved  to  Somerset,  Ky.,  where  it  re 
mained  until  July.  In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Com 
stock  became  deathly  sick  and  was  compelled 
to  go  into  a  hospital  at  Paris,  and  there  con 
tinued  through  the  months  of  June  and  July, 
suffering  from  diabetis.  Soon  after  he  entered 
the  hospital  it  became  evident  his  usefulness, 
for  further  service  in  the  army,  was  no  longer 
a  debatable  point;  to  save  his  life  now  became 
to  the  patient  the  all  absorbing  question.  He 
was  therefore,  mustered  out  and  discharged 
from  the  service  at  Cincinnati,  O.,  in  June,  1863. 
After  being  discharged  from  the  hospital,  Mr. 
Comstock  returned  to  his  home. 

He  was  born  Dec.  29,  1831,  at  New  Haven, 
Oswego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  son  of  John  B. 
Comstock,  of  that  place,  of  Scotch  ancestry,  and 
for  years  a  Justice  of  the  Peace.  His  paternal 
grandfather  participated  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  having  fought,  on  the  side  of  right  and 
progress.  He  had  the  following  brothers  and 
sisters,  viz.:  Anna  Melissa,  Franklin,  Samuel 
Lewis,  Albert  Edward,  George  and  Martha.  He 
worked  in  his  early  days  successively  in  a 
woolen  factory,  sawmill  and  on  the  farm  in 
Michigan  and  in  Illinois,  respectively.  He  re 
ceived  a  common  school  education,  then  at 
tended  the  academy  at  Birmingham,  Mich., and 
afterwards  received  teacher's  certificate  and 
taught  for  several  terms  previous  to  the  war. 
Recovering  his  health  after  quitting  the  army, 
he  resumed  teaching,  and  continued  thus  em 
ployed  for  eleven  years,  when  he  was  elected 
County  Superintent  of  Public  Schools  for  a  term 
of  four  years,  and  subsequently  was  principal,  for 
eleven  years,  of  the  public  schools  of  Colona, 
111.,  and  secured  an  interest  in  the  Cambridge 
Chronicle  newspaper,  which  he  has  edited  and 
controlled  for  the  past  five  years.  Mr.  Com 
stock  has  been  twice  married,  having  married 
Miss  Emma  G.  Terpening  for  his  first  wife,  in 
1859,  and  on  the  last  occasion  Mrs.  Mary  Smith, 


328 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


July  6th,  1889.  He  has  four  children,  viz.:  John 
Josiah,  VVinnefred,  Mary  Elizabeth  and  Mattie 
Louisa.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  as  also  of  Post 
No.  336,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Cambridge.  Prominent  as 
soldier,  as  a  teacher,  superintendent  and  gen 
eral  educator,  a  journalist,  a  scholar  and  gen 
tleman,  possessed  of  rare  ability — inspired  with 
broad,  intelligent  and  liberal  views  upon  all  po 
litical,  religious  and  moral  questions,  Mr.  Corn- 
stock  has  deservedly  earned  for  himself  a  po 
sition  of  prominence  throughout  the  State  of 
Illinois  rarely  attained  by  men  traversing  simi 
lar  walks  of  life. 


M 


ILAN  D.  PALMER,  of  Mendota,  was  born  in 
Richfield,  Ohio,  Aug.  30,  1828,  and  was 
a  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Jane  (Griffiin) 
Palmer,  natives  of  Sandgate,  Vt,  and  Bangor, 
Me.,  and  of  English  descent.  The  elder  Palmer 
was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  nine  children 
and  left  home  at  an  early  age,  going  west  to 
Ohio  and  there  engaging  in  house  building  and 
wagon  making.  Our  subject  attended  the  com 
mon  schools  until  12  years  of  age  when  his 
father  moved  to  the  wilds  of  Ind.  where  he  re 
mained  for  two  years  when  he  returned  with 
his  family  to  Ohio,  and  there  resided  until  he 
died,  which  was  at  the  age  of  72.  Milan  having 
attained  the  age  of  20  years,  commenced  the 
trade  of  harness  making,  which  business  he  has 
continued  to  follow  ever  since,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  the  period  he  was  engaged  in  soldiering. 
In  Oct.,  1852,  he  married  Miss  Martha  Perry, 
and  by  this  marriage  has  five  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living.  They  are — Sarah  E.,  wife  of 
H.  B.  Bailey,  of  Aurora;  Willis  B.,  and  Edward 
Henry.  In  the  year  1859,  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  111.,  and  shortly  after  their  arrival,  set 
tled  in  Mendota  and  has  made  it  his  permanent 
home. 

Mr.  Palmer  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  Oct. 
3,  1864,  at  Mendota,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a 
private  in  Co.  K.,  59th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  on  the 
same  day.  His  first  experience  in  battle  was 
at  Franklin  Nov.  30,  1864,  in  which  his  Regt. 


was  engaged.  On  the  following  morning  it 
arrived  at  Nashville  and  assisted  in  fortifying 
that  place.  On  Dec.  15,  the  famous  battle  of 
Nashville  was  fought,  his  Regt.  participating 
with  Post's  Brig.,  and  was  one  of  the  regiments 
that  led  in  the  assault  upon  Montgomery  Hill. 
Mr.  Palmer's  Regt.  was  in  the  assaulting  col 
umn  and  planted  the  first  colors  upon  the  cap 
tured  works. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  it  assault 
ed  and  carried  the  enemy's  works  near  the 
Hillsboro  Pike.  On  the  following  day  his 
Brig,  made  the  memorable  assault  upon  Over- 
ton's  Hill.  In  this  battle  his  Regt.  lost  in 
killed  and  wounded  one-third  of  its  number 
who  were  engaged,  there  being  9  officers, 
including  Colonel  Post,  who  were  severely 
wounded  with  grape  shot.  It  then  started  in 
pursuit  of  Hood  and  continued  the  chase  until 
the  Tenn.  River  was  reached,  and  subsequently 
camped  at  Huntsville,  Ala.  Towards  the  end 
of  Jan.  it  moved  to  Nashville,  but  returned  to 
Huntsville  during  the  early  days  of  Feb.,  where 
it  camped  until  March  15,  then  went  to  Straw 
berry  Plains,  Tenn.,  and  thence  to  Greenville. 
It  was  afterwards  ordered  to  Warm  Springs, 
then  back  to  Greenville,  and  while  here  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  was  assassinated.  On  the  follow 
ing  night  Mr.  Palmer  was  detailed  and  stood 
guard  at  division  headquarters. 

In  May,  our  subject  was  detailed  to  super 
intend  the  harness-making  for  his  Brig.,  and 
later  as  harness-maker  to  the  3d  Div.  head 
quarters.  June  1 6,  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to 
Texas,  and  arrived  at  Indianola,  July  I5th. 
From  there  it  marched  to  San  Antonio  and 
was  stationed  at  New  Braunfels  until  Dec.  8, 
when  it  was  mustered  out  of  the  service.  His 
term  of  enlistment  having  expired  Oct.  3,  Mr. 
Palmer  was  left  at  hospital  about  Sept.  15,  in 
charge  of  the  sick.  He  retrained  two  months 
and  was  afterwards  paid  off  and  discharged 
from  the  army,  at  Springfield,  Jan.  1 1,  1866,  and 
subsequently  returned  to  Mendota. 

Mr.  Palmer  has  been  an  Odd  Fellow  ever 
since  1860,  and  has  passed  through  the  chairs 
of  the  Mendota  Lodge  No.  293,  on  four  differ 
ent  occasions.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


329 


K.  of  P.,  and  is  at  present  Sr.  Vice  Commander 
of  Post  No,  135,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Mendota.  He  is 
a  Republican. 


ORVILLE  B.  MERRILL,  of  Hinckley,  111., 
was  born  of  an  enterprising  and  long- 
lived  ancestry,  in  Plessis,  Jefferson  Co., 
N  Y.,  Feb.  1  8,  1833.  His  father,  A.  Merrill, 
who  died  at  Aurora,  111.,  at  the  age  of  76  years, 
was  a  contractor  and  builder.  The  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Melinda  Shurtleff,  who  is 
living  now  at  Aurora,  having  reached  the  ven 
erable  age  of  83  years.  Her  father  was  a  Maj. 
of  Dragoons  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  present 
at  the  battle  of  Sackett's  Harbor.  Ahira  and 
Melinda  Merrill  had  seven  children,  of  whom  3 
daughters  and  2  sons  are  now  living,  and  of 
these  Orville  B.,  a  brief  record  of  whose  life 
is  here  given,  is  the  third.  The  parents  moved 
from  Plessis  to  Kingston,  then  to  Belleville, 
Canada,  residing  in  those  places  about  six  years, 
moving  then  to  Oswego  in  1848,  and  to  New 
York  City  in  1851.  In  1856  a  change  was  made  to 
Aurora,  111.,  which  was  made  the  permanent 
home  of  the  family.  At  the  age  of  13  Orville 
.began  to  learn  the  printing  business,  having 
previously  been  in  the  public  schools,  and  in 
this  business  found  employment  up  to  the  time 
of.  his  enlistment  in  the  army.  He  worked  on 
the  Aurora  Beacon,  in  1856,  and  is  one  of  the 
oldest  printers  in  the  State.  When  the  first 
muttering  notes  of  the  rebellion  were  heard  in 
the  land,  Mr.  Merrill  became  impressed  with  a 
sense  of  patriotic  duty,  and  April  27,  1861,  en 
listed  at  Aurora,  111.,  in  Co.  H.,  I3th  111.  Inf., 
and  was  mustered  in  at  Dixon,  111.,  May  24, 
1861.  The  first  movement  of  this  Regt.  was  to 
Rolla,  Mo.,  and  here  Mr.  Merrill  was  detailed, 
with  two  men  from  each  Co.,  to  go  through  the 
enemy's  country  to  Springfield,  Mo.  This  duty 
they  successfully  accomplished,  reaching  their 
destination  the  night  before  the  battle  of  Wil 
son's  Creek,  which  took  place  Aug.  10,  1861. 
As  Lyon's  bodyguard  had  been  somewhat  re 
duced,  this  detail  was  sent  to  its  relief  and 
placed  on  duty  as  bodyguard  for  Gen.  Lyon, 


and  accompanied  him  in  the  battle.  It  also 
constituted  the  Guard  of  Honor  when  Gen. 
Lyon  was  killed,  on  the  night  of  Aug.  11,  be 
fore  the  body  was  sent  to  St.  Louis.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  Sept.  20,  1861.  He  was 
appointed  clerk  in  the  transportation  depart 
ment  at  DuVall's  Bluff,  Ark.,  on  the  White 
River,  Jan.  1865,  and  issued  passes  to  the  rebels 
passing  at  that  point.  He  was  on  duty  there 
until  after  the  surrender  of  Lee  and  the  assassi 
nation  of  President  Lincoln.  About  the  first 
of  May,  1865,  Mr.  Merrill  resumed  his  place  at 
the  case,  in  Aurora,  and  continued  to  stick  type 
about  1  8  years,  traveling  during  this  time  all 
through  the  West,  and  working  on  many  of  the 
leading  papers  of  the  country,  among  which 
may  be  mentioned  the  Tribune,  Times  and 
Journal  in  Chicago,  the  Milwaukee  Sentinel, 
Salt  Lake  Tribune,  Kansas  City  Times,  Omaha 
Bee,  etc.  In  1883  he  settled  at  Hinckley,  111., 
and  associated  with  his  brother  in  a  general 
merchandising  store  until  June,  1891,  when  he 
opened  a  clothing  business  for  himself.  Or 
ville  B.  Merrill  and  Fanny  L.  Smith,  a  native 
of  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  united  their  fortunes 
in  marriage  at  Delavan,  Wis.,  Aug.  26,  1885,  and 
one  child,  Vivian  L.  Merrill,  now  5  years  old, 
has  come  to  their  home.  He  is  a  Republican 
voter,  a  successful  business  man,  and  a  gentle 
man  of  social  position  and  good  standing. 


JOSIAH  S.  CHALLENDER,  of  Neponset,  111,, 
was  born  in  Burlington,  Co.,  N.  J.,  July  26, 
1841,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca 
(Stewart)  Challender.  Samuel  was  the  son  of 
Stacy  Challender,  of  Scotch  descent.  His  wife, 
Rebecca,  was  the  daughter  of  Josiah  Stewart, 
a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  for  whom  the  sub 
ject  of  this  sketch  was  named.  Both  families 
were  of  old  American  stock,  who  have  lived  in 
N.  J,  for  many  generations,  and  were  imbued 
with  that  patriotism  which  has  been  the  back 
bone  of  this  country. 

Josiah  was  raised  as  a  Democrat,  and  was 
active  in  the  campaign  of  1861,  in  the  support 
of  Douglas,  but  after  Lincoln  was  elected  he 


330 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


believed  in  sustaining  him  and  upholding  the 
government,  and  for  his  course  he  was  greatly 
denounced  by  his  Democratic  neighbors.  This 
action  only  had  the  effect  of  bringing  out  more 
strongly  his  patriotism;  so  when  the  States 
seceded  and  the  rebels  fired  on  the  old  flag, 
young  Challender  was  ready  to  shoulder  his 
gun  and  fight  to  protect  it.  His  younger 
brother,  Charles  P.,  had  the  same  convictions. 
There  was  some  delay  about  their  getting  into 
the  service,  but  in  the  early  part  of  Aug.,  1862, 
the  two  brothers  might  have  been  seen  wralking 
on  the  road  to  Trenton,  a  distance  of  16  miles 
from  their  home,  for  the  purpose  of  tendering 
their  aid  in  support  of  the  Union.  After  this 
long  walk,  they  were  so  young  looking  the 
officers  would  not  take  them  without  a  permit 
from  their  parents,  and  they  had  to  return  for 
this.  The  permit  secured,  they  returned,  were 
accepted,  and  were  mustered  in,  Aug.  9,  1862, 
into  Co.  G.,  nth  N.  J.  Inf.  They  went  into 
camp  at  Peryne  for  a  time,  and  then  the  Regt. 
was  ordered  to  Washington,  and  was  engaged 
in  building  breastworks  and  strengthening  the 
defences  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Challender  fought  with  his  company  in 
the  battle  of  Antietam,  armed  with  an  old  Aus 
trian  rifle  which  rarely  exploded  a  cap.  His 
next  move  was  to  Washington,  thence  to  Fal- 
mouth,  Va.,  and  was  in  action  at  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg  under  Burnside.  The  follow 
ing  winter  he  participated  with  his  Regt. 
in  the  campaign  that  has  gone  into  history  as 
"Gen.  Burnside's  mud  expedition."  To  get 
back  from  this  march  they  were  obliged  to 
build  corduroy  roads  in  order  to  get  their  artil 
lery  and  wagon  trains  over.  His  next  engage 
ment  was  at  Chancellorsville,  where  the  nth 
took  a  prominent  part.  Mr.  Challender's  com 
pany  (G.)  was  equal  to  the  occasion,  and  met 
the  foe  with  undaunted  bravery  and  fought  to 
the  end.  Its  loss  was  quite  heavy,  having  6 
killed,  and  21  wounded.  After  this  battle  the 
command  went  into  camp  for  awhile.  Lee 
having  moved  with  his  army  northward  for  the 
purpose,  as  it  was  supposed,  of  invading  the 
Northern  States,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to 
which  the  nth  N.  J.  was  attached,  moved 


after.  The  two  great  armies,  finally  met,  after  a 
long  march  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg,  and  Mr. 
Challender  had  an  opportunity  to  fight  in  one 
of  the  most  memorable  battles  of  the  war.  His 
Co.  went  into  the  battle  with  40  men,  and  had 
8  men  killed  and  19  wounded.  Their  haver 
sacks  were  empty  when  the  fight  opened,  and 
they  fought  until  the  third  day  before  they  had 
anything  to  eat.  On  the  first  day  of  the  battle, 
his  Regt.  was  in  front  and  engaged  in  hard 
fighting,  but  on  the  second  day  it  supported 
Hancock's  Corps,  being  held  chiefly  in  reserve, 
and  had  a  grand  view  of  the  celebrated  and 
disastrous  charge,  made  by  Pickett,  in  attempt 
ing  to  reach  Round  Top.  On  the  morning  of 
the  4th  (July),  it  was  discovered  that  the  rebel 
army  were  retreating  and  Mr.  Challender's 
company  joined  in  the  pursuit.  They  moved 
on  after  the  enemy,  crossed  the  Rappahanock, 
and  soon  after  met  them  at  Culpeper  C.  H. 
where  they  were  in  action,  and  again  at  Union 
Mills,  near  the  old  field  of  Bull  Run.  This 
last  encounter  was  a  surprise  to  the  Union 
troops,  yet  they  succeeded  in  driving  the  rebels 
back,  who  retaliated  by  tearing  up  the  railroad 
track  on  their  retreat,  and  Mr.  Challender  was 
detailed  to  help  repair  it. 

In  crossing  the  Rappahannock  the  soldiers 
were  obliged  to  wade  in  water  up  to  their 
waists,  the  result  of  which  was  a  severe  cold  to 
Mr.  Challender,  which  settled  on  his  lungs. 
After  wading  the  river  they  lay  down  with 
their  wet  clothes,  and  the  weather  being  cold, 
their  garments  were  frozen  stiff.  ThiS  laid  Mr. 
Challender  up  from  active  duty,  but  he  re 
mained  with  his  regiment  for  awhile,  and  Nov. 
8,  1863,  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital  where  he 
had  several  hemorrhages  of  the  lungs.  Up  to 
this  time  he  had  not  been  sick  an  hour,  had 
been  with  his  regiment  every  day  since  his 
enlistment,  and  it  went  very  hard  with  him 
when  compelled  to  leave  it.  While  at  the  hos 
pital  he  was  reduced  in  weight  to  93  pounds, 
and  was  discharged  for  total  disability,  March, 
1864.  It  was  about  this  time  that  his  Corps, 
which  had  performed  such  gallant  service,  was 
merged  into  the  2nd  Corps. 

Mr.  Challender  remained  in  N.  J.  until  1872, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


331 


when  he  removed  to  the  West  with  the  view  of 
improving  his  health,  locating  at  Neponset,  111. 
He  tried  farming  for  awhile,  but  he  soon  ascer 
tained  that  he  was  not  strong  enough  for  this 
work.  He  subsequently  engaged  in  gardening 
which  he  has  continued  since. 

He  was  married  in  Jan.,  1866,  to  Alice  D. 
Bird,  a  native  of  N.  J.,  who  died  in  1872,  child 
less.  He  was  married  the  second  time  to 
Alice  G.,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Emma 
(Russell)  Thompson,  who  were  natives  of  Me. 
Robert,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812, 
was  a  son  of  John  Thompson,  who  was  a  min 
ister  of  the  Methodist  church  and  a  Senator  of 
the  State  of  Maine,  and  who  wras  the  son  of 
Hugh  Thompson,  a  native  of  Ireland.  Emma 
was  the  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Betsey 
Russell.  'Both  families  were  represented  in 
the  Revolutionary  War.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  wont  to  sit  on  the  knee  of  his  great 
grandmother  and  listen  to  stories  of  the  Rev 
olution.  He  thinks  these  stories  kindled  with 
in  his  breast  the  fires  of  patriotism  which  ma 
tured  in  after  years,  and  became,  so  strong 
that  when  his  country  was  threatened,  to  save 
her  he  was  ready  to  lay  his  life  down  upon  her 
altar.  Four  children  were  born  to  him  and 
his  wife  Alice — Ollie  M.,  Alton  R.,  Zana  E.,  and 
Ralph  T. 

He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post,  No.  284,  and  has  held  all  the  positions  of 
the  Post.  He  is  also  a  member  of  I.  O.  O.  F., 
Lodge  No.  560  of  Neponset;  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  is  in  receipt  of  a  fair  pension. 
Both  he  and  his  good  wife  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  church.  Mr.  Challendcr  has  held 
various  positions  in  the  village,  among  which 
may  be  mentioned  that  of  Collector  and 
Trustee.  He  is  a  good  neighbor  and  a  valua 
ble  citizen,  and  holds  the  confidence  and  es 
teem  of  his  fellow  townsmen. 


LEVI  W.  EWING,  of  Oneida,  111.,  was  born  in 
Muskingum  Co.,  Ohio,  Aug.   17,   1839,  a 
son  of  Henry  G.  and  Esther  (Alexander) 
Ewing,  the  former  born  in  Ohio,  in  1810,  whilst 
the  latter    was    of    Scottish    ancestry    and    a 


daughter  of  a  soldier  of  the  war  1812.  Levi 
was  married  June  I4th  1860,  to  Josephine 
Leman,  and  continued  in  Ohio  until  the  out 
break  of  the  Rebellion  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
service  as  a  private  in  Co.  E.,  3rd  Ohio  Vol. 
Inf.  for  the  3  mos.  service,  but  before  expira 
tion  of  term  he  re-enlisted  for  three  years,  and 
his  was  the  first  three  year  Regt.  to  cross  into 
W.  Va.,  and  engaged  the  enemy  under  Johnston 
at  Rich  Mt.,  it  being  one  of  the  first  battles  in 
which  the  Regt.  was  engaged.  In  Oct.  the 
Regt.  moved  into  Ky.,  and  on  to  Bowling 
Green,  thence  to  Nashville  and  was  among  the 
first  Union  troops  to  enter  that  city.  After  a 
short  delay  they  moved  to  Murfreesboro,  and 
afterwards  to  Huntsville,  where  they  captured 
a  large  quantity  of  supplies  and  many  railroad 
locomotives.  They  were  then  in  Gen.  O.  M. 
Mitchell's  Div.  They  were  subsequently  en 
gaged  in  the  battle  of  Perryville,  and  also  in 
that  of  Stone  River,  where  our  subject,  during 
the  battle  was  detailed  to  assist  the  wounded, 
and  whilst  thus  engaged  was  captured  by  the 
rebels.  Two  well  armed  soldiers  were  con 
ducting  him  to  the  rear  when  a  confederate 
officer  rode  up  and  asked  why  it  was  necessary 
for  two  armed  men  to  be  in  charge  of  one  un 
armed  Yankee,  and  he  sent  one  of  them  back 
to  the  front.  That  night  he  was  placed  in  the 
Court  House  yard  at  Murfreesboro  and  the  fol 
lowing  day  taken  to  Libby  prison  where  he 
was  confined  for  a  month  or  so,  then  sent  to 
parol  camp  at  Annapolis  and  thence  to  camp 
Chase  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  exchanged  for 
duty  about  June  1st.  His  Regt.,  which  was  a 
part  of  the  "Straight's  raid"  command,  had  also 
been  taken  prisoners  near  Rome,  Ga.,  and  were 
exchanged  about  the  same  time.  He  rejoined 
his  Regt.  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  proceeded  to 
Kelley's  Landing,  where,  during  the  battle  of 
Lookout  Mt.,  many  prisoners  were  captured. 
Among  them  was  quite  a  number  of  a  Va.  Regt., 
which  was  guard  over  the  3d  Ohio  when  its 
boys  were  prisoners,  who  had  been  treated  well 
in  their  captivity  and  now  the  Ohio  Regt.,  had 
the  opportunity  of  reciprocating  their  kind 
ness,  and  they  certainly  did  so.  Shortly  after 
wards  his  Regt.  moved  to  Fort  Wood,  Chat- 


332 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


tanoooga,  where  he  was  when  his  term  of  serv 
ice  expired.  He  started  homeward  passing 
through  Nashville,  and  thence  to  Cincinnati 
where  he  was  mustered  out  at  Camp  Denison. 

July  4th,  1864  he  started  for  111.,  and  settled 
in  Oneida.  Our  subject  had  three  brothers, 
also  in  the  war.  Albert  and  Edmund  served  in 
the  g/th  Ohio,  Co.  K.,  and  Robert  was  in  the 
3d  Ohio  with  Levi.  Mr.  Ewing  is  a  member  of 
Post  No.  45.  G.  A.  R.,  Department  of  111.,  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order;  and  a  Re 
publican  in  politics.  He  has  filled  the  position 
of  Township  Clerk  for  several  years,  as  also 
that  of  City  Clerk  and  Alderman  for  the  City 
of  Oneida.  He  learned  the  painting  trade 
when  young  and  still  works  at  his  occupation. 


HENRY  H.  BEAMER,  of  Knoxville,  111.,  was 
born  in  Adams  Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  10,  1838, 
His  father  was  Jacob,  a  native  of  Md. 
Henry  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
raised  on  a  farm  and  after  a  limited  education 
was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade. 
June  8,  1861,  he  was  mustered  into  the  military 
service,  having  sometime  before  joined  Co.  K., 
ist  Pa.  Reserves.  They  went  into  camp  at 
West  Chester,  near  Phila.,  remaining  there  until 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  2ist.  They  were 
thoroughly  equipped  by  Governor  Curtin,  who 
had  no  confidence  in  the  idea  that  the  war 
would  be  of  short  duration.  Going  to  Balti 
more,  they  served  there  about  a  week  and 
thence  proceeded  to  Washington,  performing 
picket  duty  in  that  vicinity  during  the  winter  of 
1861-62.  March  8,  1862,  they  marched  in  the 
direction  of  Manassas.  The  rebels  having 
evacuated  Manassas  they  took  possession  and 
remained  there  encamped  for  about  a  week, 
being  then  ordered  back  to  Alexandria. 

The  ist  Pa.  was  assigned  to  the  ist  Brig., 
3d  Div.,  ist  A.  C.  The  ist  Corps  returned  to 
Manassas,  thence  moving  on  to  Fredericksburg, 
Va.  The  3d  Div.  was  then  ordered  to  join  the 
army  of  McClellan  at  White  House  landing, 
and  assigned  to  the  $th  Corps,  under  Gen.  Por 
ter.  June  26,  while  on  picket  duty  at  Mcchan- 
icsville,  the  Regt.  was  attacked  by  a  large  force 


of  the  enemy  with  whom  they  engaged  in  a 
hotly  contested  battle.  The  following  day  they 
were  in  action  at  Games'  Mill,  where  the  5th 
Corps  bore  the  onslaught  of  the  whole  rebel 
force,  engaging  in  a  desperate  encounter,  and 
fighting  until  their  ammunition  gave  out.  The 
next  day  they  crossed  the  Chickahominy, 
blowing  up  the  bridges  and  taking  the  post  of 
honor,  as  having  charge  of  the  artillery,  which 
they  moved  across  White  Oak  Swamp  and  got 
into  position  near  Charles  City  Cross  Roads. 
From  some  slight  skirmishing  in  the  forepart 
of  the  day,  the  battle  toward  the  afternoon 
raged  furiously,  resulting  in  heavy  regimental 
loss,  Co.  K.  losing  more  than  in  any  other 
battle,  the  Captain  being  killed  and  20  of  the 
men  killed,  wounded  and  taken  prisoners. 
Both  the  commander  of  the  Regt.  and  the 
commander  of  the  Brig,  were  killed,  being  the 
second  brigade  commander  killed  in  three  days. 

The  ist  Pa.  supported  in  this  battle  Battery 
B.,  ist  Pa.  Artillery,  which  was  captured  by  the 
rebels,  but  recaptured  during  the  day.  During 
the  night  they  fell  back  to  Malvern  Hill,  while 
the  battle  was  raging,  being  held  in  reserve 
under  fire.  The  succeeding  night  they 
fell  back  to  Harrison's  Landing,  where 
they  remained  until  the  Div.  was  ordered  back 
to  Acquia  Creek.  Here  Mr.  Beamer  was  de 
tailed  as  a  guard  on  a  steamer  and  was  acciden 
tally  left  behind  when  his  Regt.  moved  out  to 
the  support  of  Pope,  and  was  engaged  in  the 
2d  Bull  Run  battle.  At  Washington  they  were 
again  assigned  to  the  3d  Div.,  1st  Corps,  under 
Gen.  Hooker,  and  thence  moved  on  through 
Md.  in  pursuit  of  Lee,  and  fighting  him  at 
South  Mt.  and  Antietam. 

Afterward  moving  to  Warrenton,  Va.,  they 
were  attached  to  the  command  of  Gen.  Burn- 
side,  and  reaching  Brook's  Station  Co.  K.  was 
detailed  for  provost  guard  duty  for  three  or 
four  weeks.  They  accompanied  Burnsicle  on 
the  noted  "mud  march,"  as  it  was  termed.  The 
roads  were  frozen  and  when  the  thaw  came  on 
were  so  muddy  as  to  render  a  passage  over 
them  well-nigh  impossible.  After  proceeding 
for  12  miles  and  losing  their  wa^on  train  in  the 
mud,  they  returned  to  camp. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


333 


Afterward  going  to  Fairfax  Court  House, 
where  they  were  encamped  for  about  a  month, 
they  thence  went  on  to  Gettysburg,  taking  part 
in  that  great  and  decisive  Federal  victory. 
During  this  engagement  Mr.  Beamer  was  with 
in  one  mile  of  his  own  home,  the  position  of 
his  command  being  on  the  extreme  left  of  the 
army  and  directly  in  front  of  Round  Top.  He 
knew  every  foot  of  the  ground,  as  when  a  bare 
footed  boy  he  had  been  all  over  it.  But  this 
was  no  time  for  visiting,  and  he  did  not  go  to 
his  home  until  after  the  battle,  where  he  found 
a  Union  soldier's  dead  body,  the  house  having 
been  deserted  during  the  terrible  conflict.  He 
did  not  see  any  of  his  family,  as  he  had  so 
quickly  to  move  on  with  his  command  in  pur 
suit  of  the-  retreating  enemy,  during  which  they 
recrossed  the  Potomac.  They  participated  in 
the  actions  at  Rappahannock  Station,  Culpeper 
Court  House  and  Bristoe  Station,  and  again  at 
New  Hope  Church  dispersed  and  routed  the 
enemy. 

During  the  winter  of  1863-4,  Mr.  Beamer 
was  one  of  a  detail  of  15  men  to  take  charge  of 
division  commissary,  his  duty  being  to  keep 
with  the  train.  He  was  at  the  Wilderness  and 
Spottsylvania,  where  with  several  others  he  was 
detailed  to  take  supplies,  under  a  flag  of  truce, 
to  an  abandoned  hospital.  Proceeding  to  White 
House  Landing  they  encountered  the  enemy  at 
Bethesda  Church,  within  a  few  miles  of  the 
scene  of  their  first  battle  over  two  years  pre 
vious.  The  Div.  was  composed  exclusively  of 
Pa.  volunteers,  and  when  they  reached  Harris- 
burg  on  their  return  home  the  people  of  the 
city  turned  out  in  great  crowds  to  do  them 
honor.  A  similar  demonstration  occurred  at 
Philadelphia. 

Returning  to  the  army  after  a  brief  sojourn 
at  home,  Mr.  Beamer  became  a  member  of  the 
Construction  Corps  as  a  carpenter,  going  to 
City  Point  to  help  build  the  railroad  around 
Petersburg,  the  line  of  which  was  just  in  the 
rear  of  the  army.  They  then  proceeded  to  the 
Manassas  Gap  railway,  where  they  were  sur 
rounded  by  Mosby's  guerrillas,  when  the 
Federal  Cavalry  came  to  their  assistance  and 
dispersed  them.  They  removed  the  rails  from 


the  Manassas  Gap  railway  to  Harper's  Ferry, 
and  constructed  a  railroad  to  Winchester,  where 
they  remained  during  the  winter.  After  the 
war  he  worked  at  his  trade;  thence  going  to 
Ind.,  where  he  worked  as  a  bridge  contractor 
on  the  Wabash  railroad. 

He  was  married  near  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  Aug. 
6,  1868,  to  Maria  Storick,  and  they  have  had  5 
children — Anna,  (Mrs.  William  A.  Wiley,  of 
De  Long,  111).,  Minnie,  Miles  S.,  Charles  W. 
and  Alice  Bessie.  He  came  to  111.  in  the  spring 
of  1875,  settling  near  Knoxville,  where  he  con 
ducted  farming  operations  for  several  years. 

In  the  spring  of  1891,  he  sold  his  farm  and 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  at  Knoxville. 
He  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Beamer  is  a  member 
of  Post  239,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is  post  com 
mander.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W., 
and  a  Mason.  He  is  an  honest,  conscientious 
man,  and  a  useful  citizen. 


JAMES  WHITTAKER,  a  resident  of  Quincy,  111., 
was  born  in  N.  Y.  City,  Sept.  10,  1861. 
When  an  infant  of  one  year,  James  lost 
his  parents  who  died  during  the  great  cholera 
epidemic  of  1832,  and  has  thus  never  had  the 
counsel  of  a  loving  mother  or  tender  father. 
His  father  was  of  Irish  ancestry  and  his  name 
was  Farrell,  but  our  subject  being  adopted  when 
a  mere  infant  by  a  family  named  Whittaker,  he 
bore  their  name.  Growing  to  manhood  at  Flat 
Bush,  on  the  sunny  banks  of  the  Hudson  River, 
he  attended  the  country  schools  of  primitive 
-days,  and  subsequently  commenced  life  as  a 
house  carpenter.  This  he  followed  successfully 
until  his  enlistment  in  the  army,  which  occurred 
July  22,  1862,  Co.  H.,  i2Oth  N.  Y.  Inf.,  and  went 
to  the  front  in  Sickle's  corps.  Dec.  13,  1862,  he 
was  thoroughly  baptized  by  the  enemy's  fire 
during  that  bloody  battle  of  Fredericksburg, 
Va.,  in  which  he  received  a  gunshot  wound  in 
his  left  arm.  He  remained  with  his  comrades 
who  carefully  nursed  his  wound,  going  to  the 
hospital  only  to  have  it  dressed.  The  follow 
ing  spring  they  moved  on  the  Chancellorsville 
expedition,  and  though  excused  from  duty  by 


334 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  surgeon,  comrade  Whittaker,  like  a  brave 
patriot,  took  active  part  in  that  desperate  fight. 
Subsequently  we  find  him  again  in  the  front 
ranks  during  that  historic  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
July  i,  1863.  Here  while  attempting  to  recover 
the  body  of  Lieut.  Creighton,  who  was  mortally 
wounded,  our  subject  was  captured,  and  recapt 
ured  on  the  field  by  a  detachment  of  his  Regt. 
In  this  sanguinary  battle  the  gallant  i2Oth  N.  Y. 
lost  23  officers  and  300  privates  in  killed  and 
wounded.  Oct.  10,  1863,  near  James  City, 
Va.,  Mr.  Whittaker  was  one  of  a  detachment 
who  supported  the  cavalry  on  the  extreme 
front.  The  enemy  made  a  flank  movement,  cut 
off  the  retreat,  attacking  in  front  with  greatly 
superior  number,  and  1 13  of  the  Regt.,  including 
our  subject,  were  taken  prisoners. 

Thus  captured  our  comrade  was  taken  to 
Libby  Prison,  confined  about  five  months,  when 
he  was  transferred  to  Belle  Isle,  where  he  re 
mained  till  Feb.  22,  1864,  when  he  was  returned 
to  Richmond,  and  Mar.  10,  was  loaded  into  a 
cattle  car  and  transported  to  Andersonville 
Prison.  Here  in  this  den  of  pest,  in  this  living 
tomb,  he  was  confined  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  excepting  a  period  of  six  weeks,  when  they 
were  taken  out  to  avoid  recapture  by  an  antici 
pated  raid.  Thirteen  months  a  prisoner  in  that 
"chamber  of  horrors"  Mr.  Whittaker  fully  ical- 
ized  that  "  Half  has  not  beentold."  The  scanty 
and  unwholesome  food  was  not  sufficient  to 
nourish  a  child,  much  less  a  soldier.  He  saw 
sick  men  who  were  lying  helplessly  on  the 
ground  exposed  to  the  burning  sun,  eaten  up  by 
maggots.  He  saw  the  bleeding  and  distorted 
limbs  of  the  scurvy  subjects  who  were  dying  by 
inches,  and  has  witnessed  many  a  "dead  line 
execution."  On  one  occasion  a  poor  sick  man, 
wretched  and  emaciated,  stepped  out  and  saw 
a  bone  from  which  the  meat  had  been  gnawed, 
lying  near  the  dead  line.  He  stooped  to  pick 
it  up,  and  was  sKot  and  killed  by  the  sentinel. 
Cruel,  cold  blooded  murder,  wholly  inexcusa 
ble  on  any  grounds  real  or  imaginary.  Our 
subject  expressed  his  opinion  of  the  sentinel  in 
language  more  forcible  than  eloquent,  and 
would  probably  have  been  another  victim  had 
the  gun  been  loaded.  He  witnessed  the  hang 


ing  of  six  men  who  were  adjudged  guilty  of 
stealing  the  rations  of  their  fellow  prisoners, 
and,  indeed,  killing  them  to  carry  out  their  ne 
farious  designs.  They  were  tried  and  con 
demned  to  death  by  a  jury  of  their  associates, 
under  jurisdiction  of  the  prison  authorities. 
The  notorious  Wirtz  kept  them  under  guard 
after  their  condemnation  and  ordered  and  su 
perintended  the  erection  of  the  gallows,  but  the 
Union  prisoners  performed  the  execution.  Com 
rade  Whittaker  was  released  from  prison  April 
17,  1865,  and  taken  to  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  where 
he  once  more  saw  his  beloved  stars  and  stripes. 
From  here  he  was  transported  to  Indianapolis, 
then  to  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  quartered,  with 
plenty  of  food,  until  July  26,  1865,  when  he 
was  finally  mustered  out. 

Mr.  Whittaker  was  married  to  Catherine  E. 
Lee,  who  died  Dec.  3,  1861,  leaving  one  daugh 
ter,  Estella,  now  Mrs.  Wendland,  of  Memphis, 
Tenn.  Dec.  13,  1865,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Helen  Jane  Winfield  a  native  of  Ulster  Co.,  N. 
Y.  By  this  union  three  children  were  born — 
George  F.,  died  in  infancy,  and  Lillian  and 
Eva  May,  living.  The  family  are  members  of 
the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr.  Whittaker  is  a  member 
of  Joe  Hooker  Post,  Canton,  111,,  Arates  Lodge 
No.  172,  I.  O.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Ranndont,  N.  Y.,  of 
which  he  is  a  P.  G.  and  is  an  active  and  enthu 
siastic  worker  in  both  orders. 


CHARLES  CLIMO,  of  Peru,  III.,  enlisted  in 
the  Union  army  for  the  war  of  the  Re 
bellion,  in  July,  1861,  while  on  his  way 
home  from  Pike's  Peak,  Col.,  whither  he  had 
gone  some  time  previous  during  the  gold  ex 
citement  at  that  place.  He  was  first  mustered 
in  as  a  private  in  Co.  C.,  I3th  Mo.  Vol.  Inf., 
which  was  shortly  after  reorganized  as  the  25th 
Mo.  Inf.  at  St.  Joseph,  in  the  same  State,  where 
he  was  made  a  Sergeant  of  his  company.  His 
first  experience  in  warfare  was  at  the  battle  of 
Lexington,  Ky.,  where,  after  some  fighting,  his 
whole  command  were  taken  prisoners,  but 
were  only  detained  a  short  time  until  they 
were  paroled.  His  Regt.  afterward  partici- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


335 


pated  in  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  and 
was  the  first  to  open  fire  during  that  engage 
ment.  Unfortunately,  during  this  battle,  he 
was  wounded  by  being  struck  in  the  thigh  with 
a  bullet,  and  being  rendered  helpless,  was  subse 
quently  taken  prisoner  together  with  his  Captain; 
2  other  sergeants  of  his  company,  and  about  300 
men  of  his  Regt.  Our  subject  with  26  other 
wounded  prisoners  was  shortly  after  exchanged. 
He  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 
'and  subsequently  was  transferred  to  St.  Louis, 
where  he  remained  until  the  following  Sept. 
when  he  had  sufficiently  recovered  to  enable 
him  to  rejoin  his  regiment  at  Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 
With  it  he  was  engaged  in  Mo.  and  Ark.,  and 
took  part  in  several  engagements  and  many 
skirmishes  previous  to  Jan.  I,  1864,  when  it  was 
sent  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  there  consolidated 
with  what  was  then  known  as  Colonel  Bissell's 
Engineers,  and  were  afterward  known  as  the 
1st  Mo.  Engineers,  Mr.  Climo  ranking  as  Ser 
geant  of  Co.  A.  As  an  Engineer  Regt.,  it  was 
engaged  in  building  the  railroad  from  Nash 
ville  to  Jonesboro,  on  the  Tennssee  River. 
After  completing  this  enterprise,  the  Regt. 
joined  Gen.  Sherman's  army  before  Atlanta, 
and  participated  in  that  battle.  His  Regt.  was 
subsequently  engaged  in  building  forts  around 
the  city  of  Atlanta  for  its  future  protection. 
About  this  time  it  was  reorganized  into  5  com 
panies,  our  subject  being  selected  as  Sergeant 
of  Co.  B.,  arrd  on  Jan.  20,  1864,  while  at  Nash 
ville,  his  Regt.  veteranized.  He  continued 
with  his  Regt.  and  participated  in  all  the  bat 
tles  and  skirmishes  in  which  it  was  engaged, 
up  to  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  present  at 
the  Grand  Review  at  Washington,  May  24, 
1865.  While  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  he  was  pro 
moted  to  the  office  of  2d  Lieut.,  June,  1865. 
He  was  mustered  out  July  22,  1865,  and  finally 
paid  off  and  discharged  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  the 
following  month. 

Mr.  Climo  was  born  in  England,  Aug.  25, 
1840,  and  with  his  parents  emigrated  to  this 
country  in  1854,  locating  at  Peru.  The  father, 
John  Climo,  died  just  one  week  before  his  son 
had  been  discharged  from  the  army.  After  the 
war,  our  subject  returned  to  his  home  in  Peru, 


where  he  resumed  his  trade  as  a  harness  maker 
and  subsequently  embarking  in  the  business  for 
himself,  and  being  a.  splendid  tradesman,  pos 
sessed  of  good  business  ability,  combined  with 
his  agreeable,  courteous  manners,  has  established 
a  paying  trade,  and  is  now  looked  upon  as  one 
of  Peru's  most  prominent  citizens. 

He  married  in  1870,  Miss  Annie  Schultz,  a 
native  of  Prussia,  and  an  amiable  woman,  who 
died  in  January,  1885,  leaving  our  subject  to 
mourn  the  loss  of  an  estimable  wife. 

Mr.  Climo  is  a  member  of  the  E.  N.  Kirk 
Post,  No.  656,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Peru,  of  which  he  has 
been  Quarter  Master  since  its  organization.  He 
is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  Alderman 
for  Peru,  in  which  town  he  is  respected  by  the 
many  people  with  whom  he  trades,  as  also  by 
all  those  who  have  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaint 
ance. 


GARRETT  BROWN,  of  Kewanee,  111.,  was 
born  in  Phila.,  Pa.,  Aug.  23,  1833.  His 
parents  were  James  and  Lutitia  (Hall- 
owell)  Brown.  The  father  died  when  his  son 
was  but  three  years  of  age,  and  the  young  boy 
was  bound  out  to  work  upon  a  farm  until  he  was 
16  years  old.  He  then  continued  this  avocation 
on  his  own  account,  and  was  married  in  1855,  to 
Miss  E.  K.Taylor,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ellen 
Taylor,  of  Phila.  He  was  married  in  March, 
and  in  April  starting  West  located  at  Kewanee, 
111.,  which  was  then  a  village  of  a  few  small 
houses,  and  purchased  a  small  farm  on  which 
he  was  working  when  the  call  for  soldiers 
came.  August  12,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F., 
1 24th  111.  Vol.,  and  at  once  took  the  field,  meet 
ing  the  enemy  first  near  Grand  Gulf,  Miss.,  at 
a  place  known  as  Thompson's  Hills.  Was 
next  at  Raymond,  where  he  was  hit  in  the  side 
by  a  minie  ball  at  short  range,  but  as  the  ball 
passed  through  a  rubber  blanket  and  a  canteen, 
it  just  penetrated  the  flesh,  but  the  force  was 
sufficient  to  knock  him  down  the  hill,  upon  the 
brow  of  which  he  was  standing  at  the  time. 
Although  he  was  able  to  rejoin  his  Regt.  at  the 
battle  of  Jackson,  on  the  second  day  after  this 


336 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


incident,  he  is  at  the  present  time  unable  to 
sleep  on  this  injured  side. 

From  Jackson  he  went  into  that  terrible 
conflict  at  Champion  Hills  after  a  march  of 
four  miles  on  the  double  quick,  and  from  the 
effects  of  this  exertion  and  the  heat  Mr. 
Brown  was  disabled,  and  several  men  in  his 
company  died.  He,  however,  recovered  in  a 
few  days  so  that  he  was  soon  able  to  keep  in 
place  in  the  Regt.  which  soon  took  a  position 
in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  At  this  place  the 
1 24th  assisted  in  blowing  up  Fort  Hills, 
and  was  ordered  into  the  Fort  to  hold  it  after 
the  explosion.  Some  of  its  companies  were  in 
the  crater  made  by  the  explosion  which  was 
called  the  "Slaughter  Pen"  on  account  of  the 
danger  and  losses.  At  one  time  Cos.  A.  and 
F.  held  this  point  for  one  hour  and  twenty 
minutes,  losing  47  out  of  160  men. 

This  Regt.  was  left  to  occupy  Vicksburg, 
and  remained  in  possession  nearly  two  years, 
by  permission  of  Gen.  McPherson,  as  a  reward 
for  arduous  services  in  the  entrenchments, 
making  occasional  marches  out  to  check  some 
movement  of  the  enemy.  During  this  time 
there  was  an  unfavorable  fight  at  Jackson  Cross 
Roads,  near  Jackson.  Gen.  Dennis  had  com 
mand  of  the  Union  forces  and  the  belief  pre 
vailed  among  the  men  that  the  Gen.  had  sold 
out  to  the  rebels.  On  learning  how  matters 
were  going,  Gen.  Schofield  rode  from  Vicksburg 
in  the  night,  with  an  escort  of  about  forty  men 
and  took  command.  He  brought  the  boys  out 
all  right  and  whipped  the  rebels.  The  same 
year  the  I24th  made  a  trip  into  La.,  meeting 
the  enemy  at  Monroe  and  giving  them  a  fight. 

In  the  spring  of  1865,  after  the  long  stay  at 
Vicksburg,  steamers  bore  the  I24th,  with  others, 
to  New  Orleans,  embarking  there  on  the  steam 
ship  "  Guiding  Star"  for  Mobile,  landed  at  Fort 
Gaines  on  Dauphine's  Island,  where  they  re 
mained  a  few  days,  living  on  fish  and  oysters, 
which  the  men  caught  in  the  bay.  March  21, 
the  bay  was  crossed  and  the  force  disembarked 
on  Fish  River  to  invest  Spanish  Fort.  The  men 
laid  here  in  the  trenches  13  days  during  the 
siege,  and  remained  at  Spanish  Fort  until  it 
fell.  A  march  was  then  made  to  Montgomery, 


Ala.,  then  to  Vicksburg  by  rail,  thence  home  to 
be  mustered  out,  as  Spanish  Fort  was  one  of 
the  closing  engagements  of  the  war. 

Mr.  Brown  returned  to  his  farm  at  Kewanee, 
where  he  has  since  remained.  His  two  children 
living  are:  Thomas  T.,  who  married  Tillie  Wiley, 
a  farmer  near  his  father,  and  Anna  M.,  residing 
at  home. 

Mr.  Brown  is  a  Republican,  but  does  not 
aspire  to  office.  Has  been  School  Trustee  for 
the  past  15  years.  The  family  are  members  of 
the  Baptist  church. 


BENEDICT  DOLL,  of  La  Salle,  111.,  was  born 
in  1845,  m  Germany,  Came  to  the  U 
S.  with  his  mother  in  1855,  his  father 
having  previously  died  in  his  native  country. 
When  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  commenced, 
Mr.  Doll  was  too  young  for  service,  but  as  it 
continued  from  year  to  year  he  resolved  to 
lend  a  hand  in  order  to  bring  about  its  close. 
He  enlisted  for  three  years,  at  Fort  Snelling, 
Minn.,  Feb.  25th,  1864,  in  Co.  G.,  6th  Minn.  Vol. 
Inf.  Previous  to  his  enlistment  he  was  in  Gen. 
Sibley's  command  on  his  campaign  to  New 
Mexico  against  the  Indians.  After  being  mus 
tered  in  to  the  U.  S.  service  he  proceeded  under 
command  of  Col.  Cook,  and  was  stationed  at 
Helena  Ark.  Mr.  Doll  was  assigned  upon  de 
tached  duty  during  the  greater  part  of  the  war, 
and  therefore  had  no  opportunity  of  participat 
ing  in  the  bloody  work  of  destroying  and  capt 
uring  the  enemy.  The  necessities  of  war,  how 
ever,  required  brave,  courageous,  and  discreet 
men  in  many  departments  of  the  service  besides 
those  who  were  continously  handling  the  gun 
and  performing  their  deathly  duties,  and  Mr. 
Doll  was  selected  to  fill  one  of  these  responsible 
positions. 

He  was  with  his  Regt. and  actively  partici 
pated  in  the  battle  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  and  dis 
played  the  coolness  and  bravery,  which  largely 
constitutes  the  make  up  of  a  warrior.  In  the 
retreat  from  Fort  Blakely  he  had  one  finger  on 
the  right  hand  broken. 

He  was  discharged  at  Fort  Snelling,  Aug. 
iQth,  1865,  after  the  conclusion  of  the  war  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


337 


immediately  came  to  111.,  where  he  had  lived  pre 
vious  to  his  going  to  Minn.,  and  where  he  re 
sided  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  Mr.  Doll 
was  born  and  brought  up  on  a  farm  but  soon 
after  his  discharge  from  service  he  removed  to 
La  Salle,  111.,  and  in  1872,  engaged  there  in  the 
manufacture  of  soda  water,  which  he  has  since 
continued,  and  through  his  ability  and  energy, 
combined  with  agreeable  manners,  has  built  up 
a  large  and  successful  business,  amply  sufficient 
for  the  necessities  of  a  modest  and  unassuming 
gentleman. 

Mr.  Doll  was  married  to  Miss  Eva  Henry  in 
Dec.  1868  (a  native  of  Germany),  and  three 
children  are  the  result  of  the  marriage,  namely, 
Louisa,  Benedict  and  Randolph. 

He  is  a  Mason,  Knight  Templar,  member 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Odd  Fellows  and  a 
member  of  Post  242,  G.  A.  R.  at  LaSalle.  He 
was  for  many  years  a  Republican  but  for  suf 
ficient  reason  has  changed  his  political  alle 
giance  and  is  now  a  Democrat. 


DR.  WILLIAM  W.  McMANN  a  son  of  James 
and  Mary  (Lee)  McMann,  was  born  in 
Madison  Co.,  Ohio,  Dec.  5,  1838.  The 
father  moved  to  Indiana  when  this  son  was 
quite  young,  'and  there  he  received  his  early 
education.  He  commenced  the  study  of  medi 
cine  at  the  age  of  18  in  the  office  of  George 
W.  Carr,  M.  D..  of  Ligonier,  Ind.,  where  he 
studied  three  years.  He  then  studied  one  year 
with  Dr.  Geo.  W.  Sheldon,  and  was  one  year  in 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia, 
where  he  entered  to  finish  his  medical  studies. 
Being  home  on  a  vacation  when  the  war  was 
declared  he  enthusiastically  enlisted  Aug.  I, 
1861,  in  the  McClellan  Dragoons  of  Chicago, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Barker.  The  Dragoons 
went  directly  to  Virginia,  where  they  were 
equipped;  then  sent  to  Washington  City,  and 
assigned  to  provost  duty,  and  attached  to  Gen. 
McClellan's  bodyguard. 

In  March,  under  Gen.  Stoneman,  this  body 
of  men  was  sent  to  the  Rapphanock  and  during 

the  first  raid  Dr.  McMann  was  detailed  as  sur- 
•22 


geon  and  was  placed  in  that  line  of  duty.  On 
the  return  from  this  raid  his  horse  fell  with  him 
and  injured  his  left  leg  so  that  there  has  been  a 
running  sore,  which  resulted  in  necrosis  of  the 
the  bone  and  has  given  him  a  great  deal  of 
trouble  ever  since. 

Having  thus  been  unfitted  for  field  service 
he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  sick  and 
wounded  in  the  camp  at  Alexandria,  Va.  He 
finally  secured  the  admission  of  these  disabled 
soldiers  to  the  hospitals  and  joined  his  com 
mand  at  Fortress  Monroe  a  few  days  previous 
to  the  battle  of  Williamsburg.  The  command 
took  an  active  part  at  Yorktown,  being  the  ad 
vance  guard  of  the  army,  and  engaging  the 
enemy  in  the  afternoon,  suffering  a  loss  of  6 
men  killed  and  wounded.  The  next  day,  May 
5,  at  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  Dr.  McMann 
was  wounded  by  a  bullet  which  passed  through 
his  left  hand,  entering  at  the  knuckle  of  the 
third  finger  and  was  taken  out  of  the  joint  of 
the  wrist.  The  hand  was  raised  in  front  of  the 
the  body  when  struck  by  the  bullet.  One 
hundred  and  twenty-seven  pieces  of  bone  were 
taken  from  the  wound.  The  Doctor  attended 
to  the  case  himself  and  succeeded  in  saving 
a  good  part  of  the  hand.  He  was  sent  to  Bal 
timore  and  from  there  to  the  hospital  at  Phila 
delphia.  He  afterwards  obtained  a  furlough 
for  30  days  and  visited  Chicago. 

On  his  return  to  his  post  he  was  placed  in 
charge  of  a  hospital  until  October  when  he  was 
sent  to  the  front,  and  was  on  duty  as  surgeon 
at  Alexandria,  where  he  continued  in  the  same 
work  until  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  his 
wounded  hand  and  broken  leg. 

Returning  to  Indiana,  he  staid  a  short  time 
and  then  started  to  join  the  2nd  Ind.  Cav.,  but 
on  arriving  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  he  was  informed 
the  Regt.  had  been  captured  by  the  enemy,  so 
he  returned  home. 

In  1863,  Dr.  McMann  moved  to  Gardner, 
111.,  and  established  himself  in  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  which  he  has  maintained  a  leading 
position  ever  since. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Atkinson 
in  the  fall  of  r863,  and  has  one  daughter,  Maud, 
now  the  wife  of  Earle  Lowry,  a  resident  of 


338 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Rock  Island,  111.  Mrs.  McMann  died  in  Aug., 
1884,  and  in  Oct.,  1886,  the  doctor  was  married 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Jones  of  Canton,  Ohio,  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  Jones,  who  went  to  California 
in  1849,  and  died  in  South  America  on  his  way 
home,  in  1853. 

Dr.  McMann  is  a  Republican  but  has  no  as 
pirations  for  political  offices.  He  is  a  Knight 
of  Pythias,  and  has  been  a  Mason  for  the  last 
30  years.  In  addition  to  his  extensive  practice 
Dr.  McMann  is  interested  in  a  drug  business 
which  he  started  in  1869. 


CAPT.  RICHARD  HUGHES,  now  a  citizen  of 
Morris,  111.,  was  born  in  County  Mayo, 
Ireland,  June,  1835.  He  came  to  Amer 
ica  with  his  parents  in  1856  and  settled  at  Ports 
mouth,  Va.  His  father  was  John  Hughes,  and 
his  mother's  maiden  name  was  Sabina  Flood, 
who  was  a  daughter  of  John  Flood.  They  had 
a  family  of  eight  boys,  and  in  1852,  four  of  the 
sons  went  north  and  settled  in  Grundy  Co.,  111. 
Richard  Hughes  went  north  two  years  later.  He 
learned  the  baker  and  confectionery  trade  in  his 
youth  in  Portsmouth,  and  when  the  family  left 
this  place  in  1852,  he  went  to  Raleigh,  N.  C., 
and  in  1854,  June  8,  he  arrived  at  Morris,  111. 
The  rest  of  the  family  subsequently  settled  at 
this  place. 

The  war  caught  "Dick"  in  the  South  running 
an  engine  and  he  was  compelled  to  enlist  in  a 
rebel  Regt.  Afterwards  finding  a  friend  who 
was  a  prisoner,  he  succeeded  in  escaping  with 
him  and  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  navy,  on  the  Ship 
"Arctic"  at  Brooklyn.  July,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  Co.  C.,  76th  111.  Inf.  The  first  service  in  the 
army  was  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  followed  by  active 
work  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  Jackson,  Miss.,  and 
on  to  Meridian.  After  the  evacuation  of  Jack 
son,  he  entered' that  city  with  a  squad  of  20  men 
which  he  commanded.  Reporting  to  his  Regt. 
and  returning  to  Black  River  under  Gen  Mc- 
Arthur,  he  was  attached  to  the  staff  of  Gen. 
Benj.  Dormblaser,  and  made  a  picket  officer  of 
the  Div.  while  at  this  point.  Orders  were  re 
ceived  to  be  in  readiness  to  join  in  Sherman's 


march  to  the  sea,  but  this  order  was  changed 
and  the  Regt.  was  sent  to  Natchez,  Miss.,  and 
later  took  part  in  Sherman's  Meridian  expedi 
tion,  and  other  important  movements.  In  1865, 
Feb.  12,  the  portion  of  the  Regt.  in  which  Capt. 
Hughes  was  enrolled  embarked  on  the  steamer 
"George  Peabody"  en  route  for  Fort  Gaines. 

Feb.  14,  while  on  the  Gulf,  a  severe  storm 
nearly  destroyed  the  craft,  and  it  became  neces 
sary  to  lighten  the  vessel  by  throwing  the  car 
go  overboard.  A  part  of  the  load  thus  disposed 
of  consisted  of  144  horses  and  mules,  with  guns, 
amunition,  wagons,  etc.  Two  men  were  lost, 
and  the  boat  badly  injured,  but  was  enabled  to 
return  to  New  Orleans.  Here  the  soldiers  took 
a  steamer  and  crossed  Lake  Ponchartrain  to 
Fort  Morgan,  and  from  thence  were  transferred 
to  Pensacola,  Fla.  From  this  point  they  marched 
to  Fort  Blakely,  Ala.,  which  Capt.  Hughes  was 
the  first  man  to  enter,  doing  so  Apr.  9,  as  Col. 
Busey,  in  command,  ordered  him  forward.  In 
going  in  he  was  wounded  in  the  left  leg,  and  a 
few  minutes  later,  while  standing  at  the  side  of 
the  Colonel,  they  were  both  shot  in  the  hip.  The 
rebel  who  fired  that  shot  was  seen  by  one  of  the 
soldiers,  who  plunged  his  bayonet  through  him. 
Col.  Busey  is  now  a  M.  C.  from  111.  Both  offi 
cers  were  sent  to  the  hospital  in  New  Orleans. 
This  battle  at  Fort  Blakely  was  the  last  general 
engagement  of  the  war,  and  Capt.  Hughes  did 
not  meet  his  Regt.  again  until  he  met  it  in  July, 
1865,  to  be  sent  to  Chicago,  111.,  where  it  was 
disbanded  Aug.  4,  1865. 

Seven  brothers  of  this  family  have  creditable 
war  records,  particularly  so,  when  it  is  noted 
that  they  were  all  raised  in  the  South.  Thomas 
was  killed  at  Shiloh,  Tenn.  The  others  served 
during  the  war.  The  youngest,  William,  but 
fourteen  years  of  age  when  he  enlisted,  was 
wounded  at  Fort  Blakely.  James  was  also 
wounded  the  same  day  at  the  same  place.  Ar 
thur,  serving  in  the  55th  111.,  was  wounded  at 
Shiloh,  and  has  been  a  cripple  ever  since,  his 
right  arm  being  disabled. 

At  the  close  of  his  arduous  service,  which 
continued  to  the  end  of  the  war,  Capt.  Hughes 
returned  to  his  home  at  Morris,  111.,  where  he 
established  a  good  business.  He  was  united  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


339 


marriage  in  1872  with  Rachel  Knudson.  Five 
boys  and  one  girl  have  blessed  this  union.  The 
daughter  died  in  infancy,  but  the  sons,  John, 
William,  Thomas,  Richard  and  Dennis  are  liv 
ing.  The  family  is  Catholic  in  religion. 

Captain  Hughes  is  a  straight  Democrat,  and 
when  nominated  for  Sheriff,  he  largely  reduced 
the  majority  of  his  opponent.  The  G.  A.  R., 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  Knights  of  Patrotic  Circle  find 
in  him  a  genial  companion  and  faithful  member. 


WILLIAM  W  FENTON  is  a  native  of  Pa., 
born  June  3,  1843.  His  parents  were 
Edwin  and  Elizabeth  A.  (Press)  Fen- 
ton.  The  father  was  born  in  Pa.,  Oct.  23,  1816, 
and  died  on  his  65th  birthday,  in  Ohio.  The 
mother  was  born  Feb  13,  1818  in  N.  Y.  Our 
subject  was  the  second  child  of  seven  children, 
only  three  of  whom  are  now  living.  He  enlis 
ted  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  Aug.  16,  1861,  in  2nd 
Independent  Battery  of  Ohio,  Lt.  Art.  The 
Battery  was  equipped  at  Camp  Chase  and  then 
joined  the  army  under  Gen.  Fremont,  at  St, 
Louis,  Mo.,  went  to  Jefferson  City,  and  from 
there  to  Springfield,  Mo.  where  Fremont  was 
superseded  by  Gen.  Hunter.  From  Springfield 
it  marched  to  Rolla  and  here  Gen.  Curtis  as 
sumed  command  of  the  Dept.  of  Mo.  It 
remained  at  Rolla,  during  the  winter,  up  to 
Feb.  1st  1862  when  it  started  after  the  rebel, 
Gen.  Price,  then  in  possession  of  Springfield, 
Mo.  Price  evacuated  the  city  on  the  approach 
of  the  Union  army.  The  2nd  then  followed 
Price  down  into  Ark.,  where  the  former  was 
reinforced  by  Van  Dorn.  The  Union  army  was 
concentrated  at  Sugar  Creek  where  the  rebels 
got  in  the  rear,  and  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge 
was  fought.  This  battle  was  looked  upon  as  a 
millitary  necessity,  and  defeat  meant  capture 
of  Curtis'  entire  army.  But  fortunately  the 
fates  favored  the  Union  arms.  On  leaving  Pea 
Ridge  the  army  went  eastward  through  Mo., 
thence  to  Batesville  where  it  remained  about 
three  weeks,  thence  moved  to  Helena.  At 
Batesville  the  army  was  devided,  a  portion  going 
Cape  Girardeau  to  Corinth,  whilst  Gen.  Curtis 


with  about  10,000  men  started  on  an  expedi 
tion  similar  to  the  historic  march  to  the  sea 
In  this  expedition  Curtis  traveled  through  the 
enemy's  country  with  organized  armies  in  the 
immediate  vicinity,  yet  cut  loose  from  all  com 
munication  and  living  upon  the  country  as  they 
marched  along.  His  men  and  horses  suffered 
terribly  for  want  of  water,  and  in  coming  in 
sight  of  a  stream  the  horses  would  become  un 
manageable.  On  one  occasion  a  soldier's  horse 
threw  him  into  the  stream,  and  striking  him 
with  his  fore  foot,  killed  him  instantly. 

During  the  march  a  small  body  of  rebel 
calvary  under  Hindman,  harassed  the  troops 
all  the  way  from  Batesville  to  Helena,  necessi 
tating  many  skirmishes.  The  army  reached 
Helena  about  the  middle  of  July,  having  been 
three  months  in  the  enemy's  country,  cut  off 
from  communication  with  Washington  and  from 
the  soldier's  friends.  The  men  were  frequently 
without  anything  to  eat — at  one  time  not  a  par 
ticle  of  food  was  issued  for  five  days,  the  coun 
try  being  very  barren,  and  what  little  had  been 
raised  had  been  taken  by  the  rebel  army.  At 
Helena  our  subject  was  prostrated  by  sickness, 
as  the  result  of  scanty  and  unwholesome  food 
and  water;  was  sent  north  to  a  hospital  at  Keo- 
kuk,  la.,  from  which  he  was  discharged  Jan.  5, 
1863,  and  mustered  out  of  the  army,  owing  to 
disability.  He  then  returned  to  his  home  in 
Ohio,  and  in  the  following  winter  went  to  Dan 
ville,  111.,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade— that 
of  a  shoemaker.  He  remained  there  until  1865, 
having  in  the  meantime  returned  to  Conneaut 
and  married.  This  event  occurred  June  2,  1864, 
the  lady  being  Miss  Catherine  T.  Guthrie.  Mrs. 
Fenton's  brother,  Harvey,  was  Lieut.,  in  the 
battery  of  which  our  subject  was  a  member. 
Her  cousin,  Augustus  Beach,  was  Captain  of  the 
battery.  Her  brother,  Nathan  Lewis  Guthrie, 
was  also  a  member  of  the  battery,  of  which  also 
a  third  brother  was  artificer.  For  the  next  four 
years  we  find  our  subject  at  Ann  Arbor,  Mich., 
then  returned  to  Danville,  where  he  remained 
until  1874  when  he  removed  to  Quincy,  111., 
which  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Here  he 
has  established  a  good  business  as  a  manufact 
urer  of  fine  shoes,  and  is  closely  identified  with 


340 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  G.  A.  R.,  having  been  Commander  of  John 
Wood  Post,  No.  96.  He  filled  the  office  of  Sr. 
Vice  Commander  in  1888  and  that  of  Jr.  V. 
Com.  the  year  previous.  Having  passed  through 
the  offices  in  regular  rotation,  something  never 
accomplished  by  any  other  man  in  the  history 
of  that  post.  While  comrade  Fenton  was  pre 
siding  officer  there  were  300  members  of  this 
post.  He  has  since  withdrawn  and  joined  the 
Col.  C.  H.  Morton  Post,  No.  707,  a  newly  or 
ganized  society.  The  cause  of  his  withdrawal 
from  the  Wood  Post  may  be  stated  briefly 
as  follows:  A  by-law  was  passed  restricting 
relief  to  the  members  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  the 
widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  members  of 
John  Wood  Post.  This,  our  comrade  Fenton 
strongly  opposed  as  being  unjust  and  not  being 
wholly  in  accord  with  the  broad  principle  of 
charity  as  laid  down  in  the  rules  governing 
that  body.  Subject  is  an  active  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  is  the  present  Secretary  of  Gem 
City  Lodge,  No.  357. 

He  has  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  four 
of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Myra,  now  Mrs. 
Frank,  Rosa,  Barton  W.,  Catherine  E.  and 
Bessie.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  born  at 
Ipswich,  England,  in  1780,  married  in  New  York 
City,  Mrs.  Charlotte  Jennings,  and  resided  in 
Penn.,  until  the  war  of  1812,  where  he  was  a 
practicing  physician,  and  was  the  first  Mayor  of 
Shippensburg,  and  later  became  the  first  Mayor 
of  Conneaut,  O.,  dying  there  in  1834.  The 
maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  living 
on  the  North  shore  of  Lake  Ontario  during  the 
war  of  1812,  and  rather  than  join  the  English 
army,  he  crossed  the  lake  in  an  open  boat  and 
allied  himself  with  the  U.  S.  cause.  It  is  not 
known  whether  he  was  regularly  enlisted  or 
not.  The  Fentons  are  a  hardy,  long-lived  class 
of  people,  given  mostly  to  mechanical  pur 
suits. 


ALFRED    A.    MEREDITH,  of  Chicago,   111., 
a  member  of  the  Geo.  G.  Meade  Post, 
No.  444,   G.  A.  R.,  at   Englewood,   111., 
enlisted  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  March  4,  1864,  as  a 
private  in  Co.  A.,  22nd  Pa.  Cav.,  which  prior  to 


that  time  was  known  as  the  Ringgold  Battalion, 
and  at  different  times  was  commanded  by 
Gens.  Hunter,  Sigel  and  Hooker.  This  bat 
talion  performed  the  major  part  of  its  service 
in  W.  Va.,  marching,  pursuing  and  being  pur 
sued  by  the  guerrilla  forces  that  infested  that 
region.  The  company  was  under  the  command 
of  Captain  James  P.  Hart,  and  was  always  the 
first  in  the  best  or  worst  of  everything.  It  en 
gaged  in  the  skirmishes  at  Lost  River  Gap, 
May  4,  1864,  and  later  at  Morefield  Valley,  but 
found  the  latter  unpleasantly  interesting  as  the 
rebels  made  a  desperate  effort  to  shoot  the 
Capt.  of  Co.  A.,  and  succeeded  in  killing  his 
horse,  dividing  the  command,  and  were  pres 
sing  it  hard  when  reinforcements  arrived  and 
the  enemy  were  routed  from  a  stone  house  in 
which  they  had  taken  refuge.  The  reinforce 
ments  mistaking  the  members  of  Co.  A.  for 
rebels,  came  very  near  proving  more  disastrous 
than  helpful,  but  fortunately  the  mistake  was 
discovered  in  time  to  prevent  disaster,  and  the 
united  force  gave  the  rebels  a  good  start  in 
moving  from  that  place. 

Mr.  Meredith  was  made  a  prisoner  July  3, 
1864,  near  Martinsburg,  W.  Va.,  on  the  Mar- 
tinsburg  and  Winchester  Pike,  over  which  Gen. 
Sheridan  made  his  famous  ride,  which  has  been 
celebrated  in  song  and  story.  The  prisoners 
were  started  for  Richmond,  but  as  Union 
soldiers  prevented,  a  change  of  route  was 
made  to  Lynchburg  and  Danville,  halting  five 
or  six  davs  at  each  place,  then  to  Anderson- 
ville,  where,  as  he  says,  he  was  "entertained  in 
rebel  style"  for  9  months  and  27  days.  When 
released  he  did  not  return  to  his  command,  as 
he  had  not  recovered  his  health  when  mustered 
out  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  June  2,  1864,  and  re 
turned  to  his  home  at  Carmichales,  Greene  Co., 
Pa. 

A.  A.  Meredith  was  born  June  16,  1845,  a^ 
Brownsville,  Fayette  Co.,  Pa.  His  father, 
Thomas  Meredith,  a  native  of  Brownsville,  Pa., 
was  born  of  Welsh  and  English  ancestry.  His 
grandfather,  also  Thomas  Meredith,  was  a  sol 
dier  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  mother's  maiden 
name  was  Elizabeth  Wanee,  a  native  of  Browns 
ville,  Pa.  Her  ancestors  were  English  Quakers, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


34i 


and  four  or  five  generations  of  the  Wanee  fam 
ily  were  born  on  the  old  homestead  near 
Brownsville.  A  great-grandfather  came  from 
New  Jersey  when  a  small  boy  and  located  near 
Brownsville.  The  children  of  Thomas  and 
Elizabeth  Meredith,  now  both  living,  are:  Al 
fred .  A.,  Silas  and  Clarissa,  twins;  Mary  E., 
Isabel  F.,  Chas.  S.,  Jas.  B.,  Annie  E.,  George  T., 
Nettie  M.,  William  G.  and  Laura  P. 

A.  A.  Meredith  was  raised  on  a  farm,  where 
he  received  a  common  school  education  and 
since  that  has  been  employed  as  a  carpenter, 
farmer  and  policeman,  residing  in  Ottawa, 
Minooka,  Farmer  City  and  Chicago.  He  was 
married  March  11,  1868  to  Mary  A.  Dix.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meredith  four  children  have  been 
born,  whose  names  are:  Carrie,  Cora,  John  T. 
and  Charles  A.  Mr.  Meredith  in  recalling  his 
history  states  that  the  twelve  children  of  his 
father's  family  were  never  all  together  at  one 
time,  and  in  regard  to  his  imprisonment  at 
Andersonville,  says  that  during  three  months 
of  the  time  in  the  winter  season  he  was  entirely 
helpless,  and  yet  he  never  received  any  atten 
tion,  except  once,  when  he  was  given  a  mustard 
plaster.  Although  suffering  from  chronic 
diarrhoea  and  dropsy  his  bed  day  and  night  was 
made  of  pine  boughs  laid-on  the  ground  with 
out  any  covering.  A  strong  constitution  and 
earnest  determination  enabled  him  to  live 
through  this  worse  than  barbarous  treatment, 
and  finally  after  witnessing  the  Grand  Review 
at  Washington  to  reach  his  home  and  friends. 


CAPT.  E.  S.  CHURCH,  of  Neponset,  111., 
lived  until  he  was  7  years  old  in  Madison 
Co.  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  born  Jan.  12, 
1818.  His  father  dying  when  the  son  was  7 
years  of  age  he  was  sent  to  live  with  a  brother- 
in-law  in  Chautauqua  Co.,  and  at  the  age  of  14 
went  to  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  to  learn  the  gilder's 
trade,  at  which  he  served  his  time  and  worked 
for  16  years.  When  a  young  man,  Mr.  Church 
had  traveled  in  the  South  and  in  1838,  while 
recovering  from  an  attack  of  yellow  fever, 
fished  in  the  bay  where  Fort  Surnter  was  after 


ward  built.  In  1842,  he  was  married  in  Roch 
ester  to  Miss  Moxon,  of  England,  and  soon 
after  moved  to  Buffalo,  and  after  residing  there 
ten  years,  located  in  Kewanee,  111.,  in  1861, 
where  he  heard  the  ominous  sounds  of  rebel 
lion,  and  became  imbued  with  the  spirit  that 
made  him  willing  and  anxious  to  sacrifice 
every  thing  in  defense  of  his  country. 

Taking  an  active  part  in  raising  a  company 
in  his  home  town  he  was  elected  2d  Lieut,  of  Co. 
A.,  42d  111.,  Inf.,  went  into  camp  at  Camp  Doug 
las,  and  was  sent  to  Mo.  in  the  summerof  1861. 
This  company  was  united  with  the  42d  Regt., 
received  arms  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  and  was 
sent  in  pursuit  of  "old  pap  Price."  Going  into 
winter  quarters  at  Smithton,  Mo.,  until  spring, 
it  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Island  No.  10.  Here 
Col.  Roberts  commanding  the  Regt.,  obtained 
permission  to  attempt  the  capture  of  rebel  bat 
tery  No.  I  which  held  a  prominent  position, 
and  Co.  A.,  in  command  of  Lieut.  Church  was 
detailed  to  accompany  him  on  the  expedition 
which  consisted  of  5  yawls,  manned  by  10  sail 
ors,  carrying  8  soldiers  each,  besides  officers, 
and  provided  with  files  and  hammers  to  spike 
the  guns.  The  water  was  running  high  when 
the  boats  set  forth.  The  rebels  had  their  sen 
tries  out  and  when  they  saw  the  boats  approach 
ing  in  the  darkness,  fired  and  fell  back.  The 
boats  made  a  landing  and  the  guns  were  spiked. 
The  rebels  appeared  to  be  paralyzed  as  they 
never  expected  that  any  man  would  be  brave 
or  foolish  enough  to  attempt  such  a  daring  feat. 
A  terrific  thunder  storm  was  raging  during  this 
heroic  expedition  and  it  was  daylight  when  the 
men  returned  from  this  hazardous  duty. 

The  spiking  of  this  battery  made  it  possible 
for  the  boats  in  the  river  to  pass,  and  afforded 
Gen.  Pope  a  means  of  crossing,  which  resulted 
in  the  detention  and  capture  of  fully  7,000 
rebels  and  the  opening  of  the  Miss. 
River.  The  Regt.  proceeded  to  Fort  Pillow 
and  returning  went  up  the  Tenn.  River  to  Pitts- 
burg  Landing,  joining  Gen.  Halleck  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth.  At  the  battle  of  Farmington 
Captain  Church  was  on  the  skirmish  line  and 
marching  into  an  ambush  was  taken  prisoner. 
As  a  rebel  prisoner  he  was  sent  to  Corinth, 


342 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Columbus,  Mobile,  Mpntgomery,  Ala.,  Macon, 
Ga.,  and  with  General  Prentiss  and  others  to 
Madison,  Ga.,  staying  at  this  point  until  Oct., 
when  he  was  paroled  for  exchange,  and  started 
North  via  Raleigh  and  Richmond,  where  he 
was  in  Libby  Prison  one  Sunday,  and  on  Mon 
day  walked  to  Harrisburg  Landing  and  took 
the  exchange  boat  to  Fortress  Monroe.  This 
was  in  Nov.  He  was,  with  other  prisoners, 
taken  to  Washington  and  exhibited  to  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  that  he  might  know  how  the 
rebels  treated  their  prisoners.  Capt.  Church, 
when  released,  was  barefooted  and  had  a  piece 
of  a  cotton  shirt,  pants  and  a  skull  cap  and 
these  were  teeming  with  vermin.  This  outfit, 
it  is  stated,  was  the  best  in  the  whole  squad. 
Lincoln  told  the  men  to  go  to  the  stores  and 
buy  clothing,  and  to  tell  the  dealers  to  charge 
it  until  the  boys  received  their  pay,  and  if  they 
refused  to  do  so  to  let  him  know.  These  men 
were  paid  in  Washington  and  sent  home  until 
notified  of  their  exchange.  As  he  had  not 
been  heard  from  by  his  friends  during  his  cap 
tivity,  he  was  supposed  to  be  dead,  so  he  re 
ceived  a  warm  welcome  on  reaching  home. 
The  Captain  soon  became  anxious  to  rejoin  his 
regiment,  and  not  waiting  for  an  exchange  he 
went  back  and  found  his  command  at  Nash 
ville,  where  he  was  met  with  a  great  jubilee  on 
the  part  of  his  comrades.  He  fought  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Stone  River,  but  subsequently  his  health 
failing  entirely  from  rheumatism,  scurvy  and 
other  effects  of  his  imprisonment,  which  re 
sulted  in  a  partial  loss  of  hearing,  he  resigned, 
leaving  but  16  men  in  the  ranks  of  his  company 
that  started  with  100. 

Capt.  Church  resumed  his  trade  at  Kewanee 
and  worked  for  a  few  years,  but  the  condition 
of  his  health  made  it  impossible  for  him  to 
continue.  He  moved  to  Neponset  in  the  spring 
of  1865,  and  has  made  that  place  his  residence 
since,  with  his  vvife  who  is  still  living.  He  is 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  was  elected  Commander 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  but  could  not  serve  on 
account  of  deafness.  He  now  holds  the  office 
of  Adjutant.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

The  venerable  soldier  and  his  wife  have 
four  children  who  are  thus  described:  Emily, 


wife  of  Henry  P.  Custer,  who  was  a  soldier  in 
the  company  with  Capt.  Church  and  became 
its  captain.  He  is  in  the  employment  of  the 
C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  at  Rock  Island,  111. 

Jane,  wife  of  R.  H.  Morse,  of  Chicago,  who 
was  also  a  soldier. 

John  Church,  residing  in  Kewanee,  111. 

Clara,  employed  by  the  Edison  Electric 
Light  Company,  receiving  a  salary  of  $100  per 
month. 


LORENZO  G.  KIMBERK,  of  Seneca,  111.,  was 
born  in  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  20, 
1812.  His  parents  were  Frederick  and 
Sabrina  (Pickharn)  Kimberk,  the  former  of 
German  and  the  latter  of  Scotch  descent.  They 
had  14  children,  of  whom  5  survive — our  sub 
ject,  one  brother  and  three  sisters.  His  father 
was  in  the  war  of  1812.  During  the  gold  fever 
he  started  for  Pike's  Peak,  and  has  never  been 
heard  of  since.  His  mother  died  at  Shiawassa 
Co.,  Mich.  The  Kimberks  were  eminently 
patriotic,  for  in  addition  to  himself,  there  were 
four  of  his  brothers  and  two  of  his  sons  engag 
ed  in  the  late  war,  all  of  whom  served  the 
Union  loyally.  Young  Kimberk's  early  life  was 
spent  chiefly  as  a  sailor  upon  the  lakes,  and  he 
was  over  50  years  of  age  when  he  enlisted. 
During  his  three  years  of  service  his  wife  nobly 
and  generously  provided  for  herself  and  four 
children. 

Mr.  Kimberk  enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862,  in 
Highland  Township,  Grundy  Co.,  111.,  in  Co.  D., 
1 27th  111.  Inf.  The  Regt.  rendezvoused  at 
Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  and  went  to  the  front 
Nov.  9,  1862,  going  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where 
it  remained  until  Dec.,  and  then  removed  to 
Yonkers  Point  a  few  days  previous  to  marching 
to  Tallahatchie.  At  this  place  they  had  a  heavy 
skirmish  with  the  enemy  and  were  eventually 
forced  to  retreat.  Soon  after  the  Regt.  went 
up  the  Ark.  River,  and  at  Arkansas  Post,  Jan. 
12,  1863,  engaged  the  rebels,  taking  780  prison 
ers.  The  battle  was  a  severe  one.  Five  Union 
regiments  took  part  in  it,  the  55th  111.  being  one 
of  the  number  of  which  Mr.  Kimberk's  two 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


343 


sons  were  members.  After  this,  the  Regt.  pro 
ceeded  to  Yonker's  Point,  and  remained  in 
camp  until  May  I,  1863,  going  then  to  Grand 
Gulf,  about  60  miles  from  Vicksburg.  His 
Regt.  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Champion  Hill, 
and  in  the  memorable  siege  of  Vicksburg,  the 
capitulation  of  which,  after  a  42  days  siege,  took 
place,  July  4,  1863.  After  the  siege  it  went  to 
Jackson,  Miss.,  where  our  forces  surrounded 
Johnston  and  drove  him  out.  His  son,  Frank, 
was  wounded  in  this  terrible  battle,  July  12, 
1863,  and  July  22,  1864,  was  killed  at  Atlanta, 
Ga. 

About  Oct.  ist  the  Regt.  went  to  Knoxville 
to  relieve  Burnside,  afterward  to  Larkinsville, 
Ala.,  where  it  went  into  winter  quarters.  Leav 
ing  there  May  i,  1864,  the  Regt.  joined  Gen. 
Sherman  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  partici 
pated  in  a  number  of  important  engagements, 
including  those  of  Resaca,  Atlanta  and  Jones- 
boro.  Immediately  after  the  capture  of  At 
lanta  it  went  into  camp  at  East  Point,  going  in 
a  few  days  to  Atlanta,  where  they  completed 
arrangements  for  the  march  to  the  sea.  The 
command  engaged  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Mc 
Allister,  where  they  took  quite  a  number  of 
prisoners,  and  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  consid 
erable  amount  of  amunition.  The  army  arrived 
at  Savannah  Jan.  I,  1865.  From  here  they  were 
transported  by  sea  to  Beaufort,  and  from  there 
marched  to  Columbia,  S  C.  The  Regt.  was 
present  at  the  capture  of  Columbus,  in  the  ad 
vance  on  Fayettesville,  and  then  went  to  Golds- 
boro,  N.  C.,  which  it  occupied  March  2ist.  The 
army  left  Goldsboro  April  10,  1865,  in  pursuit 
of  Johnston,  and  arrived  at  Raleigh,  N.  C., 
April  14,  where  it  went  into  camp.  Just  before 
the  army  arrived  at  Raleigh,  Sherman  took  off 
his  hat  and  exclaimed:  "  Boys,  I  think  it  would 
be  appropriate  to  sing  '  Raleigh  '  Round  the 
Flag."  Taking  up  the  refrain,  it  was  carried  the 
length  of  the  line,  some  six  miles  long,  the 
men  giving  vent  to  their  feelings  of  relief  that 
the  journey  was  nearly  accomplished.  The 
1 27th  took  part  in  the  Grand  Review  at  Wash 
ington,  and  were  complimented  for  their  dis 
cipline  and  military  bearing.  They  were 
mustered  out  June  4,  and  on  June  7  left  Wash 


ington  for  Chicago,  where  it  was  finally  dis 
charged  June  17,  1865,  only  240  remaining  out 
of  the  900  that  left  Camp  Douglas  in  Nov. 
1862. 

Mr.  Kimberk  was  married  at  Ashtabula, 
Ohio,  Jan.  13,  1839,  to  Clarissa  Brown.  They 
had  nine  children — Mina,  Franklin  L.,  Emma, 
George,  Herbert,  Arthur,  Justin,  William,  Su 
sannah.  Three  only  are  living.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Rebublican;  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Mr.  Kimberk  is  well  known  and  much  respected 
in  the  locality  in  which  he  resides,  and  although 
at  an  advanced  age,  retains  his  faculties  unim 
paired. 


JAMES  O.  RAYMOND,  the  popular  city  weigher 
of  Aurora,  111.,  hails  from  Clinton  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  where  he  was  born  in  1834,  a  son  of 
Orrin  T.  and  Caroline  (Gaines)  Raymond,  na 
tives  of  the  Empire  State.  His  mother  died  at 
his  native  town,  and  in  1886,  his  father  moved 
to  Aurora,  111.,  where  he  still  lives  in  good  heath. 
Four  children  were  born  to  the  parents — two 
girls  and  two  loyal  sons  of  war  who  both  went 
forth  to  defend  the  stars  and  stripes.  Alonzo 
W.,  the  brother  or  our  subject,  enlisted  as  a  pri 
vate  in  Co.  M.,  2nd  N.  Y.  Cav.,  one  of  the  most 
famous  of  the  N.  Y.  Cav.  Regt.  He  is  now 
residing  at  Chicago  where  he  is  employed  as  a 
street  car  conductor,  still  suffering  from  a  wound 
received  in  the  wrar.  James,  our  subject,  spent 
his  boyhood  days  on  a  farm.  He  received  a 
good,  common  school  education,  after  which  he 
commenced  life  as  a  clerk  and  bookkeeper, 
continuing  up  to  the  time  he  went  forth  to  fight  in 
the  defense  of  the  grand  "old  flag."  He  enlisted 
Sept.  i gth,  1861,  as  Sergeant  in  Co.  E.,  6otn  N. 
Y.  Inf.,  Col.  J.  C.  O.  Reddington  commanding. 
The  Regt.  went  into  camp  near  Ogdensburg, 
N.  Y.,  where  it  was  equipped,  drilled  and  mus 
tered  in.  Subsequently  they  moved  to  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.,  where  they  were  actively  engaged 
during  the  summer  and  following  winter  in 
guarding  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  R.  R.  Dur 
ing  the  summer  of  1862,  the  Regt.  continued  on 
camp  and  guard  duty,  and  during  the  tragic 


344 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


battle  of  Antietam,  Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862,  it  was 
assigned  to  the  rear  as  a  reserve.  Shortly  they 
went  into  winter  quarters  at  Acquia  Creek 
Landing,  Va.,  on  the  Potomac,  and  subse 
quently  we  find  comrade  Raymond  bravely 
facing  the  hot  and  terrible  fire  of  the  enemy 
during  the  desperate  battle  of  Chancellorsville, 
Va.,  May  1-4,  1863,  in  which  the  Union  suffered 
a  total  loss  of  17,287  in  killed  wounded  and 
missing,  our  subject  himself  being  severely 
wounded  by  a  canister  shot  wound  received  in 
the  left  leg  below  the  knee.  The  Union  army 
fell  back  abandoning  the  army  of  dead  and 
wounded,  and  there  on  that  ghastly  field  of 
battle  our  comrade  lay  for  three  long  nights  and 
nearly  four  days,  without  any  care  or  attention. 
Fortunately  he  had  a  goodly  supply  of  water 
and  provisions  with  him,  else  he  never  would 
have  survived  the  ordeal.  He  was  captured 
by  the  enemy  but  was  paroled  and  shortly  taken 
back  to  Acquia  Creek  Landing — a  few  weeks 
later  transferred  to  Armory  Square  hospital, 
Washington,  where  he  was  confined  until  March 
21,  1864,  when  he  was  discharged  and  mustered 
out  as  orderly  sergeant. 

Mr.  Raymond's  first  wife  died  prior  to  the 
war.  He  was  married  a  second  time  to  Carrie 
A.  Felton,  a  native  of  N.  Y.,  who  bore  him 
three  children:  Hattie,  now  Mrs.  Wallace  W. 
Rider, of  Chicago;  Orrin  Elmer  (deceased),  and 
George  A.  The  same  month  he  was  married 
he  went  West,  locating  at  Aurora,  where  he  has 
since  lived,  engaged  largely  as  a  clerk.  For  five 
years  comrade  Raymond  has  filled  the  office  of 
Quartermaster  of  the  Aurora  Post,  No.  20,  G. 
A.  R.  He  is  a  true  soldier,  an  affable  gentle 
man,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 


JASPER  S.  HAWKINS,  who  has   been,    during 
the  past  26   years,   a   resident   of  Cham 
paign,  111.,  was  born   in   Fulton  Co.,    Ind., 
Jan.  7,  1841.     He  was  the  son  of    Zodoc    Haw 
kins  of   Va.,  who  was  the  father   of    thirteen 
children,  three  of    whom  besides    our   subject, 
were  actively  engaged  in  the  great  war  of  the 


rebellion.  His  brothers,  William  E.,  and 
James  F.,  passed  through  the  war,  members  of 
the  48th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  while  Newton,  the 
youngest  of  the  brothers,  was  taken  sick  and 
discharged,  dying  shortly  after  his  discharge 
from  the  effects  of  exposure  incurred  while  on 
duty.  Jasper  attended  school  in  his  boyhood 
days  during  the  winter  months,  working  upon 
his  father's  farm  through  the  summer  season.  In 
1857,  he  began  to  learn  the  cooper  trade,  at  which 
he  was  employed  up  to  the  time  of  his  enlist 
ment  for  service  in  the  army.  He  joined  the 
ranks  at  Indianapolis,  Ind,  and  was  subse 
quently  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  A.,  39th 
Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  Aug  29,  1861. 

After  drilling  a  short  time,  the  Regt.,  under 
Buell,  moved  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  thence  to  Nash 
ville,  Tenn,  and  from  there  to  reinforce  Grant's 
army  at  the  famous  battle  of  Shiloh.  Arriving 
on  the  field  Sunday  night,  they  participated  in 
battle  on  the  following  day,  until  the  rebels 
were  routed  in  confusion,  not,  however,  with 
out  a  heavy  loss  to  the  Union  Army.  Mr. 
Hawkins'  Regt.  at  this  time  numbered  about 
1,013  officers  and  men.  Oct.  I5th,  after  the 
battle  of  Stone  River,  having  had  companies 
L.  and  M.  attached  to  it,  it  was  reorganized  as 
the  8th  Cav.  The  Regt.  during  its  service  has 
borne  on  its  rolls  2,500  men,  and  was  engaged 
in  over  100  battles  and  skirmishes.  Some  of 
the  principal  ones,  and  those  in  which  our  sub 
ject  was  personally  engaged,  are  Shiloh,  luka, 
Corinth,  Perryville,  Stone  River,  Liberty  Gap, 
Chickamagua,  Winchester,  Jonesboro,  Flint 
River,  Waynesboro,  Lost  and  Kenesaw  Mts., 
Brown's  Cross  Roads,  Lookout  Mt.,  and  Mis 
sionary  Ridge. 

While  at  Chattanooga,  Jasper  was  detailed 
on  the  courier  service  between  Chattanooga 
and  the  front. 

In  Feb.,  1864,  the  Regt.  veteranized,  when 
the  men  were  granted  thirty  days  furlough. 
In  the  spring  they  were  reorganized  at  Nash 
ville,  where  they  were  supplied  with  fresh 
horses,  new  saddles,  and  other  necessaries.  On 
the  Rouseau  raid,  which  began  shortly  after 
this  and  lasted  13  days  and  nights,  the  Regt. 
was  almost  continuously  in  the  saddle  and  un- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


345 


der  the  enemy's  fire  throughout  the  raid. 
Though  the  men  endured  almost  every  priva 
tion  and  hardship,  nothing  could  deter  them 
from  their  purpose,  and  many  interesting  and 
important  victories  might  be  spoken  of,  if  lack 
of  space  did  not  prevent,  one,  worthy  of  men 
tion,  being  that  of  a  single  battalion,  belonging 
to  their  Regt.,  routing  a  rebel  Brig,  at  Cheraw 
Bridge,  Ala. 

After  the  I3th  day  the  men  returned  back 
to  the  Union  lines,  and  notwithstanding  their 
fatigued  condition,  were  on  the  third  day 
detailed  on  the  McCook  Raid,  and  the  3Qth 
was  the  only  Regt.  which  preserved  its  organi 
zation  on  the  raid  near  Atlanta.  It  charged 
the  enemy,  routing  them,  and  opening  the  way 
for  i  ,200  of  McCook's  men  to  make  their  escape. 
At  Jonesboro  it  assisted  in  the  capture  of  550 
wagons  loaded  with  supplies,  destroyed  a  lot 
of  property,  and  assisted  in  the  capture  of  five 
or  six  hundred  prisoners,  and  several  trains  of 
cars  freighted  with  provisions,  and  finally  tore 
up  several  miles  of  railroad  track,  heating  the 
rails  and  twisting  them  around  trees.  In  July, 
1864,  Jasper  was  taken  prisoner  by  Wheeler's 
Mounted  Infantry,  and  sent  to  that  living  tomb, 
Andersonville,  where  amid  such  privations  and 
such  terrible  scenes  as  human  pen  can  never 
portray,  he  was  held  until  after  the  fall  of  At 
lanta.  He  was  then  transferred  to  Charleston, 
S.  C.,  and  placed  in  such  a  position  that  if  the 
city  should  be  fired  upon,  the  prisoners  would 
be  the  first  to  be  killed.  After  being  guarded 
here  upon  the  open  common,  for  about  three 
weeks,  he  was  removed  to  Florence,  80  miles 
eastward,  and  placed  in  an  open  stockade 
where  he  was  kept  until  the  closing  days  of 
the  war,  when  he  was  again  transferred  to 
Richmond,  Va.,  and  placed  in  Libby  Prison,  in 
company  with  so  many  other  poor,  tired,  hun 
gry  soldiers,  that  as  they  lay  crowded  together 
"  spoon  fashion  "  upon  the  hard,  dirty  floors,  it 
was  necessary  if  one  wished  to  turn  over,  for 
all  to  turn.  After  being  kept  here  for  two  days 
and  three  nights,  suffering  from  scurvy  and 
rheumatism,  he  was  discharged  from  prison  and 
sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  where  he  remained  for 
two  weeks,  obtaining  clean  clothes  and  some 


money.  While  being  forwarded  to  Camp 
Chase,  Ohio,  he  was  left  off  with  the  sick,  at 
Grafton,  Va.,  until  he  should  recover  his  health 
sufficiently  to  continue.  Upon  arriving  at 
Camp  Chase,  he  was  granted  a  furlough  home, 
where  he  remained  for  thirty  days.  In  pursu 
ance  of  an  order,  he  now  reported  at  Indian 
apolis,  but  before  he  could  rejoin  his  Regt., 
the  war  being  over,  he  was  discharged,  mus 
tered  out,  and  returned  home.  In  Juneof  1865, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Brandon,  and 
shortly  after  moved  to  111.  They  are  now  the 
parents  of  five  children:  Lillie  May,  born  May 
13,  1866;  Vitilla,  b.  Jan.  i,  1870;  Alice  Elizabeth, 
b.  Feb.  13,  1872;  Charles  Elmer,  b.  Aug.  14, 
1878;  and  Archie  Brandon,  b.  Jan.  17,  1882,  all 
living.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  140, 
G.  A.  R.,  and  a  Republican  in  politics,  while 
his  wife,  himself  and  oldest  daughter  are  mem 
bers  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  at  Champaign. 


JOHN  A.  PECKHAM,the  gentlemanly  shipping 
clerk  of  the  Challenge  Wind  &  Feed 
Mill  Company,  of  Batavia,  111.,  was  born 
May  24,  1840,  at  Akron,  Ohio,  a  son  of  George 
A.  and  Rhoda  (Hunter)  Peckham,  who  were 
both  of  English  descent.  The  senior  Peckham 
was  a  cabinet  maker  by  trade,  later  took  up  farm 
ing,  and  during  President  Buchanan's  adminis 
tration  was  Postmaster  at  Middlebury,  now 
East  Akron,  Ohio.  (He  was  also  in  an  official 
capacity  of  that  city.)  John  was  the  I2th  of  a 
family  of  14  children,  of  whom  10  are  living. 
-He  was  reared  and  educated  at  his  native  town, 
and  commenced  life  as  a  blacksmith.  In  1860 
he  and  his  brother  Sidney  came  to  Batavia,  and 
engaged  as  blacksmiths  with  the  Newton  Wagon 
Company.  In  this  capacity  they  continued  un 
til  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  when,  in  response 
to  the  first  call  of  President  Lincoln,  they  both 
dropped -their  hammers  and  enlisted  three  dif 
ferent  times  in  Ed.  Swain's  Company.  Each 
time  they  were  rejected,  the  quota  having  al 
ready  been  filled.  But  they  were  determined 
to  go  to  war,  and  accordingly  went  on  to  Chi 
cago,  where,  July  20,  1861,  they  enlisted  in  Co. 


346 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


B.,  ist  111.  Art.,  known  as  the  famous  Taylor's 
Battery,  and  at  once  went  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo. 
Their  first  experience  under  fire  was  at  Freder- 
icktown,  Oct.  26,  and  Nov.  7  they  fought  val 
iantly  in  the  battle  of  Belmont,  the  Co.  losing 
one  killed,  and  some  wounded.  Next,  the 
"boys"  moved  to  Fort  Henry,  only  to  find  it 
just  surrendered,  and  Feb.  13,  1862,  we  find  our 
brother  comrades  at  bloody  Fort  Donelson, 
fighting  with  scarce  any  intermission  for  three 
days.  April  6  and  7  commemorates  their  hot 
test  fight,  the  tragic  battle  of  Shiloh.  During 
the  engagement  the  Co.  was  transferred  to 
Sherman's  Div.,  being  right  up  to  the  front,  a 
fourth  time  suffering  in  killed  and  wounded. 
Shortly  they  participated  in  the  siege  of  Cor 
inth,  then  moved  onward,  fighting  nearly  the 
entire  way  to  Memphis. 

Here  they  went  into  winter  quarters,  and 
in  the  spring  moved  on  with  Sherman  to 
Chickasaw  Bayou,  Arkansas  Post,  returning  to 
near  Vicksburg,  they  attested  themselves  with 
valor  at  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills  and 
throughout  all  the  seiges,  battles  and  hardships 
of  the  long  and  memorable  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
from  May  19,  to  July  4,  1863.  Then  ensued 
months  of  marching,  minor  engagements  fol 
lowed  by  the  hottest  and  most  stubbornly  and 
desperately  fought  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge, 
Nov.  23-25.  1863.  Onward  to  Knoxville  to 
relieve  Burnside,  going  into  winter  quarters  at 
Larkinsville.  May  I,  the  gallant  "  boys"  start 
ed  out  with  Sherman  on  his  Atlanta  Campaign, 
and  shortly  comrade  Peckham  is  gallantly  en 
gaged  all  through  those  fights  including  the 
battles  of  Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mt,  Mill 
Grove  and  many  others.  At  Springfield  111., 
July  23,  1864,  our  subject  was  mustered  out 
after  three  years,  of  gallant  service,  never  hav 
ing  lost  a  day  of  duty. 

Returning  home  he  resumed  his  former 
position  and  three  years  later  occupied  his 
present  position  which  he  has  faithfully  held 
without  interruption  since.  Mr.  Peckham  was 
married  June  14,  1866,  to  Mary  J.  Burr,  daugh 
ter  of  Curtis  and  Bethesba  Burr,  and  a  native  of 
Williamsville,  N.  Y.  By  this  union  four  child- 
red  were  born,  three  of  whom  are  living. 


Comrade  Peckham  is  a  Mason,  and  is  Junior 
Vice  Commander  of  the  Batavia  G.  A.  R.  Post, 
in  which  he  has  held  other  offices.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Christain  Church,  a  true  soldier 
and  an  affable  gentleman. 


WILLIAM  WARRINGTON  KERNS,  of  Morris, 
111.,  is  a  native  of  Ross  Co.,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  born  June  6,  1836.  His 
parents  were  Andrew  and  Nancy  Kerns.  His 
mother  was  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Charlotte 
White,  the  former  of  German,  and  Charlotte 
White  was  a  Dunning  of  Scotch  descent.  Grand 
father  White  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution 
and  was  with  Gen.  Washington  at  Valley  Forge. 
Here  he  was  an  eye  witness  when  Washington 
tied  his  shoe,  a  scene  which  is  represented  in 
historic  pictures,  and  his  first  wife  was  a  sister 
of  President  Monroe. 

The  Kerns  were  old  settlers  in  Greenfield, 
Ohio.  Andrew  Kerns  was  a  soldier  in  the  Mex 
ican  war,  ranking  as  captain  of  his  company. 
William  Warrington  Kerns  spent  the  first  years 
of  his  life  on  a  farm  in  Ohio.  In  1852,  his  par 
ents  with  a  family  of  five  children  moved  to 
Morris,  111.  Of  this  family,  father,  mother,  two 
brothers  and  two  sisters,  with  the  wife  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  are  buried  in  Evergreen 
Cemetery.  Finishing  his  studies  in  the  schools 
at  Morris,  Mr.  Kerns  early  responded  to  the  call 
of  his  country  and  enlisted  Aug.  i,  1861,  in  Co. 
G.,  36th  111.  Vol.,  and  went  at  once  into  Camp 
Hammond,  near  Aurora,  111.,  where  the  Regt. 
was  mustered  into  service.  Sept.  29,  it  moved 
to  St.  Louis  and  a  few  days  later  went  into  camp 
at  Rolla,  Mo.,  where  the  infantry  received  arms, 
In  Feb.,  a  march  was  made  to  Ark.  and  in  the 
battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  March  8,  1862,  Co.  G.  lost 
13  men  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  Regt.  was 
then  sent  into  Mo.,  and  was  in  the  action  at 
Cape  Girardeau.  and  siege  of  Corinth.  In  the 
early  part  of  Sept.,  orders  were  given  to  move 
to  Cincinnati,  and  Sept.  I,  it  met  Bragg  at  Cov- 
ington,  Ky. 

At  this  battle  Mr.  Kerns  was  hit  by  a  minie 
ball  which  passed  through  his  body.  He  was 
taken  to  the  hospital,  where,  as  his  wound  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


347 


considered  mortal,  nothing  was  done,  for  him 
for  seven  days.  When  Dr.  Hughes  succeeded 
Dr.  White  in  the  hospital,  the  case  came  to  his 
notice  and  was  given  every  attention.  In  Feb. 
he  was  able  to  rejoin  his  Regt.  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  just  as  it  was  ready  to  start  for  Stone 
River,  where  it  was  hotly  engaged,  and  suffered 
a  loss  "of  I  officer,  21  non-commissioned  officers 
and  41  privates  killed,  and  not  less  than  100  in 
wounded  and  missing.  The  next  fight  was  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  the  right  met 
severe  losses,  Co.  G.  going  into  action  with  29 
men  and  3  officers,  and  coming  out  with  11  men 
and  i  officer.  Here  Mr.  Kerns  was  nearly  cap 
tured  by  the  enemy  as  he  was  detailed  on  the 
wagon  corps  driving  the  medicine  wagon. 
Being  at  one  time  outside  the  line  the  rebel 
cavalry  was  within  40  rods  of  him  when  he  put 
the  whip  to  the  mules,  at  the  suggestion  of  Dr. 
Pierce  of  the  88th  111.,  and  escaped.  The  next 
battle  was  at  Missionary  Ridge,  when  the  Regt. 
lost  about  26  men.  It  was  then  sent  to  re 
inforce  Gen.  Burnside  at  Knoxville,  Tenn., 
where  it  remained  until  Jan.  i,  1864.  At  this 
time  a  call  was  made  for  the  enlistment  of 
veterans  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war,  and 
although  Co.  G.  had  only  1 1  men  left,  every 
one,  with  but  a  single  exception,  re-enlisted 
and  received  a  30  day  furlough.  After  return 
ing  to  Chattanooga,  a  start  was  made  on  the 
celebrated  campaign  of  Atlanta,  May  6,  which 
was  almost  a  continual  succession  of  battles, 
many  of  which  may  be  noted:  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Lost  Mountain,  Kenesaw  Mt., 
Peach  Tree,  Creek  and  Atlanta.  At  the  battle 
of  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Mr.  Kerns  was  so  severely 
wounded  by  a  piece  of  shell  that  he  was  sent 
back  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  from  thence  he 
was  removed  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  he  re 
mained  until  able  to  return  to  his  regiment, 
which  was  then  at  Huntsville  Ala.,  but  was 
soon  ordered  to  Bull's  Gap.  While  encamped  at 
Blue  Springs,  Tenn.,  April  10,  1865,  the  soldiers 
received  the  news  of  Lee's  surrender,  which 
occasioned  a  great  jubilee  and  general  rejoic 
ing,  but  a  few  days  later,  when  the  assassination 
of  President  Lincoln  was  known,  the  men  were 
bowed  down  with  grief. 


From  Blue  Springs,  the  Regt.  returned  to 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  June  15,  1865,  it  was  trans 
ported  by  R.  R.  to  Johnsonville,  where  trans 
ports  were  provided  to  take  them  to  New  Or 
leans.  Here  Gen.  Sheridan  detailed  the  36th 
for  headquarters,  on  special  duty.  Its  camp 
was  on  the  old  Gen.  Jackson  battleground. 
Sept.  2Oth,  on  account  of  sickness,  Mr.  Kerns 
went  home  for  a  time,  but  was  soon  ordered  to 
Springfield,  111.,  to  be  mustered  out  with  his 
Regt.  During  this  furlough  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Ellen  Hennessy,  Oct.  II,  1865, 
and  she  accompanied  him  to  Springfield,  where 
he  was  mustered  out  Oct.  8th,  with  the  rank  of 
Sergeant.  John  Hennessy,  a  brother  of  Mrs. 
Kerns,  served  in  the  ii3thlll.  Inf. 

After  retiring  from  this  long  and  faithful 
service  for  his  country,  bearing  indelible  marks 
of  his  devotion  and  sacrifice,  he  engaged  in 
the  occupation  of  farming,  in  which  he  still, 
continues,  occupying  the  old  homestead  just 
north  of  the  city  of  Morris.  His  faithful  com 
panion  died  Sept.  26,  1887,  leaving  to  his  care 
three  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  living. 
They  are  Alice  Bell,  Chas.  Edward  and  Anna 
Aldrich.  Charles  is  at  present  studying  law  in 
Chicago  and  the  daughters  are  at  home.  They 
are  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  of 
which  their  mother  was  a  member. 

In  politics  Mr.  Kerns  is  a  Republican,  and  it 
is  said  that  but  one  Kerns  has  ever  been  a  Dem 
ocrat.  He  is  also  an  active  member  of  the  G. 
A.  R.,  a  charter  member  of  Post  329,  and  has 
creditably  filled  the  office  of  Quartermaster, 
also  has  been  chairman  of  Committee  of  Ap 
plications  since  its  organization.  He  takes 
great  interest  in  G.  A.  R.  affairs,  and  has  at 
tended  the  last  four  National  Encampments, 
and  intends  to  be  present  at  all  as  long  as  he 
lives. 


JOHN  C.  MITCHELL    enlisted  in  the    Union 
army  March  4th,  1862,  and  was   mustered 
in  as  a  private   in   Co.   A.,    5/th    111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  March  i8th.    He  proceeded  immediately  to 
the  front,  joining  his    Regt.  at  Crump's  Land 
ing,  Tenn.,  and  accompanied  it  by  transports 


343 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


up  the  river  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  where  it  re 
mained  until  Sunday  morning,  April  6th,  when 
firing  was  heard  towards  the  front  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Corinth.  It  soon  became  evident  a 
terrible  struggle  was  at  hand,  consequently, 
preparations  were  immediately  made  therefor, 
by  supplying  the  men  with  amunition,etc.,  and 
marching  them  out  from  camp  upon  the  Cor 
inth  road.  Having  arrived  at  the  front  they 
found  that  the  famous  battle  of  Shiloh  had 
opened.  The  57th,  after  being  held  for  a  short 
time  in  reserve,  was  ordered  to  the  support  of 
a  battery  then  sharply  engaged  with  the 
enemy,  to  the  left  of  the  lines.  The  battery 
was  gradually  moved  to  the  left,  and  the  57th 
was  charged  viciously  by  the  enemy.  In  the 
afternoon  the  Regt.  was  ordered  farther  to  the 
left  and  to  advance,  which  it  did,  and  en 
countered  the  rebels  in  immense  numbers,  but 
had  not  proceeded  far  before  a  murderous  fire 
was  opened  upon  both  sides,  and  during  the 
next  20  minutes  a  constant  roar  of  muskets 
was  heard.  The  men  of  the  57th  fought  nobly 
.so  long  as  their  weapons  held  out,  but  after  a 
few  rounds  their  old  altered  flint-lock  muskets 
fouled,  rendering  them  useless,  as  the  cart 
ridges  could  not  be  forced  into  the  barrel  even 
when  the  men  in  their  desperation,  to  drive 
the  charges  home,  would  strike  the  ramrods 
against  stumps  and  stones.  Failing,  however, 
even  in  this  extremity,  they  seized  the  weapons 
of  wounded  or  dead  comrades  and  used  them  so 
long  as  they  were  of  service.  The  contest, 
however,  was  unequal,  and  being  without  sup 
port  and  flanked  on  both  sides,  the  gallant 
command  to  escape  capture  was  forced  to  re 
tire,  under  a  storm  of  grape  and  canister  shot 
from  the  enemy's  cannons,  which  continued 
until  checked  by  the  Union  artillery,  which  by 
this  time  had  been  placed  in  position,  and 
opened  fire  on  the  pursuers  with  awful  effect, 
checking  their  advance  and  starting  them  on 
the  retreat  in  confusion.  Night  closed  upon 
the  scene,  leaving  the  Regt.  to  mourn  the  loss 
of  187  of  its  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 

The  day  of  this  battle,  with  thousands  of 
dead  and  wounded  upon  the  field,  appeared 
dark  and  dreary  enough,  but  night  setting  in, 


accompanied  by  a  terrific  rain  and  thunder 
storm,  lent  new  horrors  to  the  soldier  life;  the 
rain  came  down  in  torrents,  and  the  suffering 
endured  by  those  who  were  lying  wounded 
upon  the  field  during  that  terrible  night,  can 
scarcely  be  pictured  to  the  mind.  The  longest 
night,  however,  has  an  end,  and  that  of  Sunday, 
6th  of  April,  1862,  was  not  an  exception;  in  fact, 
morning  came  too  soon  for  many.  At  day 
break,  Mr.  Mitchell  with  his  Regt.  moved 
into  position  near  the  center  of  the  line  and 
participated  in  the  general  advance  upon  the 
enemy,  and  after  a  stubborn  fight,  lasting  until 
the  afternoon,  the  latter  began  to  give  way  and 
by  night  were  forced  into  a  general  retreat.  He 
was  afterward  engaged  in  the  siege  and  battle 
of  Corinth,  and  continued  in  the  vicinity  of 
that  place  during  the  fall  and  following  winter. 
In  April,  1863,  he  joined  in  the  expedition  to 
Town  Creek  and  Tuscumbia,  Ala.  In  Jan.  1864, 
the  Regt.  veteranized—  with  the  exception  of 
Co.  C.,  and  a  few  new  men  from  each  of  the 
other  companies-  and  the  boys  were  granted  a 
30  day  furlough,  of  which  they  took  advantage 
and  returned  to  their  respective  homes.  Re 
turning  to  his  Regt.  Mr.  Mitchell  afterwards 
joined  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  until  Resaca 
was  reached,  and  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of 
Resaca,  and  Rome  Cross  Roads.  His  Regt. 
remained  near  Rome,  Ga.,  performing  garrison 
duty  with  occasional  raids  into  the  surrounding 
country  until  after  the  fall  of  Atlanta. 

Oct.  4th  his  Co.  as  also  company  B.  proceeded 
to  Allatoona  Pass  to  reinforce  the  garrison 
there  stationed,  and  on  the  following  day  the 
two  companies  acted  in  front  in  the  skirmish 
line,  but  were  soon  driven  in.  The  rebels  charged 
all  along  the  union  lines,  but  were  repulsed  on 
every  occasion  until  the  afternoon,  when  the 
enemy  withdrew  leaving  their  dead  and 
wounded  upon  the  field.  Again  at  Cave 
Spring's  Road  his  regiment  had  a  short,  sharp 
battle  resulting  in  several  casualties.  He 
joined  in  the  march  to  the  sea,  and  shared  in 
all  the  hardships  and  privations  of  that  inter 
esting  yet  successful  campaign,  then  followed 
the  march  through  the  Carolinas.  The  march 
was  greatly  impeded  by  the  enemy,  and  severe 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


349 


skirmishes  were  engaged  in  from  time  to  time  ; 
among  the  number  being  those  of  Branchville, 
Salkehatchie  and  Edisto  Rivers,  and  afterward 
it  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bentonville.  After 
the  surrender  of  Gen.  Johnston,  it  started  toward 
Washington  and  took  part  in  the  Grand  Review. 
The  Regt.  was  mustered  out  near  Louisville,  Ky. 
July  7,  1865,  then  proceeded  to  Chicago,  where 
Mr.  Mitchell  was  paid  off  and  finally  discharged 
July  14.  He  returned  to  Maiden  and  continued 
there  until  1866,  when  he  removed  to  N.  Y. 
State  working  there  until  1874,  then  returned 
to  Maiden  which  he  has  made  his  permanent 
home.  He  was  born  in  Tioga  Co.,  Pa.,  but  when 
a  child  moved  with  his  parents  to  N.  Y.  State 
and  was  there  brought  upon  a  farm.  He  learned 
the  carpenter  trade,  and  subsequently  the  car 
riage  building  business  which  he  has  followed 
on  his  own  account  at  Maiden. 

He  married  Miss  Orlina  M.  Lathrop,  Dec. 
23,  18/4,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  Mabel 
and  William,  now  living.  He  was  of  a  warrior 
family,  his  grandfather,  James  Mitchell,  having 
been  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  while  his  three 
brothers  were  in  the  late  rebellion.  George  F. 
and  James  were  in  N.  Y.  regiments,  and  Jacob 
in  the  55th  Ohio.  George  was  wounded  in  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run  and  Jacob  was  wounded 
at  Gettysburg,  resulting  afterwards  in  his  death. 


ANDREW  J.  RUARK,  of  Quincy,  111.,  is  a  na 
tive  of  Wabash  Co.,  same  State,  where 
he  was  born  Oct.  31,  1842,  and  is  the  son 
of  Erastus  and  Sidney  (Martin)  Ruark,  who 
were  natives  of  Ohio,  and  were  among  the  pio 
neers  of  the  "Sucker"  State.  Twelve  children 
were  born  to  them — William,  Mary,  Nancy,  Mc- 
Henry,  John,  Bertha,  Diadena,  Fannie,  Andrew 
J.,  Robert,  Lewis  and  Louisa.  Of  these  seven 
are  living.  McHenry  served  3  years  in  the 
1 1 9th  111.  Inf.  Robert,  who  was  in  the  same  Co. 
and  Regt.  as  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  enlist 
ed  August,  1 86 1,  and  was  mustered  out  June, 
1865. 


The  elder  Ruark  was  a  farmer  and  a  cooper 
by  trade.  In  1849  ne  located  at  Pleasant  View, 
111.,  where  he  carried  on  a  cooperage  business 
until  1870,  when  he  removed  to  Browning,  111., 
and  there  died  in  1879.  His  widow  is  now  liv 
ing  with  her  son,  McHenry,  in  Warren  Co.,  111., 
in  her  84th  year. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  secured  his  educa 
tion  in  the  public  schools,  learning  during  this 
period  the  cooper  trade  of  his  father,  working 
at  the  business  up  to  the  time  of  his  enlistment, 
which  was  in  August,  1861,  in  Co.  G.,  28th  111. 
Inf.  He  enlisted  at  Rushville,  rendezvoused  at 
Camp  Butler,  where  the  Regt.  was  organized, 
and  where  it  went  into  drill.  It  moved  early  to 
St.  Louis,  where  it  was  armed  and  equipped 
and  then  went  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  and  camped 
for  sometime.  There  crossed  the  river  into 
Ky.  and  went  into  camp  at  Fort  Holt,  where 
they  erected  log  cabins  and  remained  until  the 
expedition  up  the  Tennessee  to  Fort  Henry. 
While  in  camp  at  Fort  Holt,  Mr.  Ruark  had  his 
first  experience  in  war,  being  among  a  squad  of 
160  men  detached  on  a  scouting  expedition  to 
Bethel,  Ky.  The  object  was  to  intercept  a 
number  of  rebel  officers,  who  were  on  their  way 
to  Columbus,  Ky.  They  had  a  sharp  encounter 
with  the  rebel  party,  but  failed  to  capture  them. 
Moving  up  the  Tennessee  the  troops  disem 
barked  below  Fort  Henry  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river,  and  marched  around  to  Fort  Hyman, 
when  they  discovered  that  the  rebels  had  evac 
uated  the  Forts.  The  troops  lay  in  camp  then 
until  March,  when  they  were  ordered  up  the 
Tennessee  to  Pittsburg  Landing. 

Mr.  Ruark  took  part  in  the  fight  at  Shiloh, 
receiving  a  wound  in  the  right  thigh.  He  was 
sent  to  a  hospital  at  St.  Louis,  remaining  there 
until  May  3,  when  receiving  a  furlough  he  went 
home.  His  furlough  was  extended  three  times, 
when  he  reported  for  duty,  joining  his  Regt. 
at  Memphis.  He  was  still  unfit  for  duty  and 
when  the  Regt.  moved  remained  in  the  hospital 
at  Memphis.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  March  9, 
1863,  at  Collierville,  Tenn.,  and  soon  after  it 
moved  to  Memphis,  where  he  was  taken  with 
the  smallpox,  and  was  again  sent  to  the  hos 
pital.  Upon  his  recovery  he  was  detailed  at 


350 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  hospital  as  ward  master,  remaining  until 
July  25,  when  he  rejoined  his  comrades  at  Vicks- 
burg.  In  Sept.  he  went  with  his  command  to 
Natchez,  and  in  Oct.  he  joined  the  expedition 
into  W.  La.  under  command  of  Gen.  Gresham. 

In  Feb.,  Mr.  Ruark  re-enlisted  and  went 
home  on  a  furlough,  May  following.  Returned 
to  Natchez  in  June,  where  he  remained  until 
Sept.,  when  he  went  with  hisRegt.  to  Morganzia 
Bend,  thence  to  White  River  and  Memphis, 
where  he  remained  until  Jan.,  1865.  The  next 
move  was  to  Kennerville,  La.,  where  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  New 
Orleans,  being  very  much  emaciated  and  broken 
down  in  health.  Recovering  somewhat  he  was 
detailed  to  service  in  a  mustering  office,  and 
was  then  sent  to  the  Marine  Hospital,  where 
he  was  on  duty  until  he  was  discharged,  June 
27,  1865,  and  returned  home.  Later  he  located 
in  Virginia,  Cass  Co.,  111.,  where  hefollowed  his 
trade. 

He  was  married  June  1st,  1862  (while  on  a 
furlough)  to  Melison  M.  Middleton,  a  native  of 
Green  Co.,  111.,  born  Dec.  26,  1842.  They  have 
three  children — Ida  May,  now  Mrs.  Wilkey, 
living  near  Virginia,  111.;  Thomas  E.,  died  in 
1871;  Louisa  J.,  married  to  Henry  Bowman,  re 
siding  at  Beardstown,  111.  Mrs.  Ruark  died 
Aug.  25,  1874.  Mr.  Ruark  was  married  the 
second  time  Nov.  27,  1875,  to  Samantha  Mor- 
rill,  who  died  May  I,  1880,  leaving  two  chil 
dren — Effie  M.,  who  died  when  young;  and 
Charles  E.,  who  resides  in  Warren  Co.  with  his 
uncle  McHenry. 

Mr.  Ruark  worked  at  his  trade  until  the  fall 
of  1890,  wh'en  he  completely  broke  down  in 
health,  and  Jan.  24,  1891,  he  went  to  the  Sol 
diers'  Home  at  Quincy,  whereby  good  conduct 
and  industrious  habits  he  has  won  the  confidence 
of  the  officers  and  has  been  honored  with  the 
appointment  of  Sergeant  of  cottage  No.  11. 
He  has  charge  of  the  men  in  his  ward,  subject 
to  such  rules  and  regulations  as  are  made  by 
the  officials  in  command. 

Mr.  Ruark  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post 
No.  321,  and  is  a  pensioner.  It  is  a  satisfaction 
to  know  that  a  citizen  who  served  his  country 
so  faithfully  as  Mr.  Ruark,  and  whose  health 


and  constitution  were  ruined  thereby,  has  been 
recognized  by  the  government  for  his  valuable 
services,  and  his  declining  years  pleasantly  and 
generously  provided  for. 


OUR  present  subject,  Martin  Luther  Ben 
nett,  of  Quincy,  111.,  was  born  at  Shel- 
byville,  Ind.,  May  27,  1837,  and  was  a 
son  of  Arson  and  Margaret  P.  (Guyme)  Ben 
nett,  the  father  a  native  of  N.  J.,  born  May  15, 
1801,  the  mother  born  May  3.  1799,  in  Pa.  Our 
subject  had  the  following  brothers  and  sisters: 
Ephraim  B.  and  Rachel  O.,  by  Anson  Bennett's 
first  wife  Elizabeth  Campbell;  Frances  M.,  by 
Margaret  P.,  the  2nd  wife;  and  John  B.,  Hattie 
B.,  and  George  M.,  by  Cynthia  Ann,  the  third 
wife. 

His  paternal  grandfather  was  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  having  served  his  country  for 
7  years,  four  of  which  he  was  Col.  of  a  Regt. 
Martin's  brother,  Ephraim,  was  a  member  of 
the  74th  111.  Inf.  during  the  late  Rebellion, 
as  was  also  Frances  M.'s  husband,  Thos.  A. 
Edwards,  whilst  Rachel's  two  sons  were  like 
wise  in  the  army,  one  of  whom,  Theodore 
Weeks,  was  killed  at  Fort  Donelson.  Mr.  Ben 
nett  removed  to  Urbana,  111.,  when  17  years  of 
age  and  from  there  went  to  Iowa  in  1861.  He 
was  educated  in  a  log  schoolhouse,  after  which 
he  followed  various  pursuits  until  the  war 
period. 

On  Sept.  15,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  army  at 
Vinton,  la.,  rendezvoused  at  Davenport,  la., 
where  he  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  a 
private  in  Co.  G.,  I3th  Iowa  Vol.  Inf.  His 
Regt.  was  assigned  to  Col.  Crocker's  Brig., 
McArthur's  Div.,  and  after  Vicksburg,  was  in 
Gen.  McPherson's  Corps.  Briefly  stated  the 
trackless  wanderings  of  the  Regt.,  without  tak 
ing  into  account  the  many  sinuous  paths  and 
marches  undertaken  by  it  from  the  main  line  of 
march  may  be  briefly  stated  as  follows:  Leav 
ing  Davenport  it  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
thence  to  Jefferson  City,  returning  to  St.  Louis, 
then  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  on  to  Corinth  and 
Bolivar,  then  back  to  Corinth,  thence  to  Mem- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


351 


phis,  afterward  to  Oxford,  Miss.,  returning  to 
Holly  Springs,  again  on  to  Memphis,  and  sub 
sequently  to  Vicksburg,  Miss.  Mr.  Bennett 
participated  in  the  terrible  battles  of  Shiloh, 
Corinth,  and  in  the  siege  at  the  latter  place,  as 
also  in  the  assaults  upon  Vicksburg,  May  19 
and  22d,  then  continued  in  the  trenches  around 
the  latter  city  until  its  surrender,  July  4,  1863. 
Soon  after  this  he  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  employed  at  Rock  Island,  and 
Washington,  D.  C.  From  Jan.  1865,  until  April 
1866,  he  was  in  Hancock's  1st  Vet.  Vol.  Corps, 
stationed  for  a  time  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  then 
at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  subsequently  at  Louis 
ville,  Ky.  He  was  promoted  to  be  2nd  Lieut. 
of  the  4th  Regt.  Vet.  Vol.  in  July,  1865,  and  to 
ist  Lieut,  in  the  following  Dec.,  and  as  such 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service  at  Columbus, 
Ohio. 

After  quitting  the  army  he  returned  to  Dav 
enport,  la.,  and  has  been  engaged  in  various 
pursuits  from  that  time  forward.  He  was  mar 
ried  Sept.  15,  1865,  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  to  Ida 
Alice  Foster. 

He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  four 
years,  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  has  served 
one  year  as  J.  V.  C.,  and  is  now  (1892)  Adj't. 
of  Col.  L.  W.  Shepherd  Post,  No.  628,  Dep't. 
of  111.  G.  A.  R. 


CHRISTIAN  HAAS,  of  Peru,  111.,  was  born  in 
Germany,  Sept.  3,  1836,  and  immigrated 
to  this  country  with  his   parents  when 
only  seven  years  of  age,  and  with  them  located 
in  Peru.     He  subsequently  learned    the  cooper 
trade  at  which  he  continued  to  be    employed 
until  he  engaged  in  the  brewing  business  here 
after  referred  to. 

He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Wagner,  born 
Jan.  29,  1843,  a  native  of  Pa.,  in  Nov.  12,  1861, 
and  four  children  are  the  result  of  this  mar 
riage.  The  two  surviving  ones  are  Louisa,  mar 
ried  Jan.  8,  1875,  to  Geo.  Wasom,  and  Katie, 
married  Nov.  14,  1889,  to  Frederick  Ecken- 
felder.  Mr.  Haas  joined  the  Union  army  Sept. 
26,  1864,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in 


Co.  A.,  44th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  at  Springfield,  and 
subsequently  joined  his  Regt.  in  the  battle  of 
Franklin,  and  although  the  engagement  was 
short,  it  was,  while  it  lasted,  one  of  the  most 
desperate  struggles  in  which  his  Regt.  had  been 
engaged  during  the  war.  Col.  Opdyke,  com 
mander  of  the  brigade  afterwards  in  a  general 
order,  under  instructions  from  his  superior  of 
ficer,  gave  the  honor  of  gaining  the  victory  and 
saving  the  army,  to  this  brigade.  From  Frank 
lin  his  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Nashville  and  took 
part  in  the  battle  fought  there  on  Dec.  15,  and 
16,  1864,  resulting  in  a  magnificent  victory  for 
the  Union  arms,  and  the  shattering  of  the  rebel 
forces  under  Gen.  Hood,  who,  with  the  rem 
nant  of  his  troops,  retreated,  being  pursued  by 
the  44th  until  the  Tennessee  Riverwas  reached 
when  the  chase  was  abandoned.  The  Regt. 
afterward  moved  to  Huntsville,  Ala.,  where  it 
went  into  camp  for  the  winter,  and  there  con 
tinued  until  March  28,  following,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  Knoxville,  then  to  Blue  Springs,  by 
way  of  Bull's  Gap.  It  remained  at  Bull's  Gap 
until  April  9,  when  the  rebel  army  of  Virginia 
having  surrendered  to  Gen.  Grant,  it  was  or 
dered  to  Nashville,  where  Mr.  Haas  partici 
pated  for  three  days,  the  second  day  he  was  in 
the  front.  He  was  subsequently  mustered  out 
and  discharged,  June  15,  1865.  Although  he 
had  not  the  privilege  of  being  engaged  in 
many  battles,  he  had  numerous  narrow  escapes 
from  being  wounded  if  not  killed,  having  had 
his  clothes  perforated  in  many  places  with  bul 
lets,  as  well  as  his  canteen  shot  off.  He  re 
ceived  an  accidental  wound  in  his  left  foot  dur 
ing  his  service  in  the  army.  After  the  war  he 
embarked  in  the  brewing  business  for  one  year, 
then  in  accordance  with  his  family's  wish  he 
discontinued  this  and  engaged  in  farming  until 
1871,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  contract 
ing  and  building  business  in  Peru,  and  in  1879, 
Established  himself  in  the  furniture  and  under 
taking  business  pursuing  it  until  1890  when  he 
retired  from  active  business,  having  made  a 
success  in  all  of  his  callings.  He  is  a  member 
of  Post  No.  556,  G.  A.  R.  at  Peru,  as  also  a 
member  of  the  Turnverein  Society  at  the  same 
place.  Mr.  Haas  has  by  his  ability  and  energy 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


accumulated  considerable  real  and  personal 
property,  and  owing  to  the  public  spirit  and 
enterprise  always  displayed  by  him,  became  a 
prominent  citizen,  deservedly'  respected  and 
admired  by  his  many  friends  and  acquaint 
ances  throughout  that  section  of  the  country  in 
which  he  resides. 


M 


ILES  BOLAND,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Ireland,  Sept.  1839,  and 
immigrated  to  this  country  with  his 
parents  in  1846,  settling  in  New- York  City  and 
remaining  until  1852,  when  they  removed  to 
La  Salle,  111.,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
When  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out  he  de 
termined  to  offer  his  services  to  his  country 
and  enlisted  July  I,  1861,  at  Wenona,  and  was 
mustered  in  at  Chicago  Sept.  13,  as  a  private  in 
Co.  C.,  44th.  Ills.  Vol.  Inf.  The  Co,  was  ordered 
to  St  Louis  by  rail,  and  arrived  there  the  15, 
going  into  camp  at  Benton  Barracks,  and  re 
maining  till  the  22,  when  it  was  supplied 
with  arms  from  the  St.  Louis  Arsenal  and  trans 
ported  to  Jefferson  City.  From  there  it 
marched  to  Sedalia  and  was  there  assigned  to 
Gen.  Sigel's  Div.  It  remained  in  camp  drill 
ing,  scouting,  foraging,  until  Oct.  13,  when 
it  took  up  the  line  of  march  to  Springfield.  It 
then  went  to  Rolla  for  the  winter,  enduring 
much  suffering  from  sickness  and  hunger, 
many  dying  and  a  number  of  others  being  dis 
charged  because  of  their  incapacity  for  further 
service.  During  the  early  days  of  Feb.  1862, 
the  Regt.  took  up  the  line  of  march  toward 
Springfield  with  Gen.  Curtis  in  command. 
They  found  that  Price  had  concentrated  his 
forces  at  that  point,  but  he  concluded  his  safety 
lay  in  retreat,  and  as  the  Union  forces  ap 
proached,  the  rebels  retreated,  permitting  that 
city  to  come  under  Government  control  with 
out  a  struggle.  '  Price  was  pursued  by  the  44th, 
for  four  long  weary  days  with  six  inches  of 
snow  on  the  ground,  during  the  most  inclement 
weather,  having  the  monotony  occasionally 
broken  by  a  skirmish  with  the  retreating 
enemy.  After  leaving  Camp  Halleck  they 
moved  toward  Sugar  Creek  Valley,  where  the 


rear  guard  of  the  army  was  attacked  and  driven 
in,  thus  commencing  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge, 
which  resulted  so  disastrously  to  the  rebels. 
In  this  action  the  44th  took  its  full  share  of  the 
work  of  destruction,  and  was  justly  entitled  to 
its  share  of  praise  for  the  successful  result  of 
the  battle.  The  44th,  went  in  pursuit  of  the 
fleeing  rebels  whom  it  overtook,  capturing 
many  hundred  prisoners,  a  stand  of  colors,  and 
a  large  quantity  of  artillery.  Its  next  active 
service  was  at  the  siege  of  Corinth  where  it 
remained  until  the  evacuation. 

Cincinnati  and  Covington  being  threatened 
by  the  enemy  Mr.  Boland's  Brig,  was  ordered 
to  protect  these  places  against  the  enemy. 
From  there  it  followed  the  enemy  to  Louis 
ville,  and  shortly  afterward  went  with  Bragg  on 
his  campaign  through  Ky.  His  Regt.  was  in 
the  battle  of  Perry ville,  pursued  the  Rebels  to 
Crab  Orchard,  passed  through  Bowling  Green, 
thence  to  Nashville  where  it  relieved  the  gar 
rison. 

Then  the  Regt.  went  to  Murfreesboro,  after 
wards  taking  part  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River  in 
which  it  took  a  prominent  position,  losing  over 
half  its  number  on  the  field,  either  killed  or 
wounded.  At  Hoover's  Gap,  Shelbyville,  and 
Tallahoma  it  was  engaged,  also  in  the  movement 
on  Chattanooga.  After  the  battle  of  Chattanoo 
ga,  the  regiment  with  the  20th  Corps  crossed 
Sand  Mountain  and  moved  down  the  valley 
toward  Rome.  When  within  about  30  miles  of 
that  place,  news  was  received  that  the  rebel  for 
ces  under  Bragg  and  Longstreet  had  attacked 
the  main  army,  near  Chickamauga.  The  44th 
was  ordered  to  return  immediately  to  the  main 
army,  and  after  forced  marches  for  3  days 
and  nights,  it  arrived  on  the  field  to  take  part 
in  the  bloody  conflict  Sept.  19,  and  20,  1863.  It 
fell  back  then  with  its  command  to  Chatta 
nooga  where  it  remained  on  quarter  rations  until 
the  latter  part  of  Nov.  On  Nov.  25,  the  Regt. 
was  again  called  into  action  and  took  part  in  the 
memorable  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  where 
for  its  gallantry  it  received  the  praise  of  Gen. 
Sheridan. 

The  Regt.  then  went  on  a  forced  march  150 
miles  to  Knoxville,  but  the  siege  was  raised  be- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


353 


fore  its  arrival.  During  the  winter  of  1863-4, 
the  soldiers  were  obliged  to  exist  on  short  ra 
tions  and  suffered  very  much  from  the  severe 
weather  and  lack  of  nourishing  food,  many  dy 
ing  and  much  sickness  resulting  from  their  con 
dition.  Relief  came  in  the  shape  of  a  30  day 
furlough  which  was  gladly  taken  advantage  of 
by  those  who  had  been  able  to  withstand  the 
long  and  tedious  winter. 

In  the  spring  following  the  Regt.  joined  in 
the  Atlanta  campaign  and  participated  in  the 
following  battles  and  skirmishes:  Buzzard's 
Roost,  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resaca,  Adairs- 
ville,  Dallas,  New  Hope  Church,  Kenesaw  Mt., 
Gulp's  Farm,  Chattahoochie  River,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro.  Here  Mr.  Bo- 
land's  term  of  enlistment  expired  and  he  was 
musteredout  and  discharged  Sept.  13,  1864. 

At  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  he  was  wound 
ed  in  the  thigh,  and  was  in  the  hospitals  at 
Chattahoochie,  Nashville  and  Madison,  Indiana. 

After  his  discharge  he  returned  to  La  Salle 
and  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  has  followed 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  since.  He  has  now 
retired  from  active  business,  having  accumu 
lated  an  independence  by  his  shrewdness  and 
energy. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Bridget  Clansey, 
Jan.  12,  1868.  To  them  have  been  born  seven 
children — William,  John,  Katie,  Peter,  Miles 
Mary  and  Francis.  He  had  two  brothers  in 
the  war,  Michael  and  James,  the  latter  being 
Color  Bearer  in  an  111.  Regt. 

He  is  a  member  of  Post  N  o.  242,  G.  A.  R. 
and  draws  a  fair  pension. 


JOHN    H.    COREY,    of  Galesburg,     111.,    was 
born  in  Morgan  Co.,  same  State,  in    1841, 
a  nd  when    but  an  infant    his    parents  re 
moved  to  Bureau  Co.,  near  Princeton,  his  father 
taking  up  a  homestead  in  the  military   district 
with  his  muster  discharge.     Here  John  H.  was 
brought  up  and  given  such  an  education  as  the 
schools  of  that  period   afforded.     He  enlisted 

23 


Aug.   11,    1862,    in  Co.  B.,   931x1  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
known  as  the  Bureau   Co.   Regt.      Mr.  Corey 
went    into  camp    with    his  Regt.    at    Chicago, 
where  he   was   taken   sick  and    allowed  three 
days'  leave  of  absence   to  go  home,  remaining 
about  40  days  and  rejoining  his  command  at 
Memphis,  Tenn.     The  day  following  his  return 
he  started  on  the   march  to  ©xford,   Miss.,  but 
at  Holly  Springs  their  supplies  were  cut  off  by 
the    rebels    and   they  returned    to    Memphis, 
where  they  remained   for  a  week,  when  they 
went  to  Ridgewater  Station  on  the  Memphis  & 
Charleston  R.   R.     During  the   night  snow  fell 
to  the  depth  of  ten  inches,  and  Mr.  Corey  had 
his  first  experience  in  foraging,  securing  a  large 
cheese    from  a    wagon.     The    command  then 
proceeded  to  Vicksburg  by  the   river,  stopping 
below  Helena  on  Chuckaluck  Island,  a  forma 
tion  created    by    deposits  from    the    influx  of 
high  water  in  the  swamps,  which  were  in  some 
places  from    3    to     10  feet  deep.     Crossing     a 
swamp  in  the  quest  of  forage,  on  one  occasion, 
Mr.  Corey  was  obliged  to  swim  at  times  for  the 
space    of  three    hundred    yards.       The    next 
move    was   made  by  steamboat    down    Moon 
Lake  to  the  Yazoo  River.     On  their  return  to 
Helena,  they  had  an  altercation  with  an   Ind. 
Regt.,  who  accused  them  of  being  $40  men  and 
the  111.  boys  retaliated  by  reminding  them  that 
they  did  not  run  away  and  leave  their  colors  in 
a  fence  corner.     The  dispute  waxed  hot  and 
finally  some  fighting  was  done,  but  order  was 
quickly  restored  by  the  officers. 

The  command  moved  on  to  Millikens' 
Bend,  and  while  here  Mr.  Corey  volunteered 
to  run  the  blockade  of  Vicksburg  in  order  to 
get  a  furlough  for  his  brother-in-law,  but 
his  services  were  not  required,  he,  how 
ever,  procured  his  brother-in-law  a  fur 
lough  to  go  home  to  his  family.  He  returned 
to  his  Regt.  and  was  killed  at  Mission  Ridge. 
Mr.  Corey's  Regt.  went  next  to  Port  Gibson 
and  then  to  Jackson,  Miss.,  where  they  were  for 
the  first  time  engaged  in  battle  with  the  enemy. 
Mr.  Corey  was  with  his  Co.  on  the  skirmish 
line  and  assisted  in  the  capture  of  18  pieces  of 
artillery  and  about  50  prisoners.  The  retreat 
ing  rebels  had  set  fire  to  a  fuse  in  the  arsenal, 


354 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


into  which  the  men  were  gathered,  and  but  for 
the  timely  arrival  of  Sergt.  John  F.  Irey,  who 
extinguished  the  burning  fuse,  they  would 
have  been  blown  to  atoms.  In  this  battle  Mr. 
Corey  was  slightly  wounded,  in  the  left  hip 
and  on  the  tip  of  the  left  ear,  but  kept  with  his 
company  throughout  the  engagement.  The 
next  day  the  command  took  up  the  march  for 
Vicksburg,  and  May  1 8,  were  within  15  miles 
of  Champion  Hills  when  the  battle  at  that 
place  was  in  progress,  going  on  a  forced  march 
to  the  field,  which  was  reached  by  midday. 
They  participated  in  the  action,  the  Co.  going 
in  with  about  60  men  and  coming  out  with 
only  about  20.  Here  Mr.  Corey  was  again 
slightly  wounded,  receiving  a  scratch  on  the 
right  shoulder.  His  pants  were  badly  torn  and 
his  bare  legs  coming  in  contact  with  the  poison 
ivy  on  the  hurried  march,  he  was  for  years 
afterward  afflicted  with  a  running  sore,  causing 
much  pain  and  at  times  incapacitating  him  for 
active  service.  The  following  morning  the 
enemy  fell  back  across  the  Big  Black  River, 
and  the  93rd  111.  pushed  on  with  the  command 
to  the  works  around  Vicksburg,  taking  their 
position  in  the  line. 

They  were  in  the  gallant  charge  on  May 
22d,  during  which  Mr.  Corey  was  overcome  by 
the  heat,  and  losing  consciousness  was  con 
veyed  to  the  hospital  in  the  rear,  being  much 
astonished,  on  recovering  his  senses,  at  being 
there.  One  of  his  comrades  had  borne  him  off 
during  the  terrific  onslaught.  He  was  able  to 
rejoin  his  company  the  next  day  and  go  with 
it  to  the  Big  Black  River,  where  the  men  were 
engaged  in  the  construction  of  breastworks 
until  the  fall  of  Vicksburg.  They  then  moved 
on  to  Jackson,  stopping  at  Clinton,  and  return 
ing  to  Vicksburg,  camped  on  the  edge  of  the 
city.  Here  the  men  were  permitted  to  draw 
lots  for  furloughs,  Mr.  Corey  being  successful, 
and  this  was  the  way  he  provided  his  brother- 
in-law  with  furlough.  Mr.  Corey  continued  to 
experience  great  suffering  from  the  running 
sore  on  his  leg  and  had  to  be  sent  to  the  hos 
pital  at  Helena.  Here  he  was,  after  a  short 
time,  with  every  man  who  could  ride,  mounted 
on  a  mule  and  sent  in  pursuit  of  Price  in  Mo 


On  his  return  after  3  weeks,  he  went  with  his 
Co.  to  Memphis,  when  he  was  again  confined 
in  the  Cumberland  Field  Hospital  at  Savannah, 
Tenn.,  remaining  there  for  about  6  mos.,  going 
on  detached  duty  as  quartermaster  of  the  field 
hospital  at  Nashville,  and  rejoined  his  Co.  at 
Piney  Creek,  Ga.  On  the  march  to  Atlanta,  his 
Regt.  halted  at  Altoona,  Ga.  Four  of  Mr.  Corey's 
company,  including  himself,  were  about  a  mile 
out  of  town  at  a  little  fort,  and  during  the  night 
they  could  hear  the  movements  of  the  rebels. 
About  sunrise  they  set  out  to  return  to  their 
Co.,  when  they  were  pounced  upon  by  a  small 
party  of  rebels  whom  they  succeeded  in  driv 
ing  off  by  clubbing  their  guns  and  knocking 
them  down. 

During  the  battle  Mr.  Corey  was  lying  be 
tween  two  men  wrho  were  both  killed  by  one 
shot,  he  escaping  by  a  miracle.  The  Regt.  re 
mained  here  until  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  when  they 
went  to  that  city,  where  Mr.  Corey  was  put  up 
on  a  special  detail  as  forager.  They  next  went 
to  Savannah,  having  several  severe  skirmishes 
on  the  way.  Mr.  Corey  rejoined  his  Co.  at  Sa 
vannah,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  fought  at 
that  place.  Here  the  boys  regaled  themselves 
with  oysters  and  clams,  having  a  jolly  time. 
After  being  here  for  some  time  they  started  out 
on  a  march,  camping  in  a  rice  field,  when  the 
rebels  turned  in  the  water  on  them,  forcing  them 
out.  Returning  to  Savannah,  they  took  passage 
on  a  vessel  for  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  "  packed  like 
sardines  in  a  box,"  and  were  on  the  ocean  for 
about  36  hours.  Arriving  here,  Mr.  Corey  was 
detailed  as  a  forager.  The  Regt.  joined  Sher 
man's  army  at  Columbus,  and  Mr.  Corey  was 
among  the  first  to  enter  the  town,  which  the 
rebels  had  themselves  set  on  fire  by  burning 
the  cotton.  As  they  entered  the  town  they 
saw  a  train  of  Federal  prisoners  just  leaving. 
They,  on  reaching  Goldsboro,  N.C.,  ascertained 
that  the  war  was  over,  Johnston  having  surren 
dered.  Moving  on  to  Richmond,  they  went  to 
Washington,  there  taking  part  in  the  grand  pa 
rade  and  review  of  the  victorious  army,  May  24, 
1865,  and  were  mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
in  June,  1865.  Mr.  Corey  was  finally  discharged 
at  Chicago,  July  6,  and  on  the  4th  the  Regt.  had 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


a  grand  reception  at  Princeton,  111.  He  resumed 
his  farming  operations  in  Ohio  Township,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1865  married  Phoebe  Ann,  daugh 
ter  of  Ben.  L.  Reynor,  of  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Corey's  father  was  H.  F.  Corey,  a  na 
tive  of  N.  Y.  State.  His  grandfather  was  a  sol 
dier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  of  German  descent. 
Mr.  Corey  has  one  son,  a  clerk  in  a  music  store 
in  Galesburg.  He  is  a  Prohibitionist  in  politics; 
and  a  member  of  the  Normal  B.  Page  Post,  511, 
G.  A.  R.  of  Ohio  Village,  and  has  been  Quarter 
master  and  Officer  of  the  Day  of  that  Post.  He. 
is  a  good  citizen  and  worthy  member  of  the 
community  in  which  he  lives. 


GENERAL  JOSEPH  HOOKER  was  born 
at  Hadley,  Mass.,  in  1819;  entered  West 
Point  Military  Academy  in  1833,  and 
graduated  June  30,  1837,  number  28  in  his  class. 
Acting  Adjutant  at  West  Point  for  two  years 
after  graduating,  and  as  aid  to  General  Harmer 
in  the  Mexican  War.  Was  promoted  to  a  Cap 
taincy  for  distinguished  gallantry  at  the  battle 
of  Monterey,  to  Majority  for  same  at  National 
Bridge,  and  to  a  Colonelcy  for  meritorious  con 
duct  at  the  battle  of  Chepultepec.  At  the  con 
clusion  of  the  Mexican  War  he  resigned  his 
commission,  settled  on  a  farm  in  California,  and 
for  several  years  devoted  himself  to  agricult 
ure,  until  he  accepted  the  Superintendency  of 
the  National  Road  from  California  to  Oregon. 
He  continued  in  this  service  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Rebellion,  when  he  left  the  West  and 
returned  to  Washington,  and  tendered  his  serv 
ices  to  the  Government.  He  participated  in 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run  as  a  volunteer  aid  with 
out  any  appointment  of  rank.  His  conduct  on 
that  occasion  attracted  the  notice  of  the  au 
thorities,  and  he  was  soon  after  tendered  a  Col 
onel's  commission.  He  took  part  in  Mc- 
Clellan's  campaign  on  the  Peninsula  as  com 
mander  of  a  division,  and  shared  the  perils 
of  Williamsburg,  Fair  Oaks,  Malvern  Hill  and 
other  conflicts  of  the  seven  days'  fighting.  He 
was  distinguished  for  his  daring  bravery  in  Gen 
eral  Pope's  command,  taking  an  active  part  in 


all  the  battles  of  that  short,  but  eventful  and 
exciting  campaign.  He  was  made  a  Major  Gen 
eral  of  Volunteers  in  1862,  and  had  command 
of  the  Fifth  Army  Corps  as  successor  of  Gen 
eral  Fitzjohn  Porter,  who  was  relieved  by  court- 
martial.  At  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  he 
was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  and  sustained  a 
terrible  loss  in  his  command.  Soon  after  the 
defeat  of  General  Burnside  at  Fredericksburg, 
General  Hooker  took  command  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac.  He  advanced  into  Virginia,  and 
fought  the  Rebels  under  General  Lee  in  the 
Wilderness  at  Chancellorsville,  May  1st,  2ndand 
3rd.  After  this  battle  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
fell  back,  and  General  Hooker  was  superseded 
by  General  Meade. 

In  the  fall  of  1863  General  Hooker  was  sent 
West  to  reinforce  General  Grant  with  the  nth 
and  1 2th  Army  Corps.  On  reaching  the  south 
side  of  the  Tennessee  River  his  forces  were 
attacked  by  the  enemy,  who  were  handsomely 
repulsed.  He  took  possession  of  Lookout 
Valley  while  the  whole  Rebel  army  under  Gen 
eral  Bragg  were  in  the  possession  of  the  heights 
above.  This  army  assaulted  Lookout  Mountain, 
and,  by  the  practice  of  a  splendid  military  strate 
gy,  carried  the  Rebel  works,  November  25,  1863. 
This  battle  was  one  of  the  most  splendid 
achievements  of  the  war.  Grant  and  Sherman 
were  at  Chattanooga,  which  was  overlooked  by 
Lookout  on  one  side  and  by  Mission  Ridge  on 
the  other.  The  enemy  at  that  time,  held  both 
these  wonderfully  strong  positions,  and  con 
stantly  threatened  to  annihilate  the  Union  army. 
Communications  in  the  rear  were  endangered  ; 
a  demand  had  already  been  made  for  the  sur 
render  of  Chattanooga.  General  Hooker  held 
the  key  to  the  situation.  If  Lookout  could  be 
taken,  communication  would  be  secured,  the 
city  would  be  safe,  and  Mission  Ridge  could 
be  successfully  assailed.  The  question  was 
submitted  to  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps 
as  they  lay  on  the  banks  of  Lookout  Creek,  at 
a  safe  distance  from  the  rebel  works  on  the 
mountain.  General  Hooker  and  his  men  had 
watche'd  these  rugged  steeps  with  growing  im 
patience,  until  to  climb  and  attack  their  threat 
ening  heights  had  become  the  cherished 


356 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


thoughts  alike  of  officers  and  men.  At  last  the 
long  desired  order  came.  On  the  25th  of  Nov 
ember,  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  peril 
ous  attempt  was  begun  to  drive  a  well  fortified 
enemy  from  his  rifle  pits  and  intrenchements 
in  a  natural  fortress  higher  than  the  clouds. 
The  whole  movement  was  in  full  view  from 
Chattanooga. 

The  devoted  heroes  could  be  seen  patiently 
climbing  the  rugged  steeps  in  long,  dark  lines. 
The  top  of  the  mountain  was  a  bursting  flame 
of  artillery,  resembling  the  fierce  eruption  of  an 
angry  volcano.  The  columns  of  smoke,  as  they 
float  away  from  the  scene  of  strife,  mingle  with 
the  passing  cloud.  When  the  smoky  curtain 
rises,  the  scene  is  changed;  the  enemy  is  retreat 
ing,  the  bloody  emblem  of  secession  is  with 
drawn,  and  the  stars  and  stripes  wave  in  beauty 
and  majesty  from  the  renowned  table-rock  on 
the  top  of  Lookout  Mountain.  By  this  bold 
and  successful  achievement  General  Hooker 
opened  the  way  to  other  triumphs.  The  fall  of 
Lookout  convinced  the  Union  army  that  no 
position  in  the  hands  of  Rebels  was  impregna 
ble.  Flushed  with  this  brilliant  victory,  the 
troops  marched  on  and  won  the  battle  of  Mis 
sion  Ridge,  in  which  General  Hooker,  as 
usual,  took  an  active  part.  On  that  occasion, 
Sherman  attacked  the  enemy's  right,  Thomas 
the  center,  and  Hooker  gallantly  led  his  com 
mand  to  attack  the  left  wing.  The  prestige 
gained  on  the  mountain  insured  victory  on  the 
plain.  The  disheartened  Rebels  broke  and  fled 
at  the  approach  of  Hooker's  troops.  From  the 
victory  of  Mission  Ridge,  General  Hooker  con 
tinued  with  Sherman  in  command  of  the  Twen 
tieth  Army  Corps.  In  all  the  hundred  days' 
fighting  this  corps  bore  a  distinguished  part. 
At  Atlanta  on  the  2oth  of  July,  1864,  Hood  led 
an  overwhelming  force  against  Hooker's  lines. 
This  was  one  of  Hood's  reckless  furies.  Three 
successive  charges  were  made,  while  Hooker's 
lines  stood  like  a  rock.  Three  times  Hood 
drove  his  maddened  cohorts  on  Hooker's  cen 
ter  in  vain  attempts  to  break  the  serried  ranks. 
They  came  only  to  be  welcomed  by  "bloody 
hands  to  hospitable  graves."  Instead  of  break 
ing  the  Union  lines,  the  Rebels  fell  by  thou 


sands,  and  were  finally  repulsed,    with  terrible 
loss. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  General  Hooker  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  Department  of  the 
Atlantic,  headquarters  at  the  Astor  House,  New 
York  City.  He  died  Oct.  31,  1879.  In  person, 
General  Hooker  was  a  large  and  handsome 
man,  with  light  complexion,  ruddy  and  vig 
orous  in  appearance.  He  was  six  feet  high, 
had  a  bright  expression,  blue  eyes,  and  wore 
small  side  whiskers.  He  was  a  warrior  whose 
record  is  carved  with  steel,  and  whose  memory 
will  forever  live  in  the  history  of  his  country, 
as  one  who  nobly  periled  life  to  save  the  Nation 
from  impending  ruin.  He  died  Oct.  31,  18/9. 


OTTO  LAUER,  of  Peru,  111.,  enlisted  in  Co. 
A.,  44th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Aug.  i,  1861,  and 
was  mustered  as  a  private  at  Chicago, 
and  sent  first  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  then  marched 
through  Arkansas,  engaging  in  the  battle  of 
Pea  Ridge  and  later  in  the  engagement  at  Stone 
River,  Chickamauga,  Mission  Ridge,  and  also 
in  the  advance  that  was  made  on  Atlanta. 
He  was  taken  sick  after  the  fight  at  Pea  Ridge 
and  went  home  on  a  furlough  for  20  days,  re 
joining  his  Regt.  at  Rinzie,  Miss.  At  the  ex 
piration  of  his  three  years'  term  of  service  he 
was  mustered  out,  as  corporal,  at  Atlanta,  Ga., 
Sept.  28,  1864. 

Otto  Lauer  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1840, 
and  came  to  this  country  in  1854,  locating  at 
Peru,  111.,  where  he  early  in  lite  engaged  in 
business  as  a  butcher  until,  in  1885,  when  he  be 
came  the  proprietor  of  a  saloon.  When  he 
was  at  home  from  the  army  on  a  furlough  in 
1862,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Hags,  a 
native  of  Peru,  but  of  German  parentage.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lauer  have  two  children — Otto  and 
William.  Mr.  Lauer  is  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  G.  A.  R.  Before  the  war  he 
was  a  Democrat  but  is  now  a  strong  Repub 
lican.  In  the  army  he  contracted  inflammatory 
rheumatism  and  received  other  injuries  to  his 
health,  and  as  a  consequence  he  is  in  receipt 
of  a  pension  from  the  government  which  he  so 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


357 


gallantly  gave  his  services  to  save  and  defend. 

His  Regt.  took  part  in  many  of  the  prom 
inent  battles  of  the  war  and  its  pursuit  of  the 
enemy  led  it  over  a  wide  extent  of  country,  as 
its  record  shows  a  march  of  5,000  miles  at  the 
time  of  its  re-enlistment.  It  was  under  the 
command  of  fighting  generals  and  was  sent  into 
battle  under  the  orders  of  the  most  noted 
leaders  of  the  army. 

Mr.  Lauer  is  proud  of  the  history  which  his 
regiment  made  on  the  field,  and  he  has  some 
satisfaction  in  the  thought  that  he  faithfully 
performed  his  duty  and  thus  contributed  his 
part  toward  maknig  this  splendid  record. 


SIDNEY  M.  SMITH,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  was 
born  May  I,  1843,  son  °f  Loyal  and 
Nancy  Smith,  the  mother  dying  when  he 
was  two  days  old.  The  father  being  also  sickly, 
Sidney  was  placed  to  live  with  neighbors  until 
five  years  of  age,  when  he  returned  to  live  with 
his  father,  and  continued  until  he  was  ten.  He 
was  then  sent  West  to  reside  with  an  uncle  at 
Henderson,  near  Galesburg,  where  he  remained 
for  several  years,  and  attended  school.  He 
joined  the  army  in  the  early  days  of  the  war, 
enlisting  as  a  private  in  Co.  H.,  57th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  going  into  camp  at  Princeton,  afterwards 
at  Chicago,  Vhere  he  was  assigned  to  the  45th 
111.,  and  proceeded  to  Cairo,  thence  to  Fort 
Henry,  just  in  the  season  of  cold,  bad  weather, 
causing  him  much  suffering.  He  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  and  after  the 
battle  the  men  lay  upon  the  ground  with  snow 
falling,  and  in  many  instances  their  clothing  froze 
to  the  ground  as  they  rested.  From  this  point 
he  went  to  Savannah,  Tenn.,  into  camp,  there  he 
was  attacked  with  lung  fever,  placed  in  a  hos 
pital,  but  soon  recovered  and  returned  to  his 
Regt.  To  escape  he  stole  out  in  his  bed  clothes, 
thus  ending  his  hospital  experiences.  He  joined 
in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  being  color  guard  for 
his  Regt.,  and  was  the  only  color  bearer  who 
escaped  unhurt,  who  had  continued  at  his  post 
throughout  the  battle.  During  the  second  day 
an  old  man  slapped  him  on  the  back  and  said, 


"Smith,  we  are  the  only  two  color  guards  with 
their  colors."  A  few  minutes  later,  a  ball  passed 
over  Smith's  head,  striking  the  old  man  in  the 
forehead,  instantly  killing  him,  and  a  visit  {o 
the  spot  the  following  day  revealed  his  dead 
body  just  as  he  had  fallen.  He  joined  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  and  at  one  time  was  so  close 
he  was  enabled  to  hear  the  rebels  moving  out. 
He  then  moved  to  Oxford,  and  while  on  the  way 
news  reached  him  announcing  the  death  of  his 
brother,  of  the  4th  Vt.  Regt.,  he  having  died  at 
Fair  Oaks.  Onward  to  luka,  and  later  to  Mem 
phis,  where  the  Regt.  took  boats  to  Milliken's 
Band  near  Lake  Providence. 

From  here  he  went  to  Grand  Gulf,  crossed 
the  river  May  I  (his  birthday),  and  took  part 
in  the  battle  of  Port  Gibson.  In  reaching  Port 
Gibson  the  Regt.  moved  for  13  miles  on  the 
double  quick,  under  a  burning  sun,  causing 
many  of  the  weaker  to  "fall  by  the  way,"  and 
after  a  difficult  and  dangerous  descent  over  a 
hillside,  charged  the  enemy  with  the  assistance 
of  the  I24th  and  completely  routed  him  whilst 
Gens.  Grant,  Logan  and  McPherson  looked 
admiringly  on.  Next  day  the  Regt.  entered 
the  town,  found  heaps  of  Confederate  money 
and  large  quantities  of  hams.  The  former  was 
not  looked  upon  as  valuable,  but  the  latter 
enabled  the  "boys"  to  enjoy  a  magnificent  re 
past,  and  each  man  ornamenting  his  bayonet 
point  with  a  ham  marched  to  Raymond,  and 
there  engaged  the  enemy  who  surrounded  them. 
They  fell  back  and  in  doing  so  it  was  every  man 
for  himself.  Our  subject  was  caught  in  a  grape 
vine  where  the  bullets  were  falling  fast  around 
him.  He  escaped,  however,  and  soon  the 
Regt.  rallied  and  returned,  driving  the  rebels 
before  them.  It  was  next  engaged  at  the  Jack 
son  conflict,  then  Champion  Hills,  where  Mr. 
Smith  was  shoeless  as  were  also  many  of  the 
men;  then  moving  to  Big  Black  River  where 
again  it  was  engaged  the  following  day  in  Lo 
gan's  Div.  Going  from  there  to  Vicksburg  it 
participated  in  the  assault  on  the  23rd  of  May, 
then  joined  in  the  siege  and  was  the  first  Regt. 
to  enter  the  city  after  its  evacuation,  where  it 
continued  for  some  months  on  provost  duty. 
Leaving  there  they  were  deployed  as  skir- 


358 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


mishers  at  Edward  Station  and  encountering 
the  enemy  drove  him  several  miles,  Mr.  Smith 
having  charge  of  the  lines  as  a  non-commis 
sioned  officer. 

Here  he  again  was  without  shoes,  and  with 
bleeding  feet  left  his  mark  on  the  ground  at  ev 
ery  step.  Subsequently  he  joined  in  the  Meridian 
campaign,  going  150  miles  east  of  Vicksburg, 
then  returning  went  into  camp  where  he  had 
charge  of  his  company  for  a  time.  The  Regt. 
veteranized  and  returned  home  on  a  furlough, 
and  after  returning  to  the  front  went  to  Clifton, 
having  assisted  in  capturing  2,200  cattle,  thence 
to  Allatoona  Pass  and  stood  by  Gen.  Sherman 
as  he  signaled  Gen.  Corse  the  message  upon 
which  the  ever  memorable  words  of  "  Hold  the 
fort  for  I  am  coming  "  are  founded.  It  after 
wards  went  to  Chattahoochie  Run  on  picket 
duty,  then  to  Atlanta,  and  later  participated  in 
the  grand  march  to  the  sea.  Although  Mr. 
Smith's  term  had  expired  some  time  he  contin 
ued  until  the  fall  of  Savannah,  when  he  boarded 
the  first  boat  down  the  river  and  in  proceeding 
outward  struck  a  torpedo,  then  a  sand  bank, 
but  finally  reached  the  ocean.  He  expected  to 
obtain  his  pay  at  Hilton  Head  and  rejoin  his 
Regt.,  but  could  only  do  so  by  going  to  New 
York,  where  he  started  on  a  five  decker  boat 
loaded  with  3,000  soldiers,  the  voyage  occupy 
ing  three  days  and  nights.  During  the  passage, 
one  of  the  men,  in  smoking,  set  fire  to  the  boat, 
causing  a  terrible  panic  but  fortunately  the  dan 
ger  from  fire  was  soon  removed.  He  intended 
on  reaching  New  York,  enlisting  in  Hancock's 
command,  but  found  on  arrival  that  Chicago 
was  headquarters  for  pay,  and  ingoing  thence 
visited  a  sister  in  Vt.  who  insisted  on  his  re 
turning  home  which  he  did. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Lora  Palmer,  of 
N.  Y.  State,  and  has  three  children,  viz.:  Loyal, 
Friend  and  Blanche.  He  has  since  the  war 
been  farming  and  carpentering,  and  has  been  a 
police  officer  for  two  and  one-half  years.  lie 
is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  of  Post,  No. 
45,  G.  A.  R. 


DR.  W.  F.  TAIT,  a  physician  and  surgeon, 
of  Galesburg,  111.,  was  born  in  Kirku- 
brightshire,  Scotland,  June  21,  1836. 
He  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  the  U.  S.  in 
1839,  settling  in  Knox  Co.,  111.  Here  he  was 
brought  up  to  work  on  a  farm,  attending  school 
at  intervals,  until  he  attained  the  age  of  manhood, 
subsequently  entering  Knox  College  at  Gales- 
burg,  at  the  age  of  18  years,  where  he  continued 
his  studies  for  one  year.  After  an  interval  of 
three  years  he  entered  Monmouth  College 
where  he  remained  during  one  course,  when  he 
entered  Lee  Center  Academy,  Lee  Co.,  111., 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the  spring  of 
1857.  In  the  winter  of  1861,  he  began  his 
medical  studies  at  the  Physio-Medical  Institute 
at  Cincinnati,  attending  lectures  until  the  sum 
mer  of  1862.  In  Aug.,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
G.,  Sgih  111.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Chi 
cago,  thence  going  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where 
after  the  return  of  Buell's  army  they  were  assig 
ned  to  Willich's  Brig.  The  Regt.  left  Louis 
ville  with  Buell's  forces.  The  Brigade  to  which 
the  Sgth  was  attached  was  characterized  as  the 
"  Bugle  Brigade,"  and  saw  much  hard  service 
and  became  distinguished  for  gallant  and  meri 
torious  conduct  in  many  battles.  The  Regt. 
numbered  in  the  aggregate  at  the  beginning  of 
its  service  amd  from  later  recruits  about  1,500 
men,  and  when  discharged  at  the  expiration  of 
three  years  had  only  about  400.  Their  first 
battle  was  at  Pcrryvillc,  where  they  formed  a 
part  of  McCook's  Corps.  After  this  they  co 
operated  at  Nashville  with  the  forces  of  Gen. 
Rosencrans,  and  formed  a  part  of  the  advance 
line  to  the  south  and  east  of  the  city.  From 
their  position  they  were  brought  into  frequent 
skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  during  which  sev 
eral  of  their  number  were  wounded,  and  on  one 
occasion  while  out  foraging  they  were  engaged 
in  battle  for  nearly  a  whole  day.  From  Nash 
ville  they  moved  on  to  Stone  River.  Being  in 
the  advance  on  the  right  wing  of  the  army,  they 
were  deployed  as  skirmishers  and  fought  their 
way  step  by  step  through  the  whole  extent  of 
the  Nolansville  Pike. 

On  the  3 1st   of  December  they  occupied  the 
extreme  right.    Having    marched    up  in  close 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


359 


proximity  to  the  enemy's  position  on  the  night 
before,  they  were  attacked,  while  at  breakfast 
the  next  morning.  The  enemy  was  in  superior 
force  and  dislodged  and  drove  them  back  some 
distance,  but  upon  the  arrival  of  reinforcements 
they  rallied  and  in  their  turn  retaliated  by 
driving  the  rebels  from  the  field.  The  regiment 
lost  50  men  in  killed  in  this  action  and  the 
commander  of  the  brigade  (Gen.  Willich),  was 
taken  prisoner.  On  the  afternoon  of  Jan.  2, 
1863,  Gen.  Breckinridge  attempted  to  repulse 
the  left  wing  of  the  Federal  army,  but  he  was 
drawn  into  a  defile  and  there  lost  2,000  of  his 
men.  This  disaster  so  discomfited  the  enemy 
that  they  hastily  withdrew.  After  the  battle 
of  Stone  River,  Dr:  Tait  was  detailed  for  hos 
pital  service  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. 

Dr.  Tait  being  a  medical  student,  was  in 
request  at  the  hospital  to  assist  in  caring  for 
the  wounded,  and  was  stationed  there  during 
the  remainder  of  the  stay  of  the  army  at  Mur 
freesboro.  He  had  previously  performed  sim 
ilar  duty  after  the  battle  of  Stone  River.  The 
army  left  Murfreesboro  June  24,  for  the  Tulla- 
homa  Campaign.  Dr.  Tait  remained  at  the 
field  hospital  at  Murfreesboro  until  the  latter 
part  of  July,  when  he  was  sent  to  take  the 
wounded  to  the  hospital  at  Stevenson,  Ala.,  and 
his  services  were  in  constant  requisition  at  Ste 
venson  and  Bridgeport  until  June,  1864.  At  this 
time  he  was  transferred  to  Chattanooga.  He  was 
on  duty  at  Chattanooga  in  Hospital  No.  i,  acting 
as  Hospital  Steward  until  June  4,  1865,  in  con 
stant  service",  except  a  30  day  furlough  home, 
in  October  and  November,  1864,  and  was  dis 
charged  June  4th,  1865,  and  returned  to  Victo 
ria,  111.  He  resumed  his  medical  studies  at 
the  Physio-Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  in 
the  winter  of  1865-66,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  Feb.  13,  1866.  He  located  at  Onei- 
da,  111.,  for  two  years,  thence  removing  to  Mil- 
ford,  Ohio,  remaining  for  about  one  year,  and 
then  to  Lebanon,  Ohio,  for  four  years.  In 
June,  1872,  he  returned  to  Galesburg,  where 
he  has  since  devoted  himself  to  the  practice 
of  his  profession.  He  was  married  June  21, 
1866,  to  Rhoda  A.,  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Catherine  (Fritz)  Sperry,  of  Camden,  N.  Y. 


They  have  two  children — Mary  E.,  and  Mar 
garet  S.  From  1866  to  1870,  Dr.  Tate  was  the 
Professor  of  Anatomy  and  Physiology  in  the 
Physio-Medical  College,  and  since  that  time 
has  held  the  Chair  of  Surgery  in  that  institu 
tion,  its  seat  having  been  removed  to  Chicago, 
where  the  Doctor  goes  to  deliver  his  lectures, 
in  which  he  is  assisted  by  two  adjunct  pro 
fessors. 

He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  cast  his 
first  presidential  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  James  T. 
Shields,  at  Galesburg;  the  Templars  of  Honor 
&  Temperance;  and  of  the  Knights  and  La 
dies  of  the  Golden  Rule.  He  is  a  member  and 
an  ordained  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
His  parents  are  William  and  Mary  Tait,  who 
had  four  sons,  all  members  of  Co.  G.,  Sgth  111. 
The  eldest  was  wounded  at  New  Hope  Church, 
dying  a  month  later.  Peter  Gordon,  another 
brother,  1st  Lieut. 'of  Co.  G.  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Nashville.  Huston  Pascal,  the  re 
maining  brother,  is  alive  but  afflicted  with  rheu 
matism  contracted  during  the  service. 


GEORGE  BURGESS,  of  Utica,  111.,  enlisted  in 
the  Union  army  for  the  war  of  the  Re 
bellion,  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  in  August, 
1863,  and,  was  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in 
Co.  F.,  Ii7th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  under  Col.  Brally. 
He  participated  in  the  battle  of  Clinch  Moun 
tain.  His  term  of  enlistment  having  expired, 
he  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  but  he  im 
mediately  rejoined  it  and  was  again  mustered 
in,  on  this  occasion  as  a  private  in  Co.  G.,  I43rd 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  June  II,  1864,  his  enlistment  being 
for  100  days.  On  the  16,  of  the  same  month, 
his  Regt.  moved  to  Memphis,  and  on  the  19, 
was  assigned  to  the  4th  Brig.,  District  of  Mem 
phis,  but  was  re-brigaded  on  the  12,  of  the  fol 
lowing  month  and  assigned  to  the  3rd  Brig, 
with  Col.  John  Wood  commanding.  On  July 
27th,  his  company  was  ordered  to  report  at 
Helena,  Ark.,  where  it  arrived  the  following 
day,  and  was  assigned  to  garrison  duty.  From 
this  point  it  moved  Northward  to  Mattoon, 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


111.,  where  it  was  mustered  out,  Sept.  26,  1864, 
at  the  expiration  of  its  term  of  service. 

Mr.  Burgess  was  born  in  England  in  the 
year  1847,  and  emigrated  to  the  U.  S.  with  his 
parents  when  still  a  child  and  shortly  after 
suffered  the  loss  of  both  his  parents.  After 
being  discharged  from  the  army,  he  went  West, 
settling  in  Utica.  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  where  he  en 
gaged  in  farming  and  gardening,  which  occupa 
tion  he  has  followed  ever  since.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  the  school  board  Dist.  No.  8.  Utica 
township,  for  the  past  ten  years,  and  has  held 
the  position  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  two 
succeeding  terms. 

He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Praeter  of 
Effingham,  in  the  year  1870,  and  they  have  had 
seven  children,  of  whom  three — George  H., 
Aaron  W.,  and  Samuel  B.,  are  living.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  a  Republican. 


CAPTAIN  GARDNER  G.  STEARNS,  of   Knox- 
ville.  111.,  was  born  at  Conway,  Franklin 
Co.,  Mass.,  Feb.  9,  1836.     He  continued 
at    home,    attending  school  until  his  2ist  year. 
His    family  were  of  Irish  descent.     Hi?  father 
bore  the  name  of  George,  as  also  did  his  father 
and    grandfather,    the    latter   being  one  of  the 
original  settlers  of  Conway.     His  mother  was 
Fannie  Arms,  who  was  descended  from  a  highly 
respectable  Massachusetts  family. 

In  1858,  Gardner  G.  Stearns  settled  in  Knox 
Co.,  111.,  where  he  was  a  farmer  at  the  begin 
ning  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  a  member 
of  the  ist  111.  Cav.,  under  the  State  organization. 
When  Fort  Sumter  was  fired  upon  he  enlisted 
in  Co.  D.,  ist  111.  Cav.,  April  23,  1861,  and  going 
to  Quincy,  111.,  was  there  mustered  in  in  July, 
without  arms  or  equipments.  At  Benton  Bar 
racks  they  were  given  six  revolvers  to  each 
company,  going-thence  to  Jefferson  City,  Seda- 
lia  and  Georgetown.  At  the  latter  place  they 
secured  a  prominent  political  prisoner,  Ex-Gov. 
McGoffin,  of  Ky.  As  the  men  entered  the  town 
they  were  fired  upon  by  the  citizens  from  the 
windows,  which  warm  welcome  they  returned 
in  kind. 


In  the  early  part  of  Sept.  they  joined  Mul 
ligan's  forces  at  Lexington,  and  at  Warrensburg 
met  the  advance  of  the  enemy  under  Price,  fal 
ling  back  to  Lexington.  They  were  constantly 
in  action  from  Sept.  15  to  17,  when  they  were 
surrounded  and  under  fire  for  three  days.  At 
4  o'clock,  on  the  third  day,  Mr.  Stearns  was  in 
command  of  his  Co.  as  1st  Sergt,  and  was  or 
dered  by  Gen.  Mulligan  to  charge  the  enemy, 
who  had  assaulted  and  carried  the  works.  This 
he  proceeded  to  do,  but  hardly  were  the  men 
in  motion  when  he  was  shot  through  the  right 
arm,  which  was  badly  shattered.  The  Co.  dashed 
on  into  the  ranks  of  the  rebels  and  were  all 
either  killed,  wounded  or  taken  prisoners. 
Soon  after  the  whole  garrison  surrendered. 
The  enemy  had  a  force  estimated  at  30,000, 
while  the  Federal  troops  were  only  about  3,000. 
Sergt.  Stearns  was  sent  to  the  field  hospital, 
and  after  two  weeks  removed  to  St.  Louis.  His 
wound  was  a  compound  fracture  of  the  upper 
arm,  and  he  found  much  difficulty  in  preventing 
the  Surgeons  from  amputating  it.  He  subse 
quently  had  an  operation  performed  and  21 
pieces  of  the  bone  and  two  pieces  of  the  ball 
removed,  the  wound  eventually  healing.  At 
the  hospital  in  St.  Louis  he  was  placed  opposite 
a  member  of  his  company  who  had  always  been 
a  rebel  sympathizer,  and  who  during  the  battle 
at  Lexington  started  to  run,  being  ordered  back 
by  Sergt.  Stearns  who  threatened  to  shoot  him 
dead  unless  he  obeyed.  The  dastard  did  obey 
the  command  and  a  few  minutes  later  was  badly 
wounded  in  the  foot  by  a  ball  from  the  rebels. 
Sergt.  Stearns  was  discharged  on  account  of  his 
wound  Feb.  15,  1862,  and  returned  to  Knox- 
ville,  111. 

In  Aug.,  1862,  he  assisted  in  organizing  Co. 
A.,  77th  111.,  Capt.  M.  V.  Hotchkiss,  who  was 
mustered  in  as  Major,  Mr.  Stearns  as  2nd  Lieut, 
and  later  on  the  organization  of  the  Regt,  ist 
Lieut.  While  at  Covington  Lieut.  Stearns  had 
an  operation  performed  on  his  arm  from  which 
he  \vas  prostrated  for  several  weeks,  afterward 
joining  his  command  at  Louisville  and  going 
on  to  Memphis.  While  at  Memphis  he  was  de 
tailed  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  Brig,  ordnance 
stores.  Six  regiments  and  the  Chicago  Mer- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


cantile  Battery  were  embarked  on  the  "Duke 
of  Argyle,"  remaining  on  board  for  30  days. 
Going  to  the  Yazoo  swamps,  they  disembarked 
opposite  Haynes'  Bluff,  where  they  attacked 
the  enemy's  works  and  were  repulsed.  They 
afterwards  besieged  and  captured  Fort  Hind- 
man,  on  the  Arkansas  River,  and  its  garrison  of 
6,000  men. 

In  this  affair  Co.  A.  lost  2  killed  and  7 
wounded.  They  united  with  Grant's  army, 
and  at  Port  Gibson  bore  a  conspicuous  part  in 
the  battle,  coming  up  at  a  double  quick  of  two 
miles  and  engaging  in  action  and  driving  the 
enemy  back  to  Raymond  with  a  loss  of  1,000 
prisoners.  They  were  also  in  the  engagements 
at  Champion  Hills  and .  at  other  points  to 
Vicksburg,  where  Lieut.  Stearns  was  given  the 
command  of  the  company.  He  went  into  the 
charge  at  Vicksburg  with  36  men  and  came  out 
with  17,  his  company  sustaining  a  heavier  loss 
than  any  other.  He  was  constantly  under  fire 
from  ten  in  the  morning  until  the  same  hour 
at  night.  The  Regt.  planted  their  colors  on 
the  rebel  works,  but  owing  to  the  unerring  aim 
of  rebel  sharp-shooters,  they  could  not  bring 
them  away.  They  were  under  fire  for  48  days 
during  the  siege.  The  day  after  the  fall  of 
Vicksburg  they  co-operated  with  Sherman  in 
the  pursuit  of  Johnston  and  fought  him  at 
Jackson. 

After  24  days  returning  to  Vicksburg,  Capt. 
Stearns  obtained  a  leave  of  absence  and  went 
home,  rejoining  his  Regt.  in  Sept.  at  New 
Orleans.  After  being  in  winter  quarters  at 
Indianola,  Tex.,  where  on  Christmas  day  the 
men  went  in  swimming  and  at  night  were 
almost  frozen  by  the  cold  north  wind.  In 
Feb.  they  returned  to  Algiers,  La.,  and  organ 
ized  for  the  Red  River  campaign.  At  Mans 
field,  in  the  battle  with  Dick  Taylor's  army, 
Capt.  Stearns  had  command  of  the  skirmish 
line,  subsequently  taking  command  of  the  right 
of  the  skirmish  line,  his  own  company  and  Co. 
F.  They  played  havoc  with  the  reriels  for  a 
time,  but  were  so  outnumbered  they  had  to 
yield,  the  regiment  left  fighting  alone,  being 
taken  prisoners. 

They  were  put  in  the  stock  yards  over  night 


and  in  the  morning  sent  to  Tyler,  Tex.,  where 
they  were  confined  in  a  stockade  in  an  open 
field  without  any  shelter,  but  within  30  days 
they  built  themselves  cabins,  carrying  in  the 
logs  on  their  shoulders,  the  whole  squad  of  40 
having  but  one  ax.  Here  they  were  held  until 
Oct.  20,  when  Capt.  Stearns  was  exchanged,  it 
being  supposed  that  he  \vas  going  to  die  from 
his  old  wound.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  after 
marching  to  Shreveport,  there  going  by  boat  to 
New  Orleans,  reaching  that  city  Nov,  I,  1864, 
and  remaining  there  until  Feb.,  1865,  when  the 
command  was  ordered  to  Fort  Morgan,  Mobile 
Bay. 

They  participated  in  the  desperate  battle  at 
Spanish  Fort,  thence  up  the  Tombigbee  River, 
capturing  a  gunboat  and  four  blockade  runners, 
returning  to  Mobile.  He  was  mustered  out 
July  10,  1865,  reaching  home  after  an  absence 
of  exactly  three  years,  having  command  of  his 
company  in  every  battle. 

He  has  been  a  prosperous  farmer  at  Knox- 
ville  since  the  war.  In  1865,  he  was  married 
to  Lucy  G.  Runklc,  of  Knoxville,  by  whom  he 
has  had  five  children:  George  E.,  now  of 
Spokane  Falls,  Washington;  Arthur  D.,  in  the 
employ  of  the  Union  Pacific  R.  R.  at  Omaha, 
Neb.;  Fred  R.,  a  pupil  of  St.  Albans  school  at 
Knoxville;  Fannie  G.,  attending  St.  Mary's 
school,  and  Mary,  at  home  He  is  a  Repub 
lican  and  a  zealous  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.  He  returned 
home  in  1865,  with  only  seven  of  the  men  who 
accompanied  him  to  the  field.  He  is  an  honor 
able  citizen  and  in  every  respect  a  true  example 
of  what  a  good  soldier  ever  emulates — unflinch 
ing  conformity  to,  and  a  rigid  discharge  of 
duty. 


DAVID  DUSTIN,  of  Quincy,  111.,  was  born  in 
Rochester,   N.  V.,  Feb.  15,  1817,  son   of 
Becluas  and  Ascneth  (  Hurlbut)  Dustin. 
Of  a  family  of  eight  children  David  was  the 
eldest,  removed  to  Ouincy   in   1837,  where  he 
was   married  in  1841  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Evans, 
a  native  of  Ohio.     To  this  marriage  four  chil- 


362 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


dren  have  been  born  of  whom  three  are  linvig 
viz.:  Jane,  Ida  wife  of  John  Thompson,  Helen 
Josephine,  wife  of  Chas.  Wild.  Mr.  Dustin 
learned  the  business  of  sawyer,  and  was  fore 
man  in  a  large  lumbering  mill  when  he  enlisted. 
He  has  also  worked  as  an  engineer,  at  which  he 
is  now  employed. 

He  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  loth  111.  Vol.  Inf. 
early  in  April,  1861,  for  the  three  months'  serv 
ice,  under  Capt.,  afterwards  Gen.  Prentiss.  It 
went  to  Springfield,  then  to  Cairo  thence  to 
Ky.  The  honor  of  carrying  the  first  flag  from 
111.  into  the  enemy's  country  during  the  civil 
war  falls  to  Comrade  Dustin.  Some  years  after 
the  war  when  Gen.  Prentiss  was  delivering  an 
address  to  the  Quincy  people,  he  called  Mr. 
Dustin  to  the  stage  and  introduced  him  to  the 
audience,  as  the  man  who  bore  the  honorable 
distinction  of  having  carried  his  country's  flag 
across  the  borders  of  secession  in  advance  of 
all  others.  The  three  months'  service  was 
occupied  in  guarding  property  and  in  drilling 
in  the  vicinity  of  Cairo,  with  occasional  expe 
ditions  into  the  enemy's  country  on  the  bor 
ders  of  Ky.  Returning  to  Quincy  after  the 
three  months  had  expired  he  re-enlisted  for 
the  three  years'  service,  and  in  the  same  organ 
ization,  and  again  carried  the  flag  of  the  Co. 
New  Madrid  was  his  first  battle,  during  which 
the  flag  was  torn  from  his  grasp  by  a  shell,  but 
seizing  it  again  he  soon  had  it  waving  to  the 
breeze  as  proudly  as  ever.  He  then  went  to 
Mound  City,  was  present  in  reserve  at  the  bat 
tle  of  Belmont,  then  moved  to  Fort  Pillow, 
thence  to  Pittsburg  Landing  and  from  there  to 
Corinth,  participating  in  the  siege  and  battle  at 
the  last  named  place.  He  next  went  to  Nashville 
and  joined  Sherman's  army  and  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  wintered  at  Rossville 
and  recruited  during  the  winter  where  the  Regt. 
re-enlisted  as  veterans.  The  men  were  granted 
a  furlough  and  returned  home  for  30  days, 
returning  joined  the  Regt.  at  Rossville.  He 
participated  in  the  engagement  at  Buzzard's 
Roost  then  moved  on  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
taking  part  in  many  of  the  trials  and  exciting 
scenes  of  that  bloody,  yet.  military  successful 
campaign.  This  campaign  having  been  suc 


cessful,  he  joined  in  the  march  to  the  sea, 
which  was  a  series  of  protracted  skirmishes 
with  an  occasional  sharp  fight  to  relieve  the 
monotony  of  the  adventure.  After  capturing 
Savannah  he  took  transport  to  Ga.,  then 
marched  inland  to  where  Johnston's  forces 
were — encountered,  and  then  commenced  a 
fresh  series  of  skirmishes  and  battles  which 
only  terminated  in  the  surrender  of  the  Rebel 
army. 

Mr.  Dustin  is  a  veteran  in  the  truest  sense 
of  that  term.  During  upwards  of  four  years 
of  continuous  active  service  he  never  missed  a 
day,  from  any  cause,  and  was  never  away  from 
the  front  except  when  on  veteran  furlough. 
That  he  was  often  in  imminent  danger  will  be 
unquestioned  by  the  boys,  who  know  what  it  is 
to  carry  a  regimental  flag  in  battle.  Still  he 
passed  through  his  four  years  of  service,  and 
came  out  unscratched,  except  in  the  cheeks, 
which  were  scratched  by  minie  balls  in  the 
battle  of  Atlanta.  At  Atlanta  1,500  rebels 
were  captured  and  the  loth  was  placed  as  a 
guard  over  them.  One  of  the  number  ap 
proached  Mr.  Dustin  and  said:  "Old  man  you 
need  never  be  afraid  of  being  killed  in  battle, 
for  to-day  I  took  a  rest  and  fired  seven  shots  at 
you,  hoping  to  bring  down  the  flag."  He  went 
with  his  Regt.  to  Washington  and  displayed  his 
tattered  colors  in  the  Grand  Review.  He  was 
then  sent  to  Louisville  where  he  was  mustered 
out,  and  discharged  at  Chicago,  July,  1865.  On 
one  occasion  the  exact  whereabouts  and 
strength  of  the  enemy  was  not  known,  the 
Regts.  of  the  Brig,  were  in  line,  and  the  color 
bearers  were  required  to  advance  "  lining"  on 
the  centre,  until  the  enemy  fired  upon  them. 
This  required  a  great  deal  of  bravery  and  cool 
ness,  yet  the  men  made  targets  of  themselves. 
The  enemy  fired  upon  them  and  those  who  es 
caped  the  enemy's  bullets  were  recalled  to 
their  regiments,  Mr.  Dustin  being  among  the 
latter. 

Since  the  war  Mr.  Dustin  has  been  engaged 
mostly  as  an  engineer,  and  is  at  present  run 
ning  the  electric  light  engines.  On  June  4, 
1891,  he  and  his  life-long  companion  celebrated 
the  5Oth  anniversary  of  their  wedding  day. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


363 


Few  indeed  are  the  survivors  of  the  war  who 
have  lived  out  their  "threescore  years  and  ten," 
yet  this  old  veteran  has  passed  his  74th,  and  is 
now  near  his  75th  milestone  on  life's  journey. 
He  is  a  charter  member  of  John  Wood  Post, 
No.  96,  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  also  a  Mason.  Mr. 
Dustin  is  a  member  of  the  W.  R.  C.  and  Con 
gregational  Church.  In  politics  he  has  been  a 
Republican  since  the  organization  of  the  party, 
being  previously  a  Whig. 


CAPTAIN  ORVILLE  POWELL  of  Oneida,  111., 
is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  pop 
ular  of  the  old  veterans  of  the  late  war. 
He  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York  in  1837, 
son  of  John  and  Evelyn  (Brainard)  Powell,  the 
latter  a  direct  descendant  of  J.  Brainard,  who 
emigrated  to  this  country,  settling  in  Haddam 
in  1662.  John  Powell,  as  also  his  brother  James, 
were  soldiers  in  the  war  of  1812.  Captain  Pow 
ell,  with  his  parents,  removed  to  111.  in  the  year 
1851,  settling  a  half-mile  north  of  the  present 
site  of  Oneida,  where  he  continued  for  a  time, 
then  traveled  west,  visiting  Col.  and  N.  Mex., 
continuing  one  year  at  Bento,  Old  Fort  Buffalo, 
where  large  herds  of  these  animals  could  daily 
be  seen.  One  day,  while  out,  traveling,  he 
passed  through  one  continuous  herd  extending 
very  many  miles. 

He  enlisted  in  the  army  in  August,  1861,  in 
Co.  C.,  42nd  111.  Vol.  Inf.  His  Regt.  moved  to 
St.  Louis,  thence  to  Springfield,  and  in  the  fol 
lowing  spring  to  Island  No.  10.  Subsequently 
they  moved  down  the  river  to  Fort  Pillow,  re 
turning,  went  to  Hamburg  Landing,  arriving 
there  soon  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh.then  took 
part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth.  Captan  Powell 
also  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Farmington,  capt 
uring  many  prisoners,  then  moved  to  Big 
Springs,  Ala.,  Decatur,  Courtland  and  Nash 
ville,  and  then  to  Stone  River,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  terrible  battle  of  that  place, 
lasting  from  Dec.  31  to  Jan.  2,  1863.  In  the  fol 
lowing  spring  he  joined  the  Tullahoma  expedi 
tion,  having  many  skirmishes  with  the  enemy, 
and  was  in  the  battle  of  Chickamaii£a,  which 


lasted  two  days.  During  the  engagement  he 
was  wounded  by  being  struck  in  the  left  foot 
with  a  bullet.  The  Colonel,  seeing  he  was 
wounded,  placed  him  upon  his  horse  and 
started  him  for  the  rear,  and  he  went  into  a 
house  near  by,  and  when  the  Union  army  fell 
back  he  was  left  within  the  rebel  lines;  was  taken 
prisoner  and  sent  to  Richmond,  where  he  was 
placed  in  the  east  corner  room  of  Libby.  He 
continued  for  a  long  time  unable  to  walk,  hence 
did  not  try  to  escape  through  the  tunnel.  He 
speaks  of  one  occasion  of  a  prisoner  who  sat 
near  a  window,  reading  a  paper,  and,  being  ob 
served  by  a  guard  from  the  road,  he  shot  him 
through  the  head. 

In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  with  many  other 
prisoners  were  sent  in  cars  to  North  Carolina, 
and  then  to  Macon  City,  Ga.  where  he  was 
placed  in  a  stockade.  On  the  journey  two  of 
the  men  escaped  and  he  could  have  done  like 
wise  but  owing  to  his  being  compelled  to  use  a 
crutch  did  not  make  the  attempt.  The  suf 
fering  and  torture  endured  in  these  prisons 
beggars  description.  He  was  next  moved  to 
Savannah,  where  the  prisoners  received  better 
treatment  than  at  any  previous  time.  The  boys 
after  several  weeks  of  dilligent  work  con 
structed  a  tunnel  out,  but.  just  on  breaking 
ground  at  the  exit  a  guard  was  in  full  view 
awaiting  them,  thus  frustrating  the  attempt  to 
escape.  He  was  nqxt  moved  to  Charleston 
and  placed  in  the  old  jail  for  about  one  month, 
then  moved  to  Columbus,  S.  C.  where  he  was 
with  others  turned  into  a  field.  His  foot  by  this 
time  had  improved  and  as  the  guards  would 
parol  the  prisoners  to  obtain  wood,  he  took 
advantage  of  their  carelessness  and  escaped 
writh  a  comrade  named  Gordon,  and  two  others. 
They  took  a  northwesterly  course,  traveling  at 
nights,  and  by  traveling  500  miles  struck  the 
Union  lines  near  Knoxville.  Making  this 
long  and  wearisome  journey  took  many  days, 
and  the  experiences,  to  give  them  in  detail, 
would  occupy  nearly  a  volume.  The  terrible 
strain  and  suspense,  to  say  nothing  of  the  contin 
uous  walk  at  nights,  through  brush  and  timber, 
and  finding  means  of  hiding,  to  say  nothing 
about  the  hunger  endured,  was  sufficient  to  dete* 


364 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


them  from  the  attempt,  but  fourteen  months 
of  southern  prison  life  had  made  life  almost 
unendurable,  and  any  other  condition  in  the 
world  was  preferable.  Captain  Powell  arrived 
at  Knoxville  upon  the  day  of  battle  at  Spring- 
ville,  Tenn.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Decatur 
and  with  it  went  to  Texas  where  he  continued 
until  Jan.  10,  1866. 

He  was  promoted  to  be  ist  Lieut.,  soon 
after  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  for  meritorious 
conduct,  and  whilst  in  prison  was  commis 
sioned  as  Captain.  After  leaving  the  army  he 
returned  to  Oneida  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  was  married  in  1867  to  Miss  Lida  A. 
Moore,  daughter  of  L.  K.  Moore.  They  have 
two  children,  J.  Brainard  and  Eliza  Moore. 
Captain  Powell  had  five  brothers  in  the  rebel 
lion.  J.  Brainard  after  whom  Captain  Powell 
has  called  his  son,  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Resaca  whilst  commanding  his  company. 
Capt.  Powell  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and 
handling  stock.  He  is  a  Republican,  a  Free 
Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 


GEORGE  HARRINGTON,  of  Hinckley,  111., 
was  born  in  New  Berlin,  N.  Y.,  Sept. 
26,  1835,  a  son  °f  Rufus  and  Eliza 
(Welsch)  Harrington.  In  the  year  1848,  the 
parents  moved  to  DeKalb  Co.,  111.,  where  they 
settled  and  remained;  the  father  dying  May  24, 
1886,  aged  76  years,  while  the  mother  still  lives 
upon  the  homestead  with  their  son  George. 
Our  subject's  great-grandfather  was  in  the  war 
of  the  revolution,  and  figured  in  the  now  famous 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Mr.  Harrington  is  the 
eldest  child  of  a  family  of  four  children.  His 
next  youngest  brother,  Blin,  of  the  I27th  111.  Inf., 
was  killed  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  Our 
subject  attended  school  as  circumstances  per 
mitted,  and  with  the  assistance  of  his  father 
came  in  possession  of  a  fair  business  education, 
which  he  always  improved  with  good  practical 
business  habits. 

He  married,  Nov.  25,  1858,  Miss  Elvira  A. 
Ward,  daughter  of  John  Ward,  of  Ohio.  Their 
children  are:  Jessie  A.,  now  Mrs.  J.J.  Elanders; 


Ruth  Eliza,  now  Mrs.  Wm.  E.  Houghton,  and 
Estella  May.  He  enlisted  for  the  rebellion  at 
Sandwich,  Aug.  22,  1862,  as  a  private  in  Co.  H., 
105th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Dixon,  111.  The  Regt. 
moved  to  Chicago,  and  Sept.  30  proceeded  to 
Louisville,  Ky.  Leaving  there  Oct.  2,  it  moved 
to  Frankfort,  where  it  arrived  on  the  gth,  after 
a  severe  march,  and  was  there  engaged  in  guard 
and  picket  duty,  with  occasional  skirmishes 
with  the  enemy.  While  at  this  place  the  Regt. 
made  a  raid  to  Lawrenceburg,  and  returning 
moved,  Oct.  26,  to  Bowling  Green,  and  Mr. 
Harrington  having  been  taken  sick,  was  on 
Oct.  30  left  at  Borclstown,  Ky.,  in  hospital. 
After  a  delay  there  of  several  weeks  he  joined 
the  Regt.,  Dec.  23,  arriving  on  the  24th  at  South 
Tunnel,  Tenn.  Continuing  at  that  point  until 
Feb.  i,  1863,  it  returned  to  Gallatin,  remaining 
there  until  June  I,  when  it  moved  to  Lavergne. 
Mr.  Harrington  became  ill  during  the  month 
of  Jan.,  and  continued  so  for  several  weeks,  but 
received  much  kindness  and  attention  from  the 
officers  and  commanders  of  the  Regt. —  many 
of  whom,  knowing  his  illness  desired  him  to 
seek  relief  in  a  hospital — but  he  hesitated  to 
give  up  companionship  with  them,  preferring 
to  endure  the  discomforts  of  camp  life  as  long 
as  strength  permitted. 

At  Gallatin  he  was  detailed  on  safe  guard 
service,  guarding  a  plantation  for  upwards  of 
five  weeks,  and  being  comfortably  situated,  he 
improved  in  health  while  performing  his  duties. 
He  then  rejoined  the  Regt.,  moved  to  Lavergne, 
then  to  Murfreesboro,  then  back  to  Lavergne, 
and  afterwards  to  Nashville,  arriving  Aug.  19, 
it  was  quartered  at  Fort  Negley  and  occupied 
at  guard  duty  in  it,  and  the  city  of  Nashville. 
In  the  spring  his  Regt.  started  for  Chattanooga, 
Tenn.  (  P'eb.  24,  1864),  arriving  at  Wauhatchie 
Valley  March  10,  where  it  remained  until  May 
2.  The  army,  on  May  2,  moved  towards  Gor- 
dan's  Mills,  and  on  the  6th  started  on  the  ever 
to  be  remembered  "  Atlanta  Campaign."  His 
Regt.  first  proceeded  to  Leet's  Farm,  thence  to 
Taylor's  Ridge,  then  to  Snake  Creek  Gap  and 
Sugar  Valley,  where  it  arrived  May  12.  On  the 
following  day  and  evening,  it  did  some  skir 
mishing  in  the  vicinity  of  Resaca,  and  on  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


365 


1 4th,  supported  a  battery  playing  on  the  ene 
my's  works  at  that  place,  where  it  lay  for  the 
remainder  of  the  day  and  the  following  night, 
and  May  I5th  was  then  ordered  to  the  left  and 
supplied  with  60  rounds  of  cartridges,  and  with 
it  did  splendid  execution,  taking  a  fort  and  a 
battery  of  four  brass  cannon  called  "The  Pride 
of  Alabama."  Mr.  Harrington  well  remembers 
the  last  day  of  the  battle  of  Resaca.  It  was 
Sunday,  and  in  preparing  to  carry  out  the  or 
ders  of  moving  to  the  left,  his  mind  wandered 
back  to  his  home  and  parents,  well  knowing 
that  there,  instead  of  the  whizzing  bullets,  ex 
plosion  of  shells,  and  general  noise,  confusion, 
and  bustle  of  actual  battle,  his  parents  were  in 
their  quiet  home  preparing  for  church,  or  hum 
bly  wending  their  way  thither,  where  they 
could  worship  after  their  own  fashion  "  none 
daring  to  make  them  afraid."  The  following 
day  was  occupied  in  burying  the  dead.  A  long 
trench  was  dug,  and  at  the  north  end  the  "Boys 
in  Blue"  were  laid  to  rest,  while  those  in  "Gray" 
found  an  abiding  place  at  the  south  end.  In 
this  place  hundreds  were  buried,  and  as  the  sun 
was  sinking  in  the  western  horizon  the  last  and 
sad  duty  of  man  to  his  deceased  fellowman 
was  performed. 

"Few  and  short  were  the  prayers  we  said, 
And  we  spoke  not  a  word  of  sorrow, 

But  we  steadfastly  gazed  on  the  face  of  the  dead, 
And  we  bitterly  thought  of  the  morrow." 

During  the  twilight  the  bugle  sounded,  and 
shortly  after,  the  Regt.  was  on  the  move,  and 
continued  marching  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy 
until  3  o'clock  of  the  following  morning,  when 
a  halt  was  called  and  the  men  were  allowed  to 
lie  down  for  rest  upon  the  wet  ground,  exposed 
to  a  drenching  rain.  By  daylight,  May  Qth, 
they  were  again  in  the  skirmish  line,  and  after, 
in  the  advance,  came  up  with  the  rear  guard  of 
the  enemy,  near  Kingston  and  skirmishing  with 
it,  driving  it  in  at  every  point.  On  the  march 
toward  Atlanta,  Ga.,  it  again  engaged  the  rebels 
at  Newr  Hope  Church  May  25,  and  remained  in 
line  all  night,  under  a  drenching  rain.  The 
morning  of  2d  June,  the  Regt.  was  moved  to 
the  extreme  left  of  the  army  and  made  an  as 
sault  upon  .the  enemy's  works  at  Rickett's  Mills, 


amidst  showers  of  grape  and  gunshot  from  the 
rebels,  but  finding  the  ground  covered  by  it 
untenable,  fell  back  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
enemy's  guns.  Proceeding  towards  Atlanta, 
the  iO5th  was  put  out  as  flankers,  and  on  June 
4th,  moved  around  and  beyond  the  enemy's 
right  and  encamped  near  Ackworth,  where  it 
remained  until  the  6th.  It  must  be  quite  ap 
parent  to  the  reader  that  the  only  available 
wardrobe  of  an  active  soldier  is  the  outfit  he 
wears,  and  in  order  to  persuade  himself  that  he 
has  a  change  for  Sunday,  he  turns  it  inside  out. 
This,  however,  was  not  Mr.  Harrington's  expe 
rience,  for  while  at  Ackworth  he  had  sufficient 
respite  from  active  duty  to  wash  his  shirt,  a 
luxury  not  enjoyed  for  several  weeks  previ 
ously. 

After  leaving  Ackworth  his  Regt.  took  a 
position  at  Golgotha  Church,  in  line  of  battle, 
remaining  there  until  the  15,  when  it  advanced 
and  encountered  the  enemy  behind  breast 
works,  directing  their  fire  with  deadly  effect 
upon  the  Union  soldiers,  whereupon  it  was  de 
cided  that  the  latter  should  fall  back.  That 
night  and  the  following  day  was  occupied  in 
throwing  up  andstrengtheningtheUnion  works 
under  the  continuous  fire  of  the  rebels,  and  dur 
ing  the  night  of  the  i6th,  was  ordered  to  the 
right  and  there  lay  in  arms  until  morning,  but 
by  that  time  the  enemy  had  evacuated  the 
place.  In  the  two  days  at  this  place,  the  Regt. 
lost  19  men  in  killed  and  wounded.  Pursuit 
of  the  Rebels,  who  were  fleeing  toward  Marietta 
was  ordered,  and  started  upon  by  the  I05th. 
Mr.  Harrington,  about  July,  2Oth  became  too 
sick  to  longer  continue  in  the  ranks,  and  after 
being  examined  by  the  Surgeon,  who  ex 
pressed  astonishment  that  he  could  have  en 
dured  the  hardships  encountered  as  he  did,  or 
dered  him  into  the  hospital,  where  he  re 
covered  sufficient  strength  to  rejoin  his  Regt., 
on  the  25,  of  the  same  month.  He  was  in  ac 
tive  duty  in  front  of  Atlanta,  in  the  riflepits, 
which  were  partly  filled  with  water,  again  caus 
ing  him  sickness  for  some  days,  and  on  re 
covery  was  placed  on  picket  duty.  The  Regt. 
remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Atlanta  until  it 
joined  in  the  march  to  the  sea.  The  evacua- 


366 


SOLDIERS'AND  PATRIOTS' 


tion  of  Savannah  took  place  on  the  night  of 
Dec.  20th  and  the  Union  army  continued  near 
that  place  until  the  expedition  through  the 
Carolinas,  started  Feb.  2,  1865  when  the  I05th 
took  its  place  in  that  campaign  and  partici 
pated  in  the  engagement  ot  Lawtonville,  Feb.  2, 
Averysboro,  March  16,  Bentonville,  March  19- 
22,  arriving  at  Goldsboro,  March  24,  besides 
many  skirmishes.  He  was  in  every  battle 
the  Regt.  was  in  except  one.  Shortly  after 
this  his  Regt.  commenced  its  move  toward 
Washington,  took  part  in  the  Grand  Review, 
wras  mustered  out  on  June  7,  and  arrived  in 
Chicago  on  the  10,  where  it  remained  until  the 
17,  when  the  men  were  paid  off  and  dis 
charged. 


DR.  EDWARD  H.  STILSON,  of  Kewanee,  111., 
was  born  April  17,  1847,  m  Waterville. 
Me.,  left  his  native  State  when  8  years 
of  age  and  settled  in  Clinton,  111.,  with  his 
mother,  a  widow,  who  died  about  two  years 
later.  Attending  school  until  he  was  16  years 
old,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  H.,  i4th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
which  was  mustered  in  at  Quincy,  111.,  under 
Capt.  L.  B.  Peck  and  Col.  Hall.  The  Regt.  was 
sent  to  Camp  Butler,  at  Springfield,  111.,  where 
it  received  arms  and  was  then  put  on  cattle  cars 
and  thus  transported  to  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  where 
a  change  was  made  to  passenger  cars  to  New 
York  City.  At  this  place  the  steamer  "Bristal" 
was  boarded  and  a  voyage  made  to  Morehead 
City,  N.  C.,  where  a  landing  was  made  in  the 
night,  and,  after  disembarking,  the  men  laid  out 
in  a  soaking  rain,  starting  the  next  morning  on  a 
march  with  clothing  completely  saturated. 
The  rain  continued  during  the  whole  week 
without  intermission,  and  this  was  considered 
a  wet  introduction  to  the  service.  This  was  in 
Feb.  1865,  and  the  movement  was  continued 
until  the  army  of  Gen.  Sherman  was  joined  at 
Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  and  the  Regt.  was  placed  in 
the  3rd  Brig.,  4th  Div.,  i/th  A.  C.,  Army  of  the 
Tennessee.  Here  Co.  H.  was  put  on  outpost 
duty  at  Best  Station,  N.  C.,  for  a  time.  The 
next  movement  was  to  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  on  which 


there  were  frequent  skirmishes  with  parties  of 
rebels.  After  some  service,  in  different  direc 
tions,  the  men  were  sent  to  Washington,  by  the 
way  of  Richmond,  and  took  part  in  the  Grand 
Review,  afterward  camping  at  Arlington 
Heights  for  about  a  month.  The  Regt.  was 
then  sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  on  coal  cars,  and 
there  took  boats  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan., 
where  it  was  organized  to  fight  against  the  In 
dians,  and  marched  to  Fort  Kearney,  Neb. 
Three  regiments  were  sent  out  to  meet  the  In 
dians,  and  during  the  whole  time  were  harassed 
by  flank  attacks,  which  were  more  vexatious 
than  regular  battle,  according  to  modern  meth 
ods.  Shortly  after  this  expedition  the  I4th 
was  sent  to  Camp  Butler,  and  discharged 
Sept.,  1865. 

On  his  return  home,  Mr.  Stilson  began  a 
course  of  study  in  Knox  College,  which  he  pur 
sued  to  the  junior  year,  when  he  was  compelled 
to  leave  school  and  seek  employment  to  earn 
money  to  complete  his  studies.  He  then  en 
tered  a  course  of  medical  studies  at  the  New 
York  Homeopathic  College,  followed  by  the 
Bellevue  Hospital  College,  in  each  of  which  he 
spent  a  year,  taking  the  clinical  course  at  Belle 
vue.  He  then  entered  the  Hannemann  Medi 
cal  College  of  Phila.,  from  which  he  graduated 
in  1871.  Dr.  Stilson  located  at  Knoxville,  111., 
where  he  practiced  for  a  time  and  then  removed 
to  Keokuk,  la.,  pursuing  his  profession  for  two 
years.  He  then  removed  to  Jefferson  City,  Mo., 
where  the  fact  becoming  known  that  he  had 
been  a  soldier  in  the  "Yankee  Army"  he  was 
"left  severely  alone,"  and  was  compelled  to 
move,  which  he  did,  going  fo  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
and  afterwards  settling  in  Kewanee,  111.,  in  the 
fall  of  1887,  where  he  has  since  remained. 

Dr.  Stilson  was  married  in  Knoxville,  111., 
to  Miss  Kate  Eads,  in  1884,  who  was  a  daugh 
ter  of  John  Eads  of  Knoxville,  and  who  was 
educated  at  St.  Mary's  College,  Knoxville,  111. 
One  child,  named  George,  constitutes  the  cen 
ter  of  the  family.  The  Dr.  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics  and  is  quite  active  in  his  party.  He 
was  in  the  Democratic  County  Central  Com 
mittee  of  Knox  County,  111.,  and  also  made  a 
number  of  speeches  in  the  political"  campaign. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


367 


He  is  a  member  of  the   G.  A.   R.,  and  of  the 
Masonic  order. 

Dr.  Stilson  has  acquired  a  good  practice  and 
is  comfortably  situated,  holding  a  high  position 
in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  associates, 
and  is  regarded  as  a  gentleman  of  fine  intel 
lectual  attainments  and  a  leader  in  matters  that 
relate  to  the  public  good. 


ERICK  NELSON,  of  Peru,  111.,  enlisted  in  the 
army  for  the  war  of  the  rebellion  at 
Chicago,  March  15,  1865,  and  was  mus 
tered  into  the  services  a  private  in  the  38th  111., 
but  a  few  months  afterwards  transferred  to  Co. 
D.,  36th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  Immediately  after  his 
enlistment  he  was  ordered  to  Springfield,  111., 
where  he  was  engaged  in  drilling  and  on  guard 
duty  until  the  fall  of  Richmond,  when  he  was 
sent  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  made 
Corporal  of  the  Co.,  and  was  again  engaged  in 
camp  and  guard  duty  for  several  weeks,  and 
subsequently  went  to  New  Orleans,  La.,  and 
was  there  mustered  out  in  October,  paid  off 
and  finally  discharged.  While  in  the  army,  he 
contracted  a  disease  of  the  heart,  from  which 
he  has  been  a  continual  sufferer  ever  since. 

Mr.  Nelson  was  born  in  Sweden,  in  1840, 
and  came  to  this  country  sixteen  years  there 
after,  locating  first  in  Chicago,  where  he  fol 
lowed  his  trade  as  a  tailor  (which  he  had 
learned  before  leaving  his  native  country),  con 
tinuing  there  until  1877,  when  he  removed  to 
Peru,  and  worked  12  years  as  a  foreman,  and 
then  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  Apr.  3, 
1889.  Being  a  good  workman,  he  has  suc 
ceeded  in  building  up  a  profitable  business, 
and  in  providing  a  comfortable  living  for  him 
self  and  family. 

In  1866,  he  married  Mary  Louisa  Heft,  also 
a  native  of  Sweden,  and  has  seven  children — 
Cora  Amelia,  Annie  Olive  (born  the  night  of 
the  Chicago  fire  in  1871,  shortly  after  her  par 
ents'  home  had  been  reduced  to  ashes),  Lydia 
Adeline,  Jennie  Violet,  Erick  Walter,  Horace 
Rasmus,  and  Alvira  Louisa. 

He  is  a   member  of  the  order  of  Modern 


Woodmen  of  America;  of  E.  N.  Kirk  Post,  No. 
656  G.  A.  R.  at  Peru;  and  is  a  Republican  in 
politics. 


DR.  S.  L.  B.  BLACKE,  of  La  Salle,  111.,  was 
born  in  Brown  Co.,  Ohio,  Feb.  15,  1840, 
and  resided  upon  the  farm  with  his 
parents  until  he  had  attained  his  i8th  year, 
having  in  the  meantime,  attended  school,  pre 
paring  himself  as  a  teacher,  and  successfully 
passing  the  examination,  was  licensed  as  such, 
and  engaged  in  that  profession,  for  a  few  years, 
using  it  as  a  stepping-stone  to  attain  the  pro 
fession  which  he  had  determined  to  make  his 
life  work.  The  war  breaking  out,  the  stalwart 
dominie  saw  little  excitement  in  using  the  birch 
rod  on  disobedient  youngsters,  and  the  still 
more  monotonous  labors  of  repeating  the 
alphabet  to  children  sent  to  school  to  allow 
mother's  apron  strings  a  day's  peace.  He 
therefore  determined  to  behold  the  exciting 
scenes  incident  to  a  life  of  war,  and  enlisted 
Aug  II,  1862,  at  Georgetown,  Ohio,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  4th  Co.  Independent  Ohio  Cav 
alry,  at  Camp  Dennison.  He  was  with  his 
command  in  the  campaign  against  Atlanta; 
the  march  to  the  sea;  the  expedition  through 
the  Carolinas,  and  was  in  all  the  battles  and 
skirmishes  of  his  regiment — some  47  in  all— 
from  the  time  of  his  enlistment  up  to  the  close 
of  the  Rebellion.  Dr.  Blacke  was  serving  in 
the  Inspector  General's  department  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  John  A.  Logan,  at  the  Grand 
Review  at  Washington,  where  he  was  mustered 
out,  and  afterwards  returned  to  Camp  Denni 
son  where  he  was  paid  off  and  finally  discharged. 

Returning  to  Georgetown,  he  took  up  the 
study  of  medicine  and  surgery,  and  gradu 
ated  at  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cincin 
nati,  in  the  year  1869.  Having  been  granted 
his  medical  diploma,  he  removed  to  and  took 
up  the  practice  of  his  profession,  first  at 
Decatur,  Ohio,  continuing  there  until  18/6,  then 
removed  to  Tonica,  111.,  where  he  remained 
until  1887,  then  finally  removed  to  La  Salle,  his 
present  place  of  residence. 

In   1867  he   married   Miss  Jennie  Maklem, 


368 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


also  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  three  children  have 
blessed  the  union — Ida,  Roberta  and  Horace. 
The  Doctor's  parents  were  of  Scottish  descent, 
born  in  Penn.,  but  removed  to  Ohio  in  their 
early  married  life.  The  father  was  always  a 
pronounced  Democrat,  while  the  son  without 
meaning  or  intending  any  disrespect  to  his 
sire's  good  intentions,  thought  proper  to  cast 
his  vote  for,  and  be  quite  as  pronounced  in  his 
Republican  faith:  and  while  father  and  son 
could  always  engage  freely  in  the  discussion  of 
nearly  all  questions,  a  line  w^as  drawn  when 
they  came  to  the  subject  of  politics.  While  the 
Doctor  practiced  at  Tonica,  he  led  off  in  the 
organization  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  that  place, 
and  was  one  of  the  charter  members  and  filled 
several  offices  there,  including  that  of  Com 
mander  for  two  years.  He  afterward  assisted 
in  organizing  the  Posts  at  La  Salle  and  Peru, 
respectively.  He  is  a  Free  Mason,  and  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 
Our  subject  has  advanced  round  by  round  in 
his  profession,  and  by  strict  attention  to  his 
patients,  succeeded  in  building  up  a  large  and 
lucrative  practice,  with  a  reputation  extended 
away  beyond  the  community  in  which  he 
resides. 


JAMES  ALEXANDER  MONTGOMERY,  one  of 
Rock  Island's  (111.)  public  spirited  citi 
zens  hails  from  Bellemana,  County  Downs, 
Ireland,  where  he  first  saw  the  light  of  day,  July 
21,  1846.  His  parents  were  Samuel  E.  and  Sa 
rah  (Young)  Montgomery.  His  paternal  grand 
father  was  James  Montgomery,  a  native  of 
Scotland.  His  paternal  grandmother  was 
a  member  of  the  Ewart  family,  and  by 
marriage  was  connected  with  the  old 
Scotch  family  of  Ridele.  When  James  was 
but  two  years  old  he  lost  his  mother  who  lies 
buried  in  her  own  native  land  of  Ireland.  The 
following  year  we  find  him  and  his  father,  who 
was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  sailing  for  America 
and  landing  at  N.  Y.  City.  Here  the  elder 
Montgomery  engaged  himself  with  the  United 
States  hotel,  and  continued  in  this  entrusted 
position  for  twenty-five  successive  years,  when 


he  went  West  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Henry 
Co.,  111.  Subsequently  he  returned  to  N.  Y., 
connected  himself  with  the  Lovejoy  hotel,  and 
a  few  years  later  resumed  farming  on  the  old 
place  where  he  is  still  living  at  the  present 
time.  His  second  wife  was  Catherine  McMan- 
ara.  The  marriage  took  place  at  New  York, 
and  by  that  union  have  been  born  six  children 
of  whom  are  living,  namely:  William,  Maggie, 
Mary,  Samuel,  George  and  Lizzie.  James,  our 
subject,  was  reared  by  his  uncle,  William  Mc- 
Gonigal,  of  N.  Y.  City.  When  a  boy  of  twelve 
he  commenced  life  on  the  farm  which  occupa 
tion  he  continued  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
great  rebellion.  Though  only  a  youth  of  15 
years,  James  was  thoroughly  imbued  with  the 
true  spirit  of  patriotism,  and  accordingly  added 
his  name  to  the  muster  roll  of  honor,  and  went 
forth  to  battle  for  the  right,  to  lend  his  strong 
arm  in  defense  of  the  grand  old  flag,  as  one 
of  the  very  youngest  and  bravest.  He  enlisted 
March  8,  1862,  in  Co.  B.,  65th  111.  Inf.,  and  was 
mustered  into  service  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chi 
cago,  May  i,  1862. 

They  went  to  the  front,  going  into  camp  at 
Martinsburg,  Va.  Subsequently  they  were 
driven  out  by  the  enemy  and  proceeded  to 
Harper's  Ferry,  where,  during  the  surrender, 
on  Sept.  15,  the  entire  Regt.  were  taken  prison 
ers.  The  next  day  they  were  paroled  and  sent 
to  Camp  Parol,  Annapolis,  Md.  Oct.  31,  1862, 
our  soldier  boy  was  discharged  at  Chicago  on 
account  of  physical  disability,  he  having  been 
a  victim  of  chronic  diarrhoea.  Returning  home 
he  remained  on  the  farm  until- March  13,  1865, 
when  he  re-enlisted  at  Rock  Island  in  Co.  K., 
58th  111,  The  organization  of  the  company 
was  largely  due  to  the  zealous  efforts  of  com 
rade  James,  who  was  elected  Sergeant,  and  who 
was  the  first  one  to  drill  the  boys  after  arriving 
at  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  111.  Shortly  they 
left  for  New  Orleans,  where  they  embarked  for 
Dauphin  Island.  From  here  our  comrade 
aided  as  commissary  Sergeant  of  the  detach 
ment,  and  shortly  was  under  fire  during  the 
arduous  and  sanguinary  siege  and  capture  of 
Spanish  Fort,  Fort  Blakely  and  Mobile.  After 
this  victory  the  detachment  was  ordered  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


369 


Meridian,  Miss.,  to  arrange  for  the  surrender  of 
Gen.  Dick  Taylor's  army.  Subsequently  they 
marched  to  Demopolis,  Ala,,  where  they  were 
transported  to  Selma,  and  from  there  proceeded 
to  Montgomery,  same  State,  where  the  58th 
was  actively  employed  in  doing  provost  mar 
shal  duty.  Here  Sergt.  Montgomery  had 
charge  of  the  company  for  about  three  weeks, 
the  other  officers  being  sic"k,  and  here  he  was 
mustered  out  March  13,  1866,  the  great  rebellion 
having  come  to  a  close.  Returning  to  Henry 
Co.,  111.,  our  comrade  continued  farming  for 
about  1 8  months,  when  he  re-entered  school 
and  pursued  his  studies  diligently.  Subse 
quently  he  accepted  a  position  as  a  bookkeeper, 
which  calling  he  followed  two  years.  The 
country  with  its  unbounded  field  of  sunshine 
and  its  magnificent  panorama  of  nature's  beau 
ties  had  more  charms  for  this  young  man,  and 
he  accordingly  returned  to  the  tilling  of  the 
soil,  which  he  continued  three  years,  when  he 
was  injured  while  threshing  and  disabled  for 
further  duty  on  the  farm.  Then  he  moved  to. 
Rock  Island,  where,  March  14,  1874,  he  went 
into  the  employ  of  the  Government  as  guard  of 
the  bridge.  This  entrusted  position  he  has  held 
ever  since. 

Mr.  Montgomery  found  his  ideal  wife  in 
the  person  of  Louisa  C.,  the  estimable  daugh 
ter  of  George  W.  and  Louisa  (Smith)  Kincaid. 
The  marriage  took  place  Dec.  26,  1870,  at 
Colona,  111.,  and  this  happy  union  was  blessed 
with  seven  bright  children,  Sadie  L.,  George 
A.,  Susie  E.,  Mary  A.,  William  E.,  Bessie  M. 
and  Margarett  Ewart,  all  enjoying  good  health. 

A  loyal  soldier,  Sergt.  Montgomery  could 
not  but  make  a  loyal  citizen.  Frequently  his 
fellow  citizens  have  called  on  him  to  accept 
different  municipal  offices,  and  a  man  of  more 
integrity  they  could  not  easily  find.  Without 
his  knowledge  he  was  nominated,  almost  unani 
mously  for  alderman  in  his  ward  but  declined. 
Subsequently  he  was  appointed  on  the  police 
force,  with  a  position  as  desk  sergeant,  but 
again  declined.  In  1889,  he  was  a  candidate 
for  city  clerk,  and  only  after  the  seventh  ballot 
was  defeated  in  the  convention.  He  is  a  Repub- 

24 


lican  in  politics  and  is  an  earnest  and  active 
worker  for  his  party.  Mr.  Montgomery  is  a 
worthy  member  of  the  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  Lodge, 
No.  658,  of  which  he  has  been  Worshipful 
Master  for  the  last  five  years.  He  is  Captain 
of  the  uniform  rank  of  the  K.  of  P.  Lodge,  No. 
48,  and  holds  the  position  of  keeper  of  records 
and  seals  of  the  St.  Paul  Lodge,  No.  107,  K.  of 
P.  He  still  holds  and  has  held  for  the  past  five 
years,  the  office  of  Adjutant  of  the  John  Buford 
Post  No.  243.  Was  delegate  to  State  encamp 
ment  at  Quincy,  in  1889;  and  is  assistant  Inspec 
tor  for  the  G.  A.  R.  of  Rock  Island  County. 
His  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mr.  Montgomery,  himself,  is  a  man 
with  a  clean,  honest  record — a  genial,  whole- 
souled  and  affable  gentleman  who  is  a  credit 
to  any  community. 


M 


AJOR  WM.  McCoNOCHiE.  Few  men  are 
better  known  or  more  universally  re 
spected  for  their  honorable  straight 
forward  methods  as  business  men  than  is  Wil 
liam  McConochie,  Esq.,  Rock  Island's  (-111.) 
honest  and  progressive  Mayor.  In  the  early 
days  of  the  late  Rebellion,  he  longed  to  par 
ticipate  in  the  exciting  scenes  of  the  battle 
field,  but  being  only  a  mere  boy  of  16,  and 
having  an  elder  brother  John,  in  the  army,  the 
mother  absolutely  refused  her  consent.  Deter 
mined,  however,  to  join  the  army,  he  broke 
through  all  parental  ties,  adopted  an  assumed 
name,  and  after  considerable  difficulty  reached 
recruiting  ground,  where  he  enlisted  as  a  sol 
dier  and  followed  the  fortunes  of  war  in  the 
Army  of  the  Tenn.  at  first,  and  in  that  of 
the  Cumberland  up  to  the  beginning  of  the 
year  1864.  His  young  and  rising  ambition 
was  in  no  way  cooled  by  the  many  hardships 
and  privations  endured  during  his  soldier  life, 
therefore,  immediately  re-enlisted  at  Chicago, 
Feb.  23,  1864,  as  a  private  under  his  proper 
name  in  Co.  K.,  72nd  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was 
mustered  in  at  Springfield.  He  joined  his 
Regt.  at  Vicksburg,  where  he  continued  to 
be  employed  upon  provost  duty  until  Oct., 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


having  in  the  meantime  been  out  upon  two 
expeditions,  one  to  Benton,  Miss.,  May  7,  1864, 
when  it  had  a  short  but  severe  fight  with 
rebels,  and  the  second  at  Grand  Bluff,  July 
1 8th.  When  Sherman's  preparations  for  his 
march  to  the  sea  were  about  completed,  the 
Regt.  was  ordered  to  join  in  this  campaign, 
but  found  itself  too 'late  to  reach  a  given  point, 
therefore,  was  ordered  to  join  Gen.  Schofield's 
command,  which  it  did  on  Nov.  21,  about  the 
time  Hood  crossed  the  Tenn.  River,  and  the 
latter  having  a  superior  force,  Schofield  deemed 
it  prudent  to  retire  toward  Nashville.  On  Nov. 
29,  they  evacuated  Columbia  and  had  a  severe 
skirmish  with  the  enemy  at  Spring  Hill  be 
tween  Columbia  and  Franklin.  They  reached 
Franklin  on  the  following  day  and  about  4  p.  M. 
were  attacked  by  Hood,  and  the  battle  raged 
furiously  until  midnight,  during  which,  Mr. 
McConochie's  Regt.  being  in  the  front  line, 
suffered  severely,  having  lost  9  out  of  16  offi 
cers  engaged,  and  152  men  who  were  either 
killed  or  severely  wounded.  That  night  they 
left  their  works  and  retreated  toward  Nash 
ville,  reaching  there  Dec.  I,  and  on  the  follow 
ing  day  moved  out  and  attacked  the  old  foes, 
on  this  occasion  completely  whipping  the 
rebels  and  putting  them  to  route,  following  up 
the  victory  and  pursuing  them  to  Clifton. 
Then  proceeding  to  Eastport,  Miss.,  where 
they  remained  until  Feb.,  making  in  the  mean 
time,  a  fruitless  expedition  to  luka  and  Cor 
inth,  Miss. 

Feb.  9,  they  started  for  New  Orleans, 
continued  there  for  a  time,  then  crossed 
the  Gulf  to  Dauphin  Island,  Ala.,  and  the 
following  day  to  Mobile  Bay,  where  they  re 
mained  a  few  days  shirmishing  with  the  enemy, 
which  was  intended  as  a  feint  movement  upon 
Mobile,  and  returned  to  Fisher  River,  near 
Smith's  Mills,  Ala.  On  March  26,  they  moved 
in  front  of  Spanish  Fort,  and  lay  siege  to 
the  place  which  was  continued  until  April 
8th,  when  they  assaulted  the  Fort,  capturing 
it  together  with  the  garrison  and  supplies. 
The  following  morning  they  moved  to  Fort 
Blakely,  and  assisted  in  the  capture  of  that 
place,  and  on  the  24th  moved  forward  on  the 


road  to  Montgomery,  Ala.,  marching  over  200 
miles  to  that  place,  which  was  reached  in  1 1 
days.  Subsequently,  they  moved  to  Union 
Springs,  where  they  remained  upon  post  duty 
until  July,  when  Mr.  McConochie,  with  many 
others  were  transferred  to  the  33d  Regt.  at  Me 
ridian,  Miss.,  with  which  he  continued  until  he 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service  at  Springfield. 

Mr.  McConochie -was  born  in  Scotland,  Jan. 
II,  1847,  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Annie 
(Campbell)  MacConochie,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  1817,  and  the  latter  in  1821.  The 
mother  of  Annie  Campbell  was  a  relative  of 
the  great  Campbell  family,  the  head  of  whom 
is  the  present  Duke  of  Argyle.  Our  subject 
had  the  following  brothers  and  sisters:  John, 
Mary,  William,  Robert,  James  and  Annie,  the 
last  named  having  died  many  years  ago. 
John  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  having 
served  inthe2Oth  111.  for  upwards  of  four  years, 
during  which  he  was  a  prisoner  at  Anderson- 
ville  for  six  months,  having  been  captured  at 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  22,  1864.  William  immi 
grated  when  quite  young  to  this  country  and 
only  attended  school  for  a  short  time,  but 
after  arriving  to  manhood  discovered  the 
necessity  of  a  better  education,  consequently 
became  a  close  student  and  by  diligent  re 
search,  acquired  an  education  fitting  himself 
for  any  position  he  might  be  called  on  to  fill. 

He  learned  the  business  of  a  stone  cutter 
and  builder,  which  he  followed  since  the  war. 
He  married,  Dec.  28,  1868,  Miss  Isabella  Kit- 
son,  by  whom  he  has  the  following  children: 
John,  William,  Robert,  Isabella,  Mary  and 
Margaret.  He  was  elected  and  served  as  an 
Alderman  for  two  years,  and  is  no\v  serving  his 
second  term  as  Mayor  of  the  prosperous  city 
of  Rock  Island,  and  his  administration  has  been 
one  characterized  as  the  most  systematic  and 
progressive  with  which  that  town  has  been 
blessed  for  many  years.  Mr.  McConochie  has 
always  been  a  Republican,  but  has  always  rele 
gated  his  own  personal  emolument  to  the 
background  when  the  interests  of  his  country 
and  city  were  considered.  In  other  words,  the 
advancement  of  his  county  and  city  first,  his 
own  personal  aggrandizement  and  advantage 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


37' 


second,  has  been  the  leading  characteristic  and 
the  motto  of  Major  McConochie.  Heisa  Knight 
Templar  and  an  honored  member  of  the  John 
Buford  Post,  No.  243,  G.  A.  R. 


FREDERICK  F.  SHELDON,  of  Sterling.  III., 
was  born  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  in  March, 
1842.  His  parents  dying  while  he  was 
yet  an  infant,  he  was  adopted  by  Mr.  Benjamin 
F.  Sheldon,  assuming  the  name  of  that  gentle 
man,  who  was  indeed  a  father  to  him  in  all  that 
the  word  implies.  He  was  the  youngest  of  five 
children,  three  of  whom  are  living — the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  and  Franklin  and  Leavett  Fox. 
He  remained  with  his  adopted  father,  assisting 
in  work  on  the  farm,  and  in  going  to  school  un 
til  his  sixteenth  year.  Mr.  Sheldon,  his  father 
by  adoption,  was  a  native  of  New  England  and 
a  man  of  the  most  commendable  character  and 
Christian  principle.  To  him  and  his  influence 
Frederick  Sheldon  ascribes  whatever  life's  bless 
ings  have  fallen  to  his  lot.  This  rarely  good 
man  and  earnest  Christian  died  at  Nelson,  Lee 
Co.,  111.,  in  1859.  The  enlistment  of  young 
Sheldon  in  his  country's  service  was  in  keeping 
with  the  noble  principles  instilled  into  him  by 
his  adopted  father,  who  ever  advocated  the 
right  and  condemned  the  wrong.  He  enlisted 
at  Sterling.  111.,  as  a  private  in  Co.  F.,  75th  111. 
Inf.,  Aug.  8,  1862.  The  Regt.  went  at  once  to 
Dixon,  the  place  of  rendezvous,  thence,  on  Sept. 
27th,  embarking  for  Louisville,  to  take  part  in 
the  movement  against  Bragg,  being  almost  con 
tinuously  on  the  march  until  ordered  to  Perry- 
ville,  where  they  were  engaged  in  the  battle  in 
which  they  sustained,  for  a  time,  an  infilading 
fire,  losing  heavily,  but  bearing  themselves 
with  the  inflexible  courage  of  veterans.  The 
Regt.  came  out  of  this  battle  with  but  235  men 
reporting  for  duty.  Co.  I.  had  considerable 
losses  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Mr. 
Sheldon  remained  with  his  command  until  its 
arrival  at  Lebanon,  Ky.,  where  he  had  a  severe 
attack  of  typhoid  fever,  and  was  sent  to  the 
hospital,  where  he  was  detained  for  six  months, 
when  he  was  removed  to  the  Orphan  Asylum 


Hospital  at  Cincinnati,  and  subsequently  to 
Camp  Dennison,  Ohio,  where.  March  4,  1863, 
he  was  discharged  on  account  of  his  physical 
disality. 

After  his  discharge  from  the  military  serv 
ice,  he  attended  the  Eastman  Business  Col 
lege  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  June  8,  1864.  Returning  to 
Sterling,  111.,  he,  in  1870,  began  the  study  of 
law  in  the  office  of  William  H.  Bennett,  which 
he  assiduously  prosecuted  for  two  years,  being 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1872.  In  March,  1873, 
he  was  elected  police  magistrate.  He  declined 
to  serve  as  a  magistrate  and  did  not  enter  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession,  choosing  the 
more  acceptable  opportunity  for  business  of 
fered  by  the  Union  Mfg.  Company  of  Rock 
Falls,  in  which  he  became  interested  as  a 
member.  The  products  of  this  company  were 
wagons  and  carriages  and  the  business  was 
conducted  upon  a  progressive  and  enterprising 
scale.  He  continued  in  this  relation  for  four 
years,  when  he  became  associated  with  the 
Keystone  Manufacturing  Company  to  which 
he  has  since  devoted  himself,  being  the  present 
manager  of  the  collection  department.  He 
has  been  the  secretary  of  the  school  board  for 
some  nine  years  and  has  been  an  enthusiastic 
champion  of  the  cause  of  education. 

He  was  married  at  Morrison,  Jan.  7,  1876, 
to  Laura  M.,  daughter  of  John  Lane.  Of  his 
wife's  family  there  were  twelve  children,  one 
of  whom  was  Judge  William  Lane.  Mrs. 
Sheldon's  parents  are  now  dead.  Mr.  Sheldon 
is  the  father  of  four  children — Charles  F.,  John 
F.,  George  F.,  and  Florence.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sheldon  are  members  of  the  Congrega 
tional  Church.  Mr.  Sheldon  is  in  politics,  a 
Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  Will  Robin 
son  Post  No.  274,  G.  A.  R.,  and  the  incumbent 
adjutant,  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  Industrial  Lodge, 
No.  5,  of  Rock  Falls,  and  the  Rapids  Camp, 
M.  W.  A.  Mr.  Sheldon  has  exhibited  in  his 
life  work  and  conduct  those  traits  of  character, 
which  invariably  achieve  for  their  possessors  a 
distinction  compatible  with  their  devotion  to 
right  and  duty.  His  early  training  by  his 
adopted  father  has  ever  exerted  an  in- 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


fluence  for  good,  and  under  all  circumstances 
guided  his  footsteps  into  proper  paths  that  lead 
to  honor. 


THOMAS  CAMPBELL,  the  Treasurer  of  Rock 
Island  Co.,  111.,  was  born  in  County 
Down,  Ireland,  and  is  the  son  of  John  T. 
and  Margaret  (McQuoid)  Campbell.  The 
grandfather  of  John  was  Thomas  Campbell,  a 
native  of  Scotland,  who  removed  to  Ireland 
during  the  religious  troubles  which  afflicted  his 
own  country,  and  from  which  he  desired  to  be 
relieved. 

John  T.  came  to  the  U.  S.  in  1841  and  pro 
ceeded,  by  way  of  New  Orleans,  to  Rock  Is 
land,  111.,  where  he  located,  and  for  many  years 
afterwards  cultivated  a  farm  in  that  vicinity. 
He  was  born  in  1806  and  died  in  1858.  His 
wife  died  of  ship  fever  at  St.  Louis  on  her  way 
to  111. 

They  had  four  children — Mary  (Mrs.  Robert 
Rutherford),  Thomas,  Margaret,  who  died  of 
consumption,  and  Robert.  Thomas  Campbell, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  passed  his  early  life 
on  the  farm  of  Mr.  John  A.  Boyer,  in  South 
Rock  Island  Township,  and  received  his  edu 
cation  in  the  common  schools,  pursuing  his 
studies  in  the  winter  and  assisting  in  the  field 
labor  in  the  summer.  Mr.  Boyer,  with  whom 
he  resided  during  his  childhood  and  youth, 
died  in  California  Dec.  5,  1891,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  82  years,  leaving  Mr.  Campbell  more 
than  one-half  of  his  fortune,  which  is  estimated 
at  $100,000,  and  made  one  of  the  two  execu 
tors  of  his  will.  This  is  a  very  high,  as  well  as 
agreeable  compliment  to  the  poor  orphan  boy, 
who  came  to  the  late  Mr.  Boyer's  home  friend 
less  and  alone  in  the  world,  some  forty  years 
ago. 

Thomas  responded  to  the  call  to  arms  and 
enlisted  at  Rock  Island  Aug.  9,  1862,  as  a  pri 
vate  of  Co.  I.,  1 26th  111.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered 
in  at  Dixon,  111.,  Aug.  27,  thence  going  into 
camp.  The  seven  companies  composing  the 
Regt.  were  now  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago.  While  here  two  companies 
were  mustered  into  the  regular  service,  one  in 


the  89th  and  one  in  the  93rd,  and  the  five  com 
panies  from  Southern  111.  constituted  the  I26th, 
being  mustered  in  at  Alton,  where  they  metthe 
other  companies.  While  the  Regt.  was  at  Chi 
cago,  Harper's  Ferry  was  captured  by  the  reb 
els,  and  the  Federal  prisoners  were  paroled  and 
sent  to  Camp  Douglas.  It  happened  that  one 
of  these  prisoners,  going  into  a  sutler's  store  to 
buy  a  plug  of  tobacco  one  day  was  jeered  by 
the  sutler,  who  pronounced  him  a  coward,  and 
flatly  refused  to  sell  him  what  he  wanted.  This, 
on  being  reported  about  the  camp,  aroused  such 
a  spirit  of  indignation  against  the  sutler  that 
his  store  was  completely  demolished  by  the 
soldiers  and  his  stock  destroyed. 

As  a  means  of  protecting  the  other  sutlers  a 
guard  was  detailed,  Mr.  Campbell  being  one  of 
the  number.  Just  as  he  was  getting  ready  for 
duty,  a  gun  which  one  of  the  detail  was  load 
ing,  was  accidentally  discharged,  the  ball  enter 
ing  his  left  knee  joint,  causing  a  painful  wound, 
and  necessitating  his  removal  to  the  hospital. 
This  happened  Sept.  29,  1862,  and  he  remained 
at  the  hospital  until  Oct.  17,  when  he  was  sent 
home  to  Rock  Island.  He  was  for  the  ensuing 
two  years  unable  to  work  or  to  perform  any 
kind  of  labor.  His  knee  joint  had  been  badly 
shattered,  and  the  healing  process  was  neces 
sarily  slow.  When  able  to  work  he  engaged  in 
farming,  an  occupation  he  has  since  followed, 
and  in  1871  was  elected  to  the  position  of  as 
sistant  Supervisor,  serving  one  year. 

He  was  afterwards  elected  Supervisor  for 
eight  terms  consecutively,  and  for  two  terms — 
1886-7 — Chairman  of  the  Board.  In  1890  he 
was  nominated  by  the  the  Republicans  for 
County  Treasurer  and  elected  by  a  majority  of 
271,  the  majority  of  his  own  township  being 
92.  He  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office 
the  first  Monday  in  Dec.  1890. 

He  was  married  at  Rock  Island,  Sept.  7, 
1864,  to  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Johnson)  Carson,  who  were  natives  of  Vir 
ginia,  and  early  settlers  in  Ind.  They  are  now 
deceased.  There  were  born  to  this  marriage 
seven  children — John  T.,  Ada  B.,  Samuel  M., 
Charles  C.,  Mary  Alice,  Albert  H.  and  William 
R.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  The  family  are 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


373 


members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Camp 
bell  is  a  member  of  the  John  Buford  Post,  No. 
243,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Rock  Island,  and  its  Com 
mander  in  1889.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
M.  W.  A.  Camp,  No.  1,550  of  Rock  Island.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  faithful  and  ef 
ficient  official,  and  a  useful  citizen. 


CAPT.  B.  F.  HOLCOMB,  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  was  born  in 
Westport,  N.  Y.,  July  24,  1821.  His 
parents  Dr.  Diodorus  and  Sylvia  (Loveland) 
Holcomb,  were  natives  of  Vt.  and  N.  Y.  res 
pectively,  and  of  English  and  Welsh  extrac 
tion.  They  reared  to  man  and  womanhood  10 
sons  and  5  daughters,  and  buried  two  infants. 
Dr.  Holcomb  was  a  surgeon  in  the  war  of  1812- 
14  and  practiced  his  profession  as  long  as  he 
lived.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  He  buried  his  wife  in 
1839  at  the  age  of  fifty  years.  He  lived  to  be 
upward  of  eighty,  dying  in  Essex  Co.  N.  Y.  in 
i  S6o. 

B.  F.  Holcomb  was  educated  reasonably 
well,  at  the  eommon  schools  and  academy  in  his 
native  county,  and  when  about  16  years  of  age 
began  clerking  in  a  store  at  Whitehall,  N.  Y. 
He  subsequently  learned  the  tailoring  trade. 
In  1844  he  set  up  a  tailoring  establishment  for 
himself  in  Schroon,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1848  he  re 
turned  to  his  native  town  and  remained  until 
1855  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Galesburg. 
111.,  where  he  was  employed  as  "cutter"  for  the 
succeeding  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1859 
he  was  elected  City  Treasurer,  which  office  he 
resigned  in  1861  to  enter  the  U.  S.  Army.  Sept. 
ist  of  that  year,  he  was  mustered  in  as  Capt.  of 
Co.  K.,  45th  111.,  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  for  3 
years  and  4  months.  Early  in  July,  1862,  he 
was  placed,  by  detachment,  as  an  Aid-de-Camp 
upon  Gen.  Logan's  Staff,  in  the  engineer  de 
partment,  where  he  remained  until  he  left  the 
service.  Before  his  detachment  upon  staff 
duty,  while  in  command  of  his  Co.,  he  participa 
ted  in  the  battles  of  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donel- 
son  and  Shiloh,  receiving  at  the  last  named  en 


gagement  a  gunshot  wound  in  his  right  side, 
which  removed  him  from  duty  about  three 
months  and  from  which  he  never  fully  re 
covered.  Subsequently  he  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Fort  Gibson,  Raymond,  Jackson, 
Champion  Hills,  Big  Black,  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg,  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Atlanta  and  Sherman's 
march  to  the  sea.  Leaving  the  service  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  in  1865,  he 
then  returned  to  Galesburg,  111.,  and  for  ^con 
secutive  years  discharged  the  duties  of  Con 
stable,  three  years  of  the  time  filling  also  the 
office  of  Deputy  Sheriff. 

In  April,  1885,  the  people  by  a  large  major 
ity  placed  him  in  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace.  In  the  spring  of  1889,  he  was  re- 
elected,  and  which  office  he  now  holds.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  politically  votes 
with  the  Republican  party.  May  14,  1844,  Mr. 
Holcomb  was  married  in  Essex  Co.,  N.  Y.,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  A.  Towner,  a  native  of  St. 
Johns,  Canada  East,  who  is  now  living,  and 
they  have  four  sons  and  four  daughters,  namely: 
Watson  T.,  Dillon,  Mont.;  Theodore  C.,  Roch 
ester,  Kan.;  Arthur  B.,  Monmouth,  111.;  Helen 
A.  Converse,  Frances  I.  Regmir,  Libbie  M. 
Greenwood,  Edwin  P.  Holcomb  and  Hattie  P. 
Mair,  residing  in  Galesburg,  111.  Capt.  Hol 
comb  after  an  active  and  industrious  life,  and 
an  army  record  that  is  honorable  and  creditable, 
is  justly  entitled  to  the  esteem  and  respect 
which  he  receives  from  the  large  circle  of 
friends  he  has  made  by  kindly  courtesy  and  a 
keen  sense  of  justice. 


HANS  F.  HARTMANN,  a  resident  of  Rock 
Island,  111.,  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
was  born  July  25,  1841,  at  Ulzburg,  Prov 
ince  Holstein,  Germany,  the  only  child  of 
Hans  and  Christina  (Siegfried)  Hartmann. 
When  Hans  was  but  a  year  old  he  lost  his 
mother,  and  in  1854,  his  father  emigrated  to 
America,  locating  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  where 
he  still  lives  at  the  age  of  70,  enjoying  a  retired 
life  of  ease  and  comfort.  When  17  years  old 
Hans,  too,  sailed  the  Atlantic,  joined  his  father 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


at  Davenport,  and  subsequently  followed  farm 
ing  up  to  the  time  of  the  great  rebellion.  July 
21,  1861,  we  find  his  name  on  the  roll  of  volun 
teers  and  Sept.  17,  1861,  at  Davenport,  la.,  he 
was  mustered  into  Co.  B.,  i6th  Iowa  Inf.  The 
Regt.  remained  in  camp  until  the  following 
March,  when  it  marched  to  Benton  Barracks, 
Mo.,  where  Hans  was  appointed  Corporal. 
Shortly,  they  embarked  for  Vicksburg,  Miss., 
landing  on  Friday  night,  April  4,  1862.  Sunday 
morning,  April  6,  they  were  ordered  into  line 
with  the  gallant  i6th  Iowa  in  the  front  and 
center.  Onward  they  bravely  marched  over  the 
open  field.  Anon,  they  encountered  a  battery 
of  the  enemy,  which  lay  covered  under  heavy 
brush  and  timber.  When  within  about  a  quar 
ter  of  a  mile,  it  suddenly  opened  out  volley 
upon  volley  of  its  hot  and  deadly  fire,  the 
shattered  Regt.  being  forced  to  retreat,  losing 
135  in  killed  and  wounded,  but  notwithstanding 
this  terrible  loss  was  immediately  ordered  to 
support  our  battery.  The  Union  forces  being 
strengthened  during  the  night,  the  bloody 
battle  was  quickly  resumed  the  next  day,  this 
time  with  victory  to  our  gallant  "  boys  in  blue." 
After  months  of  skirmishing  and  foraging,  we 
next  find  our  subject  actively  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  luka,  Sept.  19,  1862,  where,  with  only 
a  force  of  7  or  8,000,  the  brave  "boys"  attacked 
and  repulsed  the  entire  army  of  the  enemy, 
20,000  strong.  Here  on  the  field,  while  sleep- 
ingduring  the  cannonading,  comrade  Hartmann 
was  wounded — a  charge  of  grape  and  shot  tak 
ing  him  in  the  right  shoulder,  demolishing  his 
cartridge  box,  and  only  for  the  good  fortune 
that  he  lay  with  his  head  turned,  he  would  have 
been  shot  through  the  skull. 

Thus  our  soldier  was  taken  to  the  hospital 
at  luka,  where  he  lay  several  days,  amidst  the 
pittiful  and  horrible  sight  of  piles  and  piles  of 
amputated  limbs,  which  were  thrown  from  the 
second  story  into'-an  adjoining  shed,  filling  it 
up  to  the  roof.  From  here  he  was  transported 
to  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  where  he  was  confined 
three  months  when  he  was  granted  a  furlough, 
being  without  money  he  could  not  return  home, 
thus  remained  in  St.  Louis,  and  after  twenty 
days  rejoined  his  comrades  at  Holly  Springs, 


Miss.     Here  our  loyal  and  faithful  soldier  was 
promoted  to  Sergeant.     After  weeks  of  march 
ing  and   an   engagement  on  the    canal  in  the 
rear  of  Vicksburg,  our  Sergt.  actively   partici 
pated  in  the  long,  arduous  and  memorable  siege 
of  that  city,  from  May  22,  to  July  4,  1863.    Next 
we  find  him  in  the  Meridian  expedition,  return 
ing  to  Vicksburg,  whence  the  Regt,  received  a 
30  days'  furlough.    The  boys  rejoined  the  army 
at  Dalton,  Ga.,  and  subsequently  Sergt.   Hart 
mann  was  actively  engaged  in  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign.     At  Atlanta,  July  22,  1864.  his  Brig.,  the 
famous,    "Crocker's   Iowa   Brigade,"  made  the 
gallant  charge  which  is  so   well  known  to  his 
tory.     Desperately  they  fought — it  was  Greek 
to  Greek — each  soldier  was  his  own  commander, 
and    during   this    tragic   conflict,    1,950,  among 
whom  was  our  comrade  Hartmann,  were  taken 
prisoners.     Crammed  into  cattle  cars  so  tightly 
that  there  was  no  room  to  kneel,  much  less  sit, 
they  were  transported  to  Andersonville  prison. 
"The  gates  of  hell"  were  opened  and   the  pris 
oners  were  marched  into  the  roofless  court  sur 
rounded  by  a  gloomy  stockade.     Here  amid  the 
ghastly  scenes  of  this  living  tomb,  he  was  con 
fined  sixty  days,  sleeping  on  the  bare   ground, 
rain  or  shine,  and  sometimes  going  without  food 
for  three  days.     With  little  or  no  food,  and  only 
a  few  ragged  shrouds  to  protect  them  from  the 
inclemency  of  the  weather,  the  poor  comrades 
died  and  starved  at  the  rate  of  a  hundred  a  day. 
Shipped  to   near  Atlanta,   comrade   Hartmann 
was  one  of  the  fortunate  who,  half  alive,  was 
exchanged    -many  being  returned  to  the  prison 
probably  never  to  return.     Having  joined  Sher 
man  in  his  march  to  Savannah,  Ga.,  the  brave 
boys    march    onward    through    the    Carolinas, 
wading  swamps,  fording  cold  and  icy  streams, 
and  at  Columbus,  N.  C.,  the  gallant  Brig,  capt 
ured   a  secession   flag,   for  which   there  was  a 
reward  of  $500.     Onward,  fighting  the  battle  of 
Bentonville  and  finally  joining  the  grand  review 
at  Washington.     The  remnant  of  the  Regt.  was 
discharged  at   Louisville,    Ky.,   July    19,    1865, 
comrade  Hartmann  returning  to  Davenport,  la. 
At  present  he  is  connected  with  the  Rock 
Island   Lumber  Company,  at    Rock  Island,  as 
Superintendent  of  thejr  mammoth  lumber  yard, 


D.   HAPEMAN. 


G.  W.   HOWE. 


L.  C.   MILLS. 


JAMES    KENNEDY. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


375 


a  highly  responsible  position  which  he  has  held 
for  the  past  ten  years  without  interruption. 

He  was  married  at  Davenport,  June  22, 
1867,  to  Kathcrine  D.  Aye,  and  to  them  were 
born  five  children,  of  whom  are  living:  William 
F.,  with  the  Lumber  Co.;  Clara  A.,  now  Mrs. 
Feimers,  of  Davenport,  la.,  and  Julia  A.,  the 
youngest,  now  being  educated. 

Mr.  Hartmann  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P., 
also  of  the  M.  W.  A.  Society.  In  politics  is  a 
Republican.  A  true  and  loyal  soldier,  an  hon 
orable  and  upright  citizen,  Mr.  Hartmann  has 
not  only  won  the  respect  of  his  employers,  but 
of  all  who  know  him. 


EZRA  MclNTiRE  was  born  in  Somerset  Co., 
Me.,  Feb.  2,  1831.     His  father  was  Ezra 
Mclntire,  who  was  the  son  of  Phineas 
Mclntire,  and  his  father  was  Jacob  Mclntire, 
who  was  a  Scotchman  by  birth,  but  lived  and 
raised  a  family  of  five  children  in  the  State  of 
Mass.,  long  before  the  Revolutionary  war.    He 
took  an  active  part  in  the  French  and  Indian 
war  of   1754  to   1763.     Soon   after  the  close  of 
the  war  he  died  at  the  age  of  45  years. 

His  three  sons,  Perley,  Jacob  Jr.  and  Phineas 
were  soldiers  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
Phineas,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  served  out  two  enlistments  (2  years)  of 
the  war  and  participated  in  several  engage 
ments,  among  which  were  the  battles  of  White 
Plains,  Harlem  Heights  and  Brandywine,  and 
was  with  the  army  during  that  memorable 
winter  at  Valley  Forge.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  he  married  and  emigrated  to  the  District 
of  Maine,  which  at  that  time  was  a  part  of  the 
State  of  Mass.  He  went  up  the  Kennebec  as 
far  as  where  Skowhegan  now  is,  but  then  an  en 
tire  wilderness,  and  there  made  a  settlement, 
improved  a  farm,  reared  a  large  family  and  had 
the  satisfaction  of  seeing  them  all  settled  in 
comfortable  circumstances  about  him.  He 
died  in  1837  at  the  age  of  84  years.  Ezra  Mc 
lntire  Sen.  in  early  life  followed  the  occupa 
tion  of  shoemaking  but  soon  after  married  a 
Miss  Claima  P.  Stichfield  of  Cumberland  Co., 


Me.,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of 
Bloomfield,  and  with  industry  and  perseverance 
was  enabled  to  make  a  comfortable  home  for  the 
remainder  of  his  days.  His  family  consisted 
of  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  grew  to  ma 
turity. 

Ezra — the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
youngest  of  the  boys  and  with  the  limited  ad 
vantages  of  securing  an  education  at  that  time, 
made  good  use  of  the  opportunity  offered,  and 
having  the  advantage  of  taking  a  few  terms  in 
Bloomfield  Academy,  determined  to  adopt 
teaching  as  a  vocation  for  at  least  winter  em 
ployment.  Having  had  some  three  or  four 
years  experience  in  that  line,  prior  to  the  time 
that  gold  was  discovered  in  Cal.  It  was  then 
that  the  gold  fever  spread  so  generally  all  over 
New  England.  Having  been  seized  with  this 
epidemic,  he  with  two  of  his  brothers  deter 
mined  to  start  for  the  far-off  Eldorado.  Accord 
ingly  Sept.  nth,  1851,  he  embarked  on  board 
the  Steamship  "Illinois"  at  N.  Y.  bound  for  the 
Isthmus  of  Panama.  Having  somewhat  of  an 
eventful  voyage  to  San  Francisco,  he  finally 
arrived  at  the  gold  fields  in  Columbia,  Puolumne 
Co.,  Nov.  8th.  Spending  nearly  two  years 
there  at  mining,  he  returned  home. 

After  spending  a  time  visiting  the  native 
home,  he  came  to  111.,  then  visited  Wis.,  re 
maining  there  during  the  winter  of  1854-55 
teaching  in  Fond-du-Lac  Co.,  returning  to 
Me.  the  following  spring,  soon  began  to  lay 
plans  to  return  to  111.,  and  there  make  a  per 
manent  home.  Accordingly  in  April,  1856,  he 
came  to  Bureau  Co.,  and  soon  settled  on  a  farm 
at  Neponset  wherehenow  resides.  In  Feb.  1858, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Thankful  C.  Wells,  a 
daughter  of  Hon.  Richard  Wells,  of  Clinton, 
Me.  Mr.  Mclntire  enlisted  in  Co.  H.,  g^d 
Vol.  Inf.,  Aug,  I4th,  1862.  He  was  with  his 
Regt.  during  the  entire  term  of  its  service,  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  weeks  just  before  the 
close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  sick  in  hospital. 
The  first  fight  was  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  May  14, 
1863,  and  the  second  at  Champion  Hills  two 
days  after,  where  both  Co.  H.,  and  the  entire 
.Re?t.  lost  severely,  and  two  color  bearers  were 

o  * 

shot  down.     Then   came  the  siege  and   charge 


3/6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


on  Vicksburg  which  entailed  heavy  losses  to 
the  Regt.,  a  movement  up  the  East  Tenn.  re 
gion  followed  by  a  long  series  of  marches  and 
engagements  leading  up  to  the  fall  of  Atlanta. 
At  "the  Tunnel"  at  Missionary  Ridge,  Nov. 
25,  1863,  the  Regt.  again  met  with  a  serious 
loss,  Col.  Putnam  having  been  killed  while 
storming  the  Rebel  works  and  three  men  bear 
ing  the  colors  were  also  killed.  The  93d  also 
took  an  active  part  in  the  defense  of  our 
garrison  at  Allatoona,  Ga.,  Oct.  5,  1864.  After 
which  it  started  with  Sherman  on  his  grand 
march  to  the  sea.  Was  on  guard  duty  at  the 
city  of  Columbia  at  the  time  it  was  burned. 
Was  also  with  the  forage  expedition  from  John 
E.  Smith's  Div.,  under  the  command  of  Maj. 
Archer,  that  made  an  assault  on  Florence,  S. 
C.,  with  the  view  of  relieving  some  of  the 
Union  prisoners  about  the  time  the  15  corps 
was  moving  on  Cheraw. 

Having  arrived  at  Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  a  rest 
so  much  needed  by  the  troops  was  ordered.  In 
consequence  of  the  long  and  tedious  marching 
Mr.  Mclntire  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the 
hospital  at  Newbern,  and  was  soon  transferred 
to  the  General  hospital  at  Madison  Ind.,  here 
he  received  his  discharge  May  26,  A.  D.  1865, 
and  arrived  home  a  few  days  before  the  rest  of 
the  Co.,  who  had  also  received  their  discharge. 
Since  the  war  Mr.  Mclntire  has  devoted  him 
self  to  the  cultivation  of  his  fine  farm  on  which 
he  was  residing  when  he  enlisted,  situated  on  the 
edge  of  the  valley  of  Neponset.  He  has  seven 
children  who  are  thus  briefly  sketched:  Ezra 
Elmer,  born  the  first  year  of  the  war,  was  edu 
cated  at  Colby  University,  Waterville,  Me.,  and 
is  at  present  Supt.  of  Stevens  Seminary  and  the 
public  schools  at  Glencoe,  Minn,  and  has  a 
wife  and  one  child,  whose  name  is  Herbert 
Spencer;  Nellie  L.  is  engaged  in  teaching  in 
the  schools  at  Sheffield,  111.;  Mary  E.  a  teacher 
in  a  department  under  her  brother  at  Glencoe; 
Richard  E.  resides  at  home;  Merton  P.  at  school 
at  Dixon,  111.;  Florence  A.  and  Adelaide  V. 
living  at  home.  Mr.  Mclntire,  in  politics,  is  a 
Republican,  never  seeks  office,  but  has  ever 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  govermental  affairs, 
and  the  cause  of  education.  He  and  his  wife 


are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  he 
holds  a  membership,  and  is  a  Past  Commander 
of  Post  284  G.  A.  R.  at  Neponset,  111.  This 
gentleman,  though  quiet  and  unassuming,  is 
highly  esteemed  by  those  who  know  him  best, 
and  is  regarded  as  one  possessing  a  high  char 
acter  for  sterling  honesty  and  unimpeachable 
integrity. 


WILLIAM  P.  QUAYLE,  editor  and  proprie 
tor  of  the  Rock  Islander  and  the  Tri- 
City  Trade  Journal,  of  Rock  Island, 
111.,  was  born  at  Newburgh,  Ohio,  Aug.  2,  1846. 
His  parents  were  John  and  Ann  (Holland) 
Quayle.  His  father  was  the  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  John  Quayle,  of  the  Isle  of  Man.  They 
emigrated  to  the  U.  S.  about  60  years  ago,  set 
tling  at  Newburgh,  being  among  the  first  to  lo 
cate  at  that  village.  The  father  of  William  P., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  by  trade  a  car 
penter,  and  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Man  in  1810. 
He  died  in  1880,  and  his  widow  in  1890,  at  the 
old  family  homestead.  He  was  notably  emi 
nent  as  a  member  of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  was  instrumental  in  its  advancement  in  the 
section  of  country  in  which  he  resided.  In 
politics  he  was  a  pronounced  Republican.  Nine 
children  were  born  to  him,  as  follows:  John 
(dead);  Mary,  who  married  Henry  Botten,  of 
Cleveland,  Ohio;  Sarah,  who  married  Mr.  Oscar 
Ruggles,  of  the  same  city;  Albert,  Samuel, 
(dead);  William  P.;  Charles,  Lucy,  who  mar 
ried  George  Canfield,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  en 
gaged  in  oil  refining;  Frank  H.,  a  clothier  at 
Elyria,  Ohio.  Samuel  and  Albert  were  in  the 
military  service  of  the  Union,  Samuel  in  the 
1 24th  Ohio,  and  Albert  in  the  iO3d  Ohio. 

William  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  after 
a  preliminary  education  in  the  common  schools, 
went  at  the  age  of  16  to  Lima,  Ohio,  where  he 
secured  employment  in  his  uncle's  grocery  bus 
iness.  After  a  year  thus  spent,  he  returned 
home  and  enlisted  at  Cleveland  in  Oct.  1864, 
and  was  mustered  in  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  as  a  mem 
ber  of  Co.  E.,  66th  Ohio  Inf.,  a  part  of  the  1st 
Brig.,  2d  Div.  of  the  20th  A.  C.  His  Regt.  was 
with  the  famous  "  march  to  the  sea  "  of  Gen. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


377 


Sherman,  during  which  he  was  often,  engaged 
in  foraging  expeditions.  Arriving  at  Golds- 
boro,  after  a  long  and  arduous  march  from  Sa 
vannah,  the  Regt.  presented  a  truly  bizane  ap 
pearance,  having  nothing  in  the  way  of  clothing 
that  would  establish  their  identity  as  soldiers, 
in  garb  not  unlike  Falstaff's  recruits.  Mr. 
Quayle  was  shoeless,  and  was  often  driven  by 
hunger  to  snatch  the  grains  of  corn  from  the 
mules,  themselves  but  very  little  short  of  starv 
ation. 

The  iO3d  Ohio,  to  which  his  brother  Albert 
belonged,  which  was  a  part  of  Gen.  Schofield's 
Corps,  sent  to  relieve  Sherman,  created  on  their 
arrival  at  Goldsboro  the  most  intense  expres 
sions  of  delight.  His  brother  did  not  at  first 
recognize  him,  but  their  meeting  was  one  of 
great  joy  to  both.  While  at  Goldsboro  the 
tattered  regiment  was  reclothed  in  neat  uni 
forms,  and  in  a  general  way  recruited.  From 
Goldsboro  the  command  moved  North  to 
Raleigh,  where  they  remained  but  a  few  days. 
It  was  here  that  the  sad  news  was  received  of 
the  assasination  of  President  Lincoln.  Their 
next  move  was  to  Bentonville,but  the  Div.  was 
not  engaged  in  the  battle  at  that  place,  being 
held  in  reserve.  The  next  event  to  follow  was 
the  surrender  of  Johnston.  After  going  into 
camp  for  a  few  days  the  command  took  up  the 
march  for  Washington,  where  they  participated 
in  the  grand  parade  and  review,  May  24,  1865. 
Remaining  in  camp  for  a  few  days  at  George 
town,  they  proceeded  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where 
they  were  mustered  out,  and  then  finally  paid 
off  and  discharged  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  July  20, 
1865. 

Soon  after  reaching  his  home,  Mr.  Qualye 
entered  the  Western  Union  Commercial  Col 
lege,  from  which  he  was  graduated,  afterwards 
engaging  in  business  with  his  brother,  Samuel, 
who  had  a  photograph  gallery  at  Painesville, 
Ohio.  This  partnership  was  continued  for  about 
one  year  and  a  half,  when  he  sold  out  his  inter 
est  to  his  brother,  and  going  to  Iowa,  located 
at  Davenport,  where  he  held  a  clerkship  in  a 
hotel  for  9  years.  He  afterwards  for  two  years 
represented  the  Davenport  Gazette,  then  remov 
ing  to  Rock  Island,  he  became  associated  with 


the  Union  as  an  an  advertising  solicitor.  Pre 
serving  this  relation  for  about  two  years,  he 
connected  himself  with  the  Argus,  and  was  the 
business  manager  of  that  newspaper  for  nine 
years.  He  then  purchased  the  Rock  Islander, 
and  the  Tri-City  Trade  Joittnal,  subsequently  ac 
quiring  sole  ownership  of  the  latter,  and  has 
since  conducted  both  publications.  The  Jour 
nal  is  devoted  to  the  manufacturing  and  whole 
sale  interests  of  the  Miss.  Valley.  It  is  a  hand 
some  quarto  of  24  pages,  is  issued  monthly, 
and  is  now  in  its  second  volume.  As  an  adver 
tising  medium  it  is  very  popular  and  gives  great 
satisfaction  to  its  numerous  patrons.  The  Rock 
Islander,  now  in  its  37th  year  of  publication,  is 
a  quarto  sheet  of  12  pages,  and  is  issued  every 
Friday.  It  holds  an  independent  position  in 
politics,  and  is  exceptionally  prosperous,  with 
increasing  patronage.  Connected  with  the 
newspaper  is  a  well  equipped  job  office. 

He  was  married  March  16,  1871,  in  Clinton 
Co.,  Iowa,  to  Kate,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane 
(Graham)  Stewart.  Mrs.  Quayle's  mother  was 
a  native  of  Ireland,  and  her  father  of  Pa.  Her 
mother  died  when  she  was  but  two  years  old. 
Her  father  is  still  living.  Of  the  union  of  Wil 
liam  P.  Quayle  and  Kate  Stewart  there  have 
been  six  children:  Charles  S.,  Frank,  Minnie, 
Edith,  William  and  Ernest.  Mr.  Quayle  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  W.  A.,  Camp  No.  29,  of  Rock 
Island,  and  was  the  first  Woodman  initiated  in 
that  camp  ;  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge, 
Trio  Lodge  No.  57,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  and  a  member 
of  Gen.  John  Buford  Post,  No.  243,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
its  present  quartermaster.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publian,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  the  Super 
intendent  of  the  South  Park  Mission  Sunday 
School.  He  has  been  an  able  advocate  of  pub 
lic  improvements,  and  since  his  residence  at 
Rock  Island  has  labored  assiduously  in  all  di 
rections  in  which  the  town  could  be  benefitted. 
He  was  one  of  the  five  that  secured  the  charter 
for  the  Elm  street  railway,  which  is  now  being 
utilized  by  the  Electric  Street  Railway  Co., 
they  running  their  electric  cars  over  the  line 
greatly  to  the  benefit  of  that  section  of  the 
city.  . 


37* 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Mr.  Quayle  is  an  honorable  and  strictly  con 
scientious  man,  whose  deeds  are  projected 
from  his  disposition  to  do  what  is  right  and 
just. 

SA.  KUTER,  of  Hinckley,  111.,  a  native  of 
Pa.,  and  a  son  of  John  and  Lydia  Kutert 
•  was  born  June  18,  1846,  inSchuylkill  Co. 
The  parents  were  natives  of  Pa.,  the  father  be 
ing  physically  a  strong  man,  6  feet,  3  inches 
high,  and  a  carpenter  by  trade.  Of  the  12  chil 
dren  born  to  these  parents  9  are  now  living,  and 
Simon  is  the  youngest.  He  acquired  a  common 
school  education,  and  at  the  age  of  17  years  en 
listed  at  St.  Charles,  111.,  Jan.  28,  1864,  in  Co.  A., 
i/th  111.  Cav.  This  Co.  pursued  the  usual  route 
of  the  111.  troops  on  their  way  to  active  service 
to  the  front,  and  went  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  at 
St.  Louis,  then  to  Alton  to  guard  prisoners,  re 
maining  on  that  duty  about  three  months. 
While  here  Mr.  Kuter  met  with  an  accident 
that  nearly  cost  his  life,  and  which  brought  on 
a  three  months'  sickness,  the  result  of  a  desperate 
swim  in  the  Miss.  River,  which  is  thus  described: 
He  and  one  other  soldier  were  well  out  in  the 
river  when  a  passing  steamboat  attempted  to 
run  them  down  ;  after  a  terrible  struggle  with 
the  waves  and  the  boat. both  men  finally  reach 
ed  the  shore  completely  exhausted.  Mr.  Kutcr 
sinking  a  few  feet  from  the  shore  was  rescued  ; 
his  companion  died  a  short  time  afterwards  in 
the  hospital  from  the  effects  of  his  exertions  at 
the  time.  After  recovering  he  moved  with  his 
Regt.  to  St.  Joseph,  and  from  this  time  there 
was  plenty  of  active  service.  The  men  were 
kept  on  the  move,  sometimes  riding  in  saddle 
for  three  days  and  nights  at  a  time  without  rest. 
This  Regt.  took  part  in  the  raid  after  Price,  and 
was  the  first  to  attack  him.  Sometime  in  Aug. 
Co.  A.  was  ordered  West  on  to  the  plains  to 
guard  against  the  Indians,  and  of  this  expedi 
tion  Mr.  Kuter  can  recall  many  thrilling  inci 
dents  and  experiences.  This  Co.  was  located 
at  Fort  Laramie  a  few  months  and  afterwards 
assisted  in  the  construction  of  Fort  Ellsworth, 
where  the  regular  soldiers  who  occupied  the 
Fort,  after  Co.  A.,  were  all  massacred  by  the  In 


dians.  Mr.  Kuter,  on  this  western  service,  wit 
nessed  the  marriage  of  Chief  Bever's  son  to  a 
white  woman,  on  which  occasion  the  Indians 
indulged  in  a  great  feast  and  dance.  After  night 
Mr.  Kuter  and  a  comrade  returned  to  this  dance 
and  joined  in  with  the  Indians,  but  it  proved  to 
be  a  hazardous  experience,  as  they  narrowly 
escaped  with  their  lives.  At  this  time  the  plains 
were  covered  with  herds  of  buffaloes,  the  sol 
diers  shooting  many  simply  for  amusement. 
After  his  return  from  the  West,  Mr.  Kuter  was 
discharged  Dec.  15,  1865,  at  Fort  Leavenworth, 
and  paid  off  at  Springfield,  111.  He  engaged  in 
farming  about  eight  years  until  1873,  then  for 
nearly  eleven  years  was  employed  as  contractor 
and  builder,  and  in  1884,  started  in  the  furniture 
and  undertaking  business  at  Hinckley,  111.,  in 
which  he  is  at  present  interested,  located  in  a 
fine  store  with  a  large  stock,  where  every  evi 
dence  of  success  and  prosperity  is  clearly 
visible. 

Mr.  Kuter  was  married,  Oct.  9,  1876,  to  Mary 
Lintner,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  has  a  family  of 
four  children  living,  whose  names  are:  Francis, 
Fernando,  Maynard  and  Altia,  with  three  dead. 
The  grandfather  of  Mr.  Kuter  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  he  feels  proud 
that  he  could  serve  in  the  defense  of  his  country 
that  his  ancestors  fought  to  establish.  The  Co. 
that  Mr.  Kuter  enlisted  in,  shows  by  its  record 
that  its  experience  in  the  war  was  not  all  pomp 
and  parade,  as  of  the  1 1 5  men  mustered  in  but  10 
answered  to  the  last  roll  call  to  be  mustered 
out.  Truly  the  silent  voices  and  the  vacant 
ranks  speak  more  eloquently  than  words  of 
eulogy  or  songs  of  praise  of  the  bravery  and 
sacrifice  of  the  soldiers  of  the  country  who 
deserve  the  highest  honor  and  esteem  of  a 
grateful  people. 


HENRY  EMRICH,  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  Galesburg,  111.,  hails  from   Germany> 
where    he    was    born  Jan.   26,  1844.     In 
1853,  the  family  sailed  for  America,  and  in  1856, 
located  at  Galesburg.     Two  year:;  later   young 
Henry  learned  the  art  of  printing.      When  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


379 


1861,  the  echoes  of  Fort  Sumter  rolled  loudly 
over  the  Prairie  State,  he  was  desirous  of  en 
listing  in  the  first  company  raised  in  his  town, 
but  not  being  of  age  his  father  objected.  On 
the  26th  of  the  following  January  Henry  reached 
1 8  years,  the  required  age,  and  the  next  day  he 
enlisted  in  Co.  IT.,  I3th  111.  Cav.  The  Regt. 
was  organized  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  and 
soon  they  were  ready  to  go  to  the  front.  Rid 
ing  barebacked  with  only  a  halter  to  guide 
their  fiery  steeds,  they  galloped  down  to  the 
Alton  depot  with  the  mercury  10  degrees  below 
zero.  They  arrived  at  St.  Louis  in  a  drenching 
rain  storm,  and  Mr.  Emrich  notes  that  it  has 
rained  every  time  he  has  been  there  since.  At 
Benton  Barracks  they  were  drilled  and 
equipped,  and  shortly,  the  I3th  formed  in  line, 
then  forward  "  to  do  or  die"  for  the  grand  "old 
flag."  The  first  day's  march  under  a  constant 
and  severe  rain  storm  ended  with  their  retiring 
at  Jefferson  Barracks  without  any  supper.  The 
next  place  reached  was  Pilot  Knob,  not,  how 
ever,  until  the  residents  along  the  route  were 
thoroughly  cognizant  of  the  fact  that  the  I3th 
had  early  learned  to  forage  and  subsist  on  the 
enemy.  Subsequently  we  find  our  young  sol 
dier  with  little  rest  or  sleep,  actively  engaged 
in  scouting,  bushwhacking  and  assisting  in  keep 
ing  the  line  open  from  Pilot  Knob  to  Poca- 
hontas,  a  distance  of  about  200  miles.  Then 
followed  months  of  marching  interspersed  with 
many  skirmishes  with  the  invading  enemy,  un 
til  the  boys  knew  the  "  ins  and  outs"  of  the 
Mingo  Swamp,  and  Lone  Jack  and  Ozark  Mts., 
with  the  intervening  rivers,  hills  and  swamps, 
about  as  thoroughly  as  the  streets  and  alleys  of 
their  native  city. 

During  the  winter  of  1862  to  63,  they 
engaged,  under  hardships  and  privations,  in  a 
fruitless  attempt  to  reach  Little  Rock.  Return 
ing  the  1 3th  did  constant  foraging  for  the  infan 
try,  and  the  fact  that  they  grew  "fat  and  saucy" 
was  the  best  testimonial  of  the  Cavalry's  good 
work.  July,  1863,  they  moved  to  Clarendon, 
Ark.,  joined  Gen.  Steele's  Inf.  and  then  began 
the  Little  Rock  campaign.  On  one  occasion 
at  2:30  A.  M.,  a  detail  of  125  advanced 
onward  through  the. dark  night,  discovered  .a 


rebel  picket,  passed  him  on  the  run,  and  soon 
the  advance  guard  of  14,  among  whom  was  our 
soldier,  Henry,  ran  into  an  ambush  of  about 
200  rebels.  The  little  squadron  was  soon  sur 
rounded  but  not  to  be  captured.  A  demand 
for  surrender  was  gallantly  answered  with  a 
volley  from  their  revolvers,  in  return  of  which 
they  received  a  hot  volley.  They  heroically 
held  their  ground  until  the  battalion  came  up, 
when  the  enemy  retreated.  After  weeks  of 
almost  constant  skirmishing  Mr.  Emrich  par 
ticipated  in  the  battle  of  Bayou  Metor  and  the 
capture  of  Little  Rock.  During  the  latter 
engagement  they  swam  the  Ark.  River,  and 
after  a  desperate  fight  with  the  rebels  in  a  cot 
ton  field  the  enemy  retreated  and  the  cavalry 
took  posession  of  the  city  on  a  dead  run,  Sept. 
10,  1863.  Subsequently  Mr.  Emrich  was  detailed 
as  orderly  at  the  headquarters  of  Gen.  Rice,  and 
the  following  year  he  faced  the  enemy's  fire  in 
the  following  battles:  Terra  Noir  Creek,  April 
12,  in  which  his  horse  fell  shot  in  the  neck  by 
a  canister  shot;  Little  Missouri,  April  4;  Prairie 
D'  Ann,  April  10,  11  and  12,  during  which  con 
flict  he  had  his  eyes  injured  through  an  explo 
sion  of  shell;  Poison  Springs  and  the  capture 
of  Camden,  April  15,  and  finally  in  the  battle 
of  Jenkins,  April  30,  during  which  his  command 
stood  the  brunt  of  the  battle  for  six  hours,  and 
where  the  Union  troops  suffered  a  loss  of  700, 
but  inflicted  a  loss  on  the  enemy  of  over  2,000, 
the  latter  being  rebel  authority. 

During  this  campaign  the  command  suffered 
quite  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded,  Gen.  Rice 
being  twice  wounded,  the  last  time  fatally. 
After  his  death,  comrade  Emrich  was  trans 
ferred  to  the  headquarters  of  Gen.  Steele  and 
received  the  thanks  and  compliments  from  that 
officer  for  special  duty  performed  with  the 
enemy  while  under  a  flag  of  truce.  He  remained 
at  Corps  headquarters  until  he  was  mustered 
out,  Jan.  27,  1865,  having  loyally  served  three 
years  and  being  under  fire  18  times. 

Mr.  Emrich  was  married  Jan.  6th,  1867,  to 
Miss  Caroline  Rulf,  who  bore  him  five  children, 
Erminie,  Charles,  Lillie,  Erie  and  Roy,  the 
two  latter  being  twins.  Charles  is  at  present  a 
cadet  engineer  in  the  U.  S.  Navy.  He  became 


38o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


editor  of  the  Galesburg  Plain  Dealer  in   1879, 
and  has  held  that  responsible  position  since. 


DR.  EDWARD  HALE  BOWMAN,  of  Andalusia, 
Ills.,  was  born  Aug.  15,  1816,  at  Frank 
lin,  Pa.  His  parents  were  Andrew  and 
Sarah  (Hale)  Bowman.  Andrew's  father  was 
James,  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  the  Revolution 
under  Washington.  Andrew  was  born  at 
Easton,  Pa.,  as  was  his  father  James. 

Dr.  Bowman's  paternal  ancestors  were 
Scotch-Irish,  and  his  maternal  descent  from 
the  English  Cavaliers  of  Md.  His  mother, 
Sarah  Hale,  was  the  daughter  of  an  Indian 
trader,  and  was  born  in  Venango  Co.,  Pa.  His 
father's  occupation  was  that  of  a  farmer,  being 
also  a  tanner  and  currier,  to  which  was  added 
the  business  of  boot  and  shoemaking.  He 
served  as  Sheriff  of  Venango  Co.,  and  held  the 
position  of  Clerk  of  the  Court  and  Recorder. 
In  his  later  life  he  was  often  called  upon  to 
adjust  the  disputes  and  differences  of  his 
neighbors  as  an  arbitrator,  a  duty  which  gave 
him  great  satisfaction  as  conducing  to  the 
greater  harmony  and  peace  among  them. 

In  his  early  life  he  espoused  the  cause  of 
the  Whig  party,  but  subsequently  became  a 
Democrat.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  child 
ren:  Edward  Hale,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
Andrew  W.,  a  graduate  of  West  Point,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  Colonel  of  the  3ist  U.  S. 
Inf.;  William  George,  Edwin  Charles,  Alfred 
and  Ruth,  of  whom  Edwin,  Andrew,  William, 
Ruth  and  William  George  are  dead. 

The  father  died  about  1854,  and  the  mother 
12  years  later.  Edward's  childhood  was  passed 
amid  the  charms  of  home  and  in  acquiring  a 
preliminary  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  the  period.,  He  completed  his  education  at 
the  Venango  Academy,  after  which,  on  account 
of  his  father's  ill  health,  he  was  given  control 
of  his  business.  He  subsequently  established 
a  school  which  for  sometime  he  successfully 
taught,  and  in  which  he  gained  distinction  for 
the  maintenance  of  a  scrupulous  discipline. 
Resolving  finally  to  try  his  fortunes  away  from 


home,  he  packed  his  clothes  and  other  small 
personal  effects  in  a  trunk  which  he  made  from 
his  father's  stock  of  leather,  and  set  out  for 
Kentucky.  Locating  at  Lexington,  he  early 
obtained  a  school,  which  he  taught  for  five 
months,  incurring  the  highest  commendation 
of  his  patrons,  who  offered  to  double  his  salary, 
if  he  would  continue  to  teach.  This  he  thought 
proper  to  decline,  and  going  to  Jessamine,  Ky., 
opened  a  private  school,  and  began  the  study 
of  medicine,  which  he  prosecuted  at  the  same 
time.  It  was  while  here  that  he  obtained  a 
skeleton,  which  he  still  has  in  his  possession. 

During  his  period  of  teaching  at  Jessamine, 
and  in  Montgomery  Co.,  he  saved  up  enough 
money  to  defray  the  expense  of  a  regular 
course  of  medical  lectures  at  Transylvania 
University,  Lexington,  Ky.,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  March,  1841.  Returning  to  his 
old  home,  he  opened  an  office,  and,  after  his 
marriage,  which  occurred  in  a  few  months, 
removed  to  Harrisville,  Pa.,  where  he  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  remained 
here  for  two  years,  when  he  removed  to  Rock- 
Island,  111. .resuming  practice.  Here,  with  some 
interruptions,  he  continued  until  the  beginning 
of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  . 

In  the  spring  of  1852,  he  caught  the  gold 
fever  and  went  to  California,  where  for  two 
years  he  was  engaged  in  mining,  in  which  he 
was  partially  successful.  He  lost  considerably 
in  various  speculations,  but  managed  to  save 
and  send  his  wife  a  fair  proportion  of  the  re 
sults  of  his  operations.  Subsequently  his  cash 
balance  becoming  reduced  to  but  fifty  cents, 
he  began  to  look  around  him  for  some  employ 
ment.  He  found  a  man  who  was  building  a 
hotel,  and  representing  himself  as  a  carpenter 
secured  a  job  at  $5  per  day.  It  was  soon  dis 
covered  that  he  was  not  a  carpenter,  although 
his  work  was  well  done.  During  this  time  one 
of  the  men  around  him  was  taken  sick  and  he 
treated  him.  At  first  the  sick  man  showed 
signs  of  improvement,  but  subsequently  was 
.attacked  with  a  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  upon 
which  the  Doctor  gave  him  a  receipt  for  some 
medicine.  The  man  took  the  prescription  to 
a  drug  store  to  be  filled  and  the  druggist  told 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


him  it  was  written  by  a  regular  physician.  This 
made  known  the  Doctor's  real  character. 

His  California  claims,  which  he  had  con 
sidered  worth  $20,000  were  appropriated  by 
trespassers,  but  for  the  reason  that  he  refused 
to  bribe  the  Judge,  they  retained  possession, 
thus  denuding  him  of  his  rights.  He  returned 
by  way  of  the  Isthmus,  and  reaching  home,  re 
sumed  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Edgington, 
111.,  which  proved  lucrative,  but  his  health  fail 
ing  he  engaged  in  politics,  offering  himself  for 
the  position  of  Circuit  Clerk,  to  which  he  was 
elected  in  1860. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War  he  was 
offered  by  Col.  Buford,  of  the  2;th  111.  Inf.,  the 
post  of  Surgeon,  asking  his  acceptance  by  tele 
gram  from  Cairo.  Going  the  same  evening  to 
Chicago,  he  failed  to  receive  an  order  for  his 
examination,  and  returned  to  Rock  Island, 
again  entering  upon  his  duties  as  Circuit  Clerk. 
A  second  attempt  to  secure  a  position  as  Sur 
geon  proved  successful,  Gov.  Yates  giving  him 
the  appointment,  without  an  examination,  of 
Surgeon  to  the  2/th  111.  He  entered  upon  his 
duties  at  Cairo,  remaining  there  during  the  en 
suing  winter,  the  next  summer  participating 
with  his  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Belrnont. 
He  had,  subsequent  to  assuming  incumbent 
duties  as  a  Surgeon  at  Cairo,  passed  a  very 
satisfactory  examination  at  Springfield.  At 
this  time  there  were  about  150  applicants  for 
Surgeons'  positions.  He  was  required  to  write 
a  thesis,  which  he  did  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
examining  board,  but  as  his  name  had  not  been 
enrolled,  the  issuance  of  his  commission  could 
not  follow.  An  appeal  to  Gov.  Yates,  how 
ever,  obtained  him  the  necessary  order,  and  he 
was  duly  installed  as  Surgeon.  He  earned  the 
distinction  of  dressing  more  cases  of  the  men 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  Belmont  than  any 
other  Surgeon  of  his  department. 

The  next  important  move  of  this  command 
was  from  Cairo  to  Columbus  in  the  spring  of 
1862,  and  thence  down  the  Miss.,  to  Island  No. 
10,  with  the  gunboat  flotilla,  taking  part  in  all 
the  operations  that  succeeded.  He  was  while 
here  an  observer  of  the  process  of  cutting  the 
levee  to  permit  an  influx  of  water  to  New 


Madrid,  enabling  the  passage  of  boats  from 
that  point  to  aid  in  capturing  the  position. 
This  plan  was  originated  by  the  27th,  who  were 
on  the  boats  which  ran  the  batteries.  The 
Doctor  having  been  requested  by  Col.  Buford 
to  receive  the  surrender  of  such  of  the  garrison 
of  Island  No.  10  as  had  not  escaped,  was  thus 
the  first  Union  soldier  to  set  foot  upon  it  after 
the  capitulation.  Before  the  surrender  of  Island 
No.  10  the  Regt,  accompanied  by  the  Doctor, 
made  an  expedition  to  Union  City,  debarking 
at  Hickman,  to  disperse  the  rebels  there  sta 
tioned.  While  here  the  Doctor  was  directed 
by  Col.  Buford  to  investigate  a  light  which  was 
observed  at  some  distance.  Proceeding  in  the 
direction  indicated  by  the  light,  he  was  halted 
by  a  Union  soldier  on  guard  at  a  house,  the 
occupants  of  which  were  rebel  sympathizers. 
Returning  to  Col.  Buford  they  repaired  to  the 
place  where  supper  had  been  prepared  for  them. 
The  rebel  force  of  some  2,OOO  men  at  Union 
City  was  taken  by  surprise  and  made  a  precipi 
tate  retreat  after  a  few  discharges  of  shells 
from  the  Federal  batteries,  leaving  behind  them 
their  unfinished  breakfasts.  After  destroying 
the  camp  the  expedition  returned  to  Island  No. 
10,  the  Doctor  bringing  off  as  trophies,  which 
he  still  retains,  the  saddle  and  trappings  of  a 
rebel  colonel. 

The  command  after  this  moved  down  the 
river  to  invest  Fort  Pillow,  but  just  as  the  attack 
had  commenced  the  battle  of  Shiloh  took  place, 
and  the  order  to  retrace  their  steps  to  that 
point,  as  a  reinforcement,  was  at  once  acted 
upon.  Here  the  Doctor  had  no  difficulty  in 
observing  the  action  and  noting  the  various 
manoeuvers,  which  he  does  not  regard  as  being 
creditable  to  those  in  command.  He  was  with 
the  march  to  Corinth  under  Gen.  Halleck,  and 
at  the  siege,  remaining  until  after  the  surrender. 
From  Corinth  the  command  proceeded  east 
along  the  line  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston 
R.  R.,  keeping  up  communications  until  Kirby 
Smith  broke  through  his  barriers  on  the  route 
to  Louisville.  The  command  was  then  ordered 
to  Nashville,  while  the  rest  of  the  army  moved 
on  to  Louisville. 

During  the  march  from  Corinth  to  Nash- 


382 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ville,  Dr.  Bowman  received  promotion  as 
Surgeon  in  Chief  of  the  1st  Division  of  the 
Army  of  the  Mississippi.  The  command  rested 
at  Nashville  for  about  two  months,  performing 
guard  duty  and  making  occasional  expeditions 
in  the  vicinity.  Col.  Buford  was  here  promoted 
to  Brig.  Gen.,  Col.  Harrington  succeding  to  the 
command  of  the  Regt.  The  Doctor  accom 
panied,  while  at  Nashville,  an  expedition  to 
Goodlitsville  to  destroy  a  rebel  camp  there  lo 
cated,  wich  was  attended  with  much  fatigue 
and  privation.  On  his  return  to  Nashville  he 
was  able  to  treat  his  friends  to  some  excellent 
port  wine,  which  he  had  secured  before  they 
set  out  on  the  expedition.  At  ten  o'clock  on 
the  night  of  the  return,  orders  were  given  to 
march  at  midnight  in  the  direction  of  Murfrees- 
boro,  and  to  Lawrence,  which  was  reported  to 
be  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  The  27th  hav 
ing  been  on  the  late  expedition  was  in  no  con 
dition  to  move,  the  men  being  literally  worn  out. 
The  Dr.  reported  this  fact  to  the  Gen.  John  M. 
Palmer,  telling  him  the  men  were  not  able  to 
march,  when  the  General  asked  him  if  the  men 
would  consent  to  fight  if  they  were  provided 
with  transportation.  The  Dr.  replied  that  they 
would,  and  orders  were  immediately  given  to 
have  ambulances  ready  for  them  at  midnight, 
which  were  promptly  obeyed,  and  the  move 
was  made,  resulting  in  a  sharp  encounter  with 
the  enemy  in  which  he  was  driven  out  with  the 
loss  of  several  prisoners,  camp  equipage,  wag 
ons  and  rebel  uniforms. 

Returning  to  Nashville,  they  remained 
there  until  after  the  battle  of  Perryville,  when 
Rosencrans  came  in  with  his  army,  taking  the 
command.  The  army  was  now  reorganized 
and  the  division  to  which  Dr.  Bowman  had 
been  attached  in  the  Army  of  the  Miss,  disolv- 
ed,  and  the  Dr.  assigned  as  Surgeon  of  the  3rd 
Brig,  of  Sheridan's  Div.,  but  the  seniority  of  his 
rank  should  have  made  him  Surgeon  of  the 
Div.  Preparations  were  now  begun  for  the 
move  upon  Murfreesboro,  and  the  Union  troops 
proceeding  in  that  direction  met  the  enemy  to 
the  north  of  that  point,  engaging  in  a  skirmish. 
Here  the  rebels  got  in  the  rear  of  the  Union 
force,  capturing  Dr.  Bowman's  wagon  contain 


ing  his  medical  supplies  and  surgical  instru 
ments. 

He  was  with  his  brigade  in  the  battle  of 
Stone  River  and  was  kept  busy  attending  to  the 
wounded,  finally  removing  them  over  to  the 
Murfreesboro  pike,  whence  they  were  sent  on 
to  Nashville.  He  was  on  the  2cl  day  ordered 
to  turn  over  his  hospital  to  another  Surgeon 
and  to  follow  the  main  line.  He  presently 
noticed  the  movement  of  the  rebels  around  to 
the  rear  of  his  position.  He  was  now  between 
the  lines,  but  by  riding  cautiously  along,  he 
finally  came  into  his  own  line  again,  after  pass 
ing  a  rebel  battery. 

During  this  battle  Col.  Harrington  was 
brought  to  him,  having  been  badly  wounded 
in  the  face  with  serious  injuries  to  his  jaw.  The 
Dr.  having  him  removed  to  a  clump  of  cedars, 
dressed  his  wounds  as  well  as  he  could.  He 
was  here  pounced  upon  by  the  rebels,  who 
fired  into  his  improvised  hospital,  and  coming 
up,  took  him,  the  wounded  Col.  and  several 
others  prisoners,  making  them  walk,  the 
wounded  as  well  as  those  who  were  uninjured. 
He  continued  a  prisoner  until  the  rebels  were 
defeated  and  had  evacuated  Murfreesboro, 
when  he  was  permitted  to  return  to  his  com 
mand. 

During  the  time  of  his  captivity  he  attended 
to  the  enemy's  wounded,  and  when  he  was  sum 
moned  to  the  bedside  of  Col.  Harrington,  who 
had  been  captured  with  him,  he  found  him  dy 
ing  from  an  overdose  of  morphine  which  had 
been  administered  by  some  rebel  surgeon. 
Procuring  some  lumber  he  with  the  assistance 
of  a  negro,  made  a  good  coffin,  and  then,  he 
and  some  of  the  men  dug  a  grave  large  enough 
for  two,  they  buried  side  by  side  the  Union  Col 
onel  and  the  rebel  Gen.  Sill,  amid  the  firing  of 
artillery,  proclaiming  the  victory  of  the  Union 
arms.  His  duty  performed  he  was  returning  to 
make  a  report  to  the  Provost  Marshal,  when  he 
was  seized  with  hunger,  and  meeting  a  man 
with  some  "turn  over"  pies  paid  him  liberally 
for  what  he  had,  dividing  them  with  the  men  who 
had  assisted  him  in  burying  the  dead.  He 
then  proceeded  to  take  care  of  the  wounded  of 
the  Union  troops,  who  were  suffering  from 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


383 


hunger.  He  took  up  a  candle  and  made  a 
search  for  something  for  them  to  eat,  succeed 
ing  in  getting  some  beans,  bacon  and  flour, 
which  were  cooked  with  the  aid  of  some  of  the 
Union  prisoners.  In  this  way  he  had  pre 
pared  provisions  for  a  meal  for  162  of  the  men 
that  night,  for  which  they  were  profoundly 
grateful,  and  which  they  heartily  enjoyed. 
After  a  protracted  period  of  inactivity  at  Stone 
River,  and  the  essential  rest  and  reorgani 
zation,  the  army  moved  forward  in  the  cam 
paign,  which  through  its  superior  management 
compelled  the  rebels  to  relinquish  their  hold 
upon  Tullahoma,  and  drove  then  from  Ten 
nessee. 

In  every  movement  the  Doctor  was  at  the 
front,  and  although  ordered  back  on  account  of 
sickness  by  Gen.  Sheridan,  he  was  at  his  own 
earnest  request  and  that  of  his  Div.  Surgeon 
permitted  to  accompany  the  army  on  its  march. 
He  much  preferred  to  seethe  compulsory  flight 
of  the  enemy  before  "Old  Glory,"  and  consid 
ered  it  really  a  better  tonic  in  his  case  than 
quinine  in  commissary  whisky. 

The  rebels  had  burned  the  bridge  across  the 
Tenn.  River,  but  a  crossing  was  effected  over  a 
temporary  structure  of  pontoons  and  trestles. 
They  were  on  the  extreme  right  wing  of  the 
advancing  army,  which  brought  them  to  Alpine 
in  Ga.  The  enemy  had  been  anticipating  this 
movement  and  had  left  the  country  open,  taking 
down  the  fences  to  admit  the  passage  of  cavalry 
and  artillery.  The  command  went  into  camp 
in  line  of  battle,  but  were  soon  ordered  to 
"strike  tents  and  take  the  back  track."  They 
ascended  and  descended  Lookout  Mt.,  then 
marched  up  the  Tenn.  Valley  for  18  miles  or 
more,  afterwards  reascending  Lookout  Moun 
tain,  and  again  descending,  finding  a  whole 
regiment  of  Thomas'  command  making  a  road 
way  for  them,  by  which  they  could  more  easily 
get  down.  By  building  fires  upon  the  rocks 
and  then  when  heated  pouringwaterupon  them 
to  crack  them,  they  finally  succeeded  in  effect 
ing  a  rough  passage.  The  command  proceeded 
to  the  Chickamauga  Valley  and  were  at  once 
put  into  line  of  battle.  The  march  was  resumed 
until  after  dark,  when  the  command  halted  to 


get  supper  and  rest,  but  were  soon  again  in 
motion,  finally  about  midnight  the  order  to 
bivouac  without  lights  indicating  the  proxim 
ity  of  the  enemy,  and  the  command  lay  upon 
their  arms.  The  camp  was  aroused  in  the  early 
morning,  and  the  men  hastily  prepared  coffee 
and  again  were  in  readiness  for  the  advance. 

Dr.  Bowman  was  sitting  upon  his  horse  with 
two  blankets  over  his  saddle  talking  with  his 
Brig,  commander,  Gen.  L.  C.  Bradley,  and  Otis 
Moody,  brother  of  the  noted  evangelist,  who 
berated  him  for  "riding  on  a  pile  of  blankets 
like  an  old  huckster  woman."  They  declared 
it  "undignified  for  the  chief  medical  officer  of 
the  Brig.,"  but  the  Dr.  received  it  as  the  joke  it 
was  meant  to  be.  Proceeding  on  the  march 
they  arrived  at  Crawfish  Springs,  a  large  stream 
issuing  from  under  the  mountain.  The  order 
to  fill  canteens  was  ominous  of  battle.  Dr. 
Bowman  kept  a  large  lookout  for  "straw  piles" 
on  the  farms  they  were  passing,  and  late  in  the 
afternoon  he  noted  some,  "freshly  threshed." 
They  soon  came  to  Glenn's  Mills  and  crossed 
he  valley.  The  Dr.  was  riding  in  company 
with  Lee,  Sheridan's  Adjt.-Gen.,  when  the  tramp 
of  the  march  behind  them  suddenly  ceased. 
They  rode  back  to  ascertain  the  cause  and  en 
countered  the  "Brigade  of  the  old  Dutchman 
Lieboldt."  In  a  few  moments  they  were  in  a 
storm  of  shot  and  shells. 

Soon  after,  the'Doctor  was  summoned  to  at 
tend  Gen.  Bradley,  and  Adjutant  Moody,  who 
had  been  wounded.  He  had  them  conveyed 
by  ambulance  to  a  convenient  point,  which  he 
had  noticed  in  passing.  They  were  placed  in  a 
farm  house  and  the  Dr.  "  covered  them  with 
the  blankets,"  for  carrying  which,  they  had  so 
"unmercifully  jeered"  him  that  morning.  Recol 
lecting  the  straw  stack,  he  ordered  the  driver 
of  an  empty  ammunition  wagon  to  go  back  half 
a  mile  and  load  up  with  straw  and  bring  it  for 
the  wounded  to  be  laid  on.  The  man  was  not 
disposed  to  obey  this  order,  saying  to  the  Doc 
tor  "I  am  not  under  your  orders,  sir."  The 
Doctor's  reply  was,  "  The  —  -  you  ain't.  Come 
here  boys,  double  quick."  Several  responded 
to  whom  the  Dr.  gave  the  command:  "Jerk 
that  man  out  and  break  his  neck  if  you  can 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


D —  -  a  man  who  won't  work  to  help  his 
wounded  comrades!"  The  straw  came  and  gave 
much  comfort  to  the  wounded,  the  Surgeon  be 
ing  enabled  by  the  light  of  the  burning  rails  to 
properly  care  for,  and  dress  their  wounds.  On 
Sunday,  the  2Oth,  the  entire  right  wing  of  the 
Div.  was  disorganized  and  forced  to  re 
treat.  While  on  the  North  side  of  Mission 
Ridge,  the  Doctor  was  ordered  to  remove  the 
ambulances  from  the  drift  in  order  to  have 
them  sent  back  for  the  wounded.  He  consulted 
with  the  medical  officers  who  were  not  disposed 
to  think  he  could  manage  to  get  the  ambulances 
out,  but  in  a  short  space  of  time  he  had  sixty 
packed  across  a  field  ready  for  orders,  and  re 
ported  to  the  commanding  officers,  who  did  not 
at  first  think  he  could  accomplish  his  purpose. 
But  after  some  delay  they  ordered  him  to  get 
them  into  the  road,  as  being  the  only  way  to 
save  them.  Going  up  to  the  drivers  of  the  am 
bulances  he  ordered  them  to  do  their  duty,  and 
they  readily  agreed  to  obey  his  commands.  He 
galloped  back  for  some  distance  and  discover 
ing  a  gap  of  about  five  rods  in  a  large  head 
quarters  train,  he  forced  the  ambulances 
through,  and  thus  brought  them  safely  into  the 
road. 

The  wagon  "boss"  while  the  move  was 
being  made  galloped  up  and  wanted  to  know 
what  was  stopping  his  train,  and  saying  that  it 
was  Gen.  McCook's  Headquarters  train  and  he 
had  orders  to  keep  it  together.  But  no  atten 
tion  was  paid  to  this  profane  functionary  who 
burst  out  into  repeated  invectives  and  oaths 
worthy  of  the  Army  in  Flanders.  The  Doctor 
calmly  rode  up  to  him  and  asked:  "Were  you 
addressing  those  observations  to  me,  sir?"  He 
was  so  taken  aback  by  the  doctor's  coolness 
that  he  at  once  began*  to  apologize.  The  Doc 
tor  told  him  that  he  "had  simply  enlarged  his 
train  iy  a  rather  summary  way,  and  enjoined 
him,  as  he  valued  his  place,  to  take  good  care 
of  it."  In  less  than  an  hour  after  this,  the  Doc 
tor  was  ordered  to  Chattanooga,  to  establish  a 
hospital  for  Sheridan's  Div.,  which  he  pro 
ceeded  at  once  to  do,  and  arriving  at  Chatta 
nooga  after  encountering  numerous  difficulties, 
took  charge  of  Hospital  No.  2,  and  speedily 


brought  into  requisition  a  well  organized  force 
of  attendants  and  adequate  supplies. 

Being  relieved  from  further  duty  here,  he 
was  ordered  to  organize  and  equip  another  hos 
pital  in  a  valley  North  of  the  Tenn.  River, 
which  he  did.  He  next  returned  to  Chatta 
nooga  and  established  a  third  hospital  thereand 
for  sometime  had  charge  of  two  hospitals,  but 
this  proving  too  oppressive,  he  was  relieved  of 
the  care  of  the  one  across  the  river.  Here  he  con 
tinued  until  active  preparations  for  battle  were 
again  undertaken.  In  the  mean  time  he  had 
had  conveyed  to  his  hospital  over  200  of  the 
wounded  from  the  field  of  Chickamauga  in  one 
night.  Being  finally  relieved  of  hospital  duty, 
the  doctor  resumed  his  position  with  his  old 
brigade  under  "the  gallant  Harker."  His 
duties  at  Mission  Ridge  were  confined  ex 
clusively  to  the  field.  "Reaching the  summit," 
says  the  Doctor,  in  relating  his  experiences  in 
this  battle,  "just  as  Sheridan  and  his  officers 
were  gathering  up  at  the  rebel  Bragg's  head 
quarters,  I  received  a  high  compliment  from 
Sheridan:  'God  bless  you,  Doc.,  you  are 
always  in  the  right  place.'" 

After  properly  disposing  of  the  wounded  he 
accompanied  a  forced  march  to  Knoxville,  to 
relieve  the  garrison  at  that  point,  then  closely 
invested  by  the  enemy.  Their  rapid  approach 
compelled  the  rebels  to  precipitate  the  attack 
while  there  was  still  a  chance  of  success,  but 
Gen.  Burnside  was  equal  to  the  occasion. 
Anticipating  the  rebel  movement  and  consider 
ing  well  the  nature  of  the  ground  and  the  bur 
den  of  the  attack,  he  caused  a  network  of 
wires  to  be  woven  aHout  the  stumps  and  trees 
in  front,  which  added  greatly  to  the  slaughter 
of  the  rebels,  who  were  driven  back,  thus  avoid 
ing  the  necessity  of  the  reinforcement.  The 
Doctor  had  nothing  to  do  but  congratulate  the 
the  troops  when  he  arrived.  From  Knoxville 
the  command  moved  on  to  Bain's  Cross  Roads, 
where  they  passed  a  miserable  winter  in  "try 
ing,"  as  the  doctor  expressed  it,  "to  live  off  an 
exhausted  country."  The  troops  were  on  the 
verge  of  starvation  and  had  often  to  resort  to 
parched  corn  to  appease  the  pangs  of  hunger. 

"Our  Revolutionary  sires  at  Valley  Forge," 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


3*5 


remarked  the  Doctor,  "did  not  suffer  any 
greater  privations,  and  did  not  endure  them 
more  bravely."  During  this  period  the  Doctor 
was  required  to  go  to  Chattanooga,  to  collect 
material,  from  which  to  make  the  report  of  the 
battle  of  Mission  Ridge.  He  obeyed  the 
order,  but  at  the  same  time  condemning  the 
lack  of  consideration  that  suggested  it.  "The 
army,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  was  cursed  by  a  class 
of  officers  who  had  no  higher  conception  of 
their  duty  than  to  hold  down  a  camp-stool  and 
write  orders  to  better  men." 

The  Doctor  had  for  a  long  time  been  enti 
tled  to  the  rank  of  Surgeon  of  Div.,  and  ap 
propriately  resented  being  outranked  by  a  non 
descript  who  had  "never  smelt  the  powder  of  the 
enemy,  or  had  any  experience  of  war,"  but  who 
spent  his  time  in  sitting  around  an  office.  The 
Doctor  now  tendered  his  resignation  to  Col. 
Harker,  who  promptly  refused  to  accept  it,  as 
signing  as  his  reason  "that  the  services  of  this 
officer  are  too  valable  to  be  lost  to  the  service 
for  the  causes  alleged.  But  the  justice  of  the 
reasons  herein  is  respectfully  sustained."  This, 
of  course,  invalidated  the  resignation,  but  he 
determined  to  make  it  very  unpleasant  for  the 
usurper  if  he  still  persisted  in  depriving  him  of 
his  proper  rank.  The  Col.  advised  him  to  be 
careful  and  not  to  exceed  the  limits  of  pru 
dence,  saying,  "Always  be  sure  you  are  right, 
and  I  will  always  sustain  you."  By  dint  of  de 
feating  the  various  plans  and  schemes  of  this 
Surgeon,  he  was  at  last  driven  to  resign,  and 
Doctor  Bowman  appointed  to  his  rightful  posi 
tion  as  Surgeon  of  Div. 

In  all  of  the  subsequent  stirring  events  of  the 
close  of  the  conflict  the  Doctor  bore  a  conspic 
uous  part,  notably,  in  the  assault  on  Kenesaw 
Mt.,  in  which  his  Div.  took  an  active  part,  and 
being  always  at  hand  to  succor  the  wounded  or 
to  assist  in  the  movements  of  the  army.  The 
Medical  Director  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumber 
land,  Dr.  Cooper,  paid  Dr.  Bowman  the  neatly- 
turned  compliment,  "  I  will  not  say  that  we  con 
sider  his  Div.  the  best  managed  in  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  Cumberland,  but  I  will  say  that  we 
don't  consider  there  is  any  superior  to  it." 

25 


After  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  the  Doctor's  time  of 
service  having  expired,  he  was  mustered  out 
with  the  27th  111. 

He  was  mustered  in  1861, and  late  in  Sept., 
1864,  was  discharged,  having  in  his  period  of 
service  participated  in  eighteen  battles,  skir 
mishes  and  campaigns.  The  Doctor  still  re 
sides  at  Anclilusia,  and  in  the  evening  of  his 
days  enjoys  the  content  and  comfort  derivable 
from  his  faithful  improvement  of  the  talents 
committed  to  him. 


FREDERICK  C.  HEMENWAY,  a  resident  of 
Rock  Island,  111.,  was  born  at  Grande 
Detour,  Ogle  Co.,  111.,  May  23,  1843,  a 
son  of  Luke  E.  and  Jane  E.  (Marsh)  Hemen- 
way.  His  father  was  born  Aug.  7,  1816,  at 
Shoreham,  Addison  Co.,  Vt.,  where  he  was 
reared  and  attended  public  school,  a  school 
mate  of  Vice  President,  Levi  P.  Morton.  At 
Grande  Detour,  June  23,  1842,  he  married  his 
estimable  wife,  who  was  a  native  of  Bethel,  Vt. 
To  them  was  born  a  happy  family  of  six  chil 
dren,  viz.:  Fred  C.,  Ellen  M.,  Charles  F., 
George  H.,  Harry  and  Horace  E.  The  grand 
father  of  our  subject,  Francis  Hemenway,  was 
born  at  Grafton,  Mass.,  and  married  Clara  Tur- 
rill,  of  Shoreham.  They  were  both  descen 
dants  of  New  England  stock,  their  ancestry 
being  traced  as  far  back  as  July  5,  1634,  when 
Ralph  Hemenway  married  Elizabeth  Hewes  at 
Roxbury,  Mass.  Among  their  descendants 
are  men  of  high  repute,  both  as  physicians  and 
theologians.  The  father  of  our  subject  fol 
lowed  the  mercantile  business  in  the  East,  and 
successfully  continued  in  the  same  calling  at 
Grande  Detour,  up  to  the  time  he  entered  into 
the  employ  of  Millard  &  Gushing,  manu 
facturers  of  grain  cradles  and  forks,  as  book 
keeper  and  general  manager.  Aug.  7,  1855,  he 
moved  to  Moline,  111.,  where  he  accepted  the 
position  of  bookkeeper  in  the  mammoth  busi 
ness  of  The  John  Deere  Plow  Company,  re 
maining  with  them  up  to  the  time  he  set  up  a 
chair  factory.  Later  he  established  himself  in 
the  manufacture  of  grain-cleaning  mills,  a 


386 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


business  he  continued  up  to  about  1866,  and 
from  which  has  now  grown  the  mammoth  es 
tablishment  of  Barnard  &  Leas,  Moline.  Sub 
sequently  he  went  into  the  cracker  business, 
and  in  1878,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster  of 
Moline,  an  office  which  he  filled  with  honor  and 
with  universal  satisfaction  for  six  successive 
years,  being  discharged  only  after  the  change 
of  administration.  He  is  still  living,  his  wife 
having  died  suddenly  about  the  year  1884. 

The  Hemenway  family  were  indeed  loyal 
to  their  love  for  the  old  flag — the  father  as  well 
as  Charles,  a  brother  of  our  subject,  having 
also  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  country. 
Fred,  lived  in  his  native  town  up  to  his  I  ith  year, 
when  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Moline, 
where  he  continued  his  studies  for  several 
years,  and  subsequently  learned  the  trade  of 
machinist.  This  calling  he  followed  dilligent- 
ly  up  to  the  time  the  Northwestern  States 
desired  to  aid  the  Govt.  in  every  way  possible, 
made  a  call  for  a  volunteer  force  to  relieve  the 
veteran  soldiers.  Immediately  Fred,  respond 
ed,  and  enlisted  May  14,  1864,  at  Moline,  in  Co. 
H.,  with  his  father  Luke  E.,  as  captain,  I32nd 
111.  Inf.,  he  having  enlisted  two  years  prior  but 
was  rejected  on  account  of  youth.  Two  years 
having  elapsed  he  matured  into  more  manly 
proportions,  and  being  a  man  with  a  natural 
instinct  of  loyalty  to  his  country,  he  was  now 
made  happy  by  being  granted  an  opportunity 
to  demonstrate  his  patriotism  and  his  zeal  in  the 
preservation  of  the  grand  "  old  flag."  The 
Regt.  was  organized  at  Camp  Fry,  Chicago, 111., 
June  i,  1864.  About  a  week  later,  it  was  ordered 
on  to  Clarksville,  Ky.,  from  whence  it  moved 
to  Paducah,  Ky.,  under  Gen.  Meredith.  About 
May  i,  Co.  H.  was  detached  from  the  Regt. 
and  sent  to  Smithland,  Ky.,  where  it  was  en 
gaged  in  doing  provost  duty,  and  guarding  the 
large  supply  of  stores  which  were  located  there. 
It  remained  there  until  the  expiration  of  its 
service,  when  it  moved  to  Chicago  and  was 
awaiting  its  discharge,  when  an  order  came  for 
reinforcements  from  Gen.  Rosencrans,  who,  at 
the  head  of  a  poorly  appointed  army,  was  con 
tending  against  fearful  odds  for  the  preserva 
tion  of  St  Louis  and  the  safety  of  Mo. 


Although  its  term  had  expired,  Co.  H.  vol 
untarily  extended  its  services  and  at  once 
marched  to  St.  Louis  to  the  relief  of  the  "boys" 
who  were  expecting  to  encounter  the  enemy 
under  Gen.  Price  at  any  moment.  The  com 
pany  was  held  in  reserve  till  Oct.  i,  1864,  when 
it  returned  to  Chicago  and  was  mustered  out 
Oct.  17,  1864.  Mr.  Hemenway  returned  to  his 
home  and  continued  his  former  calling,  until  the 
following  spring,  when  he  re-enlisted  at  Moline, 
Feb.  27,  1865,  in  Co.  I.,  28th  111.  Inf.  The  Co. 
went  into  camp  at  Camp  Butler,  111.,  and  soon 
moved  on  to  Whistler  Station,  Ala.,  joining  the 
Regt.  and  arriving  just  three  days  too  late  to 
participate  in  the  battle  of  Mobile.  May  u, 
they  marched  to  within  three  miles  of  Mobile, 
Ala.,  where  our  soldiers  remained  on  guard  and 
picket  duty  until  July  2,  when  the  Co.  embarked 
on  boats  and  plowed  the  gulf,  arriving  at  Santi 
ago,  Texas,  July  6th.  Subsequently  they 
marched  to  Brownsville,  Tex.,  where  young 
Hemenway  was  active  in  doing  provost  guard 
duty  up  to  March  15,  1866,  when  the  Regt.  was 
mustered  out,  the  great  rebellion  having  come 
to  a  close.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  then  re 
turned  to  Moline,  where  he  joined  his  father  in 
the  cracker  business.  One  year  had  gone  by 
and  he  longed  for  the  freedom  and  quiet  life  of 
a  farmer,  and  accordingly  engaged  in  the  tilling 
of  the  soil  for  two  years,  returning  to  Moline 
and  engaging  as  engineer  in  the  cracker  factory 
of  his  father.  Mr.  Christy  subsequently  bought 
out  the  business,  and  fully  appreciating  the 
ability,  the  integrity,  and  the  gentlemanly  qual 
ities  of  young  Fred.,  engaged  him  as  salesman 
and  manager,  in  which  responsible  capacity  he 
continued  up  to  about  1872,  when  he  took  sole 
charge  of  the  management  of  the  entire  factory 
and  business,  the  proprietor  having  established 
a  second  factory  at  DesMoines.  About  1876, 
he  removed  to  Rock  Island,  to  resume  full  man 
agement  of  J.  M.  Christy's  large  bakery  there, 
a  trusted  position  he  has  held  ever  since.  Mr. 
Hemenway  found  his  ideal  wife  in  the  person 
of  Sylvia  J.  Thomas,  daughter  of  H.  F.  and  H. 
(Hay ward)  Thomas,  both  natives  of  Mass.  The 
happy  marriage  ceremonies  took  place  at  Hamp 
ton,  111.,  Dec.  31,  1869,  and  the  union  was  blessed 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


387 


with  seven  children,  namely:  Ellen  M.,  Luke 
E.,  Alice  T.,  Ada].,  Frederick  H.,  Ruth  E.,and 
Sylvia  C.,  all  living  but  Ellen  M. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  Sons  of 
of  Veteran  organization;  is  master  workman  of 
the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  Black  Hawk  Lodge,  No.  81, 
Rock  Island.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  has  frequently  been  tendered  the  nomina 
tion  for  different  political  offices,  but  invariably 
declined.  Mr.  Hemenway  is  a  gentleman  who 
has  troops  of  friends,  and  one  who  commands 
the  respect,  confidence,  and  love  of  all  who 
know  him. 


FRANK  P.  SHEPHERD,  one  of  Elgin's  111., 
prominent  hardware  merchants,  was  born 
in  Buffalo,  Ogle  Co.,  111.,  April  29,  1841. 
He  enlisted  in  the  army  April  19,  1861,  Co.  B., 
Chicago  Zouaves,  proceeded  from  Chicago  to 
Cairo,  where  they  took  possession  of  the  city, 
which  had  previously  been  held  by  a  mob  of 
rebel  sympathizers,  and  were  not  only  the  first 
Union  troops  in  that  place,  but  the  first  troops 
to  see  active  service  in  the  State.  On  the  way 
to  Cairo  a  detachment  was  left  at  Big  Muddy 
Bridge  for  its  protection,  whither  Mr.  Shepherd 
with  about  39  others  were  sent  as  reinforce 
ments,  and  one  night  an  inoffensive  log  came 
floating  down  the  stream,  which  being  observed 
by  the  guards,  all  were  called  hurriedly  out  and 
ordered  to  fire  at  the  object,  believing  it  a  boat 
containing  rebels  destined  to  burn  the  bridge. 
The  log,  however,  disregarding  the  Yankee 
lead,  continued  at  the  same  pace,  neither  faster 
nor  slower,  until  the  bridge  was  reached,  when 
Uncle  Sam's  men  reflected  upon  their  stupidity, 
and  even  the  inanimate  log  seemed  to  jeer,  and 
elevate  an  eyelid,  as  it  solemnly  passed  by. 

They  then  moved  to  Springfield,  111.,  where 
the  Regt.  was  reorganized  as  a  State  institution 
for  thirty  days.  In  the  organization  of  the  first 
Regt.  under  the  three  months'  call,  his  Regt. 
was  overlooked,  consequently  received  no  pay 
for  their  services,  and  even  of  the  rebel  supplies 
they  assisted  in  capturing,  they  received  no 
portion  thereof,  nor  prize  money  therefor. 


They  continued  in  Camp  at  Springfield  for  30 
days,  when  they  were  ordered  to  Chicago  to 
take  part  in  the  funeral  obsequies  of  the  late 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  where  the  men  subse 
quently  organized  as  the  igth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  en 
listing  for  three  years. 

Mr.  Shepherd  having  been  mustered  into  Co. 
K.,  after  a  short  delay  the  Regt.  moved  to 
Quincy,  then  to  Palmyra,  Mo.,  thence  to  St. 
Louis,  exchanging  there  its  useless  arms  for 
Springfield  Rifles,  but  not  before  the  Col. 
(Turchin)  was  placed  under  arrest  for  resent 
ing  an  insult  from  Gen.  Pope,  who  intimated 
that  the  old  ones  were  good  enough  for  horse 
thieves  and  mutton  jerkers.  The  regiment 
then  moved  down  the  river  in  Fremont's  expe 
dition  to  Bird's  Point,  thence  to  Pilot  Knob, 
thence  to  Cape  Girardeau,  and  then  to  Fort 
Holt,  Ky.  It  started  next  in  the  Columbus  ex 
pedition,  but  was  ordered  to  return  to  Cairo, 
thence  to  Washington.  On  the  way  the  train 
crushed  through  a  bridge  in  Ind.,  thereby  kil 
ling  and  wounding  about  100  men,  but  as  Co. 
K.  could  not  obtain  transportation  it  escaped 
this  disaster.  The  survivors  subsequently  went 
to  Cincinnati,  afterwards  to  Lebanon  Junction, 
Ky.,  Elizabethtown  and  Bacon  Creek,  there 
going  into  camp  for  part  of  the  winter  of  1861- 
2.  The  following  spring  the  Regt.  proceeded 
to  Bowling  Green,  where  Mr.  Shepherd  and  a 
rebel  had  a  bloodless  duel,  then  continued  on  to 
Nashville,  which  they  captured  without  a  strug 
gle.  Later  they  took  part  in  the  capture  of 
Shelbyville,  Fayetteville  and  Huntsville.  Sub 
sequently  they  marched  to  Decatur,  capturing 
considerable  quantities  of  stores,  then  on  to 
ward  Tuscumbia,  and  returning  burned  all  the 
supplies  at  Decatur  and  Huntsville  which  they 
were  unable  to  move  with  them. 

At  the  battle  of  Stone  River  Gen.  Rosencrans 
passing  along  said,  "  for  God's  sake  who  will 
save  my  left?"  whereupon  Col.  Scott  of  the 
igth  tendered  the  services  of  his  Regt.,  which 
were  accepted,  and  in  an  instant  the  men  were 
upon  the  move  and  led  the  charge,  supported 
by  Gen.  Negley's  Div.,  driving  the  rebels  back 
across  the  river,  capturing  a  stand  of  colors  and 
several  pieces  of  artillery.  During  this  battle 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Mr.  Shepherd  had  his  rifle  shot  out  of  his 
hands. 

After  this  battle  the  Regt.  camped  at  Mur- 
freesboro  until  June,  1863,  then  started  on  the 
Tullahoma  campaign,  which  being  ended  it 
camped  at  Deckerd,  until  it  started  upon  the 
Chickamauga  expedition,  the  first  conflict  oc 
curring  at  McLemore  Cave,  which  was  closely 
followed  by  the  terrible  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
in  which  Mr.  Shepherd  fought  from  Saturday 
until  Monday  forenoon,  when  he  was  taken 
prisoner.  He  was  carried  to  Richmond  and 
confined  in  Pemberton  Prison  until  the  spring 
of  1864,  when  he  was  removed  to  Anderson- 
ville,  where  he  languished  until  Sept.,  then  re 
moved  to  Savannah,  thence  to  Milan,  next  to 
Blackshire,  and  again  returned  to  Anderson- 
ville,  on  Christmas,  1864,  where  he  continued 
until  April,  1865,  when  he  was  taken  to  Jack 
sonville,  Fla.,  where,  after  suffering  months  of 
prison  hardships  and  privations,  he  was  finally 
released.  He  was  then  ordered  to  Springfield, 
111.,  where  he  was  mustered  out  June  30,  1865. 
Immediately  prior  to  the  battle  of  Chicka 
mauga,  Mr.  Shepherd  was  offered  a  Captain's 
commission,  by  Gov.  Yates,  but  declined,  pre 
ferring  to  return  home  with  the  honors  and 
glory  of  the  Regt. 

He  married  Lydia  C.  Starr,  and  by  this 
union  were  born  five  children,  viz.:  Grace  P., 
Frank  S.,  Jennie  A.,  Estella  M.and  Marion  K. — 
the  second  and  third  of  whom  are  dead. 
Comrade  Shepherd  is  a  member  of  the  G.A.R.; 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  true  soldier, 
and  a  worthy  citizen. 


OLIVER  GRAHAM,  a  resident  of  Rock  Island, 
111.,  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Navy  in  the 
early  part  of  the  year   1862,  and  was 
commissioned   as  third  assistant  Engineer  on 
the  flag  ship  "  East  Post,"  of  the  Miss,  squadron, 
under  command  of  Ledyard  Phelps,  who  was 
Lieut.  Commander  of  that,  as  also  of  the  Ohio 
and  Tenn.  squadrons.     Mr.  Graham's  ship  was 
ordered  to  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  while 
proceeding    down    the    river,    grounded    upon 


Bulletin  Bar,  thirty  miles  above  Memphis, 
breaking  forty  timbers  in  the  bottom,  hanging 
up  the  boat  for  over  a  day.  Every  steamboat 
passing  down  the  river  was  impressed  into  the 
service  to  assist  in  towing  off  the  flag  ship,  and 
finally,  with  the  combined  efforts  of  thirteen 
steamships,  it  was  floated  and  taken  in  tow, 
and  finally  reached  Mound  City,  111.,  where  he 
was  about  three  months  engaged  in  repairing 
the  ship.  All  being  ready  he  embarked  and 
proceeded  down  the  river,  stopping  en  route  at 
Island  No.  19,  and  then  at  Helena,  Ark.  Whilst 
there  the  rebels  attacked  a  fort  at  Helena,  Ark., 
whereupon  the  flag  ship  was  ordered  back  to 
Island  No.  10,  in  consequence  of  a  lying  report 
circulated  by  the  enemy  that  it  had  assaulted 
the  Island  No.  10,  the  object  being  to  get  the 
boat  away  from  Helena,  which  they  attacked 
in  two  divisions.  They  succeeded  in  capturing 
our  battery,  but  the  gunboat  "Tyler"  had  driven 
the  enemy  out  of  the  fortifications.  It  had 
done  good  service  driving  the  rebel  troops 
out  of  the  Fort,  which  they  succeeded  in  en 
tering.  Mr.  Graham's  ship  soon  returned  to 
Helena,  where  it  was  stationed  for  sometime 
on  guard. 

During  his  stay  there  he  was  stricken  down 
with  fever  and  was  confined  to  bed  on  board 
the  ship  about  one  month,  when  he  called  a 
medical  survey,  to  use  a  nautical  expression,  the 
conclusions  of  which  being  that  our  subject  was 
disabled  by  sickness  for  the  service.  He  there 
fore  resigned  and  was  mustered  out  and  dis 
charged.  Returning  to  his  home  in  Rock  Is 
land,  Mr.  Graham  soon  improved  in  health,  then 
resumed  his  calling  of  engineer,  and  was  em 
ployed  on  the  river  until  1874,  when  he  aban 
doned  that  service.  Afterwards  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Rock  Island  Plow  Co.,  at  Rock- 
Island,  as  an  engineer,  and  at  the  end  of  four 
teen  years  is  still  an  employ^  in  the  same 
concern. 

Mr.  Graham  was  born  March  29,  1842,  and  is 
a  son  of  William  and  Esther  (Sutton)  Graham. 
The  father  was  a  native  of  N.  J.,of  Scotch  de 
scent,  and  a  cabinet-maker  by  trade.  The 
mother  was  of  German  ancestry,  and  a  native 
of  Pa.  Mr.  Graham,  Sr.,  built  the  first  railroad 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


389 


that  ran  over  the  Alleghany  Mts.,  and  was  after 
wards  engaged  in  the  iron  business  at  Johns 
town,  Pa.,  and  unfortunately  suffered  a  loss  in 
business  of  $90,000.  He  subsequently  moved 
Westand  engaged  in  farming  nearOquawka,  111., 
which  he  continued  until  the  fall  of  1847,  when 
he  removed  to  Rock  Island,  where  he  ran  the 
Graham  hotel  until  his  death  on  May  2d,  1853. 
He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presby 
terian  Church  and  belonged  to  the  type  of  hon 
est,  square  Christians.  They  had  eight  chil 
dren,  but  Oliver  is  the  only  one  now  surviving. 

Our  subject  attended  the  common  schools 
at  Rock  Island  until  19  years  of  age,  when  he 
started  out  to  learn  the  engineering  trade.  He 
joined  the  Benedicts  on  the  26th  of  May,  1868, 
by  marrying  Miss  Mary  C.  Starr,  and  one  child, 
Thomas,  has  resulted  from  the  marriage.  Mrs. 
Graham  is  a  daughter  of  Jacob  andEliza  (Lef- 
fel)  Starr  ;  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia  and 
a  millwright,  which  business  he  followed  until 
•his  death,  June  I3th,  1857;  the  latter  was  a  na 
tive  of  Ohio,  and  now  resides  in  Rock  Island, 
at  the  ripe  old  age  of  73  years.  She  had  eight 
children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  viz. : 
Caroline,  wife  of  Joseph  A.  Gray,  of  Wayne  Co., 
Neb.  ;  George,  of  Rock  Island  ;  William,  of 
Rock  Island  ;  Mary,  wife  of  our  subject,  and 
McCoy  Starr,  of  Rock  Island. 

Mrs.  Starr  was  a  sister  of  James  A.  Leffel, 
of  Springfield,  Ohio,  who  was  the  inventor  of 
the  Leffel  Turbine  Water  Wheel,  which  after 
wards  brought  him  an  independent  fortune. 

Oliver  Graham  is  well  known  in  Rock  Is 
land  and  surrounding  country  as  an  honorable, 
upright  man,  having  the  fortune  of  possessing 
an  estimable  wife  and  interesting  family. 


HENRY    REAM,  one  of  Galesburg's  whole- 
souled    citizens,    hails    from   Richmond 
Co.,  Ohio,  and  was  born  Oct.  14,  1841,  a 
son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Doremine)  Ream, 
who    were   both    natives   of    Pa.     In  1851,  the 
family  moved  to  Mo.  and  located  near  Trenton, 
where  they  lived  during  the  outbreak  of  the  re 
bellion.     The    family    being    of    strong   Union 


sentiment,  Henry,  in  1861,  entered  the  regular 
enrolled  militia  located  at  Chillicothe,  and  was 
soon  engaged  in  frequent  expeditions  to  inter 
cept  the  rebels  in  their  raids  under  Price.  Sept. 
5,  1862,  he  duly  enlisted  in  Co.  B.,  23d  Mo.  Inf. 
and  was  actively  engaged  in  guard  duty  at  Ma- 
con  City  until  spring,  when  the  Regt.  was  or 
dered  to  St.  Louis  to  guard  the  railroad.  Mr. 
Ream  was  with  his  Regt.  in  this  service  some 
time  when  it  was  ordered  into  more  active  mil 
itary  operations  in  which  he  was  always  on 
hand  to  participate.  The  23d  was  assigned  to 
the  ist  Brig.,  3d  Div.,  I4th  A.  C.,  and  was 
among  the  Regts.  that  were  selected  to  take 
part  in  the  great  Atlanta  campaign,  in  which  it 
was  distinguished  for  its  effective  work.  Mr. 
Ream  was  in  at  the  opening  of  hostilities  in  the 
move  on  Atlanta,  taking  part  in  the  movements 
that  compelled  the  evacuation  of  Dalton,  and 
then  in  the  series  of  operations  which  were 
known  as  the  battle  of  Dallas.  He  was  in  the 
battles  of  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mt,,  Peach  Tree, 
Creek,  and  Atlanta,  ending  with  the  sanguinary 
fight  at  Jonesboro,  in  all  of  which  Mr.  Ream's 
arm  was  ever  ready  to  strike  at  the  enemy. 
Subsequently  he  was  detailed  as  a  scout  and 
forager,  tramping  onward  in  time,  to  the  pulsa 
tions  of  constant  skirmishes  and  battles,  con 
nected  with  the  "march  to  the  sea."  While 
lying  before  the  city  of  Savannah  for  three 
days,  they  subsisted  wholly  on  rice  which  was 
brought  in  bundles  and  threshed  with  flails. 
After  the  capture  of  the  city  they  pursued  the 
enemy  through  the  Carolinas,  and  at  Benton- 
ville  they  bravely  fought  their  last  battle. 
They  moved  onward  victoriously  to  Richmond, 
then  to  Washington,  taking  part  in  the  grand 
review  amid  deafening  peals  of  victory.  Com 
rade  Ream  was  finally  mustered  out  at  Louis 
ville,  after  three  years  of  hard  loyal  service  and 
returned  to  Trenton,  Mo. 

In  1867,  he  engaged  as  fireman  on  the  C.  B. 
&  Q.  R.  R.  In  1871,  he  was  promoted  to 
engineer,  which  responsible  position  he  filled 
till  Feb.  27,  1888,  when  he  stepped  out  during 
the  great  strike.  Since  then  he  has  been  look 
ing  after  his  interests  at  Galesburg  and  in  Mo., 
the  old  homestead  there  having  come  into  his 


390 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


possession.  Mr.  Ream  was  married  July  23, 
1867,  to  Miss  E.  A.  Roley,  daughter  of  Michael 
and  Sarah  (Daugherty )  Roley,  natives  of  Pa. 
By  this  happy  union  were  born  seven  children 
of  whom  are  living,  Joseph  A.,  Lydia  A.,  Ethel 
A.  and  Grace  Victoria. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Jas.  T.  Shield  Post,  No 
45,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Loco 
motive  Engineers,  being  Chief  of  Division  No. 
62,  located  at  Galesburg,  111.  His  estimable  wife 
is  President  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  and 
are  both  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  A 
true  soldier  and  a  gentleman  in  the  best  sense  of 
the  term,  Mr.  Ream  is  an  ardent  sympathizer 
with  the  laboring  class  for  whose  interests  he 
always  works  zealously.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  is  an  earnest  worker  for  his 
party. 


ALLEN  SACRA,  of  Quincy,  111.,  enlisted 
April  23,  1861,  in  Co.  I.,  i$th  Ind.  Inf., 
at  Chambersburg,  Ind.  He  was  the 
second  to  enroll  his  name  in  that  county  upon 
the  first  call  for  troops.  His  enlistment  being 
for  3  months,  but  the  quota  was  filled  before  he 
reached  the  Regt.  His  service  was  principally 
in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  though  he 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Rich  Mountain  in 
West  Va.;  also  in  the  first  engagement  at 
Green  Briar.  The  Regt.  was  then  sent  to 
Louisville  and  wintered  in  Camp  Wycliffe,  and 
from  there  went  to  Shiloh,  participating  in  the 
battle  of  that  place,  as  also  in  the  siege  of 
Corinth.  The  next  engagement  of  importance 
in  which  the  I5th  participated  was  the  bloody 
battle  of  Stone  River.  A  drizzling  rain  was 
falling  which  added  to  the  gloomy  unpleasant 
ness  of  the  situation.  The  commanding  officers 
previous  to  the  battle,  had  mapped  out  to  them 
selves  a  line  of  attack,  but  those  calculations 
so  nicely  exhibited  upon  paper  were  not  per 
mitted  to  materialize.  The  Rebel  attack  was 
strong  and  vigorous,  dispelling  all  hope  of 
carrying  out  the  original  plans  as  laid  down  by 
the  Union  commanders.  Mr.  Sacra's  l)iv.,  with 
the  exception  of  his  own  Regt.  and  that  of  the 
5/th  Ind.,  had  gone  to  support  the  right  wing, 


leaving  the  two  Regts.  above  named  to  hold 
the  extreme  left  with  no  second  line,  no  reserve 
and  only  one  battery  to  assist  them.  The 
Rebel  battery  in  front  now  unmasked  and 
began  firing  at  a  rapid  rate  writh  shot,  shell, 
grape  and  canister,  and  swept  the  open  ground 
in  front.  Soon  the  I5th  and  57th  Ind.  were 
ordered  forward  and  their  real  part  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Stone  River  began.  Their  lines  were 
swept  by  the  artillery  fire  from  a  battery  on  the 
heights  in  front,  and  enfiladed  by  a  battery  on 
their  right,  and  what  was  worse  they  were  un 
able  to  "hit  back,"  not  being  within  musket 
range.  They  hurried  forward  within  range 
of  the  enemy  and  opened  a  deadly  fire,  and 
before  the  day  closed  those  two  regiments 
captured  more  Rebel  prisoners  than  the  com 
bined  number  of  the  1 5th  and  57th.  In  this 
engagement  the  I5th  lost  54  killed  and  152 
wounded  out  of  440  engaged,  or  a  little  over 
50  per  cent.  From  Stone  River  Mr.  Sacra's 
Regt.  went  to  Chattanooga  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Chickamauga  and  Missionary  Ridge, 
during  which  202  men  of  his  Regt.  were  killed 
and  wounded.  It  then  went  to  London,  Tenn., 
thence  to  Knoxville,  and  finally  returned  to 
Loudon  where  the  I5th  remained  in  camp  until 
the  men  were  discharged,  which  occurred  at 
Indianapolis,  June  25,  1864. 

Mr.  Sacra  returned  to  his  home  in  Ind.  but 
the  war  was  still  raging  and  there  being  a  call 
for  more  help,  he  again  enlisted,  on  the  I4th 
Oct.  1864,  in  Co.  H.,  5ist  Intl.  Vol.  Inf.  He 
participated  in  the  fight  at  Rich  Hill  where  his 
regiment  performed  a  feat  seldom  recorded, 
namely;  marched  through  the  Rebel  camps  in 
the  night,  the  rebels  asking,  "Wha  yous  all 
agoin?"  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Franklin. 
Tenn.,  and  that  of  Nashville.  In  the  latter  he 
was  wounded  through  the  right  leg  which 
shattered  the  bones  and  left  him  disabled,  the 
wound  remaining  unhealcd  until  this  clay. 
Several  pieces  of  bone  have  been  removed  and 
the  limb  still  remains  weak  and  unreliable.  He 
was  taken  to  field  hospital,  thence  to  Louisville 
where  he  was  mustered  out  June  30,  1865.  He 
was  previously  wounded  Dec.  16,  1864.  He 
returned  to  his  parental  home  and  two  years 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


later  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Hain.  To  this 
union  13  children  were  born,  of  whom  nine  arc 
now  living,  namely:  Georgia  Etta,  Grace  Vir 
ginia,  Edward  Tilden,  John,  Lucy  V.,  Nellie, 
Bessie  Jennie,  Fred  and  Dolly. 

Our  subject  was  born  near  Lexington,  Ky., 
Oct.  7,  1842,  son  of  Robert  and  Patsy  (Olverson) 
Sacra.  The  mother  died  of  cholera,  Aug.  19, 
1849,  the  father  of  typhoid  fever  m  1884.  Mr- 
Sacra  had  the  great  misfortune  of  losing  his 
wife  by  death  Dec.  2,  1890,  leaving  him  with  a 
family  of  small  children  who  are  thus  deprived 
of  a  mother's  love  and  counsel.  Mr.  Sacra  is  a 
member  of  Gem  City  Lodge  No.  357,  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  and  D.  of  R.  I.  O.  O.  F.  of  Gem  City  Camp, 
and  of  the  M.  W.  of  A.  No.  219.  Was  a  mem 
ber  of  John  Wood  Post  No.  96,  for  eleven  years, 
but  has  withdrawn.  Is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  and  a  staunch  Republican  in 
political  faith. 


GENERAL  WILLIAM  A.  SCHMITT,  of  Rock 
Island,  was  born  in  Quincy,  111.,  June 
30,  1839,  where  he  grew  to  manhood, 
and  resided  until  Jan.  i,  1888,  when  he  removed 
to  Rock  Island,  to  assume  charge  as  Secretary 
and  Manager  of  the  Sun  Accident  Association 
of  that  city.  His  parents  were  natives  of 
Hesse  Darmstadt,  Germany,  the  father  emi 
grating  to  the  U.  S.  in  1830,  and  the  mother  in 
1831.  They  were  married  at  Chambersburg, 
Pa.,  in  the  same  year  soon  after,  moving  West, 
and  locating  at  Quincy,  111.,  in  1834,  where  the 
father  died  in  1880,  and  the  mother  in  1890,  both 
at  an  advanced  age. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  received  his 
preliminary  education  at  the  public  and  paro 
chial  schools  of  his  native  city,  spending  most 
of  his  time  when  not  in  school,  in  the  furniture 
ware  rooms  and  factory  of  his  father.  In  1856 
he  was  sent  to  the  111.  State  University,  then 
located  at  Springfield,  an  institution  under  the 
control  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  was  a 
branch  of  the  celebrated  Gettysburg  University. 
He  remained  at  that  institution  for  four  years, 
when  the  war  broke  out  and  he  left  his  books 


of  which  he  was  very  fond,  as  he  was  an  ear 
nest  student,  and  enlisted  as  a  private,  April 
20,  1861,  in  the  loth  111.  Inf.,  Capt.  B.  M.  Pren- 
tiss,  then  commanding  the  Co.  From  this  en 
listment  he  was  mustered  out,  as  Orderiy  Ser 
geant,  July  29,  1861,  returned  home  to  Quincy, 
and  by  his  energy  and  patriotic  zeal,  raised  a 
company  within  six  days,  for  the  three  years' 
service,  or  during  the  war;  was  unanimously 
chosen  Captain,  although  but  21  years  of  age, 
and  was  assigned  by  Gov.  Yates,  as  Co.  A., 
27th  111.  Inf.  Capt.  Schmitt  was  a  natural  born 
soldier  and  rose  rapidly  in  the  army.  There 
were  few  instances  in  the  late  war  of  men  ris 
ing  to  such  high  rank  and  holding  such  re 
sponsible  positions  so  young  in  years  as  he 
was.  At  the  age  of  23  years,  he  temporarily 
exercised  the  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  on  the 
battlefield,  and  it  was  for  distinguished  gal 
lantry,  displayed  on  such  occasions  that  he  re 
ceived  the  brevet  rank  of  Brig.  Gen. 

The  27th,  commanded  then  by  Gen.  N.  B. 
Buford  ,  participated  in  the  battle  at  Belmon 
Nov.  7,  1 86 1,  and  the  subject  of  this  notice 
then  Capt.  of  Co.  A.,  opened  the  battle  on  the 
skirmish  line  and  fired  the  first  shot  at  the 
enemy.  While  hotly  engaged  in  the  action 
that  followed,  Capt.  Schmitt  was  wounded,  but 
remained  on  the  field  until  the  battle  was  over. 
It  is  impossible  in  so  brief  a  biography  as  this 
must  necessarily  be,  to  give  the  military  record 
of  Gen.  Schmitt.  He  was  engaged  in  17  hard 
fought  battles,  and  skirmishes  almost  without 
number,  and  several  promotions  were  for  meri 
torious  conduct  on  the  field.  Among  the  en 
gagements  in  which  he  took  an  active  part 
were  Belmont,  Island  No.  10,  Siege  of  Corinth, 
Lavergne,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Rocky 
Face  Ridge,  Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mt., 
Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Atlanta.  As  Major  he 
led  his  Regt.  in  the  well  known  charge  at  Stone 

O  O 

River,  which  was  spoken  of  by  Rosencrans.ina 
general  order,  as  having  saved  the  day  to  the 
Union  forces.  The  Regt.  at  this  time  was  in 
Sheridan's  Div.,  and  the  I4th  A.  C.  Gen. 
Schmitt  was  known  to  remark  after  this  charge 
"  that  he  would  rather  be  Major  of  the  27th 
than  President  of  the  United  States."  The 


392 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


men  had  distinguished  themselves  on  that 
memorable  field,  and  he  was  proud  of  them. 
Gen.  Sheridan  in  his  report  of  the  battle  says, 
"  I  refer  with  pride  to  the  splendid  conduct, 
bravery  and  efficiency  of  the  following  regi 
mental  commanders:  among  others,  Major 
W.  A.  Schmitt,  2;th  111."  In  the  terrible 
charge  on  Kenesaw  Mt.,  the  27th,  forming  part 
of  Harker's  Brig.,  made  the  center  assault.  In 
the  charge  Gen.  Harker  was  mortally  wounded. 
The  27th  went  into  action  with  seventeen  offi 
cers  and  came  out  with  only  seven.  The 
fatality  among  the  brave  men  in  the  ranks,  was 
in  the  same  proportion.  Gen.  Schmitt  led  the 
Regt.  in  that  fearful,  hopeless  charge,  fortified 
as  the  enemy  was  behind  impregnable  breast 
works,  but  it  planted  its  colors  on  the  Con 
federate  works,  where  they  proudly  waved 
over  the  enemy,  until  the  color  bearer,  Ser 
geant  Delaney,  fell  mortally  wounded  without 
the  Confederate  lines,  while  the  rebels  fell 
within. 

The  27th,  was  relieved  from  duty  at  the 
front,  and  ordered  to  Springfield,  111.,  where  by 
reason  of  expiration  of  service,  it  was  mustered 
out,  Sept.  20,  1864,  having  served  three  years 
and  three  months.  After  the  war,  Gen.  Schmitt 
returned  home  where  he  began  the  study  of 
law,  in  the  office  of  Grimshaw  &  Williams,  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar,  but  did  not  enter  into 
practice.  He  was  appointed  to  and  held  sev 
eral  positions  under  the  Government,  the  last 
under  President  Arthur's  administration,  in 
charge  of  the  money  order  department  of  the 
Post  Office,  at  Quincy.  He  was  Western  Man 
ager  of  a  large  Insurance  Company,  which  was 
cleaned  out  by  the  Chicago  fire.  He  was  then 
engaged  in  the  postal  service,  until  the  election 
of  Cleveland.  He  then  started  a  daily  German 
paper  at  Quincy,  which  he  conducted  for 
awhile,  when  he  sold  out  his  interest  to  accept 
the  position  of  Superintendent  of  Agents, 
of  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company. 
A  few  years  later  he  accepted  the  position  of 
Secretary  and  Manager  of  the  Sun  Accidental 
Association,  at  Rock  Island,  111.,  to  which  place 
he  removed  Jan.  I,  iSSS,  and  which  position  he 
still  holds. 


Gen.  Schmitt,  was  united  in  marriage  at 
Bowdoinham,  Me.,  Sept.  11,  1866,  to  Nannie  L., 
daughter  of  Captain  John  and  Mary  (Purring- 
ton)  Patton.  Two  children  have  blessed  this 
union,  Lelia  P.,  and  Carrie  N. 

In  politics,  Gen.  Schmitt  is  a  Republican. 
He  was  mustered  into  the  Grand  Army  Organi 
zation  at  Bloomington,  in  1886,  before  any 
posts  were  regularly  organized.  He  was  elected 
Commander  of  Post  No.  32,  Dept.  of  111.,  and 
served  a  term  as  such.  Like  many  other  or 
ganizations,  it  was  discontinued,  and  so  re 
mained  for  some  time.  When  the  Grand  Army 
was  reorganized,  Gen.  Schmitt  became  a  mem 
ber  of  the  John  Wood  Post,  No.  96,  of  Quincy. 
\Vhile  visiting  friends  in  Maine  in  the  summer 
of  1867,  he  instituted  the  first  G.  A.  R.  Post, 
ever  organized  East  of  the  Alleghany  Mts.,  viz.: 
Post  No.  i,  at  Bath,  Me.  This  was  done  by 
virtue  of  his  position  as  Aid-de-Camp,  on  the 
staff  of  the  first  Commander-in-Chief,  Gen- 
Stephen  A.  Hurlbut. 

Gen.  Schmitt  is  a  man  of  fine  presence,  hos 
pitable  and  genial  by  nature,  and  is  very  popu 
lar  among  his  associates.  As  a  citizen  he  is 
held  in  high  regard;  as  a  soldier  his  name  will 
adorn  the  military  pages  of  our  country's  his 
tory  for  all  time.  The  above  sketch  is  con 
densed  from  the  military  record  of  Gen. 
Schmitt,  as  compiled  from  the  official  records, 
by  Col.  W.  L.  Brackett. 


JOHN  S.  BLANCHARD,  our  present  subject,  a 
representative  farmer  and  carpenter,  re 
siding  at  Tiskilwa,  111.,  was  born  in  Pa.  Jan. 
24,  1842,  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Smith) 
Blanchard,  both  natives  of  the  same  State,  the 
former  born  in  1804  and  the  latter  in  1814.  The 
father  was  of  French,  and  the  mother  of  Ger 
man  origin.  Besides  our  subject,  the  parents 
had  the  following  family:  Eliza,  Porter,  Helen, 
Charles  D.,  Erwin  W.,  Horace  H.,  James  and 
and  Frank.  Porter  H.  Blanchard,  brother  of  our 
subject,  was  in  Co.  H.,  6th  Pa.  R.  V.  Corps,  and 
tAvo  other  brothers,  Charles  and  Erwin,  were  in 
Co.  H.,  45th  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  all  in  the  war  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


393 


late  Rebellion.  John  S.  graduated  from  the 
Holidaytown  district  school,  then  learned  the 
carpenter  trade,  at  which  he  was  engaged  up  to 
the  outbreak  of  the  war. 

Immediately  upon  the  first  call  for  troops 
being  issued,  young  Blanchard  responded,  en 
listing  April  22,  1861;  rendezvoused  at  Camp 
Curtin,  Harrisburg,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
army  as  a  private  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  in  Co.  H., 
6th  Pa.  Reserves,  Vol.  Inf.,  with  Gen.  Reynolds  as 
his  first  Brig.  Commander,  and  Generals  McCall 
and  Hooker  in  command  of  the  Div.  and  Corps, 
respectively.  With  his  Regt.  he  went  to  the 
front,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Drains- 
ville,  Dec.  20,  1861;  the  Second  Bull  Run,  Aug. 
27,  1862;  South  Mt,  Sept.  14,  1862,  and  Antie- 
tam,  Sept.  17,  1862.  In  the  last  named  battle 
Mr.  Blanchard  was  wounded  by  having  a  ball 
pass  through  his  body  and  piercing  his  left 
lung.  He  was  sent  to  Broad  and  Cherry  Street 
Hospital,  Phila.,  where  he  continued  for  up 
wards  of  three  months,  during  which  time  it 
was  doubtful  whether  he  would  recover  or  not. 
He  improved,  however,  and  rejoined  his  com 
mand  at  Fredericksburg,  Dec.  II,  1862,  where, 
two  days  later,  he  participated  in  the  bloody 
battle  fought  at  that  place. 

The  next  heavy  conflict  in  which  he  was  en 
gaged  was  at  Gettysburg,  which  occurredjuly  I  st, 
2nd  and  3rd,  1863,  at  which  time  Mr.  Blanchard 
was  wounded  in  the  left  hand  which  was  equal 
to  loss  of  hand.  He  was  transferred  to  Summit 
House  hospital,  Phila.,  where  he  remained 
about  ten  months,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that 
time  was  discharged  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  and 
paid  off,  his  term  of  service  having  expired. 
He  was  also  engaged  in  very  many  heavy  skir 
mishes  and  marches  during  his  soldier  experi 
ence,  and  endured  all  the  hardships  and  priva 
tions  which  have  fallen  to  the  lot  cf  private 
soldiers  and  certainly  in  the  loss  of  a  hand,  he 
has  as  much  reason  to  remember  that  exciting 
period  as  any  other  man  who  escaped  with  his 
life.  His  command,  during  the  war  was  known 
as  the  Penn.  Reserve  Corps,  was  organized  by 
Gov.  Curtin  as  a  State  Reserve  force,  and  in 
tended  for  State  Service  serving  upon  the  bor 
ders  of  the  State  until  the  first  Bull  Run  when 


it  was  called  to  Washington  where  it  arrived 
July  22,  1861,  and  was  sworn  into  the  United 
States  service,  and  the  men  had  the  privilege 
of  electing  their  own  officers,  from  a  Lieut,  to  a 
Col. 

After  being  discharged  he  moved  to  Bureau 
Co.,  111.,  where  he  engaged  at  his  trade,  finally 
settling  at  Tiskilwa,  where  he  has  a  fine  farm 
and  is  occasionally  employed  at  his  trade.  He 
married  Nov.  8,  1874,  at  Princeton,  Miss  Beth- 
sheba  D.  Drake,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Cath 
arine  Thomas.  He  is  a  pensioner  and  in  politics 
a  Republican. 


JACOB  EVANS,  of  Rock  Island,  111.  To  better 
form  an  idea  to  what  degree  some  of 
the  "boys"  have  gallantly  sacrificed  their 
health,  and  their  all,  beneath  the  folds  of  the 
stars  and  stripes,  one  needs  but  visit  comrade 
Jacob  Evans,  a  faithful  and  loyal  soldier  of  Co. 
A.,  93rd  111.  Inf. 

He  is  a  resident  of  Rock  Island,  111.,  and 
was  born  at  Crawford  Co.,  Pa.,  Feb.  2,  1826,  the 
5th  child  of  a  family  of  twelve.  His  parents, 
Jacob  and  Katherine  Evans,  were  natives  of 
Pa.,  and  both  of  German  descent.  Walter,  a 
brother  of  our  subject,  enlisted  in  Co.  E.,  nth 
Pa.,  Inf.,  was  engaged  in  many  battles,  and  the 
last  day  he  served  his  beloved  country,  he 
fought  persistently  the  entire  day,  going  with 
out  food  or  water.  The  day  being  hot,  and  the 
fight  constant  and  hard,  he  took  sick  and  was 
transferred  to  the  Lincoln  hospital  at  Washing 
ton,  where  he  died  April,  1863. 

Jacob  commenced  life  on  the  farm  at  the 
old  homestead.  May  2,  1851,  he  went  to  Rock 
Island,  111.,  where  he  enlisted  Aug.  5,  1862. 
The  Regt.  was  mustered  in  at  Chicago,  Oct.  13, 
1862,  and  shortly  joined  Grant's  army  at  Mem 
phis,  Tenn.  The  next  move  was  to  Oxford, 
Tenn.,  and  during  this  march  the  Colonel 
requested  the  "boys"  not  to  let  any  hogs  bite 
them,  and  indeed  they  executed  the  order 
faithfully.  Hogs  were  slaughtered  in  large 
numbers  and  the  number  of  chickens  and  tur 
keys  put  to  flight  was  legion.  On  one  occasion 


394 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


while  our  subject  was  busy  foraging  he  met  a 
minister  riding  on  a  fine  sorrel.  Doubting  the 
parson's  loyalty  to  the  Union,  Jacob  soon  rid 
him  of  his  steed.  "If  you  can  produce  Union 
papers,"  said  Jacob,  "I  shall,  as  you  demand, 
return  the  horse."  This  the  clergyman  could 
not  do,  and  our  loyal  soldier  rode  promptly  off. 
Calling  on  the  Col.  the  next  day,  the  minister 
demanded  the  return  of  his  horse.  If  you  will 
pray  for  the  success  of  the  Union,  replied  the 
Col.,  you  shall  have  your  horse.  "No!"  and 
he  left  without  the  sorrel,  calling  next  day 
on  Gen.  Grant,  who  inquired  into  the  details. 
"If  he  won't  pray  for  the  success  of  the  Union 
he'll  not  have  his  horse,"  responded  the  Gen., 
and  thus  the  parson's  persistent  efforts  were  in 
vain. 

The  next  march  was  to  La  Fayette,  Tenn. 
At  midnight  there  came  an  order  for  one  Co. 
out  of  each  Regt.  to  report  at  headquarters. 
Evan's  company  was  one  of  these.  Drawing 
40  rounds  of  ammunition,  they  quickly  moved 
onward,  expecting  to  capture  the  guerrillas  who 
were  reported  near  by.  Finding  them  gone, 
the  "boys"  gave  their  attention  to  foraging, 
bringing  back  liberal  supplies  of  chicken,  geese, 
beef,  and  Evans,  who  was  considered  the  "boss" 
forager,  returning  with  fourmules.  After  months 
of  marching  and  skirmishing,  they  encountered 
the  enemy  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  May  I4th.  Here 
the  Regt.  led  the  advance,  losing  several  in 
killed  and  wounded.  Two  days  later  the  "boys" 
were  again  fighting  for  victory,  facing  the  hot 
fire  in  the  battle  of  Vicksburg  May  22d.  Dur 
ing  the  conflict  Evans  had  charge  of  the  ammu 
nition  wagon.  A  typical  fighting  soldier  as  he 
is,  he  received  permission  to  leave  the  wagon, 
just  long  enough  to  "kill  at  least  one  rebel." 
Out  he  went  into  the  foremost  ranks,  when  lo 
and  behold,  he  was  shot  and  badly  wounded  in 
the  right  thigh. 

After  months  of  suffering  in  the  hospital 
he  rejoined  his  old  comrades  Dec.  1st.  The 
next  March  was  under  brave  Gen.  Logan  to 
Huntsville,  Ala.  Subsequently  while  at  Alla- 
toona  Pass,  a  detail  of  25,  among  whom  was 
Mr.  Evans,  went  out  in  a  foraging  -expedition. 
Soon  they  met  a  squad  of  IOO -rebels,  in  a 


lively  encounter,  in  which  all  but  seven  of  the 
Union  boys  were  captured,  our  subject  being 
one  of  the  fortunate  ones,  who  after  hiding 
for  some  time  in  the  woods,  under  a  heavy 
rain,  finally  made  their  escape  to  camp.  Sev 
eral  other  skirmishes  were  participated  in,  and 
on  the  night  of  Oct.  5,  1864,  the  pickets  were 
suddenly  fired  upon  by  the  rebels  under  Gen. 
Hood.  No  sooner  had  the  enemy,  7,000 
strong,  succeeded  in  encircling  our  gallant 
force  of  only  1,500,  when  down  they  came, 
shouting  at  the  top  of  their  rebel  voices,  "  Sur 
render  you  d Yankee  devils,  or  we'll  kill 

you  all!  "  Ah!  but  for  our  brave  "boys  "  soon 
evinced  their  metal.  Desperately  they  fought; 
for  eight  hours,  the  battle  raged  furiously, 
when  just  in  the  nick  of  time  they  were  re 
inforced  and  the  enemy  hastily  withdrew.  The 
Union  force  had  lost  nearly  half  their  number, 
but  this  day  our  subject  too  was  shot  and  seri 
ously  wounded  in  the  spine.  He  fell,  'and  be 
side  him  thickly  fell  his  comrades,  among 
whom  was  the  Sergeant.  When  finally  the 
thunder  of  musketry  had  ceased,  our  wounded 
soldier  was  carried  off  the  bloody  field  and 
transferred  to  shelter.  After  months  of  suf 
fering  in  various  hospitals,  he  finally  rejoined 
his  command  some  time  in  April,  1865,  at 
Raleigh,  N.  C.  Then  came  the  glorious  march 
homeward,  the  air  ringing  with  paens  of  vic 
tory.  Participating  in  the  Grand  Review,  his 
Co.  was  mustered  out  at  Washington  June  22, 
1865. 

Thus  after  two  years  and  10  months  of 
loyal  and  arduous  service,  Comrade  Evans 
returned  to  Rock  Island,  111.,  and  although 
suffering  severely  from  the  effects  of  his 
wound,  he  continued  in  the  position  of  fore 
man  with  a  lumber  company  for  16  years, 
when  he  became  totally  disabled. 

Mr.  Evans'  first  wife  died,  and  lie  was  mar 
ried  a  second  time  May  25,  1854,  to  Mrs.  Runan 
Clemantin,  who  has  made  him  a  most  faithful 
and  excellent  companion. 

The   living    children  by    this    marriage  are 

William  N.  S.,  Lucinda  K.,  now  Mrs.  Ed.  Cobb; 

George  W.  and  Mary  A.,  now  Mrs.  Joe.   Bush. 

-  Mr.  Evans  is  a  member  of  the    G.  A.  R.     He 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


is  a  kind  and  hospitable  citizen,  and  a  brave 
soldier  whom  heaven  alone  can  justly  reward. 
Fortunately  he  has  been  blessed  with  a  loving 
and  dutiful  wife,  who  is  ever  ready  to  lend  him 
comfort  in  his  many  hours,  days  and  years  of 
suffering. 


LIEUT.  NELS  NELSON,  of  Galesburg,!!!.,  was 
born  in  near  the  city  of  Halmstad, 
Sweden,  July  13,  1840,  and  came  to 
Galesburg  in  1856,  his  parents  having  located 
there  in  1854.  His  father's  name  was  Nels 
Bengtson,  and  the  Swedish  custom  is  that  the 
son  shall  assume  his  father's  first  name,  hence 
he  became  Nels  Nelson.  He  attended  school 
in  his  native  country.  His  father  died  during 
the  cholera  epidemic  in  Chicago,  in  1854.  The 
son  thus  early  bereft  of  help,  went  to  work  on 
a  farm,  at  intervals  going  to  school  until  1861, 
when  he  was  serving  as  an  apprentice  to  the 
cabinet-maker's  trade.  He  was  among  the  first 
volunteer  troops  to  enter  the  service  in  a  com 
pany  of  Swedes  mustered  in  under  the  three 
months'  call,  but  which  was  rejected  (thequota 
having  been  filled)  and  disbanded.  But  he  re 
sponded  to  the  call  for  300,000  men,  and  was 
mustered  in  as  private  in  Co.  C.,  43d  111.,  Vol. 
Inf.  This  was  the  color  company,  and  was 
composed  wholly  of  Swedes,  except  Dr.  H.  M. 
Starckloff,  who  was  by  birth  a  German,  and 
subsequently  became  the  Surgeon  of  the  Regt. 
Having  organized  at  Camp  Butler  the  Regt. 
was  ordered  to  St.  Louis,  which  place  they 
reached  Oct.  13,  1861.  Here  they  were  armed 
with  the  old  Austrian  muskets,  but  were  more 
properly  equipped  at  Tipton,  Mo.,  where  they 
received  the  old  English  muskets.  In  1862, 
the  command  returned  to  St.  Louis,  in  Feb. 
embarking  for  Fort  Henry,  where  they  were 
stationed  for  some  time  after  its  capture. 
While  here  they  were  assigned  to  the  Brigade 
of  Gen.  L.  F.  Ross,  being  the  3d  of  McCler- 
nand's  Div.  In  the  march  from  Fort  Donelson 
to  Bell's  Landing  on  the  Tenn.  River,  the  men 
suffered  acutely  from  the  cold,  and  being  ob 
liged  to  swim  streams  of  water  200  feet  wide 


they  got  wet,  and  taking  severe  colds  many 
died.  The  command  moved  on  to  Savannah, 
Tenn.,  and  thence  began  what  has  been  char 
acterized  as  the  "pin  hook"  march,  upon  which 
the  men  again  suffered  terribly  from  exposure 
to  rain  and  the  cold.  Taking  boats  for  Pitts- 
burg  Landing  they  arrived  at  that  point  March 
22d.  In  the  morning  of  the  first  day's  battle  at 
Shiloh  they  distinctly  heard  the  firing,  but  sup 
posed  it  proceeded  from  the  pickets  who  were 
firing  off  their  guns  preparatory  to  the  inspec 
tion  to  be  held  that  day.  They  were  precipi 
tated  into  action  within  five  minutes,  en 
countering  a  perfect  storm  of  shells  and  bul 
lets,  and  bearing  the  brunt  of  the  battle  for 
two  days,  the  rebels  moving  their  artillery 
around  to  the  left  and  the  regiment  being 
brought  into  position  to  repel  them,  their 
Colonel  being  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
Brig.  In  this  engagement  the  Regt.  lost  36 
men  who  fell  in  their  own  camp. 

The  Regt.  held  its  position  until  the  enemy 
fell  upon  their  rear,  when  they  were  forced  to 
fall  back.  They  had  during  this  time  been  cut 
off  from  the  Brig.,  their  commander  having 
been  mortally  wounded  early  inthe  engagement. 
The  next  day  the  rebels  were  driven  back  and 
they  regained  their  camp.  It  was  a  dearly 
bought,  but  complete  victory,  the  enemy  w:as 
badly  demoralized,  and  might  have  been  fol 
lowed  up,  thinks  Mr.  Nelson,  to  advantage.  Of 
500  of  the  Regt.  who  went  into  this  battle,  206 
were  killed  or  wounded.  The  Captain  of  Co. 
C,  Olifs  Fdrall,  died  of  his  wounds  a  home  at 
month  after.  The  command  next  proceeded 
"with  Halleck  to  Corinth,  where  they  tore  up 
the  railroad,  although  confronted  by  a  force  of 
about  30,000  of  the  enemy.  Their  next  move 
was  to  Jackson  and  thence  to  Bolivar,  where 
Mr.  Nelson  as  Sergeant,  was  detailed  for  re 
cruiting  service.  He  subsequently  rejoined  his 
Regt.  at  Bolivar,  and  was  there  detached  with 
225  men  to  join  an  expedition  to  Lexington, 
Tenn.,  where  with  only  500  men  they  engaged 
battle  with  1,800  of  the  enemy  under  Forrest, 
the  43d  losing  two  men,  killed.  ;  While  at  Boli 
var  they  were  much  harassed  by  guerrillas,  and 
needing  cavalry  to  successfully  repel  them,  the 


396 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


commanding  general  ordered  200  men  of  the 
43d  to  procure  horses  and  mount  themselves, 
Sergt.  Nelson  being  one  of  the  number.  They 
afterward,  as  mounted  infantry,  made  numerous 
incursions  into  the  country  and  engaged  in 
many  skirmishes,  rendering  their  vicinity  very 
unsafe  for  the  guerrillas.  In  1863,  the  Regt. 
formed  a  part  of  the  army  of  Gen.  Grant  at  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg. 

May  31,  they  ascended  the  Yazoo  River  to 
Sartartia,  and  thence  co-operated  with  Gen. 
Kimballand  drove  the  rebels  back  for  over  four 
miles,  pursuing  them  through  the  village  of 
Mechanicsville.  Returning,  they  marched  for 
several  days  along  the  Yazoo  bottoms,  to 
Haines'  Bluff,  where  they  fortified.  The 
weather  was  intensely  warm  and  the  roads  dry 
and  many  of  the  men  fell  with  sunstroke  by  the 
wayside.  They  were  with  the  command  that 
was  protecting  Grant's  rear  against  Johnston's 
army.  After  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  the  command 
was  ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Steele,  at  Helena, 
Ark.  Reaching  Helena  they  were  assigned  to 
the  command  of  Gen  Steele,  the  ist  Brig.,  2d 
Div.,  of  the  7th  A.  C.,  marching  thence  to  Lit 
tle  Rock,  the  43d  being  the  first  Regt.  of  in 
fantry  to  enter  the  city.  The  Regt.  made  its 
headquarters  there,  and  was  frequently  en 
gaged  in  expeditions  about  the  country. 

Feb.,  1864,  Co.  C.  re-enlisted  and  was  fur- 
loughed  home  for  30  days.  During  this  time 
Sergt.  Nelson  was  taken  sick  and  did  not  re 
turn  with  the  rest,  but  in  a  short  time  after 
ward  rejoined  his  command.  Sergt.  Nelson 
was  detailed  on  special  service  with  an  escort 
of  65  men  as  a  guard  to  the  paymaster  from 
Little  Rock  to  Fort  Smith,  a  distance  of  some 
250  miles  through  the  enemy's  country,  during 
which  they  had  frequent  skirmishes  with  the 
rebels,  but  succeeded  in  reaching  their  destina 
tion  in  safety. 

In  March,  18*65,  Sergt.  Nelson  was  promot 
ed  to  ist  Lieut.  About  this  time  while  he  was 
returning  from  a  three  days'  visit  to  Du  Vails' 
Bluff,  and  when  between  that  point  and 
Brownsville  the  train  was  ditched,  a  section  of 
rail  having  been  removed  by  rebel  guerrillas, 
and  in  a  short  time  was  attacked  by  about  40 


of  them  coming  up  at  full  speed.  Lieut.  Nel 
son  had  no  arms  but  determined  to  make  a 
bold  resistance.  There  was  a  cavalryman  on 
the  train  who  had  his  carbine  and  revolver  and 
two  infantry  men.  The  Captain  from  fright  or 
other  causes  was  unable  to  move  and  Lieut. 
Nelson  took  command  of  the  train  and  its 
defense.  His  experience  in  warfare  became  of 
great  assistance  to  him,  and  through  his  bravery 
and  skillful  management,  the  guerrillas  were 
defeated  and  driven  back  with  loss,  and  the 
train  with  its  lives  and  supplies  were  saved 
from  their  murderous  and  destructive  hands. 

Lieut.  Nelson  was  in  the  summer  of  1865, 
stricken  down  with  malarial  poisoning  and  was 
sent  to  the  hospital  at  Little  Rock.  After 
partial  recovery  he  secured  a  leave  of  absence 
from  Gen.  Reynolds  of  20  days,  and  an  exten 
sion  of  20  days  more  from  Gen.  Sherman,  when 
he  returned  to  his  Regt.  at  Little  Rock.  He  was 
mustered  out  w^ith  the  Regt.  Nov.  30,  1865,  by 
general  order  from  the  War  Dept.,  reaching 
home  Dec.  2Oth.  He  was  engaged  in  the  gro 
cery  business  for  four  years  but  was  obliged 
from  ill  health  to  discontinue  it.  In  1871,  he 
was  elected  City  Treasurer,  and  in  1875  re 
signed,  his  failing  health  preventing  his  further 
occupation  of  that  office.  He  then  engaged 
in  the  book  business,  but  for  13  months  was 
unable  to  devote  his  attention  to  any  active 
employment.  In  1883  he  was  conspicuous  as 
among  the  organizers  of  the  "  Scandinavian 
Mutual  Association,"  of  which  he  became  the 
Secretary,  and  has  since  creditably  discharged 
the  duties  of  that  office. 

He  was  married  in  1868,  to  Sarah  Nelson, 
They  have  one  child — Arthur.  Mr.  Nelson  is  a 
prominent  and  zealous  Republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors;  has  been 
for  four  years  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Edu 
cation,  and  for  7  years  of  the  Board  of  Direc 
tors  of  the  Public  Library.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  and  Loyal  Legion  Commandry  of 
the  State  of  111.,  at  Chicago,  and  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Nelson  exhibits  in  a 
marked  degree  the  sterling  principles  of  char 
acter  which  continually  move  him  to  the  accom 
plishment  of  high  aims  and  noble  purposes. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


397 


WILLIAM  RINCK,  of  Rock  Island,  111., 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army  in  the 
year  1861,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
service  as  a  private  in  Co.  B.,  2nd  Mo.  Vol. 
Inf.  with  Mr.  Bernstein  as  Col.  of  the  Regt. 
His  Regt.  was  at  Benton  Barracks,  then  Camp 
Jackson,  Springfield,  Mo.,  and  later,  went  on  an 
expedition  to  Rolla,  then  to  St.  Louis  and  in 
this  movement  had  several  skirmishes  with 
rebel  guerrilla  parties.  The  term  of  enlist 
ment  expired,  and  he  was  mustered  out,  then  re- 
enlisted  Aug.  loth,  1861,  in  Co.  F.,  Capt.  Light- 
foot,  I2th,  Mo.  Vol.  Inf.,  Col.  Osterhaus,  the 
enlistment  on  this  occasion,  being  for  3  years. 
The  Regt.  was  assigned  to  become  a  part  of 
Gen.  Fremont's  command,  with  Gen.  Steele  and 
Brig. -Gen.  Sigel  as  commanders  of  the  Div. 
and  Brig,  respectively.  With  his  Regt.  he  was 
in  line  of  battle  at  Springfield  but  was  not 
called  in  action.  Then  he  took  part  with  his 
Regt.  in  several  heavy  skirmishes  after  rebel 
bands  and  guerrilla  parties  besides  very  heavy 
and  continuous  marching  until  he  reached  Ark., 
then  took  up  the  line  of  march  on  the  return 
to  Rolla  where  he  remained  about  one  month. 
Leaving  Rolla,  the  Regt.  made  a  detour  around 
by  the  Indian  Terr,  then  into  Ark.  and  en 
countering  the  enemy  at  Pea  Ridge,  Ark., 
March  6th,  1862,  participating  in  the  engage 
ment  at  that  place  which  lasted  all  that  and  the 
following  day,  but  resulted  in  a  signal  defeat 
for  the  enemy,  they  having  lost  3,600  killed  and 
wounded,  besides  2,000  prisoners,  whilst  the 
Union  loss,  all  told,  was  not  more  than  1,300. 
His  Regt.  moved  to  Helena,  Ark.,  then  to  Pilot 
Knob,  and  having  rested  for  one  month  there, 
the  majority  of  the  men  took,  "  French  leave" 
for  14  days,  but  at  the  expiration  of  that  time 
returned  to  the  command  at  Helena,  Mo.,  on 
the  Miss.  River,  then  later,  they  embarked 
by  boat  for  Milliken's  Bend  opposite  Vicksburg. 
He  was  afterwards  in  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
saw  Bayou,  then  fell  back  to  Milliken's  Bend 
where  the  Regt.  was  placed  on  board  of  small 
boats  and  passed  to  the  front  of  Fort  Pember- 
ton,  but  owing  to  the  strength  of  the  works  it 
was  decided  to  be  inexpedient  to  make  an  at 
tack.  His  next  active  engagement  was  at  Ar 


kansas  Post  where  his  Regt.  bore  a  promi 
nent  part,  and  whose  movements  were  directed 
by  Gen.  McPherson.  From  there  it  marched 
to  Grand  Gulf,  crossed  the  river  and  marched 
on  Jackson,  and  on  the  way  had  several  skir 
mishes  with  the  rebels,  making,  however,  the 
march  to  Jackson,  60  miles  in  two  days,  having 
also  burned  numerous  bridges ;  then  captured 
Jackson  after  a  hard  fought  battle,  May  14,  1863. 
On  the  i8th,  his  Regt.  was  again  in  the  conflict 
of  Chickasaw  Bayou.  The  return  march  to  the 
river  was  again  made  in  two  days,  and  the  only 
rations  served  to  the  men  during  that  time  was 
at  Black  River,  when,  standing  in  line  Col. 
Wenglen  treated  them  to  a  cracker  each,  and 
continuing  the  march  they  brought  up  between 
Vicksburg  and  Haines'  Bluff,  when  communica 
tion  was  again  opened  and  provisions  obtained. 
Then  followed  the  assaults  and  siege  of  Vicks 
burg  in  which  the  Regt.  sustained  heavy  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded.  In  the  charge  of  May  22, 
his  Regt.  advanced  and  reaching  a  point  at 
which  it  would  mean  almost  annihilation  to 
proceed  further  or  fall  back,  therefore,  the  men 
lay  down  exposed  to  a  fire  for  several  hours, 
and  when  darkness  had  enveloped  them,  "they 
folded  their  tents  like  the  Arabs  and  quietly 
stole  away." 

In  the  charge  Mr.  Rinck  received  a  flesh 
wound  in  the  right  leg,  but  not  so  serious  as  to 
lay  him  aside  for  duty.  The  Regt.  continued 
in  line  in  the  trenches  until  the  surrender,  and 
was  the  first  to  plant  its  colors  upon  the  rebel 
works.  It  next  proceeded  to  Jackson  and  there 
participated  in  the  second  engagement  at  that 
place,  July,  i6th,  1863,  afterwards  pushed  on  to 
Black  River  where  it  continued  about  three 
weeks,  when  it  took  transports  for  Memphis  and 
from  that  point  marched  to  the  vicinity  of 
Chattanooga.  Nov.  23,  1863,  the  memorable 
conflict  of  Hookers'  "battle  above  the  clouds" 
or  Lookout  Mt.,  and  the  next  day  that  of  Mission 
Ridge,  were  fought  and  won,  where  the  rebel 
army  was  driven  forth  from  his  works,  cut  into 
pieces,  and  in  the  pursuit  of  which  the  I2th 
Mo.,  joined  in  the  chase  as  far  as  Ringgold, 
Ga.,  where  again  a  heavy  battle  was  fought, 
resulting  in  another  victory  for  the  Govt.  Regt., 


398 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


however,  losing  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded. 
This  closed  the  operations  of  the  Regt.,  for  the 
year,  and  in  the  following  spring  (1864),  it 
moved  with  the  main  army  in  the  advance 
upon  Atlanta,  and  besides  many  skirmishes, 
was  prominently  engaged  in  the  battles  of 
Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Atlanta,  Ezra 
Chapel,  and  Jonesboro,  which  was  the  last 
actual  conflict  in  which  it  was  engaged.  The 
men's  term  expired  before  the  last  named  bat 
tle,  whereupon  Gen.  Osterhaus  intimated  that 
those  whose  term  had  expired  and  desired  to 
be  mustered  out  were  at  liberty  to  go,  but  not 
a  man  forsook  the  ranks  until  the  campaign 
ended,  when  they  were  mustered  out  Sept.  iQth, 
1864. 

Mr.  Rinck  was  born  in  Prussia  in  the  year 
1839,  where  he  continued  until  16  years  of  age, 
w:hen  he  came  to  this  country  with  his  sister 
Eliza,  landing  at  New  Orleans,  then  proceeding 
up  the  Miss.  River  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  where 
he  settled  and  learned  the  shoemaking  trade, 
at  which  he  was  engaged  until  his  enlistment. 
After  the  war  he  returned  home,  and  the  fol 
lowing  year  removed  to  Rock  Island,  and  in 
1874,  opened  up  business  for  himself  in  the 
grocery  line,  at  which  he  has  since  been  en 
gaged  with  success. 

He  is  a  member  of  Buford  Post,  No.  243,  G. 
A.  R.,  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order,  and 
of  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 

He  was  married  March  8th,  1866,  to  Katoria 
Cordes,  a  native  of  Hanover,  Prussia,  and  eleven 
children  now  surround  the  family  table,  viz.; 
Freddy  and  Katie  (twins),  Mary,  William, 
Benny  and  Johnny  (twins),  Henry,  Anna,  Dora, 
Tillie,  and  Lizzie. 


BEERI  SERVISS,  the  leading  furniture  dealer 
of  Warre'n,  111.,  was   born  in  1843,  m  the 
same  State,  and  is  the  son   of  Beeri  Ser- 
viss,    a    native  of    N.   Y.,  who  removed  to  Jo 
Daviess  Co.  in  1827,  settled  down,  married,  and 
there   lived  as   a  farmer,   until  the  time  of  the 
Black  Hawk  war  when  he  enlisted  as  a  volun 
teer.     He  died  at  Warren  in   1885.     Beeri  was 


the  youngest  of  3  children,  two  sons  and  a 
daughter.  He  was  reared  upon  a  farm  and 
when  only  19  years  of  age  enlisted  as  a  soldier 
Aug.  5,  1862,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in 
Co.  K.,  96th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  The  Regt.  rendez 
voused  at  Rockford  until  Oct.  8,  then  moved  to 
Covington,  Ky.,  and  several  weeks  later 
marched  to  Lexington,  thence  to  Harrisburg 
where  Mr.  Serviss  was  smitten  with  the  measles. 
The  Regt.  having  during  his  illness  moved  to 
Danville,  he  started  for  that  point  on  foot  and 
being  obliged  to  lie  on  the  ground  at  night, 
caught  cold,  producing  typhoid  fever.  He  was 
sent  to  the  hospital  at  Danville,  Ky.,  where  he 
necessarily  remained  several  months.  Long  be 
fore  he  should  have  left  the  hospital,  all  those 
able  to  move  at  all  were  required  to  rejoin 
their  respective  regiments,  as  the  rebels  appear 
ed  to  be  growing  more  numerous  in  that  State. 
Consequently  he  proceeded  by  rail  to  Nash 
ville  where  his  command  was  then  stationed. 
With  it  he  went  to  South  Tennessee,  had  a 
slight  engagement  at  Franklin  andTriune,then 
remained  in  the  vicinity  of  the  latter  place 
during  the  summer  and  fall  of  1863,  when  he 
moved  to  Chattanooga,  and  on  Friday,  Sept. 
18,  went  with  Rosencrans'  army  to  the  relief  of 
Gen.  Thomas  at  Chickamauga. 

The  following  night  after  arrival  he  lay 
upon  his  arms  and  next  morning  fought  bravely 
at  the  front.  Having  been  placed  in  an  exposed 
position,  he  suffered  terribly  under  the  rebel 
fire,  and  by  the  time  night  closed  over  the 
scenes  the  regiment  had  lost  220  of  its  rank  and 
file,  being  over  50  per  cent,  of  its  number  en 
gaged.  It  fell  back  during  the  night  to  Ross- 
ville,  and  next  day  fortified  Mission  Ridge, 
where  it  was  attacked  the  same  evening  by  the 
enemy,  but  after  a  determined  resistance  the 
regiment  returned  to  Chattanooga,  and  next 
morning  crossed  the  Tenn.  River  and  camped 
upon  the  mountains.  Its  next  engagement  was 
at  Wauhatchie,  which  was  closely  followed  by 
that  of  Lookout  Mt.,  in  which  the  96th  scaled 
the  mountain  side  under  a  withering  fire,  and 
after  forcing  the  rebels  back  were  second  to 
place  a  flag  upon  the  rebel  works.  After  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga  the  men  were  on  short 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


399 


rations,  part  of  the  time  on  one-fourth,  conse 
quently  the  suffering  endured  from  hunger  alone 
almost  makes  those  who  endured  it  shudder  even 
at  this  distance  of  time.  The  g6th  was  left  to 
guard  the  mountain,  and  on  the  25th,  whilst 
the  sanguinary  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  was 
in  progress,  Mr.  Serviss  saw  all  the  movements 
of  the  respective  armies.  He  continued  upon 
the  mountain  on  guard  a  few  weeks  after  the 
battle,  and  with  part  of  the  Regt.  proceeded  to 
Cleveland,  and  in  the  following  spring  to  Blue 
Springs,  thence  to  Stephenson,  Ala.,  from  which 
point  he  started  out  with  his  Regt.  on  the  Ala 
bama  campaign,  taking  part  in  the  battle  of 
Buzzard's  Roost  and  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  at  the 
latter  of  which  he  had  ascended  the  mountain 
and  almost  reached  the  top  when  he  was 
wounded  in  the  right  leg,  badly  shattering  the 
limb  and  foot. 

He  started  down  the  mountain,  but  being 
unable  to  walk,  tried  to  roll  over  the  rocks  but 
had  only  gone  a  short  distance  when  he  was 
shot  through  the  clothing  just  grazing  the  skin. 
He  continued  on  the  roll  until  he  reached  a  log 
under  which  he  endeavored  to  crawl,  but  while 
in  the  act  of  so  doing  was  struck  in  the  fore 
head  with  a  ball  rendering  him  unconscious. 
After  a  time  he  was  discovered  by  comrades 
who  carried  him  off  the  field  to  the  nearest 
surgeon,  who  dressed  the  wound,  and  he  was 
then  taken  on  an  ambulance,  conveyed  with 
others  to  Tunnel  Hill  Hospital,  and  afterwards 
sent  to  Chattanooga,  and  placed  in  a  field  hos 
pital  tent.  That  same  night  a  severe  storm 
arose  arid  leveled  the  tent  to  the  ground.  He 
was  next  removed  to  hospital  at  Jefferson,  where 
he  grew  gradually  worse,  gangrene  having  set 
in.  The  doctors  concluded  his  case  was  hope 
less.  It  was,  after  a  long  delay,  decided  to  am 
putate  the  leg  after  all  the  flesh  below  the  knee 
had  been  burned  off.  Accordingly  he  was  taken 
to  the  dead  house  where  the  operation  was  per 
formed,  the  doctors,  however,  intimating  that 
he  could  not  live,  hence  that  place  was  selected 
for  the  operation.  He  grew  slowly  better,  was 
removed  to  Mound  City  about  Oct.  1st,  and 
discharged(on  the  26th,  after  weeks  of  most  ex 
cruciating  suffering. 


Returning  home  the  day  before  the  election, 
he  was  conveyed  to  the  polls  at  Warren  and 
cast  his  first  vote  for  Lincoln.  The  following 
June  he  was  made  Postmaster  for  Apple  River, 
and  held  the  office  until  removed  in  1885.  A 
petition  signed  by  every  person  served  by  his 
office,  irrespective  of  politics,  was  presented 
asking  for  reinstatement,  and  compliance  prom 
ised  by  Postmaster  General,  but  owing  to  the 
death  of  the  first  assistant  Postmaster  General 
soon  after,  and  some  misunderstanding  on  the 
part  of  his  successor,  it  was  not  done. 

He  subsequently  engaged  in  the  furniture 
trade  at  Apple  River,  but  afterward  sold  out 
and  removed  to  Warren,  where  he  now  person 
ally  manages  the  business  he  had  established 
there  several  years  past.  He  married  Mary 
McDonald  in  1869,  but  she  dying  the  following 
year,  he  married  Miss  Huldah  Bunker  in  1872, 
she  having  been  born  in  New  York.  Mr.  Serviss 
is  a  charter  member  of  Warren  Post,  No.  315, 
G.  A.  R.,  served  as  Commander  and  is  now 
Senior  Vice  Commander  of  that  order. 


M 


AJ.  GEN.  JAMES  B.  MCPHERSON  was  born 
at  Clyde,  Ohio,  Nov.  14,  1828.  His 
mother,  Cynthia  Russell,  was  a  native 
of  Mass.  His  father,  William  McPherson,  was 
of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  The  pair  were  mar 
ried  near  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  and  shortly 
removed  to  Ohio.  Here  the  father  settled  on 
a  tract  of  woodland  near  where  the  village  of 
Clyde  now  stands,  built  a  frame  house  and  a 
blacksmith  shop,  worked  at  his  trade  when 
work  offered,  and  employed  his  leisure  time  in 
clearing  the  farm  ;  and  here  four  years  later  the 
son  was  born,  who  was  to  be  so  famous  and  so 
mourned.  The  boy  grew  up  in  the  hardy  labo 
rious  backwoods'  life,  of  the  time  and  region. 
He  was  never  much  employed  in  his  father's 
blacksmith  shop,  but  was  taught  to  pick  brush, 
to  pile  wood,  to  drive  horses,  and  by  and  by  to 
plow  and  chop.  Meantime  the  father's  health 
broke  down.  Poor  and  an  invalid,  he  thus  left 
his  growing  family  to  the  struggles  of  his  wife, 
with  such  aid  as  four  children,  the  oldest  of 


400 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


them  only  13,  could  offer.  James'  anxiety  to 
get  some  employment  by  which  he  might  di 
minish  his  mother's  burdens,  was  great.  Soon 
he  was  engaged  and  for  the  next  six  years  he 
remained,  first  as  store-boy,  then  as  clerk  in  the 
establishment  of  Mr.  Robt.  Smith,  of  Green 
Spring,  the  next  village.  Here  he  remained  six 
years.  Always  anxious  for  a  better  education, 
he  devoured  all  books  of  standard  authors, 
whenever  time  permitted.  At  last  came  the 
promise  of  an  appointment  to  West  Point,  which 
his  firm  character  and  esteem  it  won  him,  had 
secured.  He  was  now  19  years  old,  and  entered 
Normal  Academy  for  preparatory  study.  A 
few  months  before  reaching  his  majority  the 
blacksmith's  boy  was  established  at  West  Point. 
Here  he  graduated  at  the  head  of  his  class  in 
1853,  and  here  he  taught  for  a  year.  Subse 
quently  he  served  with  the  regular  army  in  the 
corps  of  engineers,  until  1861,  when  he  was  made 
aid-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Halleck.  In 
Gen.  Grant's  expedition  against  Forts  Henry 
and  Donelson,  McPherson  was  chief  engineer. 
In  all  the  exciting  campaigns  through  Miss,  and 
the  final  capture  of  Vicksburg  he  acted  a  con 
spicuous  part.  Young,  dashing  and  brave  to  a 
fault,  he  early  attracted  the  notice  of  Grant  and 
Sherman,  at  whose  special  request  he  was  made 
Maj-Gen.  of  Volunteers,  and  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  i/th  A.  C.  His  fine  form  and 
noble  bearing  soon  made  him  a  universal 
favorite  in  the  army. 

After  the  fall  of  Vickburg  McPherson  ac 
companied  Gen.  Grant  to  Chattanooga,  gallant 
ly  shared  in  the  battles  of  Mission  Ridge,  and 
continued  with  Sherman  in  his  campaign  against 
Atlanta.  In  all  the  terrible  struggle  and  con 
flict  around  Atlanta  in  the  summer  of  1864  Gen. 
McPherson  was  a  leading  spirit.  Always  in 
front  and  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  he  signal 
ized  himself  on  all  great  occasions. 

During  a  lull  in  the  memorable  battle  of 
Atlanta,  fought  July  22,  about  1 1  o'clock,  while 
the  noble  and  gallant  General  was  riding  to  the 
rear  of  the  i/th  A.  C.,  he  was  shot  at  and  killed 
by  a  squad  of  rebels  that  were  engaged  in  mak 
ing  a  flank  movement.  He  fell  from  his  horse, 
his  body  pierced  with  several  bullets,  was  picked 


up  directly  after  and  carried  to  the  rear,  lie 
was  the  idol  of  the  whole  army — loved  and  ad 
mired  by  officers  and  men;  his  loss  was  deeply 
regretted.  In  McPherson  the  whole  Nation 
mourned  the  loss  of  the  noblest  of  its  soldiers 
and  most  brilliant  among  its  commanders. 


RICHARD  PROUDSTONE,  of  Grand  Ridge, 
111.,  a  brother  of  Geo.  C.  Proudstone, 
whose  sketch  appears  on  another  page, 
was  born  in  Fayette  Co.,  Pa.,  in  the  year  1834. 
When  quite  a  boy  he  removed  with  his  parents 
to  La  Salle  Co.  111.  He  enlisted  in  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion,  Aug,  15,  1862,  in  Capt.  Ford's 
Independent  Cavalry  Co.  L.,  which  formed 
Gen.  Grant's  bodyguard  at  the  battle  of  Cor 
inth.  Under  a  general  order  the  company 
was  shortly  after  consolidated  with  the  I5th 
111.  Cav.  The  Co.  was  detached  for  special 
duty,  the  greater  part  of  the  time  acting  as 
scout.  While  in  this  capacity  he  had  many 
hair-breadth  escapes  both  from  capture  and 
death.  He  participated  in  the  second  battle 
of  Corinth  and  also  that  of  Hatchie  River. 
After  2  years  of  continual  hard  service,  our 
comrade  was  taken  sick  with  Arkansas  Swamp 
fever,  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Quincy, 
111.,  where  after  suffering  for  several  months 
he  recuperated  sufficiently  to  do  hospital  duty, 
and  was  thus  detailed  as  ward  master  of  the 
i6th  ward,  until  mustered  out  of  service,  June 
22,  1865. 

He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  165,  G.  A.  R., 
Ottawa,  111.  He  was  married  in  1873,  to  Miss 
Emma  Alice  Miller,  and  by  this  union  were 
born  six  children. 


WILLIAM  H.  H.  BROWN,  of  Sadorus,  111., 
was  born  in  Ohio,  July  27,  1840,  a  son 
of    Richard    and    Rebecca    (Cress) 
Brown,  who  removed  from  N.  Y.   State  many 
years  ago,  the  father  dying  in  1852.     Five  years 
later  the   mother   and  family  removed  to  111., 
where  William  engaged  in  the  carpentering  trade, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


401 


and  was  thus  employed  at  Sadorus  in  the  spring 
of  1861.  When  the  gathering  war  clouds  burst 
over  the  Republic  in  that  year,  young  Brown 
concluded  to  enter  the  strife  and  lend  his  as 
sistance  in  its  suppression,  but  owing  to  an  in 
jury  to  his  hand  which  left  that  member  useless 
save  the  thumb,  and  forefinger,  he  found  it 
difficult  to  be  accepted.  Being  determined 
however  to  accomplish  his  purpose  he  finally 
succeeded,  and  on  June  ist,  1861,  we  find  him 
enrolled  in  Co.  G.,  25th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  assigned 
to  duty  as  wagon  master.  From  St.  Louis  he 
went  to  Jefferson  City,  Sedalia,  Springfield  and 
then  to  Rolla,  where  he  was  smitten  down  with 
the  measles  and  sent  to  the  general  hospital  at  St. 
Louis.  His  illness  delayed  him  there  30  days, 
at  the  end  of  which  he  accepted  a  furlough 
home  of  30  days,  then  rejoined  his  comrades  at 
Pea  Ridge,  whilst  the  battle  of  that  place  was 
in  progress.  Subsequently  he  went  to  Camp 
Huffman  where  he  was  made  wagon  master  for 
the  whole  Regt.,  having  had  only  the  Co.  wa 
gons  up  to  that  time.  From  that  time  forward 
his  history  is  a  repetition  of  that  of  the  Regt., 
for  he  was  always  present  with  it  accompanying 
it  through  all  its  long  marches  for  three  long 
years,  and  was  discharged  at  Springfield,  111., 
Sept.  i,  1864.  Thus  it  will  be  readily  seen  he 
did  his  full  duty  as  a  brave  and  fearless  soldier 
and  patriotic  citizen. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
Sadorus  where  he  resumed  his  trade  as  a  car 
penter  and  has  since  followed  that  business  at 
the  same  place.  Mr.  Brown  is  one  of  the 
charter  members  of  the  Sadorus  Post,  of  which 
he  was  its  commander  for  two  years.  He  is  a 
Master  and  Chapter  Mason,  and  has  been  Master 
of  his  lodge  for  fifteen  years.  He  has  always 
been  a  strong  Republican  and  cast  his  first  vote 
for  A.  Lincoln  as  President.  He  was  married 
in  1865  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Pedgett,  whose  father 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain 
in  1864.  Our  subject  by  this  marriage  has  had 
eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  living,  viz.: 
Mattie,  Ora,  Harry  and  Richard. 

Mr.  Brown  was  at  one  time  detailed  as 
Quarter-Master  Sergeant,  and  to  draw  clothing 
for  Gen.  Willie's  Brig.,  and  rode  80  miles  with 


out  removing  from  the  saddle,  and  the  follow 
ing  day  repeated  the  same  extraordinary  ride 
upon  the  same  horse. 


THE  subject  of  our  sketch,  Alonzo  Acker- 
man,  was  born  at  Prospect  Park,  Du  Page 
Co.,  111.,  July  30,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of 
John  D.  and  Lurania  Ackerman.  His  father 
was  born  Oct.  24,  1799,  and  in  1834,  came  from 
Syracuse  N.  Y.  and  located  a  claim  in  Du  Page 
Co.,  111.  Land  at  this  time  in  the  "  Wild  West " 
was  obtainable  at  a  nominal  price,  while  the 
wildness  of  the  surrounding  country  was 
attested  by  the  presence  of  savage  bands  of 
Indians,  who  were  roving  about  from  place  to 
place,  some  of  whom,  made  their  camp  near 
his  homestead.  Mr.  Ackerman  built  a  log 
house  on  his  claim,  the  site  of  which  is,  to-day, 
occupied  by  the  fine  and  modern  residence  of 
his  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

The  early  life  of  our  subject  was  similar  to 
to  that  of  many  others — attending  school  dur 
ing  the  winter  months,  and  in  the  intervals 
doing  farm  work.  Industrious  and  persevering, 
he  soon  acquired  the  rudiments  of  a  plain  but 
substantial  education,  while  his  work  upon  the 
farm  in  the  open  air,  aided  in  developing  a 
constitution  naturally  strong,  and  one  which  in 
after  years  enabled  him  to  endure  the  many 
hardships  and  trials  connected  with  the  war, 
in  which  he  took  so  active  a  part.  He  enlisted 
Aug.  21,  1862,  in  Co.  F.  losth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  at 
Wheaton,  111.  The  Regt.  proceeded  to  Dixon, 
111.,  later  in  Camp  at  Chicago,  and  Oct.  10, 
1862,  it  proceeded  to  Louisville,  Ky.  and  almost 
immediately  commenced  the  pursuit  of  Mor 
gan's  cavalry,  following  them  as  far  as  Frank 
fort,  Ky.  Here  they  remained  about  four 
weeks,  drilling  and  preparing  for  active  service. 
Next  they  went  to  Scottsville,  Ky.,  and  ul 
timately  to  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  where  they  remained 
about  a  month,  subsequently  returning  to  Tun 
nel  Hill,  on  guard  duty.  Much  sickness  was 
occasioned  in  this  locality  by  the  impure  state 
of  the  water,  and  many  of  the  men  were  utter- 


402 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ly  prostrated.  Feb.  20,  1863,  they  returned  to 
Gallatin  again,  doing  guard  duty,  and  early  in 
the  following  June, proceeded  to  Lavergne,Tenn., 
and  then  went  to  Murfreesboro.  August  I,  it 
returned  to  Lavergne,  later  proceeded  to  Nash 
ville,  Tenn.,  then  to  Fort  Negley  where  they 
engaged  in  doing  camp  and  picket  duties 
during  the  following  nine  months.  Towards 
the  close  of  this  period,  Mr.  Ackerman  was 
taken  sick,  and  accordingly  was  taken  to  a  hos 
pital,  where  he  recovered  in  the  course  of  eight 
weeks  and  rejoined  his  company,  April  I,  1864, 
at  Wahatchie  Valley.  Subsequently  it  joined 
the  forces  under  command  of  Gen.  Sherman, 
and  started  for  the  front.  The  first  battle  it 
engaged  in  was  that  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15, 
1864.  The  fight  commenced  about  12  o'clock 
and  raged  with  considerable  fury  for  some 
time.  The  enemy,  however,  was  completely 
routed,  though  not,  however,  before  Lieut. 
Firtlock,  of  Wheaton,  111.,  was  severely 
wounded  and  Arthur  Rice  was  killed.  The 
rebels  lost  four  pieces  of  artillery  and  fled  in 
all  directions.  Mr.  Ackerman  took  part  in  13 
battles,  including  those  of  Resaca,  New  Hope 
Church,  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  At 
lanta  and  Marietta. 

In  connection  with  this  latter  battle,  he  re 
calls  a  somewhat  amusing  ancident.  A  shell 
exploded  so  close  to  an  Irishman,  that  it 
seemed  miraculous  that  he  was  not  killed.  He 
was  not  hurt,  but  frightened  almost  to  death, 
and  took  to  his  heels  exclaiming  as  he  run:  "I 
guess  they  were  after  old  Pete  that  time !" 
From  the  first  engagement  in  the  opening  of 
the  Atlanta  campaign,  May  15,  to  its  close,  he 
was  with  his  Regt.  performing  nobly  his  part, 
and  never  with  his  back  to  the  foe  when  an 
action  was  at  hand.  He  was  with  Sherman 
during  his  celebrated  march  to  the  sea,  and  at 
the  capture  of  Savannah.  Jan.  29,  the  com 
mand  started  on  the  campaign  through  the 
Carolinas.  In  this  long  and  wearisome  march, 
Mr.  Ackerman  participated  in  its  many  skir 
mishes.  He  fought  at  Averysboro,  at  Benton- 
ville,  and  was  in  the  final  movement  to  Raleigh. 
They  then  proceeded  to  Richmond  en  rou  te  for 
Washington,  and  there  took  part  in  the  grand 


review.  As  the  Regt.  marched  past  the  re 
viewing  point,  it  was  heartily  cheered  by  the 
people.  It  was  mustered  out  of  service  near 
Washington,  June  7,  1865.  They  then  pro 
ceeded  to  Chicago,  were  paid  off,  and  returned 
to  their  various  homes. 

Mr.  Ackerman  is  a  member  of  Post,  No.  5 13, 
E.  S.  Kelley,  G.  A.  R.  His  mother  was  one  of 
two  twins  (girls),  and  was  born  at  Rutland,  Vt, 
Feb.  15,  1802.  She  is  still  living,  though  at  an 
advanced  age,  and  is  in  possession  of  all  of  her 
faculties.  She  takes  an  active  interest  in  every 
thing  about  her,  and  converses  freely  on  the 
general  topics  of  the  day. 

Mr.  Ackerman  was  married,  Jan.  I,  1859,  to 
Miss  Mary  Sophia  Koffin,  who  was  born  at 
Wackendorf,  Germany,  July  29,  1835.  They 
have  seven  children — Mary,  Ella,  Matilda, 
William,  Minnie,  Hattie  and  Angie.  He  is 
popular  with  his  associates,  and  esteemed  by 
all  who  know  him.  Alonzo  Ackerman  is  justly 
proud  of  his  record  as  a  soldier,  and  it  must  be 
admitted  to  be  one  of  much  interest  to  those 
who  are  interested  in  the  lives  of  our  Union 
veterans. 


ADJT.  WILLIAM  WILSON,  of  Sheffield,  111., 
enlisted  at  Sheffield,  111.,  Sept.  18,  1861, 
and  was  mustered  in  as  1st  Lieut,  of  Co. 
C.,  i4th  Mo.  Vol.  Inf.  This  Regt.  was  subse 
quently  credited  to  111.,  as  the  greater  part  of 
the  men  were  residents  of  that  State.  It  was 
then  known  as  the  66th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  although 
it  had  received  the  name  of  "Birge's  Sharp 
Shooters"  as  it  was  commanded  by  Col.  Birge, 
who  was  afterward  arrested  and  deposed  from 
the  command.  Col.  P.  E.  Burke  then  led  the 
Regt.  until  he  died  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  10, 
1864,  from  wounds  received  in  battle.  The  first 
fall  and  winter  were  spent  at  Sturgeon,  Mo., 
with  headquarters  at  that  point,  and  in  April, 
1862,  Lieut.  Wilson  was  appointed  Adjutant. 
The  Regt.  had  an  opportunity  to  "test  its  met 
tle"  in  the  battles  of  Mount  Zion,  Fort  Donel- 
son,  Shiloh,  and  the  advance  upon  Corinth  and 
luka.  It  was  then  assigned  to  post  duty  for 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


403 


about  a  year,  and  in  Dec.,  1863,  the  Regt.  vet 
eranized  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,and  Adjutant  Wilson 
was  sent  home  for  recruits  to  fill  the  regiment. 
From  Pulaski  the  command  was  directed 
against  Chattanooga  and  attached  to  the  2d 
Brig.,  2nd  Div.,  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  with 
which  it  experienced  many  of  the  vicissitudes  of 
army  life.  In  May,  1864,  the  66th  joined  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign  in  which  it  was  under  fire  129 
days,  engaged  in  all  the  noted  battles  from 
Chattanooga  to  Atlanta.  It  was  in  the  siege  of 
Atlanta,  at  the  battles  of  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mt., 
Nickajack  Creek,  Chattahoochie  River,  Lovejoy 
Station,  Rome,  Cross  Roads,  Atlanta  and  many 
others.  Adjutant  Wilson  was  twice  wounded, 
once  by  a  piece  of  shell  striking  him  on  the 
left  knee,  and  at  Jonesboro  his  right  arm  was 
pierced  by  a  ball,  as  talking  with  Lieut.  Bald 
win  he  extended  his  arm  to  point  out  something 
of  interest  in  the  distance.  The  ball  passed 
through  the  fleshy  part  of  the  arm  and  pene 
trated  the  breast  of  Lieut.  Baldwin,  causing  his 
death.  Had  his  arm  been  an  inch  lower,  it 
doubtless  would  have  been  destroyed  and 
would  have  saved  the  life  of  Lieut.  Baldwin. 

Although  severely  wounded,  Adjt.  Wilson 
was  not  absent  from  duty  a  day,  nor  did  he 
miss  a  meal  when  he  could  get  it,  during  his 
three  years'  service.  Adjt.  \Vilson  was  sent 
home  carrying  with  him  many  relics  of  great 
value  from  the  South,  among  which  were  a 
piece  of  the  shell  that  wounded  his  knee,  a  6 
pound  solid  shot  that  struck  the  ground  at  his 
feet  at  Fort  Donelson;  a  copy  of  a  will  dated 
Feb.  1695,  captured  in  an  attorney's  office  at 
Sturgeon,  Mo.;  a  captain's  sword  captured  by 
him  at  the  battle  of  Corinth  and  several  long, 
roughly  made  dirk-shaped  knives.  When  the 
rebels  were  asked  what  they  intended  to  do 
with  such  instruments  of  war  they  said,  "that 
they  had  been  told  that  the  'Yanks'  were  all 
little  short  fellows  and  they  intended  when 
they  came  upon  them  to  take  them  by 
the  hair  and  cut  their  heads  off  with  a  blow 
of  the  knife.  But,"  remarked  the  rebel 
who  gave  this  information  concerning  their  in 
tended  mode  of  warfare,  "we  were  lied  to,  you 
Yanks  are  not  so  very  small  and  your  heads 


don't  come  off  so  easy  as  we  expected."  Adjt. 
Wilson's  collection  contains  hundreds  of  relics 
gathered  from  every  battlefield  where  his  regi 
ment  was  engaged,  and  from  every  camp,  town 
and  city  of  the  South  that  he  visited,  and  is 
particularly  valuable,  not  only  as  historical 
relics,  but  also  as  an  exposition  of  days  and 
methods  that  have  passed  away  forever.  The 
end  of  his  war  service  ended  in  Sept.  1864, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  near  Atlanta,  Ga. 

William  Wilson  was  born  at  Washington, 
Mason  Co.,  Ky.,  Dec.  25,  1828.  His  father  was 
of  old  Tenn.,  and  his  mother  of  old  Ky.  Revo 
lutionary  stock.  His  grandfather,  Benjamin 
Wilson,  was  killed  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
Benjamin  Wilson,  Jr.,  an  uncle  of  William  Wil 
son,  also  did  good  service  for  his  country  in 
1812,  thus  there  is  shown  a  creditable  martial 
ancestry. 

In  early  life  William  was  compelled  to  start 
out  for  himself  with  but  very  little  outside  as 
sistance.  He  went  to  Brown  Co.,  Ohio,  in 
1836  when  but  a  lad,  and  in  1845  moved  to 
111.,  becoming  one  of  the  pioneers  in  that  State 
and  locating  at  Hennepin  where  he  was  for 
two  years  deputy  Post  Master.  Possessing  an 
inclination  for  mercantile  business  he  early 
prepared  to  engage  in  this  line  and  begun 
merchandising  in  Hennepin,  Sheffield  and 
other  adjoining  'places,  but  sometime  ago  re 
tired  from  this  work  on  account  of  advanc 
ing  age.  He  has  been  for  many  years 
Notary  Public,  was  appointed  Post  Master  at 
Sheffield  by  the  present  Administration  and  is 
now  acting  in  that  capacity.  Mr.  Wilson  has 
been  prominent  in  the  G.  A.  R.,  being  a  charter 
member  of  J.  P.  Kile  Post  No.  605,  of  Sheffield; 
he  named  the  post  for  the  first  man  killed  in 
his  regiment.  He  has  been  commander  and 
filled  that  office  for  three  successive  years.  He 
is  a  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow  of  high  standing. 
A  life  long  Republican,  his  influence  is  recog 
nized  in  his  party. 

He  has  been  twice  married,  the  first  time  in 
1853.  His  wife  died  in  1876.  In  1878  he 
married  Lydia  I.  Culver,  who  was.  a  native  of 
Jackson  Co.  Mich. 


404 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


WILLIAM  R.  LYND,  of  Elgin,  111.,  whose 
name  appears  on  the  roll  of  the  faith 
ful  defenders  of  his  country's  flag,  was 
born  in  N.  Y.  City  June  15,  1844.  His  father, 
James  Lynd,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1807,  and  his 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Ann  Caldwell, 
a  native  of  Ireland,  was  born  in  181 1, and  to  these 
parents  came  nine  children:  Sarah  J.,  Mary  Ann, 
Alexander  C.,  Ellen,  William  R.,  Catharine, 
Henry,  James  T.  and  John  R.  Alexander  C.  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war,  serving  in  Co.  A.,  36th  111. 
Inf.,  and  was  wounded  at  Stone  River. 

The  early  life  of  William  R.  Lynd  was  spent 
in  Elgin,  111,  where  he  steadily  attended  the 
public  schools  until  his  eleventh  year,  then  he 
worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  during  the 
summer,  and  went  to  school  in  the  winter. 
Later,  he  spent  some  time  in  the  Elgin  Acad 
emy. 

His  first  military  service  was  in  Co.  B.,  69th 
111  Inf.,  which  enlisted  for  90  days,  and  was  on 
duty  nearly  five  months  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chi 
cago.  When  mustered  out  Mr.  Lynd  returned 
to  Elgin  and  resumed  his  place  on  the  farm 
and  at  school. 

The  war  still  continued,  and  with  it  the  civil 
struggle  grew  more  desperate.  Under  these 
circumstances,  Mr.  Lynd  could  not  long  remain 
an  inactive  spectator,  so  he  re-enlisted  in  Jan 
uary,  1864,  in  Co.  G.,  52nd  111.  Inf,,  and  was  mus 
tered  in  the  same  day.  In  a  few  days  he  was  in 
the  front  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  and  started  on  the 
march  to  Chattanooga,  where  he  was  in  the 
front  lines,  participating  in  every  engagement 
that  his  Company  and  Regt.  were  in,  up  to  and 
including  the  capture  of  Atlanta. 

The  history  of  Mr.  Lynd's  service,  as  he 
recalls  it,  may  be  briefly  given  in  detail.  On 
July  22,  his  Div.  (the  fourth)  marched  around 
Atlanta,  and  was  stationed  in  front  for  a  time, 
but  during  the  day  the  position  was  changed 
six  times,  and  before  night  it  was  posted  on 
the  extreme  left  of  the  army. 

Subsequent  to  this  engagement  at  Atlanta 
came  the  battle  at  Jonesboro,  followed  by  a 
march  to  Rome,  while  scouting  and  skirmish 
ing  was  of  frequent  occurrence.  On  one  raid 
ing  expedition  from  Rome  to  Allatoona,  by 


cars,  the  train,  by  accident,  was  disconnected 
and  one -half  left  behind.  Mr.  Lynd  was  on 
the  first  portion  of  the  train  and  arrived  in 
time  to  see  the  enemy  retreating  without  ex 
change  of  shots.  On  returning  to  Rome  he 
assisted  in  burying  the  dead  and  caring  for  the 
wounded  left  on  the  field  by  the  enemy.  Soon 
the  52nd  started  on  the  famous  march  to  the 
sea,  being  assigned  to  the  4th  Div.  I5th  A.  C. 

In  the  longcontinued  wading  in  theCarolina 
swamps,  Mr.  Lynd  became  so  thoroughly 
chilled  that  he  has  never  recovered  from  the 
effects  of  the  exposure.  During  the  siege  of 
Savannah,  the  Regt.  was  forced  to  halt  on  the 
Ogeetchie  River,  in  the  swamp,  and  lived  on 
unseasoned  rice,  but  after  the  evacuation  of 
the  city  and  when  the  army  had  taken  posses 
sion,  there  was  a  change,  for  provisions  were 
then  freely  received  from  the  fleet.  At 
Savannah,  Mr.  Lynd  and  comrades  were  placed 
on  guard  over  the  supply  department  and  they 
"captured"  two  barrels  of  apples,  and  a  cask 
of  tobacco  which  were  doubtless  intended 
for  the  officers'  use.  The  men  had  an  enjoya 
ble  time  selling  the  apples  at  the  rate  of 
3  for  25  cents,  and  there  were  no  arrests  for 
this  service,  which  was  not  in  the  regular  line 
of  duty.  This  detail  remained  on  this  duty 
until  the  Savannah  River  was  crossed  and  the 
march  through  the  Carolinas  was  commenced. 
The  Regt.  was  employed  while  in  the  Caro 
linas  in  building  corduroy  roads,  and  in  both 
those  States  left  a  good  sample  of  its  work. 

At  Columbia  it  witnessed  the  exciting 
scenes  that  transpired  on  the  day  of  the  battle 
there,  and  was  also  on  active  duty  in  the  en 
gagement  at  Bentonville.  The  rapid  move 
ments  of  the  closing  campaign  led  Mr.  Lynd 
with  his  regiment  to  Goldsboro,  onto  Raleigh, 
then  out  near  Hillsborough,  to  attack  Johnston, 
where  this  command  was  located  when  Johns 
ton  surrendered.  This  even,t  changed  the 
movement  and  the  grand  march  to  Richmond, 
Washington:,  and  home,  was  cheerfully  exe 
cuted.  The  52nd  was  the  first  Regt.  to  reach 
the  Potomac  River,  and  it  went  into  camp  at 
Alexandria  until  the  Grand  Review. 

Mr.  Lynd,  witnessed  the  parade  on  the  first 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


405 


day,  and  on  the  second  was  one  of  the  valiant 
army  of  victorious  soldiers  who  escaped  from 
the  hazards  of  war  and  marched  triumphantly 
through  the  Capital  of  the  country  which  their 
valor  had  saved  from  disunion  and  probable 
destruction. 

Following  this  demonstration  the  Regt. 
camped  on  the  Baltimore  Pike  and  was  sent  to 
Parkersburg  to  take  transports  to  La.  While 
in  camp  here,  Mr.  Lynd  secured  a  furlough,  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  he  had  not  been  absent 
from  his  company,  for  one  day  or  night,  ex 
cept  on  duty,  since  the  date  of  his  enlistment. 
He  came  home  to  Elgin,  but  in  a  few  days  re 
ceived  orders  to  report  to  Chicago  to  be  mus 
tered  out.  The  Regt.  received  its  payment  and 
discharge  Jan.  12,  1866.  When  this  service  was 
ended,  and  there  was  no  longer  a  sound  of 
war  in  the  land,  Mr.  Lynd  came  to  Elgin  and 
soon  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  worked  as  a 
carpenter  seven  years,  and  then  went  South 
into  Miss.,  and  Texas  for  8  years,  working  at 
his  trade.  He  then  in  the  same  employment, 
was  West  on  the  U.  P.  Ry. ;  in  Colorado,  one 
year,  afterwards  in  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  and  on 
the  Ft.  Scott,  and  Gulf  Ry. ;  then  into  Texas 
and  through  the  Indian  Territory  with  a  train. 
He  went  through  La.  and  Mo.,  to  Chicago  ar 
riving  about  the  time  of  the  great  fire,  and  re 
mained  about  one  year. 

Mr.  Lynd  was  married  about  Oct.  15,  1876, 
to  Nellie  Devitte  of  Chicago,  and  located  in 
Elgin,  111.,  where  he  has  since  remained  with 
the  exception  of  sometime  in  Topeka.  He 
now  operates  a  large  planing  mill  business 
which  he  established  seven  years  ago.  He  is  a 
member  of  a  number  of  organizations  among 
which  may  be  noted  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  A.  T.  & 
A.,  G.  A.  R.  and  also  the  Oriental  Consistory  of 
Chicago.  In  politics  he  is  independent,  and  in 
all  matters  is  considered  a  gentleman  of  liberal 
views  and  fair  judgment  whose  opinions  are 
worthy  of  consideration. 

He  certainly  has  a  most  excellent  war 
record  for  faithful  duty  in  the  field  and  camp, 
extending  over  a  range  of  time  and  territory 
which  included  some  of  the  most  brilliant  and 
daring  campaigns  of  the  rebellion. 


THE  father  of  Anthony  Wiltheis,  of  El 
gin,  111.,  Peter  Wiltheis,  was  a  German, 
while  his  mother,  Elizabeth  (Store) 
Wiltheis,  was  an  American,  born  in  Pa.  They 
had  the  following  family  besides  our  subject: 
Charles,  William,  and  Mary  C.  His  parents 
are  now  dead,  having  died  at  Northumber 
land,  Pa.  His  maternal  grandfather,  Charles 
Store,  was  engaged  in  the  Mexican  war. 
William  and  Charles  Wiltheis,  brothers  of  our 
subject,  were  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  The 
latter  was  taken  prisoner  at  Andersonville,  and 
that  was  the  last  ever  heard  of  him.  Mr, 
Wiltheis  was  born  in  Milheime,  Center  Co., 
Pa.,  March.  5,  1845.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  in  his  boyhood  days,  and  there  re 
ceived  sufficient  education  to  enable  him  to 
successfully  pursue  whatever  business  his  in 
clination  from  time  to  time  dictated.  In  the 
early  days  of  the  rebellion,  his  young  soul 
fired  with  love  of  his  country,  concluded  to 
offer  his  services  for  its  preservation,  and  al 
though  only  17  years  old,  enlisted  July  3,  1862, 
at  Lockhaven,  Pa.,  and  was  mustered  into  Co. 
C.,  1 37th  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.  It  rendezvoused  at 
Harrisburg,  Pa.,  leaving  there  during  the  early 
part  of  the  same  month  for  Washington.  His 
Regt.  assisted  in  felling  trees  and  building 
breastworks — with  othes  duties — to  impede 
the  rebels  in  a  threatened  advance  on  the  Cap 
ital.  Next  the  Regt.  followed  Lee  as  far  as 
South  Mt.,  where  the  engagement  of  that  name 
took  place.  After  the  battle,  the  I37th  was 
placed  in  charge  of  a  wagon  train  and  suc 
cessfully  conducted  it  to  Antietam.  During 
an  armistice  between  the  armies  it  remained 
on  the  battlefield  and  buried  its  dead,  then 
marched  to  Williamsport,  where  it  remained 
about  two  weeks,  patroling  the  country  in  that 
neighborhood.  Marched  to  Frederick  City, 
then  took  train  for  Washington. 

All  through  the  Maryland  Campaign  Mr. 
Wiltheis  was  terribly  afflicted  with  chronic 
diarrhoea  and  when  near  Frederick  City  was 
taken  in  the  ambulance  train,  first  to  Frederick, 
and  then  sent  to  Arlington  Heights,  Washing 
ton.  He  was  placed  in  Gen.  Lee's  house, 
where  he  remained  during  the  night,  and  was 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


then  transferred  to  a  barn  fitted  up  for  a  tem 
porary  hospital.  He  was  here  two  weeks  and 
was  then  transferred  to  St.  Elizabeth  Hospital. 
He  improved  rapidly  of  his  ailment,  but  after 
two  weeks  contracted  typhoid  fever  which  also 
reproduced  his  former  illness,  and  by  the  time 
the  fever  had  run  its  course,  his  weight  was 
reduced  from  145  to  75  pounds.  Gradually  he 
recovered  and  when  he  had  regained  sufficient 
strength  was  placed  in  charge  of  part  of  a  ward 
occupied  by  nine  persons,  each  of  whom  had 
lost  a  limb  by  amputation.  May  I,  1863,  he 
rejoined  his  Regt.  and  with  it  went  to  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  where  he  was  mustered  out  May  3d, 
the  term  of  his  enlistment  having  expired. 

When  fully  recovered,  he  re-enlisted  at 
Lockhaven,  Pa.,  Feb.  24,  1864,  and  was  mus 
tered  into  Co.  E.,  /th  Pa.  Vet.  Cav.  From  here 
it  was  ordered  to  Williamsport,  thence  to  Har- 
risburg;  then  to  Carlisle  Barracks,  at  Carlisle, 
Pa.,  where  it  remained  until  the  furloughs  of 
the  old  veterans  expired.  In  March  it  was 
ordered  to  Nashville,  and  encamped  at  Fort 
Negley,  Tenn.,from  which  point  it  was  ordered 
to  join  Gen.  Sherman's  army  at  Ringgold,  Ga., 
and  participated  in  all  the  battles  and  many 
skirmishes  up  to  the  fall  of  Atlanta.  At  Fort 
Negley  he  with  eight  others,  of  his  Regt.,  at 
their  own  reque,st,  were  transferred  to  Co.  I. 

During  the  last  raid  befort  the  capture  of  At 
lanta,  his  Regt.  was  under  Gen.  Kirkpatrick, 
when  they  made  a  30  miles'  circuit  in  the  rear 
of  Atlanta  and  striking  Jonesboro.  Here  they 
tore  up  the  railroad,  burned  and  destroyed 
property.  After  leavjng  this  place  they  were 
surrounded  by  the  enemy,  and  there  being  no 
opening  for  escape,  Gen.  Kirkpatrick  leading, 
gave  orders  for  Gen.  Minty's  Brig,  to  charge, 
which  was  immediately  obeyed,  and  resulted  in 
its  cutting  its  way  through  and  extricating  the 
Brig,  from  its  perilous  situation,  and  permit- 
ing  it  to  continue  the  raid  and  complete  the 
circuit,  bringing  it  up  at  BigShanty,  near  Chat- 
tahoochie.  It  remained  here  all  night,  and  in 
the  morning  could  distinctly  see  the  work  of 
destruction  of  property  going  on  in  the  city  of 
Atlanta,  into  which  the  brigade  marched  the 
following  morning.  Soon  Mr.  Wiltheis'  Regt. 


was  ordered  back  to  Nashville,  under  Gen. 
Thomas,  and  from  the  latter  city  to  Louisville, 
where  it  was  remounted  and  equipped,  and 
then  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Gravely 
Springs,  Ala.  During  March  the  men  were  or 
dered  out  on  the  Wilson  Cavalry  raid.  On  this 
raid  the  battle  of  Selma,  Ala.,  was  fought,  re 
sulting  in  the  capture  of  Gen.  Forrest's  com 
mand,  he  himself  escaping  across  the  river. 
All  the  field  officers,  except  one,  in  Mr.  Wil 
theis'  Regt.  were  wounded.  The  raid  was 
continued  on  through  Montgomery,  Ala.,  pass 
ing  completely  through  the  State  and  out  of  it 
at  Columbus,  Ga.,  then  it  continued  on  to 
Macon,  arriving  about  April  21,  when  the  men 
were  ordered  into  camp  by  Gen.  Sherman,  by 
telegram,  over  the  rebel  wires  from  Newburne, 
N.  C.  They  were  then  ordered  to  scour  the 
country  to  apprehend  Jeff.  Davis.  Mr.  Wil 
theis'  Co.  was  near  by  when  Davis  was  cap 
tured  by  the  4th  Mich.  Cav.,  and,  within  six 
hours,  started  with  him  for  Macon,  Ga.,  where 
he  was  turned  over  to  Govt.  authority  and  sent 
to  Washington.  Sept.  15,  the  Regt.  was  dis 
charged  at  Macon,  and  started  for  home  in  a 
body  and  were  paid  off  at  Harrisburg. 

Since  the  war  Mr.  Wiltheis  has  followed  the 
shoe  business,  first  as  a  clerk  but  subsequently 
as  an  accountant  and  manager.  He  removed 
from  Pa.  to  Wheaton,  111.,  in  March,  1866  ;  and 
in  1872  removed  to  Elgin,  111.,  where  he  has 
since  remained.  While  in  Wheaton,  he  was 
elected  Town  Clerk.  • 

He  married  Hattie  Albert,  at  Lewisburg, 
Pa.,  Jan.  31,  1867.  They  have  four  children  : 
Eva  A.,  Carrie  E.,  Mary  S.,  and  Albert;  the  lat 
ter  died  when  an  infant.  Aug.  15,  1877,  he  en 
listed  as  a  private  in  Co.  E.,  3d  Regt.  I.  N.  G., 
and  the  same  month  was  appointed  Sergeant  ; 
1st  Sergt.,  June  21,  1879;  2d  Lieut.,  Feb.  20, 
1880;  1st  Lieut.,  Nov.  5,  1883,  and  Capt.  Aug. 
4,  1884.  He  was  re-elected  Capt.  in  August, 
1887,  and  again  in  Aug.,  1890.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Monitor,  No.  522  ;  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  49,  at  Elgin  ; 
member  of  the  National  Union;  member  of  the 
Knights  of  the  Globe,  &nd  is  a  Republican  in 
in  politics. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


407 


JOHN  SCHARLAN,  of  Lombard,  111.,  was  born 
at  Eucorik,  Prussia,  in  1845,  anc*  is  the  son 
of  David  and  Sophie  (Seams)  Scharlan. 
Of  five  children,  John  was  the  eldest.  His 
father  is  still  living.  His  mother  died  at  Elm- 
hurst,  111.,  Jan.  30,  1886.  His  education  com 
menced  before  he  left  the  Old  Country,  and 
was  finished  in  the  public  schools  in  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Elmhurst,  111.  He  enlisted  at  Elm- 
hurst,  DuPage  County,  111.,  in  the  I7th  Cav.  111. 
Vol.,  a  regiment  which  was  organized  under 
special  orders  of  the  War  Department,  issued 
Sept.  5,  1863,  by  Gen.  John  F.  Farnsworth. 
Assembling  at  St.  Charles,  111.,  July  22,  1864,  it 
numbered  eight  companies,  and  by  April  fol 
lowing,  were  in  possession  of  650  horses.  Leav 
ing  St.  Charles,  May  3,  1864,  they  went  to  Jef 
ferson  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  but  afterwards 
returned  to  Alton,  111.  Later  they  were  ordered 
to  Glasgow,  Mo.,  where  they  acted  as  scouts. 
With  McNeil's  Brig.,  the  i/th  was  sent  forward 
in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  foe.  Three  times 
the  line  of  battle  was  formed,  the  enemy  being 
driven  back  twice,  but  the  third  time  they  main 
tained  their  ground,  having  the  advantage  of  an 
open  prairie,  with  a  force  of  15,000  men  as  op 
posed  to  a  brigade  numbering  about  1,500.  Oc 
cupying  the  left  flank,  the  i/th  commenced  the 
attack,  and  after  a  short,  sharp  engagement, 
the  enemy  made  an  attempt  to  overwhelm  the 
right  flank.  This,  however,  was  prevented  by 
the  arrival  of  two  guns,  which  checked  their 
progress  in  this  direction.  The  General  then 
issued  an  order  to  charge  along  the  whole  line, 
and  after  a  little  delay,  the  command,  "For 
ward,"  was  given  and  the  i/th,  now  numbering 
300  men,  made  the  charge. 

At  their  approach,  the  enemy  moved  off 
rapidly,  although  the  center  and  right  wings  of 
the  Union  forces,  were  fully  half  a  mile  in  the 
rear.  It  was  a  bold  heroic  move,  ably  executed, 
and  the  surviving  members  of  the  company 
will  ever  remember  where  it  took  place  near 
Fort  Scott,  Oct.  25,  1864.  The  lack  of  forage 
combined  with  rapid  marching,  caused  the  loss 
of  more  than  half  of  the  horses,  and  the  regi 
ment  traveled  hundreds  of  miles  on  foot.  The 
escape  of  the  rebels  over  the  Arkansas  line 


was  followed  by  the  march  of  the  brigade  to 
Springfield,  Mo.  Here  orders  reached  them 
from  headquarters,  .directing  them  to  go  to 
Cassville,  Mo.,  and  from  there  to  Rolla  where 
they  arrived  Nov.  15, 1864.  The  march  extended 
over  1,000  miles,  and  the  regiment  suffered  the 
loss  of  about  600  horses.  The  next  important 
duty  performed  by  the  i/th,  was  to  accompany 
the  Commissioners  from  Department  Head 
quarters  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  Gen.  Jeff 
Thompson's  headquarters,  to  arrange  terms  and 
places  for  the  capitulation  of  his  forces.  From 
Cape  Girardeau,  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Kan., 
where  it  occupied  detachment  posts  on  the 
plains.  Later,  a  detachment  accompanied  the 
commissioners  to  Fort  Smith,  to  treat  with 
the  Indians,  at  the  great  Council  held  in  Sept., 
1865.  The  Regt.  was  almost  entirely  under 
the  direction  of  the  Department  of  the  Mis 
souri,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Rosencrans, 
Dodge,  and  Pope,  respectively.  The  service  it 
rendered,  and  the  various  duties  it  performed, 
were  not  only  meritorious,  but  were  duly  ac 
knowledged  and  appreciated.  They  were 
mustered  out  December.  1865. 

Mr.  Scharlan  married  Miss  Louisa  Thies, 
Dec.  16,  1874,  and  the  union  has  been  blessed 
with  seven  children — Carrie,  Henry  (deceased), 
Malinda  (deceased),  Martha,  Matilda,  Annie 
and  Bertha.  Personally,  Mr.  Schlaran,  posses 
ses  many  traits  of  character  which  have  won 
for  him  the  good  esteem  of  his  neighbors,  and 
he  is  happy  in  the  possession  of  many  warm 
personal  friends  and  acquaintances. 


HARLAN  L.  BREWER,  proprietor  of  the 
Stanley  House,  Rock  Falls,  111.,  was 
born  at  Tonawanda,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  7,  1845. 
His  parents  were  Addison  and  Maria  (Adams) 
Brewer,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  New 
York.  His  father  was  by  trade  a  wagon  maker, 
and  removed  to  the  west  in  1847,  settling  in 
Lee  Co.,  111.,  and  engaging  for  a  time  in  farm 
ing.  Selling  out  his  estate,  he  located  at  Dixon 
and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons  for 
two  years.  He  next  went  to  Binghamton,  111., 


408 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


where  he,  for  about  a  year,  conducted  a  hotel. 
He  was  killed  by  a  runaway  team  in  1854.  His 
widow  is  still  living  at  Amboy.  The  American 
family  of  Brewer  had  its  original  seat  in  New 
England;  the  Adams  family  in  New  York. 
Only  two  children  were  born  to  their  union: 
Harlan  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and 
Viletta,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Brewer  received  his  education  in  the 
common  school,  and  during  his  childhood 
received  from  his  parents  that  kindly  care  and 
excellent  training  which  fitted  him  to  encounter 
the  rough  ways  of  a  soldier's  life,  and  his  sub 
sequent  struggles  and  responsibilities. 

He  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country  at 
Amboy,  111.,  Sept.  13,  1861,  and  was  mustered  in 
at  Paducah,  Ky.,  on  the  following  day  as  a  pri 
vate  in  Co.  B.,  1 2th  111.  Inf.  The  Regt.  was 
organized  at  Cairo,  where  they  remained  until 
Sept.  5,  when  they  removed  to  Paducah,  Ky., 
being  the  first  of  the  Union  troops  to  arrived  at 
that  place.  Subsequently  the  Regt.  operated 
in  an  attack  upon  Columbus,  Ky.,  and  during 
the  battle  of  Belmont.  Proceeding  they  occu 
pied  Fort  Hammond,  and  Feb.  12,  moved  to 
Fort  Donelson,  and  endured  the  many  discom 
forts  and  privations  incident  to  that  memorable 
siege.  About  this  time  Mr.  Brewer's  company 
was  drawn  into  an  ambush  and  surrounded;  and 
in  the  fight  that  ensued,  the  gallant  soldiers 
triumphed  over  their  foes,  but  had  the  misfort 
une  to  lose  their  Captain,  and  a  heavy  loss  of 
the  company,  the  largest  during  the  war,  in  the 
encounter. 

Feb.  22,  the  command  moved  forward  to 
Clarksville,Tenn.,  occupying  F^rt  Sevier.  Feb. 
28,  removed  to  Nashville,  returning  to  Clarks- 
ville,  March  i,  the  command  began  the  march 
to  Pittsburg  Landing,  where  they  arrived  and 
went  into  camp  March  19.  The  regiment  was 
constantly  in  action  for  two  days  atShiloh,  and 
lost  109  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  They 
were  under  the  command  of  Gen  W.  H.  L. 
Wallace,  and  their  positton  was  near  the  "Hor 
net's  Nest."  Moving  forward  again  on  April 
28,  they  participated  in  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
and  after  the  evacuation,  they  co-oporated  with 
Gen.  Pope  in  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  They 


were  at  Boonville  for  six  days  during  this  ex 
pedition,  after  which  they  returned  to  Corinth, 
remaining  there  until  about  the  middle  of 
April.  Sept.  16,  they  moved  on  to  a  point  near 
luka,  thence  to  Burnesville.  Oct.  3,  and  4, 
they  were  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Corinth  with 
the  2d  Brig,  and  the  4th  Div.,  having  opposed 
to  them  nearly  the  whole  of  the  rebel  army. 
During  this  time  our  subject  was  a  member  of 
the  drum  corps,  but  at  the  battle  he  took  up  a 
musket  and  joined  the  ranks,  not  liking  the 
idea  of  being  shot  at  without  the  opportunity 
to  retaliate.  At  this  battle  the  Colonel  took 
him  out  of  the  ditch  and  commanded  him  to 
attend  to  his  duties,  but  after  the  officer  had 
gone,  he  again  resumed  his  gun. 

In  this  battle  the  I2th  bore  a  conspicuous 
part,  capturing  a  stand  of  colors,  and  turning 
the  captured  guns  upon  the  enemy.  This  Div. 
suffered  severe  losses  during  the  day,  being 
perhaps  more  than  one  third  of  the  whole 
number  of  the  killed  and  wounded  in  the 
battle.  The  I2th  lost  in  killed  17,  wounded  80, 
and  missing  15.  General  Oglesby,  command 
ing  the  Brig.,  was  badly  wounded.  The  com 
mand  remained  at  Corinth  until  Jan.  24,  1863. 
They  were  then  sent  as  a  train  guard  to  Ham 
burg,  returning  April  I2th.  After  resting  at 
Corinth  until  Oct.  29th,  they  went  to  Pocahon- 
tas,  thence  to  Pulaski  where  they  veteranized 
and  came  home  on  a  veteran  furlough,  return 
ing  to  Pulaski,  joining  Sherman's  army  on  the 
Atlanta  campaign.  April  28th,  the  Regt. 
marched  to  Larkinsville  and  thence  by  rail  to 
Chattanooga.  They  started  in  the  great  At 
lanta  campaign  May  9th.  The  Regt.  partici 
pated  in  the  battles  of  Atlanta  and  the  subse 
quent  engagements  with  Hood.  Mr.  Brewer 
was  slightly  wounded  at  Alltoona  Pass  from 
the  bursting  of  a  shell.  Nov.  nth,  the  army 
moved  forward  on  the  grand  march  to  the  sea, 
in  which  the  I2th  proved  the  calibre  of  its 
men  in  many  a  hard  fought  and  sanguinary 
contest,  and  gained  for  itself  an  imperishable 
distinction.  Mr.  Brewer  was  ever  among  the 
foremost  in  battle,  as  he  was  in  every  relation 
of  duty  in  which  he  was  placed.  The  com 
mand  entered  Columbia,  S.  C.,  having  marched 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


409 


since  leaving  Savannah,  a  distance  of  600  miles. 
Johnston  having  surrendered,  the  command 
proceeded  North  through  Petersburg,  Va., 
making  86  miles  in  six  and  one-half  days. 
They  reached  Winchester,  May  gth,  and  Alex 
andria,  May  iQth.  On  May  24th,  the  Regt. 
marched  in  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington. 
They  left  Washington  June  3rd,  mustered  out 
at  Louisville,  July  loth,  and  was  finally  paid 
off  at  Springfield,  111.,  July  18,  1865. 

Mr.  Brewer,  whose  record  has  been  traced 
through  the  war,  showing  him  always  a  true 
soldier,  returned  home  to  Amboy  and  engaged 
primarily  in  railroading.  He  continued  in  this 
relation  until  his  removal  to  Rock  Falls  where 
he  opened  a  hotel  known  as  the  Brewer  House, 
which  he  conducted  about  ten  years,  when  he 
established  the  Stanley  House,  of  which  he  is 
still  the  proprietor.  He  is  interested  in  real 
estate  in  Rock  Falls,  and  also  owns  landed 
property  in  Dakota.  He  was  married  Jan.  31, 
1866,  at  Amboy,  111.,  to  Amelia,  daughter  of 
Horace  and  Sarah  Jane  (Dykeman)  Doolittle. 
They  have  had  two  children,  Stella,  (Mrs.  J.  E. 
Pierce,  of  Rock  Fajls)  and  Blanche.  Mr 
Brewer  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge 
590,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  No.  5,  M.  W.  A.,  and  the 
G.  A.  R.,  Will  Enderton,  No.  729,  of  which  he 
is  its  present  Commander.  He  is  a  Republican 
and  a  member  of  the  City  Council,  and  of  the 
School  Board.  He  was  the  City  Marshal  for 
about  seven  years,  and  a  Constable  for  about 
nine  years. 

He  entered  the  military  service  as  a  private, 
but  being  very  young,  he  served  first  as  drum 
mer,  but  after  being  placed  in  the  ranks  he  was" 
made  Corporal,  and  was  promoted  to  Sergeant. 
No  man  more  deserves  whatever  of  good  fort 
une  has  fallen  to  his  lot  than  Harlan  L. 
Brewer,  whose  popularity  as  a  host  is  almost  as 
great  as  was  his  record  as  a  soldier. 


PHILIP  WOLFERSBERGES,  of    Princeton,  111., 
enlisted  at  Ottawa,  111.,  in  Sept.,  1861  as  a 
private   in  the  4th  111.    Cav.     After   the 
battle  of  Vicksburg  in  1863,  his  term  of  service 


had  expired.  He  re-enlisted  and  was  promoted 
to  ist  Lieut,  and  Commissary  of  Subsistence 
of  the  3d  U.  S.  Colored  Cav.,  and  acted  in  that 
capacity  until  June  26,  1866,  when  he  was  mus 
tered  out  at  Memphis  by  General  Order  from 
the  War  Department. 

He  participated  in  the  battles  at  Fort  Don- 
elson,  Pittsburg  Landing,  and  Holly  Springs, 
and  saw  considerable  active  service  for  five 
years  and  four  months,  yet  came  home  without 
a  scratch,  and  was  only  disabled  by  sickness 
and  in  the  hospital  a  short  time. 

Philip  Wolfersberges  was  born  in  Lebanon 
Co.,  Pa.  March  28,  1826,  where  his  father  was  a 
merchant  and  hotel  keeper.  At  the  age  of  18 
Philip  began  an  apprenticeship  as  carpenter 
and  builder.  In  1853  he  came  to  Princeton,  111., 
and  worked  as  carpenter  until  he  engaged  in 
the  hotel  business  in  which  he  was  employed 
when  he  went  into  the  army.  After  the  war  he, 
in  company  with  others,  started  and  operated  a 
planing  mill  at  Princeton  for  five  or  six  years, 
after  which  he  was  in  the  mercantile  business 
for  many  years.  He  was  made  Postmaster  at 
North  Princeton,  which  position  he  now  holds. 
Was  also  for  two  years  one  of  the  Aldermen  of 
Princeton. 

Mr.  Wolfersberges  was  married  in  1847,  m 
Pennsylvania  to  Elizabeth  Miller,  a  native  of 
that  State,  and  six  children  brightens  his 
home — Leah,  Clara,  Emma,  Frank,  William, 
and  Charles. 

Mr.  Wolfersberges  is  a  Republican  voter 
and  worker. 


ARTHUR  S.  NOTT,  of  Galva,  111.,  was  born 
at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  8,  1844,  where 
he  attended  school  until  the  age  of  17, 
when  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  trade  of 
iron  molder  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.  He  enlisted  in 
battery  C.,  ist  Pa.  Light  Art.;  was  in  the  State 
service  for  3  months,  and  was  mustered  into 
the  military  service  of  the  U.  S.  in  Oct.,  1861, 
at  Carlisle  Pa.  The  command  went  into  camp 
at  Williamsport,  Md.,  thence  going  on  to  Har 
per's  Ferry  and  Winchester,  Va.,  under  Gen. 


4io 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Kilpatrick.  They  were  for  the  first  time  in  ac 
tion  at  Winchester.  Ordered  to  relieve  Gen. 
Banks,  then  reached  his  army  in  time  to  save 
.it  from  capture,  and  recaptured  the  wagons 
which  were  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

They  participated  in  the  battle  at  Cedar 
Mountain,  under  Gens.  Pope  and  McDowell,  in 
which  they  bore  a  gallant  and  effective  part. 
After  nightfall,  Gen.  Dureau  with  a  detail  of 
three  men,  Mr.  Nott  among  the  number,  went 
into  the  woods  to  select  a  suitable  position  for 
planting  a  battery,  riding  into  the  enemy's  lines 
before  they  knew  it,  and  to  a  point  where  the 
rebels  were  also  locating  a  battery,  which  they 
discovered  to  be  Walker's  battery,  of  Rich 
mond,  Va.  They  rode  up  to  the  rebels  and 
Gen.  Dureau  ordered  them  to  shoot  high.  They 
found  their  way  back  to  their  battery  and  opened 
fire  on  Walker's  Battery,  succeeding  in  disa 
bling  it  and  repulsing  the  artillerists,  who  fled 
leaving  their  guns.  The  commander  of  the 
battery,  Walker  and  his  son,  were  among  the 
killed.  The  command  after  this  battle  pro 
ceeded  to  the  Rappahannock  River,  which 
they  crossed  and  entered  Fredericksburg.  Here 
they  were  hotly  engaged  in  action  with  the 
forces  of  Stonewall  Jackson,  afterward  con 
fronting  Longstrect,  fighting  him  throughout  a 
whole  day  at  Thoroughfare  Gap,  and  prevent 
ing  the  co-operation  of  his  forces  with  those  of 
Jackson  at  Bull  Run.  Subsequently  atCatlin's 
Station  the  rebels  made  a  dash  upon  them, 
capturing  their  wagon  train  and  baggage. 
They,  however,  moved  forward  that  night  to 
Bull  Run,  engaging  in  the  battle  at  four  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  Mr.  Nott  here  had  charge  of 
the  caissons  of  his  5  batteries,  which  were 
placed  in  a  hollow.  His  captain,  who  had  dis 
covered  that  the  enemy  was  preparing  to 
charge,  ordered  him  to  get  the  caissons  away 
as  quickly  as  possible  as  the  woods  were  full  of 
rebels,  which  he  promptly  succeeded  in  doing. 
The  battery  was  charged  by  Ashley's  Cavalry 
who  captured  five  of  the  guns,  but  the  men  had 
spiked  them  before  being  obliged  to  resign 
them.  Mr.  Nott  and  twelve  other  men  were 
taken  prisoners. 

Lieut.  Stevenson,  of  battery  C.,  snot  five  of 


the  rebels  in  a  hand  to  hand  contest  for  the 
guidon,  which  he  prevented  them  from  taking, 
although  he  was  wounded  and  made  a  prisoner. 
The  man  who  held  the  flag  got  away  with  it  al 
though  five  times  severely  wounded.  They  all 
subsequently  escaped  from  their  captors,  ex 
cept  Lieut.  Stephenson.  Rejoining  their  bat 
tery  the  following  day,  they  were  in  action  at 
Chantilly,  where  Gen.  Karney,  in  a  reconnois- 
sance  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  enemy, 
was  killed,  falling  near  where  Mr.  Nott  was  at 
the  time  posted.  After  this  battle  the  battery 
crossed  the  Potomac  at  Edward's  Ferry,  thence 
proceeding  to  Frederick  City,  Md.,  where  Gen. 
McClellan  took  command  of  the  whole  army. 
They  served  under  Gen.  Hooker  in  the  engage 
ments  at  South  Mt.,  Middleton  and  Antietam. 
After  the  battle  at  Bull  Run,  Mr.  Nott  was 
made  a  gunner.  At  the  battle  of  Antietam 
Gen.  Hooker  was  standing  near  his  gun,  and 
Mr.  Nott  told  him  to  look  out.  A  minute  later 
the  Gen.  received  a  ball  in  his  foot  and  had 
finally  to  be  carried  from  the  field,  although  he 
led  a  charge  after  being  wounded.  After  Antie 
tam  the  guns  of  battery  C.  were  found  to  have 
been  much  injured  from  being  overheated  and 
were  condemned. 

Mr.  Nott  was  put  in  charge  of  29  men  and 
ordered  to  Washington  to  procure  new  guns 
and  fresh  horses.  On  their  return  the  battery 
had  moved,  and  when  on  their  way  to  rejoin  it 
they  had  a  skirmish  with  Mosby's  guerrillas, 
falling  back  to  Berlin,  which  place  was  the  next 
clay  attacked  by  Mosby.  Mr.  Nott  rejoined 
his  battery  at  Brandy  Station,  thence  going  to 
Fredericksburg,  where  he  was  detailed  to  man 
four  loo-pound  Parrott  guns  for  the  bombard 
ment  of  the  town.  During  the  severe  fighting 
at  Fredericksburg  and  Chanccllorsvillc  and  in 
the  subsequent  battles  of  the  campaign  Mr. 
Nott  was  constantly  at  his  post  of  duty  and 
exhibited  a  personal  gallantry  which  gained 
him  a  merited  commendation.  The  battery 
did  very  effective  service  at  Gettysburg  with 
the  corps  of  Gen.  Hancock.  The  next  day, 
after  the  battle  of  Peach  Orchard,  Mr.  Nott 
ordered  one  of  the  men  to  clean  the  guns.  The 
men  were  seated  around,  some  of  them  lying 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


411 


across  the  guns.  In  proceeding  to  obey  the 
order  the  man  inserted  a  fuse  and  pulled  the 
lanyard.  This  gun  had  missed  fire  in  the  battle, 
but  was  supposed  to  have  been  fired,  and  was 
discharged  killing  three  of  the  men  around  it. 
The  man  who  fired  it  was  so  distressed  at  the 
deplorable  accident  that  he  became  mentally 
deranged. 

On  the  first  day's  battle  at  Gettysburg  the 
battery  was  46  miles  from  the  field,  but  before 
the  next  morning  was  in  line.  Gen.  Hooker 
wished  to  take  the  battery  with  him  in  his 
western  campaign,  but  Gen.  Hancock  would 
not  relinquish  it.  Mr.  Nott  was  wounded  at 
Spotsylvania  Courthouse  by  a  ball  in  the  thigh 
and  lay  on  the  field  for  five  days.  He  wras 
subsequently  sent  to  Lincoln  hospital,  and 
thence  to  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Being  hopelessly 
crippled  from  his  wound,  he  was  discharged 
May  22,  1865,  having  been  in  continuous  serv 
ice  since  the  spring  of  1861. 

After  his  return  to  111.,  he  was  engaged  in 
photography,  but  for  the  past  six  years  has 
conducted  the  grocery  business  at  Galva.  He 
was  married  in  1871,  to  Lizzie,  daughter  of  Pliram 
Ulom,  of  Monroe,  Wis.,  and  they  have  two 
children— Walter  H.  and  Ruth  B.  Mr.  Nott  is 
a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  has  shown  himself  in  all  of  his  relations  a 
worthy  and  honorable  citizen. 


DUNCAN  HAMILTON,  of  Lowell,  111.,  enlisted 
from  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  Aug.  6,  1861,  in 
Co.  A.,  42d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  mus 
tered  in  Sept.  16,  for  3  years.  By  general  order 
from  the  War  Department,  dated  Feb.  11,  1864, 
was  transferred  to  lo/th  Ind.  Regt.,  2d  Bat- 
tallion  Vet.  Reserve  Corps.  He  w?as  sent  first 
to  St.  Louis,  and  then  to  Jefferson  City,  follow 
ing  the  army  of  Price  through  different  por 
tions  of  Mo.,  in  the  spring  of  1862,  went  to 
Cairo,  111.  He  was  one  of  the  fifty  daring  men 
who,  under  Col.  Roberts,  crossed  the  Tenn. 
River  to  Island  No.  10,  and  spiked  the  six  guns 
of  a  rebel  battery,  which  was  considered  one  of 
the  most  daring  acts  of  war.  When  Col.  Roberts 


asked  permission  to  make  the  attempt,  and  for 
100  men  to  accompany  him,  the  commander 
said  it  was  impossible  to  accomplish  such  a 
thing,  and  refused  to  give  his  consent.  He 
finally  yielded,  telling  Col.  Roberts  that  he 
could  imperil  the  lives  of  but  50  men.  The  Col. 
then  selected  his  50  men,  Mr.  Hamilton  being 
of  the  number. 

The  Col.  said,  "Boys,  this  is  a  most  hazard 
ous  undertaking,  and  every  man  who  goes  with 
me  takes  his  life  in  his  hand.  Any  man  not 
wishing  to  take  the  chances  can  withdraw  and 
volunteers  will  be  called  to  fill  his  place."  But 
not  a  man  withdrew.  "Now,"  continued  the 
Col.,  "  I  will  spike  those  guns  or  not  come  back 
alive.  All  you  have  to  do  is  to  follow  me  and 
obey  orders."  In  the  face  of  the  enemy  and 
the  fury  of  an  impending  storm,  on  that  memor 
able  night  of  April  I,  this  band  of  determined 
men  made  its  way  to  the  Island,  surprised  and 
routed  the  sentinels,  spiked  every  gun  in  the 
battery,  and  rendered  all  as  useless  as  so  much 
old  iron. 

Then  under  the  fire  of  the  rebels,  who  had 
recovered  from  their  surprise,  made  good  their 
escape,  and  returned  safely  without  the  loss  of 
a  man.  This  band  of  brave  men  thus  accom 
plished  one  of  the  greatest  feats  of  daring 
bravery  during  the  war,  earning  for  Col.  Roberts 
and  his  comrades  great  praise  from  his  superior 
officers.  The  comment  of  Commodore  Foote 
was:  "It  was  the  most  brilliant  thing  I  ever 
heard  of." 

Dec.  31,  1862,  Mr.  Hamilton  was  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  by  a  minie 
ball  weighing  a  full  ounce,  which  penetrated 
the  left  lung.  Here,  after  receiving  the  wound, 
he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  it  was 
three  days  before  the  ball  was  removed,  and 
eleven  days  before  the  wound  was  dressed.  All 
this  time  he  suffered  untold  agony.  When  the 
ball  was  removed  he  obtained  it  and  now  has  it 
in  his  possession,  not  to  prove  that  he  was  shot 
and  wounded,  as  his  shattered  health  is  ample 
evidence,  but  to  show  that  it  is  possible  to  be 
shot  through  the  lungs  with  such  a  terrible  in 
strument  of  death  and  recover. 

Remaining  in  the  hospital  from  the  date  of 


4I2 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' ' 


his  wound  until  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
enlistment,  he  was  discharged  Sept.  18,  1864. 
After  the  war  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  bus 
iness  at  Lowell,  LaSalle  Co.,  111.,  and  continued 
in  this  line  for  many  years,  accumulating  ample 
means  that  afforded  a  good  income.  Some 
years  ago  Mr.  Hamilton  retired  from  business 
on  account  of  failing  health,  and  to  find  time  to 
indulge  his  taste  in  other  directions.  He  lives 
with  his  genial  wife  in  a  house  that  bears  many 
evidences  of  intellectual  culture  and  refinement. 
He  is  a  gentleman  of  wide  reading  and  infor 
mation,  and  a  good  writer  of  prose  and  verse. 

Duncan  Hamilton  was  born  in  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  August  2,  1826,  and  came  to  America 
in  1852,  locating  at  Lowell,  LaSalle  Co.,  111., 
where  he  now  resides.  He  has  been  twice 
married,  the  second  time  April  30,  1868,  to 
Phoebe  Speakman,  a  lady  of  English  birth  and 
parentage.  Mr.  Hamilton  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Kewaneee,  111.,  and  is  a  strong 
Republican. 


SERGEANT  HOWARD  L.  JENKS,  of  Cottage  No. 
15,  111.  S.  and  S.  Home,  hails  from  Bucks 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  was  born  Feb.  1 1,  1820, 
of  Quaker  parentage.  His  parents  were  Thomas 
and  Rachel  (Wilson)  Jenks,  both  natives  of 
Pa.  The  father  was  born  in  1771,  followed 
farming,  and  died  at  the  age  of  56.  Howard 
received  a  most  excellent  education,  attending 
school  from  his  fifth  to  his  twentieth  year. 
Later,  he  learned  the  art  of  printing;  also  stud 
ied  mechanical  engineering,  but  was  a  clerk 
when  he  rallied  forth  to  fight  for  the  grand  old 
flag.  He  enlisted  April  i,  1862,  in  Co.  M.,  2d 
111.  Art.  He  first  served  actively  in  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  but,  after  the  capture  of  Har 
per's  Ferry, ( Sept.  12-15,  1862,  was  transferred 
to  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Subsequently 
he  was  under  the  enemy's  fire  at  the  engage 
ment  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  during  the  siege 
at  Knoxville,  Nov.  1863.  Then  onward  into 
East  Tenn.,  being  constantly  engaged  in  spir 
ited  skirmishes,  hard  marching  and  severe  duty. 
Comrade  Jenks  enlisted  as  Sergt.,  in  which  ca 


pacity  he  served  one  year,  when  he  was  made 
Quartermaster,  and  filled  that  position  during 
the  balance  of  his  term.  Being  the  only  man  in 
his  Co.  who  did  not  use  liquor,  he  was  strongly 
urged  to  accept  this  responsible  position,  being 
considered  a  safe  and  most  competent  man  to 
place  in  charge  of  the  "Commissary."  After 
3  years,  2  months  and  6  days  of  active  duty  in 
the  service  of  his  country,  he  was  mustered  out 
June  6,  1865;  went  to  Chicago,  111.,  and,  July 
13,  the  same  year,  was  joined  in  matrimony  to 
Mrs.  Cecil  M.  Greenfield,  who  was  a 'native  of 
Louisiana,  and  was  born  March  4,  1830,  on  a 
plantation  near  New  Orleans.  By  this  union 
there  were  born  two  children,  who  died  in  in 
fancy.  After  the  war  Sergeant  Jenks  filled  an 
entrusted  position  in  the  Recorder's  office  in 
Chicago  for  five  yers;  later,  was  for  a  short  time 
engaged  in  engineering,  and  in  1870  went  to 
Chicot  County,  Ark. 

He  returned  to  Chicago  in  1871,  resumed 
engineering,  which  he  continued  with  intervals 
of  rest  until  he  entered  the  Home  in  Nov., 
1887.  Having  been  disabled  in  the  long  service, 
and  feeling  his  disabilities  growing  upon  him 
with  advancing  years,  he  felt  obliged  to  leave 
off  active  labor,  and  having  justly  and  honora 
bly  earned  a  place  in  this  most  excellent  insti 
tution,  he  felt  justified  in  claiming  this  right. 
In  the  Home  each  cottage  is  under  the  imme 
diate  charge  of  a  Sergeant,  who  has  exclusive 
control  under  the  Commander.  Nov.  1888,  he 
was  chosen  Sergeant  of  Cottage  No.  15,  a  posi 
tion  he  still  holds  with  a  salary  of  $9  per  month. 
Comrade  Jenks  was  mustered  into  the  G.  A.  R. 
as  a  member  of  Mulligan  Post,  Chicago,  and 
was  subsequently  transferred  to  the  Home  Post, 
Col.  L.  W.  Shephard,  No.  628.  He  served  one 
term  each  as  officer  of  the  day  and  sentinel. 
He  was  made  a  Mason  April  30,  1855,  in  Hunter- 
don  county,  N.  J.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Good 
Shepherd  Episcopal  Church,  in  Quincy,  111., 
and  is  a  true  soldier  and  a  worthy  citizen. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


GEORGE  H.  GURLER,  of  DeKalb,  111.,  was 
born  at  Keene,  N.  H.,  in  1844,  and  is  a 
son  of  Benjamin  and  Harriet  F.  (Hop 
kins)  Gurler,  who  removed  from  their  native 
State  about  the  year  1855,  settling  near  DeKalb, 
and  afterwards  in  DeKalb,  the  father  dying  in 
1887,  aged  83,  and  his  wife  at  Sycamore,  Jan. 
19,  1889,  aged  74,  on  the  anniversary  of  her 
birth.  The  father  was  in  his  time  a  well-to-do 
farmer  and  occupied  the  position  of  Road  Com 
missioner  for  a  term,  and  before  removing  from 
N.  H.  had  been  Captain  of  a  company  of  Light 
Infantry. 

Henry  Gurler,  brother  of  our  subject,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  late  rebellion,  having  enlisted 
with  the  42d,  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  1861,  but  through 
illness,  was  compelled  to  quit  the  service.  He 
recovered  however,  and  re-enlisted  again  on 
this  occasion  in  the  I32d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  as  Lieut, 
and  operated  with  his  Regt.  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  is  now  a  partner  with  our  subject, 
in  the  farming  and  creamery  business.  George 
H.  was  reared  upon  a  farm  where  he  attended, 
at  times,  the  public  schools,  but  the  facilities  of 
attaining  an  education  were  in  those  days  ex 
ceedingly  poor,  and  as  a  consequence  his  early 
education  was  not  so  good  as  he  could  have 
wished  for,  but  he  has  since  by  persistent  study 
obtained  a  good  business  education.  He  en 
listed  as  a  soldier  in  Jan.,  1865,  and  was  later 
mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  H.,  I5th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  with  George  C.  Rogers  as  Colonel  and  Capt. 
Bumel  as  Commander  of  the  Co.  After  the  or 
ganization  of  the  Regt.  he  continued  in  Camp 
Fry,  Chicago,  for  a  short  time,  then  on  to  N.  Y., 
where  he  went  on  board  a  cattle  boat  loaded 
and  absolutely  crowded  with  soldiers  for  More- 
head  City,  N.  C.,  all  suffering  terribly  with  sea 
sickness,  and  even  those  able  to  eat  could  only 
obtain  hard  tack  and  salt  pork.  They,  however, 
finally  disembarked  and  passed  on  through 
Newbern,  Kingston,  and  Raleigh,  where  our 
subject  was  employed  guarding  the  railroad 
over  the  Neuse  River,  up  to  the  time  Lee  sur 
rendered,  thus  closing  the  war. 

His  Regt.  was  attached  to  the  2d  Brig.  4th 
Div.,  and  I7th  A.  C.  He  set  out  after  the 
close  of  the  war,  on  the  march  for  Richmond, 


over  exceedingly  bad  roads,  which  he  reached 
six  days  thereafter,  covering  the  entire  dis 
tance  of  196  miles,  and  from  there  subsequently 
proceeded  to  Washington,  where  he  was 
present  and  participated  in  the  Grand  Review. 
He  then  went  into  camp  at  Parkersburg,  for  a 
time,  then  moved  to  Louisville  by  river,  thence 
to  Cairo,  St.  Louis,  and  up  the  Mo.  River  to 
Fort  Leavenworth,  arriving  at  that  point  about 
the  1st  of  July. 

He  took  sick  whilst  at  St.  Louis,  and  was 
sent  to  the  hospital  at  Leavenworth,  remaining 
there  about  a  month.  In  the  meantime  his 
Regt.  had  gone  to  Fort  Kearney  and  did  not 
return  until  Sept.,  when  our  subject  started  for 
Springfield,  by  the  way  of  St.  Joseph,  where 
he  was  discharged  and  paid  off,  then  immedi 
ately  returned  to  his  home  after  an  absence  of 
nine  months,  wherein  his  experience  was  one 
long  continuance  of  privation,  sickness  and 
hardship. 

Returning  after  the  war,  he  engaged  at  De 
Kalb  in  the  grocery,  butter,  egg  and  poultry 
business,  which  he  followed  for  14  years,  when 
he  changed  over  to  the  creamery  trade. 

He  married  in  1867,  Zilla  Newitt,  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Susan  Newitt,  natives  of  Eng 
land,  who  had  emigrated  to  DeKalb,  where 
they  still  reside.  Mrs.  Gurler  was  born  in 
England,  and  has  two  children,  to  our  subject, 
a  son  and  a  daughter. 

Mr.  Gurler  is  a  charter  member  of  Merritt 
Simmonds  Post,  No.  283  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  held 
all  the  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  Post,  except 
Chaplain.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  Order,  and  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


SIMON  SWARTWOUT,  Sergeant  of  Cottage  No 
5,  of  the  111.  S.  and  S.  H.  Quincy,  111.  first 
saw  the  light  of  day  at  Ulster  Co.,  N.  Y., 
March  28,  1823.     His  parents  were  Rhodolphus 
and    Permelia    (Kimball)     Swartwout  and    his 
father  died  when  Simon  was  about  1 1  years  old. 
To  them  were  born    two    daughters    and    four 
sons,  verily,  four  patriots,  for  when  the  grand 
old  flag  was  threatened,  each  of  them  sallied 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


from  the  parental  roof  to  its  suppport.  They 
were  evidently  soldiers  by  birth,  and,  indeed, 
the  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Levi,  a  brother,  served  in  the  first  three 
months,  and  participated  in  the  first  battle  of 
Bull  Run.  He  re-enlisted  in  i8th  N.  Y.,  and 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Games'  Mills,  Va. 
Sylvanus,  enlisted  in  a  N.  Y.  Regt.  was 
wounded  and  discharged,  and  is  now  a  resident 
of  Deleware  Co.,  N.  Y.  George  W.,  enlisted  in 
the  I4th  N.  Y.  He  was  Sergeant  of  the  Co., 
and  served  until  the  end  of  the  war.  Wm. 
Everett  Lord,  a  half  brother,  served  one  year 
in  the  marine  service,  then  re-enlisted  in  the 
5th  N.  Y.  Cav.,  and  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  Simon,  our  subject,  after  receiving  a 
good  common  school  education,  learned  the 
trade  of  piano  finisher  and  polisher,  and  fol 
lowed  that  trade  up  to  the  time  of  the  Mexican 
war,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  2nd  U.  S. 
Dragoons  and  served  actively  for  nine  months. 
After  returning  he  took  up  the  business  of 
house  painter,  decorator  and  paper  hanger, 
which  he  successfully  continued  up  to  the  time 
he  was  again  taken  with  the  war  fever.  He  en 
listed  in  Co.  I.,  1 7th  111.  Inf.,  Sept.  23,  1864,  at 
Fort  Jefferson,  where  he  had  overtaken  the 
regiment  on  its  way  to  the  front.  Scarcely  a 
month  later  he  is  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Fredricktown,  Mo.  The  i/th  did  gallant  serv 
ice,  in  appreciation  of  which,  its  Colonel  L. 
Ross,  received  a  star. 

The  next  day  the  boys  pursued  the  enemy 
and  fought  him  at  Greenfield,  Ark.,  the  Regt. 
again  losing  in  killed  and  wounded.  During 
the  sanguinary  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  Feb. 
15,  1862,  the  1 7th  was  assigned  to  McCler- 
nand's  Div.,  which  bore  the  brunt  of  that  hot 
engagement.  On  the  memorable  battlefield  of 
Shiloh,  April  6,  and  7,  1862,  the  gallant  I7th 
fought  heroically  both  days,  losing  130  in  killed 
and  wounded.  After  this  victory  it  marched  to 
Corinth  and  took  part  in  its  siege.  After  the 
surrender  of  that  city  they  marched  to  Bethel 
then  onward  and  captured  Jackson,  Tenn.,  and 
subsequently  moved  to  Bolivar  where  they  en 
countered  a  hot  skirmish.  While  here,  Ser 
geant  Swartwout,  was  one  of  100  picked  men  who 


were  sent  out  to  relieve  a  picket  line,  which 
was  a  full  day's  march  off,  and  which  was  being 
closely  pressed  by  a  large  force  of  the  enemy. 
The  line  was  relieved  and  they  returned  with 
the  rebels  right  on  their  heels.  The  next  ex 
pedition  was  to  luka,  to  reinforce  Rosecrans, 
capturing  about  400  rebel  prisoners.  While 
passing  through  Jackson  on  their  return,  their 
martial  band  played  a  medley:  "Bonny  Blue 
Flag,"  "Dixie,"  "John  Brown's  Body,"  etc. 
While  the  first  two  parts  of  the  medley  were 
being  played,  the  women  and  children  would 
cheer  and  wave  their  handkerchiefs,  but  when 
the  band  switched  off  on  "Yankee  Doodle" 
they  slunk  out  of  sight.  Subsequently  our  sub 
ject  was  one  of  100  picked  men  who,  one  night, 
were  ordered  to  capture  Summerville.  They 
did  so,  returning  with  several  distinguished 
citizens  as  prisoners.  After  months  of  constant 
hard  marching,  counter  marching,  and  foraging 
the  Regt.  went  on  duty  at  Memphis.  Jan.  16, 
1863,  they  embarked  for  Vicksburg;  re-em 
barked  and  proceeded  to  Lake  Providence,  La. 
While  here  they  were  without  proper  cloth 
ing  or  blankets,  and  subsisted  on  only  what  they 
could  forage.  During  the  time  Gen.  Logan 
came  down  and  asked  Gen.  McArthur  to  send 
the  1 7th  back  to  his  corps,  offering  to  exchange 
an  Ohio  regiment  of  much  greater  number. 
Gen.  McArthur  refused,  and  Logan  appealed 
to  Gen.  Grant,  who  gave  an  order  for  the  re 
turn  of  the  Regt.  to  its  former  commander.  To 
prevent  the  carrying  out  of  this  order,  Mc 
Arthur  sent  the  I7th  up  the  river  on  a  foraging 
expedition.  The  loyal  "boys"  returned  with 
the  boat  loaded  down  with  contraband  negroes, 
cattle,  hogs,  etc.,  and  subsequently  joined  Gen. 
Logan's  Div.  and  marched  via  Raymond, 
Champion  Hills,  and  Big  Black  on  to  Vicks 
burg,  taking  their  position  in  the  line  at  Fort 
Hill.  Shortly,  it  was  moved  to  another  point. 
During  this  memorable  siege,  the  I7th  was  in 
the  rifle  pits.  It  made  a  charge  for  an  advanced 
position,  which  it  took  and  held,  losing  heavily. 
May  23,  the  rebels  displayed  a  flag  of  truce, 
and  Gen.  Logan  went  out  to  meet  Pemberton 
between  the  lines.  As  he  passed  through  the 
1 7th  111.  the  "boys"  spoke  the  now  historic 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


415 


word  "  Unconditional!"  His  reply  was  "  Noth 
ing  else  by  G-d!"  Shortly  after  the  surrender 
of  Vicksburg,  our  comrade  was  taken  sick, 
transferred  to  the  4th  Vet.  Reserve  Corps,  and 
sent  to  Rock  Island  111.,  engaged  in  guarding 
the  prisoners,  he  having  charge  of  the  I3th 
barracks.  Subsequently  he  was  transferred  to 
East  Davenport,  and  later  they  were  ordered 
to  Milwaukee  on  account  of  the  anticipated 
draft  riot.  On  arrival  our  subject  was  detailed 
with  ten  men  to  go  to  the  U.  S.  Marshal's  office 
where  he  had  charge  of  the  police  service.  He 
was  one  of  those  "boys"  who  feared  nothing 
and  every  expression  of  disloyalty  or  opposition 
he  promptly  met  with  a  threat  that  they  were 
there  to  enforce  the  law  and  had  the  tools  and 
the  disposition  to  do  it.  Here  he  was  finally 
mustered  out  Sept.  25,  1864,  after  over  three 
years  of  most  active  service.  Subsequently  he 
followed  his  trade  at  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  New 
York,  and  St.  Paul.  At  St.  Cloud,  Minn.,  he 
took  the  Red  River  trail  and  went  up  to  Fort 
Abercrombie.  Returning,  he  came  to  New 
Boston,  111.,  where  he  remained  until  he  went 
to  the  Home  four  years  ago.  Three  years  ago 
he  was  chosen  Sergeant  of  Cottage  No.  5,  which 
position  of  trust  and  responsibility  he  has  held 
ever  since.  He  joined  the  G.  A.  R.  at  New 
Boston,  but  the  Post  having  surrendered  its 
charter,  he  has  never  allied  himself  with  any 
other  since.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  A 
born  soldier,  Sergeant  Swartwout  could  not 
but  make  an  excellent  citizen. 


ALVAH  REYNOLDS  JORDAN,  a  prominent  and 
influential  citizen  of  Morris,  Grundy  Co. 
111.,  was  born  Dec.  13,  1843,  Kennebunk. 
Me.,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Morris  in 
the  latter  part  of  1854.  The  father  of  Mr. 
Jordan  was  Samuel  Jordan  and  his  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Philena  Dow,  a  daughter  of 
Able  Dow  and  Betsey  Betton  Dow,  of  Windham 
N.  H.  Through  this  line  A.  R.  Jordan  is  a 
direct  descendant  of  Matthew  Thornton  of  Lon 
donderry,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence.  Miss  Betton's  mother's  family  name 


was  Morrison,  and  her  mother  was  a  Thornton, 
daughter  of  Matthew  Thornton.  On  his  fath 
er's  side,  Mr.  Jordan  is  of  English  descent, 
from  a  line  of  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  while 
his  mother's  ancestry  is  principally  Scotch  and 
Irish.  This  combination  probably  accounts 
for  the  energy  and  ability  shown  in  the  suc 
cessful  life  which  this  sketch  protrays.  After 
preparation  in  the  schools  at  Morris,  Mr.  Jordan 
entered  the  Sophomore  class  of  Union  College, 
at  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  in  1860,  where  he 
remained  until  June,  1861,  having  entered  the 
Junior  class.  At  this  time  the  call  of  the  coun 
try  became  stronger  than  the  duty  to  school 
or  self,  and  he  left  his  studies  and  college 
course,  so  nearly  completed,  returned  to  Morris 
and  enlisted  in  Co.  G.,  36th  111.  Vol.  Chosen 
Corporal  of  his  Co.  and  mustered  into  service, 
he  was  sent  to  the  field,  but  having  the  misfort 
une  of  dislocating  his  ankle  at  Rolla,  Mo.,  in 
Nov.,  1861,  and  as  the  case  was  decided  to  be 
incurable,  he  received  his  discharge  and  re 
turned  home  to  begin  the  study  of  law  in  the 
office  of  Grant  &  Turner.  Although  disap 
pointed,  the  fires  of  patriotism  burned  with 
unabated  fervor  in  the  breast  of  this  devoted 
citizen,  and  he  again  enlisted  in  June,  1862,  in 
Co.  I.,  69th  111.  Vol.,  receiving  the  commission  of 
Second  Lieutenant.  With  this  Regt.  he  served 
the  three  months'  term  of  enlistment,  and  was 
mustered  out  Sept.  27,  1862. 

After  the  service,  Mr.  Jordan  visited  Col 
orado  and  taught  school  for  a  time.  Here  he 
enlisted  in  Co.  H.,  3rd  Col.  Inf.,  and  served 
with  distinction  until  the  Regt.  was  mustered 
out  of  service  in  May,  1865.  This  Regt.  took 
an  active  part  in  an  Indian  battle  at  Fort  Lyon, 
Col.,  and  achieved  a  creditable  victory.  Re 
turning  to  Morris,  111.,  in  1865,  Mr.  Jordan  was 
admitted  to  the  bar,  and  here  his  record  shows 
the  sterling  character  of  the  man  and  the  ap 
preciation  of  his  ability  by  his  fellow  citizens. 
He  has  served  three  terms  as  City  Attorney  of 
Morris,  has  been  chosen  States'  Attorney  two 
terms,  and  has  been  honored  with  the  respon 
sible  position  of  County  Judge,  in  which,  at 
this  date,  he  is  serving  a  second  term.  A 
genial  gentleman,  and  an  able  jurist,  Judge 


4i6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Jordan  has  been  in  public  office  continually 
since  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1865,  and 
never  has  been  defeated.  He  has  always  taken 
an  active  part  in  politics,  and  is  in  sympathy 
with  the  Republican  party.  In  June,  1869,  Mr. 
Jordan  was  married  to  Sarah  D.  Parmlee,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  B.  Parmlee,  of  Morris,  but 
now  a  resident  of  Lansing,  Mich.  They  have 
no  children.  Judge  Jordan  and  his  wife  are 
Unitarians,  although  his  ancestors  for  many  gen 
erations  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
Notwithstanding  the  demands  made  by  the 
office  of  County  Judge  and  an  extensive  law 
practice,  this  gentleman  by  no  means  neglects 
the  other  important  interests  of  society,  and 
holds  a  deservedly  prominent  place  in  the  con 
fidence  and  esteem  of  a  wide  circle  of  friends 
and  acquaintances. 


AARON G.  WOODBURY, of  Morris,  111.,  was  born 
in  Putnam  Co.,  Nov.  8,  1842,  and  is  the 
son  of  Artemus  O.  Woodbury,  who  was 
a  member  of  Co.  A.,  53d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  with 
which  he  served  two  years,  taking  part  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh  with  his  son  Isaac  W.,  who  died 
at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  after  serving  nearly 
two  years.  Artemus  O.  Woodbury,  now  resid 
ing  at  Hastings,  Neb.,  was  the  father  of  three 
sons,  two  of  whom  stood  by  him  in  the  ranks 
fighting  for  the  Union.  He  was  the  son  of 
Isaac,  who  was  born  in  Mass.,  who  was  the  son 
of  John,  whose  ancestors  were  Puritans,  and 
reached  America  about  five  years  after  the 
landing  of  the  Mayflower,  settling  in  Franklin 
Co.,  Mass.,  where  the  descendants  still  reside. 
From  two  brothers  came  the  great  family  of 
VVoodburys,  now  resident  in  the  U.  S. 

The  father  of  Aaron  G.  married  Miss  Sarah 
Renniff,  of  Mass.,  and  soon  after  the  young 
couple  left  trie  East  to  make  a  home  in  Putnam 
Co.,  Ills.,  settling  in  1836.  Here  the  wife  died, 
leaving  one  daughter,  Susan,  who  afterwards 
married  and  died  without  issue.  In  1 839,  the  father 
married  Miss  Lydia  S.  Winters,  daughter  of 
Obediah  and  Elizabeth  (Frillman)  Winters. 

Aaron  G.  Woodbury  accompanied  his  par 


ents  to  Grundy  Co.,  111.,  June,  1852,  and  located 
in  Norman  Township,  where  he  received  such 
educational  advantages  as  the  district  schools 
afforded.  When  his  father  and  two  brothers 
went  into  the  army  in  1861,  he  was  left  in  charge 
of  the  farm,  but  the  following  August  afterthey 
left  he  joined  Co.  D.,  gist  111.  Vol.,  and  went  to 
the  field  at  Louisville,  Ky.  While  guarding  the 
railroad  at  Elizabethtown,  Ky.,  his  regiment 
was  captured  by  John  Morgan  in  his  raid  into 
Kentucky  and  Ohio.  After  the  exchange  and 
reorganization  of  the  gist,  it  was  sent  to  Browns 
ville,  Texas,  and  met  the  rebels  on  the  banks  of 
the  Rio  Grande.  At  that  time  the  army  of 
France  was  operating  in  Mexico,  in  support  of 
Maximilian  and  at  one  time  an  imposing  mili 
tary  scene  was  witnessed,  the  four  armies  being 
in  line  of  battle  in  the  same  locality.  The  right 
of  the  French  army  rested  on  one  bank  of  the 
river  and  our  left  on  the  opposite  bank.  The 
Mexican  left  laid  on  the  river  opposed  to  the 
invading  force,  and  the  Confederate  soldiers  on 
the  other  side  at  a  place  called  White's  Ranch. 
The  Union  forces  dispersed  the  rebels  and  the 
French  drove  the  Mexicans  across  theriverinto 
Uncle  Sam's  domain.  Mr  Woodbury  went  with 
his  Regt.  to  Mobile,  Ala.,  in  the  spring  of  1864, 
and  assisted  in  the  charge  at  Fort  Blakely,  after 
doing  service  in  the  reduction  of  Spanish  Fort. 

This  was  followed  by  meritorious  action 
until  camp  was  made  at  Macintosh  Bluffs  on  the 
Tombigbee  River,  where  the  men  were  held 
until  they  were  sent  to  Mobile,  Ala.,  when  the 
Regt.  was  discharged  returning  home  up  the 
river,  via  New  Orleans.  In  the  winter  of  1864, 
while  in  New  Orleans  Mr.  Woodbury  who  was 
a  Sergeant  in  his  company,  was  put  in  charge 
of  a  lot  of  prisoners  who  had  been  exchanged, 
and  was  detailed  to  deliver  them  to  the  rebel 
authorities  in  Mobile;  here  in  conversation 
with  them  they  acknowledged  the  defeat  of  the 
Confederacy,  and  said  the  war  was  practically 
ended. 

Mr.  Woodbury  returned  to  his  home  July 
31,  1865,  having  served  his  country  three  years 
lacking  eight  days,  as  he  enlisted  the  8th  of 
August,  1862.  He  was  married  June  4,  1866, 
to  Marinda  Meacham,  daughter  of  Sylvester 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


417 


and  Delilah  Meacham.  They  purchased  a 
farm  in  Norman,  where  they  remained  until 
the  fall  of  1876,  when  they  moved  to  Morris, 
111.,  where  he  established  a  general  Insurance 
Loan  and  Real  Estate  office. 

Taking  an  active  part  in  politics,  Mr.  Wood- 
bury  has  acceptably  filled  several  town  and 
city  offices,  serving  eight  years  as  Police  Mag 
istrate  of  Morris.  Two  daughters  have  graced 
the  home  of  this  family:  Susan  D.,  wife  of 
W.  E.  David,  who  has  one  son,  Walter  Wood- 
bury  David,  and  Lydia  Ardella,  yet  with  her 
parents. 


M 


AJ.  GEN.  WILLIAM  STARK  ROSECRANS  was 
born  in  Ohio,  Sept.  7,  1819.  Young 
Rosecrans  was  a  close  student,  and  at 
fifteen  was  master  of  all  that  the  schools  of  his 
native  place  could  teach.  He  then  already 
evinced  the  strong  religious  tendency  which 
continued  to  characterize  him  through  life,  and 
was  noted  among  all  the  boys  of  his  neigh 
borhood  for  his  disposition  to  study  the  Bible, 
and  to  engage  preachers  and  others  on  religious 
topics.  Not  less  characteristic  is  another 
glimpse  we  get  of  his  boy  life.  His  proficien 
cy  in  such  mathematical  and  scientific  studies 
as  he  has  been  able  to  pursue,  led  him  to  look 
longingly  upon  the  treasure  of  a  West  Point 
education.  Soon  he  received  an  appointment 
as  a  cadet,  entered  the  military  school  at  that 
place  and  graduated  in  1847.  He  was  known 
as  a  hard  student.  He  entered  military  life  as 
a  brevet  2nd  Lieut.,  July  I,  1847.  Was  assigned 
to  the  corps  of  engineers,  and  spent  the  first 
year  of  his  professional  life  at  Fortress  Mon 
roe.  From  this  he  was  transferred  to  West 
Point  where  during  the  succeeding  four  years 
he  acted  as  Assistant  Professor  of  Military 
Engineering.  From  1847  to  1853  he  was  chief 
engineer  on  the  Government  fortifications  at 
Newport,  R.  I,,  from  whence  he  was  again 
transferred  to  the  navy-yard  at  Washington 
City.  In  November,  1853,  he  resigned  his  com 
mission  in  the  regular  army  and  engaged  in  the 

26 


pursuit  of  civil  life  as  civil  engineer  in  the 
city  of  Cincinnati.  He  afterward  occupied 
the  position  as  engineer  of  the  Ohio  &  Miss. 
R.  R.  Entering  service  on  Gen.  McClellan's 
staff,  as  engineer  he  served  with  distinction  in 
West  Va.,  until  McClellan  was  called  to  Wash 
ington  to  take  chief  command  of  the  army, 
when  Rosecrans  was  commissioned  Brig.-Gen., 
and  placed  in  command  of  the  Union  troops  in 
the  Department  of  Virginia.  His  commission 
bears  date  of  May  16,  1861,  and  as  Maj.-Gen. 
March  21,  1862. 

After  the  rebels  had  been  expelled  from 
West  Va.,  Gen.  Rosecrans  was  ordered  to  the 
Southwest  and  assigned  to  a  command  under 
Gen.  Halleck  in  Miss.  The  battle  of  Shiloh 
had  been  fought  and  the  enemy  was  now  con 
centrated  at  Corinth.  Shortly  the  rebels  were 
compelled  to  fall  back,  and  the  position  was 
occupied  by  Union  troops.  General  Buell's 
army  was  now  ordered  to  north  Ala.,  Gen.  Hal 
leck  to  Washington,  Gen.  Grant  was  organiz 
ing  a  campaign  down  the  Miss.  River,  while 
Gen.  Rosecrans,  with  5,000  men  was  left  to 
hold  the  position  at  Corinth.  The  rebel  Gens., 
Price,  Vaughn  and  Lovell,  had  arrived  with  a 
large  army  of  30,000  men.  Seizing  as  they  thought 
a  favorable  chance,  these  rebel  chiefs  made  a 
continued  attack  on  the  garrison  at  Corinth, 
Oct.  4,  1862.  Previous  to  this  time  Rosecrans 
with  i, 800  National  forces,  had  defeated  5,000 
of  these  Rebel  troops  under  Price  at  luka. 
Thus  the  rebel  chief  was  now  determined  to 
avenge  himself  on  Rosecrans,  whose  position 
was  thus  isolated  and  exposed.  The  assault 
began  with  impetuosity.  All  day  the  fighting 
was  desperate  and  doubtful,  night  closing  the 
carnage  favorable  to  the  enemy.  It  lives  in 
the  memory  of  every  living  soldier  who  fought 
that  day  how  Gen.  Rosecrans  galloped  up  and 
down  the  lines  giving  orders  inspiring  the 
"boys"  with  his  confidence,  how  he  himself 
plunged  into  the  thickest  of  the  conflict, 
fought  like  a  private  soldier,  dealt  sturdy 
blows  with  the  flat  of  his  sabre  on  runaways 
and  fairly  drove  them  to  stand. 

The  second  day  the  assault  was  renewed 
with  new  vigor.  A  hand  to  hand  conflict  was 


4i8 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


maintained  for  hours.  Finally  the  army  was 
put  to  flight  and  the  fortunes  of  the  day  decid 
ed.  This  brilliant  achievement  under  circum 
stances  the  most  trying,  secured  to  Gen.  Rose- 
crans  his  National  fame  and  made  his  military 
fortune.  Soon  after  the  victory  General  Buell 
was  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland  and  Rosecrans  appointed  his 
successor.  Advancing  South  he  next  encoun 
tered  the  enemy  under_Gen.  Bragg  at  the  battle 
of  Stone  River,  Tenn.  This  memorable  con 
flict  began  Dec.  31,  1862,  and  lasted  three  days, 
with  fearful  loss  on  both  sides.  The  Union 
forces  numbered  43,000  men  and  the  rebels  full 
65,000.  Here  again  Gen.  Rosecrans  displayed 
phenomenal  skill,  endurance  and  dauntless 
courage.  Everywhere  his  presence  was  the  in 
spiring  feature.  To  every  remonstrance  to  his 
personal  exposure,  the  General  only  replied: 
"This  battle  must  be  won,"  and  by  the  will  of 
Providence  it  was  won.  Pursuing  the  retreat 
ing  foe,  Rosecrans  fought  him  again  at  Chicka- 
mauga.  Soon  after  he  was  relieved  of  com 
mand  by  Gen.  Thomas,  and  transferred  to 
command  a  department  in  the  West,  in  which 
he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  per 
son  he  is  remarkably  mild  and  genial  in  his 
appearance  and  manner.  Five  feet,  ten  inches 
high,  stout,  straight  and  handsome.  He  is 
nervous  and  active  in  all  his  movements,  from 
the  dictation  of  a  despatch  to  the  tearing  and 
chewing  of  his  inseparable  companion,  his 
cigar.  His  complexion  is  florid,  eyes  blue, 
hair  and  whiskers  brown.  His  forehead  is 
high,  and  his  features  closely  indicate  superior 
intelligence.  He  is  easy  of  access,  utterly  des 
titute  of  fortune,  and  was  always  kind  with 
private  soldiers. 

Thus  is  Gen.  Rosecrans  whose  memory  must 
forever  shine  on  in  history  as  a  brave,  able  and 
devoted  soldier  to  the  Republic. 


EDWARD  M.  ROWE,  the  subject  of  thissketch, 
was  born  in   La  Salle  Co.,    111.,  July  13, 
1841,  and  is  the  son  of  Alexander  and 
Eliza  A.  (Phillips)  Rowe,  both  of  whom  were 


natives  of  the  State  of  N.  Y.,  and  of  Scotch  an 
cestry.  Edward  M.  Rowe  is  the  eighth,  born 
of  a  family  of  ten  children.  His  father  was  a 
farmer  and  located  in  111.,  about  the  year  1835. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Universalist  Church  and  were  much  respected 
by  all  who  knew  them.  Mr.  Rowe  died  in  1887, 
and  his  wife  in  1860. 

Edward  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  La  Salle  Co.,  and  subsequent 
ly  attended  the  Academy  at  Elgin.  On  leav 
ing  here  he  joined  his  father  in  the  ordinary 
avocations  of  farm  life.  Dec.  21,  1861,  he  en 
listed  in  Co.  A.  53d  111.  Inf.,  whose  Colonel 
was  W.  H.  W.  Cushman,  and  whose  Capt.  was 
Wm.  Ford.  Feb.  28,  1862,  Mr  .Rowe  was  among 
the  number  who  went  to  Chicago  to  guard 
prisoners,  captured  at  Fort  Donelson.  In 
March  of  that  year,  he  went  to  St.  Louis  and 
was  among  those  who  were  mounted.  The 
Co.,  as  one  of  three,  was  made  escort  to  Gen. 
Halleck,  until  he  was  called  to  Washington, 
after  which  it  continued  in  the  same  duty  un 
der  Gen.  Grant,  until  Sept.  27,  1862,  when  be 
ing  sent  to  Chewalle  they  discovered  the  ad 
vance  of  the  rebels  under  Gens.  Van  Dorn  and 
Price,  from  which  time  they  were  constantly 
on  duty  day  and  night  until  driven  within  the 
fortifications  of  Corinth,  Oct,  3d.  Being  the 
only  Cav.  Co.,  available  at  that  time,  the  entire 
arduous  duty  fell  on  them,  about  seventy  in 
number.  During  these  hardships  comrade 
Rowe  laid  the  germs  of  disease,  which  together 
with  an  injury  received,  his  back  being  thrown 
upon  a  picket  rope,  disabled  him,  and  he  was 
sent  to  the  hospital  in  Keokuk,  la.,  where  he 
remained  until  March,  1863,  when  he  returned 
to  his  Co.,  then  located  in  Glendale,  Miss.  In 
April  or  May  his  Co.,  joined  the  I5th,  111.  Cav. 
as  Co.  L.  and  in  Sept.  went  to  Helena,  Ark., 
where  he  remained  until  Jan.  1st,  1865,  during 
which  time  he  saw  much  active  service,  and  was 
engaged  in  numerous  skirmishes  of  more  or  less 
importance.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service 
at  Springfield,  111.,  Jan.  9,  1865.  The  last  nine 
months  of  his  service  was  spent  in  the  Govern 
ment  Printing  Office  at  Helena,  Ark.  Return 
ing  home,  he  again  became  engaged  in  farming 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


419 


which  he  followed  with  much  success  for  many 
years. 

Mr.  Rowe  was  married  Dec.  16,  1868,  to  Miss 
M.  Jennie  Angevine,  who  was  born  at  Cincin 
nati,  Ohio,  Sept.  2,  1864,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  Chas  E.  and  Catherine  (Skaates)  Angevine. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  three  children — 
Catherine  S.,  Harry  E.,  and  Edith  A.,  all  of 
whom  reside  with  their  father.  Mrs.  Rowe  died 
Oct.  5,  1888.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rowe  were  both 
members  of  the  Universalist  Church.  Mr.  Rowe 
is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  672,  and 
also  of  the  W.  W.  of  A.  Camp  214.  He  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Grant,  and  has  always  been  a  con 
sistent  member  of  his  party.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  during  the 
occupancy  of  this  position,  carried  out  the  du 
ties  connected  with  it  in  an  exemplary  and 
faithful  manner.  As  a  Veterinary  Dentist,  his 
skill  is  great,  far  more  than  merely  local.  He 
is  one  of  the  most  popular  citizens  of  Sheridan. 


TIMOTHY  WEBB,  a  resident  of  Rock  Island, 
111.,  first  saw  the  light  of  day  at  Warren, 
Trumbull  Co.,  Ohio,  June  nth,  1849,  and 
is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  E.  (Dilley) 
Webb.  His  father,  who  was  a  native  of  Pa., 
was  born  in  1813,  later  moved  to  Fort  Wayne, 
Ind.,and  subsequently  to  Maysville,  Ind.,  where 
he  died  at  the  ripe  age  of  73.  He  was  both  a 
gunsmith  and  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  His 
mother  who  was  of  English  descent,  was  born 
in  the  State  of  N.  J.,  and  died  at  Rock  Island, 
111.,  in  1865.  Mr.  Webb's  brother,  Austin,  who 
has  since  been  mustered  in  the  army  on  high, 
faithfully  served  his  country  in  the  battlefield 
for  over  three  years,  having  enlisted  in  Co.  A., 
37th  111.  Inf.,  Aug.  14,  1861,  and  was  mustered 
out  Oct.  4,  1864.  His  Regt.  was  known  as 
"  Fremont  Rifles."  He  participated,  consider 
ing  the  number  engaged,  in  some  of  the  most 
hotly  contested  and  bloodiest  engagements  of 
the  war,  among  which  were  the  battles  of  Pea 
Ridge,  Prairie  Grove,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Yazoo 
City,  Morgan's  Bend  and  others. 

Mr.  Webb  spent  his.  happy  boyhood  days 


on  the  banks  of  the  beautiful  Mississippi,  in 
the  city  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Being 
of  a  studious  mind  he  received  a  thorough 
education,  pursuing  his  studies  in  both  the  public 
and  high  schools,  until  the  age  of  nearly  16, 
when  he  abandoned  them  for  the  love  of  his 
country's  honor,  and  the  preservation  of  the 
grand  "old  flag."  Notwithstanding  that  he 
was  only  a  boy,  he  had  the  characteristics  of  a 
patriot,  and  had  always  been  anxious  to  shoul 
der  a  gun,  but  being  so  young  he  invariably 
had  to  relinquish  the  thoughts  of  becoming  a 
soldier.  He,  however,  was  determined,  and 
Feb.  24,  1865,  when  but  a  yonth  of  barely  16 
summers,  he  passed  himself  for  18  years,  was 
accepted  and  was  made  happy,  being  mus 
tered  into  Co.  G.,  Capt.  James  W.  Ballard,  47th 
111.  Inf.,  under  Col.  D.  W.  McGee.  They  went 
into  camp  at  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  111., 
remained  about  a  month  doing  guard  duty, 
when  they  embarked  on  a  steamer  for  New 
Orleans,  La.,  from  there  plowing  the  gulf  over 
to  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.,  where  his  Regt.  joined 
the  2nd  Brig.,  1st  Di-v.,  i6th  A.  C.,  under  Gen. 
Smith,  and  immediately  took  part  in  the  reduc 
tion  of  that  Fort. 

Landing  at  Mobile  during  a  hot  and  des 
perate  fight  in  connection  with  the  siege  of  that 
city,  Webb's  command  was  at  once  ordered  to 
defend  the  breastworks,  the  fighting  continuing 
hotly  and  stubbornly  for  several  days.  During 
the  second  day  of  the  bloody  conflict  Lieut. 
Shaughnessy  was  badly  wounded  in  the  leg, 
and  it  was  our  youthful  hero  who  was  entrusted 
and  detailed  to  accompany  him  as  a  favorite 
son  of  the  war,  to  New  Orleans,  where  they 
were  transferred  to  St.  Louis  Hotel  Hospital. 
Here  our  soldier  boy  remained  nursing  the 
Lieutenant  up  to  the  time  he  was  convalescent, 
when  both  returned  in  June  and  rejoined  their 
Regt.  at  Selma,  Ala.  Here  he  remained  in 
camp  doing  picket  and  guard  duty  for  about 
two  weeks,  when  his  command  was  marched  to 
Demopolis,  Ala.,  camped  about  a  month,  during 
which  time  he  was  actively  engaged  in  foraging 
and  picket  duty,  and  then  proceeded  on  to  Cam- 
den,  Ala.  While  here  young  Webb  was  detailed 
to  return  to  Selma,  where  on  Dec.  26,  1865,  he 


420 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


was  detailed  as  Orderly,  under  Col.  McGee, 
and  in  which  duty  he  continued  up  to  Jan.  21, 
1866,  when  he  was  mustered  out,  and  ordered 
to  Springfield,  111.,  where  he  received  final  dis 
charge.  He  immediately  returned  home  to 
Rock  Island,  and  on  May  9,  1866,  entered  the 
employ  of  Mr.  David  Donaldson,  proprietor  of 
a  very  extensive  saw  factory,  as  saw  maker. 
This  position  he  has  held  without  interruption 
up  to  the  present  day,  and  in  the  absence  of 
Mr.  Donaldson  is  entrusted  with  the  responsi 
bility  of  absolute  manager.  The  fact  that  he 
has  held  one  position  for  twenty-five  consec 
utive  years,  is  the  best  testimonial  for  the  abil 
ity  and  integrity  of  Mr.  Webb,  who  is  a  most 
affable  gentleman,  commanding  universal 
esteem  and  respect.  Mr.  Webb  found  his  ideal 
wife  in  the  person  of  Susan  E.  Flickinger, 
daughter  of  George  W.  and  Sarah  (Ancurts) 
Flickinger,  now  of  Burton,  Kan.,  and  was  mar 
ried  at  Moline,  111.,  Oct.  I,  1873.  Mr.  Flick 
inger  was  of  Swiss-German  descent,  and  served 
his  adopted  country  in  the  capacity  of  Sergeant 
of  Co.  G.,  4/th  111.,  having  enlisted  at  the  same 
time  with  his  future  son-in-law.  This  happy 
union  was  blessed  with  four  children,  of  whom 
Edna  E.  and  Susan  E.  are  living. 

Mr.  Webb  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post, 
and  is  also  a  member  of  Camp  No.  29,  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  Rock  Island.  Though 
a  machinist  by  trade,  he  has  not  lost  sight  of 
the  value  of  good  books,  in  whose  company  he 
spends  many  a  leisure  hour.  He  is  also  an 
artist,  executing  some  very  fine  work  both  in 
crayon  and  oil.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican, 


AARON  TRASK,  of  Lowell,  111.,   enlisted  in 
the  army  at  Shelburn  Falls,  Franklin  Co., 
Mass.,  Sept.  12,  1862,  in  Co.  E.,  52d  Mass. 
Vol.  Inf.,  was  mustered  in  at  Greenfield,  Mass., 
and  sent  to  New  Orleans,  on  to   Baton  Rouge, 
La.,  and  to  Franklin,  La.,  where  he  participated 
in   that  battle.     He  was  at  the  siege  of  Fort 
Hudson,  and  engaged    in  many  skirmishes  at 
different   places.     After  an  active   service  ex 
tending  a  little  more  than  one  year,  Mr.  Trask 


was  mustered  out  Oct.  20,  1863,  and  returned  to 
his  home  at  Heath,  Mass.,  residing  there  and 
at  Shelburn  Falls  for  five  years,  when  he  moved 
to  Nebraska,  locating  at  West  Point,  and  in 
1876  came  to  Illinois,  settling  at  Farm  Bridge, 
in  La  Salle  Co.,  subsequently  he  removed  to 
Lowell,  111.,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in 
farming  since.  He  contracted  a  chronic  diar- 
rhce  in  the  army  and  draws  a  pension  of  $10.00 
per  month. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  mem 
ber  of  Randolph  Post,  G.  A.  R.  Mr.  Trask  was 
born  at  Heath,  Mass.,  in  1836,  and  was  raised  on 
a  farm.  He  was  married  at  Shelburn  Falls, 
Mass.,  in  1868,  to  Miss  Eliza  C.  Ward,  a  native 
of  Mass.,  and  has  one  child,  Rosa  A. 


CAPTAIN  GEO.  W.  PEPOON,  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Warren  111.,  was  born  at 
Painesville,  Ohio,  in  1832.  His  parents 
were  Silas  Pepoon  and  Mary  W.  Benedict, 
natives  of  Conn.,  born  about  1790  and  1800, 
respectively,  and  were  married  in  Austinburg, 
Ohio,  residing  in  that  State  until  1850,  when 
they  moved  to  Jo  Daviess  Co.,  111.,  where  the 
mother  died  in  1867,  and  the  father,  a  farmer 
and  a  good  citizen,  about  six  months  later, 
in  Mar.,  1868.  Joseph  Pepoon,  the  father  of 
Silas,  was  born  in  Conn.,  but  was  an  early 
pioneer  in  Ohio,  settling  there  in  1802.  The 
family  is  of  French  Huguenot  stock,  and  the 
few  descendents  bearing  the  name  of  Pepoon 
are  now  all  living  in  the  West.  The  mother's 
father  died  while  serving  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Capt.  Geo.  W.  Pepoon  was  the  eldest  son 
in  a  family  of  5  sons  and  2  daughters.  The 
sons  all  served  in  the  army,  as  here  noted: 
Captain  Geo.  W.,  whose  record  will  be  more 
fully  given;  Silas  went  West  and  during  the 
war  served  in  the  1st  Oregon  Cav.,  as  ist 
Lieut.,  and  from  1867,  until  his  death  was  in 
the  regular  army  in  the  roth  Cav.  with  rank  of 
2nd  Lieut.,  later  as  ist  Lieut.,  receiving  com 
mission  as  Capt.  just  before  his  death;  Theo 
dore  W.,  first  joined  Co.  K. ,96th  111.,  and  after 
wards  enlisted  in  Co.  K.,  2 1st  111.,  serving  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


421 


the  end  of  the  war  in  Texas  in  the  Commis 
sary  Department;  Joseph  B.,  now  residing  at 
Table  Rock,  Neb.,  was  in  the  ist  Oregon  Cav. 
as  a  private  from  1861  to  1865;  Henry  O.  en 
listed  at  the  age  of  16  in  the  3rd  Mo.  Cav.,  in 
1861,  and  served  in  Mo.  and  Ark.,  until  his 
death  in  1863,  at  Jacksonport,  Ark. 

Geo.  W.  Pepoon  attended  the  common 
schools  until  about  14,  then  took  a  thorough 
course  at  Painesville  Academy,  Ohio,  and  went 
West  with  his  parents.  He  married  in  1858, 
Mary,  a  daughter  of  Wm.  and  Sarah  Abbey, 
both  natives  of  Leeds,  England,  who  came  to 
N.  Y.,  in  1830,  and  in  1831  went  to  Painesville, 
Ohio;  then  in  1856  moved  to  Jo  Daviess  Co., 
111.,  where  Mrs.  Abbey  died  in  1868.  Mr.  Ab 
bey  died  in  1881  in  Neb. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pepoon  are  the  parents  of 
two  sons  and  one  daughter,  thus  briefly  noted: 
Wm.  A.,  now  at  Baker  City,  Oregon,  engaged 
in  the  stock  business.  He  graduated  from  the 
University  at  Champaign,  111.,  but  failing  health 
made  it  necessary  to  move  to  the  Pacific  Coast 
and  abandon  the  study  of  law,  which  he  had 
chosen.  Dr.  Herman  Silas,  a  graduate  of  the 
Champaign  University,  and  the  Hahnemann 
Medical  College  of  Chicago,  is  now  a  success 
ful  physician  at  Lewistown,  111.;  Mary,  the 
only  daughter,  educated  at  the  Warren  High 
school,  is  now  a  teacher. 

Captain  Pepoon  was  engaged  in  farming 
and  teaching  until  the  war  called  him  into  the 
service  of  his  country,  enlisting  Aug.  6,  1862, 
in  Co.  K. ,96th  111.  Inf.,  and  at  once  elected  2nd 
Lieut.  April  24,  1864,  he  was  made  ist  Lieut., 
and  just  at  the  close  of  the  war,  received  com 
mission  as  brevet  Captain. 

The  96th  was  organized  and  sent  into  camp 
at  Rockford,  remaining  there  from  Sept.  3  to 
Oct.  8,  when  it  went  to  Covington,  Ky.,  then 
to  Danville,  where  Capt.  Pepoon  was  made 
Aid-de-Campto  the  Brigade  Commander.  Pro 
ceeding  then  to  Lexington,  Louisville,  where 
taking  boat  for  Nashville,  Tenn.,  they  soon 
after  went  to  Franklin,  Triune,  Shelbyville, 
Watrass  and  other  places,  skirmishing  more  or 
less  during  the  summer  of  1863.  The  move 
ment  was  then  to  Rossville,  and  on  to  the  ter 


rible  fight  at  Chickamauga,  in  which  the  regi 
ment  took  part  Sunday  P.  M.,  Sept.  3Oth.  This 
was  the  first  battle  the  Regt.  was  engaged  in, 
and  Captain  Pepoon  was  the  only  Staff  Officer 
unharmed — two  were  captured,  two  killed,  and 
Gen.  Whittaker,  the  Brig.  Commander,  was 
knocked  from  his  horse,  but  not  seriously  in 
jured.  At  this  place  Capt.  Pepoon  was  made 
Provost  Marshal,  and  held  that  position  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  The  regiment  then 
moved  to  Chattanooga  and  in  a  few  weeks  to 
Shell  Mound,  thence  to  Lookout  Mountain, 
where  the  g6th  was  on  the  right  of  the  line, 
and  with  its  Brig,  captured  the  enemy's  works. 
On  the  next  day  the  position  was  on  the  ex 
treme  right  at  Missionary  Ridge.  During  this 
sanguinary  conflict  the  Captain  held  his  posi 
tion  in  the  front  and  captured  the  sword  of  a 
rebel  officer  who  surrendered  to  him.  Sub 
sequently  the  Q6th  returned  to  Shell  Mound 
and  camped  until  the  end  of  winter,  when  it 
was  ordered  to  Blue  Springs.  Here  Capt. 
Pepoon  went  with  part  of  the  Regt.  to  Cleve 
land,  Tenn.,  occupying  it  as  Provost  Marshal 
and  making  an  expedition  to  Dalton.  During 
the  Georgia  campaign  Captain  Pepoon  was 
acting  as  courier  and  as  Staff  Officer  in  the 
hottest  part  of  every  engagement  but  one, 
when  he  was  in  the  rear,  sick,  being  the  only 
night  he  ever  spent  in  the  hospital  during  his 
entire  service.  Many  times  he  was  fired  on, 
and  always  in  great  danger,  but  very  fortu 
nately  always  escaped.  The  first  day  of  the 
fight  at  Nashville  the  Regt.  was  held  in  re 
serve,  but  on  the  second  day  was  in  the  main 
line,  capturing  four  pieces  of  artillery.  Here 
he  was  for  a  time  engaged  in  removing  prison 
ers.  Almost  immediately  orders  were  given 
to  pursue  Hood.  Reaching  Huntsville  the 
Regt.  went  into  winter  quarters  until  Mar.  13, 
when  it  went  to  Bull's  Gap  and  to  Nashville, 
where  it  was  finally  mustered  out  June  10, 
1865. 

Capt.  Pepoon  returned  home  from  an  active 
and  prominent  service  in  some  of  the  most  tri 
umphant  and  sanguinary  battles  of  the  war 
without  a  wound,  although  his  regiment  lost 
more  men  than  any  other  regiment  in  the  Brig., 


422 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


and  his  duties  placed  him  in  greater  danger 
than  he  would  have  encountered  in  the  ranks. 
Reaching  home  he  laid  down  his  sword  and 
assumed  the  supervision  of  his  farm.  No 
sooner  were  war  duties  ended  than  civil  offices 
and  responsibilities  were  thrust  upon  him.  In 
1865,  he  was  elected  County  Supt.  of  Schools 
and  served  8  years.  He  was  also  Township 
Assessor  10  years,  and  Supervisor  two  terms. 
In  1888  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature, 
and  placed  on  such  important  committees  as 
Committee  of  Agriculture,  Labor  and  Indus 
trial  Affairs,  Committee  on  State  Institutions 
and  Soldiers  and  Orphans  Homes.  In  1890  he 
was  re-elected  and  made  Chairman  of  the  Com 
mittee  on  State  Institutions,  and  also  served 
on  committees  on  Agriculture  and  Horticult 
ure,  Soldiers'  Homes,  Labor  and  Industrial 
Affairs. 

Hon.  Geo.  W.  Pepoon  is  a  charter  member, 
and  was  the  first  P.  C.  of  Warren  Post,  315, 
G.  A.  R.  He  is  a  leading  member  of  Jo 
Daviess  Lodge,  278,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  the 
Chapter.  He  is  universally  acknowledged  as 
a  gentleman  of  superior  administrative  abili 
ties,  of  high  mental  culture  and  social  standing, 
honored  and  esteemed  by  a  wide  circle  of 
friends  and  constituents. 


THOMAS  DILLER,  of  Sterling,  111.,  oldest  son 
of  Charles  and  Ann  E.  (Thompson)  Dil- 
ler,  was  born  July  14,  1845,  a^  New  Hol 
land,  Pa.  His  father  was  born  April  28,  1818, 
in  Lancaster  City,  Pa.,  and  died  in  Sterling,  111., 
April  5,  1884,  and  his  father's  father,  Samuel, 
was  born  in  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  noted  for 
his  great  physical  strength. 

The  Diller  family  is  descended  from  German 
ancestry,  their  American  progenitors  coming 
to  this  country  long  before  the  Revolution. 
The  mother  of  Thomas  Diller  was  born  Feb.  6, 
1814,  at  Newville,  Pa.,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent, 
and  is  still  living.  His  grandfather,  John 
Thompson,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He 
was  a  man  of  influence  and  a  unique  character. 

Charles  Diller,  the  father  of  Thomas,  grad 
uated  at  the  Moravian  school  at  Litiz,  Lancas 


ter  Co.,  one  of  the  best  schools  of  the  day,  and 
was  then  apprenticed  by  his  guardian  to  a  tan 
ner.  Next  he  worked  sometime  at  the  wheel 
wright  trade;  quit  this  to  become  a  sailor,  run 
away  and  learned  the  cooper  trade,  became  a 
tinsmith,  and  finally,  after  his  marriage  in  1840, 
settled  down  as  a  school  teacher,  receiving  $10 
per  month  and  boarded  himself.  In  1849  ne 
came  West,  walking  from  Chicago  to  Sterling, 
north  of  which  place,  in  Jordan  Township,  he 
entered  a  quarter  section  of  Government  land  at 
$1.25  per  acre.  He  brought  his  family  out  in 
1850,  put  up  a  log  house,  plastering  it  with  mud 
and  shingling  it  with  "shakes"  that  he  split 
himself.  He  settled  down  to  the  life  of  a 
farmer,  experiencing  all  the  ups  and  downs  of 
life  in  a  new  country.  His  neighbors  had  con 
fidence  in  him,  and  without  his  solicitation  he 
was  kept  in  some  local  office  all  the  time.  He 
was  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  25  years.  By  nature, 
he  was  timid  and  retiring,  with  an  active  con 
structive  mind,  remarkable  for  mechanical  in 
genuity. 

The  children  of  Charles  and  Ann  E.  Diller 
are — Laura,  wife  of  H.  L.  John,  of  Penrose,  111., 
Thomas,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Samuel, 
Roland  and  William  T. 

Reared  upon  a  farm,  Thomas  began  to  plow 
corn  with  an  old  fashioned  single-shovel  plow 
the  summer  he  was  nine  years  old,  and  after 
that  never  attended  school  in  the  summer  time 
until  he  returned  from  the  war.  His  boyish  life 
was  made  up  of  unceasing  toil.  When  the  war 
broke  out,  he  made  three  attempts  to  become 
a  soldier.  When  the  34th  111.  was  being  raised 
he  was  sent  to  town  for  the  mail  and  he  enlisted 
in  Co.  A.  His  father  had  his  name  taken  off 
the  roll  and  took  him  home,  claiming  that  the 
boy  was  too  young  and  that  his  services  were 
absolutely  necessary  on  the  farm.  In  the  fall 
of  1862  he  again  enlisted  in  Co.  D.,  75th  111. 
His  father  again  kept  him  at  home  by  promis 
ing  to  take  him  to  the  State  Fair,  buy  him  an 
unabridged  Webster's  dictionary,  a  copy  of 
Shakespeare's  works,  and  his  first  pair  of  fine 
boots.  His  father  claimed  that  he  was  too 
poor  to  get  along  without  the  aid  of  Thomas 
on  the  farm. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


423 


Thus  things  stood  until  Jan.  3,  1864,  when 
Thomas  determined  to  make  a  last  and  suc 
cessful  trial,  and  he  enlisted  in  Co.  D.,  75th  111- 
and  was  shipped  soon  to  Camp  Yates.  The 
weather  turned  very  cold  and  he  was  put  with 
others  in  tents  with  straw  on  the  ground,  and 
towards  morning  of  the  second  night,  he  was 
taken  desperately  ill  with  rheumatism,  and  the 
surgeon  had  him  carried  in  a  stretcher  to  the 
barracks,  where  he  could  not  get  out  of  the 
bunk  for  several  days.  He  did  not  have  a  soli 
tary  acquaintance  in  camp,  and  this  with  his 
illness,  and  the  thought  that  he  might  not  get 
off  to  war  this  time,  but  be  taken  back  home, 
brought  him  woe  and  despair. 

After  remaining  at  Camp  Butler  fora  while, 
in  the  latter  part  of  March  he  was  sent  to  his 
Regt.  at  Blue  Springs,  Tenn.,  riding  on  the  top 
of  freight  cars  all  the  way  from  Louisville,  Ky. 
The  night  before  reaching  Stevenson,  Ala.,  he 
was  taken  very  ill  in  the  rain  and  sleet,  and  he 
got  down  between  the  cars  and  pried  open  a 
small  end  door  and  crawled  in  on  a  car  full  of 
oats  and  went  to  sleep.  When  he  woke  up 
next  morning  he  found  himself  side-tracked, 
with  his  jaws  swollen  up  by  the  mumps,  and 
not  a  soul  to  be  seen.  He  found  a  hospital, 
was  refused  admittance,  found  the  convalescent 
camp  where  the  soldiers  were  three  deep  when 
they  lay  down  in  the  old  Sibley  tents,  and 
where  the  only  manner  possible  to  get  any 
sleep  was  to  lie  down  on  top  of  somebody  else, 
and  sleep  until  somebody  else  got  on  top  of 
you.  Such  rough-and-tumble  and  the  mumps 
did  not  go  very  well  together.  Finally  on  the 
top  of  burdened  trains  he  got  to  his  Regt. 

The  first  shock  of  war  that  young  Diller 
felt  was  at  Rocky  Face  where  he  was  put  on 
the  skirmish  line  all  day.  At  Resaca  he  was 
hit  on  the  hip  with  a  piece  of  shell  and  another 
shell  burst  so  near  him  that  he  found  himself 
flat  on  the  ground  on  his  face  without  knowing 
how  he  got  in  that  position.  At  Kenesaw  he 
had  two  holes  made  in  his  blouse  by  minie 
balls,  after  being  ordered  to  halt  by  the  rebels. 
The  comrade  that  was  with  him,  Samuel  Orcutt, 
was  captured  and  never  got  back  to  his  Regt. 
At  Pumpkin-vine  Creek  he  was  ordered  by  his 


Captain  to  and  took  his  position  behind  a  tree, 
after  two  men  had  been  shot  at  the  same  place. 
The  tree  was  just  large  enough  to  cover  him, 
and  the  enemy's  range  was  so  close  and  so  accu 
rate  that  they  kept  barking  the  tree  on  both 
sides,  and  the  only  thing  that  Diller  could  do 
was  to  expect  every  minute  to  be  shot  and  to 
keep  his  knees  and  elbows  within  the  circum 
ference  of  the  tree.  At  Lovejoy  Station  a 
piece  of  shell  struck  his  knapsack  on  the  back 
part  of  which  was  his  frying  pan;  a  part  of 
this  pan  was  torn  away,  Diller  was  knocked 
head  over  heals  with  holes  made  in  his  coffee 
pot  and  in  his  haversack.  The  Colonel  said 
but  for  the  frying  pan  he  would  have  been  cut 
in  two.  His  command  went  with  Gen.  Thomas 
to  fight  Hood,  while  Gen.  Sherman  marched  to 
the  sea.  At  the  battle  of  Franklin  young 
Diller  was  detailed  to  carry  cartridges,  and  he 
carried  four  one  hundred  pound  boxes,  and 
while  going  back  and  forth  the  flying  shells 
crashed  into  houses  and  tore  away  fences  all 
around  him. 

After  the  battle,  when  all  was  quiet,  the  Sergt.- 
Major  and  Diller  went  into  town  to  get  an  over 
coat  that  the  former  had  left  at  a  house  to  have 
pockets  inserted.  The  occupants  of  the  house 
had  left  the  tea-table  standing,  and  had  all  gone 
into  the  cellar.  While  the  Sergt.-Major  was 
hunting  for  his  coat,  Diller  was  helping  himself 
to  biscuit,  honey  and  tea,  when,  all  of  a  sud 
den,  a  stray  shell  came  through  the  side  of  the 
house,  knocking  the  lath  and  plaster  all  over 
the  table.  The  boys  got  out  as  soon  as  the  coat 
was  found,  and  in  going  out  a  nicely  tied-up  jar, 
supposed  to  contain  butter,  clung  to  Dillers' 
arm.  When  they  got  to  the  Regt.  the  Sergt.- 
Major  ran  to  get  a  plate  for  some  of  the  butter. 
Diller  tore  the  cover  off  the  jar,  spread  the  but 
ter  two  inches  thick  on  a  cracker,  and  took  a 
no  small  section  of  it  into  his  mouth.  When 
the  Sergt.-Major  returned  he  was  so  eager  for 
butter  that  he  took  a  knife,  and,  cutting  out  a 
chunk,  put  it  into  his  mouth,  without  any  hard 
tack.  When  he  got  his  mouth  cleared  out 
he  remarked,  "  Diller,  if  you  tell  the  boys 
about  this,  there'll  be  a  funeral,"  for  the  sup 
posed  "butter"  was  lard. 


424 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


The  suffering  for  want  of  sleep  on  the  march 
from  Franklin  to  Nashville  was  very  great. 
The  men  dozed  walking  along,  and  Diller  re 
members  that  he  walked  right  off  the  road  and 
bang  up  against  a  rail  fence;  the  collision 
wakened  him  up.  At  the  battle  of  Nashville 
during  the  charge  of  the  second  day,  Diller 
and  Seth  Coates  of  the  same  company,  got  a 
short  distance  in  advance,  and  just  as  the  works 
were  reached  before  the  rebels  broke,  a  big 
rebel  raised  up  in  the  trench  and  shot  at  these 
two  boys,  and  then  seeing  that  he  could  not  get 
away  without  being  shot,  he  raised  a  stick  with 
a  whitish  rag  on  it.  Coates  was  going  to  bay 
onet  this  rebel,  but  Diller  prevented.  Taking 
his  C.  S.  A.  belt  which  Diller  still  has,  they  al 
lowed  their  would-be  slayer  to  go  to  the  rear 
with  the  rest  of  the  prisoners. 

After  the  fight  it  rained  many  days  and  our 
army  followed  Hood's  retreating  army  to  the 
Tenn.  River.  Sand  and  gravel  got  into  the 
shoes,  and  young  Diller's  feet  got  so  cut  up 
and  were  so  sore  that  he  could  not  get  his  shoes 
on  and  he  tore  up  his  blouse  and  tied  his  feet 
up  and  in  this  way  marched  several  miles  in  the 
morning  until  he  could  get  his  shoes  on.  Half 
rations  was  a  luxury.  One  day  Diller  and 
Leonard  Richards,  of  the  same  Co.,  made  a  de 
tour  to  take  in  a  farm  house,  and  after  searching 
all  around  saw  a  hen  out  on  a  stack  of  grain. 
Of  course  she  was  captured  sooner  or  later,  and 
that  night  the  boys  staid  up  late  to  cook  the 
old  hen,  in  order  to  have  "spring  chicken"  soup 
and  hard-tack  crumbs  for  a  three  o'clock  break 
fast.  He  had  the  valuable  hen  that  was  to 
produce  the  "golden  elixir"  in  a  tin  pail  on  an 
immense  bed  of  ash  coals.  About  ten  o'clock 
at  night  when  he  raised  the  fowl  and  savory 
soup  with  his  hooked  stick,  the  bail  and  sides 
of  the  pail  came  up,  but  the  bottom  of  the  pail, 
old  mother  hen,  delectable  breakfast  for  four, 
went  into  the  coals  and  ashes. 

The  regiment  went  into  quarters  at  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala.  Diller  was  in  every  skirmish  and 
engagement  of  that  memorable  campaign  that 
began  May  4th  and  ended  with  the  rout  of 
Hood's  entire  army,  and  he  was  never  absent 
from  the  Regt.  except  four  weeks  on  account 


of  a  sprained  foot.  At  Huntsville,  Ala.,  he 
was  promoted  corporal.  When  the  75th  was 
mustered  out,  his  term  of  service  not  having 
expired,  he  was  transferred  to  Co.  D.,  2ist  111. 
Veterans,  and  was  sent  down  the  Miss,  to  New 
Orleans,  and  from  there  across  the  gulf  to 
Texas,  landing  at  Indianola  in  August.  Here 
the  weather  was  very  hot.  The  command 
started  out  to  Green  Lake  but  on  account  of 
the  want  of  water,  nine  others  and  Diller  wrere 
the  only  ones  that  reached  Green  Lake  that 
evening.  The  rest  of  the  command  fell  by  the 
wayside,  overcome  by  thirst  and  heat.  About 
midnight  a  terrific  thunderstorm  came  up;  the 
boys  spread  their  blankets  and  pieces  of  tent 
out,  and  got  them  wet  and  then  squeezed  the 
water  out  into  their  cups  and  drank  it.  After 
this  they  all  got  into  camp,  but  every  one  on 
that  march  was  sick  for  several  days.  Several 
died  from  the  effects  of  it.  They  went  into 
camp  at  Victoria  and  then  marched  to  San  An 
tonio  and  staid  until  Dec. 

Foraging  was  good,  citizens  had  no  love  for 
blue  coats,  officers  toadied  to  the  citizens, 
and  the  soldiers  besides  their  rations  lived  on 
sweet  potatoes,  veal  and  pecans.  One  time 
Diller  went  with  several  others  eight  miles 
down  the  river  to  gather  pecans.  They  found 
a  large  grove  of  pecan  trees.  One  soldier  was 
sent  up  a  tree  with  a  pole  to  knock  some  nice 
ones  down.  The  farmer,  another  man,  the 
farmer's  wife  and  two  daughters  and  three  big 
dogs  came  out  to  drive  the  pecan  hunters  away. 
The  boys  told  them  they  wanted  their  haver 
sacks  full  of  nice  nuts  then  they  would  go 
away.  The  citizens  said  they  wanted  all  these 
acres  of  pecans  to  feed  their  hogs,  and  if  the 
soldiers  didn't  get  away,  Gen.  Stanley  would 
send  them  to  military  prison.  One  of  the  wo 
men  took  the  man's  blouse  that  was  up  in  the 
tree  and  started  off  with  it.  This  she  was  com 
pelled  to  give  up  at  the  point  of  a  revolver. 
This  stirred  matters  up  and  the  man  and  his 
wife  said  they  would  take  a  good  look  at 
each  soldier  and  then  go  and  tell  Gen.  Stanley. 
The  next  morning  before  sunrise  the  men  were 
before  the  General's  headquarters.  His  Adju 
tant  issued  an  order  for  each  Colonel  to  draw 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


425 


his  men  up  in  line  and  allow  these  citizens  to 
walk  by  and  pick  out  the  intruders.  Diller 
changed  his  big  hat  for  a  cap,  his  long  coat  for 
a  jacket  for  the  occasion,  and  when  the  com 
pany  was  formed  in  one  line,  these  pecan  own 
ers  marched  along  in  front  to  see  if  they  could 
pick  out  the  terrible  criminals.  Diller  felt  re 
lieved  when  he  heard  them  say  to  the  captain, 
"No,  Captain,  it  was  none  of  your  men." 

After  coming  home  from  the  army,  young 
Diller  worked  on  the  farm  the  first  season,  and 
for  the  next  four  years  went  to  school.  From 
Pa.,  where  he  was  going  to  school,  he  walked 
over  Pa,  and  N.  Y.  States,  through  Canada  and 
Mich,  to  Grand  Haven,  a  distance  of  1,185 
miles.  He  then  went  to  Texas  where  he  was 
clerk  in  a  post  office  for  some  time.  Re 
turning  to  Whiteside  Co.  he  taught  school  in 
the  country  for  five  years  and  then  became 
principal  of  the  Lincoln  school  in  Sterling, 
for  the  next  six  years.  He  then  went  into 
the  school  book  and  supply  business,  and 
in  1886  became  editor  and  half  owner  of  the 
Sterling  Standard.  In  1890  he  was  elected 
State  Central  Committecman  by  the  Repub 
licans  of  the  7th  Congressional  District  and 
Chairman  Jones  of  that  Committee  made  him 
one  of  the  Executive  Committee.  On  Feb. 
1st,  1891,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at 
Sterling.  He  is  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post, 
No.  274,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  politics, 
Grand  Army  matters,  educational  and  literary 
matters. 


FREEMAN  D.  ROSEBROOK,  of  Rock  Falls,  111., 
the  first  Commander  of  Will  Robinson 
Post,  and  the  Postmaster  of  Rock  Falls, 
was  born  June  23,  1843,  at  Jefferson,  N.  H.  His 
parents  were  Lucius  M.  and  Mary  (Perkins) 
Rosebrook.  His  father  was  a  native  of  N.  H., 
and  his  great-gandfather,  Capt.  Eleazer  Rose- 
brook,  made  the  first  settlement  at  the  site  of 
Fabyan  House  in  1/92.  He  opened  there,  in 
1803,  the  first  house  for  summer  visitors  ever 
kept  in  the  mountains. 

Lucius  M.,  the  father  of  Freeman  D.,  erected 


the  first  house  on  the  top  of  Mount  Washing 
ton,  known  as  the  Summit  House,  and  his  wife 
was  the  first  woman  to  pass  the  night  at  this 
great  mountain  elevation.  Here  they  resided 
for  two  summers,  subsequently  disposing  of  the 
property,  and  in  1854  removed  to  Dixon,  111. 
Later  Mr.  Rosebrook  invested  in  a  farm  at  Har 
mon,  111.,  to  the  cultivation  of  which  he  gave 
his  attention  for  many  years.  In  1867  he  sold 
this  estate,  and  located  at  Woosung,  111.,  where 
he  continued  to  reside  for  18  years,  when  he 
and  his  wife  made  their  home  with  their  daugh 
ter,  Mary  J.  His  father  has  been  for  some 
years  deceased;  his  mother  still  survives  at  the 
age  of  seventy-six,  retaining  her  sprightly  and 
active  nature  to  a  remarkable  degree. 

The  Manchester  Union,  of  Manchester,  N.H., 
of  July  26,  1888,  has  the  following  obituary  of 
Lucius  M.  Rosebrook,  a  noted  mountain  pio 
neer,  and  one  of  the  builders  of  the  original 
Summit  House  on  Mount  Washington: 

"  Many  people  in  Manchester  knew  Lucius 
Mitchell  Rosebrook  ;  while  in  the  northern 
section  of  the  State  his  name  was  a  house 
hold  word.  He  departed  this  life  early  in  the 
present  month,  at  Harmon,  111.,  where  he  was 
residing  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Ackert.  He 
first  saw  light  in  the  town  of  Carroll,  this  State, 
March  27,  1812,  and  spent  all  his  early  life  in 
Northern  N.  H. 

"  He  came  from  a  hardy  race  of  honest- 
hearted,  strong  limbed  and  worthy  people,  and 
was  in  every  way  a  representative  of  an  illus 
trious  ancestry. 

"  In  1852,  in  company  with  Hon.  Nathan  R. 
Perkins  of  Jefferson,  who  has  several  brothers 
in  this  city,  and  Joseph  S.  Hall,  he  built  the 
original  Summit  House  on  Mount  Washington. 

"There  was  only  a  bridle  path  leading  to  the 
top  of  the  mountain  at  that  time,  and  all  the 
material  for  building  the  house  had  to  be  car 
ried  to  the  top  on  the  backs  of  men  and  ponies. 
They  retained  the  house  until  1853,  wrhen  they 
disposed  of  it  by  sale,  and  during  the  following 
year  Mr.  Rosebrook  removed  West,  and  from 
that  time  to  his  death  made  his  home  there, 
visiting  in  this  city  two  years  since. 

"The  pleasant  residence   of  Mr.  Perkins,  at 


426 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Jefferson,  was  built  by  the  deceased,  and  pur 
chased  from  him  by  the  present  owner.  Mr. 
Rosebrook  was  a  man  of  prodigious  strength 
and  many  are  the  tales  of  feats  performed  by 
him  in  the  days  of  the  early  pioneers  in  north 
ern  N.  H.  Western  papers  containing  notices 
of  his  death  spoke  of  him  as  an  exemplary 
Christian  man,  and  such  he  was.  He  had  been 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  48  years, 
and  was  a  pioneer  in  religious  worship  in  that 
section  of  the  West  to  which  he  went.  An 
aged  widow  survives  him." 

Freeman  D.  was  brought  up  under  the  par 
ental  roof  at  Jefferson  and  Lancaster,  N.  H., 
where  he  attended  school,  resuming  his  studies 
at  Dixon,  111.,  during  which  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
G.,  loth  111.  Inf.,  as  a  musician,  and  was  regu 
larly  mustered  into  the  service  at  Camp  But 
ler,  Sept.  i,  1861. 

While  in  camp  he  was  dispatched  to  Lee 
County  to  secure  recruits,  a  duty  occupying  some 
two  weeks.  He  reported  to  his  Regt.  at  Cairo 
and  Mound  City,  at  that  time  guarding  the 
construction  of  the  gunboat,  "  Flotilla,"  remain 
ing  upon  this  service  during  a  considerable  por 
tion  of  the  winter.  He  accompanied  his  Regt.  to 
Fort  Jefferson,  Ky.,  from  which  point  they  were 
ordered  on  a  reconnoissance  of  14  days  into 
Ky.,  during  which  they  captured  the  towns  of 
Burneville  and  Marysville,  and  proceeded  to 
within  a  few  miles  of  Columbus  to  ascertain  the 
strength  of  the  enemy's  fortifications,  and  then 
went  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.  In  the  frequent  expe 
ditions  in  pursuit  of  Jeff  Thompson  and  in  other 
and  more  important  services,  the  Regt.  soon  re 
ceived  distinguished  recognition.  Attached  to 
Gen.  Pope's  army,  in  the  brigade  composed  of 
loth  and  i6th  111.  and  Battalion  of  Yates'  sharp 
shooters,  it  engaged  in  the  siege  of  New  Mad 
rid,  Mo.  In  a  night  movement,  March  12,  it 
advanced  on  the  place,  driving  the  enemy's 
pickets,  establishing  earthworks  and  planting 
four  siege  guns  commanding  the  rebel  works( 
without  raising  alarm  until  daylight,  when  our 
fire  opened.  During  the  next  day  it  lay  under 
fire  of  the  enemy's  -two  forts  and  five  gunboats; 
made  sorties  in  which  it  lost  one  captain  (Carr  of 
Co.  H.)  and  two  men  killed.  The  place  was 


evacuated  during  the  night.  April  7,  crossed 
the  river  from  New  Madrid  in  the  advance  of 
Pope's  army,  intercepting  rebels  retreating  from 
Island  No.  10,  bringing  them  to  surrender  at 
Tiptonville,  resulting  in  the  capture  of  about 
6,000  men  and  a  large  amount  of  field  ar 
tillery  and  small  arms.  It  took  part  in  the 
movements  of  Pope's  army  in  the  advance 
on  Corinth,  Miss.  Had  a  brisk  fight  May 
6,  forcing  passage  through  Four  Mile  Swamp, 
losing  two  men  killed  and  five  wounded,  cap 
turing  fifteen  and  killing  an  equal  number  of 
the  enemy  whom  they  buried.  Entered  Corinth, 
May  30,  then  skirmished  with  the  rear  guard  of 
Beauregard's  army  at  Boonville.  Held  the  city 
of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  while  the  armies  of  Bragg 
and  Buell  were  racing  for  Louisville  and  were 
cut  off  from  all  communication  with  the  North 
for  five  weeks. 

In  the  almost  daily  battles  which  followed, 
the  icth  bore  a  conspicuous  part,  and  gained 
many  and  signal  honors  for  gallant  and  meri 
torious  conduct  in  the  field.  At  the  battle  of 
Missionary  Ridge  the  Regt.  operated  on  the  left 
and  shared  in  the  glory  of  that  sanguinary  and 
decisive  engagement.  From  Rocky  Face  Ridge 
to  Atlanta,  and  from  Resaca  to  Kenesaw  Mt., 
the  Regt.  participated  in  nearly  all  the  battles, 
and  always  with  great  credit  and  distinction. 
While  at  Rome,  Ga.,  Mr.  Rosebrook  was  detail 
ed  as  Brig.  Postmaster,  afterwards  detailed  by 
Gen.  Sherman  and  placed  on  the  railroad  in 
charge  of  the  mail  from  Chattanooga  to  the 
front.  He  took  the  last  mail  from  Atlanta  to 
Chattanooga,  and  on  the  way,  at  Marietta,  was 
cut  off  and  it  was  three  weeks  before  he  could 
deliver  it,  but  it  was  delivered  without  the  loss 
of  a  single  letter.  He  next  was  put  upon  the 
route  between  Chattanooga  and  Knoxville, 
upon  which  service  he  was  continued  until  his 
final  honorable  discharge  from  the  army,  Aug. 
27,  1865.  He  went  through  the  war  without 
any  serious  personal  injury,  having  been  slightly 
injured  only  once. 

Returned  home,  he  began  farming  near 
Cordova,  in  Rock  Island  Co.,  and  continued  in 
this  relation  until  1871,  when  he  removed  to 
Rock  Falls,  securing  a  position  as  Railway  Pos- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


427 


tal  Clerk,  between  Sterling  and  Shabbona,  a 
service  which  he  faithfully  and  creditably  per 
formed  for  1 8  years. 

Jan.  16,  1890,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster 
of  Rock  Falls,  of  which  office  he  is  the  present 
incumbent.  He  was  married  near  Amboy,  111., 
Feb.  22,  1866,  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  William 
P.  and  Mary  (Pyle)  Roff,  natives  of  N.  Y.  and 
N.  J.  respectively.  They  are  still  living  at  Al 
bany,  111.  Only  two  children  have  been  born 
to  this  union,  Willet  M.  and  Lucius,  both  of 
whom  died  in  childhood.  Mr.  Rosebrook  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No. 
274,  of  which  he  was  the  first  Commander,  in 
1883;  member  of  the  I.  O.O.  F.  Lodge,  No.  590, 
of  Rock  Falls,  and  its  past  Grand  Master,  and 
a  member  of  the  encampment. 

Mrs.  Rosebrook  is  a  member  of  the  Rebecca 
Lodge,  and  President  of  the  Woman's  Relief 
Corps,  No.  193.  Mr.  Rosebrook  is  a  consistent 
Republican  in  politics,  and  a  man  who  has 
achieved  through  his  own  unassisted  efforts  a 
position  and  a  name  which  invest  him  with  an 
honorable  and  distinguished  consideration. 


HON.  ThoMAS  J.  ABEL,  who  made  an  envia 
ble  record  in  the  army  of  his  adopted 
country,  was  born  in  Canada,  Feb.  15, 
1837,  °f  English  ancestry.  His  father,  a  farmer 
of  English  descent,  was  a  native  of  Canada  and 
served  in  the  military  force  of  that  country. 
The  mother's  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Ross, 
born  in  Canada,  of  Highland  Scotch  descent. 
The  early  life  of  Capt.  Abel  was  spent  in  N.  Y., 
Mich,  and  111.,  working  upon  a  farm  and  obtain 
ing  slight  educational  advantages  from  the 
primitive  schools.  In  1847  the  family  located  in 
southwest  Iowa  on  a  farm  when  there  were  no 
white  settlements  in  that  part  of  the  State,  and 
Indians  were  frequently  seen  passing  on  their 
hunting  excursions.  In  1859  Mr.  Abel  left 
school  and  made  a  trip  to  the  Rocky  Mts.  to 
recruit  his  health,  intending  to  complete  his 
collegiate  education,  for  which  plans  were  ma 
tured,  as  well  as  the  outline  for  future  work, 
but  when  the  country  called  for  loyal  men  to 


defend  its  flag,  he  did  not  hesitate,  but  gave  up 
everything  cheerfully,  and  entered  the  service. 
He  enlisted  at  Glenwood,  la.,  Sept.  5,  1861,  and 
going  injto  camp  at  Davenport  remained  until 
the  latter  part  of  Nov.,  then  went  to  Mount 
Pleasant  for  winter  quarters.  Early  in  1862, 
the  men  were  armed,  equipped  and  mustered 
in,  as  Co.  A,  4th  Iowa  Cav.  During  all  these 
months  they  had  received  no  pay  and  many 
were  almost  totally  unprepared  to  meet  neces 
sary  expenses,  and  were  so  reduced  that  they 
could  not  procure  stamps  to  send  a  letter  home. 
In  their  extremity,  Mrs.  Senator  Harlan  (her 
daughter,  now  wife  of  Hon.  Robt.  Lincoln, 
minister  to  England),  with  other  loyal  ladies  of 
Mount  Pleasant,  procured  writing  materials,  and 
Senator  Harlan  franked  5,000  envelopes,  which 
were  distributed  among  the  men,  and  thus  re 
lieved  the  necessity.  In  Feb.,  just  previous  to 
the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge, the  Regt,  was  ordered 
to  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  and  was  soon 
sent  to  Rolla,  and  after  a  few  days  marched  to 
Springfield  and  Batesville.  At  Searcy,  Ark., 
on  the  night,  of  May  12,  it  having  been  reported 
that  the  Regt,  of  Gen.  Osterhaus  had  been 
captured,  Gen.  E.  A.  Carr.  commanding  the 
Brig.,  called  for  a  volunteer  to  go  back  to  head 
quarters  at  Batesville  a  distance  50  miles  with 
dispatches.  Here  we  may  give  a  circumstance 
which  may  have  determined  the  person  who 
should  be  volunteer. 

When  Co.  A.  was  organized,  the  Capt.  elect 
ed  was  a  lawyer  from  Sidney,  la.,  named  Ben 
jamin  Rector  who  was  ready  on  every  occasion 
with  a  speech, -and  on  every  possible  occasion 
expressed  his  appreciation  of  the  honor  he 
enjoyed  in  commanding  such  a  select  body  of 
men  of  such  high  character  and  ability,  and 
indicated  that  such  a  superior  company  of  men 
would  doubtless  be  chosen  as  the  bodyguard 
of  Gov.  Kirkwood.  He  pictured  the  advanta 
ges  this  would  bring,  as  the  adopted  son  of  the 
Governor  would  become  an  officer  in  the  Co., 
and  the  captain  (himself)  would  be  Major  of 
the  Regt,  and  asked  for  an  expression  from 
the  men.  Mr.  Abel,  in  a  maiden  speech,  stated 
that  as  a  soldier  he  hoped  the  Co.  was  com 
posed  of  too  good  material  to  consent  to  act 


428 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


as  bodyguard  of  any  one,  if  that  meant 
remaining  in  Iowa  instead  of  going  to  the  front 
for  active  duty  where  the  enemy  was,  and 
advanced  the  idea  that  any  promotion  or 
honor  in  the  direction  suggested  would  be  a 
disgrace,  and  also  unjust  to  the  other  officers 
of  the  Co.  who  were  willing  and  anxious  to 
earn  promotions  on  the  field.  The  men  were 
of  this  opinion  and  thus  defeated  the  captain's 
plan  of  promotion.  It  was  the  fact  that  he 
had  thus  expressed  himself  in  favor  of  soldierly 
duty  that  determined  Mr.  Able  to  volunteer 
for  this  dangerous  duty  that  Gen.  Carr  re 
quired,  and  it  also  influenced  his  subsequent 
army  service.  Bravely  starting  out  where  the 
chances  of  capture  or  death  were  at  least  two 
to  one  against  him,  he  arrived  at  Gen.  Curtis' 
headquarters  and  on  account  of  the  danger 
was  held  four  days  before  he  was  permited  to 
return  with  his  message. 

The  Regt.  moved  by  forced  march  to  Helena, 
and  when  in  July,  Gen.  Curtis  went  to  St.  Louis 
accompanied  by  his  staff  to  arrange  for  assum 
ing  command  of  the  army  of  the  Southwest, 
Mr.  Abel  was  left  at  Helena  in  charge  of  the 
Staff  train  commissary,  and  sanitary  supplies 
belonging  to  it.  In  Aug.  he  was  ordered  to 
report  to  Gen.  Curtis  at  St.  Louis,  and  arriving 
was  appointed  clerk  at  headquarters,  remaining 
in  this  position  about  a  year.  During  this  time 
the  enlistment  of  colored  troops  was  author 
ized  and  Mr.  Abel  was  commissioned  Capt.  of 
Co.  B.,  3rd  Arkansas  A.  D.,  afterwards  known  as 
the  56th  U.  S.  C.  I.  While  drilling  these  troops 
the  officers  were  subject  to  every  possible  taunt 
and  insult  that  could  be  given  by  the  citizens 
of  Mo.  In  recruiting,  officers  were  scattered 
over  the  State  and  in  several  instances  were 
arrested  by  the  citizens  and  held  as  pris 
oners  until  released  by  military  authority. 
When  the  colored  troops  were  first  drilled  with 
arms,  complaints  were  sent  to  Gov.  Gambel,  by 
the  citizens,  who  influenced  him  to  such  an 
extent  that  he  ordered  the  troops  to  be  dis 
armed,  and  the  guns  were  packed  in  their  cases 
and  the  men  placed  on  guard  without  arms. 
It  appears  that  this  order  was  issued  without 
authority  and  the  next  day  the  arms  were  dis 


tributed  again.  About  this  time  Gen.  Schoficld 
assumed  command  of  the  Department  of  the 
Southwest,  relieving  Gen.  Curtis,  and  from  this 
time  there  was  constant  opposition  and  com 
plaint  in  regard  to  arming  the  colored  troops. 
This  opposition  wras  carried  to  an  extreme  and 
became  so  strong  that  the  Regt.  was  ordered 
to  Helena  just  after  the  fall  of  Vicksburg.  On 
the  day  the  Regt.  marched  through  St.  Louis, 
fearing  an  outbreak  on  the  part  of  the  people, 
the  guns  were  ordered  to  be  loaded  with  pow 
der  and  ball,  and  the  Regt.  was  then  marched 
through  the  principal  streets,  it  being  the  first 
time  that  colored  men  had  ever  been  permitted 
to  bear  arms  as  a  military  organization  in  that 
city.  Arriving  at  Helena,  August,  1863,  this 
Regt.  and  the  6oth  U.  S.  Colored  Inf.  took 
charge  of  the  fortifications  and  outposts,  per 
forming  camp  and  garrison  duty  in  the  absence 
of  the  force  that  had  been  withdrawn  to  rein 
force  Vicksburg  and  other  points. 

Here  Capt.  Abel  was  detailed  with  two  com 
panies  to  take  charge  of  Quartermaster,  Com 
missary,  ordnance  stores  and  other  supplies  of 
the  post.  He  served  on  two  general  court- 
martials  each  occupying  more  than  a  month. 
Served  three  times  on  a  Board  of  Survey,  to  de 
termine  loss  of  arms  and  stores  by  overflow  of 
the  Miss.,  to  exhonorate  officers  in  their  re 
ports  of  storage  while  on  the  march  and  to 
estimate  loss  of  government  stores  by  sinking 
of  a  barge.  During  the  occupation  of  this 
place  by  these  troops  the  death  rate  was  very 
great,  as  the  water  was  bad  and  the  climate 
extremely  warm.  Capt.  Abel  retained  his  posi 
tion  until  the  office  was  discontinued.  During 
the  occupation  of  this  important  office,  Capt. 
Abel  performed  a  vast  amount  of  work  and 
was  constantly  on  the  alert  to  prevent  the 
smuggling  of  cotton,  food,  medicine,  and  all 
other  contraband  articles,  which,  on  account 
of  scarcity  and  price,  made  smuggling  a  profita 
ble  as  well  as  a  dangerous  occupation.  Capt. 
Abel  paroled  many  men  of  Gen.  Jeff  Thomp 
son's  rebel  army  who  came  in  and  surrendered. 
The  rebels  after  being  paroled  and  sent  to  their 
homes,  usually  continued  to  wear  the  confed 
erate  uniform,  and  this  practice,  Capt.  Abel 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


429 


ordered  to  be  discontinued  after  a  certain  date. 
While  he  held  this  position  by  appointment, 
he  also  acted  as  correspondent  of  the  Signal 
Service  of  the  Dept.  west  of  the  Miss.,  report 
ing  the  information  gathered  from  prisoners, 
captured,  deserters  and  scouts,  who  came  inside 
the  federal  lines,  giving  all  the  important 
movements  of  the  enemy  within  that  military 
district. 

April  13,  1864,  while  Provost  Marshal  at 
Helena,  Capt.  Abel  took  a  lot  of  prisoners 
to  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  on  returning  was  sent 
with  25  men  to  visit  the  county  seat  of  each 
county  within  his  military  district  with  sealed 
orders  to  be  opened  on  his  arrival  at  each 
county  seat,  the  instructions  being  to  visit 
prominent  citizens  of  each  county  and  ascer 
tain  the  popular  feeling  in  regard  to  re-estab 
lishing  the  civil  Government.  The  opinions 
were  conflicting,  but  as  a  result  of  this  trip,  a 
military  post  line  was  established  for  commer 
cial  purposes. 

Capt.  Abel  was  ordered  by  Maj.  Gen.  J.  J. 
Reynolds  to  report  to  Gen.  J.  W.  Sprague  at 
Little  Rock  for  duty  in  the  Bureau  of  Freed- 
man  Refugees  and  abandoned  lands.  He  was 
sent  to  Fort  Smith,  Ark.,  in  charge  of  a  steam 
boat  load  of  clothing,  provisions  and  seed  corn 
to  be  distributed  among  the  destitute  in  that 
locality.  Back  of  Fort  Smith  was  a  country 
that  had  been  raided  over  a  number  of  times 
by  both  armies,  thus  it  was  impoverished,  and 
the  people  came  as  far  as  sixty  miles  to  draw 
supplies  during  the  winter.  Capt.  Abel  was 
also  instructed  to  encourage  schools  as  well  as 
protect  them,  for  both  the  whites  and  the 
blacks.  He  visited  many  localities  as  far  north 
as  Springfield,  Mo.,  where  there  were  collec 
tions  of  colored  people.  About  June  ist,  1866, 
Capt.  Abel  was  ordered  to  Columbia,  where  the 
people  had  failed  to  organize  their  local  gov 
ernment  satisfactorily  and  had  petitioned  for 
an  officer  to  be  sent  to  assist. 

After  this  matter  was  adjusted  he  was  taken 
seriously  sick  for  the  first  time  in  his  five  years' 
service.  Fearing  the  consequences  of  remain 
ing  in  the  Southern  climate,  he  asked  to  be  re 
lieved,  and  Nov.  6,  1866,  was  mustered  out  at 


Little  Rock,  having  served  five  years,  two 
months. 

At  one  time  the  name  of  Capt.  Abel  was 
sent  forward  for  promotion  to  Major,  but  on 
account  of  official  jealousy  was  not  favorably 
endorsed,  but  afterwards  he  was  made  brevet 
major  for  faithful  and  efficient  service,  and  no 
officer  received  higher  commendations. 

After  the  war  Capt.  Abel  came  to  Decatur 
and  engaged  in  mearchandising,  which  he  has 
continued  since.  He  was  married  in  1864,  at 
Decatur,  to  Bidana  Locke,  born  in  Pa.,  of  Vir 
ginian  ancestry.  Her  father  was  a  Chaplain  in 
the  Union  army.  Three  children  were  born : 
Marion,  Louis,  and  Clara,  all  living.  Capt.  Abel 
was  again  married  in  1877,  at  Decatur,  to  Susan 
Hinman  Sine  of  that  place.  She  is  the  mother 
of  three  children — Jean,  Flossie  and  Celeste. 

In  politics,  Capt.  Abel  is  a  Republican,  hav 
ing  cast  his  first  vote  for  J.  C.  Fremont.  He 
has  held  a  number  of  important  offices  and  was 
a  member  of  the  city  council  two  terms,  was 
then  candidate  for  Mayor  and  lacked  only  57 
votes  of  election.  In  1876  he  was  elected  to 
the  Legislature,  serving  in  the  3Oth  111.  As 
sembly,  and  has  not  been  actively  engaged  in 
politics  since,  although  supporting  the  party 
candidates. 

Hon.  Thomas  J.  Abel  is  a  member  of  Macon 
Lodge,  No.  8,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  the  G.  A.  R.  and 
has  been  an  official  member  and  trustee  of  the 
M.  E.  Church.  A  brother,  John  L.  Abel,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  late  war  and  on  account  of  his 
service  has  been  in  delicate  health  since. 


M 


AJ.  GEN.  FRANZ  SIGEL.  This  distin 
guished  German  patriot  and  soldier 
was  born  at  Zinsheim,  Roumania,  No 
vember  i8th,  1824.  He  was  thoroughly  edu 
cated  at  the  civil  and  military  schools  of 
Germany,  and  was  given  an  honorable  po 
sition  in  the  Ordnance  Department  of  his 
government.  He  became  distinguished  as  an 
engineer,  and  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  scientific  artillerists  of  his  age.  He  was 
at  one  time  in  the  army  of  the  Grand  Duke  of 


430 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Baden  with  the  rank  of  Adjutant.  He  espoused 
the  cause  of  the  Revolutionists  of  1848,  and 
took  a  command  in  the  Revolutionary  army. 
His  skill  as  a  tactician  and  his  professional 
ability  gave  him  a  vast  influence  and  soon  raised 
him  to  high  command,  and  established  him  as 
a  leader.  The  revolutionary  movement  was 
doomed  to  defeat,  notwithstanding  the  ability 
of  its  leaders.  Their  army  was  surprised,  and 
on  one  occasion  General  Sigel  successfully  con 
ducted  a  retreat  with  30,000  men  pursued  by 
80,000.  He  finally  concentrated  his  defeated 
and  demolished  troops  in  the  fortress  of  Rastadt. 
Upon  the  dissolution  of  the  Provincial  govern 
ment  he  sought  refuge  in  Switzerland.  Being 
expelled  from  there  he  emigrated  to  the  U.  S., 
and  was  engaged  for  some  years  as  Prof,  of 
Mathematics  in  a  N.  Y.  academy,  and  was  also 
connected  with  the  5th  N.  Y.  militia.  In  1858 
he  settled  in  St.  Louis,  and  became  a  professor 
in  one  of  her  colleges.  When  the  rebellion  was 
precipitated  by  the  slaveholders,  he  tendered 
his  services  to  the  country  of  his  adoption,  and 
was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  3rd  Regt. 
of  Mo.  Vols.,  which  was  raised  in  St.  Louis. 
In  connection  with  the  lamented  Lyon,  Sigel 
was  largely  instrumental  in  saving  Mo.  to  the 
Union.  He  was  in  command  at  the  battle  of 
Carthage,  which  was  fought  July  5,  1861,  against 
Price  and  Jackson,  in  which  they  were  defeated 
with  great  loss. 

His  next  serious  engagement  was  at  Wilson's 
Creek,  Aug.  loth,  when  he,  with  Gen.  Lyon, 
who  was  in  command,  with  5,000  troops  made 
an  attack  on  the  rebel  forces  under  McCullough 
numbering  25,000  men.  In  this  engagement 
Gen.  Lyon  was  killed  and  they  were  driven 
back,  but  by  a  skillful  retreat  Sigel  saved  the 
Union  army.  At  Rolla  to  which  place  Sigel 
had  retreated  he  was  made  a  Brig.-Gen.  which 
dated  from  May  I7th,  served  in  the  campaign 
of  Gen.  Fremont,  and  subsequently  in  Mo.  and 
Ark.,  under  Gen.  Curtis.  He  planned  the 
battle  of  Pea  Ridge  and  took  an  active  part  in 
the  conflict,  May  6,  and  8,  1862.  Having  some 
difficulty  with  Halleck,  Sigel  resigned  his  com 
mission.  He  was  called  to  Washington  and 
was  tendered  the  appointment  of  Maj.-Gen., 


which  he  accepted  and  was  placed  in  com 
mand  of  Harper's  Ferry,  June  22nd.  After  the 
resignation  of  Gen.  Fremont,  Gen.  Sigel  took 
command  of  his  corps,  June  26th,  and  did  ex 
cellent  service  in  Northern  Va.,  during  the  brief 
campaign  of  Gen.  Pope,  taking  a  conspicuous 
part  in  the  2nd  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Aug.  3Oth. 
Subsequently  he  was  placed  in  command  of  the 
1 2th  A.  C.,  with  which  he  had  several  hard 
fought  engagements  with  Stonewall  Jackson. 
In  March,  1864,  he  succeeded  to  the  command 
of  the  department  of  W.  Va.  After  the  battle 
of  New  Market,  May  I5th,  in  which  Gen.  Sigel 
was  defeated,  he  resigned  his  commission  and 
returned  to  civil  life.  He  settled  in  N.  Y.  City. 
In  1871  he  was  chosen  register.  He  has  been 
quite  active  there  and  has  been  a  leading  spirit 
in  N.  Y.  politics. 

Gen.  Sigel  was  an  able  and  faithful  officer 
and  nobly  served  the  Government  of  his  adop 
ted  country,  when  she  was  threatened  with 
dismemberment.  From  youth  up,  his  life  has 
been  donated  to  the  cause  of  freedom.  Having 
been  banished  from  his  native  country  for  his 
Republican  principles,  it  was  but  natural  that  he 
should  espouse  the  cause  of  those  principles 
in  the  country  of  his  adoption,  and  draw  his 
sword  for  the  defense  of  the  Union.  He  will 
be  always  held  in  grateful  rememberance  and 
honored  by  the  American  people  when  the 
thrones  of  tyranny  shall  have  crumbled  into 
dust,  when  the  old  dynasties  of  Furope  shall 
have  been  forgotten,  when  oppression  shall 
cease  to  exist,  and  confederacies  founded  upon 
human  slavery  shall  be  regarded  as  institutions 
of  barbarism. 


GEO.  C.   PROUDSTONE,  Color  Sergeant  of 
53rd  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  was  the  son  of  Rich 
ard  and  Elizabeth  Proudstone  and  was 
born  in  Fayette  Co.,  Pa,,  Aug.  30,   1829.      He 
removed  with  the  family  to  La  Salle  Co.,  111., 
in  1854.     Enlisted  in  the  army  in  Nov.  1861,  as 
Color  Bearer  of  the   53rd   111.  Vol.      He   took 
part  in  all  the  battles  in   which  his   Regt.   was 
engaged    during  the  campaign    leading   up  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


431 


the  battle  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  12,  1863.  He 
was  mortally  wounded  in  that  battle  and  left  on 
the  field  to  be  taken  prisoner  by  the  Rebels. 
His  flag  was  taken  from  his  bosom  by  a  Rebel 
officer  and  was  not  heard  of  again  until  recently. 
For  six  days  he  remained  a  prisoner  of  war. 
He  was  then  retaken  and  sent  to  the  Union 
hospital  near  Vicksburg,  where  he  died  in  the 
hands  of  his  comrades,  July  23,  1863.  His  body 
was  at  once  sent  home  to  his  parents  and  in 
terred  in  the  family  burying  ground  in  Farm 
Ridge  Township.  About  six  years  ago  the 
following  appeared  in  the  National  Tribune; 
"There  is  a  U.  S.  flag  at  the  War  Department 
the  history  of  which  the  authorities  know  noth 
ing  about  except  that  it  was  found  in  the  Con 
federate  War  Department  and  is  marked  with 
the  name  of  the  "53d  111.  Inf."  The  flag  shows 
evident  signs  of  hard  fighting  in  its  neighbor 
hood,  for  it  is  pierced  in  many  places  with 
bullet  holes,  and  through  the  starry  field  and  in 
many  places  in  the  silken  stripes,  are  gaping 
holes  where  pieces  of  shells  have  torn  their 
way.  Their  is  no  flag  staff  attached  and  the 
folds  arc  deeply  stained  with  broad  stripes  of 
blood  hinting  that  some  gallant  Color-Sergeant 
had  torn  it  from  the  staff  and  folded  it  away  in 
his  breast  to  save  it  from  capture,  and  had 
poured  out  his  own  life's  blood  on  the  flag  he  had 
sworn  to  defend."  This  attracted  the  attention 
of  Gov.  Oglesby  of  111.  who  at  once  ordered  the 
flag  sent  to  him.  Investigation  proved  that  it 
was  none  other  than  the  one  carried  by  Color- 
Bearer  Proudstone  of  the  23d  111.  Vol. 

Mr.  Pierce  in  a  communication  to  a  New 
Orleans  paper  says,  that  he  himself  took  the 
flag  from  the  bosom  of  the  Color  Sergeant  and 
turned  it  over  to  the  Confederate  War  Depart 
ment.  The  flag  is  now  on  exhibition  in  Memo 
rial  Hall  at  Springfield,  111.,  as  one  of  the 
highly  valued  mementoes  of  that  terrible  war. 

ISAAC  N.  COAKLEY,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
and  a  resident  of  Galesburg,   111.,    was  born 
at  Faitfield,  Ohio,  Sept.  20,   1840.     He   re 
ceived  a  good   common   school  education  and 


when  in  1861,  the  electric  wires  flashed  the 
news  of  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter, 
comrade  Coakley  was  up  and  responded  to  the 
very  first  call  for  75,000  volunteers.  The  same 
month,  April  1861,  we  find  him  enlisted  in  Co. 
D.,  1 7th  Ohio  Inf.  During  the  three  months' 
service  he  served  actively  in  W.  Va.,  and  two 
days  after  the  expiration  of  its  term,  the  company 
and  Regt.  reorganized  and  he  re-enlisted  for 
three  years.  Forward  he  went  to  the  field  of 
glory  and  also  of  death  and  horror.  His  first 
experience  under  fire  was  at  Wild  Cat  where 
they  fought  Zollicoffer.  Jan.  19,  1862,  he  was 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Mill  Springs,  Ky.  and 
subsequently  he  was  facing  the  enemy's  fire  in 
some  of  the  bloodiest  and  hottest  battles  of  the 
rebellion,  among  others  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
April  7,  1862;  Perrysville  Oct.  8;  Stone  River 
Dec.  31;  Chickamagua  Sept.  19,  and  20,  1863; 
Missionary  Ridge,  Nov.  23,  and  25th.  The 
fact  that  the  Union  forces  suffered  a  loss  of  53, 
068  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  these 
five  battles,  well  establishes  the  importance  of 
these  engagements.  The  memory  of  that  gal 
lant  and  heroic  charge  our  "boys"  made  at 
Lookout  Mountain  with  the  brave  "Ike" 
Coakley  in  the  lead,  being  the  first  man  in  his 
Regt.  to  enter  the  Rebel  breastworks,  will  echo 
through  history  long  after  the  heroes  are  dead 
and  gone.  For  his  valor  and  bravery  in  this 
sanguinary  battle  our  comrade  was  promoted 
to  Sergeant,  even  while  yet  in  the  field,  immedi 
ately  after  the  fight.  After  months  of  hard 
marching,  skirmishes  and  camp  duty,  the 
three  years  expired,  but  our  loyal  Sergeant 
was  staunch  in  his  love  for  the  grand  "old  flag" 
and  enlisted  a  third  time.  During  the  long 
arduous  and  memorable  Atlanta  campaign, 
from  May  ist  to  Sept.  1,1864,  Sergeant  Coakley 
now  in  charge  of  twelve  men,  was  actively  en 
gaged,  being  detailed  to  take  charge  of  the 
surplus  baggage  of  the  brigade. 

Subsequently  he  participated  in  the  memor 
able  march  to  the  sea,  and  after  the  capture  of 
Savannah  we  find  him  in  the  victorious,  but  dif 
ficult  march  homeward,  during  which  he 
had  charge  of  the  Brig,  headquarters  guard. 
Onward,  through  the  Carolinas,  through  swamps 


432 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


and  rivers  on  to  Raleigh,  Goldsboro,  Richmond 
and  finally  joining  the  grand  review  at  Wash 
ington.  After  remaining  at  the  Capital  for 
three  weeks,  they  moved  to  Louisville  when  our 
subject  went  on  a  short  furlough  to  see  his  sick 
father.  Returning,  he  was  finally  mustered  out 
June  23,  1865,  after  over  four  years  of  hard 
marching  and  hard  fighting.  He  returned  to 
Logan,  Ohio,  where  he  was  married  to  Jennie 
Shrader,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  A.  J.  Shrader, 
of  Logan,  Ohio,  by  which  union  there  were 
born  three  children  :  Herrman,  Fred  and  Mabel. 
Mr.  Coakley  later  moved  to  Straitsville,  Ohio, 
and  was  its  Postmaster  under  President  Hayes. 
Later  he  was  elected  as  City  Marshal,  and  did 
most  efficient  service  in  that  capacity  during 
the  big  strikes  of  1873,  when  600  men  were 
fighting  and  shooting,  with  Comrade  Coakley 
as  the  sole  officer  to  keep  peace.  In  1875,  he 
removed  to  a  farm  in  Henry  Co.,  111.,  and  three 
years  later  he  went  to  Knoxville,  same  State, 
where  he  served  six  years  as  city  Marshal.  In 
1888  he  removed  to  Galesburg,  111.,  and  has 
served  on  the  police  force  ever  since.  Mr. 
Coakley  is  a  large  bodied,  large  hearted  man, 
is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  is  a  most 
efficient  officer,  whose  tall  and  stately  form 
commands  universal  admiration. 


JOHN   V.    BROWN,  of  Knoxville,  a  native  of 
Knox  County,  111.,  enlisted  in  Co.  D.,  7th 
111.,  Cav.  in  Nov.,   1863,  going  to  Camp 
Yates  at  Springfield  and  thence  to  St.   Louis, 
and  Memphis,  joining  the  Regt.  at  LaGrange, 
Tenn.     The  first  engagement  in  which  he  par 
ticipated  was  at  Moscow,  where  Gen.   Hatch 
was  wounded,  and  was  next  in  action  at  a  point 
1 8  miles  northeast  of  LaGrange,  where  about 
one  half  of  his  Regt.  was  captured. 

Mr.  Brown  narrowly  escaped  capture  by 
swimming  across  a  creek  and  finally  going  into 
hiding  at  the  suggestion  of  a  citizen,  who  pro 
vided  him  with  food  for  himself  and  his  com 
panions.  They,  after  a  day  or  two  rejoined 
their  command  at  LaGrange.  They  were  after 
ward  constantly  on  the  move,  but  had  no  hard 


fighting  until  the  battle  at  Franklin,  in  which 
they  did  gallant  and  effective  service.  In  the 
morning  of  the  first  day's  battle  at  Nashville 
they  were  dismounted  and  went  into  the  fight 
on  foot,  charging  the  works,  capturing  two 
forts  and  repulsing  the  enemy.  They  remained 
on  the  field  during  the  night,  renewing  the  bat 
tle  the  next  morning  and  assisting  in  driving 
Hood  from  his  intrenchment.  Getting  their 
horses,  they  started  in  pursuit,  fighting  every 
day  until  Christmas,  and  at  Pulaski,  which  was 
the  last  fight  the  Regt.  was  in,  Hood  was  thor 
oughly  routed  and  discomfited.  They  went 
into  winter  quarters  at  Gravelly  Springs,  thence 
moving  on  to  East  Port,  Miss.  Here  they 
remained  until  June,  thence  going  to  luka, 
Miss.,  and  then  to  Aberdeen  and  to  Decatur, 
Ala.  At  Madison  Station  they  were  ordered 
to  report  to  Nashville  to  be  mustered  out.  Mr. 
Brown  reaching  home  Nov.  18,  and  resumed 
farming  which  he  has  continued  since. 

He  was  married  in  1870,  to  Alice,  daughter 
of  J.  B.  Hirshberger,  of  Knox  Co.  They  have 
had  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living, 
two -having  died  in  childhood.  They  are, 
Myrtle  (Mrs.  Wm.  Beaumaster),  Mary,  Del- 
mar,  Bessie,  and  Alfred.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  char 
ter  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  239,  of  Knox 
ville,  and  is  a  very  successful  farmer  and  an 
honorable  and  highly  respected  member  of  his 
community. 


M 


AJ.  GEN.  B.  F.  BUTLER,  was  born  at  South 
Deerfield,  N.  H.,  Nov.  5,  1818.  Educa 
ted  at  Waterville  College,  Me.,  and 
studied  law  at  Lowell,  Mass.  He  was  for  many 
years  an  officer  in  the  militia  of  that  State. 
Commissioned  Brig.  Gen.  of  the  U.  S.  Volun 
teer  service  April  28,  and  Maj.  Gen.,  May  16, 
1861.  He  belongs  to  a  military  family.  His 
grandfather  fought  with  Gen.  Wolfe  at  the  siege 
of  Quebec,  and  in  the  first  American  Revolu 
tion,  and  his  father,  John  Butler,  was  an  officer 
in  the  British  war.  The  first  10  years  of  Gen. 
Butler's  business  life  was  spent  in  the  practice 
of  law  in  Lowell,  Mass.  He  then  removed  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


433 


Boston.  During  his  residence  at  this  place  he 
mingled  in  the  political  affairs  of  the  State  and 
Nation;  was  an  ardent  Democrat  and  a  leading 
partisan.  He  was  several  times  elected  to  the 
Legislature,  having  been  a  member  of  the  Lower 
House  and  Senate  from  1853  to  1859.  In  1860 
he  attended  the  Charleston  Democratic  Con 
vention,  and  took  a  leading  part  in  its  exciting 
debates.  He  was  chosen  a  member  of  the 
Committee  on  Platform.  The  majority  report 
of  this  committee  proposed  to  demand  of  the 
Government  "protection  for  the  internal  slave 
trade  and  for  slavery  in  the  Territories."  The 
minority  report  assumed  that  the  "Supreme 
Court  should  furnish  all  necessary  protection 
to  the  slave  interests."  After  the  merits  of 
these  reports  had  been  presented  by  their  re 
spective  friends,  Butler  offered  a  third  report, 
recommending  the  Cincinnati  Platform,  which 
had  been  adopted  four  years  previously,  and 
upon  which  Mr.  Buchannan  had  made  a  suc 
cessful  race  for  the  Presidency.  This  platform  left 
the  subject  of  slavery  open  and  the  Territories 
free  to  all  settlers.  Through  the  arguments  and 
personal  influence  of  Mr.  Butler,  his  report  was 
adopted  by  a  large  majority  of  the  Convention. 
When  nominations  came  up,  he  voted  for  Judge 
Douglas,  until  satisfied  that  his  name  was  una 
vailable.  Dropping  him  he  voted  for  Jeff.  Davis 
in  all  succeeding  ballots.  The  coincidence  will 
be  interesting  when  it  is  remembered  that  soon 
after,  Davis  (then  President  of  the  treasonable 
Confederacy),  in  an  official  manifesto,  pro 
claimed  this  same  Butler  "an  outlaw  and  com 
mon  enemy  to  mankind,  and  ordered  all  rebel 
officers  and  soldiers  to  have  the  said  Ben.  F. 
Butler  hung  as  soon  as  captured." 

After  the  Charleston  Convention  he  con 
tinued  to  act  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  in 
1860  was  a  candidate  for  Gov.  of  Mass,  on  the 
Breckenridge  Democratic  ticket.  During  the 
winter  of  1860  and  1861,  he  was  in  Washington, 
where  he  met  the  State  Commissioners  who 
visited  the  Capital  for  the  purpose  of  inducing 
the  President  to  recognize  the  secession  of  S. 
C.  From  Butler's  known  antecedents  and  con 
nection  with  the  Democratic  party,  the  South 
expected  to  find  in  him  a  firm  friend  and  a  bold 

27 


advocate.     Greatly  to  their  surprise,  he  rejected 
all  the  advances  of  the  S.  C.  Commissioners 
and  denounced  the  wicked  scheme  of  secession. 
He  earnestly  expostulated  with   them   on  the 
folly  and  madness  of  any  attempt  to  break  up 
the  Union;  warned  them  that  the  North  would 
never  consent  to  peaceable  secession;  that  war 
would  result,  and  the  ruin  of  the  South  would 
necessarily  follow.     In  reference  to  this  extra 
ordinary  commission  from    S.  C.,  Butler   pro 
posed  to  the  President  to  arrest  and  hold  them 
as  prisoners  of  State,  try  them    for  treason,  in 
the  Supreme  Court,  and,  if  found  guilty,  hang 
them  instanter.     Such  a  proceeding,  he  argued, 
would  deter  all  plotters  and  emissaries  of  trea 
son.     Mr.  Buchanan  and  his  advisors  rejected 
this  wholesome  counsel,  and  vainly  attempted 
to  conciliate  the  disaffected  Southerners.     But 
ler  returned  to  Mass,  and  warned  the  Gov.  to 
prepare  for  war.     That  officer  accordingly  be 
gan  to  organize  the  State  militia,  anticipating  a 
call  for  troops.     As  Butler  had  forewarned  the 
Executive,  the   call   soon    came,  and  when  it 
reached  the  State  Department  Butler  was  plead 
ing  a  case  in  court.     It  was  his   last  case.     He 
left  the  court-house  and   addressed  himself  at 
once  to  the  business  of  war. 

A  Brig,  was  raised,  and  General  Butler 
placed  in  command.  In  compliance  with  or 
ders  from  the  War  Department,  the  troops 
were  sent  to  Washington  as  fast  as  they  re 
ported.  The  6th  Mass.  Regt.  of  this  Brig,  was 
mobbed  in  the  streets  of  Baltimore  on  their 
way  to  the  Capital.  With  the  8th  Regt.  the 
commander  in  person  started  for  the  seat  of 
Govt.  A  sufficient  force  having  arrived  to  se 
cure  the  Capital,  a  military  department  was 
formed  in  Md.,  and  Butler  placed  in  command, 
headquarters  at  Annapolis.  The  State  Legis 
lature  being  in  session,  one  of  his  first  official 
acts  was  to  notify  that  body  that  if  they  passed 
an  ordinance  of  secession  he  would  arrest  all 
the  members  of  both  houses.  Gen.  Butler  pro 
posed  to  Gen.  Scott,  Commander-in-Chief,  to 
defend  Washinton  by  fortifying  and  holding 
Manassas  Junction.  He  offered,  should  the 
War  Dept.  approve  the  measure,  to  take  the 
responsibility  of  its  execution  with  two  Regts. 


434 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


of  soldiers.  This  suggestion  was  rejected,  and 
in  a  very  short  time  the  Rebels  saw  the  import 
ance  of  the  position,  took  possession,  fortified 
and  held  it.  The  possession  of  this  important 
strategic  point  enabled  the  enemy  to  achieve 
their  first  and  only  great  victory  at  the  battle 
of  Bull  Run.  May  16,  Gen.  Butler  was  trans 
ferred  from  Annapolis  to  the  command  of  a 
department  of  Fortress  Monroe.  Having  been 
made  Maj.-Gen.  he  was  placed  in  command  of 
10,000  men.  Soon  after  his  arrival  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  large  numbers  of  slaves  escaped  from 
the  revolted  districts,  and  came  within  the  mil 
itary  lines.  He  refused  to  surrender  them  to 
their  owners,  and  employed  them  in  the  Govt. 
service.  Aug.  18,  Gen.  Butler  was  succeeded  by 
Gen.  Wool,  and  placed  in  command  of  an  ex 
pedition  against  Fort  Hatteras,  N.  C.  The  ex 
pedition  was  signally  successful.  In  Oct.,  1862 
he  was  ordered  to  raise  six  new  Regts.  in  New 
England,  for  three  years'  service.  He  performed 
this  service  with  his  characteristic  energy.  The 
troops  were  soon  recruited,  organized  and  re 
ported  ready  for  duty.  In  an  interview  with 
the  President,  Gen.  Butler  was  asked  if  he 
could  take  New  Orleans.  Answering  in  the 
affirmative,  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  an  ex 
pedition  for  that  purpose. 

January  23d,  1862,  the  expedition  left  Fort 
ress  Monroe,  and  reached  the  Miss.  River  Feb. 
23d.  Two  formidable  forts,  Jackson  and  St. 
Philips,  defended  the  river,  and  the  city  could 
not  be  reached" until  they  were  taken.  For  six 
days  the  forts  were  bombarded  by  the  fleet  un 
der  Capt.  Farragut.  The  Gen.  was  disappointed 
in  the  result.  The  shelling  produced  no  effect; 
the  forts  still  held  out.  On  the  morning  of  the 
24th  of  April  twelve  vessels  of  the  co-operat 
ing  squadron  ran  past  the  hostile  forts.  In  the 
meantime  Gen.  Butler  had  landed  troops  to  as 
sault  the  works  as  soon  as  the  necessary  prep 
arations  could  be  made.  On  the  27th  the  gar 
risons  in  the  forts  mutinied  and  surrendered  to 
the  U.  S.  forces.  May  ist  Gen.  Butler  landed 
and  took  possession  of  the  Crescent  City.  He 
ordered  the  National  flag  to  be  raised  on  all 
public  buildings,  issued  a  proclamation  threat 
ening  the  severest  punishments  on  any  insult 


offered  to  the  same,  and  guaranteeing  full  pro-' 
tection  of  person  and  property  to  loyal  and 
peaceful  citizens.  Many  serious  and  unfore 
seen  difficulties  awaited  the  commander  of  this 
revolted  city.  All  civil  authority  ceased,  and 
society  was  in  utter  confusion.  A  master  hand 
was  needed  to  grapple  with  difficulties  so  nu 
merous  and  so  complicated.  Gen  Butler 
proved  to  be  the  man  for  the  occasion  and  en 
countered  the  many  troubles  and  contended 
with  the  severest  and  unmitigated  hostilities  of 
the  secessionists,  with  phenomenal  skill,  valor 
and  diplomacy.  Here  he  ably  contended  with 
the  severest  unmitigated  hostility  of  the  seces 
sionists. 

Dec.  24,  1862,  Gen.  Butler  was  relieved  from 
the  command  at  New  Orleans,  and  ordered  to 
report  at  Washington.  He  was  next  placed  in 
command  of  the  i8th  A.  C.,  and  sent  again  to 
Fortress  Monroe.  His  command  was  extended 
until  it  embraced  the  army  of  the  James  River, 
with  which  he  efficiently  co-operated  with 
Grant  in  the  capture  of  Richmond.  He  con 
tinued  in  the  field  until  the  armies  of  the 
James  and  Potomac  passed  into  the  immediate 
command  of  Gen.  Grant,  then  Butler  took 
command  of  an  expedition  against  Fort  Fisher, 
on  the  Cape  Fear  River,  near  Wilmington, 
N.  C.  He  soon  after  retired  from  the  field, 
but  remained  in  service  until  after  the  close  of 
the  war,  when  he  voluntarily  retired  to  the 
peaceful  avocations  of  private  life. 

Gen.  Butler's  military  career  is  full  of  in 
cidents,  trials  and  successes.  He  has  held 
many  positions — critical  and  responsible — 
sometimes  surrounded  by  difficulties  which 
would  have  overtaxed  the  abilities  of  most 
men.  His  capacity  has  been  tested  by  the 
most  rigorous  ordeal  known  in  peace  or  war, 
and  he  has  never  failed  to  show  himself  equal 
to  the  emergency.  He  fought  but  few  battles 
on  the  field  and  gained  but  few  victories — his 
prominent  ability  as  a  statesman  and  jurist  in 
dicating  him  for  appointments  in  which  he 
was  occupied  in  administrative  duties.  The 
campaigns  he  undertook  were  prosecuted  with 
all  that  vigor  and  energy  which  characterized 
his  administration  of  government.  No  man  is 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


43: 


more  universally  detested  in  the  South,  and 
few  are  regarded  with  more  favor  by  the  loyal 
men  of  the  Nation.  He  retired  from  his  long 
service  in  the  army  with  the  proud  conscious 
ness  of  having  fought  the  monster,  Secession, 
from  its  very  first  stand  until  its  last  retreat. 
Convinced  from  the  first  that  it  was  the  incar 
nation  of  evil,  he  pursued  the  vile  heresy  into 
its  darkest  dens,  was  in  at  its  death,  and  helped 
to  bury  it  under  merited  infamy  and  the  curses 
of  the  American  people. 

In  person  Gen.  Butler  is  a  hale,  stout  look 
ing  man,  about  five  feet,  nine  inches  high,  full 
medium  size,  large  round  head,  very  bald;  full 
brown  eyes,  very  restless;  upper  lid  of  the  left 
eye  slightly  depressed.  He  wears  a  heavy 
black  mustache,  but  no  beard;  speaks  rapidly 
and  usually  in  a  sarcastic  and  critical  vein. 
He  impresses  the  listener  with  the  idea  that 
Ben  Butler  is  not  only  a  rigid  commander  in 
war,  but  a  stern  ruler  in  peace. 


JAMES  M.  ROTH,  of  Fisher,  111.,  entered  the 
Union  Army  Aug.  2,  1862  as  a  private  in 
Co.  I.  107  111.  Vol.  Inf.  His  first  expe 
rience  in  war  was  when  called  upon  to  face  the 
Rebels  at  Manfordsville,  Ky.  He  next  moved 
to  Thompsonsville,  Ky.,  then  crossed  the 
mountains  to  East  Tenn.,  fought  in  the  battles 
of  Huff's  Ferry  and  Doudridge  and  then  moved 
to  Fort  Negley  and  Knoxville.  On  Nov.  16, 
1863  he  joined  in  the  Chattanooga  expedition 
and  participated  in  the  desperate  battles  of 
Campbell's  Station,  Lookout  Mt.  and  Mission- 
Ridge.  In  Feb.  he  was  in  that  at  Buzzard's 
Roost  and  whilst  on  the  Atlanta  Campaign 
fought  in  the  charge  upon  Kenesaw  Mt.  and  in 
the  battle  of  Lovejoy's  Station.  After  the  fall 
of  Atlanta,  Mr.  Roth's  command  assisted  in 
the  pursuit  of  Hood  and  had  engagements  at 
Spring  Hill,  Bear  Walla  and  again  at  Franklin. 
In  this  battle  Mr.  Roth  was  struck  in  the  hip, 
captured  and  held  for  4  weeks,  in  a  rebel  tent, 
until  the  field  was  recaptured  when  he  was 
placed  in  a  hospital  for  three  months.  Al 
though  offered,  he  refused  his  discharge,  and 


whilst  suffering  from  his  wounds  he  took  his 
place  in  the  ranks  at  Washington  and  was  soon 
after  sent  to  Ft.  Fisher,  N.  C,  where  he 
fought  and  assisted  in  taking  the  place,  then 
pressed  on  to  Ft.  Anderson  where  he  had  an 
other  conflict.  He  was  here  wounded  by  a 
limb  of  a  tree  cut  off  by  a  cannon  ball.  Al 
though  wounded  he  refused  to  leave  the  field 
and  was  soon  after  found  upon  the  battlefield 
at  Wilmington.  His  captain  observed  he  was 
unfit  for  duty  and  preemptorily  ordered  him 
out,  stating:  "boy,  you  are  unfit  to  stand  the 
hard  work."  Our  boy  persisted,  but  for  a 
third  time  the  Captain  ordered  him  to  return 
to  the  hospital  which  he  consented  to  do. 

He  rejoined  the  Regt.  at  Raleigh,  N.  C., 
where  he  was  engaged  for  the  last  time.  He 
was  detailed  to  assist  moving  the  arms  captured 
from  the  Rebels  at  that  place,  and  April  19, 
1865  news  arrived  that  Lee  had  surrendered, 
when  Mr.  Roth  drew  his  rations  that  day  he 
held  over  his  head  a  cracker  (hard  tack)  and 
said  he  would  preserve  it  as  long  as  he  lived  as 
a  memento  of  his  varied  war  experiences. 
Faithful  to  his  word  he  carried  it  home  and 
after  the  lapse  of  27  years  still  can  hold  it  up  in 
triumph.  It  has  been  exhibited  at  21  re-unions. 
He  also  has  in  his  possession  a  medal  presen 
ted  by  Mr.  Goot  for  the  capture  of  a  Rebel  spy 
at  Bacon  Creek,  Ky.,  afterwards  hung  at  Louis 
ville,  by  order  of  Gen.  Boyle.  Mr.  Roth  is 
fully  convinced  that  a  medal  presented  to  the 
youngest  enlisted  soldier  from"  111.,  although 
possessed  by  another,  belongs  rightfully  to 
him  (Roth),  as  he  lacked  8  days  of  being  14 
when  he  enlisted. 

For  a  time  he  was  on  the  staff  of  Gen. 
Haskell  as  also  upon  that  of  Gen.  Sherman, 
but  at  his  own  request  was  relieved.  He  was 
mustered  out  at  Greensborough,  N.  C.  July  21, 
1865,  having  spent  3  years  in  the  service. 


ANDREW  SIMON  CUTLER,  a  prominent  den 
tal  surgeon  of  Kankakee,  111.,  was  born 
at  West  Medway,  Mass.,  Jan.  9,  1839.  He 
is  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Cutler,  a  Puritan, 


436 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


who  came  to  this  country  in  1636,  and  settled  at 
Hingham,  Mass.,  and  became  the  head  of  along 
line  of  descendants.  Simon  Cutler,  the  great 
grandfather  of  Andrew  Simon  Cutler,  was  a  sol 
dier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  the  grand 
father,  Simon  Cutler,  located  in  Medway,  Mass., 
and  was  twice  married.  The  father  was  Edwin 
Simon  Cutler,  who  married  Martha  Grant  and 
had  eight  children  thus  described  :  Andrew 
Simon,  whose  sketch  is  here  given  ;  Adaliza, 
died  in  infancy  :  Henry  H.,  enlisted  in  the  96th 
111  Inf.,  and  was  killed  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in 
1864  ;  William  E.,  died  at  the  age  of  one  year  ; 
Laura,  died  at  the  age  of  19  ;  Leslie  G.,  a  resi 
dent  of  Creston,  Ind.,  served  in  an  Ind.  Regt.  ; 
Mary,  died  when  six  years  old  ;  Herbert,  a  mer 
chant,  living  at  Lowell,  Ind. 

The  father  was  a  farmer,  who  came  West  in 
1852,  and  made  a  residence  in  Lake  Co.,  Ind. 
He  was  one  of  the  old  Garrison  and  Phillips 
abolitionists,  very  earnest  and  zealous.  He  had 
a  personal  acquaintance  with  Henry  Wilson  and 
Charles  Sumner.  In  argument  on  his  political 
views  he  was  well  posted,  and  in  debate  was  a 
strong  and  able  champion  of  the  cause  that  in 
those  days  required  not  only  ability  but  bravery. 
He  died  in  Ind.,  in  1872,  but  the  mother  is  yet 
living. 

Andrew  Simon  Cutler  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  and  at  the  Waukegan  Academy, 
afterward    beginning  dental   work,  and  finally 
graduating  as  dental  surgeon,  in  1867,  at  Balti 
more  Dental  College,  which  was  the  first  dental 
college  established  in  the  world.  In  Sept.,  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  C.,  igth  Ohio  Inf.,  and  was 
mustered  in  at  Alliance,  Ohio,  and  remained 
there  one  month,  then  was  ordered  to  Camp 
Dennison,  and  afterward  to  Columbia,  Ky.,and 
the  different  points  on  the  Cumberland  River, 
performing  guard  duty  and  protecting  supplies. 
After  this  service  a  change   was  made  to 
Bowling  Green,  reaching  it   at  the  same  time 
the  rebels  evacuated  the  place.     Was  then  or 
dered  to  Nashville,  remaining  there  about  three 
weeks,  and  joining  Critttenden's  Div.,  marched 
with  him  to   Savannah,  Tenn.,  and   the  same 
night  started  for  the  battlefield  of  Shiloh.     Ar 
rived  there   Sunday  at  9  P.  M.,  and  participated 


in  the  battle  on  Monday.  Here  Dr.  Cutler  re 
ceived  a  gunshot  wound  in  the  left  knee,  and  was 
sent  to  the  Camp  Dennison,  Ohio,  Hospital, 
after  lying  in  the  field  hospital  until  the  Sat 
urday  after  the  battle.  When  the  wound  was 
dressed  the  Surgeons  thought  it  would  result 
in  the  amputation  of  the  leg,  but  he  was  fortu 
nately  spared  that  misfortune.  He  lay  in 
Camp  Dennison  until  discharged  July  29,  1862, 
when  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Lake  Co.,  Ind., 
soon  after  engaging  in  the  book  business  at 
Crown  Point. 

Dr  Cutler  was  first  married  in  April,  1864, 
in  Wilmington,  Ohio,  to  Abbie  Nickerson,  who 
died  in  1865.  He  completed  his  study  of  den 
tistry  and  commenced  to  practice  his  profes 
sion  in  Lake  and  Pulaski  Counties,  in  Ind.  In 
Dec.,  1869,  he  married  Mary  J.  Ball,  a  daugh 
ter  of  Judge  Ball,  of  Lake  Co.,  and  a  native  of 
Ind.  In  1867,  Dr.  Cutler  removed  to  Kanka- 
kee,  111.,  continuing  the  practice  of  his  profes 
sion,  and  while  by  no  means  ambitious  for  of 
fice  or  making  special  effort  to  secure  it,  he  has 
been  particularly  favored  by  his  friends  with 
many  positions  of  responsibility.  He  is  a 
charter  member  of  Whipple  Post,  No.  414,  and 
has  served  two  terms  as  its  commander;  is  a 
member  of  the  American  Association  for  the 
advancement  of  science,  and  the  American 
Institute  of  Social  and  Political  Science.  Has 
been  chairman  of  the  Educational  Committee 
on  the  Board  of  Education  in  Kankakee  for  8 
years,  and  for  the  same  length  of  time  was 
Vice-President,  and  a  director  of  the  Kan 
kakee  Building  and  Loan  Association. 

He  has  been  twice  specially  honored  by 
Whipple  Post,  No.  414.  Once  in  being  pre 
sented  with  a  beautiful  gold-headed  cane,  and 
once  with  a  magnificent  solid  gold  Grand  Army 
badge,  for  his  labors  in  securing  the  erection  of 
the  Kankakee  County  Soldiers'  Monument. 

Dr.  Cutler  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
serving  ten  years  as  Superintendent  of  Sabbath 
School.  Politically  he  is  a  strong  Republican, 
who  cast  his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln, 
and  has  since  voted  for  the  Republican  candi 
dates.  This  gentleman  at  once  impresses  those 
who  meet  him  as  a  person  of  high  aims  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


principles,  possessing  a  strength  of  character 
which  is  the  result  of  wide  culture  and  expe 
rience.  He  is  comprehensive  in  his  views  and 
conclusions,  and  his  good  judgment  has  ever 
placed  him  at  the  head  of  affairs  where  these 
qualities  are  demanded.  With  a  creditable 
war  record,  a  satisfactory  practice,  honored  by 
public  confidence  and  esteem,  Dr.  Cutler  can 
with  satisfaction  contemplate  the  place  that  he 
has  won  by  his  efforts  after  the  years  of  strug 
gle  and  conflict. 


M 


AJ.  GEN.  OLIVER  OTIS  HOWARD  was  born  at 
Leeds,  Kennebec  Co.,  Me.,  Nov.  3,  1830. 
He  was  educated  at  Bowdoin  College, 
graduated  at  the  head  of  his  class  in  1848.  In 
1850  he  entered  West  Point  Military  Academy 
from  which  he  was  graduated  fourth  in  his  class 
in  1854.  Soon  after  he  was  appointed  2nd 
Lieut  in  the  regular  army,  and  had  his  first  war 
experience  with  the  Seminole  Indians  in  Flor 
ida.  After  this  initiation  into  the  practical  side 
of  war,  he  was  called  to  West  Point,  to  assume 
the  chair  of  Asst.  Prof,  of  Mathematics,  in 
which  position  he  remained  until  the  opening 
of  the  civil  war.  He  resigned  his  position  at 
West  Point  to  enter  the  volunteer  service,  and 
was  commissioned  Col.  of  the  3rd  Regt.  that 
was  raised  in  Me.  for  the  three  years'  enlistment. 
Arriving  at  the  seat  of  war  he  was  placed  in 
command  of  a  Brig,  composed  of  Me.  Regts. 
The  disastrous  battle  of  Bull  Bun  introduced 
him  to  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  which  was 
fought  July  21,  1861,  and  in  which  the  young 
commander  distinguished  himself.  For  his 
gallant  conduct  he  was  made  Gen.  of  volunteers 
Sept.  3.  After  this  battle  he  was  assigned  to 
the  Peninsular  campaign  in  which  he  took  an 
active  part.  At  Fair  Oaks,  June  i,  one  of  Gen. 
McClellan's  first  great  battles,  Gen.  Howard 
had  two  horses  shot  from  under  him,  was  twice 
wounded,  the  result  of  one  being  the  loss  of 
his  right  arm.  Disabled  by  his  wounds  he  was 
taken  from  the  field  and  placed  under  surgical 
treatment.  He  rejoined  his  command  in  time 
to  take  part  in  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
30.  This  was  another  defeat  for  the  Union 


army,  and  as  the  commander  of  the  rear  guard, 
of  Pope's  retreating  army,  he  displayed  skill  and 
great  coolness. 

He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Antietam  un 
der  McClellan,  fought  Sept.  17,  1862,  and  was 
very  effective  in  the  management  of  his 
command.  On  November  2Qth  he  was  made 
a  Maj.-Gen.  At  the  battle  of  Fredericks- 
burg  Gen.  Howard's  command  formed  the  right 
of  the  Union  line,  under  Burnside,and  managed 
his  forces  with  great  skill  under  a  terrible  artil 
lery  fire  from  the  enemy.  The  battle  resulted  in 
the  defeat  of  the  Union  forces,  yet  the  com 
mand  of  Gen.  Howard,  with  many  others,  dis 
tinguished  itself  for  its  action  in  the  field.  April 
i,  1863,  he  was  placed  in  command  of  the  nth 
A.  C.  At  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  which 
began  May  i,  1863,  Gen.  Howard  again  distin 
guished  himself.  He  commanded  the  right  wing, 
under  Hooker,  and  was  called  on  to  meet  the 
fiery  and  intrepid  Stonewall  Jackson,  with  his 
host  of  40,000  invincibles.  Gen.  Howard  con 
stantly  voted  against  falling  back,  and  insisted 
on  continuing  the  fight  by  advancing  on  the 
rebels.  After  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  the 
two  armies  remained  inactive  for  sometime, 
when  the  main  army  of  Lee  began  its  advance 
north  in  two  Divs.  This  resulted  in  the  ever- 
memorable  battle  of  Gettysburg,  in  which  Gen. 
Howard  took  part  as  commander  of  the  nth 
Corps.  After  the  defeat  of  Gen.  Reynolds, 
Howard  had  command  of  the  army  until  the 
arrival  of  Gen.  Meade  on  the  field.  This  was 
on  the  first  day  of  the  fight  (July  i ). 

About  this  time  the  administration  had 
learned  that  the  vital  forces  of  the  enemy  lay 
in  the  southwest,  and  a  change  in  the  conduct 
of  war  was  determined  upon.  Accordingly, 
the  nth  and  I2th  corps  were  ordered  to  Chat 
tanooga,  respectively  under  the  command  of 
Generals  Howard  and  Slocum,  and  both  under 
Gen.  Hooker. 

On  reaching  the  south  side  of  the  Tenn. 
River,  his  corps  was  attacked  at  Lookout  Val 
ley.  They  made  a  gallant  stand  and  drove  the 
enemy  back  with  great  slaughter.  The  pos 
session  of  this  valley  by  the  nth  and  I2th 
corpst  restored  the  line  of  communication  be- 


438 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


tween  Bridgeport  and  Chattanooga,  and  re 
lieved  the  army  from  want  and  placed  it  again 
on  full  rations.  In  rapid  succession  the  bat 
tles  of  Lookout  Mt.  and  Missionary  Ridge 
were  fought,  and  Gen.  Howard's  corps  was 
hurried  along  up  the  Tenn.  River  into  East 
Tenn.  to  relieve  Gen.  Burnside,  who  was  hotly 
pressed  by  Longstreet  at  Knoxville.  The 
enemy  ,  however,  were  defeated  before  How 
ard's  corps  arrived  and  he  returned  to  Chatta 
nooga. 

In  April,  1864,  the  nth  and  I2th  corps  were 
consolidated  to  form  the  2Oth  corps  which  was 
given  to  Gen.  Hooker,  and  Gen.  Howard  was 
assigned  to  the  4th  A.  C.  of  the  Cumberland. 
With  this  corps  he  accompanied  Gen.  Sherman 
in  his  hundred  days  fight  between  Chatta 
nooga  and  Atlanta,  in  which  he  displayed  his 
usual  military  skill.  July  27th,  1864,  Gen. 
Howard  was,  by  the  order  of  the  War  Depart 
ment,  placed  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee  which  consisted  of  the  i/th  and  2Oth 
A.  C.  Soon  after  he  assumed  this  command, 
Gen.  Hood  made  one  of  his  desperate  and 
peculiar  sallies,  charging  on  the  Union  lines. 
Gen.  Howard's  troops  were  among  the  first  to 
meet  the  rebel  charge  which  was  repulsed 
though  yielding  stubbornly. 

In  this  engagement  the  enemy's  loss  was 
upwards  of  5,000,  while  that  of  the  Union  army 
was  about  500.  When  Gen.  Sherman  started 
on  his  final  march  to  cut  the  confederacy  in 
two,  Gen.  Howard's  command  was  selected  to 
form  the  right  wing  of  the  grand  army,  on  its 
march  to  the  sea. 

The  subsequent  march  through  the  Caro- 
linas  terminating  with  the  surrender  of  Johnston 
at  Durham  Station,  April  26,  Gen.  Howard  was 
at  the  head  of  his  department.  The  Rebellion, 
whose  chief  was  to  die  in  the  "last  ditch"  had 
vanished  like-a  mist,  and  Gen.  Howard  marched 
to  Richmond  and  then  on  to  Washington 
where,  at  the  head  of  his  brave  department,  he 
participated  in  the  grand  review,  May  24,  1865. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  Gen.  Howard 
was  appointed  Commissioner  of  the  Freed- 
man's  Bureau,  which  position  he  held  until 
1872.  Covered  with  military  glory,  he  in  this 


position  of  benevolence  furnished  indubitable 
evidence  to  the  world  that  "peace  had  its 
triumphs  more  renowned  than  war."  In  1861, 
he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  mili 
tary  academy  at  West  Point.  Gen.  Howard 
remained  in  the  army  serving  his  country  which 
he  helped  to  preserve  inviolate.  Though  he 
won  his  fame  on  battlefields,  he  is  a  Christian 
of  eminent  piety.  Some  believe  that  his  great 
success  resulted  from  the  fact  that  when  going 
into  the  battle  he  was  not  ashamed  to  kneel 
before  his  men  and  invoke  the  Divine  blessing. 
Every  Sabbath  morning  while  on  the  field  and 
surrounded  by  the  dread  conditions  of  war,  he 
would  assemble  his  staff  around  him  and  offer 
up  his  invocations  to  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  All. 
While  brave  in  war,  he  was  gentle  in  peace. 
As  a  Christian  warrior,  he  faithfully  served  his 
country,  reflecting  honor  on  it  in  the  profession 
of  arms,  and  may  justly  be  remembered  and 
honored  as  the  Havelock  of  America. 


WILLIAM  J.  GAHAGEN,  a  charter  member 
of  John  Buford  Post,  No.  243,  of 
Rock  Island,  111.,  was  born  Aug.  30, 
1844,  at  Bedford,  Bedford  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  the 
son  of  John  Y.  and  Elizabeth  (Reddig)  Gaha- 
gen.  His  father,  a  son  of  the  same  State,  was 
born  in  1817,  later  located  in  the  Prairie  State 
and  died  at  Duquoin  at  the  age  of  38.  His 
mother  who  was  of  German  ancestry,  dates  the 
day  of  her  birth  back  to  Jan.  27,  1824,  at  Rox- 
bury,  Pa.,  and  is  still  enjoying  the  best  of 
health,  living  immediately  beside  the  pleasant 
home  of  her  only  son.  William  spent  his  boy 
hood  days  and  attended  school  at  Mount 
Pleasant,  Pa.  After  bidding  "good-bye"  to  his 
studies,  he  took  up  the  trade  of  shoemaker 
which  he  continued  up  to  the  time  of  the 
breaking  out  of  the  great  rebellion,  when, 
though  only  a  youth  of  barely  eighteen  sum 
mers,  he  offered  his  services  and  accordingly 
enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862,  at  Coal  Valley,  111.,  in 
Co.  H.,  1 26th  111.  Inf.  His  Co.  was  mustered  in 
at  Camp  Dixon,  111.,  later  camped  at  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  and  then  went  to  Alton,  111., 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


439 


where  it  joined  the  Regt.  doing  picket  duty 
and  guarding  the  prison  located  there,  up  to 
the  time  it  was  ordered  to  Jackson,  Tenn. 
From  here  they  moved  on  to  Humboldt,  Tenn., 
and  now  began  the  real  duties  of  war.  Lively 
skirmishes  with  the  enemy  were  of  frequent 
occurrence,  and  on  Dec.  31,  they  encountered 
the  rebels  under  Gen.  Forrest  in  a  desperate 
fight  which  continued  from  10  A.  M.  until  2  P.  M. 
Although  the  enemy  outnumbered  the  union 
forces  four  to  one,  they  were  repulsed  and  fell 
back  leaving  the  field  in  possession  of  the  latter 
forces  that  had  fought  them  so  heroically  for 
four  hours,  and  had  during  that  time  captured  8 
pieces  of  artillery  and  500  prisoners,  the  I22nd 
suffered  a  total  loss  of  80  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing.  After  this  they  rendezvoused  at 
Humboldt  until  the  latter  part  of  Feb.,  1863, 
next  moving  on  to  Jackson.  Tenn.,  Grand  Junc 
tion,  Bolivar,  Miss.,  then  returning  to  LaGrange, 
Tenn.,  where  they  guarded  the  railroads,  and 
later,  joined  Gen.  Grant's  army  which  was  mov 
ing  on  to  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Here  during  the  long  and  memorable  siege, 
which  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg 
July  4,  1863,  our  young  soldier  was  active  in 
the  rear  of  the  army  where  the  Regt.  was  bus 
ily  engaged  in  holding  the  rebels  under  Gen. 
Johnston,  in  check.  After  this  victory  they 
moved  on  to  Helena  Ark.,  where  his  Co.  joined 
the  7th  A.  C.,  later,  marched  on  to  DuVall's 
Bluff,  Ark.,  then  on  to  Little  Rock,  Ark.  having 
been  engaged  in  numerous  skirmishes  and 
minor  fights.  At  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  the  rebels 
were  located  in  strong  fortifications,  but  on  the 
arrival  of  Gahagen's  command  they  fled,  aban 
doning  their  works,  and  leaving  a  well-cooked 
supper  in  preparation  for  the  Union  boys,  who, 
at  once  took  possession  and  lost  no  time  in 
partaking  of  the  rebel  flavored  viands.  After 
remaining  several  days  they  retraced  their 
steps  to  DuVall's  Bluff  where  they  went  into 
winter  quarters,  doing  guard  duty  up  to 
March,  1864,  after  months  of  marching.  The 
next  occasion  on  which  we  find  our  soldier  boy 
fighting,  and  one  in  which  his  Co.  suffered  the 
.loss  of  several  wounded,  was  at  Clarendon, 
-Ark.  Here  let  our  reader  picture  a  running 


fight  which  continued  almost  without  interrup 
tion  for  three  successive  days  of  hot  weather. 
During  all  this  time  imagine  our  brave  Union 
boys  going  without  any  food,  with  scarcely 
any  drink,  and  only  such  water  as  could  be 
gathered  in  the  pools  along  the  wayside,  stag 
nant  pools  which  the  enemy  comtaminated 
with  the  carcasses  of  dying  horses,  or  dead 
mules,  and  you  can  better  realize  some  of  the 
many  privations  and  many  hardships  of  a  sol 
dier's  life. 

After  several  marches  they  moved  on  to  St. 
Charles,  Ark.,  where  they  camped  during  the 
winter,  doing  guard  duty  and  almost  constant 
foraging.  In  the  spring  they  moved  to  Pine 
Bluff,  where  they  remained  several  months, 
again  subsisting  only  on  wrhat  they  could 
forage,  this  time  being  obliged  to  go  out  as  far  as 
the  Sabine  River.  The  great  rebellion  was  now 
over,  and  on  July  12,  1865,  Mr.  Gahagen  was 
mustered  out,  returned  to  Springfield,  111.,  where 
he  was  duly  discharged  and  paid  off,  having 
served  his  country  faithfully,  never  having  gam 
bled  and  never  having  been  arrested  or  confined 
in  a  guard  house  during  his  entire  service.  He 
returned  to  Rock  Island,  111.,  resumed  his  former 
trade  and  in  1867  took  up  carpentering  which 
occupation  he  followed  successfully  up  to  the  4th 
day  of  July,  1872,  Mr  Gahagen  being  a  true 
patriot  loyally  set  aside  this  day,  the  anniversary 
of  his  country's  birth,  and  dedicated  it  to  the 
memory  of  bygone  heroes.  He  was  Orderly 
Sergeant  of  the  Rock  Island  light  artillery,  a 
part  of  the  State  militia,  under  w'hose  auspices 
the  celebration  took  place  at  Davenport,  la., 
and  on  this  occasion,  through  the  premature 
discharge  of  a  cannon,  he  met  with  the  sad 
misfortune  of  having  his  right  fore  arm,  which 
had  so  faithfully  carried  his  gun  through  the 
many  ordeals  of  war,  shot  so  badly  that  it 
necessitated  its  amputation.  He  was  thus 
obliged  to  discontinue  the  carpenter  trade  and 
was  subsequently  appointed  as  guard  at  the 
Govt.  Magazine  at  Rock  Island,  111.  At 
present  Mr.  Gahagen  is  employed  as  night 
watchman  for  Weyerhauser  &  Denkmen's 
mammoth  saw  mill,  a  trusted  position  which 
he  has  held  successively  for  the  past  17  years. 


440 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


On  Aug.  30,  1868,  at  Rock  Island,  111.,  he 
took  to  himself,  as  wife,  Fredericka  A.  D.  Zer- 
rahn,  daughter  of  Carl  and  Dorethea  (Schultz) 
Zerrahn,  who  were  natives  of  Germany,  and 
who  after  emigrating  to  America,  settled  down 
at  Davenport,  la.  There  were  born  to  them 
five  children,  viz.:  Dora  E.,  now  Mrs.  Paul 
Heinztberger;  Edward  S.,  who  died  when  a 
boy;  Seblinna  Mary,  Benjamin  S.,  and  Minnie  S. 

Mrs.  Gahagen  and  her  daugher,  Mrs.  Heintz- 
berger,  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
Endora  Rebecca  Degree  Lodge,  No.  73,  I.  O. 
O.  F.  Mr.  Gahagen  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  is  a 
member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  Lodge,  and  is  fore 
man  of  the  Franklin  Hose  Company  of  this 
city.  In  1889,  he  was  elected  to  the  important 
office  of  Township  Collecter,  an  office  which 
requies  a  bond  and  security  to  the  amount  of 
$250,000,  receiving  the  largest  majority  ever 
given  any  candidate. 


COL.  ANTHONY  R.  MOCK  is  one  of  Cam 
bridge's  (111.)  prominent  citizens.  He 
was  born  in  Randolph  Co.,  Ind.,  June 
5th,  1836.  He  was  a  grandson  of  Daniel  Mock 
who  was  a  native  of  Davie  Co.,  N.  C.,  at  the 
place  now  known  as  the  town  of  Mockville, 
which  received  its  name  in  honor  of  the  family 
and  is  the  county  seat  of  that  county.  He  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812  and  fought  in  sup 
port  of  his  country.  John  Mock,  the  father  of 
our  subject,  was  born  in  Green  Co.,  Ohio. 
March  7th,  1811,  and  afterwards  became  an 
honored  and  respected  citizen  of  Randolph 
Co.,  Ind.,  having  been  elected  to  and  adminis 
tered  the  honorable  and  distinguished  office  of 
Associate  Judge  for  the  Circuit  Court  of  Ran 
dolph  Co.  He  was  twice  married,  and  four 
children  besid.es  our  subject  resulted  from  that 
marriage.  By  his  second  marriage  he  had  five 
children  viz:  Frank  M.,  Eliza,  Belle,  William, 
and  Nettie,  and  is  still  living  having  by  reason 
of  strength  reached  four  score  and  one  (81) 
years.  His  first  wife  died  in  1846.  Col.  Mock- 
resided  with  his  father  in  Randolph  Co.  until 
June,  1855,  when  he  moved  with  him  to  Cam 


bridge,  111.  He  attended  the  Randolph  Co. 
Seminary.  He  then  learned  the  blacksmith 
trade,  but  not  finding  that  occupation  con 
genial  to  his  tastes,  applied  for  and  received  a 
certificate  as  school  teacher  and  followed  that 
avocation  a  few  terms.  His  father,  after  his 
term  upon  the  bench  expired,  engaged  in  the 
hotel  business,  in  which  our  subject  assisted  in 
conducting  for  some  years,  after  which  he  fol 
lowed  various  pursuits  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
Rebellion  when  he  concluded  to  lend  a  hand 
in  putting  down  what  was  then  looked  upon  as 
of  trivial  importance  and  easily  suppressed.  He 
accordingly  tendered  his  services  for  the  army, 
and  enlisted  at  Geneseo,  111.,  as  a  private,  Sept. 
10,  1861,  rendezvoused  at  Chicago  where  he 
was  mustered  in,  as  a  private  in  Co.  C.,  9th  111. 
Cav. 

He  was  appointed  ist  Sergeant  (or  Orderly 
Sergeant)  of  Co.  C.,  then  transferred  to  Co.  H., 
and  promoted  to  2nd  Lieut,  of  Co.  H.,  then 
transferred  back  to  Co.  C.,  and  promoted  to  ist 
Lieut,  of  Co.  C.,  then  detailed  to  act  as  Regi 
mental  Quartermaster  during  the  absence  on 
sick  furlough  of  the  Quartermaster,  then  pro 
moted  Captain  of  Co.  B.,  then  promoted  Major, 
and  finally  was  promoted  to  the  Lieut. -Colonelcy 
of  the  Regt. 

It  would  simply  be  impossible  to  follow  in 
anything  like  detail  the  wanderings  of  Col. 
Mock  and  his  Regt.  from  the  time  they  left 
camp  in  Chicago  until  mustered  out  more  than 
four  years  later,  so  we  will,  therefore,  content 
ourselves  with  giving  an  outline  of  the  places 
and  country  passed  through  during  that  long 
and  eventful  period.  Arriving  at  Benton  Bar 
racks,  near  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Feb.  18,  1862,  the 
Col.  and  his  Regt.  marched  to  Pilot  Knob, 
Jacksonport,  Ark.,  Helena,  where  they  re 
mained  for  some  time  operating  in  the  sur 
rounding  country.  Thence  to  Memphis,  Tenn., 
Corinth,  Miss.  Raiding  through  Miss,  and 
Tenn.  Moving  from  there  again  they  marched 
by  the  way  of  and  crossing  the  Tenn.  River  at 
Cliffton,  Tenn.,  to  Pulaski,  Middle  Tenn.,  Flor 
ence,  Ala.,  thence  back  to  Pulaski,  then  to  near 
Florence,  in  front  of  Gen.  Hood's  command, 
afriving  there  Nov.  6,  1864.  They  remained  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


441 


front  of  Hood's  army  skirmishing  daily,  and 
finally  fell  back  in  front  of  Hood's  army  to 
Nashville,  and  participated  in  driving  Hood 
back  across  the  Tenn.  River.  The  next  move 
was  to  Eastport,  Miss.,  luka,  Decatur,  Mont 
gomery,  Selma,  Gainesville,  and  back  to 
Selma.  The  gth  111.  Cav.  was  an  active  fighting 
Regt.,  and  from  the  time  it  encountered  Gen. 
Forrest's  command  in  Tenn.  and  Miss,  was  en 
gaged  in  almost  daily  skirmishes  with  the 
enemy,  until  the  final  collapse  of  the  Con 
federate  army.  Col.  Mock  participated  in  the 
following  battles:  Cachie  River  Bridge,  Wad- 
dell  Farm,  Stewart's  Plantation,  La  Grange, 
Helena,  Okolona,  Coffeeville,  Coldwater,  Gren 
ada,  Salem,  Wyatt,  Salisbury,  West  Point, 
Mount  Ivy,  Guntown,  Pontotoc,  Tupelo,  Old 
Town  Creek,  Abbeville,  Oxford,  Shoal  Creek, 
Lawrenceburg,  Campbellville,  Franklin,  Nash 
ville,  Rutherford's  Creek,  Ross  Farm. 

In  the  battle'of  Nashville  Col.  Mock's  Regt. 
fought  upon  both  days  and  was  the  first  to  enter 
the  rebel  fort  which  his  Brig,  captured,  and 
which  was  the  first  break  in  Gen.  Hood's  line, 
and  immediately  afterward  joined  in  the  pur 
suit  of  the  rebel  army.  In  March  of  1864  he 
veteranized  and  accepted,  with  his  men,  .a  30 
days'  furlough,  which  was  his  only  absence  from 
his  Regt.  for  nearly  four  years,  except  when  he 
proceeded  North  in  the  winter  of  1865  in  con 
nection  with  the  recruiting  service,  rejoining  his 
command  when  that  work  was  performed.  He 
and  his  Regt.  were  mustered  out  at  Selma,  Ala., 
on  Oct.  31,  1865,  and  were  subsequently  paid 
off  and  discharged  at  Springfield,  111. 

Col.  Mock  was  married  to  Mary  J.  Vestal, 
Dec.  7,  1865,  by  whom  he  has  three  children — 
Horace  J.,  Ruth  and  Edward  A.  He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Masonic  fraternity ;  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W. ; 
of  Post  No.  436,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Cambridge,  of 
which  he  is  the  present  Commander;  and  in 
politics  he  is  a  Republican.  Since  his  with 
drawal  from  the  army  he  has  studied  law;  has 
followed  that  profession  ever  since,  and  has 
held  the  position  of  Prosecuting  Attorney  for 
Hem^1  and  Rock  Island  Counties;  was  a  dele 
gate  to  the  Republican  Convention  at  Cincin 
nati  in  1876;  elected  and  served  as  a  member 


of  the  State  Legislature  for  two  terms,  1879- 
1881;  Township  trustee  for  several  years,  and 
in  Nov.,  1890,  had  the  honor  of  being  nomi 
nated  and  elected  as  a  County  Judge  of  Henry 
County. 

Col.  Mock  is  a  gentleman  in  the  true  sense 
of  the  word,  commanding  the  respect  of  a 
large  circle  of  acquaintances,  irrespective  of 
their  creed  or  politics. 


GEORGE  L.  KINNEAR,  of  Elgin,  111.,  a  native 
of  New  Brunswick,  who  gave  valiant 
service  for  the  defense  of  the  U.  S.  in 
the  war  for  National  Union,  was  born  Sept.  23, 
1842.  His  father,  Andrew  Kinnear,  a  carpenter 
and  farmer,  was  born  in  1816.  .  The  mother 
whose  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Kline,  a 
native  of  Halifax,  was  born  in  Nov.,  1820. 
George  L.  was  the  third  of  the  family  of  fifteen 
children.  His  brothers,  William  and  Albert 
served  under  the  stars  and  stripes,  the  former 
in  Dodson's  Kane  Co.  Cav.,  and  died  while  a 
soldier  at  St.  Louis.  Albert  was  in  an  111.  Inf. 
Regt.  and  is  now  living. 

George  L.  Kinnear  came  to  the  U,  S.  in 
1844,  landed  in  Me.  where  he  remained  one 
year,  and  then  moved  to  Kane  Co.  111.  Here 
he  went  on  to  a  farm,  attended  district  school 
as  opportunity  afforded,  and  thus  grew  to  man 
hood.  In  1861  the  alarm  of  civil  war  burst  over 
the  land,  stirring  the  fires  of  patriotism  in  every 
loyal  heart.  This  call  reached  Mr.  Kinnear 
and  he  promptly  responded  by  enlisting  Aug., 
1861,  at  Geneva.  111.,  in  Co.  A.,  52nd  111.  Inf. 
He  remained  in  Camp  about  three  months  dril 
ling  and  performing  the  routine  duty  of  the  new 
soldier,  when  the  first  movement  was  made  to 
Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis.  Here  he  found 
his  brother  William,  who  had  enlisted  in  another 
company,  dead,  and  he  secured  a  ten  days' 
leave  of  absence  to  take  the  remains  home. 
Returning  to  Benton  Barracks,  he  found  the 
Regt.  had  moved,  but  as  he  was  taken  sick  with 
measles  he  could  not  proceed  for  30  days. 
When  sufficiently  recovered,  he  secured  trans 
portation  and  rejoined  his  comrades  at  St.  Joe, 


442 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Mo.  Moved  the  next  day,  by  cars  to  Hanni 
bal  and  marched  to  Quincy,  where  the  river 
was  frozen  over  and  the  ground  covered  with 
snow.  No  shelter  was  provided  for  the  men 
that  night,  and  they  secured  protection  where- 
ever  it  could  be  found.  From  Quincy  the 
Regt.  by  degrees  moved  southward  to  the  seat 
of  war,  the  first  point  reached  was  Smithland, 
Ky.,  then  to  Ft.  Donelson,  which  having  sur 
rendered  before  the  Regt.  arrived,  it  remained 
on  the  boats  until  disembarked  at  Cairo.  From 
there  the  52nd  was  sent  to  Chicago  in  charge 
of  prisoners  captured  at  Ft.  Donelson. 

It  remained  ten  days,  then  proceeded  to 
Pittsburg  Landing,  where  it  lay  some  weeks 
before  the  battle.  On  the  evening  of  April  4, 
the  ominous  notes  of  the  long  roll  vibrating 
through  the  camp,  called  the  men  into  line  of 
battle,  but  after  a  few  minutes,  orders  were 
given  to  break  ranks  and  the  soldiers  went  to 
their  quarters.  Nothing  more  of  importance 
occurred  until  Sunday  April  6,  when  the  army 
was  again  called  out.  Mr.  Kinnear  was  on 
special  duty  in  camp,  but  begged  permission  of 
the  captain  to  be  allowed  to  fall  in  and  go  with 
his  comrades  to  the  front.  The  engagement 
had  already  begun  when  his  division  was  or 
dered  up,  and  as  it  proceeded  to  its  place,  met 
wounded  men  on  their  way  to  the  rear.  Inquir 
ing  of  them  "How  is  it  in  front"?  the  reply 
would  be,  "  My  regiment  is  all  cut  up."  The 
52nd,  became  engaged  between  10  and  n 
o'clock,  the  first  attack  coming  from  the  ene 
my's  cavalry,  which  was  repulsed  to  be  suc 
ceeded  by  an  infantry  charge,  under  which  the 
regiment  was  compelled  to  fall  back,  being 
gradually  forced  to  retire  until  it  came  to  the 
bank  of  the  Tenn.  River.  Mr.  Kinnear  while  on 
the  river  bank  saw  men  plunge  into  the  river 
and  drown  to  escape  capture  by  the  enemy. 
Early  in  the  morning,  orders  were  given  to  fall 
into  line.  Soon  a  start  was  made  for  the  front, 
where  the  fight  began  about  ten  o'clock.  The 
rebels  made  no  resistance,  but  fell  back  grad 
ually  and  by  noon  had  disappeared.  The  loss 
of  Co.  A.,  in  the  battles  here,  was  3  killed  and 
some  16  or  17  men  wounded,  and  that  night 
after  the  second  .day's  battle  it  returned  to  its 


old  camp,  but  found  its  tents  badly  damaged 
by  bullets. 

The  next  day  Mr.  Kinnear  was  detailed  to 
assist  in  burying  the  dead.  The  army  after 
some  preparation  moved  to  Corinth,  where  the 
52nd,  was  held  in  and  around  on  scouting  and 
garrison  duty  until  the  latter  part  of  Sept.  when 
it  went  on  the  luka  campaign  and  returned  to 
Corinth.  On  the  night  of  Oct.  2,  Mr.  Kinnear 
was  on  picket  duty,  the  lines  being  drawn  close 
to  camp.  In  the  morning  in  going  to  his 
quarters,  he  discovered  his  Regt,  had  just  gone, 
on  orders  to  march  with  three  day's  rations. 
He  joined  it  and  about  one  mile  north  of  the 
town,  they  met  the  rebel  cavalry  which  were  at 
the  right  of  Ft.  Robinette,  and  in  the  engage 
ment  that  followed  Mr.  Kinnear  received  a 
gunshot  wound,  from  a  bullet  which  passed 
through  the  muscles  of  the  left  arm  and  going 
on  through  his  folded  blanket,  made  16  holes 
in  it  and  then  lodged  in  his  ribs.  He  extracted 
the  ball  and  has  it  now  in  his  possession.  Col. 
Sweeney  ordered  him  to  the  rear,  and  making 
his  way  to  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  depot,  he 
remained  there  during  the  night  with  other 
wounded  men,  but  could  not  sleep  on  account 
of  the  cries  of  the  disabled,  and  the  rebel  shots 
that  came  through  the  building.  In  the  morn 
ing  he  went  on  to  the  street,  and  witnessed  the 
battle  in  progress  around  Corinth,  and  the  next 
day  returned  in  an  ambulance  to  the  old  Camp 
Montgomery,  which  was  about  two  miles  from 
the  city. 

In  a  few  days  Mr.  Kinnear  was  transferred 
to  the  hospital  at  Mound  City,  111.,  where  he 
remained  about  30  days  and  returned  to  his 
Regt.  under  the  protest  of  the  Surgeon.  He 
reported  at  Corinth  and  was  ordered  to  report 
to  the  Surgeon  in  the  morning,  who  after  ex 
amination  said  he  would  send  him  back  but  did 
not.  He  was  given  light  duty  during  the  win 
ter  and  in  July  was  ready  for  regular  service. 
In  Oct.  a  move  was  made  to  Germantown,  back 
to  Corinth,  then  on  to  Pulaski  with  occasional 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy's  forces.  At  Pu 
laski  about  three-fourths  of  the  Regt.  re-enlisted 
and  went  home  on  furlough  in  Jan.,  1864,  re 
turning  to  Pulaski  where  preparations  were 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


443 


made  for  the  Atlanta  campaign,  which  started 
May  3.  The  52nd  bore  a  conspicuous  part  in 
the  battles  of  Snake  Creek  Gap,  Resaca,  Lay's 
Ferry,  Rome  Cross  Roads,  Dallas,  Kenesaw 
Mt.  Nickajack  Creek,  Decatur  and  before  At 
lanta  and  Jonesboro.  Mr.  Kinnear  participated 
in  every  skirmish,  march  and  engagement  that 
his  Regt.  was  called  into  during  the  campaign 
to  Atlanta. 

Up  to  this  time  he  had  served  as  a  private, 
but  in  July  was  made  corporal,  and  in  Oct.  was 
elected  ist.  Lieut,  by  his  Co.  and  received  his 
commission  at  Savannah  from  Gov.  Yates. 
The  Regt.  left  Rome,  where  it  had  moved  to, 
joined  in  the  march  to  the  sea  and  lay  at  Savan 
nah  until  the  army  was  ordered  forward.  At 
this  place  Lieut.  Kinnear  was  placed  in  com 
mand  of  Co.  E.,  and  held  this  position  until  he 
arrived  in  Goldsboro.  He  was  then  assigned  to 
command  a  Brig,  of  Foragers  for  two  days, 
after  arriving  at  Raleigh,  where  he  camped  un 
til  the  surrender  of  Johnston.  From  this  place 
the  regiments  started  on  the  race  for  Richmond 
and  Alexandria,  where  preparations  were  made 
for  the  final  review  at  Washington.  Lieut.  Kin- 
near  witnessed  the  review  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  and  marched  with  his  company  on  the 
2nd  day  of  the  review  in  Gen.  Sherman's  army. 
He  camped  then  at  Georgetown  until  late  in 
June  and  took  cars  for  Parkersburg  to  embark 
on  transports  to  Louisville,  where  he  was  as 
signed  to  position  of  acting  Q.  M.  of  the  regi^ 
ment,  which  he  held  until  discharged  from 
military  service,  July  12,  1865. 

On  his  return  to  Kane  County,  Mr.  Kinnear 
resumed  his  farm  duties  and  performed  them 
about  three  years,  then  went  West,  but  on 
learning  of  his  father's  death,  returned  to  111. 
He  afterward  made  Elgin  his  home  and  has 
there  been  connected  with  the  police  force,  act 
ing  four  years  as  patrolman  and  three  years  as 
Chief  of  Police. 

Now.  21,  1869,  Mr.  Kinnear  was  married  in 
Chicago,  to  Alice  O.  Jackson,  and  the  two  chil 
dren  born  to  them,  are  both  dead.  He  holds 
membership  with  the  Odd  Fallows,  Foresters, 
Woodmen,  and  G.  A.  R.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat.  This  gentleman  can  certainly  con 


template  his  war  record  with  satisfaction,  and 
the  positions  of  honor  and  trust  that  he  has 
held  since  his  return  to  civil  life  show  the  con 
fidence  and  esteem  he  has  won  and  merited. 


M 


AJ.  GEN.  AMBROSE  E.  BURNSIDE  was  born 
at  Liberty,  Union  Co.,  Ind.,  May  23, 
1824.  He  was  educated  at  West  Point 
Military  Academy,  where  he  graduated  in  1847. 
He  entered  military  service  as  2d  Lieut,  in  the 
2d  Regt.  of  Regular  Artillery  at  the  City  of 
Mexico,  in  Oct.  1847.  Was  promoted  to  ist 
Lieut,  in  the  3d  U.  S.  Art.,  and  remained  in  the 
regular  army  until  1853,  when  he  resigned  his 
commission  and  returned  to  peaceful  life.  At 
the  breaking  out  of  the  late  Rebellion,  he  was 
appointed  Col.  of  the  ist  Regt.,  April  17,  1861; 
promoted  to  Brig.  Gen.  of  volunteers,  Aug  6, 
1860,  and  to  Maj.  Gen.  March  18,  1862.  He 
served  in  the  Mexican  war  under  Gen.  Scott  in 
1846  and  1847,  and  in  the  Indian  wars  in  N.  M. 
in  1849  and  1850.  He  went  early  into  the  war 
of  the  Rebellion,  and  remained  until  the  last  gun 
was  fired.  Gen.  Burnside  participated  in  Gen. 
Patterson's  campaign  in  West  Va.,  in  Gen.  Mc 
Dowell's  campaign  in  E.  Va.,  in  Gen.  McClel- 
lan's  campaign  in  Md.,  and  in  Gen.  Grant's 
campaign  against  Richmond.  He  took  part  in 
the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  battles  of  South 
Mt.,  Antietam,  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  North 
Anna,  and  Petersburg,  In  the  spring  of  1862, 
he  commanded  an  expedition  against  Roanoke 
Island  and  Newbern,  N.  C.  Both  these  im 
portant  places  were  captured,  garrisoned  and 
held  until  the  end  of  the  war,  and  Gen.  Burn- 
side  from  that  time  became  a  favorite  of  the 
public. 

At  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Dec.  13, 
1862,  he  commanded  the  Union  forces.  During 
the  summer  of  1863,  when  John  Morgan,  the 
great  rebel  raider,  made  an  excursion  into  Ind. 
and  Ohio,  Gen.  Burnside  issued  orders  to  have 
the  river  policed  by  armed  vessels.  By  these 
timely  orders,  every  ford  was  securely  guarded 
and  every  avenue  closed  against  the  retreating 
foe.  The  whole  squad  of  rebel  adventurers 


444 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


were  driven  like  birds  into  a  net,  surrounded, 
captured,  disarmed,  and  turned  into  military 
prisons.  Soon  after  the  capture  of  Morgan, 
Gen.  Burnside  was  ordered  to  take  and  hold 
East  Tenn. 

He  proceeded  south  and  attacked  Cumber 
land  Gap,  this  fortification  being  regarded  by 
the  enemy  as  invulnerable.  He  assaulted  the 
works  on  all  sides  and  captured  it  Sept.  10, 
1863.  Sept.  19  and  20,  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga  was  fought  and  the  Army  of  the  Cum 
berland  was  shut  up  by  a  siege  at  Chattanooga, 
and  unable  to  furnish  any  succor  to  Gen.  Burn- 
side  whose  army  was  destitute  of  rations  and 
suffering  terribly  from  the  rigors  of  winter. 
The  enemy,  having  full  information  as  to  the 
number  of  Gen.  Burnside's  forces  and  of  his 
many  embarassments,  now  sent  Gen.  Long- 
street  with  a  corps  of  tried  veterans  numbering 
16,000  men  to  capture  the  army  and  take  pos 
session  of  East  Tenn.  To  meet  this  emergency 
Gen.  Burnside  had  concentrated  15,000  men  at 
Knoxville.  A  severe  battle  ensued  at  Camp 
bell's  Station,  Nov.  14,  1863.  The  Union 
troops  by  order  of  Gen.  Burnside,  fell  back  to 
Knoxville.  After  shelling  the  works,  the 
enemy  assaulted  with  much  fury,  and  closed 
around  the  fortifications  with  fixed  purpose  to 
take  them  by  storm.  Longstreet  imperiously 
demanded  a  surrender.  Burnside  answered 
promptly,  "  No."  Day  after  day  the  storming 
columns  rushed  madly  on  the  Union  works, 
only  to  be  slaughtered  in  heaps  before  the 
forts.  Erom  Nov.  18,  until  Dec.  6,  the  heart 
less  butchery  continued,  and  Longstreet  drew 
off  his  bleeding  and  disappointed  army.  Dur 
ing  this  investment  Burnside  and  his  little 
army  remained  in  painful  suspense.  After  the 
gallant  victory  Gen.  Burnside  was  again  trans 
ferred  to  the  East,  and  took  part  in  Gen. 
Grant's  campaign  against  Richmond,  Va.  We 
have  now  hastily  sketched  the  military  history 
of  Gen.  Burnside,  one  of  the  most  popular 
Union  Generals.  Continuing  in  service  until 
the  end  of  the  war,  everywhere  with  distin 
guished  ability,  he  was  followed  from  the  field 
by  the  affections  of  the  army  and  the  gratitude 
of  the  Nation.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  re 


signed  his  commission  and  retired  to  private 
life,  became  a  candidate  for  gubernatorial 
honors,  and  was  made  Governor  of  Rhode 
Island.  In  person  he  was  a  stout,  heavy  built 
man,  five  feet,  nine  inches  in  height,  dark  com 
plexion,  bilious  temperament,  hair  and  eyes 
black,  bald  on  top  of  his  head,  and  usually 
wore  heavy  side  whiskers.  He  died  Sept.  3, 
1881. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  man  who 
has  established  his  fidelity  to  his  country, 
and  his  record  as  a  patriot  by  his  wooden 
leg.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  a  resi 
dent  of  Moline,  111.,  and  his  name  is  Henry 
Karstens.  The  oldest  of  a  family  of  six,  he 
was  born  Feb.  24,  1836,  at  Holstein,  Germany, 
and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Gescha  Karstens, 
both  natives  of  Germany,  who  emigrated  to 
America  in  1870  and  located  at  Moline,  111., 
where  the  father  died  in  1874.  The  mother  is 
is  still  living  with  her  son.  Henry's  happy 
boyhood  and  school  days  were  spent  in  his 
native  town  where  he  learned,  and  subsequently 
followed  the  carpenter  trade  up  to  his  2Oth 
year,  when  he  bid  good-bye  to  his  good  old 
Fatherland  and  sailed  for  America,  landing  at 
Davenport,  la.,  and  resuming  his  former  calling 
up  to  the  time  his  newly  adopted  country  was 
being  threatened  with  the  internal  foes.  He 
lost  no  time  in  responding  to  the  very  first  call 
for  volunteers,  enlisting  at  Davenport,  la.,  May 
10,  1861,  Co.  G.,  Captain  Vantz,  ist  Iowa  Inf. 
The  Regt.  was  equipped  and  mustered  in  at 
Keokuk,  la.,  next  moved  on  to  Brownsville, 
Mo.,  later  to  Springfield,  Mo.,  marching  along 
the  Ozark  Mts.,  and  encountering  almost  con 
stant  skirmishing  with  the  bushwhackers  and 
guerrillas,  all  along  the  route.  They  went  into 
camp  and  were  engaged  in  picket  and  guard 
duty,  and  shortly  after  an  all  night's  march, 
fought  the  rebels  under  Gen.  Price  in  the  hot 
and  bloody  battle  of  Wilson's  Creek,  Aug.  10, 
1861,  Karstens'  command  arriving  on  the 
grounds  early  in  the  morning  and  taking  their 
position  in  the  centre  and  near  the  front.  The 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


445 


terrible  conflict  in  which  the  Union  forces  lost 
570  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  raged  all 
day. 

On  the  following  day  its  time  of  service 
having  expired,  the  Regt.  was  sent  to  St  Louis 
Mo.,  and  discharged.  Mr.  Karstens  returned 
to  Davenport,  where  he  remained  but  a  few 
months  when  his  patriotic  spirit  again  prompted 
him  to  advance  for  the  protection  of  the  good 
"old  flag."  He  re-enlisted  as  ist  Corporal,  Dec. 
4,  1861,  at  Davenport,  la.,  Co.  G.,  i6th  Iowa 
Inf.  March  16,  1862,  the  Regt.  went  to  Benton 
Barracks.  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  it  was  equipped 
ready  for  action,  then  embarked  for  Pittsburg 
Landing.  Two  days  later,  after  laying  on  its 
arms  the  entire  night,  it  participated  in  the 
memorable  and  stubbornly  fought  battle  of 
Shiloh,  Karstens'  command  again  being  in  the 
very  front  and  the  thickest  of  the  firing  where 
the  bullets  hissed  without  intermission,  the  en 
tire  day.  Here  while  bravely  fighting,  our 
gallant  soldier  was  severely  shot  in  the  right 
leg.  He  was  soon  transported  to  an  ambulance 
wagon,  and  taken  to  the  hospital  at  the  river, 
and  later  removed  to  the  hospital  at  Savannah, 
where  he  remained  about  three  weeks,  when  he 
was  transferred  to  hospital  at  Quincy,  111.  Af 
ter  being  confined  about  a  month,  he  received 
a  four  weeks'  furlough  to  go  home,  returning  at 
once  to  the  field  and  rejoining  his  comrades  at 
Bolivar,  Tenn.,  in  the  famous  "Crocker's  Iowa 
Brigade,"  universally  noted  for  its  excellent 
fighting  material.  Here,  and  in  the  neighbor 
ing  country  we  find  him  participating  in  several 
hard-fought  skirmishes,  and  shortly,  the  boys 
in  blue  marched  bravely  on  to  luka,  Miss., 
where,  Sept.  19,  1862,  they  fought  the  short, 
but  most  desperate  battle  of  luka,  Karstens' 
Regt.  losing  about  225  in  killed  and  wounded. 
Here  on  the  tragic  battlefield,  while  heroically 
facing^rolley  upon  volley  of  the  rebel  shot  and 
shell,  while  his  brave  comrades  were  falling 
thick  and  fast,  our  gallant  soldier  was  not  only 
shot  in  his  body  with  twelve  buckshot,  but  was 
struck  with  a  minie  ball  which  so  badly  shat 
tered  his  right  knee  joint,  that  it  necessitated 
the  immediate  amputation  of  his  leg,  even 
while  the  turbulent  smoke  of  musketry  and 


cannon  was  still  hovering  near  him.  After  un 
dergoing  this  most  painful  operation  he  was 
transported  by  ambulance  to  luka  Springs 
Hotel,  and  subsequently  taken  to  hospital  at 
Jackson,  Tenn.,  where  he  lay  hovering  between 
life  and  death  for  six  months,  and  only  for  his 
remarkably  strong  constitution  would  doubtless 
never  have  survived  the  ordeal.  Finally  he  was 
transported  with  a  crutch  and  one  leg  to  Mem 
phis,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  mustered  out,  March 
11,  1863. 

Mr.  Karstens  was  married  Aug.  20,  1863,  at 
Moline,  111.,  to  Christina  Neva,  with  whom  he 
had  already  exchanged  love  in  his  old  Father 
land.  To  them  were  born  six  children,  namely: 
George,  August,  Henry,  Lillie,  William  and 
Frank — all  living.  Mr.  Karstens  is  a  member 
of  Schiller  Lodge,  No.  11,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  Moline, 
111.,  and  is  a  good  and  highly  respected  citizen. 


RICHARD  JAMES  HANNA,  one  of  the  most  suc 
cessful  and  popular  business  men  of 
Kankakee,  111.,  has  a  genealogy  and  fam 
ily  history  which  is  worthy  to  be  recorded. 
He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Bird) 
Hanna,  and  was  born  Oct.  24,  1835,  at  Staten 
Island,  N.  Y.  The  Bird  family  can  be  traced 
back  to  the  I2th  century  in  Scotland,  but  sub 
sequently  moved  to  England,  and  in  1830  emi 
grated  to  America,  settling  on  Staten  Island. 
The  Hanna  ancestry  is  traced  to  Scotland,  but 
located  in  the  north  of  Ireland  in  1730.  Robt. 
Hanna,  the  first  one  of  the  family  to  move  to 
America,  came  to  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  about  1820. 
Thomas  Hanna  emigrated  to  the  U.  S.  and 
made  his  residence  on  Staten  Island,  where  he 
had  a  family  of  children,  of  whom  six  lived  to 
adult  years.  They  may  be  thus  briefly  sketched, 
except  Richard  J.  to  whom  more  space  will  be 
given:  Isaac,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  who  is  the 
wife  of  William  Cole  of  New  Jersey;  Mary, 
married  James  Bingham  and  died  at  Royal  Oak, 
Mich.,  in  1889;  Sarah  J.,  wife  of  S.  G.  Parker, 
of  Jersey  City,  N.  J.;  Thomas  enlisted  in  the 
9th  N.  Y.  3  months'  militia,  and  when  his  time 


446 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


expired  re-enlisted  and  joined  the  83d  N.  Y. 
Inf.,  and  was  promoted  to  1st  Lieut,  in  a  col 
ored  Regt. 

Thomas  Hanna;  the  father  became  a  resi 
dent  of  N.  Y.  City,  and  in  politics  was  a  strong 
Clay  Whig,  and  afterwards  a  Republican.  He 
died  in  1869,  and  his  wife  died  in  1867.  They 
were  Episcopalians,  and  strict  adherents  of  that 
belief. 

Richard  J.  Hanna  passed  the  greater  por 
tion  of  his  youthful  days  on  Staten  Island,  and 
while  yet  in  his  teens  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade  with  Mr.  W.  S.  Hunt.  Subsequently  he 
came  to  111.  and  has  the  honor  of  erecting  the 
first  house  in  what  is  now  Chebanse,  also  the 
first  one  at  Clifton,  Iroquois  Co.  Aug.  7,  1859, 
he  married  Ann  Frith,  a  native  of  England,  and 
had  five  children  who  are  named:  Isaac  B.,  Car 
rie  E.,  William  E.  (deceased),  George  B.  (de 
ceased),  and  Lizzie  M.  He  became  a  citizen 
of  Kankakee  Co.  in  1855,  locating  on  section  1 1, 
Otto  Township  and  began  a  mercantile  career 
at  Chebanse  in  1856,  in  which  he  continued  un 
til  the  defiant  attitude  of  Southern  Secessionists 
showed  that  every  lover  of  his  country  must, 
hold  himself  in  readiness  to  make  any  sacrifice 
to  maintain  the  National  Union,  and  when  at 
last  the  stern  appeal  to  arms  sounded  like  a 
tocsin  through  the  land  that  had  grown  and 
prospered  in  the  genial  lap  of  peace,  he 
promptly  responded,  and  leaving  wife  and 
children  and  business,  presented  himself  a  will 
ing  subject  to  his  country's  service.  He  was 
mustered  in  Co.  H.,  ii3th  111.  Inf.,  as  Orderly 
Sergt.,  notwithstanding  he  had  previously  been 
appointed  2nd  Lieut,  by  the  Governor,  and 
after  the  ordinary  preliminary  experience  of  a 
newly  enlisted  soldier  in  drill  and  guard  duty, 
he  marched  with  his  Regt.  to  the  front  and  was 
an  active  participant  in  the  battles  and  marches 
of  Chickasaw  Bayou,  Arkansas  Post,  Milliken's 
Bend,  Siege  of  Vicksburg,  Spanish  Fort,  Fort 
Blakely  and  Mobile. 

He  was  soon  promoted  to  a  captaincy  in 
the  5ist  U.  S.  colored  Inf.,  June,  1863,  anc>  in 
April,  1865,  to  the  rank  of  Major.  A  more  de 
tailed  account  of  his  army  experience  may 
prove  valuable  and  interesting.  Soon  after  mus 


tering  in  at  Chicago  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to 
Memphis,  where  it  remained  but  a  few  days, 
and,  under  Gen.  Sherman,  went  to  Oxford.  Re 
turning  to  Memphis,  started  for  Vicksburg  to 
form  a  junction  with  Gen.  Grant,  who,  on  account 
of  destruction  of  supplies  at  Holly  Springs, 
was  forced  to  return,  and  Sherman's  army  made 
the  attack  alone,  but  was  unsuccessful.  After 
that  expedition  went  to  Arkansas  Post,  and 
captured  it,  with  about  6,OOO  men  and  arms,  and 
returned  to  Young's  Point,  opposite  Vicksburg, 
and  held  that  place  until  March. 

In  April  was  sent  on  the  Deer  Creek  expe 
dition.  The  next  movement  was  down  the  river 
to  Hard  Times  Landing,  and  on  the  Vicksburg 
campaign.  The  H3th  was  in  battle  at  Vicks 
burg,  and  took  part  in  the  charges  May  19-22. 
and  was  one  of  the  regiments  assigned  to  picket 
duty  through  the  siege  and  capture  of  that  city. 
In  June,  1863,  he  was  detailed  by  Gen.  Sherman 
to  organize  the  colored  troops,  and  formed  the 
1st  Miss.  Inf.,  receiving  commission  as  Capt.  of 
Co.  E.,  and  went  into  camp  at  Milliken's  Bend. 
While  at  this  place  was  in  one  of  the  bloodiest 
engagements  of  the  war,  which  was  made 
upon  the  raw  colored  troops  by  an  attack 
ing  party  of  rebels,  who  were  repulsed  with 
a  loss  of  125  killed,  while  the  Union  force 
lost  10  killed  and  40  wounded.  Here,  as  in 
other  engagements,  the  colored  troops  demon 
strated  their  desperate  bravery  under  the 
fire  of  battle.  Expeditions  and  marches  in 
different  parts  of  the  country  filled  the  time 
until  late  in  1864,  when  Major  Hanna  \vent 
to  Vicksburg  to  do  garrison  duty,  and  re 
mained  there  until  Feb.,  1865,  then  went  with 
Gen.  Steele's  expedition  against  Mobile ;  was 
sent  to  New  Orleans,  where  the  Regt.  camped 
until  March,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Barrancas, 
Florida,  and  sent  into  the  country  toward  Mont 
gomery  to  draw  the  forces  from  Spanish  Fort 
and  Fort  Blakely,  which  had  the  desired  effect. 
The  Regt.  went  to  Fort  Blakely,  and  was  pres 
ent  at  its  capture.  Major  Hanna's  men  were 
the  first  to  enter,  and  he  was  the  first  white 
Union  officer  inside  the  Fort.  He  was  then 
sent  on  an  expedition  up  the  Alabama  River  to 
Montgomery,  and  back  to  New  Orleans.  He 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


447 


went  to  Alexandria,  on  the  Red  River,  and  occu 
pied  that  country  until  his  command  proceeded 
to  Baton  Rouge,  serving  until  June,  1866,  when 
he  was  mustered  out.  After  the  occupation  of 
Fort  Blakely  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
Major  for  valiant  service  at  that  place. 

After  serving  his  country  actively  and  faith 
fully  in  all  the  tedious  marches  and  bloody 
scenes  of  civil  war,  Major  Hanna  received  an 
honorable  discharge  from  the  service  when 
there  was  no  doubt  of  the  thorough  defeat  of 
the  secession  element,  or  of  the  permanent  vic 
tory  for  the  Union,  which  is  now  more  than 
ever  "  one  and  inseperable."  On  his  return  to 
his  home  Major  Hanna  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business,  which  by  tact  and  ability  he  has  es 
tablished  an  extensive  trade,  prosperous  and 
permanent,  until  to-day  it  is  the  largest  house 
of  its  kind  in  the  city,  complete  in  all  its  de 
tails.  In  addition  to  his  army  and  business 
record,  Major  Hanna  has  a  history  as  a  leading 
citizen,  which  attests  beyond  question  that  he 
fully  possesses  the  utmost  confidence  of  the 
public,  as  he  has  held  all  the  important  posi 
tions  of  trust  and  responsibility  that  he  has 
been  willing  to  accept  from  his  fellow  citizens. 
He  has  held  positions  on  the  Board  of  Super 
visors  and  City  Council,  and  the  Board  of  Ed 
ucation,  of  which  he  is  President.  In  1882  he 
received  the  appointment  of  Postmaster,  and 
as  might  be  anticipated,  has  filled  this  position 
creditably  and  satisfactorily.  In  1880  he  was 
one  of  the  delegates  from  his  district  to  the 
Chicago  Convention,  and  was  one  of  the  his 
torical  306  who  stood  to  the  last  for  the  nomi 
nation  of  Gen.  Grant  for  President,  and  in  1888 
was  an  elector  on  the  Presidential  ticket.  He 
has  always  been  one  of  the  staunchest  Repub 
licans,  and  believes  that  the  party  that  saved 
the  Nation  is  the  safest  one  to  rule  its  destinies. 


LIEUT.  HENRYG.  GRIFFIN,  a  prominent  farm 
er  residing  near  Cambridge,  111.,  was  born 
in   Stockbridge,    Berkshine    Co.,  Mass., 
July  19,  1819,  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Hoag)  Griffin.     The  father,  a  native  of  Stock- 


bridge,  was  of  Welsh  descent,  and  was  a  soldier 
in  1812.  Before  his  marriage,  the  father  was  a 
weaver  by  trade,  and  afterwards  became  a  car 
penter.  In  1841  he  moved  to  Mercer  Co.,  111., 
and  lived  upon  a  farm  until  his  death,  June  4, 
1865.  The  mother,  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  who  died  Jan.  11,  1890,  aged  92  years 
and  6  months,  was  born  at  Brunswick,  N.  Y.,  of 
English  parentage.  To  this  father  and  mother, 
John  and  Mary  Griffin,  seven  children  were 
born,  three  of  whom  are  now  living.  These 
are  Hulda,  wife  of  Anson  Calkins,  residing  at 
Alpha,  111.;  Septimus,  a  farmer  in  Green  Town 
ship,  Mercer  Co.,  and  Henry  G.,  a  short  sketch 
of  whose  life  is  here  given. 

Reared  in  Mass.,  where  he  received  a  com 
mon  school  education,  Henry  G.  Griffin,  in 
1838,  moved  to  Mercer  Co.,  and  obtained  em 
ployment  in  breaking  prairie  and  working  on  a 
farm  for  three  years,  and  went  into  Warren  Co. 
in  1842,  and  then  into  Henry  Co.,  in  1844,  where 
he  now  lives,  having  made  farming  his  lifelong 
occupation.  In  1861,  April  7,  his  son,  John  A., 
enlisted  in  Co.  D.,  i/th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served 
until  March,  1866,  although  severely  wounded 
in  the  thigh  at  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing, 
in  1862,  coming  out  as  a  Lieut.  Mr.  Griffin 
feeling  that  duty  called  him  to  follow  the  ex 
ample  of  his  son,  enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862,  in  Co. 
D.,  1 1 2th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  leaving  the  farm  and 
family  in  the  care  of  his  wife  and  younger  son. 
He  was  mustered  in  as  ist  Lieut,  at  Persia,  Sept. 
20,  1862. 

In  a  few  weeks  these  new  soldiers  were  sent 
to  Covington,  equipped  and  ordered  to  the  front 
at  Lexington  where  a  camp  was  made  during 
the  winter.  March  29th,  the  Co.  was  forwarded 
to  Danville,  Ky.,  where  it  first  encountered  the 
enemy  and  smelled  the  smoke  of  battle.  It 
marched  then  in  succession  to  Hickman's  Bridge, 
Lancaster,  and  Dix  River.  On  the  way  to  Somer 
set  the  bridge  was  found  to  be  burned  and  the 
Co.  returned  to  Lancaster  and  marched  to  Crab 
Orchard.  The  following  morning  it  started  out 
again  for  Somerset,  but  the  night  found  it  at  Sty- 
galls,  where  it  was  compelled  to  camp  in  a  terrible 
snow  storm.  This  night  the  cavalry  in  advance 
captured  a  lot  of  cattle  from  a  force  of  rebels 


448 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


that  was  on  the  way  to  Lexington.  When  the 
Cav.  returned  to  camp  with  the  cattle  and  a  re 
port  of  the  rebel  force,  Co.  D.  was  sent  in  pur 
suit  falling  back  as  far  as  Crab  Orchard  and 
going  into  camp  a  few  miles  from  Danville. 
Here  it  remained  until  formed  into  a  mounted 
Co.  It  then  went  to  Somerset,  doing  duty  as 
scouts  for  a  month  along  the  Cumberland 
River,  where  there  were  many  detached  bodies 
of  the  enemy  engaged  in  the  same  line  of  war 
fare.  Taking  a  short  furlough,  Lieut.  Griffin 
made  a  trip  home,  and  rejoined  his  Regt.  at 
Somerset  and  made,  soon  after,  the  Sanders 
raid  with  62  men  under  his  command.  On  this 
raid  he  was  out  nearly  15  days  and  almost  con 
stantly  in  the  saddle.  Meeting  the  enemy  at 
Wortburg,  he  had  a  skirmish,  capturing  a  squad 
of  rebels,  over  100  in  number,  then  pressed  on 
to  Clinch  River,  crossing  at  Clinton  and  mov 
ing  down  to  Loudon,  ontheTenn.  River,  where 
the  object  of  the  expedition  was  to  destroy  the 
railroad  bridge,  but  there  were  too  many  rebels 
gathered  there  for  this  small  force,  so  instead 
of  entering  the  town,  the  raiding  party  turned 
toward  Knoxville  where  it  arrived  at  night 
making  a  small  demonstration,  and  in  the 
morning  went  above  Knoxville  and  began  the 
destruction  of  R.  R.  Bridges  at  Strawberry 
Plains  and  Mossy  Creek,  where  the  homeward 
trip  began. 

Lieut.  Griffin  on  this  raid  was  out  14  days 
and  lost  14  pounds  of  weight,  showing  that 
such  a  raid  was  not  without  its  cares  and  re 
sponsibilities.  He  had  but  just  retuned  from  this 
expedition  when  he  was  sent  with  100  men  to 
Lexington,  Ky.,  with  about  500  worn  out 
horses  and  other  stores  to  be  exchanged  for 
new  supplies.  This  had  been  accomplished  but 
a  day  or  two  when  the  force  was  sent  after  Mor 
gan,  who  was  devastating  that  region  by  his 
rapid  raids.  ,  The  rebel  guerrilla  was  overtaken 
just  as  he  was  leaving  Lebanon,  and  the  Fed 
eral  force  remained  in  this  locality  about  a 
month  gathering  up  stragglers  that  Morgan  in 
his  rapid  movements  had  left  in  his  rear. 
Lieut.  Griffin  was  detailed  with  a  squad  of  men 
to  preserve  the  peace  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  during 
the  election  there,  after  which  he  rejoined  his 


command  at  Lancaster  and  was  ordered  to 
Crab  Orchard,  where  this  force  united  with  the 
army  of  Gen.  Burnside,  which  was  moving  on 
its  campaign  into  East  Tenn.,  marching  through 
Athens  toward  Calhoun  on  the  Hiawassa  River, 
where  the  rebels  were  stationed  and  gave  skir 
mish.  Marched  on  to  Knoxville  and  shortly 
afterwards  back  over  the  same  road  part  of  the 
way  to  Phila.  Tenn.,  near  which  an  engagement 
took  place  with  some  of  Forrest's  Cav.,  which 
was  dispersed.  For  some  days  shifting  posi 
tions  were  taken  in  the  locality  when  the 
troops  were  ordered  back  to  Loudon,  then  to 
Knoxville  where  they  were  posted  to  guard 
the  approaches  from  Longstreet's  army  which 
was  already  investing  that  point.  On  the  out 
post  there  was  a  fight  all  day,  and  the  position 
was  held  until  four  o'clock,  when  Lieut.  Griffin 
was  ordered  to  the  other  side  of  the  hill  to  sup 
port  a  Regt.  that  was  closely  pressed  there  and 
almost  surrounded.  He  detailed  his  men,  32 
in  number,  and  started  over  the  hill  under  fire 
of  the  enemy.  When  he  reached  the  summit 
there  were  only  11  men  with  him,  the  others 
having  fallen  on  the  way  up. 

Just  as  he  reached  this  point  and  was  wait 
ing  for  the  struggling  little  band  to  rally,  an 
order  came  to  fall  back — an  order  which  nine 
of  the  men  who  had  now  overtaken  their  leader 
and  one  comrade,  were  able  to  obey,  but  the 
Lieut,  and  his  one  follower,  when  they  reached 
the  summit  of  the  the  hill,  in  advance  of  their 
comrades,  found  themselves  facing  about  20 
rebel  muskets  which  almost  touched  them.  He 
was  ordered  to  surrender  and  he  was  under  the 
necessity  of  obeying,  but  questioned  whether 
death  would  not  be  better  than  confinement  in 
the  rebel  prisons.  This  event  occurred  Nov. 
1 8,  1863.  He  was  taken  to  the  rear  of  the  rebel 
lines  and  the  following  day  marched  to 
Loudon,  and  thence  to  Richmond,  Dec.  I,  1863, 
and  was  here  given  his  choice  of  rooms  in 
Libby  prison  where  there  were  about  1,100  of 
ficers  of  all  ranks  divided  into  messes.  He 
was  put  into  mess  22  and  the  first  salutation  in 
the  morning  was  "Mess  22  come  and  get  your 
hash."  The  rations  here,  issued  once  a  day, 
consisted  of  a  piece  of  corn  bread  four  inches 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


449 


square,  and  two  inches  thick  almost  as  hard  as 
a  brick,  a  little  rice  and  cow  peas.  At  first  a 
little  meat  was  given.  To  pass  away  the  time, 
the  men  would  read,  and  play  cards,  chess, 
jackstraws,  etc.,  day  after  day.  All  were  re 
quired  to  be  promptly  in  line  at  roll  call,  and  if 
one  was  a  minute  late  he  would  be  punished. 
If  boxes  from  home  came  for  the  prisoners, 
they  were  certain  to  show  evidences  of  rob 
bery  before  reaching  their  destination. 

In  May  the  prisoners  at  Libby  were  marched 
to  Macon,  Ga.,  and  1,200  men  were  placed  in 
a  stockade  on  about  two  acres  of  ground. 
Here  they  fared  better  at  first  than  at  Libby. 
They  were  removed  to  Charleston,  Aug.  24, 
and  some  were  placed  in  the  jail  yard  and  kept 
there  until  Oct.  6,  right  under  the  fire  of  the 
Federal  guns.  The  next  move  was  to  Colum 
bia  where  the  prisoners  were  placed  in  an  old 
abandoned  field  strongly  guarded.  When 
the  rebels,  thinking  they  were  fit  subjects  for  an 
insane  asylum,  moved  them  to  that  institution 
on  the  other  side  of  the  city.  Feb.  17,  they 
were  marched  to  Charlotte,  N.  C.,  then  to  Ra 
leigh  where  Gen.  Johnston  was  hard  pressed, 
so  to  secure  men  to  reinforce  him  the  prison 
ers  were  paroled,  but  not  exchanged  until  they 
reached  Goldsboro,  sometime  after.  The  ex 
change  was  effected  April  26,  1865,  after  Lieut. 
Griffin  had  been  held  a  prisoner  fifteen  and 
one-half  months. 

After  reaching  the  Union  lines,  Lieut.  Grif 
fin  was  sent  to  Rock  Point  and  delivered  to  the 
Union  forces,  and  then  marched  to  Wilmington, 
a  distance  of  14  miles,  and  there  met  his  own 
regiment,  and  the  "  boys  "  of  his  own  company 
gave  him  a  grand  reception,  after  which  he  ob 
tained  a  30  days  leave  of  absence,  and  came 
home  to  visit  his  family.  Returning  he  joined 
his  Regt.  at  Greensboro,  N.  C.,  and  assumed 
command  of  his  company,  until  mustered  out  at 
Greensboro,  N.  C.,  June  20, 1865,  and  discharged 
at  Chicago,  July  7,  1865.  With  a  consciousness 
of  a  patriotic  duty  done,  Lieut.  Griffin  returned 
to  his  home  an'd  resumed  the  work  he  had  left 
to  defend  his  country  against  internal  foes. 

Henry  G.  Griffin  and  Isabella  McGaughey 
were  married  Aug  4,  1840,  and  nine  children 

88 


have  been  born  to  them,  of  whom  are  living- 
John  A.,  Mary  A.,  Rebecca  A.,  Julia  A.,  and 
Sarah  A.  Mr.  Griffin  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Cambridge,  of 
which  they  are  now  the  only  original  members, 
and  in  which  he  has  sevred  as  deacon  about 
40  years. 

Deacon  Griffin  has  always  taken  an  active 
part  in  church  matters,  and  given  his  influence 
politically  with  the  Republican  party.  He  is  an 
old  pioneer  in  Illinois,  and  a  gentleman  whose 
opinions  are  regarded  with  consideration,  and 
whose  character  and  reputation  are  such  as  to 
demand  the  universal  respect  and  esteem  which 
he  so  widely  and  justly  enjoys. 


DANIEL  L.  FOSTER,  a  native  of  Crawford 
Co.,  Pa.,  born   Nov.  3,  1845,  enlisted  in 
the  Union  army,  in  1864,  and  was  mus 
tered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  A.,  3rd   Minn.  Vet. 
Vol.  Inf.,  at  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  in  August,  of  that 
year. 

The  Regt.  proceeded  to  Helena,  Ark., 
thence  to  DuVall's  Bluff,  where  they  were  en 
camped  for  three  months,  then  moved  to  Little 
Rock,  and  later  to  Fort  Smith,  where  they  re 
mained  for  upwards  of  a  month,  upon  guard 
duty. 

They  subsequently  moved  to  Pine  Bluff,  and 
there  were  ordered  in  pursuit  of  Robin,  the 
rebel  bushwhacker,  and  were  upon  his  trail  for 
nearly  three  months,  then  went  to  Batesville, 
returning  to  Ball's  Bluff,  where  the  outlaw  was 
captured.  This  chase  was  a  long  and  exciting 
one  and  to  accomplish  the  end  in  view,  occu 
pied  several  months,  as  he  was  a  clever,  active 
fellow,  and  when  pursued  too  hotly,  changed 
his  garb  to  that  of  a  female. 

Mr.  Foster  was  mustered  out  at  Fort  Snel- 
ling  and  discharged.  He  was  a  son  of  John  W. 
and  Josephine  (Finney)  Foster,  who  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children,  besides  our 
subject,  viz.:  Charles  A.,  Sarah  L.,  Sedelia  R., 
Chester  C.,  Viola  B.,  and  Roy  W. 

Daniel  married  May  A.  Pease,  by  whom  he 
had  the  following  children — William  A.,  Law- 


450 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


rence  F.,  Maud  Pearl  Effie,  Albert,  Daniel  L., 
and  George.  George  Foster  the  grandfather 
of  Daniel,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army, 
and  also  fought  for  his  country  throughout  the 
war  of  1812. 

Our  subject  was  wounded  in  the  leg  at  the 
skirmish  of  Fletcher's  Woods,  taken  prisoner, 
and  held  for  one  day,  then  paroled.  He  is  a 
Republican. 


WILLIAM  A.  P.  TOTTEN,  a  resident  of 
Rock  Island,  111.,  was  born  Jan.  17, 
1844,  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  is  the 
son  of  Levi  P.  and  Freelove  A.  (Pierce)  Tot- 
ten.  His  father  was  born  in  1820,  at  South 
Kingston,  was  the  son  of  a  lawyer  of  high  re 
pute,  and  died  when  only  24  years  of  age.  His 
mother  is  a  native  of  Providence,  where  she  was 
born  April  13,  1823,  and  is  still  living  at  the 
pleasant  home  of  our  subject. 

William  was  reared  in  his  native  city,  and 
received  a  thorough  education  in  the  public 
schools.  He  learned  the  jewelry  and  watch 
making  trade,  but  subsequently  followed  the 
sea  up  to  the  time  he  went  forward  to  battle 
for  the  preservation  of  the  stars  and  stripes, 
though  only  18  years  old.  He  enlisted  Aug.  26, 
1862,  at  Edgartown,  Martha's  Vineyard,  Mass., 
in  Co.  H.,  1st  Mass.  Inf.  The  Co.  went  into 
camp  at  Camp  Cameron,  Mass.,  and  shortly 
moved  to  the  front,  joining  the  Regt.  under 
Col.  Robert  Cowden,  at  Fairfax  Seminary,  Va., 
Dec.  i,  the  noble  army  marched  on  and  went 
into  camp  at  Falmouth,  Va.  There  the  "boys" 
were  engaged  in  constant  camp  and  picket 
duty,  and  on  Dec.  13,  1862,  we  find  young 
William  thoroughly  initiated  in  the  tragic 
duties  of  a  soldier  on  the  battlefield  of  Freder- 
icksburg.  After  fighting  gallantly  the  entire 
day  in  the  advance,  facing  volley  upon  volley 
of  rebel  shot  and  shell,  they  were  during  the 
entire  night  actively  engaged,  skirmishing  al 
most  without  intermission. 

The  next  morning  they  fell  to  the  rear  and 
were  ordered  to  cook  coffee  and  wash  out  their 
guns.  On  this  occasion  William  snapped  the 


cap  on  his  gun,  which  unbeknown  to  him  con 
tained  a  little  powder,  thus  causing  a  report, 
for  which  slight  and  innocent  offense  he  was 
court-marshaled  and  fined  $26.00,  ortwo  months' 
salary.  After  this  terrible  and  horrible  battle, 
in  which  the  Union  forces  lost  over  12,000  in 
killed,  wounded  and  missing,  the  army  went 
into  winter  quarters  on  the  old  grounds  opposite 
Fredericksburg. 

About  the  following  May  they  started  on 
the  Burnside  failure,  historically  known  as  the 
"  Mud  march."  Onward  they  moved,  and  soon 
they  became  mired  in  the  bottomless  mud, 
horses  and  mules  lay  scattered  about  helplessly, 
and  thus  they  were  forced  to  retreat,  doing  so 
only  under  the  greatest  of  difficulties,  tearing 
down  houses  and  fences,  anything  to  make  a 
corduroy  road.  Finally  returning  to  camp 
Burnside  was  retired,  Hooker  taking  command, 
and  anon  began  the  preparations  for  the 
slaughter  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  1-4, 
1863. 

During  the  outbreak  of  this  bloody  battle 
Totten's  command  was  ordered  to  the  left, 
then  fell  back  to  partake  of  some  supper,  and 
just  as  the  "boys"  began  their  feast,  the  long 
roll  beat  loudly,  and  then  "Forward,  March!" 
in  double  quick  to  relieve  the  nth  Corps  which 
had  been  attacked  by  the  rebels  under  Stone 
wall  Jackson. 

Taking  their  position  on  the  right  of  the 
plank  road,  they  did  constant  fighting  and  skir 
mishing  during  the  entire  night.  At  daybreak 
the  rebels  fell  down  upon  them  heavily,  and 
they  were  forced  to  retreat  back  to  where 
Hooker  lay  prepared  with  his  entire  artillery, 
which  anon,  opened  and  literally  mowed  the 
enemy  down.  After  remaining  in  camp  several 
weeks  preparing  for  the  Gettysburg  campaign, 
they  moved  on  about  June  I.  Onward  "to  do 
or  die,"  regardless  of  the  dreary  dust  and  the 
fact  that  our  soldier  boy  was  suffering  severely 
with  blistered  feet.  On  they  tramped — on,  on, 
on.  Finally  one  day,  William  growing  somewhat 
tired  thought  he  would  prefer  to  ride.  Accor 
dingly  when  the  sick  roll  beat,  he  readily  re 
sponded  with  the  balance  of  the  lame  (  ?)  boys. 
Pleading  sick,  he  was  after  some  controversy 


E,   J.   SEARLE. 


E.   H.   BOWMAN. 


J.  ALEX.   MONTGOMERY. 


THOMAS    CAMPBELL. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


45 


admitted  into  the  ambulance  and  was  assigned 
to  the  seat  which  consisted  of  a  concave  sur 
face  about  five  inches  wide.  Soon  he  dis 
covered  that  walking  was  preferable  to  this 
style  of  a  vehicle,  but  procuring  some  very  fine 
"apple  jack"  in  a  mill  by  the  wayside,  the  dis 
comfort  was  greatly  relieved,  and  thus  he  held 
on,  though  under  difficulties,  for  the  balance 
of  the  day. 

After  halting  at  Bridgeport,  where  they 
could  easily  hear  the  cannonading  during  the 
first  day  at  Gettysburg,  the  tramp  was  resumed, 
marching  all  night,  and  the  next  morning  the 
Regt.  having  arrived  on  the  field  was  immedi 
ately  assigned  to  a  position  at  the  Peach 
Orchard,  where  the  skirmishing  continued  ac 
tively  all  day,  the  Co.  having  four  men  killed, 
among  whom  was  Totten's  immediate  comrade, 
and  our  soldier,  himself,  having  the  heel  of  his 
shoe  shot  off.  Driven  from  the  field  about  4 
P.  M.,  they  fell  back  in  a  pell  mell  condition, 
and  the  following  morning  again  rallied  to  the 
front,  and  this,  the  last  day,  Totten's  Regt.  did 
most  excellent  work,  supporting  the  battery. 
Pursuing  the  retreating  rebels,  the  Regt.  con 
tinued  marching  and  counter-marching  with  the 
army  up  to  the  time  it  was  loaded  into  stock 
cars  and  transported  to  N.  Y.  to  aid  in  sup 
pressing  the  riots  during  the  drafting  of 
1863. 

After  remaining  there  until  about  Oct.,  dur 
ing  which  time  young  William  acted  as  Orderly 
to  Gen.  Canby,  the  Regt.  returned  and  joined 
the  army  at  Centerville,  Va.,  where  under  cold 
and  heavy  rain,  with  no  tent  or  any  protection, 
the  "boys"  did  heavy  fatigue  work,  many  tak 
ing  seriously  sick.  After  remaining  in  winter 
quarters  at  Brandy  Station  until  March,  1864, 
they  started  on  an  expedition,  fighting  the 
enemy  at  Locust  Grove,  and  after  a  hot  skir 
mish  at  Mine  Run  returned  to  the  old  camp 
grounds.  Again  moving  out  they  unexpectedly 
met  the  enemy  on  the  second  day.  Totten's 
command  was  forward  in  the  line  of  battle  and 
ordered  into  the  woods.  Hardly  had  they 
entered  when  they  met  their  own  skirmishing 
line,  who  had  been  slow  in  advancing  and  soon 
the  entire  rebel  force  who  had  been  quietly  in 


ambush,  popped  up  and  poured  volley  on  vol 
ley,  literally  mowing  down  the  Union  "boys," 
who  were  forced  to  retreat  in  a  pitiful  and  con 
fused  condition.  After  bivouacking  the  entire 
day  they  again  participated  in  the  bloody 
second  day's  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  the  regi 
ment  this  day  losing  fully  50  in  dead  and 
wounded,  but  our  soldier  boy,  though  again 
in  the  front,  fortunately  escaping  without  a 
wound. 

After  marching  all  that  night  they  continued 
participating  in  almost  constant  skirmishing  up 
to  May  11,  the  day  they  were  ordered  on  skir 
mish  line  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House  about 
9  P.  M.,  and  engaged  in  heavy  skirmishing  the 
entire  night,  the  Regt.  again  losing  about  20  in 
killed  and  wounded.  The  following  day,  May 
12,  our  gallant  soldier  was  again  bravely 
engaged  under  13  hours  of  steady,  heavy  firing 
before  Spottsylvania,  his  regiment  this  time  los 
ing  over  a  hundred  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 
The  next  day  they  marched  until  about  2 
P.  M.,  halted  for  bridge  building,  and  at  dusk 
again  encountered  the  enemy,  fighting  the 
entire  night,  and  capturing  about  8,000  prison 
ers,  who  were  marched  into  Grant's  headquar 
ters  the  next  day.  While  in  camp  the  Regt. 
was  mustered  out,  and  finally  discharged  at 
Boston,  Mass.,  May  24,  1864. 

Thus  comrade  Totten  after  having  bravely 
participated  in  many  of  the  very  heaviest  and 
most  important  battles  of  the  war,  returned,  and 
again  took  to  the  sea,  following  it  until  1869, 
when  he  went  West  and  located  at  Davenport, 
Iowa,  and  in  1871,  moved  to  Rock  Island.  For 
the  past  21  years  he  has  acted  in  the  important 
and  entrusted  position  of  foreman  and  super 
intendent  of  labor,  at  the  U.  S.  Arsenal  located 
there. 

Mr.  Totten  found  his  ideal  wife  in  the  per 
son  of  Malvina  Rapp,  the  amiable  and  ladylike 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Anna  M.  (Astor) 
Rapp,  who  were  of  German  descent. 

To  them  were  born  three  children,  namely: 
William  C.,  Lombard  M.  and  Thomas  B.  Mr. 
Totten  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  a 
liberal-minded,  courteous  gentleman  whom  it 
is  a  pleasure  to  meet. 


452 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


HENRY  WINTER,  a  merchant  and  jeweler 
of  Hanover,  111.,  is  a  native  of  Prussia, 
where  he  was  born  June  22,  1841.  He 
immigrated  with  his  parents  to  Mass,  in  the 
year  1844,  and  continued  to  reside  in  the  New 
England  States  until  1854,  when  they  moved 
West,  settling  in  Carroll  Co.  111.  The  father 
served  nine  years  in  the  army  of  his  native 
country,  and  became  the  parent  of  five  sons, 
besides  our  subject,  and  two  daughters.  John, 
one  of  the  sons,  was  in  the  late  war,  having 
served  in  Battery  B.,  1st  111.  Light  Art.,  and  is 
now  living  in  South  Bend,  Ind.  Henry  received 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  East. 

Aug.  30,  1861,  he  enlisted  at  Galena,  for  the 
war,  and  was  mustered  as  a  bugler  in  Co.  A., 
45th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  but  in  the  first  engagement 
pitched  his  bugle  and  shouldered  his  gun  in 
stead.  His  Regt.  continued  at  Galena  fora  time, 
then  moved  to  Chicago,  and  Jan.  15,  1862,  pro 
ceeded  to  Cairo,  and  subsequently  on  the  Fort 
Donelson  Campaign.  In  that  battle  the  Regt. 
lost  several  of  its  men  in  killed  and  wounded, 
and  Feb.  I3th  young  Winter  was  struck  in  the 
head  with  a  ball,  which  has  never  been  entirely 
removed.  He  was  taken  to  Mound  City  hos 
pital,  where  he  continued  unconscious  for  sev 
eral  days,  his  life  being  despaired  of  for  weeks. 
He  was  subsequently  removed  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  placed  in  a  Jewish  hospital  until  con 
valescent,  and  then  sent  home,  after  a  hospital 
life  of  about  three  months,  arriving  near  the  end 
of  May,  1862.  He  recovered  and  rejoined  his 
Regt.  June  19,  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  making  a  re- 
connoissance  of  Humboldt  July  I,  returning  to 
Jackson,  and  on  Aug.  I2th  was  detailed,  with 
175  others,  to  guard  at  Medon  Station,  and 
whilst  there  was  attacked  by  about  4,000  men 
under  Longstreet.  The  garrison  piled  up  bales 
of  cotton,  as  protective  works,  and  for  three 
hours  kept  the  enemy  at  bay  until  reinforce 
ments  arrived  and  relieved  them  from  the  per 
ilous  position. 

Mr.  Winter's  chum,  W.  C.  Benefield,  was 
killed.  The  men  rejoined  their  Regt.  at  Jack 
son,  Nov.  2,  and  started  upon  that  ever  mem 
orable  Tallahatchie  expedition,  the  object  of 
which  was  to  get  into  Vicksburg  via  the  rear. 


The  Regt.  was  besieged  during  the  campaign 
for  about  two  weeks  and  the  only  food  obtain 
able  was  rotten  corn. 

Men  were  wanted  to  run  the  blockade  under 
the  Vicksburg  batteries,  whereupon  Gen.  Logan 
said  the  "Lead  Mine  Regt.,"  meaning  the  45th 
111.,  would  volunteer  for  the  service,  which  they 
did,  every  man  of  them,  being  many  more  than 
were  required.  Mr.  Winter  and  many  of  the 
Regt.  were  excused  and  afterwards  started  for 
Grand  Gulf,  then  towards  Thompson  Station, 
where  he  fought  all  day  May  I,  defeating  the 
rebels;  then  went  in  pursuit  of  them,  engaging 
them  at  Raymond  for  several  hours,  and  again 
in  the  midst  of  a  heavy  thunderstorm  at  Jack 
son,  defeated  them  and  captured  the  city.  Con 
tinuing  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  he  was 
encountered  again  at  Champion  Hills,  where 
one  of  the  severest  battles  of  the  war  was 
fought.  He  wras  afterwards  assigned  as  Ward 
Master  in  the  field  hospital,  where  he  was  soon 
captured  and  paroled.  Later  he  assisted  in  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  until  the  fall  of  that  city. 

He  went  home,  arriving  July  23,  returning 
again  to  Vicksburg,  Oct.,  13,  then  went  to 
Black  River  and  after  some  skirmishing  re 
turned  to  Vicksburg,  Dec.  28,  he  was  examined 
by  the  surgeon  and  pronounced  unfit  for  field 
service,  and  accordingly  transferred  to  the 
veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  Jan.  27,  another  ex 
amination  confirmed  the  previous  report.  In 
the  early  days  of  April,  he  proceeded  to  Wash 
ington,  obtained  a  furlough  and  returned  home. 
Rejoining  his  Regt.,  then  at  Freeport,  the  45th 
all  having  been  furloughed,  he  proceeded  with 
them  to  Cairo,  then  to  St.  Louis,  where  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  was  formed.  He  was 
made  a  drummer  and  with  his  Regt.  went  to 
Washington,  camped  there  for  a  time,  after 
wards  moving  to  Harrisburg,  where  Mr.  Winter 
was  discharged  Sept.  5,  1864,  some  weeks  after 
the  term  ot  his  enlistment  had  expired. 

He  then  returned  home,  and  15  days  after 
quitting  the  service  was  married  to  Minerva 
S.,  daughter  of  W.  and  Sarah  Johnson.  Mr. 
Winter  has  been  a  Notary  Public,  and  Justice 
of  the  Peace  for  16  years,  and  Police  Magis 
trate  for  several  years.  He  was  the  first  Com- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


453 


mander  of  the  John  O.  Duer  Post,  No.  399,  G. 
A.  R.,  and  has  served  several  terms  since.  He 
is  a  member  of  Plumb  River  Lodge,  No.  554, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  of  the  K.  of  L.;  and  also  of  the 
Fanners  Alliance.  His  chosen  calling  was  a 
farmer,  but  his  illness  contracted  during  the 
war  unfitted  him  for  heavy  physical  labor,  hence 
he  abandoned  it  and  has  since  been  engaged 
in  the  jewelry  business. 


ON  the  pages  of  this  book  are  portrayed 
the  names  and  deeds  of  those  who  left 
their  loved  ones  and  their  occupations, 
went  to  the  front,  and  by  their  bravery  and 
devotion  to  the  Union  and  the  "old  flag"  saved 
this  great  Republic  from  being  destroyed.  It 
will  contain  the  deeds  of  the  rank  and  file,  the 
backbone  of  the  Union  army  and  among  these 
none  are  more  justly  entitled  to  representation 
than  comrade  J.  M.  Holt,  the  .gentlemanly 
Postmaster  of  Molinc,  111.  He  hails  from 
Golden,  N.  Y.,  and  dates  his  birth  Feb.  21, 
1844.  His  father,  Arnold  Holt,  who  in 
his  youth  wras  1st  Lieut,  of  the  Bennington 
Rifle  Co.  of  Vt.,  was  born  at  Sharon,  Vt.,  July 
5,  1/94,  and  was  a  descendant  of  Nicholas 
Holt,  who  emigrated  from  Fngland  in  1635, 
and  settled  at  Newbury,  Mass.  His  mother, 
Hannah  (Millington)  was  born  at  South  Shafts- 
bury,  Vt.,  and  was  also  of  English  ancestry. 
Up  to  his  iith  year  John  lived  and  attended 
school  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Moving  with  his  par 
ents  to  Moline,  111.  he  resumed  his  studies  for 
three  years,  and  then  learned  the  art  of  print 
ing.  In  this  excellent  institution  of  learning 
he  continued  until  he  volunteered  to  go  to  the 
"  Front"  as  a  son  of  war,  of  but  17  years.  He 
enlisted  at  Moline,  111.,  Dec.  I,  1861,  Co.  H., 
8th  Kan.  The  Regt.  was  organized  at  Fort 
Leavenworth,  Kan.,  Feb.  15,  1862,  and  com 
manded  by  Col.  John  A.  Martin,  the  famous 
soldier  Governor  of  Kansas.  It  moved  to  the 
city,  did  provost  guard  duty,  and  subsequently 
marched  to  Fort  Riley,  crossing  the  John 
Brown  battlefield,  en  route,  where  it  camped 
and  was  drilled  by  the  famous  Lieut.  Robin- 


ette.  Returning  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  May 
27,  they  embarked  for  Columbus,  Ky.,  under 
the  almost  constant  fire  of  bushwhackers. 
Moving  on  to  Corinth  they  were  constantly 
engaged  in  scouting  and  repairing  railroads. 
During  the  time  of  the  Buell  campaign,  they 
marched  on  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  Oct.  8, 
1862,  met  the  enemy  in  that  bloody  battle  of 
Perryville,  Ky. 

From  here  Holt's  Regt.  led  the  advance  on 
to  Lancaster,  drove  the  enemy  out  of  the  town 
and  crowded  them  close  on  to  Crab  Orchard, 
Ky.  Shortly,  the  entire  army  retraced  its  steps 
to  Nashville,  Tenn.  Here,  on  the  Franklin 
Pike,  the  Regt.  bravely  held  the  line  of  battle 
for  about  two  weeks,  with  our  soldier  boy  sta 
tioned  on  the  outposts,  where  he  faithfully 
stood  as  a  target,  with  others,  for  the  rebel  rain 
of  bullets,  fortunately  escaping  without  an  in 
jury.  During  the  battle  of  Stone  River  the 
"boys"  of  the  8th  Kan.  were  constantly  on  duty 
at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  day  and  night,  guarding  the 
prisoners  and  forwarding  several  thousand 
North.  On  this  occasion  comrade  Holt  noticed 
that  "Andy"  Johnson  was  invariably  giving 
carte  blanche  to  noted  rebels,  while  Union  men 
were  unable  to  receive  admission  to  headquar 
ters.  After  remaining  at  Nashville  five  months, 
we  next  find  our  soldier  engaged  in  the  battles 
and  skirmishes  which  ended  in  the  capture  of 
Tullahoma.  The  next  march  was  to  Deckerd 
Station,  and  while  camped  here,  the  Regt.  was 
detailed  to  capture  a  squad  of  bushwhackers 
who  lay  fortified  in  a  basin  of  a  mountain  about 
25  miles  off.  Forward  they  moved,  completely 
routing  them,  and  capturing  many  prisoners 
with  all  their  horses  and  provisions.  Onward 
again  and  camped  at  Stevenson,  Ala.  Here  on 
the  early  morning  of  Aug.  30th,  the  8th  Kan. 
was  the  first  Regt.  to  move  across  the  Tenn. 
river,  where  lay  the  enemy.  Bravely  the  com 
mand  pressed  on,  their  line  being  strengthened 
with  artillery,  and  repulsing  the  foe.  During 
this  short  but  hot  conflict  our  comrade  had 
another  narrow  escape — one  of  the  whizzing 
balls,  indeed,  passing  between  his  legs.  After 
weeks  of  skirmishing  and  hard  marching,  climb 
ing  and  reclimbing  Lookout  Mt.,  we  find  our 


454 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


youthful  hero  fighting  bravely  in  one  of  the 
bloodiest  conflicts  of  the  rebellion,  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga. 

At  7  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Sept,  19, 
1863,  just  as  the  "boys"  were  breakfasting, 
came  the  sound  of  the  signal  gun.  Instanter 
all  was  dropped,  and  forward  the  Div.  marched 
to  meet  the  enemy  near  the  Widow  Glenn 
House.  Onward,  "to  do  or  die,"  even  within 
50  feet  of  its  main  line,  hid  as  it  was,  behind  a 
wall  of  shrubbery.  The  conflict  was  fluctuating 
—back  and  forth  they  rallied  over  the  field, 
crimsoned  with  human  blood.  Time  after  time 
our  "boys"  bravely  rallied,  holding  their  line 
until  dark,  when  they  were  relieved.  During 
the  raging  battle  nearly  every  man  who  stood 
by  the  side  of  comrade  Holt  was  killed  or 
wounded,  and  poor  George  Veasey  while  stand 
ing  directly  at  his  front  had  his  brains  blown 
out,  thus  passing  from  active  duty  to  grim 
death,  in  a  flash  of  a  gun.  The  next  morning 
the  firing  was  reopened.  Soon  the  Union  forces 
were  split,  and  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  fall 
back.  Holt  and  his  immediate  comrades,  not 
hearing  the  order,  came  within  20  feet  of  being 
captured.  Retreating  right  in  face  of  the 
entire  enemy's  shot  and  shell,  he  was  the  only 
one  of  his  Co.  who  passed  a  rebel  battery  in 
the  flank,  back  to  the  rallying  point  without 
getting  shot,  verily,  as  if  by  a  miracle.  Every 
other  one  was  either  killed  or  wounded,  and 
brave  David  Sayle,  who  was  within  four  feet 
of  our  subject,  was  literally  blown  to  atoms,  his 
sad  remnants  lying  scattered  about  the  tragic 
scene.  The  battle  raged  furiously  the  entire 
day,  and  at  night  the  Union  forces  withdrew 
to  Rossville  Gap  near  Chattanooga,  the  gallant 
8th  Kan.  alas,  leaving  57  per  cent,  of  their  entire 
number  on  the  field  either  killed  or  wounded. 
After  another  days  heavy  firing,  the  Union 
forces  fell  back  to  Chattanooga  where  the 
skirmishing  continued  incessantly  until  Oct. 
2O,  when  the  army  was  reorganized,  and  the 
Regt.  was  attached  to  Willick's  Brig.,  Wood  s 
Div.,  4th  A.  C.  which  brought  it  in  line  of  bat 
tle  directly  in  front  of  Orchard  Knob,  where, 
Nov.  23,  another  hot  battle  ensued,  ending  in 
the  capture  of  Orchard  Knob  by  the  8th  Kan. 


Nov.  24,  the  "  boys "  lay  in  skirmish  line  all 
day,  and  the  story  of  their  gallant  and  desper 
ate  charge  on  Missionary  Ridge,  Nov.  25,  will 
echo  through  history  long,  long  after  the  heroes 
are  dead  and  gone. 

The  attack  was  made  at  4  P.  M.,  then  on 
ward!  onward!  up  the  Ridge,  facing  volley 
upon  volley  of  deadly  firing,  and  before  the 
setting  sun  had  reflected  its  scarlet  splendor 
upon  that  bloody  scene,  the  stars  and  stripes 
were  proudly  floating  upon  the  summit — Holt's 
command,  which  was  again  in  the  advance,  be 
ing  one  of  the  first  to  pierce  the  rebel  fortifica 
tions,  capturing  300  prisoners,  300  stands  of 
small  arms,  and  17  pieces  of  artillery.  Three 
days  later,  the  Div.  started  on  a  forced  march 
to  relieve  Burnside  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  arriving 
at  Strawberry  Plains,  Dec.  7,  after  a  most  ar 
duous  tramp  through  sleet,  ice  and  cold  rain. 
It  was  on  such  an  occasion  that  the  "boys" 
damned  the  army  contractors  who  delivered 
paper-sole  shoes,  our  soldier  boy's  feet  bleeding 
badly,  the  soles  of  his  shoes  having  nearly 
dropped  off.  Here  they  built  a  bridge  across 
the  Holston  River,  and  shortly  after,  drove  the 
rebels  under  Longstreet  into  Va.  About  this 
time  the  major  portion  of  the  Regt.  returned 
home  on  furlough,  young  Holt,  however,  re 
maining  with  the  68th  Ind.  After  months  of 
continued  camp  duty,  we  find  him  actively  en 
gaged  in  the  Atlanta  campaign;  rejoining  his 
Regt.  June  28,  1864,  en  route  to  Kenesaw  Mt., 
participating  in  the  battle  there.  From  this 
time  on  to  Sept.  I,  our  soldier  was  almost  con 
stantly  under  fire,  sometimes  day  and  night 
without  intermission.  On  July  22,  in  the  battle 
of  Atlanta,  Gen.  McPherson  met  with  his  death. 
During  the  confusion  of  a  hot  skirmish  on  the 
night  of  the  24th,  Holt  and  his  immediate  com 
rades  were  left  between  the  two  fires,  the  other 
"boys"  falling  back.  There  they  lay  hugging 
the  ground,  as  if  riveted,  with  shot  and  shell 
whizzing  above  them  fof  an  interval  of  ten  or 
fifteen  minutes. 

Aug.  26th  the  great  flank  movement  was 
inaugurated,  terminating  in  the  hard  fought 
battles  of  Jonesboro  and  Lovejoy  Station,  and 
the  fall  of  Atlanta,  comrade  Holt  having  par- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


455 


ticipated  in  the  entire  campaign,  with  a  loss  to 
the  Regt  of  25  per  cent,  of  their  number.  Oct. 
3,  1863,  they  followed  Hood,  headed  him  off  at 
Resaca,  drove  the  enemy  into  Gaylesville,  Ala., 
thence  marched  to  Chattanooga,  where  they 
were  transported  to  Huntsville,  and  marched 
to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  arriving  Nov.  ist.  Nov.  23 
they  started  on  a  race  for  Columbia,  Tenn., 
marching  all  night  and  beating  the  enemy  but 
a  short  time.  On  the  morning  of  Nov.  30th  we 
find  our  "boys  in  blue"  skirmishing  their  way 
to  Franklin.  Dec.  i  they  moved  to  Nashville, 
and  were  at  once  employed  in  the  fortifications. 
Dec.  7  comrade  Holt  received  his  discharge, 
his  term  of  service  having  expired  a  week  prior. 
As  the  loyal  soldier  was  about  to  take  his  leave, 
he  was  called  back  by  the  captain,  who  asked 
him  if  he  would  like  to  take  with  him  his 
wounded  but  faithful  gun.  Responding  joy 
fully  in  the  affirmative,  he  was  escorted  to  the 
colonel,  who  presented  it  to  comrade  Holt, 
with:  "Take  it  and  preserve  it,  John,  you  have 
most  dearly  earned  it!"  Thus  after  three  years 
of  most  active  service,  having  had  only  two 
days'  leave  of  absence,  and  having  traveled 
3,680  miles,  our  loyal  soldier  returned  home 
crowned  with  honor,  but  badly  broken  down  in 
health,  which,  alas,  he  has  never  quite  regained 
since,  arriving  at  Moline  Dec.  10,  1864.  Mr. 
Holt  kept  a  detailed  and  most  complete  jour 
nal  while  in  the  army.  This  he  prizes  dearly, 
together  with  his  gun,  which  was  wounded  in 
his  hands  at  Chickamauga;  a  rebel  sharp 
shooter's  ammunition  pouch  captured  at  Chat 
tanooga;  cartridges  made  at  the  tower  in  Lon 
don  and  captured  on  the  summit  of  Missionary 
Ridge,  besides  other  articles  of  note  and  interest. 

After  his  return  Mr.  Holt  established  him 
self  in  the  grocery  business,  which  he  continued 
nearly  up  to  the  time  he  received  the  appoint 
ment  as  Postmaster,  May  i,  1890.  He  is  a 
member  of  R.  H.  Graham  Post,  of  Moline;  a 
Mason;  also  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  M.  W.;  and 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

Has  been  a  member  of  the  State  Militia 
since  it  was  reorganized,  and  for  the  past  9 
years  Q.  M.  of  the  6th  Regt.  111.  Nat.  Guards, 
and  was  for  5- years  Sergt.  of  Moline  Co. 


He  found  his  ideal  wife  in  Miss  Maria  W. 
Hitchcock,  the  highly  estimable  daughter  of 
Rev.  Allen  B.  and  Francis  E.  (Hotchkiss) 
Hitchcock,  whom  he  joined  in  wedlock  at  Mo 
line.  By  this  happy  union  were  born,  Mabel  D., 
Geo.  D.,  and  Niel  Allen. 

A  leading  and  representative  citizen,  a  true 
soldier,  and  an  affectionate  father,  Mr.  Holt  is 
an  honor  to  any  community — a  gentleman  in 
the  best  sense  of  the  term  — one  who  has  justly 
won  the  love,  respect  and  esteem  of  many 
friends. 


HORACE  C.  BKINTNALL,  of  Elgin,  111.,  was 
born  in  Windham  Co.,  Vt.,  Nov.  10, 1837, 
and  his  parents,  Prosper  and  Amy  (John 
son)  Brintnall  were  also  natives  of  that  State. 
The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  The 
family  consisted  of  four  children,  viz.:  Ervin, 
Lorin,  Laurette,and  Horace  C.  The  early  days 
of  the  latter  were  spent  on  the  farm,  but  he  at 
tended  school  during  the  winter  season,  until 
he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when  he  moved  to 
Elgin,  111.,  and  was  a  student  for  a  time  in  the 
Elgin  Academy.  At  Elgin  he  learned  the  trade 
of  carpenter  and  worked  in  that  place  until  the 
date  of  his  enlistment,  Sept.  25,  1861,  in  Co.  G., 
52nd  111.  Inf.,  being  mustered  in  at  Geneva,  111. 
After  nearly  two  months  of  camp  duty  here, 
the  Regt.  was  transferred  to  Benton  Barracks, 
St.  Louis,  and  assigned  to  garrison  duty,  until 
a  march  was  ordered  to  St.  Joseph,  where  Co. 
G.  was  employed  to  guard  the  railroad  bridge 
at  Bush  Run,  and  to  do  scouting  duty.  It  was 
next  sent  to  Stewartsville,  for  guard  duty  on 
the  railroad,  and  soon  moved  to  St.  Joseph, 
Cairo,  and  Ft.  Holt,  and  marched  from  Palmyra 
to  Quincy  where  it  camped  two  nights  and  en 
joyed  a  feast  given  by  the  ladies  of  that  place. 
From  Quincy  a  movement  was  made  to  Ft. 
Holt,  where  preparations  were  made  for  the 
more  serious  work  of  the  soldier.  Anon  orders 
came  that  turned  the  regiment  toward  the  field 
of  conflict.  It  went  to  Smithtown,  Ky.,  then 
started  for  Ft.  Donelson,  and  arriving  just  after 
the  surrender,  \vas  detailed  as  guard  for  the 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


prisoners,  being  sent  subsequently,  with  the 
guard  that  conducted  them  to  Chicago,  where 
the  Regt.  remained  on  guard  duty  for  a  short 
time,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Pittsburg  Landing. 
Here  danger  and  death  were  to  be  met  face 
to  face.  The  52d  was  stationed  on  the  front 
line.  In  the  opening  of  the  fight  it  withstood 
a  charge  of  cavalry,  most  bravely  repulsed  it, 
and  held  its  place  in  front  during  the  whole 
day  although  suffering  heavy  loss.  At  night  it 
formed  a  new  line  back  of  the  first  and  slept  on 
its  arms  until  morning.  On  the  second  day  of 
the  fight  it  was  also  actively  engaged. 

Here  Mr.  Brintnall  secured  a  furlough  for 
30  days,  and  made  a  visit  home,  joining  his 
Regt.  at  Corinth  in  time  to  participate  in  that 
siege,  in  which  it  was  near  Ft.  Williams,  and  on 
the  second  day  was  in  the  hottest  of  the  engage 
ment.  After  the  capture  of  the  city  the  com 
mand  remained  in  possession  until  relieved, 
when  it  marched  to  luka,  Little  and  Big  Bear 
Creeks,  scouting  and  skirmishing  occasionally 
on  the  way  until  it  reached  Germantown, 
Tenn.,  where  it  performed  camp  and  guard 
duty,  then  moved  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  where 
the  Regt.  veteranized  and  the  men  were 
given  a  30  days'  furlough.  Returning  to  Nash 
ville  the  52d  started  on  the  Atlanta  campaign 
and  was  in  all  the  important  marches  and  bat 
tles  of  that  famous  expedition. 

Mr.  Brintnall  was  at  Rome,  Ga.,  when  that 
city  was  captured  and  acted  as  hospital  nurse. 
Here  on  account  of  gangrene  in  his  hand  and 
arm  he  was  given  leave  of  absence.  He  re 
joined  his  comrades  at  Beaufort,  N.  C.  The 
vicissitudes  of  war  led  this  Regt.  through  the 
Carolinas,  where  at  the  battle  of  Lynch. Creek, 
it  waded  through  the  water,  waist  deep. 

It  was  at  the  battles  of  Averysboro  and  Ben- 
tonville;  marched  on  to  Goldsboro  and  then  to 
Raleigh.  After  the  capture  of  Columbia,  S.  C., 
the  Brig,  tore  up  the  railroad  tracks.  Then 
followed  the  march  to  the  Capital  via  Rich 
mond,  and  after  the  Grand  Review  at  Wash 
ington,  the  battle  scarred  veterans  left  for  their 
homes,  for  the  civil  war  was  over. 

Mr.  Brintnall  was  mustered  out  at  Chicago, 
July  12,  1865,  and  laying  down  the  musket, 


went  to  Elgin  to  take  up  his  plane  and  saw. 
He  continued  as  carpenter  and  joiner,  and  for 
the  past  eight  years  has  been  the  owner  of  an 
extensive  planing  mill. 

He  was  married  in  Elgin  in  1859,  to  Sarah 
Lynd,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children — 
Nellie  and  Harry.  Mr.  Brintnall  is  a  good  Re 
publican,  and  wrell  known  as  a  prominent  Ma 
son  and  an  active  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post, 
in  which  he  has  held  all  of  the  important 
offices.  A  true  soldier,  a  gentleman,  he  has 
won  the  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 


WILLIAM  H.  DERRICK,  of  Geneva,  111.  De 
puty  Sheriff  of  Kane  Co.,  111.  is  a  native 
of  N.  Y.,  born  in  Skaneateles,  Onon- 
dago  Co.,  in   1839.     His  parents  are  Benjamin 
and  Hannah  (Warford)  Derrick,  born  in  1810 
and    1816  respectively,   near  Bristol,  England, 
where  they  were  reared  and  married,  emigrat 
ing  to  America  and  locating  in  N.  Y.,  in  1844, 
later  moving  to  Geneva,  111.,  and  are  now  living 
in  their  old  age  at  Sycamore,  same  State. 

Wm.  H.  Derrick,  the  only  son  in  a  family  of 
three,  passed  his  early  years  upon  a  farm  and 
when  he  attained  his  majority,  continued  in 
that  vocation  until  the  war  cry  of  the  Nation, 
in  peril  from  the  faithlessness  of  a  part  of  her 
own  children,  reverberated  over  the  land,  start 
ling  and  enthusing  the  hearts  of  loyal  young 
men  in  shops  and  on  farms. 

He  enlisted  in  Co.  E.,  ;2nd  111.  Inf.,  Aug.  8, 
1862,  was  mustered  in  Aug.  23,  in  Chicago,  and 
known  as  the  1st.  Board  of  Trade  Regt.  com 
posed  of  930  men,  of  which,  F.  A.  Starring  was 
Colonel.  W.  B.  Holbrook  was  Captain  of 
Co.  E. 

The  Regt.  went  to  Cairo,  then  to  Paducah, 
for  post  duty.  It  was  then  sent  to  Columbus, 
Ky.,  on  guard  and  picket  duty.  Two  expedi 
tions  were  made  to  Mo.  The  first  to  Clarkson 
where  the  /2nd  dispersed  the  Confederates 
and  captured  a  number  of  prisoners,  the  second 
to  New  Madrid.  Dec.  I,  1862,  they  fought  the 
Confederates  at  Lumpkins  Mills,  Miss.,  and 
afterward  fell  back  to  near  Granada,  Miss.  On 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


457 


the  retreat  the  72nd  guarded  the  wagon  train 
to  Memphis  and  went  into  camp  about  eight 
miles  from  the  city  until  Jan.  18,  1863,  when  it 
occupied  the  city  as  provost  guard.  While 
there,  Thomas  Seacord,  a  nurse  in  the  hospital, 
and  a  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Derrick,  died  from 
disease  contracted  on  the  inarch  in  Miss. 

March  I,  1864,  the  /2nd,  and  its  Div.  was 
ordered  on  an  expedition  to  Yazoo  Pass,  but 
finding  Pendleton's  forces  to  be  quite  strong, 
the  movement  was  abandoned  and  returning 
went  to  Helena,  Ark.,  then  down  the  river  to 
Milliken's  Bend,  where  after  ten  days  Mr.  Der 
rick  was  assigned  to  duty  as  guard,  on  the 
steamer  "Empire  City."  Mr.  Derrick  was 
afterward  made  issuing  clerk,  and  served  in 
this  capacity  17  months.  The  first  trip  of  the 
steamer  after  his  assignment  was  up  the  Yazoo 
River,  where  it  remained  until  the  fall  of  Vicks- 
burg,  then  went  to  that  city,  and  he  continued 
in  his  duty  until  Oct.  1864,  when  he  rejoined 
his  Regt.  and  embarked  for  Nashville.  This 
force  reached  its  objective  point,  too  late  to 
march  with  Gen.  Sherman  to  the  sea,  and  was 
ordered  to  Columbia,  Tenn.,  to  join  Gen. 
Schofield.  On  the  29th,  Columbia  was  evacu 
ated  and  a  march  made  to  Spring  Hill,  where 
the  72nd  was  engaged  in  that  memorable  bat 
tle.  It  then  marched  to  Franklin  where  it 
fought  the  next  day  from  4  o'clock  until  near 
midnight,  in  the  hottest  of  the  battle,  the  Regt. 
losing  9  of  its  16  officers  and  152  men  killed 
and  wounded,  leaving  but  30  men  in  Co.  E., 
who  were  in  the  fight.  This  same  night  after 
the  fight,  the  Regt.  marched  to  Nashville,  mak 
ing  the  third  night  that  the  men  had  been  on 
duty  without  rest.  Reaching  Nashville  about 
daylight,  the  men  were  at  once  ordered  to 
throw  up  works.  The  72nd  here,  were  on  the 
extreme  right,  and  after  the  battle,  Mr.  Derrick 
was  on  guard  duty,  until  Dec.  14,  when  he  was 
detailed  as  issuing  clerk  in  the  Commissary 
Department  and  the  command  began  its  pur 
suit  of  Hood. 

Feb.  9,  1865,  it  embarked  at  East  Port,  for 
New  Orleans,  arriving  Feb.  21.  Mar.  12,  it 
embarked  for  Dauphin  Island,  which  it 
reached  Mar.  17,  and  the  next  day  crossed 


over  to  the  main  land  on  the  western  shore  of 
the  Mobile  Bay.  The  command  was  employed 
in  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  here  a  few  days, 
when  the  object  of  the  expedition  having  been 
accomplished,  which  was  a  feint  on  Mobile, 
from  that  direction,  it  rejoined  the  army  near 
Smith's  Mills,  Ala.  On  the  morning  of  Mar. 
27,  the  72nd  arrived  in  front  of  Spanish  Fort 
and  was  busily  engaged  in  the  siege  during  the 
next  13  days.  On  the  night  of  April  8th,  the 
Brig,  made  a  brilliant  midnight  assault  on  the 
enemy's  works,  and  captured  the  fort.  The 
next  morning  it  started  for  Fort  Blakely. 
Shortly  a  march  was  begun  to  Montgomery, 
which  proved  to  be  a  severe  one,  as  the  men 
covered  a  distance  of  200  miles  in  II  days. 

Remaining  in  camp  until  May  23,  a  march 
of  45  miles  was  made  to  Union  Springs,  where 
they  were  employed  in  post  duty  for  two 
months.  July  19,  they  moved  to  Vicksburg, 
and  reaching  that  place  Aug.  6,  were  discharged 
and  embarked  for  the  homeward  jourrtey.  The 
72d,  during  its  service,  received  450  recruits  and 
when  discharged  transferred  270  of  these  to  the 
32d  111.  Veterans  and  returned  home  with  12 
officers  and  310  men. 

Mr.  Derrick,  after  the  war,  resumed  his 
farming  interests  until  a  few  years  ago,  when 
he  moved  to  Geneva  and  engaged  in  other  bus 
iness  for  about  a  year,  but  retired  from  it  to 
accept  the  position  of  Deputy  Sheriff,  which 
he  now  holds.  He  married  Emma  Hathaway, 
Jan.  I,  1874,  a  daughter  of  David  R.,  and  Mary 
Hathaway.  Mrs.  Derrick  was  born  near  Potts- 
dam,  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y. 

Mr.  Derrick  served  three  terms  as  Township 
Collector,  and  is  now  acting  as  a  member  of 
the -School  Board,  and  holds  the  office  of  Con 
stable.  In  the  Geneva  Post,  No.  60,  G.  A.  R., 
lie  was  Commander  two  terms  and  has  always 
been  in  some  important  position.  In  the  Gen 
eva  Lodge,  No.  139,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  he  has  held 
the  position  of  S.  W.  &  J.  W.,  and  is  Captain  of 
the  Host,  in  Fox  River  Chapter;  also  a  mem 
ber  of  Bethel  Commandery  No.  36,  at  Elgin, 
111. 

During  his  service  in  the  army,  he  was  on 
duty  most  of  the  time  and  participated  in  near- 


458 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ly  all  the  important  movements  and  battles  that 
his  regiment  encountered,  being  but  a  short 
time  in  the  hospital  at  Memphis  and  Vicks- 
burg,  and  absent  on  home  furlough  only  about 
six  weeks.  His  war  record  is  a  creditable  one, 
and  the  positions  he  has  since  held  are  satis 
factory  evidence  of  the  public  confidence  and 
respect  he  enjoys  as  a  gentleman  of  unimpeach 
able  character  and  integrity. 


CARL  SCHURZ  was  born  at  Cologne  on  the 
Rhine,  in  Prussia,  March  2,  1829.  He 
received  his  education  at  the  schools  of 
Germany,  and  at  an  early  age  took  an  active 
part  in  the  political  affairs  of  his  country.  He 
was  connected  with  the  Liberal  movement  of 
1848,  on  account  of  which  he  was  obliged  to 
leave  his  country.  The  U.  S.  being  more  in 
consonance  with  his  ideas  of  government,  he 
sought  its  shores,  and  subsequently  became 
one  of  its  citizens.  After  the  war  broke  out  he 
tendered  his  services  to  his  adopted  country. 
In  April  1862,  he  was  appointed  by  the  Presi 
dent,  Brig.  Gen.  of  Volunteers,  and  was  assigned 
to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  served  with 
distinction  in  Gen.  Fremont's  campaign  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  in  1863,  and  in  Gen. 
Hooker's  campaign  in  E.  Va.  When  Gen.  Lee 
moved  his  great  army  north  in  Pa.,  he  was  as 
signed  to  a  command  under  Meade,  and  par 
ticipated  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  Subse 
quently  he  served  with  Grant  in  his  Chatta 
nooga  campaign,  and  was  with  Sherman  at 
Knoxville,  Tenn.  In  command  of  a  Div.,  Gen. 
Schurz  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Freeman's 
Ford,  Sulphur  Springs,  Second  Bull  Run, 
Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Chattanooga  and 
Mission  Ridge.  He  was  promoted  Maj.  Gen. 
of  Volunteers,  April  14,  1863.  At  the  begin 
ning  of  the  rebellion  he  was  Minister  to  Spain, 
which  position  he  resigned  to  enter  the  army. 

After  the  war  he  was  elected  by  the  Re 
publican  party  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  to  represent 
the  State  of  Wis.  for  one  term.  He  subse 
quently  moved  to  Mo.  and  became  a  citizen  of 
that  State.  He  was  again  honored  with  a  seat 


in  the  U.  S.  Senate,  representing  the  State  of 
Mo.  After  his  term  expired  he  retired  from 
politics  to  be  again  brought  out  by  President 
Hayes  to  occupy  a  place  in  his  cabinet  as 
Secretary  of  the  Interior.  After  his  retirement 
from  the  cabinet  he  located  in  N.  Y.  City  and 
entered  the  field  of  journalism,  connecting  him 
self  with  the  Evening  Post,  now  the  Press.  He 
has  drifted  away  from  the  Republican  party 
and  is  independent  in  his  politics. 

Gen.  Schurz  is  a  man  of  extensive  learning, 
a  gifted  orator  and  a  master  of  the  language  of 
his  adopted  country.  In  person  is  tall,  straight 
and  slender,  sanguine  in  temperament,  florid  in 
complexion,  with  expressive  blue  eyes,  and  red 
hair,  now  mixed  with  gray.  His  forehead  is 
large,  and  his  appearance  is  that  of  a  cultured 
and  intellectual  gentleman.  At  one  time  he 
held  a  commanding  influence  with  the  German 
element  of  his  country. 


TRUMAN  CULVER,  of  Rock  Falls,  111.,  was 
born  in  Boonville,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  9,  1835. 
His  parents  were  Truman  H.  and  Cath 
erine  (Campbell)  Culver.  His  father  was  a  na 
tive  of  N.  Y.,  and  descended  from  English  an 
cestry.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Solomon 
Culver,  was  a  Colonel  in  the  war  of  the  Revo 
lution,  and  was  killed  in  the  defense  of  a  fort 
during  an  attack  by  the  British.  Truman  H., 
the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  was 
born  in  1805,  and  Catharine  A.  (Campbell) 
Culver,  his  mother,  in  1810.  Truman  H.  Culver 
was  a  school  teacher,  and  followed  that  profes 
sion  for  about  20  years.  In  1880  the  family 
moved  to  China  Township,  Lee  Co.,  111.  Fif 
teen  children  were  the  fruits  of  the  union  of 
Truman  and  Catharine  A.  Culver,  1 1  of  whom 
came  to  adult  age,  4  dying  in  infancy  and  child 
hood.  Of  the  sons,  Herman  was  a  member  of 
the  /th  111.  Cav.,  and  is  now  living  at  Port  An 
geles,  Washington.  Staunton,  a  Sergt.  of  the 
5th  Wis.  Inf.,  who,  after  participating  in  all  the 
battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  was  killed 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  receiving  seven 
wounds,  and  was  buried  upon  the  field.  William 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


459 


a  member  of  the  I2th  111.  Inf.,  was  killed  in  the 
attack  upon  Fort  Donelson,  being  among  the 
first  'to  scale  the  fortifications,  and  was  buried 
there.  Truman  H.  Culver  died  in  Lee  Co.,  111., 
in  1866,  and  his  widow  at  Cambridge,  Neb.,  in 
1887. 

Truman  Culver,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  of  a  delicate  constitution  as  a  child,  and  up 
to  his  1 4th  year  a  prey  to  ill  health.  Becoming 
more  robust,  he  was  put  to  school,  where  he 
made  rapid  progress,  passing  a  very  satisfactory 
examination  at  the  age  of  17.  He,  for  several 
years  successfully  taught  school  during  the 
winter  months,  employing  his  time  in  various 
pursuits  during  the  summer. 

In  1859,  he  caught  the  Pike's  Peak  fever,  but 
his  experiences  there  were  not  in  accord  with 
his  anticipations,  and  his  stay  was  prolonged 
only  till  he  could  properly  fit  himself  for  his 
return  to  civilization.  He  went  to  Oswego,  N. 
Y.,  where  he  resumed  teaching,  his  old  school 
awaiting  him.  After  teaching  here  for  one 
term,  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Lee  Co., 
111.,  locating  himself  at  Union  Grove  Township, 
where  he  was  when  the  war  of  the  Rebellion 
began.  Raising  a  company,  he  was  selected  its 
captain,  but  soon  losing  faith  in  his  ability  to 
command,  he  desired  to  resign  and  become  a 
private,  which,  however,  his  men  would  not 
permit.  He  finally  threw  up  his  commission 
and  the  company  was  disbanded.  Sept.  2,  1861, 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  C.,  8th  111.  Cav., 
and  was  regularly  mustered  in  at  St.  Charles, 
Sept.  1 8th.  It  was  soon  discovered  that  he 
knew  more  of  military  tactics  than  any  other 
member  of  his  Co.,  and  that  he  employed  him 
self  almost  nightly  in  drilling  his  company. 
He  was  quickly  promoted  to  Orderly  Ser 
geant,  the  best  office  at  that  time  in  the  com 
pany's  gift.  The  Regt.  soon  proceeded  to  their 
winter  quarters  at  Alexandria.  The  command 
was  ordered  to  the  front  and  took  up  its  line  of 
march  for  Richmond.  Before  reaching  Manas- 
sas,  Sergt.  Culver  undertook  a  reconnoissance 
alone,  and  seeing  a  rebel,  concluded  to  capture 
him,  but  he  was  suddenly  confronted  by  two 
others.  They  commanded  him  to  surrender, 
at  the  same  time  firing  upon  him.  He  started 


to  return  to  his  men  when  they  were  reinforced 
by  two  others  who  began  firing  on  him,  but 
throwing  himself  on  the  side  of  his  horse  he 
escaped  their  bullets  and  reached  camp  in 
safety.  His  comrades  hearing  the  firing,  be 
lieved  that  he  had  been  killed.  He  was  in 
this  adventure  the  first  of  his  regiment  to  get 
sight  of  the  enemy. 

When  approaching  Manassas,  the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  charge,  and  coming  upon  a  fort 
found  it  garrisoned  by  negroes  with  wooden 
guns.  Moving  on  in  the  advance  with  an 
occasional  skirmish,  the  command  reached 
Rappahannock  Station  where  they  dislodged 
the  enemy  30,000  strong,  driving  them  across 
the  Rappahannock.  The  4th,  N.  Y.  Cav.  going 
out  on  a  foraging  expedition,  becoming  con 
fused  and  separated  in  two  squadrons,  com 
menced  firing  on  each  other,  each  squadron 
mistaking  the  other  for  the  enemy.  The  8th 
111.  rallied  out  and  soon  settled  the  difficulty 
by  capturing  both  squadrons.  Here  the  com 
mand  continued  for  ten  days,  enduring  hunger 
and  other  privations.  In  their  rear  was  a  small 
creek,  the  bridge  over  which  had  been  burned 
and  to  their  right  and  left  was  a  swamp.  Under 
a  scattering  fire  from  the  rebels  they  reached 
the  river,  and  finding  a  ford  to  their  right, 
planted  a  battery.  The  command  proceeded 
to  cross  by  the  ford,  and  as  the  8th  was  prepar 
ing  to  follow,  the  rebels  having  discovered 
their  ruse,  made  an  attack  upon  them  which 
was  quickly  repulsed  by  the  battery,  the  reg 
iment  going  across  the  ford  in  safety  after  the 
other  troops.  The  next  engagements  were  at 
Aldie  Gap  and  Upperville. 

During  the  winter  of  1862-3,  the  Regt.  was 
chiefly  employed  in  picket  duty  and  on  scout 
ing  expeditions  in  that  section  of  the  country. 
Sergt.  Culver  was  promoted  to  2nd  Lieut.,  May 
24,1863.  In  the  battle  of  Beverly  Ford,  June 
9,  1863,  distinguished  as  one  of  the  most  im 
portant  cavalry  engagements  of  the  war,  the 
8th  performed  prodigies  of  valor,  defeating 
Stuart's  attack,  and  driving  him  back  to  Brandy 
Station,  where  he  was  reinforced  by  Stonewall 
Jackson.  The  advance  into  Maryland  by 
Stuart's  cavalry  was  also  subsequently  checked 


460 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


by  the  precipitate  action  of  this  command, 
which  was  among  the  most  distinguished  for 
gallantry  of  the  cavalry  force  in  the  Federal 
army.  Toward  the  last  of  June  the  Brig,  moved 
forward  to  Md.  and  then  on  to  Gettysburg.  Mr. 
Culver  was  in  command  of  his  Co.,  and  was  the 
first  to  engage  the  rebel  cavalry  about  two  miles 
south  of  Gettysburg,  which  after  a  slight  skir 
mish  fell  back  and  was  driven  across  the  creek, 
where  they  held  their  position.  This  action 
occurred,  June  30. 

Lieut.  Marcellus  E.  Jones,  afterwards  of  Co. 
E.,  fired  the  shot  that  opened  the  famous  battle 
of  Gettysburg,  July  I,  1863. 

He  fell  back  to  the  main  line,  and  the  8th 
was  quickly  in  action.  In  the  latter  part  of 
the  battle  the  Iron  Brigade  reinforced  the  8th 
and  the  other  cavalry  engaged  with  them  and 
marched  to  the  rear  with  the  large  number  of 
prisoners  that  had  been  captured.  About  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  battle  raged  fear- 
ully,  and  Lieut.  Culver  was  placed  in  com 
mand  of  two  companies  on  the  left  flank.  The 
command  had  orders  to  fall  back,  but  he  did 
not  receive  it  and  was  left  alone  in  the  midst 
of  the  enemy,  but  cut  his  way  out,  receiving  a 
wound  in  the  right  ankle,  though  he  kept  in 
the  saddle  throughout  the  day.  Moving  into 
the  new  line  established  by  Gen.  Meade,  the 
8th  assisted  during  the  night  in  conducting 
other  troops  to  their  assigned  positions.  On 
the  second  day  they  were  dispatched  at  inter 
vals  to  the  support  of  batteries,  and  in  other 
contingent  duties.  Lieut.  Culver  continued  in 
the  saddle  all  this  day,  despite  the  severe  suf 
fering  he  was  enduring  from  his  wound.  On 
the  third  day,  late  in  the  afternoon,  they  re 
ceived  orders  to  move  on  to  and  occupy  South 
Pass. 

Finding  the  enemy  in  possession,  they 
speedily  dislodged  and  drove  him  out,  remain 
ing  until  the  afternoon  of  the  4th  without  hav 
ing  tasted  food.  Being  relieved  by  another 
Brig,  of  Buford's  Div.,  they  were  proceeding  to 
satisfy  their  hunger,  when  the  troops  relieving 
them  were  fiercely  attacked  and  unable  to  hold 
their  position.  Desisting  from  the  completion 
of  their  meal,  these  hungry  but  gallant  caval 


rymen  repulsed  the  rebels,  driving  them  back 
to  Goose  Creek,  a  distance  of  six  miles,  and 
proving  the  superiority  of  the  Spencer  rifle  as 
a  cavalry  arm.  They  held  their  position  dur 
ing  the  night  of  the  4th. 

Among  their  number  was  a  man  who  for 
sometime,  Lieut.  Culver  had  suspected  of  be 
ing  a  spy,  and  the  suspicion  was  generally 
shared  by  the  command,  who  styled  the  indi 
vidual  "  Culver's  Spy."  This  felon  gave  it  out 
that  there  was  a  rebel  wagon  train  unsupported 
but  a  few  miles  away  that  could  be  captured. 
A  Regt.  of  regular  cavalry  was  dispatched  in 
the  direction  indicated,  only  to  encounter  a 
large  force  of  the  enemy  in  ambush  and  be 
badly  cut  to  pieces.  The  men  had  baited  the 
trap  in  which  they  were  caught,  but  he  was  af 
terward  captured,  brought  into  camp  that  night, 
and  in  15  minutes  was  dangling  from  a  tree,  af 
ter  a  hasty  drumhead  court  martial.  At  Rapi- 
dan  Station  the  Regt.  suffered  heavily  from  an 
engagement  with  the  rebel  cavalry.  A  subse 
quent  reinforcement  of  Gregg's  cavalry  Div.  en 
abled  them  to  retaliate  by  giving  the  rebels  a 
sound  thrashing.  Lieut.  Culver  was  for  some 
time  after  this  in  command  of  a  detachment  of 
regulars  operating  in  Md.  to  detect  marauders 
and  spies,  and  to  protect  telegraph  lines.  He 
was  finally  sent  on  a  recruiting  expedition  to 
Morrison,  111.,  succeeding  beyond  any  other 
officer  except  his  colonel. 

For  some  time  he  was  enged  in  police  duty 
at  Washington  making  many  arrests  of  sus 
pected  persons,  subsequently  rejoining  his 
regiment  and  participating  in  the  army  of  the 
Potomac  in  the  numerous  and  sanguinary  bat 
tles  which  marked  the  closing  days  of  the  war. 
At  the  Wilderness  he  was  continually  on  duty 
for  48  hours  without  partaking  of  food. 
Throughout  his  career  as  a  soldier  his  conduct 
was  especially  distinguished  for  a  rare  and 
splendid  courage  under  all  the  peculiar  and 
trying  circumstances  by  which  he  was  sur 
rounded.  He  won  fresh  laurels  in  every  fight, 
and  was  several  times  promoted,  rising  from 
the  ranks  to  be  ist  Lieut.,  though  on  many 
occasions  when  in  action  commanding  his  com 
pany  and  at  Gettysburg  commanding  a  special 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


detachment  of  two  companies  on  the  left  flank 
during  the  first  day's  battle. 

During  their  stay  at  Rappahannock  a  laugh 
able  incident  occurred  which  should  not  be 
omitted  from  the  pages  of  history.  The  4th 
N.  Y.  was  partially  composed  of  Dutch,  many 
of  whom  could  not  speak  English,  and  having 
been  under  fire,  many  of  the  shells  were  lying 
around  upon  the  ground  without  bursting,  and 
our  friends,  the  Dutchmen,  were  examining  a 
shell  and  discussing  its  merits,  and  to  deter 
mine  the  matter,  one  suggested  that  they  put 
it  into  a  camp  fire  near  by  to  test  the  matter, 
which  they  did.  One  more  intelligent  than  the 
rest,  came  to  Mr.  Culver  and  told  him  what  was 
going  on,  and  he  cried  to  them  to  get  away 
from  the  fire,  but  they  could  not  understand 
him.  Then  their  comrade  tried  his  powers  to 
get  them  to  move,  and  while  they  were  making 
an  effort  to  do  so,  the  shell  exploded  and  about 
twenty  Dutchmen  were  sailing  through  the  air, 
and  strange  to  say,  not  one  was  killed,  though 
many  were  more  or  less  hurt. 

During  the  Peninsular  campaign  an  incident 
occurred  which  is  worthy  of  mention.  While 
following  the  rebels  in  what  would  be  termed 
a  running  fight,  and  capturing  the  enemy  in 
large  numbers,  one  stormy,  disagreeable  day, 
orders  came  to  halt  and  clean  their  arms.  The 
horses  were  turned  loose  to  feed  on  the  grass 
with  their  saddles  and  bridles  on,  and  guarded 
by  one  compnny,  while  the  other  companies 
put  up  tents  to  protect  them  from  storm  while 
cleaning  their  guns.  The  various  companies 
went  out  to  fire  off  their  guns,  one  company  at 
a  time.  When  the  first  company  fired,  the  horses 
huddled  together  with  their  heads  up.  When 
the  second  company  fired  they  formed  a  line, 
and  when  the  third  fired  they  made  a  charge 
for  the  tents,  and  but  for  the  timely  call  for  a 
halt  by  the  bugle,  one  company  would  undoubt 
edly  have  been  dislodged  by  a  regiment  of 
riderless  horses,  which  was  only  prevented  by 
the  bugle  blowing  a  halt. 

Mr.  Culver  was  mustered  out  of  service 
Oct.  i,  1864.  He  was  married  at  Morrison,  111., 
Sept.  5,  1865,  to  Clarinda,  daughter  of  Phillip 
and  Harriet  (Wilson)  Allen,  a  native  of  Sara 


toga  Co.,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Culver's  grandfather, 
Ezra  Wilson  was  for  several  years  a  member  of 
the  N.  Y.  legislature.  He  was  a  tanner  and  a 
manufacturer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Culver  have  had 
but  one  child,  Glen,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
five  years.  Mr.  Culver  was  the  first  Postmaster 
at  Rock  Falls,  and  remained  in  office  from  1868 
to  1872.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  School 
Board,  and  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F., 
Lodge  and  A.  P.  A.  He  was  a  delegate  to 
the  State  Convention  at  Chicago  in  September, 
1891;  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  in  poli 
tics  a  Republican. 

He  still  carries  the  ball  in  his  foot  received 
at  Gettysburg.  He  conducted  a  grocery  busi 
ness  for  about  14  years  at  Rock  Falls,  selling 
from  $40,000  to  $50,000  per  year.  He  is  now 
engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  on  a 
very  large  scale. 

To  Mr.  Culver  may  justly  be  ascribed  signal 
abilities  which,  as  soldier  and  citizen,  have 
earned  for  him  an  imperishable  renown.  His 
manly  and  noble  service  for  his  country,  and 
his  unceasing  devotion  to  the  best  and  truest 
elements  of  human  character  have  enshrined 
his  name  in  history,  a  sacred  legacy  to  his  race 
and  to  his  generation. 


ABRAM  M.  STEWART,  of  Quincy,  111.,  is  a 
native  of  N.  J.,  born  April  7,  1833.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Susan  (Morris) 
Stewart,  the  former  born  June  1 1,  1800,  and  the 
latter  Oct.  7,  1808.  The  father  died  Aug.  3, 
1888,  aged  88,  whilst  the  mother  is  still  living 
at  the  ripe  old  age  of  84  years.  Our  subject  is 
the  fourth  member  in  a  family  of  ten  children, 
five  girls  and  five  boys,  of  whom  five  are  still 
living.  In  1837  tne  parents  moved  to  Adams 
Co.,  in  which  Abram  has  resided  ever  since, 
and  remembers  Quincy  before  there  was  a 
brick  building  within  its  limits.  In  1852  the 
father  became  owner  of  a  steam  saw  and  grist 
mill,  in  which  Abram  learned  the  business  of 
engineer  and  miller  which  he  followed  until 
1864,  when  he  enlisted,  having  for  a  short  time 
previous  to  becoming  a  soldier,  run  an  engine 


462 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


on  the  Hannibal  and  St.  Joseph  R.  R.  He  en 
listed  in  Co.  D.,  39th  Mo.  Inf.,  the  principal 
duty  of  which  Regt.  was  to  protect  the  Hanni 
bal  &  St.  Joe  R.  R.  against  depredations  of 
guerrillas  and  bushwhackers.  In  Sept.,  1864,  it 
was  attacked  and  cut  to  pieces  by  the  notori 
ous  Bill  Anderson.  This  engagement  was 
brought  about  in  the  following  manner:  A 
detachment  of  the  39th  composed  of  com 
panies  D.,  E.,  F.,  H.  and  I.  were  out  in  charge 
of  Major  Johnson  who sawa  squad  of  guerrillas, 
and  believing  his  force  equal  to  the  emergency 
ordered  an  attack.  Both  parties  were  mounted 
and  well  armed  w^th  guns  and  revolvers.  The 
attack  was  made  and  in  a  few  minutes  the 
companies  above  named  were  entirely  sur 
rounded,  when  Col.  Johnson,  seeing  his  posi 
tion,  ordered  each  man  to  take  care  of  himself. 
Mr.  Stewart  observed  a  man  approaching  him 
at  full  speed  and  as  the  assailant  fired  striking 
his  opponent  in  the  right  leg.  Stewart,  how 
ever,  had  fired  about  the  same  time  with  the 
result  that  one  horse  was  riderless.  Our  sub 
ject  took  possession  of  the  horse  and  managed 
to  make  his  escape,  subsequently  selling  the 
captured  animal  for  $100  in  greenbacks.  Co. 
D  on  this  occasion  emerged  from  the  conflict 
with  only  two  survivors,  whilst  two  others  fared 
little  better.  Major  Johnson  was  killed  and 
scalped  and  some  time  afterwards  when  mem 
bers  of  this  gang  of  desperadoes  were  captured, 
it  was  found  some  of  them  had  bands  for  their 
horse's  bridles  made  from  the  Major's  scalp. 
After  this  the  regiment  was  quartered  at  Macon 
City  until  Dec.  10,  when  it  was  ordered  to 
Nashville  where  it  was  assigned  to  the  2nd 
A.  C.  Soon  after,  smallpox  broke  out,  con 
sequently  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  return 
to  Macon  City  where  it  remained  until  April 
and  thence  to  St.  Louis,  where  it  continued 
until  July  9, 1865,  when  the  men  were  mustered 
out  of  the  service.  Mr.  Stewart  assisted  in 
capturing  the  Rebel  Holtzclaugh  whom  they 
bound  hand  and  foot,  and  as  he  had  been  re 
sponsible  for  many  outrageous  murders  he  was 
thrown  into  the  river. 

Our  subject,  after  being  discharged,  returned 
to  Quincy  and  entered  the  employ  of  Bonnett 


and  Duffy,  as  engineer  in  their  stove  foundry, 
where  he  contined  seven  and  one  half  years, 
when  he  embarked  in  the  present  business, 
namely:  that  of  dying  and  cleaning.  His 
business  card  is  rather  unique  in  make  up,  read 
ing  as  follows:  "I  dye  to  live:  I  live  to  dye: 
the  longer  I  live  the  more  I  dye.  Are  you 
ready  to  dye?  Your  time  has  come  and  you 
are  called  upon  to  take  your  clothing  to  the 
Quincy  Steam  Dye  Works."  Mr.  Stewart  was 
married  April  21,  1862,  to  Miss  Margaret  Ells 
worth,  and  nine  children  have  resulted  from 
the  union,  all  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Effie 
Ellen,  Mary  A.,  Georgiana,  John,  Susan  B.,  Ed 
ward  M.,  Florence  E.,  Henry  L.,  and  Viola  D. 
Mr.  Stewart  is  a  member  of  John  Wood  Post 
No.  96,  G.  A.  R.;  Quincy  Lodge,  No.  12, 
I.  O.  O.  F.;  Allen  Encampment  No.  4,  1.  O.  O.  F., 
and  Golden  Rule  Lodge  No.  27,  D.  of  R.  I.  O. 
O.  F.  and  in  politics  a  Republican.  He  as  well 
as  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
She  is  a  member  of  Golden  Rule  Lodge,  No.  27 
D.  and  R.  and  an  active  and  prominent  mem 
ber  of  the  W.  R.  C. 


WILLIAM  N.  HARRISON,  of  Sterling,  111., 
was  born  June  19,  1837,  at  Hornby, 
Steuben  Co.,  N.  Y.  His  parents  were 
George  and  Mary  (Sands)  Harrison.  His 
father  was  born  in  Oswego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  13, 
1802,  and  his  mother  in  Westchester  Co.,  N.  Y., 
March  14,  1809.  The  Harrison  family  came  of 
English  ancestry  and  the  Sands  family  of  the 
Puritan  element  of  New  England.  George 
Harrison,  the  father  of  William  N.,  was  a  farmer, 
and  died  at  the  family  homestead  in  1350;  his 
widow  still  survives  him  and  resides  at  the  old 
farm,  at  the  advanced  age  of  82.  They  had 
seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living  —  Wil 
liam  N.,  the  eldest;  Emma  A.  (Mrs.  P.  H.  Will- 
mon,  of  Hornby,  N.  Y.)  ;  John  J.,  and  Sarah  A. 
(Mrs.  David  Masters,  of  Iowa). 

As  a  boy,  William  N.,  lived  with  his  parents, 
assisting  in  the  farm  work  and  attending  school 
until  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion.  He  enlisted 
at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  28,  1861,  in  Co.  H.,  loth 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


N.  Y.  Cav.,  there  going  into  Camp,  Dec.  24, 
1861  ;  his  Regt.  was  ordered  into  field  service 
at  Gettysburg,  where  it  was  stationed  until 
March  8,  thence  moving  on  to  Perrysville  and 
there  remaining  for  about  two  months,  when  it 
proceeded  to  Havre  de  Grace,  Md.  Arriving 
later  at  Baltimore,  the  Regt.  was  armed, 
equipped  and  mounted,  and  continued  there 
until  the  latter  part  of  July. 

It  next  went  into  camp  at  Washington  for 
about  7  weeks,  when  for  sometime  afterward  it 
performed  picket  duty  along  the  Potomac  inVa. 

The  first  battle  in  which  Mr.  Harrison  was 
engaged,  was  at  Salem,  where  he  behaved  with 
becoming  gallantry.  The  next  move  was  to 
Rappahannock  Station,  and  about  the  middle 
of  Nov.  to  the  U.  S.  Ford,  on  the  Rappahan 
nock  River,  where  they  encountered  Stuart's 
Cavalry,  were  taken  prisoners,  and  sent  to 
Fredericksburg,  and  subsequently  to  Libby 
prison  at  Richmond.  They  were  confined  here 
3  days  and  4  nights,  when  they  were  sent  to 
Annapolis  for  parol,  Nov.  22,  1862.  Remain 
ing  at  home  until  exchanged,  in  Apr.,  1863,  Mr. 
Harrison  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Acquia  Creek. 
He  accompanied  Stoneman  on  his  raid  in  the 
direction  of  Richmond,  during  which  he  was 
engaged  in  several  skirmishes  with  the  enemy. 
He  returned  by  way  of  Kelly's  Ford,  and  con 
tinued  for  some  time  in  that  section,  engaging 
in  the  battles  of  Aldie,  Middlebury,  Upperville, 
and  Snicker's  Gap,  six  days  of  continuous 
fighting. 

They  were  active  participants  in  the  battle 
at  Gettysburg  on  the  third  day,  July  3,  1863, 
and  were  subjected  to  a  galling  artillery  fire, 
but  without  much  loss;  also  at  Shepherdstown 
they  were  hotly  engaged. 

Crossing  the  mountains  to  eastern  Va.,  they 
were  engaged  in  scouting  and  went  into  winter 
quarters  about  Dec.  I,  at  Turkey  Run,  Va.  Mr. 
Harrison  accompanied  the  Sheridan  raid  toward 
Richmond,  about  May  I,  and  saw  some  hard 
fighting.  He  was,  during  the  ensuing  cam 
paigns,  with  Sheridan  and  was  engaged  in  all 
of  the  battles — Spottsylvania,  Wilderness,  Cold 
Harbor,  Charles  City,  Cross  Roads,  etc.,  and 
afterward  at  Hall's  Shops  and  Reams  Station. 


He  was  in  front  of  Petersburg  and  was  of 
the  number  of  the  besieging  forces.  A  spell  of 
sickness  sent  him  to  convalescent  camp,  and 
then  to  dismounted  camp  at  City  Point  for  two 
months,  during  which  time  he  was  retained  at 
City  Point  on  detached  duty  as  a  clerk  at  head 
quarters. 

He  was  mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864,  at  camp 
before  Petersburg,  Va.,  as  a  Corporal,  his  term 
of  service  having  expired.  During  the  whole 
period  of  three  years'  service  he  was  only  absent 
from  his  Regt.  for  six  days,  excepting  as  stated 
above  and  the  time  he  was  prisoner  of  war.  Re 
turning  to  peaceful  avocations,  he  located  at 
Watkins,  Schuyler  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  began 
business  as  a  carpenter,  and  which  he  contin 
ued  for  three  years.  He  after  this  went  West, 
eventually  settling  at  Sterling,  111.,  where  he  re 
sumed  his  trade  as  a  carpenter,  in  partnership 
with  Dryas  Gould,  a  relation  which  existed 
for  about  three  years.  His  next  venture  was  in 
the  canning  of  vegetables  and  meats,  which  he 
discontinued  after  two  seasons,  returning  to  his 
business  as  a  contractor  and  builder,  which  he 
has  since  successfully  prosecuted.  Later  on  he 
formed  a  copartnership  with  Richard  Keeney, 
adding  to  his  business  as  contractor  and  build 
er,  the  manufacture  of  the  Empire  Rotary  Corn 
Planter,and  wood  work  generally  for  the  job 
bing  trade. 

He  was  married  at  Sterling,  111.,  June  19, 
1871,  to  Jennie,  daughter  of  William  H.,  and 
Maria  (Hyde)  Gates.  Mrs.  Harrison's  parents 
were  descended  from  the  best  blood  of  New 
England,  and  are  still  living  in  Buchanan  Co., 
la.  Her  brother  Willis  H.,  was  during  the  war, 
a  member  of  the  4th  Iowa  Cav.  Two  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harrison  — 
Clare  G.,  and  Dale  S. 

Mr.  Harrison  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W., 
Knights  of  Honor,  and  Will  Robinson  Post,  G. 
A.  R.,  of  Sterling.  He  is  a  Republican  and  was 
Commander  of  his  Post  in  1889.  Mrs.  Harri 
son  is  a  distinguished  member  of  the  Woman's 
Relief  Corps;  was  its  Treasurer  for  one  term, 
and  has  been  President  for  two  terms.  She  was 
a  delegate  to  the  National  Convention  at  Bos 
ton  in  1890. 


464 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


THOMAS  A.  HOSLEK,  of  Oneida,  111.,  a  native 
of  Ohio  was  born  March  I,  1837,  a  son 
of  George  and  Ann  (Osborne)  Hos 
ier,  the  former  a  son  of  Samuel  Hosier  of  Pa. 
ancestry,  and  the  latter  was  a  granddaughter  of 
and  old  Revolutionary  soldier.  He  married 
Miss  Eliza  Ewing  in  the  year  1860,  and  had  one 
child  at  the  time  he  enlisted  in  the  army  on 
Aug.  21,  1862.  He  was  mustered  in  as  a  private 
in  Co.  K.,  97th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  proceeded  to 
Ky.  to  help  keep  Kirby  Smith  and  his  forces 
in  check,  thence  to  Louisville,  and  on  the  way 
to  Nashville  participated  in  the  battle  of  Perry- 
ville.  He  was  again  actively  engaged  at  La 
Vernge  for  several  days  and  closed  that  year's 
operations  assisting  in  the  terrible  battle  of 
Stone  River.  He  continued  near  Murfreesboro 
until  the  following  spring  when  he  joined  in 
the  Chattanooga  campaign,  and  his  was  the 
first  Regt.  to  unfurl  its  flag  upon  the  rebel  fort 
at  that  place,  when  the  city,  also,  fell  under 
Governmeut  control.  Mr.  Hosier  was  after 
wards  in  the  Chickamauga  conflict,  lasting  two 
days,  and  on  falling  back  his  regiment  consti 
tuted  the  rear  guard,  and  had  a  hand  to  hand 
conflict,  with  rebels  over  a  cannon,  the  contend 
ing  parties  pulling,in  their  respective  directions. 
The  Regt.  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Lookout 
Mt.  and  Mission  Ridge,  and  on  the  second  day 
of  the  last  named  battle,  Mr.  Hosier,  whilst 
charging  up  the  ridge  was  struck  in  the  right 
thigh  with  a  minie  ball,  cutting  an  artery 
from  which  he  would  soon  have  bled  to  death. 
He  tied  a  gun  strap  above  his  wound  and  a  hand 
kerchief  below,  then  took  up  the  artery  and 
stopped  the  flow  and  laid  upon  the  ground 
until  the  next  day,  before  he  was  removed 
from  the  battlefield.  He  was  then  sent  to 
Chattanooga,  remaining  there  until  Dec.,  when 
he  was  sent  home,  arriving  the  day  before 
Christmas,  where  he  remained  until  March  1864. 
Subsequently  he  reported  at  Camp  Chase, 
was  sent  to  Chattanooga,  joining  his  Regt.  at 
New  Hope  Church,  and  took  part  in  the  mem 
orable  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  during  which 
battle,  a  bullet  grazed  his  scalp.  He  continued 
in  this  campaign  and  was  in  all  the  conflicts 
until  Atlanta  fell,  the  most  notable  fights  after 


he  joined  the  Regt.  being  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Atlanta  and  Jonesboro.  Whilst  Sherman's 
army  entered  upon  the  march  to  the  sea,  Mr. 
Hosier's  command  was  assigned  to  look  after 
the  rebels,  consequently  moved  to  Chattanooga, 
Nashville,  Pulaski,  and  Columbia,  engaging  the 
enemy  at  the  last  named  place.  Our  subject 
moved  to  Franklin  and  the  following  day  the 
main  forces  there  were  attacked  by  the  enemy 
who  charged  over  the  open  ground  three  lines 
deep,  Mr.  Hosier  being  engaged  upon  the  skir 
mish  line  until  compelled  to  retire  within  the 
lines  which  were  charged.  The  contending 
parties  became  so  close  that  bayonets  and  clubs 
were  used,  but  finally  the  rebels  were  forced  to 
retire  after  sustaining  terrible  losses.  The  97th 
Ohio  then  returned  to  Nashville,  where  it 
rested  until  Dec.  16,  when  it  was  again  actively 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  then  fol 
lowed  Gen.  Hood,  who  was  driven  from  that 
State,  and  continued  onto  Florence  and  thence 
to  Huntsville  for  a  time,  returning  then  to 
Nashville  where  Mr.  Hosier  was  employed  un 
til  mustered  out  July,  1865. 

Hereturnedto  Zanesville  where  hecontinued 
to  reside  until  1867,  then  removed  to  Galesburg, 
remaining  seven  years,  when  he  removed  to 
Oneida  which  he  has  made  his  home.  He  has 
seven  children  living,  viz.:  Jennette,  wife  of 
Christopher  Schobar;  Flora  B.,  Frank  S.,  Carrie 
M.,  now  Mrs.  Ben  Watson;  Herbert  S.,  Harvey 
T.,  and  Jessie  P.  He  is  a  Republican  and  Royal 
Arch  Mason. 


FRANK  BUNKER,  the  gentlemanly  and  high 
ly  respected  Postmaster  of  Geneva,  111., 
dates  his  birth  in  that  city  April  28th. 
1845,  an>d  is  the  son  of  Edward  and  Maria 
(Howard)  Bunker.  His  parents  were  both 
natives  of  the  Empire  State,  the  father  being 
born  at  Ghent,  Columbia  Co.,  March  25,  1813, 
and  the  mother  at  Hamburg,  May  31,  1817. 
Both  came  West  at  an  early  day,  and  their 
marriage  took  place  in  1837,  at  St.  Charles,  111. 
Later  they  moved  to  Geneva,  where  Mr. 
Bunker  died  Oct.  8,  1878,  his  estimable  widow 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


following  him  March  22,  1862.  The  paternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject  was  David  Bunker, 
a  Quaker,  who  was  born  in  N.  Y.  State,  July 
16,  1785.  His  maternal  grandfather,  Aaron 
Howard,  a  farmer,  was  born  at  Monson,  Mass., 
July  10,  1772,  and  died  at  Hamburg,  N.  Y., 
April  6,  1818.  He  was  the  son  of  Thomas 
Howard,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution 
ary  war. 

Charles  H.,  a  brother  of  our  subject  and 
now  a  resident  of  Geneva,  did  three  years  of 
faithful  and  noble  service  during  the  rebellion. 
Frank,  our  subject,  spent  his  boyhood  days 
and  attended  school  at  Geneva,  111.  June  11, 
1862,  when  only  a  youth  of  17  years,  he  vol 
unteered  for  an  urgent  call  for  more  men  and 
went  forward  as  a  loyal  son  of  America,  en 
listing  in  Co.  A.,  67th  111.  Inf.  The  Regt. 
relieved  the  veteran  forces  at  Camp  Douglas, 
Chicago,  where  they  were  kept  on  arms  al 
most  constantly  for  four  months,  guarding 
the  prisoners,  a  conspiracy  having  been  formed 
to  liberate  them.  Frequently  they  were  called 
out  for  extra  duty  in  the  dead  of  night.  Oct. 
6,  1862,  the  "boys"  were  mustered  out.  Mr. 
Bunker  returned  home,  where  he  remained 
until  his  re-enlistment  at  Chicago,  Feb.  22, 
1865,  in  Co.  C,  is6th  111.  Inf.  The  Regt  was 
immediately  ordered  to  the  front  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  where  it  was  actively  engaged  in  guard 
ing  railroads,  bridges  and  provision  trains.  The 
next  move  was  to  Chattanooga,  where  it  did 
similar  duty,  frequently  participating  in  skir 
mishes  with  the  troublesome  bushwackers. 
Our  soldier  was  here  during  the  great  excite 
ment  of  President  Lincoln's  Assassination,  and 
while  there  he  saw  a  man  pinned  to  the  fence 
with  a  bayonet,  and  on  him  a  placard  with  the 
inscription,  "  Warning  to  Traitors."  The  next 
move  was  to  Knoxville,  thence  to  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  where  they  participated  in  active  patrol 
duty,  and  guarding  the  Irving  Block,  a  military 
prison.  The  I56th  was  one  of  the  last  regi 
ments  left  in  charge  of  the  city.  Here  Mr. 
Bunker  was  mustered  out  Sept.  20,  1865.  The 
great  war  was  over,  he  returned  home,  and  the 
ensuing  five  years  clerked  in  a  drug  store.  Sub 
sequently  he  took  up  carpentering  which  he 

29 


followed  successfully  up  to  July,  1889,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  Geneva's  Postmaster. 
Mr.  Bunker  was  joined  in  matrimony  June 
30,  1875,  to  Addie  Kaley,  a  native  of  Alleghany 
City,  Pa.  By  this  happy  union  were  born  two 
children — Bessie  L.  (deceased),  and  Percy  K. 
One  of  Geneva's  leading  spirits,  he  was  elected 
first,  City  Clerk,  and  has  been  Township  Col 
lector  for  three  terms.  Comrade  Bunker  takes 
lively  interest  in  all  army  matters,  is  a  charter 
member  of  Geneva  Post,  No.  60,  of  which  he 
has  been  Past  Commander  for  five  terms,  and 
carries  with  him  the  esteem  of  all  who  have  the 
pleasure  of  knowing  him. 


GEORGE  H.  THRUSH,  of  Quincy,  111.,  was 
born  in  Ohio,  Sept.  28,  1841,  a  son  of 
Robert  and  Eliza  A.  (Wimer)  Thrush, 
the  former  being  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  Dec. 
14,  1813,  and  the  latter  in  Pa.,  in  the  year  1814. 
There  were  8  children  in  the  father's  family,  of 
whom  John  was  the  eldest.  He  enlisted  in  Co. 
I.,  i6th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  under  the  first 
call  for  troops,  then  re-enlisted,  the  Regt.  hold 
ing  its  original  organization  and  returned  South 
and  served  about  one  year.  He  participated  in 
the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  while  on  the  march 
from  Corinth  to  Nashville,  guarding  a  train  of 
ammunition  wagons,  was  shot  and  killed  by 
guerrillas  near  the  foot  of  the  Cumberland 
Mts.  Thomas,  another  brother,  is  a  resident  of 
Mo.  and  Postmaster  at  a  place  called  Thrush, 
where  he  also  conducts  a  mercantile  business. 
Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  was  reared  to  farm  life.  Aug.  2, 
i86r,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A.,  roth  Mo.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service  at  St. 
Louis  three  days  later.  The  Regt.  spent  its  first 
winter  at  Herman,  Mo.,  up  to  Christmas,  and 
after  that,  guarded  the  N.  Mo.  R.  R.,  fighting 
guerrillas  and  bushwackers.  In  this  service  the 
"boys"  had  many  hardships  not  accorded  to 
those  regularly  assigned  to  the  army  organiza 
tion.  Comrade  Thrush  states  that  on  one  oc- 
cation  Capt.  Gray  cut  eight  men  loose  whose 
hair  was  frozen  in  the  mud  in  which  they  were 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


reposing  for  the  night  ;  and  recites  the  follow 
ing  as  his  most  distressing  experience  while  in 
the  army  :  A  train  had  been  fired  upon  by  a 
bushwhacker  and  the  party  been  caught,  subject 
was  detailed,  with  others,  to  serve  subpoenas. 
On  this  trip  he  had  to  ride  55  miles  in  the  sever 
est  winter  weather  of  the  year  1862.  When  he 
returned  he  was  almost  frozen  to  death  and  was 
taken  from  his  horse  unable  to  stand,  and  was 
soon  after  sent  to  the  hospital  at  St.  Charles, 
Mo.  Here  he  suffered  a  thousand  deaths  from 
pneumonia  and  abscesses  formed  on  the  out 
side  of  his  body.  For  four  days  after  he  went 
to  the  hospital  he  was  insensible,  and  his  friends 
at  home  were  notified  that  he  was  dead.  This 
was  the  beginning  of  a  lung  trouble,  which  has 
persistently  followed  him  until  the  present  day 
though  fortunately  "  he  is  a  pretty  lively 
corpse." 

Recovering,  Mr  Thrush  rejoined  his  Regt.  at 
Corinth,  where  he  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
that  place,  then  went  on  the  chase  after  the 
rebel  army  after  the  evacuation  of  Corinth, 
stopping  at  Clear  Creek  where  they  encamped 
and  did  scouting  duty  for  a  time,  afterwards 
removing  to  Jacinto,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
battle  of  luka,  subject  was  detailed  to  accom 
pany  a  supply  train  back  to  Corinth.  His  Regt. 
rejoined  him  at  Corinth,  and  following  this  oc 
curred  the  second  battle  of  Corinth,  Oct.  3,  and 
4,  1862.  In  this  he  participated,  his  Regt.  suf 
fering  very  severely.  Then  followed  Price  over 
the  Hatchie  River  where  he  engaged  in  that 
battle.  He  went  into  camp  at  Rienzi,  and  suf 
fered  terribly  from  the  cold — a  cold  drizzling 
rain  following,  and  everybody  was  wet  and 
nearly  frozen.  From  Rienzi  they  went  back  to 
Corinth  and  continued  on  to  Grand  Junction, 
from  thence  to  Wolf  River  and  on  to  Holly 
Springs,  the  loth  Mo.  being  the  first  Regt.  to 
enter  that  place;  but  their  reception  was  such 
that  they  felt  obliged  to  return  to  Wolf  River. 

The  enemy  followed  closely,  and  comrade 
Thrush  regards  it  as  miraculous  that  they  were 
not  all  captured,  the  Brig,  being  almost  entirely 
surrounded.  At  Wolf  River  Gen.  Grant  re 
viewed  the  army,  and  they  at  once  started  over 
land  to  Moscow,  Holly  Springs,  Lumpkin's 


Mills,  Oxford,  and  the  Youghany  River.  Their 
supply  train  was  captured  by  Van  Dorn  at  Holly 
Springs,  hence  their  only  rations  for  a  time  was 
corn  meal.  Hard  tack  was  worth  $5  a  piece  at 
Lumpkin's  Mills,  and  none  on  the  market.  They 
went  to  Memphis,  guarding  a  supply  train  and 
a  number  of  prisoners;  camped  near  Fort  Pick 
ering  until  their  train  was  loaded  and  then  ac 
companied  it  to  Colliersville,  near  Germantown, 
Tenn.  There  they  patroled  the  railroad  from 
that  point  to  Colliersville  for  several  weeks. 
While  engaged  in  this  duty  an  incident  occurred 
which  is  worthy  of  note.  Co.  A.,  of  the  10th 
Mo.,  was  deployed  as  skirmishers  to  dislodge  a 
squad  of  guerrillas  who  had  just  shot  a  man, 
and  while  advancing  they  came  to  a  fine  man 
sion.  The  Captain  went  into  an  investigation 
and  returned  with  the  announcement  that  a 
wedding  ceremony  had  just  been  performed, 
and  that  the  dinner  was  now  on  the  table.  He 
said,  "  boys,  don't  eat  too  much,  and  don't  eat 
any  thing  that  is  not  good!  Break  ranks, 
march  !  "  Of  course  there  was  a  rush  for  the 
house,  and  our  subject  being  versed  in  the  culi 
nary  art,  intuitively  opened  the  oven  doors, 
and  lo!  there  were  two  chickens  and  a  turkey 
nicely  cooked  and  ready  for  service.  Taking 
these,  he  went  to  the  table  and  took  a  fine  large 
cake.  Wedding  cake,  turkey  and  chickens  were 
quite  an  improvement  on  the  corn  meal  diet  so 
recently  rendered  obligatory  by  Van  Dorn's 
capture  of  their  rations.  Of  course  the  people 
begged  for  their  dinner,  and  the  "  boys"  finally 
did  return  some  hams,  only  to  be  pre-empted 
by  the  next  squad  that  came  along.  He  then 
went  to  Memphis  and  drew  pay  for  two  months 
—  nine  months  due — then  went  down  to  Helena, 
Ark.,  and  by  transports  down  the  Yazoo  Pass, 
and  got  as  far  as  Fort  Pemberton,  but  was  una 
ble  to  go  farther.  Then  returned  to  Milliken's 
Bend.  Here  the  men  drew  four  months'  pay 
and  started  to  capture  Vicksburg. 

After  leaving  Milliken's  Bend  our  subject 
became  too  sick  for  duty,  returned  to  Milli 
ken's  Bend,  where  he  remained  until  June,  re 
joining  his  Regt.  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 
After  its  surrender  he  proceeded  to  Helena, 
then  to  Memphis,  and  later  to  Glenwood,  from 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


467 


which  they  marched  to  luka.  Here  our  subject 
was  transferred  to  the  veteran  reserve  corps, 
and  was  sent  to  Rock  Island  for  duty,  and  was 
there  employed  guarding  prisoners  for  three  or 
four  months;  then  went  to  Charleston,  111.,  to 
quell  a  riot.  He  was  discharged  at  Chicago  in 
August,  1864;  returned  home,  where  heremained 
until  Feb.  1865,  when  he  re-enlisted  in  the  34th 
111.,  and  went  to  Springfield,  and  from  thence 
East.  Was  in  N.  Y.  City,  on  his  way  to  the 
front,  when  Lee  surrendered,  and  was  then  sent 
to  Moorhead  City,  N.  C.,  and  from  thence  to 
Goldsboro,  and  whilst  there  Gen.  Johnston  sur 
rendered.  He  marched  on  to  Washington,  par 
ticipated  in  the  Grand  Review,  and  was  mustered 
out  at  Louisville,  Ky.  He  returned  to  his  pa 
rental  home,  near  Industry,  McDonough  Co., 
111.,  and  engaged  in  farming  on  his  father's  farm. 
For  several  years  our  subject  spent  most  of  his 
time  in  traveling.  He  visited  Kan.  and  Mo., 
seldom  engaging  in  any  regular  work,  but  all 
the  time  on  the  lookout  for  a  location  where  he 
could  make  some  money  without  heavy  manual 
labor,  which  he  was  physically  unable  to  per 
form.  In  1872  he  and  his  father  went  into  the 
grocery  business  at  Cambridge,  111.,  and  re 
mained  there  until  1875;  from  there  removed  to 
Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  on  account  of  his  father's  fail 
ing  health.  The  party  who  bought  them  out  at 
Cambridge  failed;  therefore,  they  were  obliged 
to  take  back  the  property,  and  returned  there 
in  1877,  remaining  until  1879,  when  they  went 
to  Quincy.  Here  subject  was  employed  for  a 
time  as  special  police,  appointed  by  the  State 
and  commissioned  by  the  city  of  Quincy.  His 
principal  business  was  to  look  after  the  interests 
of  the  State  at  the  Soldiers'  Home. 

In  1887,  he  went  into  the  real  estate,  loans 
and  collection  business  which  he  has  followed 
since;  but  recently  entered  into  a  partnership 
with  S.  M.  Mann,  whose  sketch  appears  herein, 
in  the  pension  business.  They  are  fully 
equipped  for  successful  work  in  the  line  of  co 
lecting  any  thing  due  the  soldiers  from  any  of 
the  Departments  at  Washington.  The  Thrush 
family  are  all  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
Both  subject  and  his  father  are  members  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  latter  is  also  a  Mason. 


Father  Thrush  is  an  old  soldier  who  is  perfectly 
helpless,  being  entirely  blind  and  very  deaf. 
He  is  now  a  pensioner  at  $30  though  entitled  to 
the  highest  rate.  Subject  is  an  active  member 
of  Colonel  Morton  Post,  707,  G.  A.  R.,  being 
the  present  commander.  He  is  a  P.  G.  in  the 
Gem  City  Lodge,  No.  357,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is 
the  present  D.  D.  G.  M.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  encampment  branch  of  the  order  and  is 
at  present  H.  P.  The  father  is  a  prohibitionist 
in  political  faith  whilst  the  son  is  an  active 
Republican.  The  loth  Mo.  survivors  have  a 
regimental  association,  the  last  meeting  of 
which  was  held  at  Princeton,  Sept.  22  and  23rd, 
when  comrade  Thrush  was  elected  President  of 
the  association  for  the  ensuing  year,  being  his 
own  successor  at  two  prior  elections. 


CAPT.  J.  W.  NILES.  In  preserving  the 
records  of  the  lives  of  the  old  soldiers 
who  went  out  in  defense  of  their  country 
and  for  the  preservation  of  union  and  liberty 
during  the  late  Civil  War,  there  are  none  more 
worthy  of  space  in  the  pages  of  its  history  than 
the  subject  that  heads  this  sketch.  He  is  a 
native  of  N.  Y.  State,  born  in  Madison  Co.  Nov. 
11,  1833,  and  is  the  second  son  and  fifth  child 
of  eight  children  of  John  and  Sarah  (Moseley) 
Niles.  The  former  was  also  born  in  Madison 
Co.,  N.Y.,  Nov.  27,  1800,  who  was  the  son  of 
John  Niles,  who  served  as  a  Captain  in  the  war 
of  1812,  a  native  of  Mass.,  and  a  son  of  the  Rev. 
Nathan  Niles,  a  prominent  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  a  native  of  Mass.,  whose 
ancestors  came  from  England  in  an  early  day. 
John  Niles,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
Captain  of  the  militia  in  N.  Y.,  and  was  mar 
ried  in  Madison  Co.,  in  1824,  to  Sarah  Moseley, 
a  daughter  of  Araunah  Moseley.  She  was  born 
in  Lebanon,  Madison  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  8,  1803. 
Her  ancestors  were  of  Puritan  stock.  Captain 
John  Niles,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
emigrated  from  Mass,  to  Madison  Co.,  N.  Y., 
about  the  year  1790,  where  he  and  his  brother 
took  up  a  large  tract  of  land  which  is  now 
known  as  Niles  settlement,  where  he  followed 


468 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


agricultural  pursuits  during  his  life,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  60  years,  in  Dec.,  1830.  The  father 
of  our  subject  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm, 
and  after  his  marriage  he  settled  on  a  part  of 
the  original  tract  which  his  father  had  previously 
taken  up  from  the  Govt.,  where  he  resided  un 
til  1854,  when  he  came  West  with  his  family,  a 
part  of  which  had  preceeded  him  and  settled 
in  Jones  Co.,  la.,  where  he  purchased  a  section 
of  wild  land,  and  with  the  assistance  of  his  two 
sons,  John  W.  and  Harvey,  began  the  task  of 
improving,  and  resided  until  1868,  when  he 
came  to  Sterling,  111.,  where  he  died  in  Dec., 
1882,  his  wife  surviving  him  until  Sept.  I,  1884. 
Of  the  eight  children,  all'are  living:  A.  M.,  of 
Neb.;  Mrs.  Sarah  Jewett,  of  Sioux  Falls,  Dak.; 
Mrs.  Susan  Price,  of  Hinckley,  111.;  Mrs.  Mary 
Buell,  of  Sterling;  John  W.;  Harvey;  Anna 
Hortshorn,  Onango,  111.,  and  S.  W.,  of  Hastings, 
Neb.  The  subject's  youth  was  spent  on  a  farm, 
and  his  early  education  was  obtained  in  the 
common  schools  and  completed  at  Hamilton 
academy. 

In  1852  he  came  west  to  111.,  engaged  in 
teaching  in  various  places  for  two  years,  then, 
went  to  Jones  County  with  his  father  and  there 
engaged  in  farming  on  the  land  his  father  had 
purchased,  teaching  school  in  the  winter.  He 
was  also  Postmaster  of  Madison,  la.,  although 
he  was  a  Republican,  there  being  no  Democrat 
competent  to  hold  it.  At  the  time  of  the 
breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  he  was  one  of  the 
first  to  answer  to  the  call  for  troops,  and  assisted 
in  raising  a  company  of  volunteers.  He  en 
listed  Aug.  12,  1 86 1,  was  mustered  in  as  Sergt. 
of  Co.  B.,  gth  la.  Vol.  Inf.  and  was  first  ordered 
to  Dubuque,  la.,  where  the  Regt.  was  organized 
in  Oct.  It  was  then  ordered  to  St.  Louis  where 
it  received  arms  and  uniforms  at  Benton  Bar 
racks,  thence  to  Pacific,  Mo.,  thence,  Jan.  2,  to 
Rolla  where  the  Regt.  was  assigned  to  the  com 
mand  of  Gen.  Curtis,  who  was  in  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Southwest.  During  this  time 
Price  and  McCullogh  were  committing  depre 
dations  through  Southwest  Mo.  and  the  gth  per 
formed  excellent  service  in  repelling  them  and 
driving  them  into  Ark,  where  they  turned,  and 
the  result  was  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge.  Sergt. 


Niles  was  with  his  command  at  that  battle,  and 
his  Regt.  lost  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners 
256  gallant  men.  Toward  the  close  of  the  battle, 
Sergt.  Niles  took  command  of  the  Co.,  the  com 
missioned  officers  having  been  killed  wounded 
and  disabled.  At  one  time  during  this  hotly 
contested  engagement,  the  gth  was  surrounded 
but  with  a  courage  born  of  despair,  they  extri 
cated  themselves  by  hewing  their  way  through 
the  opposing  lines  of  the  enemy. 

Here  Sergt.  Niles  proved  himself  a  good 
soldier,  and  one  suited  to  command  wherever 
his  fate  might  place  him.  In  the  assault  upon 
Vicksburg  1st  Lieut.  Jones,  of  Co.  B.,  was  killed, 
and  Sergt,  Niles  promoted  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
Throughout  the  long  and  weary  marches,  and 
almost  daily  battles  around  Chattanooga  and 
the  "  March  to  the  Sea,"  Lieut,  Niles  bore  him 
self  bravely  and  well,  earning  the  noblest  trib 
utes  in  the  appreciation  of  his  superior  officers. 
He  was  subsequently  appointed  Regimental 
Quartermaster,  and  served  in  that  relation  dur 
ing  the  Atlanta  campaign.  The  resignation  of 
Captain  Max  Sweeney  at  Savannah,  gave  the 
command  of  Co.  B.  to  Captain  Niles,  who  was 
accordingly  commissioned.  He  was  at  the 
siege  of  Savannah  and  in  many  other  battles 
won  distinction.  After  the  surrender  of  Lee, 
he  went  to  his  home  in  Iowa  on  a  furlough,  but 
returned  to  his  command  and  remained  in  the 
service,  being'of  the  number  of  the  gallant  band 
that  passed  in  review  at  Washington,  May  24, 
1865,  and  which  represented  one  of  the  grand 
est  military  pageants  known  to  history.  Cap 
tain  Niles  was  honorably  discharged  at  Clinton, 
la.  with  his  Co.,  July  18,  1865.  He  returned  to 
the  occupation  of  farming  on  his  estate  of  240 
acres  in  Montmorency  Township,  111.,  where 
he  continued  his  operations  until  1878,  when 
he  removed  to  Sterling,  having  sold  his  farm. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Edu 
cation,  and  is  its  Incumbent  Secretary.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity;  Master  of 
Lodge  No.  312,  and  Recorder  of  the  Com- 
mandery;  is  also  a  Past  Commander  of  Robin 
son  Post  G.  A.  R.  In  Mr.  Niles  is  afforded  a 
striking  example  of  what  may  be  accomplished 
by  subordinating  all  things  to  the  law  of  devo- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


tion,  to  right  and  principle.  The  satisfaction 
thus  derived  cannot  be  compassed  in  words, 
nor  can  the  influences  thus  engendered  ever  be 
obliterated. 


ROBERT  R.  LYNN,  a  resident  of  Rock  Island, 
is  the  son  of  Robert  R.  and  Mary  L. 
(Fowler)  Lynn,  and  was  born  Oct.  25, 
1844,  in  Jo  Daviess  Co.,  111.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  N.  Y.,  and  of  Scotch  ancestry.  His 
mother,  of  German  descent,  was  a  native  of 
Ohio  and  a  daughter  of  the  illustrious  Col. 
Fowler,  who  was  killed  in  the  Mexican  war. 
Robert,  or  "Bob"  as  he  is  better  known  by  his 
many  friends,  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his 
country  Oct.  19,  1861,  at  Peoria,  111.,  when  not 
yet  fully  17  years.  He  joined  Co.  G.,  nth  111. 
Cav.,  under  the  now  famous  Col.  Robert  G. 
Ingersoll,  who,  subject  says,  embodies  all  the 
qualities  that  go  to  make  a  complete  man  and 
a  typical  commander.  Feb.  22,  1862,  they 
broke  camp,  marched  to  Springfield,  111.,  were 
reviewed  and  addressed  by  the  Governor  and 
his  staff,  and  then  proceeded  onto  Benton  Bar 
racks,  Mo.,  where  they  received  necessary 
equipments.  Soon  they  embarked  for  Pitts- 
burg  Landing,  and  after  immediate  and  con 
stant  skirmishing  they  rallied  bravely  onward 
and  participated  in  that  bloody  battle  of  Shiloh, 
Apr.  6,  and  7,  1862,  in  which  the  Regt.  lost 
heavily  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  next  move 
was  on  to  Corinth.  Slowly  and  arduously  they 
proceeded,  being  constantly  engaged  in  skir 
mishing  and  picket  duty.  About  June  17,  our 
soldier  was  taken  severely  sick  with  pneumonia 
which  rapidly  developed  into  a  serious  case  of 
typhoid  fever.  At  Hamburg  Landing  he  was 
transferred  to  the  hospital  boat  and  for  the  en 
suing  six  weeks  he  lay  hovering  between  life 
and  death,  in  a  pitiful  delirious  condition. 
When  he  regained  consciousness  he  found  him 
self  at  hospital  No.  5,  New  Albany,  Ind.,  under 
the  tender  and  skillful  care  of  Dr.  Chas.  E. 
Bowman,  to  whom  he  to-day  owes  his  life. 
Some  time  in  Oct.  he  was  examined  by  aboard 
'of  army  physician's,  who'decided  that  our  con 


valescent  soldier  would  never  be  fit  for  field 
duty,  and  having  no  descriptive  list  from  the 
company  roll,  he  received  a  discharged  fur 
lough  signed  by  the  medical  directory  and  the 
Post  Commander,  Maj.  Flint.  Then  he  returned 
home,  spent  the  winter  hobbling  round  on 
crutches,  and  through  the  obstinacy  and  mal 
feasance  of  the  Captain  who  refused  to  forward 
the  descriptive  list,  Lynn  could  not  receive  his 
full  discharge. 

In  the  meantime,  the  captain  was  super 
seded  by  Capt.  S.  S.  Tripp,  now  of  Peoria, 
111.,  who  had  the  kindness  and  manliness  to 
immediately  notify  him  that  he  was  reported 
on  the  roll  as  absent  without  leave.  Having 
partially  recovered  health,  our  soldier  presented 
the  facts  before  Gov.  Yates,  who  requested  him 
to  return  home  and  he  would  have  matters  cor 
rected.  The  details  having  been  deferred,  com 
rade  Lynn,  although  hardly  able  for  duty,  con 
cluded  to  return  to  the  rescue  of  the  grand  "old 
flag."  He  called  on  the  Gov.  who  kindly  but 
reluctantly  furnished  transportation,  stating 
that  he  was  not  fit  for  duty,  and  thus  he  rejoined 
his  command  at  Jackson,  Miss.  Here  he  was 
informed  that  if  he  desired  he  would  be  dis 
charged  immediately  with  full  pay  from  time 
of  enlistment.  But  under  promise  of  light  duty 
as  field  orderly,  at  Gen.  McPherson's  head 
quarters,  he  preferred  to  remain  as  a  loyal  son 
of  the  war.  In  this  position  he  was  actively 
engaged  during  the  entire  siege  of  Vicksburg. 
During  the  winter  we  find  our  subject  busily 
employed  in  scouting.  Next  came  the  famous 
Meridian  raid  and  subsequently  we  find  young 
Lynn  participating  in  the  memorable  Atlanta 
campaign,  taking  active  part  in  the  battles  of 
Rome,  Allatoona  Pass,  Big  Shanty,  Kenesaw 
Mt.,  Nickajack  Creek  and  Atlanta.  During 
the  last  named  battle  his  duties  were  severely 
critical,  he  being  obliged  to  take  messages  to 
the  Iowa  Brig,  when  it  was  completely  sur 
rounded  by  the  enemy,  the  air  buzzing  and 
whizzing  with  bullets. 

During  the  night  of  July  21,  the  illustrious 
Walter  Q.  Gresham  was  wounded  by  the  side  of 
our  subject,  who  assisted  in  carrying  him  off 
the  field.  Anon-, -we  find  -him  in  the  hot  battle 


4/0 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


of  Jonesboro.  This  time  he  did  not  escapethe 
rain  of  shot  and  shell,  but  was  struck  in  the 
breast  by  a  ball,  knocking  him  off  his  horse. 
But  our  soldier's  patriotism  was  not  lessened 
by  his  disability.  His  horse  having  been 
caught  by  a  negro,  he  bravely  remounted, 
when,  alas,  but  a  few  minutes  later;  he  was 
severely  shot  through  the  left  leg.  Still  our 
young  hero  would  not  succumb.  Onward  he 
went  "to  do  or  die."  He  proceeded  but  ashort 
distance  when  his  faithful  horse  was  shot  in  the 
head,  dropping  instantly.  Thus  ended  the 
memorable  siege  of  Atlanta,  with  Lynn  con 
fined  to  camp,  he  preferring  it  to  the  horrible 
scenes  of  a  hospital.  Only  about  a  fortnight 
elapsed,  and  he  was  back  to  his  Regt.,  en 
gaged  in  all  the  difficult  scouting,  and  hard 
ships  incident  to  the  "march  to  the  sea,"  atone 
time  being  on  duty,  carrying  messages  from 
one  army  to  the  other,  for  four  days  and 
nights  successively.  After  the  siege  and  sur 
render  of  Savannah,  the  army  remained 
four  weeks."  Sickness  again  overtook  our 
heroic  soldier  boy.  Soon  the  disease  de 
veloped  into  smallpox,  and  for  weeks  he 
struggled  with  death,  subsisting  on  a  daily  ra 
tion  of  a  pint  of  weak  tea  and  two  pieces  of 
burnt  bread.  Thinking  himself  sufficiently 
convalescent,  he  tore  up  a  board  in  the  floor 
and  made  his  escape  from  the  hospital.  Wad 
ing  out  to  a  supply  tent,  he  equipped  himself 
with  new  clothes,  a  revolver,  a  rifle  and  amuni- 
tion,  then  proceeded  to  a  negro  shanty,  filled 
his  canteen  with  tea,  his  haversack  with  corn- 
meal,  secured  a  skiff,  crossed  the  Poccotella, 
and  then  onward  to  overtake  Sherman's 
army. 

After  dodging  squads  of  rebel  scouts,  and 
tramping  days  and  nights,  he  finally  overtook 
the  rear,  Jan.  6,  1865.  Welcomed  by  his  com 
rades,  he  was  furnished  with  a  horse  and  joined 
his  command  in  the  advance.  The  next  day 
he  was  one  of  25  men  who  volunteered  to  blaze 
a  passage  through  the  Salkahatchie  swamp. 
After  the  most  strenuous  efforts,  he  was  one  of 
four  who  succeeded  in  crossing,  and  one  of 
only  two  who  returned  to  report  to  head  quar 
ters.  A  third  and  a  fourth  time  our  hero  crossed 


with  a  message  to  Gen.  Sherman.  Subsequent 
ly  he  was  actively  engaged  in  all  the  fighting 
and  most  dangerous  scouting  along  the  route 
to  Goldsboro,  N.  C.  The  next  battle  was  the 
final  battle  of  Bentonville,  in  which  our  gallant 
soldier,  who  was  invariably  in  the  advance, 
was  not  only  a  third  time  wounded,  being 
struck  in  the  hand  with  a  piece  of  shell,  but 
was  a  second  time  rid  of  his  horse,  which  was 
again  shot  beneath  him.  Thus  the  last  battle 
was  fought.  The  great  Rebellion  came  to  an 
end,  and  now  the  victors  made  their  glorious 
march  homeward,  joining  the  grand  review  at 
Washington.  Comrade  Lynn  received  his  final 
discharge  at  Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  25,  1865, 
thence  went  to  Lewistown,  111.;  later  moved  to 
Rock  Island,  where  he  has  resided  since,  and 
where  for  the  past  twelve  years  he  has  held 
the  trusted  and  responsible  position  of  Super 
intendent  of  one  of  the  mammoth  mills  of  the 
Rock  Island  Lumber  Company. 

By  Mr.  Lynn's  first  marriage  there  is  living 
one  daughter,  Esther  E.  He  was  married  a 
second  time,  Oct.  20,  1864,  at  Chicago,  111.,  to 
De  Rinda  Bourdeau,who  presented  him  with  two 
children,  Roscoe  Blaine,  deceased,  and  Mildred, 
living.  He  is  a  Free  Mason  and  a  member  of 

o 

the  M.  W.  A.,  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  societies.  In 
politics  he  is  a  staunch  Republican.  Mr.  Lynn 
is  a  highly  respected  employee,  a  true  soldier, 
and  a  fellow  like  and  progressive  citizen. 


PROMINENT  among  the  citizens  of  Rockford, 
111.,  as  a  gentleman    and  business    man, 
stands  AMASA  HUTCHINS,  who  was  born 
in  Winnebago  Co.,  111.,  June  I,  1844,  an  only  son 
of  Rial  and  Diana,  (Brinke)  Hutchins  of  Pa. 

The  father  being  a  farmer  the  son's  early 
life  was  spent  there  and  in  attending  the  dis 
trict  schools.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  war, 
our  subject  was  only  1 8  years  of  age,  and  there 
fore  ineligible  to  enter  the  army,  but  in  the 
following  year  the  martial  courageous  spirit  of 
his  youth,  could  no  longer  be  restrained,  so  he 
broke  through  parental  ties  and  became  a  sol 
dier  by  enlisting  at  Rockford,  and  was  mustered 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


47* 


into  the  service  as  a  corporal  in  Co.  A.,  74th. 
111.  Inf.,  Sept.  5,  1852.  His  Regt.  remained  in 
camp  a  few  weeks,  drilling,  then  proceeded  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  where  Mr.  Hutchins  was  de 
tailed  in  charge  of  clothing  during  his  stay  at 
that  place.  Rejoining  his  Regt.  at  Bowling 
Green,  he  marched  to  Nashville,  and  was  again 
in  charge  of  wagons  and  clothing.  The  Regt. 
was  held  in  reserve  in  the  battle  of  Perrysville 
then  marched  to  Nashville  and  Dec.  26th, 
moved  out,  encountered  the  enemy,  and  helped 
dislodge  his  batteries.  The  following  day  was 
devoted  to  heavy  skirmishing  and  a  slow  gen 
eral  advance  upon  the  rebel  lines.  The  next 
day  being  Sunday,  both  armies  rested,  and  on 
Monday  there  was  constant  skirmishing,  and 
heavy  artillery  firing  by  both  sides.  On  the 
night  of  Dec.  30,  ,1862,  Mr.  Hutchins  and  all 
his  comrades  slept  upon  their  arms  and  at  four 
o'clock  A.  M.  were  in  line,  and  at  daybreak 
were  attacked  by  vastly  superior  numbers. 
Johnston's  Div.,  which  was  on  the  right  of  the 
/4th,  was  taken  by  surprise.  Its  batteries  being 
captured  it  was  forced  back,  thus  leaving  the 
Regt.  exposed.  The  men  however  fought  with 
desperation  but  being  unable  to  withstand  a 
much  heavier  force,  also  fell  back  a  distance, 
but  only  after  having  wrought  great  destruc 
tion  upon  the  attacking  force.  The  74th, 
after  retreating  about  a  mile  came  upon  the 
rebels  in  force,  in  its  rear,  seven  lines  deep. 
The  rebel  commander  in  front  gave  order  to 
his  men  to  right  wheel,  whereupon  Mr.  Hutch 
ins  leveled  his  rifle  and  it  told  its  own  story. 
That  Commander  gave  no  further  directions. 
Mr.  Hutchins  suffered  the  loss  of  his  right 
thumb  which  was  shot  off,  and  he  was  compelled 
to  go  into  the  field  hospital,  where  he  remained 
for  several  days. 

He  'was  afterwards  removed  to  Nashville, 
where  he  remained  about  six  weeks,  when  he 
rejoined  hisCo.  at  Murfreesboro.  Inthe  month 
of  June,  the  74th  moved  out  of  camp  and  set 
out  on  the  Tullahoma  campaign,  being  on  con 
stant  march,  skirmish  and  battle,  which  termina 
ted  in  the  desperate  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
fought  Sept.  19  and  20,  1863.  Proceeding  to 
Chattanooga  the  Regt.  took  its  position  in  the 


front  line,  and  engaged  in  building  works.  Nov. 
14,  it  received  from  the  ladies  of  Rockford  its 
new  flag.  On  the  25th,  when  only  eighty  rods 
from  the  enemy's  skirmishers,  it  was  ordered  to 
move  forward  and  carry  the  rebel  pits  at  the 
foot  of  Mission  Ridge.  It  assisted  in  carrying 
out  the  order,  taking  many  prisoners,  and  al 
most  immediately  thereafter  joined  in  storming 
the  Ridge.  In  that  charge,  the  new  flag  of  the 
74th  was  borne  by  Chas.  E.  Allen,  of  Co.  E. 
He  soon  fell  struck  by  a  minie  ball,  but  the 
colors  had  hardly  dropped  from  his  nerveless 
grasp,  before  they  were  seized  by  Alba  Miller 
who  carried  them  but  a  short  distance,  when  he 
too  fell  wounded,  whereupon  they  were  grasped 
by  Corporal  Compton,  who  was  also  killed. 
The  emblem  was  snatched  from  the  hands  of 
the  dying  Compton,  and  was  soon  planted 
upon  the  rebel  works,  pierced  with  15  bullets, 
being  the  first  Union  flag  to  fly  upon  the  hard- 
won  crest  of  that  rugged  hill. 

In  this  assault  the  74th  lost  14  killed,  39 
wounded  and  6  missing.  Of  the  wounded  sev 
eral  survived  but  a  short  time.  Mr.  Hutchins 
was  after  this  sent  back  to  Chattanooga  and 
placed  in  hospital,  then  granted  a  furlough 
when  he  returned  home.  He  rejoined  his 
Regt.  and  started  out  on  the  Atlanta  campaign 
and  was  at  the  battle  of  Buzzard's  Roost. 
Here  he  was  detailed  in  charge  of  pioneers 
and  was  sent  to  cut  a  road  on  the  mountain, 
and  whilst  so  engaged  was  fired  upon  by 
the  enemy,  and  being  without  guns,  and  be 
yond  the  Union  picket  line,  fell  back  within 
the  lines.  He  was  taken  sick  whilst  at  Dallas 
and  sent  back  to  hospital  at  Chattanooga,  then 
to  Nashville,  afterwards  to  Chicago,  where  he 
remained  in  hospital  until  May  25,  1865,  when 
the  war  being  over  he  was  discharged. 

Immediately  he  returned  to  his  home  in 
Rockford,  and  owing  to  his  physical  illness, 
contracted  whilst  in  the  army,  was  unable  to 
do  any  work  for  the  following  two  years.  In 
the  year  1867,  having  somewhat  improved  he 
engaged  in  farming  for  a  year,  then  at  carpen 
ter  work  for  about  nine  years,  when  he  com 
bined  the  callings  of  a  farmer  and  carpenter 
for  the  succeeding  three  years.  Popular  as  a 


4/2 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


soldier  and  in  every  other  relation  of  life, 
when  a  man  was  wanted  to  fill  the  responsible 
position  of  Sheriff  for  his  County,  the  friends 
of  Mr.  Hutchins  induced  him  to  accept  the 
nomination,  and  they  voted  him  into  the  office 
triumphantly.  This  situation  he  filled  with 
commendable  tact,  skill  and  ability.  After  a 
service  of  six  years,  Mr.  Hutchins  gave  up  the 
Sheriffship,  and  engaged  in  the  marble  and 
granite  business,  at  which  he  has  continued  to 
be  engaged  up  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Hutchins  during  his  war  career  verified 
the  truism  "  that  in  Union  there  is  strength," 
and,  concluding  to  profit  by  it,  selected  as  his 
better-half,  Elizabeth  Harrod,  whom  he  joined 
in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony,  in  the  month 
of  Sept.,  1867,  and  six  bright,  sparkling  chil 
dren  are  the  result  of  that  marriage,  viz.:  May, 
Fred,  Bessie,  Annie,  Ray,  and  a  little  baby,  the 
joy  and  delight  of  its  parents.  All  are  now 
living  except  Bessie.  He  has  held  the  posi 
tion  of  Assessor  for  four  terms,  is  a  member  of 
G.  L.  Nevin's  Post  No.  I,  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  a 
Republican.  Honorable  and  business-like  in 
all  his  transactions  of  life,  no  effort  was  re 
quired  on  his  part,  but  he  has  been  quietly  and 
unostentatiously  placed  by  the  universal  senti 
ment  of  the  public,  in  the  front  ranks  of  Rock- 
ford's  most  substantial  business  men  and  citi 
zens. 


ABRAHAM  LEATHERMAN,  of  Elgin,  111.,  was 
born  Dec.  21,  1840,  in  Cook  Co.,  111., and 
is  the  son  of  Abraham  Leatherman  who 
was  born  Oct.  25,  1801,  in  Ky.  His  grand 
father  was  born  in  Germany,  as  was  also  his 
grandmother.  His  parents  are  dead.  He  had 
three  brothers  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion- 
William  and  John  were  in  the  H3th  111.  Inf., 
whilst  Evin  was  in  the  I4ist  111.  Inf.  Mr. 
Leatherman  after  receiving  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  went  to  work  on  the  farm  and 
continued  in  this  occupation  up  to  the  time  of 
his  enlistment.  He  was  a  loyal,  patriotic 
citizen,  and  seeing  his  country  and  its  institu 


tions  endangered  by  traitorous  rebels  who 
sought  its  dissolution,  concluded  to  join  the 
soldiery  for  its  preservation,  and  enlisted  at 
Iroquois  Co.,  111.,  Aug.  12,  1862.  He  rendez 
voused  at  Kankakee,  then  at  Camp  Douglas, 
Chicago,  where  he  was  mustered  in  as  a  private 
in  Co.  F.,  ii3th  111.  Inf.,  Oct.  i,  1862.  His 
Regt.  was  subsequently  forwarded  to  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  where  it  remained  for  a  short  time. 
Leaving  here,  it  went  on  the -Tallehatchie  ex 
pedition,  and  then  returned  to  Memphis. 
Here  it  took  transports  down  the  Miss.  River, 
and  then  passed  up  the  Yazoo  River  in  the  rear 
of  Vicksburg,  where  the  first  outbreak  in  that 
city  took  place.  After  doing  picket  duty  along 
the  Yazoo  River,  the  next  move  was  to  Ar 
kansas  Post,  at  which  place  an  engagement  re 
sulted  in  the  Union  forces  capturing  and 
taking  possession  of  that  Post  Jan.  II  and  12, 
1863.  On  this  occasion  about  8,000  rebels 
were  taken  prisoners.  Five  companies,  includ 
ing  Co.  F.,  were  detailed  to  guard  the  prison 
ers,  marching  them  to  Camp  Butler  at  Spring 
field,  111.,  landing  there  in  the  early  part  of 
Feb.,  1863.  Here  the  Co.  remained  until  the 
spring  of  1864,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Mem 
phis  where  it  joined  the  Regt.  and  engaged  in 
picket  duty  and  guarding  the  supply  trains. 
In  the  autumn  of  that  year,  the  Regt.  was  or 
dered  to  Guntown  for  the  purpose  of  tearing 
up  the  railroad.  A  battle  ensued,  called  the 
battle  of  Guntown,  which  resulted  disastrously 
to  the  Union  forces,  which  were  compelled  to 
retreat  to  Memphis.  The  Regt.  continued 
there  doing  guard  duty  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  Comrade  Leatherman  was  mustered  out 
of  service  Jan.  20.  1865,  at  Memphis,  and  dis 
charged  at  Chicago,  on  the  2gth.  He  was  pro 
moted  to  corporal,  some  time  before  his  dis 
charge. 

After  the  war  he  resumed  farming  which  he 
continued  for  many  years,  and  has  accumulated 
a  sufficient  amount  of  money  and  property  to 
warrant  his  retiring  from  active  business  pur 
suits  during  his  remaining  years. 

On  June  13,  1867,  he  married  Josephine 
McChesney  by  whom  he  has  the  following 
children:  Wm.  O.,  Jesse  D.,  Fonetta  M.,  Ida 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


473 


D.,  and  Mary  E.,  the  two  first  named  are  dead. 
Mrs.  Leatherman  was  a  daughter  of  Jos.  and 
Mary  B.  McChesney.  In  politics,  Mr.  Leather 
man  is  a  Republican. 


PROMINENT  among  the  citizens  and  profes 
sional  men  of  Momence,  111.,  is  BENJAMIN 
F.  GRAY,  a  native  of  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y., 
born  July  7,  1834,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Esther 
(Martin)  Gray,  the  former  a  native  of  Rensse- 
laer  Co.,  N.  Y.,  while  the  latter  was  a  lineal  de 
scendant  of  the  famous  Roger  Williams  family. 
His  father  and  family  removed  to  Perrysburg, 
Ohio,  in  the  year  1835  (where  the  mother  of 
our  subject  died),  and  two  years  later  to  Lake 
Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  pre-empted  Govt.  land  and 
commenced  to  build  up  a  homestead.  He  mar 
ried  again,  and  had  one  child  by  that  marriage, 
Daniel,  who  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  for  the 
war;  was  taken  prisoner,  and  died  in  that  place 
of  horrors,  Andersonville  prison.  Our  subject 
lived  with  his  father  and  step-mother  until  1839, 
when  he,  with  an  elder  brother,  was  compelled, 
owing  to  his  parents'  inability  to  keep  him,  to 
go  into  the  alms  house,  and  the  same  year  arti 
cled  out  to  William  H.  H.  Holton,  of  Crown 
Point,  Ind.,  where  he  continued  for  the  following 
eight  years,  then  started  out  for  himself .  He  con 
tinued  in  Lake  Co.  until  the  year  1850,  when  he 
concluded  to  seek  his  fortunes  in  another  State, 
therefore  removed  to  Momence,  111.  Although 
he  had  now  reached  his  I5th  year,  he  had  never 
entered  a  school,  and,  in  fact,  had  not  the  op 
portunity.  He  had,  however,  realized  the  ad 
vantages  of  those  possessed  of  an  education 
over  himself  as  he  trudged  through  life  unable 
to  read  or  write,  and  therefore  lost  no  time  when 
an  opportunity  presented  for  attending  school. 
Shortly  after  his  removal  to  Momence  he  com 
menced  going  to  school,  working  •mornings  and 
evenings  for  his  board  during  the  winter  season, 
and  being  employed  on  the  farm  in  the  summer, 
and  in  a  short  time,  owing  to  his  energy  and 
ability,  was  soon  happily  possessed  of  a  good, 
practical  business  education,  which  he  has  al 
ways  improved  by  a  liberal  course  of  promis 
cuous  reading. 


Notwithstanding  his  early  impecuniosities, 
he  was,  while  yet  in  his  early  twenties,  able  to 
lay  aside  a  little  money  from  his  earnings,  with 
which  he  purchased  some  land  enabling  him  to 
start  farming.  Being  a  daring,  energetic  and 
courageous  young  fellow,  he  decided  to  join 
the  army  when  the  first  call  for  troops  was  pro 
claimed,  and  accordingly  enlisted  in  July,  1861, 
and  w7as  mustered  into  the  service  at  Chicago 
as  a  private  in  Co.  D.,  42nd  111.  Vol.  Inf.  About 
two  months  after  its  organization  it  moved  to 
St.  Louis,  and  joined  Maj.  Gen.  Hunter  at  Tip- 
ton,  Mo.,  Oct.  18,  1861,  and  was  assigned  to 
Col.  Palmer's  Brig.  The  Brig,  proceeded  first 
to  Warsaw,  then  to  Springfield,  from  which  it 
went  to  Smithton,  Mo.,  where  it  arrived  Dec. 
13,  and  went  into  winter  quarters.  During  the 
march  to  Springfield  Mr.  Gray  was  taken  vio 
lently  ill,  and  was  compelled  to  remain  at  Camp 
Baker,  but  later  rejoined  his  Regt.  in  its  winter 
quarters,  and  remained  there  until  Feb.  3,  1862, 
when  he  marched  to  St.  Charles,  then  on  to 
Fort  Hold,  and  March  4th  occupied  Columbus. 
The  next  move  of  his  Regt.  was  to  Island  No. 
10,  and  participated  in  the  siege  of  that  place 
until  it  surrendered,  April  11.  Colonel  Roberts, 
with  fifty  men  of  Co.  A.,  having  spiked  six  guns 
of  the  enemy  on  the  night  of  the  first  of  April. 
Leaving  this  place,  Mr.  Gray,  with  his  Regt., 
proceeded  to  New  Madrid,  opposite  Fort  Pil 
low,  there  disembarking,  but  on  the  following 
day  re-embarked  and  moved  to  Paducah  and 
Hamburg  Landing,  where  he  was  ordered  to 
Pittsburg  Landing,  and  on  the  march  toward 
Corinth  participated  in  the  battle  of  Farming- 
ton,  May  gth,  losing  2  men  killed  and  12 
wounded,  then  leading  the  advance  in  pursuit 
of  Beauregard's  army  to  Baldwyne,  Miss.,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Corinth.  He  then  went 
to  Big  Springs,  performing  guard  duty  for  a 
time,  then  to  Cortland,  Ala.,  which  the  Regt. 
occupied  until  Aug.  3d,  being  engaged  there 
also  upon  guard  duty  along  the  Memphis  and 
Charleston  R.  R.  then  moved  to  Nashville, 
via  Decatur,  engaging  the  enemy  in  a  sharp, 
warm  battle  at  Columbia,  sustaining  several 
casualties.  It  remained  at  Nashville  during  the 
siege,,  part  of  the  time  on  short  rations. 


474 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Marching  out  of  Nashville  on  the  Nolans- 
ville  Pike,  it  proceeded  some  days  later  on  the 
Murfreesboro  campaign,  having  a  heavy  skir 
mish  with  the  rebels  Dec.  30,  and  on  the  fol 
lowing  day  as  also  on  Jan.  I  and  2d,  1863,  par 
ticipated  in  the  bloody  battle  of  Stone  River, 
losing  22  comrades  of  the  Regt.  killed,  116 
wounded  and  85  taken  prisoners.  March  5 
engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  Gen.  Van  Dorn  to 
Columbia,  returning  to  Murfreesboro  and 
remaining  there  until  June  24,  when  the  Regt. 
proceeded  upon  the  Tullahoma  expedition, 
which  having  been  successful,  took  up  the 
Chattanooga  campaign  during  which  the  com 
mand  marched  to  Alpine,  Ga.,  Trenton,  crossed 
Lookout  Mt.  and  Sept.  19  and  20,  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  was  heavily 
engaged  throughout  those  days;  the  42nd  los 
ing  28  men  killed,  128  wounded,  and  28  pris 
oners.  The  next  battle  in  which  Mr.  Gray  took 
part  was  that  of  Missionary  Ridge,  his  Regt. 
being  in  the  skirmish  line  during  the  engage 
ment  and  again  bearing  its  full  share  of  the 
hardships  and  deadly  results  of  the  war;  then 
pursued  the  retreating  rebels  to  Chickamauga 
Creek,  and  on  returning,  joined  the  EastTenn., 
campaign  and  marched  to  Knoxville  to  the 
relief  of  Gen.  Burnside  at  Stone's  Mill.  Jan.  I, 
1864,  the  42nd  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  volun 
teer  organization  and  15  days  later  moved  to 
Danbridge,  then  to  Chattanooga,  and  from 
there  to  Chicago  where  the  men  were  granted 
a  veteran  furlough.  Mr.  Gray  was  placed  upon 
recruiting  duty  at  Kankakee  where  he  enlisted 
10  recruits.  Returning  at  the  termination  of 
the  furlough  he  entered  upon  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign,  and  his  Regt.  took  a  prominent  part  in 
the  battle  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge  and  Resaca, 
at  the  latter  of  which  he  was  struck  with  a  rebel 
minie  ball  in  the  groin  which  he  has  unwill 
ingly  carried  ever  since.  He  was  then  sent 
back  to  the  hospital  at  Nashville  and  soon  as 
able  to  travel  he  was  furloughed  for  30  days 
and  returned  home,  afterward  reported  to  offi 
cers  Hospital  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  was  dis 
charged  Aug.  17,  1864,  by  reason  of  disability. 
He  was  promoted  to  2nd  Lieut.  March  30,  1863, 
•  and  was  mustered  out  as  such  by  reason  of 


meritorious  service    rendered  at  the  battle  of 
Stone  River. 

Having  left  the  army  he  attended  Bryant  & 
Stratton's  Business  College,  and  later,  gradu 
ated  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  Feb.  25,  1865,  was 
appointed  clerk  in  the  Treasury  Department 
at  Washington,  which  he  held  until  the  fall  of 
1872,  when  he  was  compelled  to  resign  by  rea 
son  of  impaired  health.  In  the  year  1870,  he 
commenced  the  study  of  law  at  the  law  branch 
of  Columbus  College,  Washington,  D.  C.,  and 
graduated  at  the  National  University  in  1872; 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Washington,  com 
menced  the  practice  of  his  profession,  July  of 
the  same  year,  and  has  been  in  active  practice 
ever  since.  By  the  application  of  his  ability 
and  energy  he  has  built  up  a  remunerative 
growing  practice,  and  having  accumulated  con 
siderable  means  has  displayed  much  public 
spirit  and  enterprise  in  the  manner  of  its  in 
vestment  which  is  highly  advantageous  to  the 
community  in  which  he  resides. 

Mr.  Gray  married  in  1867,  Flora  A.  Clark, 
daughter  of  B.  T.  Clark,  by  whom  he  has  seven 
children,  vizx  Allie  M.,  Laura  C.,  Charlotta  F., 
Mary  A.,  Jessie  M.,  Esther,  and  Gertrude  M. 
He  is  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.,  Post  at  Momence; 
President  of  the  Electric  Light  Company,  and 
holds  positions  on  the  Directorate  Board  of 
three  corporations. 

Lawyer  Gray's  life  and  success  stands  out  as 
a  prominent  example  of  what  can  be  accom 
plished  by  a  boy,  even  although  he  be  born  poor. 
By  the  energetic  use  of  the  powers  with  which 
the  Almighty  endowed  him,  and  a  religious  ob 
servance  of  the  laws  intended  for  the  well  being 
and  government  of  mankind,  he  has  risen  step 
by  step  in  social  position  and  affluence  until 
now,  although  only  comparatively  a  young 
man,  he  stands  out  prominent  in  fortune  and 
position  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  district 
in  which  he  resides. 


RUFUS    DANFORTH,  of  F.nglewood,   charter 
member  of  George  G.  Meade  Post,  No. 
444,  of  Chicago,   enlisted   at   Lewiston, 
Me.,  June    15,    1862,    in   Co.  K.,    I7th  Me.    Inf., 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


475 


rendezvoused  for  awhile  at  Portland,  and  then 
was  ordered  to  Fort  Carroll,  near  Washington, 
where  it  was  engaged  in  drill  and  garrison  duty 
until  Oct.  when  it  crossed  into  Va.,  and  was 
assigned  to  the  3rd  Brig.,  ist  Div.,  3rd  A.  C. 
The  1 7th  was  one  of  the  righting  regiments 
and  made  creditable  record  at  Fredericksburg 
and  at  Chancellorsville,  where  it  sustained  a 
loss  of  10  killed,  and  65  wounded.  The  Regt. 
was  generally  in  the  front  and  was  known  as 
the  "  crack  regiment."  Mr.  Danforth  was 
with  his  Regt.  in  nearly  all  of  its  engagements, 
and  avoided  the  hospital  whenever  he  could. 
On  the  field  of  Gettysburg,  Philip  Gunlock,  a" 
gunner,  presented  Mr.  Danforth  with  a  gold 
badge  which  had  been  given  him  by  his  com 
rades  for  bravery  on  the  field.  Mr.  Danforth 
had  saved  this  soldier's  life  three  times  on  that 
field.  He  was  wounded  at  the  fight  of  Melville 
Hill,  but  preferred  to  stay  with  his  Regt.  and 
be  his  own  physician  than  go  to  a  hospital. 
Soap  and  water  giving  out,  however,  he  was 
obliged  to  fall  behind  his  Regt.,  which  he  re 
joined  on  the  road  between  Petersburg  and 
Richmond,  about  the  last  of  August.  He  was 
discharged  at  Washington  April  i,  1865,  after 
having  served  his  country  over  three  years. 
While  near  Richmond  his  Regt.  came  nearly 
being  captured.  The  box  containing  enlist 
ment,  and  other  valuable  papers  was  taken. 
After  the  surrender  and  while  on  their  way 
home,  they  stopped  at  Baltimore  to  rest,  many 
having  become  sick  and  exhausted.  Mr.  Dan 
forth  was  taken  into  a  saloon  and  laid  on  the 
floor.  While  lying  there  he  noticed  a  box  that 
aroused  his  curiosity  and  forgetting  his  illness 
for  the  time,  and  choosing  a  favorable  oppor 
tunity,  he  seized  the  box,  put  it  under  his  arm 
and  left  the  saloon,  and  later  conveyed  it  to  the 
officers  of  his  Regt.,  who,  upon  opening  it  dis 
covered  the  papers  that  had  been  stolen  at 
Richmond. 

At  one  time  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
posted  as  vidette  one  dark  night  in  company 
with  comrade  Miller.  In  front  of  them  was 
a  clump  of  bushes  which  they  had  noticed 
in  the  daytime,  and  these  they  desired  to  reach 
if  possible,  in  order  to  secure  a  better  position 


for  getting  information  from  the  enemy.  They 
started  for  these  bushes,  crawling  stealthily 
along  but  missed  them  and  went  direct  into 
the  rebel  camp.  Discovering  their  mis 
take,  they  decided  to  make  a  run  for  their  lives 
and  starting  down  what  they  supposed  to  be 
the  middle  of  the'  camp  street,  they  unfortu 
nately  got  too  near  a  guy  rope,  stumbled  and 
fell.  Their  fall  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
rebels  and  they  were  soon  captured  and  placed 
under  guard.  After  they  had  satisfied  the 
rebels  that  they  had  by  accident  strayed  into 
their  camp,  they  were  escorted  toward  the 
prison  by  a  Lieut,  and  an  orderly.  Mr.  Dan 
forth  was  much  exhausted,  and  would  purposely 
stumble  occasionly  to  see  what  effect  it  would 
have  on  his  guards.  The  Lieut,  becoming 
vexed  with  such  awkwardness,  administered  a 
blow  with  his  sword  on  his  shoulder  as  he  was 
rising,  the  point  springing  down  and  taking  a 
piece  of  his  flesh  out  of  his  hip,  causing  the 
blood  to  flow  profusely.  This  in  no  wise  dis 
couraged  him  from  his  purpose  of  making  his 
escape  if  possible.  In  spite  of  the  vigilance  of 
the  guards  the  Union  soldiers  managed  to  make 
signals  to  each  other  and  at  the  proper  time 
the  orderly  was  relieved  of  his  gun  and  knocked 
down  by  Mr.  Danforth,  his  comrade,  Miller, 
treating  the  Lieut,  in  the  same  way,  who  fell  on 
the  prostrate  orderly.  They  were  held  in  this 
position  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  until  dis 
armed.  Then,  as  prisoners,  the  rebel  guards 
were  permitted  to  rise  and  were  marched  off, 
and  coming  to  a  turn  in  the  road  where  there 
was  a  large  boulder,  were  informed  that  they 
must  exchange  uniforms  with  their  "Yankee" 
prisoners,  and  that  quickly.  When  this  was 
done  they  were  ordered  to  run  for  their  lives, 
and  admonished  that  if  they  looked  back  they 
would  be  shot  dead.  It  is  not  necessary  to  state 
that  they  made  double  quick  time.  Mr.  Dan 
forth  and  his  comrade  started  for  the  wood  not 
far  away,  and  were  about  crossing  a  large  stream 
when  a  troop  of  rebel  cavalry  came  upon  them. 
After  a  conflict  the  Union  soldiers  shot  two  of 
the  rebels  and  made  their  escape.  Hiding  by 
day,  and  walking  by  night  they  finally  ap 
proached  the  Union  lines  exhausted  and  nearly 


4/6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


starved  to  death  and  were  taken  by  the  Union 
Cav.  as  rebel  prisoners  into  camp. 

Mr.  Danforth  was  born  at  Brunswick,  Me., 
Sept.  10,  1822.  His  parents  were  Moses  and 
Elizabeth  Danforth.  The  father  was  of  English 
and  the  mother  was  of  Scotch  ancestry.  The 
father  died  at  an  advanced  age.  His  father 
was  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Children  born 
to  parents  were  Charles,  Henry,  Lincoln,  Na 
thaniel,  Daniel,  Martin,  Elizabeth,  Moses, 
Rufus  and  James.  Moses  was  in  the  army  and 
served  in  the  Red  River  expedition.  Mr.  Dan 
forth  was  educated  at  the  public  schools,  and 
before  the  war  was  engaged  in  house  and  sign 
painting.  He  has  resided  in  Warrensburg,  Mo., 
Kansas  City  and  Chicago.  He  was  married  at 
Saco,  Me.,  June  15,  1860,  to  Adaline,  daughter 
of  Asa  and  Elizabeth  (Larabee)  Thompson,  of 
English  and  German  parentage  respectively. 
Their  children  are  Charles  H.,  Ida  M.,  Willard 
H.,  John  A.,  Frank  H.  and  Adaline.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  United  Sons  of  America,  and 
the  George  G.  Meade  Post  No.  444,  of  Engle- 
wood,  and  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  Mrs.  Dan 
forth  is  an  active  member  of  the  Woman's  Re 
lief  Corps  No.  136,  auxilliary  to  the  Meade  Post. 
She  also  has  a  badge  presented  to  her  from  the 
George  G.  Meade  Post,  of  which  she  is  an  hon 
orary  member.  It  has  been  organized  about 
two  years.  Since  its  organization  it  has  bought 
two  elegant  flags,  one  for  the  Meade  Post,  and 
the  other  for  the  Sons'  of  Veterans,  at  a  cost  of 
$250;  also  two  field  flags  and  a  portrait  of  Gen 
eral  Meade.  Mr.  Danforth  takes  an  active  in 
terest  in  G.  A.  R.  matters,  and  is  much  respected 
among  those  who  know  him. 


RICHARD  KEENEY, of  Sterling  111.,  was  born 
atLaceyville,  Pa.,  Nov.  8, 1842.  His  parents 
were  Ezra  and  Clarissa  (Shartz)   Keeney. 
His  father  was  born  July  15,  1806  at  Laceyville, 
Pa.,  and  was  the  son  of    Richard.     The  family 
was    sprung    from    old    Puritan     stock.     The 
Shartz  family    was    of    Holland  "ancestry  the 


American  progenitors,  settling  at  an  early 
period  in  New  England.  Ezra  Keeney  was  a 
carpenter  and  farmer,  from  which  services  he 
derived  a  considerable  prosperity.  He  was 
the  father  of  six  children  by  his  first  wife,  who 
died  Dec.  3,  1843,  when  Richard  was  an  infant. 

By  his  second  wife,  Almira  Dexter,  to 
whom  he  was  married  March  15,  1848,  he  had 
four  children.  He  died  Nov.  30,  1875.  After 
his  mother's  death  Richard  lived  with  the 
family  of  Samuel  Lake,  attending  school  until 
he  had  attained  his  I4th  year,  when  he  went  to 
live  with  his  father,  assisting  with  the  work  on 
the  farm,  and  at  intervals  going  to  school  until 
Aug.  21,  1862,  the  date  of  his  enlistment  in  the 
military  service  as  a  private  of  Co.  K.,  I43rd 
Pa.  Inf.  He  was  mustered  in  at  Harrisburg, 
Pa.  His  company  was  detailed  for  guard  duty 
at  Marion  during  the  battle  of  Antietam,  after 
which  he  joined  his  Regt.  in  camp  near  Wileks- 
barre,  where  he  remained  until  Nov.  2Oth. 
During  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  the  Regt. 
\vas  under  fire  opposite  Fredericksburg,then  pro 
ceeded  on  forced  march  to  Chancellorsville,  af 
terwards  returning  to  Belle  Plain  and  there 
remaining  until  June  I3th  when  the  march  was 
begun  for  the  historic  field  of  Gettysburg.  Mr. 
Keeney  went  into  action  with  his  command  on 
the  first  day  about  11  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
the  position  being  on  Seminary  Ridge  near  the 
railroad  cut.  Reynolds  having  been  killed, 
Gen.  Doubleday  took  command.  Towards 
three  in  the  afternoon,  the  order  to  change  front 
was  given.  The  loss  to  Mr.  Keeney's  Regt. 
was  expressed  by  over  half  its  number  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners.  The  fighting  was  des 
perate,  and  the  I43d  bore  gallantly  the  leaden 
storm  poured  down  upon  it.  Mr.  Keeney  here 
exhibited  great  personal  bravery,  and  proved 
himself  worthy  the  distinction  of  a  good  sol 
dier.  The  command  was  under  fire  on  the 
second  day,  but  in  reserve.  On  the  third  day 
it  was  engaged  in  the  action  during  Pickett's 
charge,  which  it  received  in  front,  losing  sev 
eral  men. 

July  the  15,  the  command  began  its  return 
march  in  the  pursuit  of  Lee's  retreating  army, 
going  i'nto  winter  quarters  at  Culpeper  Court 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


477 


House  and  remaining  until  May  4th.  Mr. 
Keeney  went  through  the  Campaign  of  the 
Wilderness.  In  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness 
he  was  severely  wounded  by  a  rifle  ball  in  the 
left  leg,  and  was  removed  to  the  field  hospital, 
and  the  next  day  to  Fredericksburg,  where  he 
was  placed  in  an  old  tobacco  factory.  Here  he 
was  compelled  to  remain  for  21  days  without 
having  his  blood-saturated  garments  removed, 
and  for  a  whole  day  was  exposed  to  the  rain  in 
an  open  car  pending  his  transport  to  Sickle- 
barracks  Hospital,  where  he  was  given  proper 
medical  and  surgical  attention,  having  his  leg 
amputated.  In  Sept.  he  was  transferred  to 
Harwood  Hospital  in  Washington,  where  he 
remained  until  Nov.  24,  when  he  received  his 
discharge.  Returning  home,  he  attended  school 
for  a  year,  subsequently  teaching  for  the  same 
period.  Going  West  he  located  at  Lanark, 
Carroll  Co.  111.,  where  he  again  taught  school 
for  one  term,  afterwards  again  attending  a 
course  of  study  at  Fulton,  the  Illinois  Soldier's 
College,  and  the  Seminary  at  Mt.  Morris. 
After  thus  completing  his  education,  he  alter 
nately  taught  school  and  engaged  in  farm  work 
until  1874,  subsequently  entirely  devoting  his 
attention  to  farming  in  Ustick "Township  until' 
1879.  In  this  year  he  removed  to  Sterling, 
where  he  served  as  government  store-keeper 
for  four  years.  After  this  he  began  the  manu 
facture  of  the  Empire  Rotary  Corn  Planter 
with  Fayette  Dyer,  holding  a  half  interest. 
The  firm  name  was,  in  April,  1886,  changed  to 
Keeney  &  Harrison,  since  which  it  has  remained 
the  same.  About  fifteen  hands  are  employed 
in  this  industry,  which  has  been  exceptionally 
prosperous. 

Mr.  Keeney  is  prominent  in  G.  A.  R.  cir 
cles,  and  a  member  of  Post  No.  274,  and  the 
M.  W.  A.  Camp  No.  12.  He  is  in  politics 
Republican,  and  an  eminently  worthy  man  in 
all  his  relations.  He  was  married  Sept.  28, 
1870,  in  Ustick  Township,  to  Jennie  E.,  daugh 
ter  of  Henry  and  Lucy  (Ingham)  Bond,  and 
they  have  two  children;  Myrthie  and  Henry 
E.  Mrs.  Keeney's  parents  are  living  in  Mor 
rison,  and  but  recently  celebrated  their  golden 
wedding. 


SAMUEL  NEWELL  CALKIN,  the  Superintendent 
of  the  State  Insane  Asylum  farm  at  Kan- 
kakee,  111.,  was  born  at  DuPage,  Will  Co., 
111.,  Aug.  16,  1842.    His  father  James  M.  Calkin, 
a  native  of  Cochocton,  Sullivan  Co.,   N.  Y.,  of 
Welsh  descent.     The  grandfather,  Moses  Cal 
kin,  settled  in  N.  Y.  State  in  an  early  day,  and 
at  the  time  of  the  French  and  Indian  war  was 
driven    from    his    possessions.      The    mother's 
maiden  name  was  Phidelia  Harris. 

The  father  and  mother  of  Samuel  N.  Calkin 
were  the  parents  of  four  children,  two  sons  and 
two  daughters.  They  are:  Mary  E.,  wife  of 
Robert  Jarvis,  of  Laredo,  Texas,  who  was  a 
soldier  in  the  72d  111.  Inf.,  serving  his  full  time; 
Samuel  W.,  whose  record  will  be  more  fully 
given;  Ruth  E.,  wife  of  Sanford  Oldehan,  of 
Purden  Co.,  Neb.,  who  served  in  the  late  war; 
and  Charles  A.,  a  resident  of  Iroquois,  111. 

James  M.  Calkin,  the  father  of  the  above 
named  family,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  111., 
emigrating  to  this  State  in  1836,  locating  on  a 
farm  in  Will  Co.,  being  one  of  its  first  settlers. 
In  early  life  the  father  was  a  Whig,  afterwards 
becoming  a  Republican.  He  was  a  man  well 
informed  on  the  current  topics  of  the  day,  and 
is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years 
with  his  wife  who  is  over  seventy  years  old, 
having  some  time  since  celebrated  their  golden 
wedding, 

Samuel  Newell  Calkin  attended  the  public 
schools  in  the  winter,  working  on  the  farm  in 
the  summer,  but  received  some  knowledge  of 
the  higher  branches  at  Lemont  Seminary.  He 
remained  on  the  farm  until  the  war  of  the  re 
bellion  made  it  necessary  for  patriotic  men  on 
farms  and  in  every  occupation  to  listen  to  the 
call  of  the  country  for  help  in  her  threatened 
danger.  He  enlisted  in  Aug.,  1861,  in  the  I2th 
111.  Cav.,  in  Co.  H.,  which  was  known  as  the 
Chicago  Dragoons,  and  mustered  in  at  Chicago. 
Almost  immediately  orders  were  received  to 
report  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  where  it  was  as 
signed  to  provost  duty  in  the  city.  In  the 
spring  of  1862,  its  duty  was  changed  and  it 
joined  the  army  of  Gen.  McClellan  and  fol 
lowed  his  movements  at  Manassas,  and  to  the 
front  at  Richmond,  where  it  was  present  during 


478 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  seven  days'  fighting.  Arriving  at  Alexan 
dria,  Co.  H.  was  detailed  to  perform  provost 
duty  under  Gen.  Slocum,  who  had  charge  of 
the  Inf.  The  Co.  did  not  take  part  in  the  sec 
ond  battle  of  Bull  Run,  but  was  there  in  time 
to  join  in  the  stampede  of  the  army.  Relieved 
from  detail  duty,  Mr.  Calkin  was  with  hisRegt. 
at  the  battle  of  Antietam,  and  also  at  Freder- 
icksburg.  In  the  spring  of  1863,  the  Cav.  was 
organized  into  a  corps  and  placed  under  com 
mand  of  Gen.  Stoneman,  and  participated  in 
\vhat  was  known  as  the  Stoneman  raid,  to  the 
rear  of  the  rebel  forces  back  of  Richmond. 
The  1 2th  Cav.  was  then  detached  from  the 
main  body  and  sent  through  to  Yorktown  under 
Col.  Davis,  who  succeeded  in  his  mission  and 
reached  the  force  at  Yorktown. 

After  recuperating  about  a  month  this  de 
tachment  was  ordered  to  join  the  main  body, 
and  was  then  engaged  at  Brandy  Station,  Kel 
ly's  Ford,  and  under  almost  constant  fire  for  a 
number  of  days.  At  this  time  Lee  was  making 
desperate  demonstrations  on  the  East  with  all 
the  force  at  his  disposal,  and  cavalry  was  sent 
out  by  him  to  annoy  and  impede  themovement 
of  the  Union  army,  which  required  constant 
activity  and  much  hard  service  on  the  part  of 
the  Union  Cav.  Near  Williamsport,  July  6,  it 
was  learned  that  the  place  was  held  by  one 
Regt.  of  Stuart's  Cav.,  so  the  8th  111.  Cav.  and 
a  portion  of  the  I2th  rushed  forward  and  drove 
out  the  enemy.  July  I4th,  at  Gettysburg,  the 
1 2th  regiment  was  the  first  to  make  the  attack 
and  the  first  to  suffer  loss.  Driven  back  from 
the  assault  it  made  a  stand,  but  after  stubborn 
resistance  was  forced  to  fall  back  to  Cemetery 
Hill  until  Lee  retreated,  when  it  followed  his 
scattered  forces. 

This  valiant  Regt.  performed  heroic  service 
in  the  battles  at  Falling  Waters,  Rapidan,  and 
Stevensburg,  and  won  from  the  Secretary  of 
War  the  privilege  of  returning  to  Chicago  in 
Nov.  1863,  to  reorganize  as  Veterans,  receiving 
this  favor  as  a  reward  for  "brilliant  services  in 
the  field."  In  Chicago  the  Regt.  recruited  up 
to  the  maximum  of  1,259  officers  and  men,  and 
in  Feb.,  1864,  went  to  St.  Louis  and  soon 
boarded  transports  for  New  Orleans  to  join 


Gen.  Banks  on  his  Red  River  expedition,  which 
was  in  retreat  by  the  time  the  I2th  reached  him- 
It  participated  in  the  battles  of  the  retreat,  los 
ing  a  large  number  of  men.  After  reaching 
New  Orleans  it  was  ordered  to  do  picket  duty 
on  the  Lafourche  from  Donaldson  to  Thibo- 
deaux,  La.,  which  continued  during  the  summer 
months.  At  Donaldson  Mr.  Calkin  severed  his 
connection  with  the  Regt.  and  was  mustered 
out  Aug.  4,  1864,  returned  to  Will  County,  111., 
and  finally  located  in  Iroquois  Co. 

He  was  married  Mar.  9,  1865,  to  Adelaide 
George,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Nancy  (Dal- 
rymple)  George,  who  came  to  111.  about  1850. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Calkin  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children  who  are  named:  Samuel  A.,  Gertrude 
Marie.  Harry  A.,  Jacob  E.,  Mary  E.,  Hannah 
R.,  Perces  F.  and  Nancy  A.  Mr.  Calkin  is  a 
member  of  Howard  Lodge  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  which 
he  has  passed  all  the  chairs,  and  a  member  of 
Whipple  Post  414,  G.  A.  R.  In  the  spring  of  1881 
he  was  appointed  Supt.  of  the  State  Insane  Asy 
lum  farm  at  Kankakee,  which  contains  over  800 
acres.  Mr.  Calkin  is  a  practical  thorough  farmer 
with  good  executive  ability,  and  when  he  made 
application  for  ^ie  position,  he  was  endorsed  by 
the  following  list  of  prominent  gentlemen  in 
his  locality:  J.  M.  Cash,  Supt.  of  County  Farm; 
T.  S.  Arnold,  Inspector  of  County  Farm;  David 
McGill,  President  1st  National  bank;  Geo.  C. 
Harrington,  Cashier  1st  National  Bank;  Rob 
ert  Doyle,  Atty.;  D.  Fry,  produce  merchant; 
Alex.  L.  Whitehall,  County  Judge;  Charles  E. 
Barber,  County  Treasurer;  Robert  Hayes,  Dep. 
County  Clerk;  and  C.  F.  McNeil,  Judge  of 
County  Court 

In  politics  Mr.  Calkin  is  not  bound  by  party 
lines,  but  supports  what  he  considers  the  best 
men  and  the  best  measures.  While  residing  in 
Iroquois  Co.  he  was  elected  Supervisor  in  his 
Township,  serving  9  years  in  succession.  This 
gentleman  has  witnessed  the  wonderful  growth 
of  the  northern  portion  of  his  native  State  from 
an  unsettled,  and  apparently  unboundless  tract 
of  rolling  prairie  to  highly  cultivated  farms, 
closed  by  railway  lines,  along  which  have 
sprung  up  towns  and  cities  and  great  manufact 
uring  institutions  as  if  by  magic.  The  Indian, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


479 


the  prairie  wolf  and  the  log  cabin,  so  common 
in  his  boyhood  days  in  Illinois,  have  given  way 
to  all  the  marvelous  improvements  of  the  pres 
ent  day,  and  are  left  so  far  behind  in  the  rapid 
advancement  of  the  times  that  his  children 
know  these  ancient  landmarks  only  as  historic 
incidents,  as  they  know  of  the  landing  of  the 
Pilgrim  fathers.  Yet  in  the  years  of  one  lifetime 
all  these  wonders  have  been  done,  and  before 
the  eyes  of  one  of  the  early  pioneers,  Samuel 
N.  Calkin,  this  great  transformation  has  been 
wrought,  which  has  never  been  equaled  in  the 
history  of  any  age  or  country. 


M 


ORRIS  HAYS,  the  subject  of   this   sketch 
was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pa.,  June,  4th, 
1845.     'Son   of  John   W.  and   Ann    E. 
(Wonder)  Hays,  she  was  the  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Hannah  (Scott)  Wonder,  Scotch  and  Ger 
man  descent;  the  latter  a    daughter  of   Chris 
topher  Scott,  an  officer  on  Gen.  Washington's 
staff  during  the  revolutionary  war.     The  father 
John  W.  Hays,  who  was  of  Irish  descent,    was 
raised  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  where  he  became    a 
wealthy  merchant  and  owned  a  line   of  boats 
plying  between  that  city  and  Pittsburg,  Pa.,   in 
the  wholesale  grocery  trade.  He  died  in  1856 — 
and  his  wife  followed  him  fifteen  months  later. 
Morris    went    to    live    with    his    grandparents 
(Winder),  who  removed  to  Peoria  Co.,  111., the 
same  year.     In  Feb.  1862,  young  Hays  tried  to 
enlist  in  the  i/th  111.,  then  at  Cape  Girardeau, 
Mo.     His  uncle,  John  W.  Wonder,  then  a  mem 
ber  of  that  Regt.,  offered  him  a  nice  present  if 
he  would  stay  at  home  with  the  old  folks,    as 
all  three  of  their  sons  were  then  in  the  service. 
Owing  to  his  youth  he  was  not  accepted  in  the 
i ;th,  but  was  with  them  for  three   months — at 
Fort    Henry,    Fort  Donelson    and  Shiloh,    re 
turning  home  in  April.     In  July,  was  accepted 
as  drummer  for  Co.  C.,  47th  111.  Vol.   Inf.,   but 
shouldered  a  gun  as  soon  as   mustered;   joined 
his  Regt.  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  Oct.  4th,  just  after 
the  battle,  and  helped  to  care  for  the  wounded 
and  bury  the  dead.     The  Regt.  was  a  member 
of  the  "Eagle  Brigade"  with  the  2nd  Iowa  bat 


tery,  5th  Minn.,  nth  Mo.  and  8th  Wis.— the 
latter  carried  "Old  Abe"  the  eagle.  These 
Regts.  were  together  for  4  years,  under  brave 
"Joe"  Mower.,  campaigned  with  Grant,  to  Ox 
ford,  Miss.,  returned  to  Memphis,  took  boats 
for  Vicksburg,  stopped  at  Chuck-a-luck  Island 
for  three  weeks,  going  to  Milliken's  Bend, 
worked  on  the  upper  canal,  and  in  April, 
marched  below  the  city,  crossed  at  Grand  Gulf, 
and  marched  on  Jackson,  Miss.,  when  they 
formed  and  charged  the  enemy  who  were  be 
yond  a  creek,  which  they  forded  with  water  to 
their  shoulders. 

After  a  sharp  contest,  the  rebels  set  fire  to 
the  cityand  fled.  Mr.  Hays  with  others  worked 
hard  all  night  to  save  the  hospital  from  the 
flames.  Marched  on  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg, 
and  on  the  22d  of  May  was  with  his  Regt.  in 
the  hopeless  assault  on  that  stronghold;  their 
colors  were  planted  on  the  outer  face  of  the 
rebel  works,  but  had  to  withdraw  under  cover 
of  night,  after  a  fearful  loss.  Soon  after  went 
up  the  Yazoo,  and  engaged  the  rebels  at  Me- 
chanicsville,  returning  then  to  Young's  Point, 
directly  across  the  river  from  the  city;  was  for 
48  hours  in  a  semi-circle  of  the  rebels'  river 
batteries,  while  their  own  mortars  and  siege 
guns  played  directly  over  them.  The  Regt. 
lost  severely;  young  Hays  was  struck  with  a 
flying  splinter,  which  gave  him  a  sore  head  and 
black  eye;  shortly  after,  while  laying  close  to 
the  ground  with  three  others,  a  shell  burst 
among  them.  The  force  of  the  explosion 
threw  him  against  a  small  tree  around  which 
his  head  and  feet  met;  but  one  of  the  four  was 
killed. 

After  the  fall  of  the  city,  campaigned  with 
Sherman,  until  the  spring  of  1864,  then  as  2(1 
Brig.,  ist  Div.,  i6th  Army  Corps,  under  Gen.  A. 
J.  Smith,  started  up  Red  River;  was  at  the  capt 
ure  of  Fort  De  Russy;  j'oined  Banks  at  Alex 
andria;  at  Pleasant  Hills  was  in  the  line  that 
received  the  terrible  onslaught  of  the  victori 
ous  rebel  army,  after  they  had  routed  the  army 
under  Banks,  and  was  in  possession  of  all  his 
artillery.  The  enemy,  on  the  day  previous  had 
driven  the  I3th  Corps;  flushed  with  victory,  at 
tacked  the  iQth  Corps  with  such  force  and 


48o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


rapidity  he  became  irresistible,  consequently 
the  Union  men  were  forced  back,  and  took  po 
sition  behind  the  line  of  the  i6th  Corps,  when, 
almost  hand  to  hand,  the  order  to' "fire"  came 
and  every  finger  touched  a  trigger;  the  advanc 
ing  and  yelling  hordes  went  down  like  the  grain 
before  the  sickle;  they  rallied  and  again  met  a 
similar  fate,  when  the  Union  forces  charged  the 
now  broken  enemy,  keeping  up  a  destructive 
fire,  and  driving  him  back  and  recapturing  the 
guns  which  had  been  lost. 

For  several  weeks  after  this  they  covered 
the  rear  of  the  retreating  army,  being  almost 
continously  under  fire.  Reaching  the  mouth  of 
the  Red  River,  the  i6th  Corps  returned  to 
Memphis,  Tenn.  On  the  way  up,  the  1st  Div. 
was  put  ashore  to  chastise  the  rebel  Gen.  Mar- 
maduke,  who  had  been  firing  into  the  steam 
boats.  The  47th  was  put  on  skirmish  line  and 
drove  the  rebels  through  the  swamps  for  12 
miles,  to  Lake  Chicot,  routing  them  from  their 
chosen  position,  but  with  terrible  loss  to  the  2d 
Brigade;  Reached  Memphis  just  after  the 
Sturgis  disaster,  when  Smith  took  command  and 
marched  on  Tupello,  Miss.,  and  had  a  three 
days  brush  with  Gen.  Forrest.  On  the  return 
Mr.  H.,  with  30  others  of  the  Regt.  was  detailed 
to  help  man  the  2d  Iowa  battery,  and  was  sent 
to  Nashville,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  be 
tween  Thomas  and  Hood,  and  for  two  days  he 
assisted  to  keep  the  guns  hot  from  constant 
firing;  on  each  day,  when  the  infantry  charged, 
the  gun  on  which  Mr.  Hays  worked  was  de 
tailed  to  go  with  them. 

The  weather  was  severely  cold  during  the 
march  which  followed,  in  pursuit  of  the  retreat 
ing  rebels.  The  battery  wagons  that  came  up 
after  the  fight  had  left  behind  all  that  belonged 
to  the  4/th  boys,  so  they  were  compelled  to  do 
duty  in  the  freezing  rain  for  several  days  with 
only  a  light  blouse,  .soon  however,  captured 
some  "butternut"  clothes  which  kept  them  from 
freezing  until  reached  East  Port,  Miss.,  where 
for  about  ten  days,  lived  on  a  pint  of  raw  corn 
to  the  man.  After  this  they  took  boats  on  the 
Tenn.  River,  and  after  a  2,000  mile  trip  landed 
in  New  Orleans,  took  steamer  "Guiding  Star," 
for  Mobile  Bay;  was  three  days  on  the  Gulf; 


from  Dauphin  Island  moved  to  Spanish  Fort, 
drove  the  enemy  within  his  works,  and  lay  siege 
to  the  place,  which  was  surrendered  after  thir 
teen  days. 

The  evening  the  place  fell,  Mr.  H.  was  in 
the  advance  rifle  pits,  the  third  man  from  the 
end.  Sometime  after  dark  a  pole  with  a  rag 
upon  it,  was  displayed  just  in  front  of  him;  his 
comrade,  Ben.  Young,  exclaimed:  "By  God, 
they  have  surrendered,"  jumping  out  of  the  pit 
he  ran  for  the  flag,  a  few  yards  distant,  young 
Hays  close  after  him,  and  others  following  with 
a  yell,  the  Union  forces  thinking  the  rebels  were 
charging,  opened  with  artillery  allalongthe  line, 
but  soon  ceased  when  the  facts  were  disclosed. 
There  has  been  considerable  controversy  about 
who  was  the  first  man  into  these  works,  but 
Mr.  Hays  has  no  hesitation  in  declaring  that 
his  comrade,  Ben.  Young,  a  half-breed  Indian 
of  the  5th,  Minn.,  and  himself  were  the  first  to 
get  within  the  rebel  stronghold.  Marched  then 
to  Montgomery,  Ala.,  then  to  Selma,  on  the  way 
heard  of  Lee's  surrender,  and  Lincoln's  assas 
sination. 

In  July,  1865,  was  discharged  at  Selma,  Ala., 
and  returned  to  Brimfield,  Peoria  Co.,  111.  Dur 
ing  his  three  years'  service  he  was  always  with 
his  Regt.,  except  when  detailed  in  the  battery; 
was  sick  but  three  days,  and  never  rode  in  an 
ambulance,  but  traveled  many  thousands  of 
miles  through  Ky.,  Mo.,  Tenn.,  Ark.,  Miss.,  La. 
and  Ala. 

The  above  is  but  a  brief  outline  of  the  active 
soldier's  life.  It  is  impossible  to  tell  of 

The  many  weary  marches 

In  sun  and  snow  and  rain, 
The  many  weary  watches, 

Midst  hunger,  thirst  and  pain. 

The  many  lonely  sentries, 
The  many  thoughts  of  home, 

And  the  many  ardent  wishes 
For  the  dawn  of  peace  to  come. 

In  1872,  Mr.  Hays  was  married  to  Laura  A., 
daughter  of  Frank  D.  and  Laura  P.  Hotchkiss, 
of  Toulon,  111,  Three  children  have  resulted 
from  this  union — John  Wonder,  Grace  Darling, 
and  Kate  Ladd.  Mrs.  Hays  had  two  brothers 
in  the  army,  one  having  sacrificed  his  life  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


481 


service  of  his  country.  During  the  year  1874, 
Mr.  Hays  moved  from  Peoria  to  Monmouth, 
where  he  still  resides.  His  politics  were 
moulded  during  the  war.  and  he  is  by  nature  a 
Republican. 


CHESTER  A.  GERMAN,  deputy  Sheriff  of 
Kane  Co.,  111.,  was  born  at  Geneva,  111., 
June  6,  1838,  ason  of  Lyman  and  Eliza 
beth  (McKinley)  German.  His  father  who 
was  a  highly  respected  and  well-to-do  farmer, 
has  retired  from  active  life  and  now  resides  at 
Geneva,  while  his  mother  died  at  Geneva,  1888. 
Chester  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  9  children. 
He  was  reared  and  received  a  good  education 
in  his  native  town,  and  commenced  life  as  a 
farmer.  He  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his 
country  at  Geneva,  111.,  Aug.  7,  1861,  Co.  H., 
1 5th  111.  Cav.  The  Regt.  went  into  camp  and 
was  equipped  and  organized  at  Jefferson  Bar 
racks,  Mo.,  six  weeks  later  marched  to  Benton 
Barracks,  and  shortly  went  on  duty  at  Gen. 
Halleck's  headquarters,  at  St.  Louis.  Here  it 
remained  on  duty  until  May,  1862,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Steele,at  Pilot  Knob, 
and  soon  after  started  on  a  march  for  Helena, 
Ark.,  participating  in  several  skirmishes,  en 
route.  Here  they  remained  on  guard  and 
picket  duty  for  five  months.  The  next  move 
was  down  to  Chickasaw  Bluffs,  Miss.,  where 
Dec.  27  and  28,  1862,  they  gallantly  partici 
pated  in  the  hottest  of  that  desperately  fought 
battle.  Onward  with  Sherman,  and  were  en 
gaged  in  the  capture  of  Arkansas  Post,  return 
ing  and  going  into  winter  quarters  at  Young's 
Point,  La.,  where  they  made  frequent  expedi 
tions.  In  the  spring  they  moved  to  Hard 
Times  Landing,  crossed  into  Miss.,  and  shortly 
comrade  German  is  facing  the  enemy's  fire  in 
the  battles  of  Raymond,  Jackson,  Champion 
Hills,  and  Black  River  Bridge.  Thence  on 
ward  toward  Vicksburg,  participating  in  all  the 
49  days  of  skirmishing  and  battles  which  re 
sulted  in  the  capture  of  the  city,  July  4,  1863. 
The  same  day  his  command  moved  to  and  re 
captured  Jackson,  then  onward  to  Canton,  de- 

30 


stroyed  the  railroads,  returned  to  Vicksburg 
and  embarked  for  Helena,  Ark.,  and  shortly, 
were  engaged  in  the  capture  of  Little  Rock. 
Later  the  command  was  ordered  to  join  Gen. 
Banks  in  La.,  moving  onward  and  fighting,  en 
route,  the  -battles  of  Mark's  Mill,  Jenkin's 
Ferry  and  Camden.  Returningto  Little  Rock, 
they  remained  on  duty  until  Sept.  8,  1864, 
when  our  comrade  was  mustered  out  after 
three  years  of  loyal,  and  faithful  service. 

After  the  war  Mr.  German  resumed  farm 
ing  which  he  continued  very  successfully  until 
about  five  years  ago  only  retiring  to  spend  the 
balance  of  life  in  more  ease  and  comfort.  He 
is  a  member  of  Geo.  Spaulding  Post  No.  60, 
of  which  he  has  been  both  S.  V.  and  J.  V. 
Commander.  Has  been  L.  D.  and  J.  D.  of 
Geneva  Lodge  No.  139,  is  Master  of  Fox  River 
Chapter  No.  14;  is  a  member  of  Bethel  Com- 
mandery  at  Elgin,  No.  36,  and  is  an  Odd 
Fellow. 


CAPTAIN  JAMES  G.  WELLES,  a  member  of 
the  U.S.  detachment  guarding  the  bridge 
at  Moline,  111.,  was  born  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  Feb.  27,  1816,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert 
and  Polly  (Grundy)  Welles.  His  father  was 
born  in  the  U.  S.,  of  Irish  parentage,  and  was  a 
merchant  at  Columbus  at  the  time  of  the  birth 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  During  a  trip  to 
Harrisburg,  Pa.,  to  lay  in  a  stock  of  goods  his 
father  mysteriously  disappeared,  and  after  fif 
teen  years  had  elapsed  it  was  discovered  that 
the  body  of  a  murdered  man  found  in  a  ware 
house  at  Harrisburg  about  the  time  of  his  visit 
was  his.  His  death  thus  occurred  in  1815,  his 
widow  surviving  him  until  1868. 

James  G.  was  an  only  child,  and  about  one 
and  a-half  years  of  age  at  the  period  of  his 
father's  disappearance.  He  was  then  sent  to 
live  with  his  grandfather,  with  whom  he  con 
tinued  to  reside  until  he  reached  his  I2th  year, 
wrhen  he  started  out  in  the  world  to  make  his 
own  living,  beginning  by  learning  the  carpen 
ter's  trade,  and  subsequently  engaging  in  vari 
ous  kinds  of  business  up  to  the  time  of  the  out 
break  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 


482 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


He  enlisted    at  Muscatine,    Iowa,  in   July, 

1862,  in  Co.  B.,  37th  Iowa  Inf.,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Col.  G.  W.  Kincade,  and  was  mustered 
in  at  that  place.     The  Regt.  was  ordered  to  the 
front,   and   arrived   at   St.   Louis,  Mo.,  Jan.   i, 

1863,  where  it  remained  in  camp  for  3  months, 
performing  guard  duty.     From    St.    Louis    his 
command  was  ordered  out   on    the  Union  Pa 
cific    Railway,  his  Co.  halting  on  the  way  at 
Washington,   Mo.,  the   other   portion    of    the 
Regt.  being  strung  out  all  along  the  route. 

Capt.  Welles  recruited  his  Co.  and  was 
elected  to  command  it  by  the  suffrages  of  its 
members.  He  was  subsequently  commissioned 
by  Gov.  Kirkwood  of  Iowa  on  recruiting  service 
for  the  army,  a  duty  which  he  occupied  about 
3  months.  During  a  greater  part  of  the  time 
while  on  this  service  he  was  accompanied  by 
his  wife.  From  Washington,  Mo.,  the  Regt.  re 
moved  to  Alton,  111.,  to  guard  the  military  prison 
at  that  point,  relieving  the  77th  Ohio.  Here 
they  remained  for  about  4  months,  being  then 
transferred  to  Rock  Island.,  111.,  there  perform 
ing  similar  duties  at  the  military  post  for  over 
five  months.  They  left  for  Memphis,  June  5,  were 
there  brigaded  with  Wisconsin,  Indiana  and 
Iowa  regiments,  and  placed  upon  the  outpost 
picket  line  engaging  in  several  skirmishes  with 
Forrest,  checking  his  advance.  They  continued 
here  for  about  three  months,  and  thence  moved 
on  to  Indianapolis.  It  was  here  that  Capt.Welles 
was  taken  sick  and  consequently  did  not  pro 
ceed  with  his  Co.  to  Columbus,  but  rejoined  it 
at  Gallipolis  toward  the  end  of  Oct.  1864,  where 
he  was  stationed  until  the  close  of  the  conflict. 
He  was  mustered  out  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  May 
25,  1865. 

Returning  to  Muscatine,  Iowa,  he  for  awhile 
conducted  the  auction  business,  after  which  for 
one  year  he  served  as  City  Marshal.  In  1868 
he  removed  to  Moline,  where  for  sometime  he 
was  engaged  as  a  manufacturer  of  patented  arti 
cles  of  various  descriptions,  afterwards  being 
appointed  constable  and  collector  for  the  town, 
and  filling  those  positions  for  one  year.  After 
the  incorporation  of  Moline,  he  was  appointed 
City  Marshal  and  continued  to  act  in  that  ca 
pacity  for  13  years.  He  was  subsequently  asso 


ciated  with  Dimock  &  Gould  for  two  years. 
Aug.  i,  1888,  he  was  appointed  by  the  U.  S. 
Govt.  one  of  the  guards  at  the  bridge  which 
connects  Moline  with  the  Island,  and  is  still 
the  incumbent  of  that  position. 

He  was  married  in  1837,  at  Danville,  111.,  to 
Almira  Hunt,  daughter  of  William  Hunt,  a 
native  of  N.  Y.  They  had  five  children — Aus 
tin,  George,  John,  Charles  and  Homer,  of  whom 
only  one,  Austin  is  living.  John  was  a  member 
of  Co.  A.,  7th  Iowa,  and  served  until  Jan.,  1865, 
being  mustered  out  at  Vicksburg.  He  was 
among  the  killed  in  the  explosion  of  the 
steamer  "Sultana,"  which  occurred  onthe  Miss. 
on  the  way  to  St.  Louis.  At  the  time  of  the 
frightful  accident  there  were  on  board  1,500 
soldiers  and  prisoners  from  Andersonville. 
Captain  Welles  lost  his  wife  in  1851,  and  was 
married  a  second  time  at  Moline,  to  Jennie 
Thompson,  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (Samp 
son)  Thompson,  natives  of  Pa.,  settling  at 
Moline  in  the  spring  of  1842.  Mrs.  Welles' 
father  was  a  farmer.  He  died  in  1877,  and  his 
wife  in  1873.  By  his  second  marriage  Captain 
Welles,  has  had  5  children — Fred,  Frank,  Ella, 
Hattie  and  Mattie  (twins),  Mattie  died  in  1881. 
Ella  was  married  at  Moline,  Sept.  14,  1887,  to 
Harry  H.Haley,  of  Moline;  Hattie  was  married 
April  24,  1889,  to  Paul  A.  Keller,  of  Rock 
Island. 

Captain  W'elles  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge,  No.  319,  of  Moline,  and  the  American 
Protection  Association.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  312,  of  Moline. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
Captain  Welles  has  truly  earned  the  high  rep 
utation  he  bears,  and  may  well  experience  the 
satisfaction  that  ever  attends  a  well  spent  and 
honorable  life. 


JOHN  OHLWEILER,  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Cars  &  Ohlweiler,  the  most  extensive  bot 
tlers  of  mineral  waters  at  Rock  Island,  111., 
is  a  native  of  Rheinduerkheim,  Hessen-Darm- 
stadt,    Germany,    where   he   was  born  Feb.  2, 
1843.     He  spent  his  boyhood   days  in  Bechts- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


483 


heim,  where  he  attended  school  up  to  his  i6th 
year,  and  the  following  year  set  out  for  the 
New  World,  landing  at  N.  Y.,  from  whence  he 
came  directly  to  Rock  Island,  111.  Here  he  fol 
lowed  the  trade  of  cooper  up  to  the  time  he 
went  forward  in  battle  for  the  preservation  of 
his  newly  adopted  country.  He  was  mustered 
into  service  at  Camp  Douglas,  July  22,  1862, 
Co.  D.,  7ist  111.  Inf.  The  Regt.  soon  moved  to 
Mound  City,  111.,  where  it  was  engaged  in  guard 
ing  the  marine  hospital  and  the  Government 
arsenal,  and  upon  the  completion  of  its  term  of 
service  returned  to  Chicago,  where  it  was  mus 
tered  out  Nov.  22,  1862.  Mr.  Ohlweiler  re 
turned  to  Rock  Island,  and  re-enlisted  Feb.  18, 
1864,  Co.  D.,  I2th  111.  Inf.  After  rendezvousing 
at  Camp  McClellan,  Chicago,  they  were  or 
dered  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  later  despatched  to 
Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  marching  onward  and  en 
countering  the  enemy  in  a  hot  conflict  at  Rome's 
Cross  Roads,  Ga.  Forward,  skirmishing  nearly 
every  day  up  to  the  time  they  participated  in 
the  battle  of  Big  Shanty.  Onward  they  pressed 
without  delay,  wading  the  Chattachoochie 
River,  then  moving  on  toward  Atlanta,  Ga., 
their  march  being  constantly  interrupted  with 
lively  skirmishes.  July  22  commemorates 
that  bloody  battle  of  Atlanta.  During  this 
conflict  his  command  was  assigned  to  the 
left  flank,  where  it  guarded  the  supply  train, 
and  where  it  had  a  desperate  hand  to  hand 
combat  with  the  notorious  rebel  corps  under 
Hardee,  who  were  determined  to  capture  the 
provisions. 

On  this  occasion  our  subject  suddenly  en 
countered  a  rebel  lying  in  a  ditch  with  loaded 
and  cocked  gun,  just  about  to  take  the  fatal  aim 
when  through  the  alert  movements  of  young 
Ohlweiler,  who  "  got  the  drop  on  him,"  he  was 
forced  to  surrender.  Victory  had  barely  crown 
ed  these  gallant  services  in  the  desperate  hand 
to  hand  conflict,  when  the  Brig,  was  ordered  to 
the  right,  in  double  quick,  to  recapture  the 
breastworks,  which  the  enemy  had  taken  from 
part  of  the  1 5th  Corps,  and  heroically  they  took 
them.  The  Brig,  being  largely  armed  with  the 
famous  Henry  rifles,  brought  out  the  expression 
from  the  rebels,  "  Those  damn  Yanks  load  all 


night  and  shoot  all  day  !"  After  lying  on  their 
arms  all  night,  they  again  opened  firing  at  2  A. 
M.,  continuing  within  ten  feet  of  the  breast 
works  until  daybreak,  when  the  enemy  surren 
dered.  Then  commenced  the  sad  work  of  dig 
ging  ditches  and  burying  the  army  of  the  dead. 
July  28th,  they  fought  the  battle  of  Ezra  Chapel, 
Ga.,  and  for  the  ensuing  four  weeks  were  en 
gaged  in  almost  constant  skirmishing,  the  bullets 
literally  razing  all  the  bushes  and  small  trees 
about  them.  During  Aug.  the  "boys"  were  act 
ively  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  then  the 
battle  of  Jonesboro,  and  subsequently  Ohlwei- 
ler's  command  of  only  161  muskets,  was  sudden- 
lyordered  to  Alatoona  Pass,  where  the  rebels  un 
der  Hood  were  about  to  obtain  access  to  the  large 
supply  of  crackers  stored  there.  Here  our  sol 
diers  participated  in  one  of  the  hardest  and 
most  stubbornly  fought  battles  in  the  annals  of 
the  war,  Gen.  Corse  having  been  thrice  wound 
ed,  and  Ohlweiler's  small  command  of  161  gal 
lant  heroes  losing  nearly  half  their  number  in 
killed  and  wounded.  Nov.  I  ith  the  army  started 
on  the  "  march  to  the  sea,  "  capturing  about  900 
prisoners  on  its  route,  and  arriving  at  Savannah, 
Ga.,  in  due  time. 

For  a  period  of  a  week  the  boys  were  quite 
destitute  of  rations,  and  lived  solely  on  rice, 
which  they  gathered  in  bundles  in  the  sur 
rounding  territory,  brought  into  camp,  threshed 
out  the  kernels,  and  made  their  porridge.  At 
Savannah  Mr.  Ohlweiler,  with  a  detail  of  about 
a  hundred,  were  ordered  to  guard  the  prisoners, 
about  800  in  number,  and  take  them  to  Hilton 
Head.  Subsequently  the  command  joined  the 
army  in  the  famous  march  through  the  Caroli- 
nas,  during  which  time  Mr.  Ohlweiler  was  de 
tailed  as  forager  for  his  Co.  Onward  the  victo 
rious  "boys"  marched,  through  almost  bottom- 
les  swamps  and  across  rivers,  finally  joining  the 
grand  review  at  Washington,  where  the  Western 
army  was  received  amid  the  deafening  paens  of 
victory.  Our  subject  was  mustered  out  at  Louis 
ville,  Ky.,  July  10,  1865,  and  received  final  pay 
and  discharge  July  i8th,  at  Springfield,  111. 

After  gallantly  following  the  fortunes  of  war, 
Mr.  Ohlweiler  returned  to  Rock  Island,  111., 
where  he  resumed  his  former  calling.  Later  he 


484 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


established  himself  in  the  grocery  trade,  and 
subsequently  entered  into  his  present  business, 
in  which  his  labors  have  honorably  been  crowned 
with  success. 

Mr.  Ohlweiler  was  married  Oct.  23,  1867,  at 
Rock  Island,  111.,  to  Anna  Ehlers,  a  native  of 
Schleswig-Holstein,  Germany.  He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  G.  A.  R. ;  also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  lodge. 
Politically,  and  as  a  citizen,  he  has  held  many 
positions  of  trust  and  honor.  He  is  President  of 
the  Rock  Island  Turnverein;  President  of  the 
German-English  School  Society  of  his  city; 
President  of  the  State  Liquor  Dealers'  Associa 
tion,  and  also  President  of  the  District  Board  of 
the  Association.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
City  Council;  in  1891  he  received  the  Demo 
cratic  nomination  by  acclamation  for  Mayor  of 
his  city,  and  is  at  present  Chairman  of  the  Dem 
ocratic  County  Committee.  A  thoroughly  self- 
made  man,  he  has  demonstrated  what  integrity 
and  peseverance  can  accomplish. 


JAMES  S.  COLEMAN,  of  Rockford,    111.,    was 
born  July  15,  1844,  in  Ind.(a  son  of  James 
Coleman,  born   in    1804,  who  was  in  the 
Mexican  war  as  Sergt.   Major,  afterwards  pub 
lished  the  Delphi    Oracle,  and  later   was   upon 
the  Patriot's  Staff  at  Washington.   Subsequently 
he  rounded  the  Horn  to  Cal.  and  edited  a  paper 
in  San  Francisco,  where  he  was  burnt  to  death 
in  18154,  his  hotel  being  consumed  by  fire. 

Our  subject  spent  his  early  days  about  a 
farm  and  in  attending  public  schools.  In 
his  i /th  year  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  F., 
46th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Logansport,  Oct.  10,  1861. 
He  continued  in  camp  of  instruction  first  at 
Logansport,  then  at  Camp  Wycliffe,  where  he 
continued  drilling  and  on  camp  duty  until  Feb., 
1862,  when  he  marched  with  his  Regt.  to  the 
Ohio  River,  took  transports  to  Paducah,  Ky., 
and  then  proceeded  to  New  Madrid,  Mo.  The 
Regt.  next  moved  to  Point  Pleasant,  and  there 
supported  batteries  until  the  evacuation  of  Fort 
Madrid;  then  by  transports  and  marches 
reached  Fort  Pillow,  Ark.,  where  it  continued 
in  the  operations  around  that  place  until  it  also 
wasevacuated.  Leaving  there  it  moved  to  Mem 


phis,  and  witnessed  the  naval  engagement  which 
resulted  in  the  capture  of  the  town,  then  took 
formal  possession,  garrisoning  the  place  for  a 
time  and  afterwards  took  transports  to  St. 
Charles,  landed  and  stormed  the  rebel  works, 
capturing  the  entire  rebel  fortifications  and 
millitary  stores.  A  rebel  cannon  ball  struck 
and  exploded  the  steam  chest  of  the  steamer 
"Mound  City,"  and  the  escaping  steam  and 
other  flying  debris  killed  80  of  its  crew.  The 
Regt.  afterwards  proceeded  up  the  river  to  Du- 
Vall's  Bluff  and  was  continually  under  the 
enemy's  fire,  and  on  account  of  the  low  water 
in  the  river,  was  compelled  to  return  to  Helena, 
where  it  joined  Gen.  Curtis'  army,  and  from 
where  they  engaged  in  frequent  expeditions 
into  the  interior.  Mr.  Coleman  joined  in  the 
Tullahoma  campaign,  then  in  the  Yazoo  River 
expedition,  during  which  a  shell  exploded  in 
the  steamer  "Tuscumbia,"  resulting  in  the  kil 
ling  of  14  men.  In  April  the  Regt.  started  for 
Vicksburg,  arriving  about  2  o'clock  A.  M.,  and 
immediately  marching  to  Magnolia  Hills, 
opened  battle  upon  the  enemy,  who  was,  by  10 
o'clock,  completely  routed.  The  regimental 
loss  in  this  engagement  was  about  20  killed  and 
wounded.  He  assisted  to  repair  the  bridges, 
then  marched  to  Champion  Hills  and  took  part 
in  that  dreadful  conflict  in  which  his  Regt.  lost 
upwards  of  200  men,  or  one-third  of  those  en 
gaged,  whilst  his  Co.  entered  the  battle  with  46 
men,  and  emerged  from  the  bloody  conflict 
with  only  19.  His  Regt.  remained  upon  the 
battlefield  employed,  during  May  19,  in  burying 
the  dead,  then  moving  to  the  front  of  Vicks 
burg,  participated  in  the  assault  upon  the  rebel 
stronghold,  on  the  22nd,  which  being  success 
ful,  it  joined  in  the  siege  until  the  surrender, 
and  on  the  following  day,  started  for  Jackson, 
where  it  entered  the  battle  at  that  place.  Re 
turning  then  to  Vicksburg,  continued  at  that 
point  four  or  five  weeks,  when  it  went  by  trans 
ports  to  Natchez,  where  it  remained  for  a  time 
organizing  colored  troops. 

It  subsequently  went  upon  the  Peninsular 
Campaign,  and  when  it  closed,  started  on  the 
Red  River  Expedition,  engaging  the  rebels  at 
Mansfield,  La.,  during  which  80  of  its  number 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


485 


were  captured  including  its  Colonel  and  sev 
eral  other  officers,  Mr.  Coleman  also  being  one 
of  the  victims.  April  9,  our  subject  and  all  the 
other  prisoners  started  for  Tyler,  Texas,  200 
miles  distant,  which  was  covered  in  8  days. 
There  was  only  one  canteen  to  every  five  men, 
and  the  men  received  as  rations  one  pint  of 
coarse  corn-meal  and  three-fourths  Ib.  salt  beef 
per  man,  as  they  went  into  camp  each  night. 
No  cooking  utensils  were  to  be  had,  therefore 
the  men  roasted  the  meat  on  sticks,  over  the 
fire,  whilst  the  meal  was  moistened,  made  in 
rolls,  and  burnt  brown,  and  eaten.  The  men 
could  not  live  without  the  meat,  and  as  they 
had  no  means  of  supplying  themselves  with 
water,  the  suffering  endured  is  beyond  descrip 
tion.  Arriving  at  Tyler  they  were  placed  in  a 
stockade.  Aug.  20,  on  account  of  the  place 
being  overcrowded,  500  prisoners,  Mr.  Coleman 
being  of  the  number,  were  removed  to  Hemp- 
stead,  but  found  a  much  worse  place;  the  water 
was  contaminated  and  almost  hot,  and  the 
mortality  became  astounding.  Our  subject 
became  ill  with  brain  fever,  from  which  he 
recovered,  but  on  being  paroled  with  about  500 
others,  Dec.  12,  1864,  weighed  only  75  Ibs. 

He  embarked  at  Galveston,  proceeded  to 
New  Orleans,  thence  to  Cairo,  and  then  to 
Indianapolis,  where  he  received  a  six  weeks' 
furlough.  Subsequently  he  rejoined  his  Regt. 
at  Lexington,  Ky.,  where  he  was  engaged  until 
Sherman's  army  reached  Louisville,  where  he 
removed,  and  continued  on  duty  there  until 
Aug.,  then  moved  to  Indianapolis  and  was 
mustered  out  Sept.  5.  1865. 

After  leaving  the  army  Mr.  Coleman  clerked 
in  Delphi,  for  3  years,  then  removed  to  Cham 
paign,  111.,  where  he  was  railroading  during  the 
two  following  years;  then  removed  to  Bloom- 
ington,  and  was  engaged  in  the  dry  goods'  busi 
ness,  until  1873,  and  finally  removed  to  Rock- 
ford,  where  he  engaged  in  the  same  calling  for 
1 1  years,  and  later  at  the  roofing  business. 

He  married  in  1873,  Mary  Winklepleck,  by 
whom  he  has  one  child,  Heber  S.  He  is  a 
member  of  Post,  No.  6,  G.  A.  R.  of  Rockford, 
and  can  justly  feel  proud  of  his  distinguished 
record  as  a  soldier. 


ADAM  PICK,  of  Quincy,  carpenter  and  con 
tractor,  is  a  native  of  Prussia,  Germany, 
born  Sept.  9,  1840,  a  son  of  Simon  and 
Anna  (Ackerman)  Fick.  Adam  was  the 
youngest  of  a  family  of  three,  only  one  of 
whom — Mrs.  Christina  Wenk,  is  now  living  in 
her  native  country.  Mr.  Fick  came  to  America 
when  in  his  i8th  year  and  located  at  Quincy, 
111.,  June  II,  1857,  which  has  since  been  his 
home.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the 
carpenter  trade  in  Prussia,  and  again  in  this 
country  up  to  1860,  then  engaged  in  a  chair 
factory  until  the  war.  He  enlisted  as  a  soldier 
April  27,  1 861,  for  three  months,  under  Capt.,  af 
terwards  Maj.  Gen.  B.  M.  Prentiss,  went  to 
Springfield,  111.,  then  to  Cairo  when  the  three 
months  expired.  Returning  to  Quincy  he  re- 
enlisted  in  the  same  army  engaging  with  Capt. 
Wm.  A.  Smitt  in  command  of  Co.  A.,  27th  111. 
Inf.  He  participated  in  the  following  battles: 
Belmont,  Mo.,  Union  City,  Siege  of  Corinth, 
Running  the  blockade  of  Island  No.  10,  La- 
vergne,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Mission 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Adairsville,  Dallas,  Mud  Creek, 
Kenesaw  Mt.,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  and  the  move 
ment  on  Atlanta.  From  Mission  Ridge  they 
followed  the  enemy  for  three  months  through 
Tenn.  and  into  N.  C.  and  were  without  commu 
nications  with  the  outside  world,  living  entirely 
upon  the  country,  largely  upon  parched  .corn. 
He  was  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  20, 
1864.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Mis 
sion  Ridge  receiving  a  fracture  of  the  left 
shoulder  blade,  by  a  shell,  causing  him  a  loss  of 
two  weeks  off  duty.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  at 
Knoxville,  then  went  across  the  plains  towards 
White  River,  marching  all  day  and  turning 
around  marched  back  at  night,  in  face  of  the 
pursuing  enemy,  he  being  found  in  force  and  a 
battle  without  support  could  not  be  hazarded. 

After  being  discharged  he  returned  to 
Quincy  where  he  resumed  his  calling.  He  is  a 
wood-work  contractor,  and  has  finished  many 
of  the  fine  buildings,  both  public  and  private, 
which  adorn  the  city  of  Quincy.  He  married, 
in  Quincy  May  18,  1865,  Mary  Schrage,  a  native 
of  Germany,  who  came  to  this  country  with  her 
parents  when  a  child  of  five  or  six  years.  He 


4  86 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  viz.: 
William  C.,  Walker  L.,  Carrie,  John  and  Ida. 

Mr.  Pick  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U,  W., 
"Mutual  Aid,"  and  of  John  Wood  Post,  No.  96, 
G.  A.  R.  His  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
Church  in  Quincy.  He  is  a  staunch  Republi 
can,  but  he  has  never  sought  an  office  from  his 
party.  Mrs.  Fick  is  an  active  worker  in  the  W. 
R.  C.,  and  the  two  eldest  sons  are  members  of 
the  Sons  of  Veterans. 


EUGENE  C.  KINCAID  is  a  native  of  the  State 
of  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  born  Jan.  24, 
1839,  a  son  of  Elam  H.  and  Rhoda  (Cor- 
(nell  Kincaid,  the  former  born  in  Vt.,  and  the 
latter  in  Galway,  N.  Y.  His  paternal  ances 
tors  were  of  Scotch  descent,  whilst  the  Cor 
nell  branch  claim  to  be  American  from  a  re 
mote  period.  Elam  H.  Kincaid  was  an  editor 
and  proprietor  of  a  newspaper,  which  business 
he  conducted  for  many  years,  and  died  when 
subject  was  an  infant,  leaving  the  following 
children:  L.  C.  Kincaid,  Julia  M.  Kincaid,  and 
our  subject.  Eugene  resided  with  his  grand 
parents  upon  a  farm  in  York  State  until  thir 
teen  years  of  age,  attending  the  public  school 
as  opportunities  presented  themselves,  then 
learned  the  printing  business  at  which  he  con 
tinued  to  be  employed  until  the  outbreak  of 
the  war.  He  then  enlisted  in  May,  1861,  as  a 
private  in  Co.  K.,  2;th  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.,  H.  W. 
Slocum,  Col.;  rendezvoused  at  Elmira,  N.  Y., 
where  he  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  army 
in  June,  1861.  His  Regt.  finally  assigned  to 
Slocum's  Brig.,  Gen.  Franklin's  Div.  was  at 
tached  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  con 
tinued  with  his  command  and  participated  in 
some  of  the  heaviest  marches,  sieges  and  raids 
of  the  rebellion,  bore  an  active  part  in  the 
battles  of  the  First  and  Second  Bull  Run, 
Crampton's  Gap,  Antietam,  the  two  engage 
ments  at  Fredricksburg,  and  the  terrible  battle 
of  Chancellorsville,  fought  on  the  1st,  2nd  and 
3rd  days  of  May,  1863.  In  the  two  years  of 
actual  war  service,  Mr.  Kincaid  had  many  es 
capes  from  wounding  and  death,  and  the  inci 


dents  and  reminiscences  he  is  still  able  to  re 
late  and  picture  to  the  minds  of  his  auditors, 
would  fill  a  large  volume.  He  participated  in 
the  Peninsular  campaign  from  the  commence 
ment  until  its  close,  and  during  that  expedi 
tion,  was  engaged  in  most  of  the  heavy  battles, 
and  was  exposed  almost  daily  to  the  rebel  fire 
in  the  many  skirmishes  in  which  he  took  apart. 
In  January,  1862,  he  secured  a  furlough  of  30 
days,  rejoining  his  Regt.  again  near  Alexan 
dria,  Va.  He  was  on  one  occasion  detailed  as 
Act.  Q.  M.  Sergeant,  at  which  he  was  employed 
for  three  months,  and  again  in  charge  of  a 
wagon  train  for  a  short  period. 

During  his  soldier  life,  Mr.  Kincaid  claims 
to  have  had  the  good  fortune  of  a  liberal  sup 
ply  of  rations  always  at  hand,  but  owing  to  the 
exposure  to  which  he  was  necessarily  subjected, 
contracted  rheumatism  from  which  he  has  been 
a  constant  sufferer,  in  fact,  to  use  his  own 
language,  regarding  that  malady,  "  it's  always 
alive  and  kicking." 

Having  served  his  full  term  of  two  years 
he  was  mustered  out  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  Jan. 
1863,  and  there  finally  discharged.  He  then 
moved  to  Albion  in  the  same  State,  and  subse 
quently  to  Elgin,  111.,  where  he  was  established 
in  his  former  calling.  Mr.  Kincaid  was  mar 
ried,  June  19,  1866,  to  H.  Isadore  Padelford,  a 
daughter  of  Rodolphus  Williams  and  Mary 
(Wilber)  Padelford,  descendants  of  the  great 
John  Rogers  and  Roger  Williams  families.  He 
has  two  children,  Eugenie  and  Mazie.  He  has 
held  a  position  in  the  Railway  Mail  service  for 
upwards  of  twelve  years.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  and  in  politics  a  Republican,  with 
strong  leanings  to  the  Prohibition  party.  L. 
C.  Kincaid,  his  brother,  also  served  8  years  as  a 
soldier  in  the  6th  U.  S.  Inf. 


JOHN    MAHOOD,    Surveyor   of    Customs    at 
Galena,  111.,  was    born    in  County  Cavan, 
Ireland,  in  1839,  and  received  his  educa 
tion  in  the  common  schools    of  that    country 
until  1855,  when  he  came  with  his  brother  Ed 
ward,  now  of  Neb.,  to  Galena.    Here  the  young 
man  worked  about  three  years  for  S.  Crawford 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


487 


&  Co.,  Druggists,  then  on  a  farm,  attending 
school  in  the  winters,  until  the  tocsin  of  war 
called  his  attention  in  another  direction.  Aug. 
30,  1861,  he  enlisted  at  Mt.  Carroll,  111.,  in  Co. 
A.,  45th  111.,  Inf..  and  went  into  camp  at  Camp 
Washburne,  Galena.  In  Nov.  was  transferred 
to  Camp  Douglas,  and  soon  started  for  Cairo 
and  proceeded  with  Gen.  Grant's  army  in  Feb. 
to  Ft.  Henry  and  on  to  Ft.  Donelson,  where  he 
took  part  in  that  memorable  battle  for  three 
days  and  nights.  Nothing  further  of  special 
interest  transpired  in  the  forward  movement 
until  reaching  Shiloh,  where  some  severe  fight 
ing  was  encountered,  and  Mr.  Mahood,  during 
the  first  day,  was  struck  on  the  head  by  a  buck 
shot,  but  the  wound  at  first  not  appearing  to 
be  serious  he  remained  on  the  field,  and  the 
next  day  was  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder, 
and  being  disabled  so  as  to  be  unfit  for  duty 
for  sometime,  was  sent  home  on  the  fleet 
which  Governor  Yates  sent  down  to  bring  home 
the  wounded  soldiers  of  111. 

At  home  Mr.  Mahood  lay  for  a  long  time 
in  a  critical  condition  from  the  effects  of  the 
wound  on  his  head,  and  from  which. he  has 
never  fully  recovered.  He  now  feels  that  he 
owes  his  life  to  the  provision  made  by  Gov. 
Yates  for  the  transfer  of  the  wounded  men  to 
their  homes.  Mr.  Mahood  received  his  dis 
charge,  as  he  was  too  seriously  injured  to  per 
form  further  service  in  the  army.  When  suffi 
ciently  recovered  he  entered  upon  a  course  of 
study  in  Mt.  Carroll  Seminary,  which  complet 
ed  his  school  education.  He  then  taught  school 
some  years  in  Carroll  and  Jo  Daviess  Counties, 
and  was  for  a  time  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store; 
then  acted  four  years  as  Deputy  Surveyor  of 
Customs  under  Christov  Earner  during  the 
Arthur  Administration,  and  a  part  of  Cleve 
land's  term.  In  Nov.,  1889,  he  was  appointed, 
by  President  Harrison,  Surveyor  of  Customs, 
and  now  holds  that  position. 

Mr.  Mahood  is  a  charter  member  of  the  E. 
D.  Kiltoe  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  in  which  he  was  for 
some  years  Adjutant;  and  also  holds  member 
ship  in  Galena  Lodge,  No.  17,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in 
which  he  has  passed  all  the  offices.  In  1870, 
he  married  Sarah  West,  who  was  born  in  County 


Cavan,  Ireland,  and  when  a  child  came  with 
her  parents  to  Jo  Daviess  Co.  This  gentle 
man,  who  has  thoroughly  proved  his  devotion 
to  his  adopted  country  by  honorable  service  in 
the  army,  which  was  cut  short  by  disabling 
wounds,  has,  by  his  energy  and  ability,  won  a 
prominent  position  of  trust  and  responsibility 
which  indicates  the  public  confidence  he  enjoys, 
and  the  influence  he  exerts  in  the  locality 
where  he  has  grown  from  boyhood  to  manhood 
and  in  which  he  is  so  well  and  favorably 
known. 


DANIEL  W.  TYRRELL,  Editor  of  the  De 
Kalb  Review,  and  Postmaster  at  De 
Kalb,  111.,  was  born  at  Kalamazoo, 
Mich.,  in  1840,  a  son  of  Manilus  and  Esther 
Tyrrell,  natives  respectively  of  N.  Y.  and  Vt., 
who  were  married  in  New  York  and  moved  to 
Kalamazoo.  The  father  was  of  Irish  origin,  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  and  died  at  Fayette  Co., 
la.,  in  1860.  The  mother  is  living  now  at 
Woolstock,  Iowa,  and  is  83  years  of  age.  Her 
father,  Amos  Lewis,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  died  at  Magnolia,  Wis.,  at  the  age 
of  92. 

Daniel  W.  Tyrrell  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  in  1859,  learned  the 
printer's  trade  at  West  Union,  Iowa,  where  his 
parents  resided,  and  was  preparing  for  a  course 
of  instruction  in  the  academy  when  the  call  to 
arms  resounding  through  the  land  changed  the 
currents  of  his  thoughts.  In  Sept.  1861,  he  en 
listed  in  Co.  F.,  9th  Iowa  Inf.,  and  was  made 
5th  Sergt.  The  Regt.  was  organized  at  Du- 
buque,  and  was  sent  first  to  St.  Louis,  for  drill 
while  awaiting  equipments,  and  afterwards  em 
ployed  in  guarding  railroad  bridges  during  the 
winter  near  Pacific  Junction.  In  the  spring  it 
marched  through  Rolla  to  Springfield  in  pur 
suit  of  the  retreating  rebel  columns  that  Price 
had  gathered  in  Mo.,  and  following  them  into 
N.  W.  Ark.,  camping  at  Cross  Hallows.  After 
Price  was  reinforced  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge 
was  fought  and  Co.  F.  had  a  number  of  men 
killed,  and  its  Captain  and  1st  Lieut,  were 


488 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


wounded,  the  latter  mortally.  After  this  battle 
the  Regt.was  ordered  back  to  Mo.  and  sent  to 
Batesville,  thence  to  Helena,  meeting  the  Texas 
Rangers  in  a  number  of  skirmishes  before 
reaching  the  objective  point.  Three  or  four 
months  of  inactivity  followed  the  arrival  at 
Helena,  varied  only  by  several  foraging  ex 
peditions.  At  the  end  of  this  time  a  start  was 
made  down  the  river  under  Gen.  Sherman. 
The  Qth  Iowa  was  in  the  engagement  at 
Chickasaw  Bayou,  but  was  not  under  fire. 
From  this  place  it  proceeded  to  La.,  to  take 
part  in  the  expedition  to,  and  the  capture  of 
Arkansas  Post,  where  a  number  of  men  in  Co. 
F.  were  killed  and  wounded.  The  next  move 
was  to  Greenville,  Miss.,  then  toward  Vicks- 
burg,  going  to  Raymond,  Jackson,  Champion 
Hills  and  the  other"  points  where  it  marched 
across  bloody  fields  and  left  proof  of  its 
prowess. 

The  Regt.  had  a  place  in  the  1st  and  2nd 
assaults  on  Vicksburg  and  fought  all  through 
the  long  and  desperate  siege  of  47  days.     Sub 
sequent  to  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  the   Qth   was 
ordered  into  Ala.  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  J.  F.  John 
ston,  but  not  being  able  to  bring  him  to  a   de 
cided   engagement,    returned    to    Black    River 
and    soon    afterward    proceeded    to    Corinth. 
From  this  place  the  gth  and  its  Brig,  was  sent 
out  to  check   the  movements  of    the    famous 
rebel    Gen.  Wheeler    whose   Cav.    was   active 
and  aggressive.     This  pursuit  was  carried  into 
Ala.  and  at  one  place  had  a  severe  encounter 
with  his  force,  Mr.  Tyrrell  acting  as  Sergeant 
Major.     Returning  they  moved  toward  Chatta 
nooga.     On  this  march,  creeks  and  rivers  were 
waded,  and  many  difficult  obstacles  overcome. 
Co.  F.  participated  under  Hooker  in  the  battle 
of  Lookout  Mt.     After  this  battle  the  Regt.was 
sent   into  Ala.  and   encamped  for  the  winter, 
and  here  most  of  the  men  veteranized  and  were 
furloughed  home,  but  Mr.  Tyrrell  did  not   re- 
enlist.     He  remained  in  camp  and  was  detailed 
to  go  to  Nashville  to  serve  in  the  government 
printing  office,  where  he  remained   until  Nov., 
1864;  then  went  to  Atlanta  and  was  mustered 
out  and  discharged  to  return  home. 

While   at    Batesville,  also  at    Helena,    Mr. 


Tyrrell,  with  others  were  detailed  to  work  in 
the  printing  office  of  Gen.  Curtis,  and  at  each 
place  issued  a  little  paper. 

During  the  war,  the  mother  of  Mr.  Tyrrell 
did  noble  service  for  the  soldiers,  spending  about 
two  and  one  half  years'  time  in  the  hospitals 
at  St.  Louis,  Springfield  and  Pacific  Junction, 
Mo.,  and  while  her  son  was  on  the  march 
through  Mo.  to  Batesville,  she  came  to  meet 
him  over  the  mountains  in  an  ambulance.  A 
sister,  Janet  Ellen  (who  afterward  mar 
ried  a  soldier,  named  Henderson,  whom  she 
had  nursed  in  the  hospital  at  Memphis),  also 
spent  several  years  administering  to  the 
wants  of  the  suffering  soldiers  at  the  different 
hospitals  in  the  South. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  war  Mr.  Tyrrell 
worked  in  the  office  of  the  Independent^  Broad- 
head,  Wis.,  for  a  short  time,  when  he  purchased 
an  interest  in  the  paper,  which  he  then  assisted 
in  editing.  After  a  time  he  moved  to  Monroe, 
Wis.,  where  associating  with  Mr.  Potter,  he 
founded  the  Gteen  County  Republican,  and  con 
tinued  with  it  until  removing  to  St.  Charles. 
111.  In  1870,  he  was  engaged  a  year  or  two  on 
the  Geneva  Republican,  and  became  editor  of 
that  paper.  Later  he  established  the  St. 
Charles  Transcript,  of  which  he  was  afterward 
sole  proprietor,  continuing  its  publication  until 
1875,  tnen  removing  to  De  Kalb,  was  engaged 
in  the  office  of  the  News  until  1882,  when  he 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  DeKalb  Revieiv, 
with  which  he  has  since  been  connected. 

In  Jan.,  1890,  Mr.  Tyrrell  received  the  ap 
pointment  of  Postmaster.  He  is  a  charter 
member  of  Merritt  Simonds  Post,  No.  283,  G. 
A.  R.,  in  which  he  has  satisfactorily  served  in 
the  offices  of  Adjt.,  S.  V.,  J.  V.  and  P.  C.  He 
also  holds  membership  in  De  Kalb  Lodge,  F. 
and  A.  M.,  No.  144,  and  has  been  connected 
with  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  G.  T. 

Mr.  Tyrrel  was  married  in  St.  Charles,  111., 
in  1870,  to  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Aken,  a  daughter  of 
Chas.  B.  Gray,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Kane 
Co.,  Ind.  She  was  born  in  Mo.,  and  has  one 
son,  Louis  G.  Mr.  Tyrrell,  as  maybe  gathered 
from  these  few  incidents  of  his  life,  is  a  gentle 
man  of  wide  experience  and  good  judgment, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


489 


who  has  gradually  won  his  way  by  persistent 
energy  and  business  ability  to  the  prominent 
and  responsible  positions  as  an  evidence  both 
of  his  fitness  and  the  confidence  and  esteem 
with  which  he  is  regarded  by  his  fellow  citizens. 


EB.  WATSON,  of  Elgin,  111.  The  town  of 
Springfield,  Bradford  Co.,  Pa.,  claims 
•  the  honor  of  being  the  birthplace  of 
this  gentleman,  the  event  having  occurred  Sept. 
6,  1838.  Mr.  Watson,  seeing  the  autonomy  and 
institutions  of  this  great  Republic  threatened 
by  the  secession  of  the  States,  and  tempo 
rary  success  of  the  Confederate  troops,  de 
termined  to  openly  declare  his  patriotism,  show 
his  country  that  he  was  willing  to  even  offer 
his  life,  if  needs  be,  and  accordingly  enlisted 
Aug.  5,  1862,  at  Chicago,  and  was  mustered  in 
at  Camp  Douglas,  Aug.  31,  as  Corporal  in  Co. 
K.,  Sgth  111.  Inf.  His  Regt.  left  camp  Sept.  4, 
for  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  it  remained  until 
about  Sept.  28,  when  it  was  ordered  to  pursue 
Gen.  Bragg  on  his  retreat  out  of  Ky.  It  over 
took  and  routed  him  at  Perrysville,  in  a  sharp, 
hot  skirmish.  The  Regt.  then  marched  toward 
Cumberland  Gap,  retraced  its  steps  over  to 
Bowling  Green,  then  proceeded  to  Nashville, 
stopping  along  the  route  protecting  and  repair 
ing  the  railroad.  Here  it  remained  until  Dec. 
26,  when  it  was  ordered  to  follow  Bragg.  At 
Stone  River  it  overtook  him,  and  then  ensued 
the  desperate  battle  of  that  place,  lasting  from 
Dec.  31  to  Jan.  2,  1863.  During  the  first  day 
of  the  battle  his  command  was  disposed  of  as 
follows:  The  Corps  (McCook's)  was  to  the 
right  of  the  army;  the  Brig,  to  the  right  of  the 
Corps;  the  Regt.  to  the  right  of  the  Brig.,  and 
Mr.  Watson's  company  to  the  right  of  the  Regt. 
The  advance  of  the  rebels  was  commenced 
— as  Mr.  Watson  was  preparing  his  breakfast — 
by  firing  into  the  Union  ranks  with  terrible 
effect,  forcing  his  Regt.  back  some  distance, 
when  it  reformed  and  took  and  held  the  posi 
tion  until  the  rebel  Cav.  appeared  in  the  rear 
causing  the  Regt.  to  fall  back  which  was  done 
in  good  order.  On  New  Year's  day  his  Regt. 
was  kept  engaged  in  different  parts  of  the 


field,  and  on  the  following  day  his  Brig,  moved 
to  the  left  of  the  army,  his  Regt.  being  detached 
to  guard  the -ford  at  Stone  River.  The  next 
morning,  Jan.  3,  the  enemy  had  retreated, 
whereupon  his  Regt.  pursued  it  some  distance 
when  a  halt  was  called,  and  returning  to  Mur- 
freesboro,  it  remained  for  six  months  recruiting 
and  fortifying  the  position.  Leaving  there 
June  23,  1863,  the  command  proceeded  to 
Chattanooga  and  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Liberty  Gap,  June  25th.  Mr.  Watson  had  pre 
viously  felt  a  growing  sickness  overtaking  him, 
which  at  this  time  had  become  serious  and 
compelled  him  to  seek  a  hospital.  He  was 
sent  to  Murfreesboro  where  he  remained  about 
ten  days,  then  to  Nashville  and  from  there  was 
transferred  to  Louisville,  Ky.  He  there  re 
ceived  a  furlough  of  one  week,  at  the  expiration 
of  which  he  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Louisville, 
and  was  promoted  to  be  Corporal  of  colors. 
He  was  discharged  at  Louisville,  Sept.  26, 
1864,  and  returned  to  his  home  in  111. 

His  parents  Were  Charles  and  Jane  Watson 
(nee  Remington),  who  had  the  following 
children  besides  the  subject  of  this  notice- 
Edward  C.,  Jasper  \V.,  Erank  L.,  Fred  Philetus, 
Jannet,  Henrietta,  Jane  N.  and  Ellen.  John 
Watson,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  in 
the  war  of  1812;  and  Niles  Watson,  his  great 
grandfather,  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

Mr.  Watson  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools,  then  apprenticed  himself  at  the 
carpenter  trade,  and  after  completing  it  again 
attended  school  until  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  N.  W.  R.  R.  Co.,  first  residing  for  a  time 
at  Turner,  then  moving  to  Elgin  in  1874,  where 
he  has  since  remained  continuing  in  the  service 
of  the  same  Company. 

He  married  Miss  May  Lina  Woodward, 
July  1 8,  1861,  at  Batavia,  Ills.  Mrs.  XVatson's 
grandfather  was  also  in  the  war  of  1812.  This 
union  was  blessed  with  the  following  children: 
Charles  E.,  Edward,  Flora,  Delia,  Allie  M., 
Clara  L.,  Lucy  B.,  March  A.,  Earl  B.,  Evelyn 
Rose,  the  two  first  named  being  now  dead. 

Mr.  Watson  is  a  Free  Mason;  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  a  Past  Commander  of  Post  No. 
26,  G.  A.  R.  at  Turner,  111. 


490 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


JOHN  H.  PARK,  a  resident  of  Rock  Island, 
111.,  first  saw  the  light  of  day  at  New 
London,  Huron  Co.,  Ohio,  .Sept.  2,  1845, 
and  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Treat) 
Park,  natives  of  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  the  father 
having  been  born  July  27,  1810,  and  the  mother 
Feb.  17,  1813.  The  Park  family  originally 
emigrated  from  England  and  located  in  Conn. 
The  father  of  our  subject  married  his  wife  at 
Mendon,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  they  re 
sided  until  the  year  1831,  when  they  emigrated 
to  New  London,  Ohio,  going  by  way  of  the 
canal  and  Lake  Erie.  Here  the  father  pursued 
the  tilling  of  the  soil  until  1847,  when  he  re 
moved  to  the  Badger  State,  settling  down  in 
Rock  Co.,  and  resuming  his  former  occupation 
of  farming.  Here  he  is  still  living  at  the  good 
old  age  of  82  years,  hale  and  hearty,  his  estim 
able  wife  with  whom  he  had  so  peacefully 
shared  the  joys  and  sorrows  of  this  life  for 
more  than  half  a  century  of  years,  having  died 
July  30,  1890,  after  reaching  the  ripe  age  of  78 
years. 

His  brother  Ben  took  active  part  in  the 
rebellion,  having  been  mustered  into  service 
at  Madison,  Wis.,  Jan.  31,  1862,  in  Co.  F.,  i6th 
Wis.  Inf.  He  faithfully  served  his  country  for 
three  years,  bravely  defending  the  "old  flag" 
in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Kenesaw  Mt., 
Atlanta,  and  other  noted  conflicts,  being  with 
Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea. 

Our  subject  spent  his  younger  days  on  a 
farm,  living  with  his  parents  up  to  the  time  he 
enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  beloved  country, 
at  Beloit,  Wis.,  Feb.  6,  1865.  His  command 
went  into  camp  at  Camp  Randall,  Madison, 
Wis.,  and  shortly  moved  to  the  front  at  Nash 
ville,  Tenn.  March  15,  to  Tullahoma,  Tenn., 
where  they  camped,  and  were  engaged  in 
picket  and  guard  duty,  digging  ditches  to  pre 
vent  the  camp  grounds  from  being  flooded, 
and  training  themselves  in  the  knack  of  living 
on  half  rations.  About  April  I,  they  broke 
camp,  marched  on  to  Huntsville,  thence  into 
the  Cumberland  Mts.,  to  meet  and  conquer 
Perkin's  Independent  Cav.,  the  noted  band  of 
outlaws  who  knew  neither  friend  nor  foe. 
They  participated  in  more  or  less  skirmishing 


daily,  and  finally  met  the  enemy  in  full  force 
in  a  desperate  fight  which  resulted  in  a  partial 
victory  for  the  Union  forces.  On  this  occasion 
Park's  Co.,  together  with  two  other  companies, 
were  cut  off  from  the  army  for  11  days,  during 
which  period  they  existed  on  only  such  sub 
sistence  as  could  be  foraged  in  so  barren  a  wil 
derness  as  the  Cumberland  Mts.,  their  food 
consisting  chiefly  of  corn  which  was  stolen 
from  the  feed  boxes  of  the  mules.  Being  des 
titute  of  supplies,  and  it  being  impossible  to 
move  through  the  thickets  with  their  supply 
wagon,  it  was  burned,  and  anon  six  men 
mounted  on  mules  detailed  on  a  scouting  and 
foraging  tour,  their  main  object  being  to  locate 
the  batallion.  On  the  close  of  the  nth  day 
came  the  shouts  of  "  Eureka!" — one  of  the  num 
ber  had  returned  bringing  joy  to  the  stray  sol 
dier  boys  in  the  happy  news  that  he  had 
located  the  command.  To  verify  the  state 
ment,  for  the  half  starved  "boys"  were  inclined 
to  be  skeptical,  he  produced  a  piece  of  corn 
bread,  better  known  to  the  "boys"  as  "corn 
pone."  Without  losing  a  moment's  time  the 
joyful  band  started  for  the  "happy  land, "  ar 
riving  at  Tony's  Mills,  where  the  batteries 
were  stationed,  the  next  morning,  having  gone 
with  scarcely  any  food  for  nearly  20  days. 
Here  they  found  a  "land  of  plenty"  of  such  as 
it  was,  and  here  Mr.  Park  contracted  chronic 
diarrhea,  a  disease  from  which  he  still  suffers 
severely,  it  having  been  brought  on  by  ex 
posure  to  almost  constant  rain,  by  starvation, 
and  finally  by  a  feast  of  corn  mush,  bacon  and 
molasses.  After  remaining  about  three  days 
they  resumed  their  chase  through  the  mount 
ains  in  pursuit  of  Parker's  notorious  band, 
finally  succeeding  in  totally  disbanding  same. 

Subsequently  they  were  ordered  to  different 
parts  of  Tenn.  to  guard  elections,  and  about 
Sept.,  1865,  went  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  the 
Regt.  was  mustered  out  at  Exchange  Barrack. 
Our  soldier  then  returned  to  Madison,  Wis., 
where  he  received  final  discharge  Sept.  13, 
1865. 

Mr.  Park  relates  where  on  one  occasion  some 
time  in  Aug.,  he  with  a  comrade,  took  a  stroll 
out  to  visit  some  friends  about  six  miles  off, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


491 


when  late  in  the  evening  they  were  suddenly 
aroused  by  the  clanking  of  horses'  hoofs  and 
the  yelling  of  a  remnant  of  Parker's  Cav.,  con 
sisting  of  about  25  men,  who  were  about  to  sur 
round  the  house,  when,  he  and  his  comrade 
made  their  escape  to  the  woods  about  100  feet 
off,  being  pursued  by  constant  rattling  of  bul 
lets.  They  took  refuge  in  the  woods,  followed 
by  the  blood-thirsty  gang,  who  continued 
searching  for  them,  and  only  when  daylight, 
which  is  the  bushwhacker's  deadly  enemy, 
dawned,  did  they  discontinue  their  hunt  for 
Park  and  his  comrade,  who  had  lain  almost 
breathlessly  during  the  long  and  fearful  night. 
They  improved  the  first  opportunity,  and  re 
turned  to  camp  congratulating  themselves  that 
the  night  had  been  deep  and  dark,  and  that 
they  escaped  being  filled  with  the  bullets  they 
had  been  made  targets  of. 

After  receiving  his  discharge  he  returned  to 
the  old  homestead  where  loving  faces  welcomed 
him,  remaining  there  until  the  spring  of  1866, 
when  he  took  up  railroading. 

At  present  he  is  locomotive  engineer  on 
the  R.  I.  &  P.  R.  R.,  and  also  proprietor  of 
Park's  restaurant  at  Rock  Island.  Mr.  Park 
was  married  at  Milan,  Pa.,  Oct.  26,  1881,  to  Miss 
Pleiades  Walker,  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah 
(Brooks)  Walker. 

Sept.  21  ,  1891,  this  happy  union  was  blessed 
with  a  bouncing  boy,  who  was  christened  Ar 
thur  Walker.  Mr.  Park  is  a  highly  pleasant, 
a  genial  and  most  hospitable  man  to  meet.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  is  a  Mason,  and 
belongs  to  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  En 
gineers.  In  politics  he  is  Repubican. 


M 


ELVIN  A.  GOULD,  a  member  of  the  G.A.R., 
and  a  citizen  of  Moline,  111.,  was  born 
at  Richmond,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  7,  1832,  and 
is  the  son  of  Allen  and  Olive  (Spencer)  Gould. 
His  mother,  born  in  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  was  of 
English  descent,  and  died  at  Richmond,  N.  Y., 
when  but  34  years  of  age.  His  father,  born  at 
Essex,  Vt.,  was  of  Scotch  ancestry,  died  at  the 
age  of  65,  and  was  buried  by  the  side  of  his 
wife. 


There  were  born  to  these  parents  seven 
children,  of  whom  there  are  living,  namely: 
Our  subject;  Niel,  living  at  Richmond,  N.  Y.; 
and  Adelia,  now  residing  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
The  grandfather  of  our  subject  took  part  in  the 
war  of  1812,  fought  at  the  battle  of  St.  Albans, 
and  brought  home  the  captured  sword,  British 
blade,  now  in  the  possession  of  Niel  Gould. 

This  brother  Niel  also  loyally  served  his 
country  for  3  years,  enlisted  in  Troop  B.,  ist 
N.  Y.  Cav.,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  all  the 
battles,  sieges  and  marches  of  his  troop,  receiv 
ing  an  honorable  discharge. 

Melvin  was  reared  at  Richmond,  N.  Y., 
where  he  received  an  excellent  education,  at 
tending  school  up  to  his  i8th  year.  The  follow 
ing  year  he  engaged  in  teaching,  later  went 
West  to  Marengo,  111.,  resumed  teaching,  and 
subsequently  was  engaged  in  the  mail  service 
on  the  C.  &  G.  U.  R.  R.  July  28,  1853,  he  moved 
to  Moline,  111.,  was  engaged  as  Superintendent 
of  Public  Works,  devoting  his  unemployed  time 
to  surveying  and  stencil  cutting,  and  continued 
in  that  entrusted  office  up  to  the  time  he  went 
forth  to  battle  for  the  stars  and  stripes.  Mr. 
Gould  enlisted  at  Moline,  June  10,  1861,  in  Co. 
H.,  igth  111.  Inf.,  under  the  noted  Col.  J.  B. 
Turchin. 

July  12  the  Regt.  moved  out  of  its  camp  at 
Chicago,  started  on  its  martial  career  of  3  years 
of  service,  given  patriotically  and  voluntarily 
to  the  Govt.,  and  went  forward  to  relieve 
Grant's  Regt.  at  Palmyra,  Mo.  Here  the  Co. 
participated  in  frequent  skirmishes,  and  did 
most  heavy  foraging,  on  one  occasion  totally 
cleaning  out  the  premises  of  a  Major  Proctor, 
a  confederate  who  had  stored  away  immense 
quantities  of  provisions,  and  military  supplies, 
including  mules  and  wagons.  By  virtue  of  the 
exceedingly  heavy  and  most  excellent  foraging 
that  the  Regt.  did,  it  was  subsequently  nick 
named  "Chicago  Jerkers,"  it  being  generally 
remarked  that  if  the  igth  had  been  left  un 
molested  it  would  have  stolen  the  Confederacy. 
.  The  next  move  was  to  St.  Louis,  where  they 
received  new  uniforms  and  new  arms,  changing 
from  a  flint  lock  to  a  percussion,  and  shortly 
they  joined,  a  large  flotilla,  landing  at  Bird's 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Point,  from  whence  the  Regt.  was  immediately 
detailed  to  Norfolk  as  an  advance  guard,  where 
its  duties  where  difficult  and  arduous. 

Subsequently,  when  an  expedition  was  made 
towards  Jackson,  Tenn.,  where  it  was  expected 
to  meet  the  enemy,  Gen.  Prentiss  requested  that 
the  iQth  move  as  an  advance  guard  of  the  col 
umn.  No  enemy  having  been  met,  the  Regt. 
was  subsequently  ordered  to  Camp  Holt,  a  most 
miserable  camp.  From  here  the  "  boys  "  march 
ed  down  the  river,  under  fire  of  the  rebel  gun 
boats,  again  doing  most  efficient  foraging. 
Sept.  17,  the  1 9th  was  ordered  to  Washington 
to  act  as  special  guard  for  Gen.  McClellan, 
who  had  by  this  time  heard  of  its  heroic  ex 
ploits.  On  the  route  one  of  the  trains  broke 
through  a  bridge,  in  which  frightful  accident  24 
were  killed  and  105  wounded,  and  many  crip 
pled  for  life.  This  trouble  caused  them  to  stop 
at  Cincinnati,  from  where,  Sept.  25,  they  were 
ordered  to  Lebanon,  Ky.  While  in  camp  here, 
Gould,  who  is  proficient  in  music,  was  detailed 
to  the  band  as  regimental  bugler  and  instructor. 
Oct.  22,  they  moved  to  Elizabethtown.  While 
here  the  command  was  reviewed  by  Gen.  Buell, 
who  confessed  that  he  "  never  saw  a  better 
drilled  Regt."  Feb.  10,  1862,  they  moved  and 
bivouacked  at  Belle's  Tavern,  awaking  in  the 
morning  covered  with  about  five  inches  of  snow. 
Shortly  they  moved  to  Bowling  Green,  the  igth 
being  the  first  Regt.  to  enter  that  stronghold, 
where  a  large  amount  of  rebel  stores  were  cap 
tured.  They  next  moved  to  Nashville,  where 
they  were  constantly  engaged  in  repairing  and 
building  bridges. 

Then  to  Jackson.  Here  the  band  was  mus 
tered  out,  and  comrade  Gould  returned  to  Louis 
ville,  Ky.,  where  he  was  taken  seriously  sick 
and  was  transferred  to  the  hospital.  While  con 
fined  there  he  later  performed  the  duty  of  mak 
ing  out  pay.  rolls.  His  ability,  accuracy,  and 
neatness  of  work  being  perfect  to  such  a  degree, 
he  was  commissioned  to  the  office  of  chief  clerk 
of  the  Adjutant,  having  nine  men  in  the  clerical 
force  under  him.  In  this  position  of  responsi 
bility  and  honor,  he  creditably  continued  up  to 
Oct.  8,  1862,  when  his  health  having  failed,  he 
was  discharged  and  returned  to  Moline,  111., 


where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  Mr.  Gould  was 
married  Dec.  I,  1856,  to  L.  Maria,  daughter  of 
Capt.  Jefferson  and  Margaret  (Bennett)  Taylor, 
who  were  natives  of  Mass.  By  this  union  eight 
children  were  born,  of  whom  are  living — Geo. 
M.;  Wm.  T.,  married  to  Estella  Heck;  Albert 
S.;  and  Herbert  R.,  married  to  Mary  Sheley. 

Mr.  Gould  has  held  many  positions  of  honor 
and  public  trust.  He  has  been  County  Sur 
veyor  of  Rock  Island  County,  superintended 
the  building  of  the  C.  R.  I.  &  St.  L.  R.  R.  from 
Rock  River  to  Macomb,  was  City  Engineer  of 
Moline  for  eight  years,  during  which  time  he 
built  the  first  water-works  and  was  author  of  the 
sewerage  system  of  Moline.  For  the  past  eight 
years  he  has  done  all  the  recording  of  plats  for 
Rock  Island  Co.,  and  as  an  arbitrator,  he  is 
quite  universally  wanted  in  all  disputes  requir 
ing  engineering  knowledge.  At  present  Mr. 
Gould  is  established  in  the  manufacture  of  nov 
elties,  and  the  stencil  cutting  business,  doing 
the  very  finest  and  most  artistic  work  in  this 
line.  Verily,  he  is  a  genius  in  the  best  sense  of 
the  term,  and  can  fix  quite  anything  that  needs 
fixing.  Though  59  years  old,  he  is  physically 
and  mentally  a  well  preserved  man,  and  handles 
a  gun  in  the  various  maneuvers  of  a  drill  with  quite 
the  same  grace  and  agility  he  did  in  by-gone 
days.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  has 
been  officer  of  the  day  for  five  years,  and  has 
attended  eight  National  Encampments.  A 
soldier,  a  scholar,  an  artist  and  a  musician,  Mr. 
Gould  is  a  whole-souled,  liberal  minded  gentle 
man  whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  meet. 


CHARLES  B.  DRAKE,  of  Belvidere,  111.,  be 
gan  his  soldier  career  Aug.  14,  1862,  by 
enlisting  in  the  Union  army  at  Belvi 
dere,  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Fuller,  Rockford, 
where  he  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  a 
Corporal  in  Co.  B.,  95th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  The  men 
were  drilled  at  Rockford,  and  Nov.  4,  left  for 
Jackson,  Tenn.,  and  on  arrival,  proceeded  to 
Grand  Junction,  and  the  following  winter  took 
part  in  the  Northern  Miss,  expedition.  Grant's 
supplies  at  Holly  Springs  having  been  captured 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


493 


by  the  rebel  Van  Dorn,  they  took  up  the  line 
of  march  for  Memphis,  arriving  at  Moscow, 
Dec.  3Oth,  then  on  to  Collierville  where  it 
halted  and  was  guarding  the  railroads  for  a  few 
days,  being  obliged,  owing  to  the  surprise  at 
Holly  Springs  to  be  up  and  in  line  of  battle  at 
three  o'clock  each  morning;  afterwards  pro 
ceeded  to  Memphis  where  they  arrived  Jan.  13, 
1863,  thus  closing  that  campaign.  Here  the 
95th,  with  14  other  transports,  started  down 
the  Miss.  River,  for  the  purpose  of  operating 
againt  Vicksburg,  arriving  at  Milliken's  Bend 
15  miles  above  Vicksburg  on  Jan.  26,  where 
they  disembarked  the  following  day  and  went 
into  camp.  Mr.  Drake  was  detailed  at  Lake 
Providence  to  escort  some  prisoners  to  Mem 
phis,  and  upon  returning  to  that  point  became 
exceedingly  ill,  therefore  went  into  camp  hos 
pital,  where  his  malady  did  not  yield  to  treat 
ment,  and  after  a  stay  of  one  month,  he  was 
discharged  by  reason  of  disability,  on  March 
23,  1863,  and  mustered  out. 

Mr.  Drake  was  a  son  of  Charles  E.  and 
Martha  (Heaton)  Drake,  born  near  Belvidere, 
Boone  Co.,  111.,  June  21,  1838.  His  mother 
died  Feb.  23,  1891,  whilst  his  father  is  still  liv 
ing  upon  the  homestead.  Charles  was  em 
ployed  upon  the  farm  and  attending  school,  in 
early  life,  but  when  he  had  attained  his  20th 
year  embarked  in  farming  upon  his  own 
account,  which  he  continued  until  his  enlistment 
in  the  army.  Immediately  after  his  discharge 
as  a  soldier  he  returned  home,  resumed  farming 
and  continued  that  occupation  until  the  year 
1882,  when  he  removed  to  Belvidere  and  ac 
cepted  a  position  with  the  Northwestern  R.  R. 
Co.,  as  freight  agent  for  that  place,  a  trusted 
and  responsible  situation,  wherein  he  has  been 
universally  courteous  and  obliging  to  all  pa 
trons  of  the  railroad,  having  business  to  trans 
act  through  him,  and  also  conducted  his  depart 
ment  to  the  full  satisfaction  of  his  employers. 
He  was  married  to  Susan  M.  Boyce,  Nov.  12, 
1861,  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Maria  Boyce,  and 
by  this  marriage  has  one  child,  namely,  Will 
iam  E.  Our  subject  is  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  order,  politically  a  Republican,  and  is 
a  member  of  Hurlbut  Post,  No.  164,  G.  A.  R.,  of 


which  he  is  Adjutant.  He  was  Register  Clerk, 
for  twelve  years.  William  H.  Boyce,  a  brother 
of  Mrs.  Drake,  served  in  the  same  Co.  with  our 
subject,  and  died  Feb.  1863,  at  Overton  Hos 
pital,  Memphis. 


M 


AJOR  STEPHEN  JEFFERS,  a  prominent  citi 
zen  and  retired  farmer  of  Hanover,  111., 
is  a  native  of  N.  Y.  State,  born  in  Broom 
Co.,  Sept.  20,  1820.  He  is  a  son  of  Stephen 
and  Cynthya  (Coburn)  Jeffers,  natives  of  N.  H. 
and  N.  Y.,  respectively.  The  paternal  grand 
father,  John  Jeffers,  was  a  Scotchman  who 
emigrated  to  America  prior  to  the  Revolution 
ary  War,  in  which  he  was  a  soldier.  The  mater 
nal  ancestors  were  English  and  came  to  the  U.  S. 
during  the  present  century. 

Major  Stephen  Jeffers  was  one  of  9  children 
and  was  given  limited  opportunities  to  secure 
an  education,  but  possessing  more  than  ordi 
nary  natural  ability  and  persistent  energy,  this 
lack  was  largely  overcome.  In  1837,  when  DUt: 
17  years  old  he  came  to  111.  and  spent  two  years 
in  Whiteside  Co.,  moving  in  1839,  to  Hanover, 
then  to  Wapello,  where  he  was  engaged  on  a 
farm  until  1842,  when  he  purchased  200  acres 
of  land  and  began  its  cultivation.  Feb.  1844, 
he  married  Julia  Maxwell,  who  was  born  in 
Delhi,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  22,  1820,  and  came  to  111.,  in 
1837,  with  Mr.  Jeffers'  parents  and  others. 
She  died  Mar.  10,  1889,  the  mother  of  5  chil 
dren — George,  Perry,  Albert,  William  and 
Ellen,  who  died  at  an  early  age.  Mr.  Jeffers 
continued  his  farming  and  stock  raising  opera 
tions  until  a  few  years  previous  to  the  war, 
when  he  engaged  in  business  in  Hanover. 
Sept.  6,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F.,  96th  111. 
Inf.,  and  was  at  once  made  O.  M.  of  the  Regt., 
which  went  to  Camp  Fuller  near  Rockford,  111., 
and  remained  there  until  Oct.  8,  when  it  started 
South,  stopping  for  a  short  time  at  Covington, 
Ky.,  and  marched  to  Lexington,  Harrodsburg 
and  Danville,  where  it  wintered,  making  nu 
merous  expeditions  into  the  adjoining  country. 
In  the  early  spring  they  marched  to  Louisville 
and  took  passage  for  Nashville,  marching 


494 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


thence  soon  after  to  Franklin  where  it  made 
headquarters  for  several  months,  occasionally 
meeting  Gen.  Forrest's  rebel  cavalry  and  skir 
mishing  at  different  points,  the  most  important 
engagement  occurring  at  Triune.  In  the  latter 
part  of  Dec.  the  Regt.  started  for  Chattanooga, 
camped  at  Rossville,  for  a  time,  and  then  took 
part  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight  at  Chickamauga, 
returning  subsequently  to  camp  at  Shell  Mound 
for  the  winter.  Here  Mr.  Jeffers  was  sick  and 
in  camp  during  the  battles  of  Lookout  Mt.  and 
Missionary  Ridge. 

The  next  move  was  to  Cleveland  to  prepare 
for  the  Georgia  and  Atlanta  campaigns.  Just 
prior  to  these  expeditions  Mr.  Jeffers  was  com 
missioned  as  Captain  of  subsistence  and  ordered 
to  report  to  Col.  Porter  at  Chattanooga,  where 
he  remained  in  charge  of  that  department  for 
more  than  a  year,  supplying  Gen.  Sherman's 
army  with  cattle  and  other  stores.  During 
this  time  96,000  cattle  and  $70,000,000  passed 
through  the  hands  of  Capt.  Jeffers.  In  the 
spring  he  received  orders  to  join  Gen.  Sherman 
at  Beaufort,  N.  C.,  but  when  he  arrived  Gen. 
Sherman  was  at  Washington  and  ordered  him 
to  report  there.  He  remained  there  a  few  days 
and  returned  South  to  Nashville  expecting  to 
go  to  Chattanooga,  but  instead  was  sent  to  a 
point  in  Northeast,  Miss.,  on  the  Tenn.,  River 
where  he  lay  two  months,  then  went  to  Nash 
ville  and  soon  to  Atlanta,  Ga.,  to  relieve  the 
Commissaries  there.  Late  in  Dec.  he  was  dis 
charged  and  returned  home  without  a  wound. 
He  proved  himself  in  every  capacity  a  thor 
ough  soldier  and  a  valuable  and  efficient  officer 
as  is  evidenced  by  the  important  trusts  wrhich 
were  placed  in  his  charge  and  faithfully  exe 
cuted. 

George,  the  son  of  Major  Jeffers,  enlisted 
with  his  father,  Sept.  1862,  and  acted  as  chief 
clerk  while  his  father  was  Q.  M.,  after  which 
he  was  detailed  as  Commisary  Sergean^  and 
served  as  such  until  the  end  of  the  war. 

When  Major  Jeffers  returned  to  private  life 
he  resumed  his  extensive  farming  business  and 
was  actively  engaged  until  a  few  years  ago, 
when  he  retired  with  a  comfortable  competence. 
He  started  in  life  a  poor  boy  with  but  few  ad 


vantages  but  by  untiring  energy  and  strictest 
integrity  he  has  made  "a  fortune,  now  owning 
1,000  acres  of  fine  land,  near  Hanover,  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  not  only  ac 
quired  wealth,  but  honors  and  position  have 
come  to  him,  and  in  every  place,  public  or  pri 
vate,  he  has  proved  his  ability  and  made  a  suc 
cess.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  John  O.  Duer 
Post,  No.  399,  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  for  nearly  40 
years  been  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  also 
holds  membership  in  the  Chapters. 

In  the  locality  where  he  resides  few  men 
are  better  known  and  held  in  higher  esteem 
than  Major  Stephen  Jeffers. 


ROBERT  M.  BENELL  a  resident  of  Moline, 
111.,  was  born  June,  16,  1844,  in  Holmes 
Co.,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (Mitchell)  Benell  who  were  natives  of 
Greene  Co.,  Pa.  His  father  was  born  Dec.  10, 
1825,  and  died  at  Newton,  Kan.,  in  1890.  His 
mother  was  born  Sept.  1823,  and  is  still  living 
at  Galesburg,  111.  To  them  was  born  a  family 
of  nine  children,  namely:  Robert,  our  subject; 
Martha  A.,  now  Mrs.  J.  H.  Andrews  of  Santa 
Barbara,  Cal.;  Wm.  A.;  John  M.;  Phrosina  (de 
ceased),  Annette,  now  the  wife  of  D.  H.  Porter, 
Editor  of  the  "Geneseo  Republic",  Geneseo,-!!!.; 
Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  L.  Kat,  of  Emporia,  Kan.; 
and  Capitola,  now  Mrs.  Ray  Whiteof  Geneseo, 
111.  When  Robert  was  3  years  old  his  parents 
located  at  Fulton  Co.,  111.,  where  he  was  reared, 
went  to  school,  and  later  continued  working 
the  farm  up  to  the  time  of  the  inauguration  of 
the  great  rebellion.  Only  a  few  months  had 
passed  since  the  loud  echoes  of  Fort  Sumter 
tingled  in  his  ears,  and  soon  our  youthful  sol 
dier  responded,  essayed  to  enlist,  but  was  re 
jected  on  account  of  his  youth.  But  he  was 
determined  and  after  a  few  restless  weeks  he 
tried  a  second  time,  and  this  time  not  in  vain. 
Though  but  a  youth  of  17  years  he  enlisted  as 
artificer,  Sept.  6,  1861,  at  Prairie  City,  111.,  Co. 
B.,  ist  Mo.  Engineers,  and  was  mustered  in  the 
following  day  at  St.  Louis  Arsenal,  St.  Louis. 
After  remaining  in  camp  at  Camp  Genessis,for 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


495 


three  weeks,  during  which  time  the  "boys" 
were  equipped,  drilled  and  engaged  in  picket 
and  guard  duty,  they  moved  on  to  Otterville, 
Mo.  There  he  assisted  in  constructing  the  first 
railroad  bridge,  built  during  the  war,  and 
shortly  we  find  him  active  in  all  of  Fremont's 
campaign,  returning  to  Otterville  about  Feb.  I, 
1862,  then  to  St.  Louis,  and  subsequently  under 
Gen.  Pope,  was  actively  engaged  in  the  battles 
and  capture  of  New  Madrid,  his  Regt.  having 
planted  the  guns,  set  up  the  breastworks,  and, 
indeed,  deported  itself  most  gallantly.  Next 
we  find  our  yong  artificer  at  Phillip's  Landing, 
cutting  the  levees  and  assisting  in  the  most 
difficult  and  arduous  duty  of  constructing  a 
channel  of  12  miles,  right  through  the  thickest 
of  timber,  thus  enabling  four  steamboats  to 
pass  on  to  New  Madrid,  where  Gen.  Pope's 
army  lay  in  readiness  to  be  transported,  result 
ing  as  it  did  in  the  phenomenal  victory  of  capt 
uring  6,000  prisoners.  After  this  he  joined  Gen. 
Pope  on  his  expedition  to  Fort  Pillow,  and 
subsequently  the  Regt.  was  sent  to  reinforce 
Halleck  at  Corinth,  participating  as  it  did  in 
all  the  skirmishes  connected  with  that  great 
siege,  and  being  the  3d  Regt.  to  enter 
the  city.  No  time  was  lost  and  his  command 
was  dispatched  to  pursue  the  rebels,  encounter 
ing  them  in  a  hot  and  spirited  two  days'  battle 
in  the  swamps  and  bottoms  of  the  Tuscumbia 
River,  and  in  which  the  ist  Mo.  lost  30  in 
killed  and  wounded.  Under  Gen.  Logan  our 
soldier-mechanic  next  moved  on  to  Jackson, 
Tenn.,  constantly  engaged  in  important  duties 
of  an  artificer  and  a  soldier,  and  remaining  up 
to  the  time  the  "boys"  proceeded  and  took 
active  part  in  all  the  skirmishes,  battles,  and 
sieges  connected  with  the  memorable  siege  of 
Corinth,  Oct.  3,  and  4,  1862.  Joining  Gen. 
Grant  on  his  expedition  down  the  Miss.  Cen 
tral  R.  R.,  they  participated  in  lively  skir 
mishes  all  along  the  route,  and  later  were  con 
stantly  employed  guarding  the  mail  cars  be 
tween  Memphis  and  Corinth. 

The  next  important  service  rendered  by 
Comrade  Benell,  was  at  Young's  Point,  opposite 
Vicksburg,  where  the  ist  Mo.  Engineers  per 
formed  most  excellent  service  on  Butler's 


Canal.  There  during  the  deep  darkness  of  but 
a  single  night,  it  muffled  its  wagons,  quietly 
constructed  breastworks,  planted  casemated 
batteries,  and  thus  with  the  dawn  of  daylight, 
the  batteries  were  enabled  to  fire  their  deadly 
shells  into  Vicksburg.  After  participating  in 
the  long  siege  of  Vicksburg,  followed  by 
months  of  continued  guard  and  artificer's 
duty,  young  Robert  was  next  marching  under 
Gen.  Sherman,  and  soon  actively  engaged  on  the 
tragic  battlefields  before  Atlanta,  including 
those  two  days  of  horrible  fighting  at  Jones- 
boro,  Ga.,  Aug.  31,  and  Sept.  I,  1864,  during 
which  campaign  the  Union  forces  suffered  a 
total  loss  of  over  33,000  in  killed  and  wounded 
and  missing. 

His  term  of  service  having  expired  he  was 
mustered  out  at  East  Point,  Ga.,  Sept.  15,  1864, 
was  discharged  at  St.  Louis  Mo.,  Sept.  23, 
and  accordingly  returned  home  to  Abingdon, 
111.,  having  loyally  served  under  the  grand  "old 
flag"  for  over  three  years.  But  during  this 
long  time  Comrade  Benell  had  evidently  only 
grown  even  more  patriotic,  for  he  re-enlisted 
Feb.  7,  1865,  at  Galesburg,  111.,  in  Co.  F.,  I48th 
111.  Inf.  The  Regt.  moved  to  Nashville,  Tenn., 
later  to  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  and  after  nearly  7 
months  of  constant  guard  and  garrison  duty, 
was  mustered  out  Sept.  5.  1865.  Thus  the 
great  rebellion  came  to  an  end,  Comrade  Benell 
returned  to  Abingdon,  and  in  1867  moved  to 
Moline,  111.,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  U. 
S.  mail  service,  as  a  trustworthy  and  faithful 
mail  carrier. 

At  Knoxville,  111.,  Feb.  6,  1865,  our  subject 
was  married  to  Nancy  Smith,  by  which  mar 
riage  there  were  born  six  children,  of  whom 
Charles  and  Harry  are  living,  the  others  being 
buried  by  the  side  of  their  beloved  mother  at 
Moline,  111.  Mr.  Benell  was  married  a  second 
time,  March  16,  1879,  to  Julia  Peregoy,  the  es 
timable  daughter  of  Moses  J.  Peregoy.  By  this 
happy  union  there  were  born  a  family  of  three 
talented  children,  namely:  Nellie,  Nannie  and 
Robert.  Verily,  comrade  Benell  can  well  feel 
proud  of  his  offspring,  who,  with  their  songs, 
music  and  repertoire  of  recitations  keep  their 
home  radiating  with  sunshine.  Scarcely  a  sol- 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


dier  in  the  State  of  111.  who  has  not  heard  of 
Little  Nellie  Benell,  a  child  in  age,  but  a  giant 
in  ability;  a  fitly  adopted  daughter  of  R.  H. 
Graham  Post,  Moline,  111.,  who  spoke  at  their 
camp  fires  and  was  voted  a  gold  medal  when 
but  a  wee  bit  of  a  child  of  four  years.  Nine 
years  have  passed,  and  during  that  time  she  has 
spoken  at  all  their  camp  fires,  decoration  exer 
cises  and  gatherings,  which  are  noted  for  hun 
dreds  of  miles  aronnd.  Aye,  she  is  the  bright 
little  star  of  all  their  entertainments,  and  all 
that  is  necessary  to  draw  an  audience  is  to  ad 
vertise  that  "  Little  Nellie  "  will  be  there,  and 
the  crowd  is  assured.  In  1887  she  spoke  at  the 
State  Encampment  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans, 
and  was  presented  with  a  silver  badge  of  the 
order.  In  1888,  during  the  Military  Tract  Re 
union,  at  which  Gov.  Fifer  and  Gen.  Palmer 
spoke,  Little  Nellie  rendered  "  Only  a  Private 
Soldier,"  and  took  the  audience  by  storm. 
Many  societies  throughout  her  section  of  111. 
have  had  their  programmes  honored  with  the 
name  of  Little  Nellie  Benell,  who  has  had  the 
honor  of  being  encored  by  President  Harrison, 
Hon.  Lucius  Fairchild,  our  own  John  A.  Logan, 
General  Sherman,  and  scores  of  other  great 
men.  Yes,  long  live  Little  Nellie! 

Mr.  Benell  isa  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  is 
an  affectionate  husband  and  a  good  citizen. 


LUTHER  H.  KNAPP,  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.,  and  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  111.,  is  a 
son  of  the  Empire  State,  born  in  Wayne 
Co.,  Jan.  7,  1841.  His  parents  were  Asa  B.  and 
Mary  A.  (Storm)  Knapp,  the  former  a  descend 
ant  of  New  England  stock,  the  latter  of 
Mohawk  Dutch.  In  1850,  the  family  moved  to 
Batavia,  111.,  where  Luther  spent  his  boyhood 
days  and  attended  school.  Sept.,  1861,  he  en 
listed  in  Co.  D.,  7th  Kan.  Cav.,  known  as  the 
"Jayhawkers."  The  winter  was  spent  in  western 
Mo.,  and  the  following  June  they  embarked  to 
near  Corinth,  Miss.  Shortly  after,  they  partici 
pated  in  the  siege  of  that  city,  and  after  the 
capture  were  engaged  the  next  two  years  in 
guarding  the  railroads  between  Corinth,  Mem 


phis  and  Holly  Springs.  During  this  time  we 
find  comrade  Knapp  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Corinth,  on  the  arduous  march  to  Oxford, 
Tenn.,  in  fact,  kept  in  motion  constantly;  on 
one  occasion  Col.  Anthony,  who  was  in  com 
mand,  gave  orders  not  to  ride  faster  than  a 
walk.  One  young  fellow  spurred  up  to  a  trot. 
For  this  slight  offense  he  was  arrested,  balled 
and  chained.  Standing  on  top  of  a  log  sur 
rounded  by  his  fellow  comrades,  while  the 
blacksmith  was  riveting  the  cruel  fetters,  the 
young  soldier  sweetly  and  touchingly  sung, 
"Brave  boys  are  they  who  go  to  their  country's 
call."  This  was  more  than  the  boys  who  had 
so  recently  left  their  homes  and  loved  ones  to 
go  forward  in  their  country's  defense  could 
stand.  Their  heart  strings  were  soon  vibrating 
in  response  to  his  mellow  voice.  Up,  almost 
simultaneously,  away  with  the  guard,  cutting 
the  chains,  freeing  the  young  patriot,  then 
hastening  to  the  guard  house,  they  freed  the 
prisoners  who  had  been  punished  for  similar 
offenses  and  left  the  grim  guard-house  wrapped 
in  flames.  While  in  Memphis,  comrade  Knapp 
remembers  seeing  the  dead  bodies  of  negroes, 
victims  of  the  Fort  Pillow  Massacre,  float  by 
for  days  and  days. 

On  another  occasion,  while  comrade  Knapp 
was  out  with  a  squadron,  they  discovered  a  lone 
horseman.  Pursuing  him,  he  took  refuge  in  his 
house,  where  he  bravely  defended  himself,  kill 
ing  one  of  our  boys  and  wounding  several  oth 
ers,  and  himself  receiving  a  wound  in  the  arm. 
The  house  was  set  on  fire,  and  the  lone  hero 
came  out,  still  fighting.  Then  for  the  first  time 
the  answer  came  back,  "  My  God  !  are  you 
Union  men  ?"  The  lone  soldier  had  deserted 
the  rebel  army  in  which  he  had  been  conscripted. 
Thinking  the  squadron  were  rebels  disguised  in 
Union  uniform,  who  had  come  to  retake  him,  he 
was  determined  not  to  be  taken  alive.  Subse 
quently  we  find  our  subject  with  Gen.  Smith  in  his 
raid  through  Miss.,  and,  July  13,  1864,  the  boys 
had  a  hard  all-day's  fight  at  Tupelo.  Just  ahead 
of  the  7th  was  a  colored  Regt.,  and  our  com 
rade  saw  many  poor  colored  lads,  exhausted, 
lay  down  by  the  wayside,  well  knowing  that  a 
rebel  bayonet  would  be  sunk  into  his  side  a  few 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


497 


minutes  later.  Oct.,  1864,  after  over  3  years  of 
active  service,  comrade  Knapp  returned  to  Ba- 
tavia,  and  soon  resumed  work  as  fireman  on  the 
C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Shortly,  he  was  put  in  charge 
of  a  locomotive  as  engineer,  and  has  filled  that 
entrusted  position  ever  since,  excepting  one 
year,  when  he  went  to  Sedgwick  Co.,  Kan.,  and 
bought  a  farm,  which  he  still  owns. 

Mr.  Knapp  was  joined  in  matrimony  to 
Jennie  Elliott,  of  Aledo,  111.,  in  1878.  By  this 
union  there  was  born  one  son,  James  Asa.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  as  a  citizen  he 
is  honored  and  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 


EGBERT  H.  OSBORN,  of  Quincy,  111.,  was 
born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  July  17,  1841,  a 
son  of  W.  S.  and  Mary  E.  (Homan)  Os- 
born,  the  latter  being  a  direct  descendant 
of  Gov.  Buckingham  of  Mass.  The  father  died 
a  few  years  ago  but  his  mother  is  still  living. 
Our  subject  had  two  brothers  in  the  late  Rebel 
lion,  one  having  served  in  the  I3th  N.  Y.  Mili 
tia,  while  the  other  was  in  the  48th  N.  Y.,  and 
forfeited  his  life  to  save  his  country  during  the 
Wilderness  campaign.  Mr.  Osborn  was  educa 
ted  at  Brooklyn,  and  on  Oct.  14,  1861,  enlisted  in 
the  army,  rendezvoused  at  N.  Y.  City,  where  he 
was  mustered  into  Co.  H.,  87th  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf., 
then  proceeded  to  Washington.  His  Regt.  was 
assigned  to  Robinson's  Brig.,  Kearney's  Div., 
Heintzleman's  Corps.  The  87th  N.  Y.  was 
composed  of  as  fine  a  lot  of  men  as  ever 
handled  muskets,  but  many  of  the  officers  were 
cowardly  and  incompetent,  and  as  a  conse 
quence  the  Regt.  was  in  a  short  time  left  with  less 
than  200  men.  It  was  consolidated  with  the 
40th  N.  Y.,  the  officers  mustered  out  and  non 
commissioned  officers  were  reduced  to  the 
ranks.  Mr.  Osborn  was  made  Corporal  of  the 
consolidated  Co.,  a  position  he  held  until  his 
discharge.  His  corps  became  a  part  of  the 
army  of  the  Potomac  with  which  he  continued 
to  be  associated  from  the  time  of  the  siege  of 
Yorktown,  until  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg, 
participating  in  all  the  battles,  skirmishes, 
sieges,  and  marches  during  that  period  in  which 

31 


his  regiment  was  engaged.  Whilst  at  Freder 
icksburg,  on  Dec.  5,  1862,  Mr.  Osborn  had  his 
feet  badly  frozen,  rendering  him  unable  to  walk 
for  many  weeks,  therefore  was  mustered  out  on 
Jan.  10,  1863  owing  to  disability,  and  two  days 
later  was  paid  off  and  finally  discharged  at 
Washington.  After  the  siege  of  Yorktown  he 
was  one  of  the  first  to  enter  the  city  upon  its 
evacuation.  On  one  occasion  he  did  special 
scout  duty  for  Gen.  Kearney  during  the  Penin 
sular  campaign,  and  the  services  rendered 
elicited  the  compliments  of  that  general,  de 
livered  publicly  for  gallantly  performing  a 
hazardous  undertaking.  At  the  battle  of  Mal- 
vern  Hill  he  was  wounded  in  the  forehead,  re 
ceiving  a  slight  wound  caused  by  an  exploded 
shell.  Whilst  in  the  87th  he  was  promoted  to 
be  a  Corporal  and  afterwards  to  be  a  Sergt.  of 
his  Co. 

After  being  discharged  he  returned  to  N. 
Y.  and  soon  after  removed  West  and  became 
an  employe  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Railroad,  part  of 
that  time  being  spent  at  Chicago  and  the  re 
mainder  at  Quincy  where  he  has  been  located 
for  upwards  of  27  years.  After  abandoning 
railroading  he  engaged  in  the  manufacturing 
business  which  in  turn  he  left  to  take  up  the 
real  estate  business. 

He  was  married  May  22,  1866,  to  Martha 
Bernard,  daughter  of  James  C.  and  Thirza  ( Kay) 
Bernard,  of  Ky.,  and  by  whom  he  has  the  fol 
lowing  children:  Helen  M.,  born  Feb.  28th, 
1872  and  Russell  H.,  Oct.  2,  1884.  He  was 
elected  and  served  as  Alderman  for  two  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  of  the  Elks, 
and  a  Free  Mason,  having  taken  every  degree 
in  masonry  excepting  the  33rd.  In  politics,  to 
use  his  own  words,  he  is  "  Mostly  Republican." 


CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  J.  BROWN,  a  lawyer  and 
a  leading  and  representative  citizen  of 
Geneva,  111.,  hails  from  Forfax,  Scotland, 
where  he  was  born  in  1833,  a  son  of  Daniel  and 
Ellen  (Shepher)  Brown.     In  1842,  the    family 
sailed    for  America  and  located   at  Virgil,   15 
miles  west  of  Geneva.     Here  the  father,   who 
was  a  farmer,  died  in  1888,  at  the  age  of  88,  his 


49S 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


estimable  wife  having  departed  ten  years  prior. 
True  patriotism  was  strikingly  characteristic 
of  the  Brown  family.  From  beneath  its  roof, 
three  staunch  and  able-bodied  sons  went  forth 
to  fight  for  the  grand  "  old  flag."  Thomas, 
now  a  druggist  at  Middle  Park,  was  a  Sergt. 
and  served  his  country  nobly  for  3  years.  John, 
a  second  brother,  now  a  merchant  at  Middle 
Park,  enlisted  in  Co.  F.,  I24th  111.  Inf.,  was 
with  his  Co.  in' all  the  many  hard-fought  battles 
and  was  mustered  out  as  a  corporal.  William, 
our  subject,  received  a  good  common  school 
education  at  Kane  Co.,  111.,  and  later  pursued 
his  studies  at  Oberlin  College,  Ohio.  He  then 
decided  to  follow  the  profession  of  a  lawyer, 
and  accordingly  we  next  find  him  a  diligent 
student  of  Blackstone  in  the  office  of  Judge  W. 
D.  Barry,  of  St.  Charles.  Subsequently  he 
opened  an  office  at  Geneva,  111.  During  the 
outbreak  of  the  great  rebellion  Capt.  Brown 
was  residing  at  Wyanett,  111.  He  was  a  true 
patriot,  a  man  of  strong  Union  sentiments.  As 
the  aggressions  of  the  secessionists  grew 
stronger  he  likewise  grew  stronger  in  his 
fidelity  to  the  Union.  In  the  summer  of  1862 
we  find  him  on  the  rostrum,  making  speeches 
in  behalf  of  the  stars  and  stripes.  Aug.  10, 
1862,  after  weeks  of  zealous  devotion  to  the 
good  work,  he  completed  the  organization  of 
Co.  C.,  of  which  he  was  made  Captain.  They 
were  assigned  to  the  93d  111.  Inf.,  and  were  mus 
tered  in  at  Camp  Douglas,  and  shortly,  marched 
to  Cairo,  arriving  Oct.  29,  and  embarking  for 
Memphis.  From  here  they  started  out  on  the 
Tallahatchee  expedition,  returning  and  shortly 
participating  in  another  expedition  into  the 
Yazoo  country.  After  weeks  of  constant 
marching  we  find  the  Captain  facing  the  hot 
fire  of  the  enemy  in  the  battle  of  Thompson 
Hill,  Bayou  Pierre,  Raymond,  Jackson,  Cham 
pion  Hills,  and  Black  River  Bridge. 

At  Champion  Hills  he  was  wounded,  but 
never  "gave  up  the  ship."  Then  came  the  long 
and  memorable  seige  of  Vicksburg,  in  all  of 
which  he  was  actively  engaged.  After  the  sur 
render  of  the  city,  July  4,  1863,  the  Regt.  re 
ceived  a  short  furlough,  returning,  it  went  to 
the  assistance  of  Gen.  Steele,  at  Helena,  Ark. 


Next  they  moved  on  to  Memphis,  from  whence 
they  engaged  in  an  expedition  to  luka,  Miss. 
During  their  stay  at  Memphis,  Captain  Brown 
was  actively  engaged  in  Court  Martial  service, 
while  his  Co.  marched  on  and  fought  at  Mission 
ary  Ridge,  Nov.  23,  1863.  He  rejoined  it  at 
Huntsville,  Ala.,  Then  came  months  and 
months  of  marches  and  counter  marches  and 
minor  engagements,  and  Oct.  5,  1864,  they  en 
countered  the  enemy  in  that  stubbornly  fought 
battle  of  Alatoona  Pass,  Ga.  Here,  while  open 
ing  a  package  of  ammunition  Capt.  Brown  was 
wounded  in  the  neck.  He  returned  home  on 
leave  of  absence  and  remained  until  his  recov 
ery,  when  he  rejoined  his  comrades  at  Savannah, 
in  their  long,  arduous  march  through  the  Caro- 
linas,  participating  in  all  the  skirmishes  and 
hardships  of  that  memorable  campaign.  On 
ward  to  Washington,  where  he  led  his  Co.  in 
the  grand  review,  thence  to  Louisville,  Ky., 
where  he  was  mustered  out  July,  1865,  after 
nearly  3  years  of  active  service. 

Since  the  war  Capt.  Brown  has  resided  at 
Geneva,  111.,  excepting  four  years,  which  were 
spent  on  his  fruit  farm,  which  he  still  owns,  and 
which  is  located  near  Kinmundy,  111. 

He  was  married  in  1857,  to  Mary  Baxter, 
daughter  of  Richard  Baxter,  who  emigrated 
from  England  when  a  young  man.  By  this 
union  4  children  were  born,  namely:  May,  now 
Mrs.  W.  E.  Hogeboom;  Richard  K.;  Fannie  and 
Millie,  the  two  latter  of  whom  are  dead.  A  true 
soldier.Capt.-  Brown  takes  live  interest  in  all  army 
matters.  He  is  Past  Commander  of  the  G.  A.  R 
Post  at  Geneva,  and  also  at  Kinmundy.  He  is 
a  Mason,  and  for  the  past  six  years  has  been 
High  Priest  of  Fox  River  Chapter,  No.  14,  at 
Geneva. 


BREVET  MAJ.  GEN.  GEORGE  A.  CUSTER,  born 
in  1837  in  tne  State  of  Ohio.     Educated 
in  the  West  Point  Military  Academy,  and 
graduated    in    the    spring    of    1861.     Entered 
military    service  as    2nd    Lieutenant'  of  Cav.  in 
the  regular  army  immediately  after  graduating 
and    joined   the    army  of   the    Potomac,   June, 
1861.     Exhibiting    military    talents    of     good 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


499 


promise  during  the  fall  and  winter  of  1861,  he 
was  promoted  to  first  Lieut,  and  Captain  in  the 
regular  service.  In  the  spring  of  1862  he  was  made 
an  Aid-de-Camp,  and  placed  on  Gen.  McClel- 
lan's  Staff.  For  distinguished  conduct  during 
the  famous  campaign  on  the  Peninsula,  Custer 
was  made  a  Brig.  Gen.  of  Volunteers,  June  29, 
1863.  Took  part  in  all  the  Cav.  movements  in 
the  army  of  the  Potomac,  under  McClellan, 
Pope,  Burnside,  Hooker  and  Mead.  In  Gen. 
Mead's  campaign  into  Pa.  in  1863,  Gen.  Custer 
commanded  the  2d  Brig,  in  Kilpatrick's 
Div.  of  Cav.,  and  acted  a  prominent  and  dis 
tinguished  part  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 
Gen.  Pleasanton,  at  that  time  Chief  of  Cavalry 
in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  said  on  one  occa 
sion  that  "  Custer  is  the  best  cavalry  officer  in 
the  world,  and  I  have  given  him  the  best  Brig, 
to  command."  This  observation  was  made  of 
Custer,  while  he  was  yet  a  subaltern  and  only 
loaned  to  cavalry  expeditions  as  Gen.  McClel- 
ian  used  to  say.  Afterwards,  however,  when 
Custer  had  been  tried  in  the  most  critical  emer 
gency — on  the  field  in  battles,  retreats  and  sabre 
charges,  that  same  distinguished  officer  said 
that  "  Custer  had  met  his  highest  expectations." 
The  ensuing  fall  he  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  leg,  but  absolutely  refused  to  quit  the  field 
or  accept  leave  of  absence  from  active  service. 
During  Gen.  Sheridan's  raid  around  Richmond, 
he  found  the  rebels  on  one  occasion  strongly 
fortified  on  a  commanding  hill,  holding  the 
only  route  on  which  the  Union  army  could 
advance. 

It  proved  to  be  one  of  the  outer  works  of 
the  Rebel  fortifications  around  Richmond  and 
was  manned  by  a  strong  garrison.  Sheridan's 
army  halted,  and  Custer  ordered  to  dislodge 
the  enmey.  All  supposed  that,  in  attempting 
an  enterprise  so  hazardous,  a  position  would  be 
taken,  lines  formed,  batteries  planted,  cavalry 
dismounted  and  the  attack  made  in  accordance 
with  the  known  and  approved  rules  of  war. 
Not  so,  however,  with  the  intrepid  Custer. 
The  usual  cautions  and  preliminaries  were  too 
previous  for  his  impetuous  nature.  Quickly 
forming  his  command  in  line,  he  ordered  the 
men  to  draw  sabres  and  charge  front.  In  the 


face  of  a  galling  fire  from  the  Rebel  artillery 
these  daring  cavaliers,  under  Custer's  lead  rode 
headlong  on  the  enemy's  works,  brandishing 
their  burnished  blades  andyelling  like  demons. 
The  works  were  taken  and  the  enemy  igno- 
miniously  routed.  The  whole  proceeding  occu 
pied  less  than  an  hour.  When  Custer  notified 
the  commander  that  the  way  was  open  the 
expedition  moved  quietly  on.  If  Custer,  on 
this  occasion,  had  attacked  the  enemy  in  reg 
ular  military  order,  notice  would  have  reached 
Richmond,  the  enemy  would  have  been  re 
inforced,  and,  perhaps,  Sheridan's  entire  expedi 
tion  captured  or  defeated.  Bold,  dashing  and 
daring,  Custer  was  always  chosen  to  head  cav 
alry  expeditions  of  unusual  hazard  or  diffi 
culty.  He  always  led  his  column  in  person, 
and  never  wanted  a  soldier  to  go  with  him  who 
would  hesitate  a  moment  to  ride  right  straight 
on  to  the  Rebel  army,  if  ordered.  Although 
young  in  years,  Custer  fairly  and  nobly  won 
enduring  honors  as  a  cavalry  leader. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  made  Lieut. 
Col.  with  brevet  rank  as  Maj.  Gen.  In  1867  he 
served  on  Gen.  Hancock's  expedition  against 
the  Cheyennes  and  Sioux,  but  was  tried  by 
court  martial  and  suspended  for  a  year  for  cru 
elty  to  his  men  and  leaving  his  command  with 
out  permission.  He  conducted  his  regiment  to 
Dakota,  serving  in  the  Yellowstone  expedition, 
and  a  year  later  explored  the  Black  Hills.  His 
report  regarding  that  region  stimulated  white 
immigration  whose  encroachments  upon  the 
reservations  led  to  trouble  with  the  hostile 
Sioux  under  Sitting  Bull.  In  1876  Gen.  Sheri 
dan  ordered  an  expedition  in  three  columns  un 
der  Gens.  Terry,  Gibbon  and  Crook  to  subdue 
them.  Custer  led  Gen.  Terry's  column,  and 
when  near  Little  Big  Horn  River,  divided  his 
command  into  three  parts,  and  pushed  on  with 
five  companies.  General  Custer  and  all  his 
force  were  captured  and  killed  June  25,  1876. 
In  1879  a  statue  to  his  memory  was  erected  at 
West  Point. 

In  person,  Gen.  Custer  was  small  in  stature 
—five  feet,  ten  inches  high,  light  complexion, 
fair  skin,  flaxen  hair  and  blue  eyes.  With  a 
Roman  nose,  a  restless  eye  and  broad  forehead, 


;oo 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


he  looked  every  inch  a  bold  cavalier.  His  hair 
curled  handsomely  and  was  worn  long,  reach 
ing  far  down  on  his  shoulders.  His  appear 
ance  was  peculiar,  gay  and  intelligent.  Mount 
ed  on  a  horse,  he  looked  the  very  beau-ideal 
of  a  trooper. 


DR.  JAMES  G.  ELDER,  of  Fisher,  111.,  was 
born  in  Pa.,  Oct.  3,  1826,  a  son  of  Joseph 
and  Jane  (Gagehy)  Elder,  who  were  of 
Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  A  paternal  ancestor 
of  the  Dr.  was  one  of  those  who  came  to  this 
country  in  the  May-Flower.  Joseph  Elder  the 
father  of  our  subject  was  highly  educated  and 
connected  with  several  institutions  of  learning 
during  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  The  Dr. 
received  a  liberal  education  under  the  tuition 
of  his  father,  preparing  him  for  a  teacher. 
After  teaching  4  years  he  entered  the  Wash 
ington  College  and  afterwards  the  Jefferson 
University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
medical  department,  and  immediately  com 
menced  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession. 
He  remained  but  one  year  in  his  first  location, 
then  removed  to  Lexington  where  he  practiced 
until  he  laid  down  his  surgeon's  knife  to 
shoulder  his  musket  in  defense  of  his  country. 
He  could,  for  the  asking,  have  been  surgeon  of 
his  Regt.  but  he  had  gone  into  the  army  bent 
upon  fighting,  and  not  for  the  purpose  of  ap 
plying  the  healing  art,  to  those  who  might  fall 
in  battle.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  D.,  54th  Pa.  Vol. 
Inf.  It  soon  became  evident  to  the  Doctor's 
superior  officers  that  in  filling  a  subordinate 
position  in  the  ranks  he  was  not  fulfilling  his 
destiny  and  therefore  he  was  promoted  to  1st 
Lieut,  of  his  company.  The  anxiety  and  sus 
pense  experienced  by  a  soldier  engaged  in  war 
fare,  are  generally  sufficiently  burdensome — 
but  in  the  Dr's.  instance  other  and  unexpected 
troubles  crowded  upon  him,  he  was  called  home 
to  bury  his  eldest  boy — Joseph  Clarence  whose 
sad  and  untimely  death  created  a  vacant  chair 
in  that  happy  family  circle.  This  last  and 
solemn  duty  performed  he  immediately  re 
joined  his  Regt.  at  Washington  City,  and  after 
a  short  delay  there  moved  by  rail  to  Hancock, 


thence  to  Romley  and  Cumberlin,  Md.,  and 
was  employed  guarding  the  heights  about 
Hagerstown,  and  to  prevent  Lee's  army  from 
crossing  the  river.  They  pursued  Lee's  army 
to  North  Mt.,  returned  to  Romley,  built  forts 
on  the  heights  as  also  at  Petersburg. 

His  Regt.  then  proceeded  to  Martinsburg, 
where  it  was  formed  into  a  Div.  of  the  2Oth  A. 
C.,  under  Gen.  Sigel,  and  proceeded  to  Win 
chester,  encountering  the  enemy  under  Breck- 
enridge,  was  defeated  and  fell  back  to  Cedar 
Creek.  Here  Gen.  Hunter  superseded  Sigel 
in  command,  and  renewed  the  march  and  4 
miles  from  Port  Royal,  near  Piedmont,  was 
attacked,  but  after  a  stubborn  fight  the  Rebels 
were  repulsed  with  much  slaughter  and  loss  of 
I  ,OOO  prisoners.  They  defeated  the  Rebels  again 
at  Lexington,  pushed  on  to  Lynchburg  destroy 
ing  the  railroad  at  that  place  and  camped  for 
the  night.  In  the  morning  were  attacked  by 
the  enemy,  fell  back  across  the  Alleghany 
Mts.,  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Big  Kanawha 
River,  and  took  boats 'for  Parkersburg,  then 
moved  by  rail  to  Martinsburg,  thence  to 
Snicker's  Gap  and  through  the  Gap  and  across 
the  river  to  Shenancloah  Valley  to  reconnoiter 
the  place.  They  found  the  enemy  in  large 
numbers  under  Early,  outnumbering  the  Union 
forces  in  the  proportion  of  4  to  I,  by  whom 
they  were  attacked  and  compelled  to  fall  back 
through  the  Gap.  Here  they  made  a  stand. 
The  next  morning  they  recrossed  the  river 
and  moved  to  Winchester  where  they  were 
attacked  by  Early,  but  could  not  resist  the 
immensely  superior  numbers,  and  therefore 
fell  back  to  Williamsport  where  Gen.  Sheri 
dan  relieved  Hunter.  At  this  action  Dr.  El 
der  was  struck  in  the  foot  by  a  spent  ball, 
causing  him  to  fall  forward  on  a  pile  of  rub 
bish  resulting  in  a  severe  shock  and  injuring 
his  spine.  He  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  An 
napolis,  Md.,  where  he  was  necessarily  de 
tained  5  months  and  from  which  injuries  he 
has  never  fully  recovered.  He  joined  the 
command  and  was  soon  in  the  battle  of  Opa- 
can,  where  the  boys  enjoyed  the  extreme 
pleasure  of  defeating  Gen.  Early's  forces  and 
driving  him  back  to  Cedar  Creek,  where  an- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


other  battle  was  fought  with  similar  success  to 
the  Union  army.  The  fleeing  Rebels  were  fol 
lowed  to  Fisher's  Hill,  where  Gen.  Early  and 
his  rebel  soldiers  were  captured.  The  Dr's 
Regt.  was  then  placed  in  the  24th  A.  C.,  and 
sent  in  front  of  Richmond  where  he  remained 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  veteranized  in 
1863,  but  took  no  furlough,  therefore  he  was 
with  his  command  continuously  for  4  years, 
excepting  when  absent  to  bury  his  boy  and 
whilst  in  the  hospital. 

The  Dr's  usefulness  was  not  confined  to  his 
duties  as  soldier,  as  he  was  constantly  en 
gaged  among  the  sick,  wounded  and  dying; 
his  medical  ability  and  skill  exerted  on  be 
half  of  his  unfortunate  comrades,  being  always 
at  the  command  of  those  in  need  of  it.  He  is 
prominent  in  G.  A.  R.  circles,  a  high  degree 
Odd  Fellow;  a  Master  Mason,  and  whilst  in 
Pa.,  was  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Masons  of  the  State  of  Maryland.  Is  a  Re 
publican. 

In  1867,  he  removed  to  111.,  located  in  Old- 
town,  where  he  practiced  till  1876,  when  he 
removed  to  Fisher  and  built  the  2d  home 
erected  in  that  place  and  is  now  conducting  a' 
large  practice  in  his  adopted  town.  He  was 
married  Dec.  I,  1865,  to  Susan  King,  and  four 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  only  one  of 
whom  is  now  living — Capt.  James  Alexander 
Elder,  a  promising  young  man  and  now  Capt. 
of  the  Sons  of  Veterans  of  Fisher.  Skillful 
in  his  profession,  genial  and  honorable  as  a 
gentleman  he  sustains  his  same  good  relations 
to  the  community  which  he  did  throughout 
the  war  as  a  brave  and  able  soldier. 


M 


AJ.  GEN.  NATHANIEL  P.  BANKS,  born  at 
Waltham,  Mass.,  Jan.  20,  1816,  entered 
military  service  as  Maj.  Gen.  of  the  Vol. 
army,  May  16,  1861.  In  early  life  Gen.  Banks 
had  enjoyed  very  few  advantages.  His  par 
ents  were  unable  to  afford  him  any  better  edu 
cation  than  was  furnished  in  the  factories  and 
common  schools  of  Mass,  in  the  old  dispensa 
tion.  Notwithstanding,  these  embarrassments 


he  manfully  met  and  rapidly  surmounted  diffi 
culties  that  would  have  deterred  a  great  major 
ity  of  his  age.  From  childhood  he  was  enter 
prising.  While  yet  the  bobbin  boy  of  the  fac 
tory  he  was  active  and  prompt  at  the  Sabbath 
school.  While  filling  the  quills  with  factory 
yarn,  he  was  filling  his  mind  with  useful  knowl 
edge  for  future  use.  Long  before  he  reached 
manhood  he  read  extensively,  studied  the  art 
of  debating,  formed  literary  societies,  and  con 
tributed  to  the  neighboring  papers.  In  1849 
he  was  elected  by  the  Democratic  party  to  a 
seat  in  the  Massachusetts  Legislature.  In  1850 
he  was  re-elected  and  chosen  Speaker  of  the 
House.  In  1862  he  was  elected  to  Congress, 
and,  after  a  long  and  exciting  struggle,  was 
elected  Speaker  of  the  Lower  House  of  Con 
gress.  In  this  position  his  ready  knowledge 
of  parliamentary  law,  and  his  prompt  and  im 
partial  decisions,  secured  for  him  a  National 
reputation.  After  serving  one  term  in  Con 
gress,  he  was  elected  Governor  of  his  own 
State,  in  which  position  his  strict  integrity, 
practical  industry,  and  executive  ability  proved 
eminently  useful  to  Massachusetts.  Declining 
a  second  nomination  for  Governor,  he  accepted 
a  presidency  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
and  went  to  the  West.  He  remained  in  this 
position  until  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion. 
It  is  a  singular  fact  that  Speaker  Banks  had 
long  anticipated  a  war  with  slavery,  and  had 
spent  much  time  in  the  study  of  military 
science  preparatory  to  such  an  event.  Soon 
after  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  he  ten 
dered  his  services  to  aid  the  government  in 
suppressing  the  Rebellion;  and  May  16,  1861, 
was  commissioned  Maj.  Gen.  in  the  Vol.  service 
On  entering  service  he  was  ordered  to  succeed 
Gen.  Butler  in  command  at  Baltimore, Md.  Trans 
ferred  from  Baltimore  he  next  took  command 
of  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and,  after  a  succes 
sion  of  skirmishes  with  Stonewall  Jackson  s 
forces,  finally  succeeded  in  defeating  the  Rebels 
at  Winchester,  Va.,  March  22,  1862.  During 
the  same  year  he  commanded  the  defenses 
around  the  capital,  during  the  campaign  in  Md. 
and  the  battleof  Antietam.  In  the  winter  of  '62 
and  '63  Gen.  Banks  fitted  out  an  expedition  to 


502 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  South,  landed  at  New  Orleans  and  super 
seded  Gen.  Butler,  at  that  time  in  command  of 
the  Department  of  the  South.  While  in  this  com 
mand  he  made  an  extensive  campaign  through 
N.  La.  and  the  Red  River  country,  in  which  he 
captured  Fort  Hudson  and  took  possession  of 
Baton  Rouge,  the  capital  of  the  State.  At  the 
close  of  this  campaign  he  returned  to  New 
Orleans,  and  assumed  the  critical  duty  of  gov 
erning  that  conquered  and  subdued  city.  The 
administration  of  Gen.  Banks  was  mild  and 
conservative,  contrasting  so  strongly  with  that 
of  his  predecessor  that  it  obtained  a  wide  pop 
ularity  among  all  classes  of  citizens. 

At  the  end  of  the  war  Gen.  Banks  returned 
to  Mass,  and  was  elected  a  member  of  Con 
gress,  taking  his  seat  in  Dec.,  1865.  He  con 
tinued  in  public  life  and  is  an  eminent  states 
man  and  truly  representative  American. 

His  records  furnish  a  signal  instance  of  the 
triumphs  of  patient  industry  and  strict  integ 
rity.  Once  the  child  of  misfortune  and  pov 
erty,  he  rose  to  become  an  honored  citizen, 
distinguished  leader  and  popular  representa 
tive. 


M 


ARTIN  FINCH,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  the  sub 
ject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  near  Green 
field,  Highland  Co.,  Ohio,  Jan.  25,  1842. 
His  father,  John  W.,  was  a  Virginian  by  birth, 
and  his  father,  also  John  W.,  was  a  soldier  of 
the  Revolution,  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment 
being  a  mere  boy,  and  serving  with  his  four 
brothers.  The  father  of  John  B.,  the  great 
grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a 
Colonel  in  the  British  army,  and  was  killed  soon 
after  the  beginning  of  the  war  ot  the  Revolu 
tion.  His  name  was  John  Barnet  Finch,  and 
his  American  progenitors  were  among  the  Col 
onists  at  the*  first  permanent  Fnglish  settlement 
in  the  U.  S.  at  Jamestown,  Va.,  in  1607.  The 
family  date  their  origin  in  Ireland.  John  W., 
the  grandfather  of  Martin  Finch,  of  this  mem 
oir,  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  Many 
of  the  families,  except  that  of  John  W.,  were 
soldiers  of  the  confederacy,  and  many  of  them 
were  numbered  with  the  fatalities  of  the  great 


Civil  Conflict,  over  30  of  the  name  being  among 
the  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  The 
mother  of  J,  Martin  Finch  was  Hester,  a  daugh 
ter  of  James  Boatright,  who  was  also,  when  a 
boy,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  This  family 
came  originally  from  England  and  were  among 
the  early  settlers  of  the  Virginia  Colony,  and 
persons  of  great  wealth  and  influence.  James 
Boatright  died  in  1851,  at  the  rare  old  age  of 
102  years. 

J.  Martin  Finch  enlisted  Sept.  Qth  1861,  in 
Co.  A.,  6oth  Ohio  Inf.,  and  joined  his  Regt.  at 
Hillsboro,  Ohio,  going  thence  to  New  Creek, 
Va.,  where  his  Regt.  was  assigned  to  the  Div. 
of  Gen.  Fremont  in  the  army  of  the  Shenan- 
doah.  He  participated  in  the  campaigns  of 
Romney,  Franklin  and  Cross  Keys,  at  the 
latter  place  being  engaged  in  a  fierce  encounter 
with  the  forces  of  Stonewall  Jackson.  In  this 
engagement  Gen.  Shield's  command  was  badly 
cut  to  pieces  and  was  relieved  by  Fremont, 
Jackson  escaping  up  the  valley.  The  command 
went  to  Winchester,  after  this,  where  they 
strongly  entrenched  themselves,  thence  moving 
on  to  Harper's  Ferry,  wrhere  they  were  sur- 
surrendered  as  prisoners  by  Gen.  Miles,  being 
paroled  and  sent  to  Chicago  and  soon  after 
discharged. 

Mr.  Finch  re-enlisted  in  the  Cav.  service 
having  never  been  exchanged,  and  remained  in 
the  service  to  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was 
present  at  Johnston's  surrender,  at  Durham 
Station,  the  final  act  in  the  drama,  after  which 
he  returned  home  to  Hillsboro.  He  was  married 
to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Daniel  Shuff,  of  Cler- 
mont  Co.,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Finch  had  a  brother  in 
the  Union  army,  who  was  at  Libby  prison  for 
three  weeks,  and  a  prisoner  at  Danville,  Va., 
for  over  18  months.  Of  the  Finch  family  of 
Ohio  there  were  four  in  the  service  of  the 
Union,  namely— M.  V.,  I.  H.  and  H.  M.  They 
are  now  dead.  After  the  war  Mr.  Finch  re 
moved  to  Henderson,  Knox  Co.,  111.  Henry 
Shuff,  his  wife's  brother,  served  from  the  be 
ginning  to  the  end  of  the  war,  being  among 
last  of  his  department  to  be  discharged,  and, 
mourned  by  his  family  as  dead,  his  return  home 
creating  great  surprise  and  joy. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


503 


After  the  end  of  the  war  Mr.  Finch  followed 
his  trade  of  carriage  maker  for  18  years.  During 
the  past  ten  years  he  has  been  lecturer  for  the 
I.  O.  G.  T.  of  J:he  State  of  111.,  having  delivered 
lectures  in  every  county  of  the  State,  and  with 
great  success.  He  is  the  father  of  five  chil 
dren — four  boys  and  a  girl.  They  are:  Clifton, 
now  living  near  Gunnison  City,  Col.;  Frank,  a 
young  man  who  officiates  as  advance  agent  for 
his  father;  Lucian,  a  clerk  in  a  music  store  at 
Galesburg;  Ernest,  a  youth  of  ten,  and  Nellie, 
a  bright  little  girl  of  five  years. 

Mr.  Finch  is  a  prohibitionist  ;  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  No.  45,  of  Galesburg,  and  the  Jun 
ior  Order  of  American  Mechanics.  He  takes  a 
deep  interest  in  those  orders,  and  has  on  several 
occasions  delivered  discourses  at  their  assem 
blies.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
and  a  staunch  advocate  of  whatever  can  con 
duce  to  the  moral  education  and  elevation  of 
humanity. 

In  the  last  ten  years  Mr.  Finch  has  traveled 
more  and  lectured  oftener,  and  made  more 
lodges  and  pledged  more  men  to  total  absti 
nence  than  any  other  one  man  in  the  world. 


PHILLIP  R.  TOLL,  of  Kewanee,  111.,  one  of 
the  battle-scarred  veterans  of  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion,  is  a  native  of  Canada,  born 
Aug.  5,  1839.  His  parents  were  John  and  Ann 
Toll,  who  were  residents  of  England,  but  mi 
grated  to  Kent  Co.,  Canada,  where  their  son 
was  born  and  lived  until  he  was  19  years  of  age, 
when  he  crossed  the  line  into  the  U.  S.,  locating 
at\Vyanet,Ill.,in  1859,  and  made  his  home  there 
up  to  the  time  of  his  enlistment  in  the  army. 
In  1862,  when  it  was  evident  that,  with  fanati 
cal  secessionists  in  the  front  and  traitors  at 
home,  the  life  of  the  Union  hung  in  the  balance. 
Mr.  Toll  decided  that  his  duty  called  him,  in  no 
uncertain  tones,  to  make  every  sacrifice  for  his 
adopted  country,  and  battle  for  her  defense.  Ac 
cordingly  he  enlisted  in  Co.  I. ,93d  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  went  immediately  to  the  front,  first  smell 
ing  the  powder  of  battle  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  and 
a  day  or  two  later  went  into  that  disastrous  en 


counter  at  Champion  Hills,  which  sadly  dissemi 
nated  the  enthusiastic  [.regiment,  as  it  was 
flanked  and  surrounded  at  one  time  by  the  ene 
my  that  had  not  yet  been  discomfited  by  the 
crushing  defeats  that  followed  in  quick  succes 
sion. 

This  Regt.,  from  its  first  baptism  in  the  fire 
and  blood  of  battlefields,  was  kept  in  active 
service,  taking  part  in  the  famous  and  desper 
ate  charge  at  Vicksburg,  May  22,  and  all  through 
that  long  and  determined  siege  which  followed, 
then  on  by  long  marches  and  crowded  trans 
portation  boats,  through  the  changes  and  vicis 
situdes  that  brought  it  to  the  front  and  into  the 
battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Mr.  Toll  relates  a  personal  incident  which 
occurred  at  Chattanooga  that  well  illustrates 
one  of  those  peculiar  changes  which  were  so 
common  in  warfare.  He  was  in  the  ranks,  firing 
at  the  enemy,  when  he  noticed  a  rebel  soldier 
directly  in  front  of  him,  holding  aloft  a  large 
flag.  He  decided  that  this  rebel  would  make 
a  good  target,  and  fired  at  him,  but  missed  his 
aim  ;  lying  down  to  load,  he  raised  himself 
again  to  take  better  aim,  and  just  as  he  was 
ready  to  fire,  a  piece  of  shell  struck  Mr.  Toll  in 
the  right  forearm,  breaking  both  bones,  and 
thus  saving  the  rebel's  life.  A  moment's  delay 
in  the  arrival  of  the  shell  might  have  made 
considerable  difference  to  both  parties.  Mr. 
Toll  was  removed  to  the  hospital,  and  then  fur- 
loughed  to  go  home.  He  rejoined  his  Regt. 
July  10,  1864,  at  Yorkville,  Ga.,  and  had  been 
with  his  comrades  but  1 1  days,  when,  in  the 
battle  of  Allatoona,  he  was  again  wounded  in 
the  same  arm  by  a  minie  ball,  which  struck  the 
wrist,  cutting  away  a  part  of  the  bone  and 
knocking  the  gun  out  of  his  hands.  He  was 
sent  to  Nashville,  where  the  wound  healed,  but 
the  arm  remaining  weak,  he  was  detailed  for 
light  service  at  that  place,  so  was  in  Nashville 
at  the  time  of  the  engagement  there,  and  was 
on  duty  caring  for  the  wounded  that  were  in 
jured  in  that  battle.  At  this  place  Mr.  Toll  re 
mained  until  May  20,  1865,  when  he  was  dis 
charged. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Toll  located  at  Wyanet, 
and  resumed  his  avocation  as  a  farmer,  well 


504 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


satisfied  with  the  result  of  his  service,  and  what 
he  had  given  for  the  defense  and  permanence 
of  the  National  Union.  He  remained  on  the 
farm  about  five  years,  and  then  removed  to 
Princeton,  and  became  interested  in  the  stock 
business,  buying  and  selling  cattle.  After  some 
time  thus  engaged  he  returned  to  Wyanet,  and 
later  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  in  the 
livery  business,  and  in  the  spring  of  1891  be 
came  a  general  merchant.  He  has  made  some 
profitable  investments  outside  of  his  regular 
line  of  trade,  and  is  the  possessor  of  a  tract  of 
good  land  in  Neb.,  partly  under  cultivation. 

Mr.  Toll  was  married,  just  after  enlistment 
in  the  army,  to  Elizabeth  Sisler,  who  died  in 
1869,  leaving  two  children  —  Nettie,  who  died 
in  Princeton  at  the  age  of  16  years,  and  Harry, 
who  is  now  a  farmer  near  Wyanet.  Mr.  Toll 
chose  a  second  wife,  and  was  wedded  to  Miss 
Trout,  of  Abingdon,  111.,  a  daughter  of  David 
Trout,  who  moved  to  111.  from  the  South  after 
the  war. 

A  Republican  in  politics,  a  fine  business 
man  with  thorough  executive  ability,  Mr.  Toll 
has  always,  when  he  could  accept,  been  honored 
with  some  municipal  position  in  the  various 
places  where  he  has  made  his  home  and  become 
acquainted.  He  has  by  his  frugality  and  enter 
prise  accumulated  a  satisfactory  amount  of 
property,  so  that  a  comfortable  income  and 
established  business  tend  to  lighten  the  declin 
ing  years  of  his  life,  which  has  ever  been 
active  and  progressive. 


LIEUT.  JOSEPH  WARE,  of  Mahomet,  111., 
was  born  in  Ohio,  Jan.  10,  1838,  a  son  of 
Lester'  and  Jane  (Reed)  Ware.  The 
senior  Ware  was  born  in  Pa.,  and  subsequently 
removed  to'Ohio,  where  he  became  a  lawyer  of 
considerable  prominence.  It  was  there  our 
subject  received  a  liberal  education,  consider 
ing  the  period.  The  death  of  his  mother  oc 
curred  when  he  was  three  years  of  age.  His 
father  moved  from  Cincinnati  in  1853,  settling 
near  Mahomet,  111.,  where  he  remained  for 
about  two  years  and  then  moved  to  Iowa.  In 


1856  our  subject  returned  to  Ohio,  remained 
there  two  years,  when  he  again  moved  to  111., 
and  engaged  in  farming  near  Clinton,  DeWitt 
Co.,  until  the  Spring  of  1861,  when  he  settled 
in  the  town  of  Clinton.  He  answered  the  Pres 
ident's  first  call  for  troops,  and  as  the  quota  had 
been  made  up  his  Co.  was  refused.  A  few 
months  later  he  became  a  member  of  Co.  C., 
4ist  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  sent  to  St.  Louis, 
where  the  men  were  armed  and  equipped. 
They  then  moved  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  thence 
to  Paducah,  Ky.,  where  they  assisted  at  build 
ing  fortifications  and  made  a  reconnoissance 
between  that  point  and  the  Miss.  River.  In 
Jan.,  1862,  they  went  on  an  1 1  days  march  to  Fort 
Henry,  and  suffered  much  from  the  exposure 
to  the  cold  rains  and  snows,  then  returned  and 
went  to  camp  at  Paducah  until  Feb.  Com 
mencing  in  Feb.,  Lieut.  Ware  led  an  active  life, 
he  was  engaged  in  the  capture  of  Ft.  Henry, 
the  battles  of  Ft.  Donelson  and  Shiloh,  where 
he  rendered  his  country  distinguished  service. 
It  was  here  brave  Lient.  Col.  Tupper  fell  dead 
whilst  leading  his  men,  and  in  obedience  to  his 
expressed  wish — when  accepting  a  flag  at  De- 
catur — at  the  organization  of  the  Regt.,  to  the 
effect  that  should  he  be  killed  in  the  service, 
he  desired  to  be  wrapped  in  the  flag  and  his 
body  sent  home,  this  request  was  literally  ful 
filled.  The  flag  is  still  in  possession  of  his 
daughter.  Lieut.  Ware  next  moved  to  Corinth, 
took  part  in  the  siege,  then  to  Memphis,  and 
later  fought  in  the  battle  of  Hatchie  River.  He 
took  part  in  the  operations  against  Vicksburg 
in  the  spring  of  1863,  and  was  in  the  trenches 
around  that  city  until  its  surrender,  exposed 
daily  to  the  fire  from  the  rebels.  He  went  to 
Jackson,  and  with  two  other  Regts.  composed 
the  2nd  Brig.,  4th  Div.,  i/th  A.  C.,  which  made 
that  desperate  charge  which  precipitated  the 
battle  at  that  point,  resulting  in  the  loss  of  300 
men  of  the  Brig,  in  less  than  ten  minutes.  Im 
mediately  before  the  charge  the  enemy  was 
pouring  shot  and  shell  into  the  ranks. 

An  opportunity  offering,  he  filled  his  can 
teen  with  water  and  as  he  did  so,  his  Lieut., 
Col.  Nail,  standing  close  by,  asked  for  a  drink, 
and  as  he  passed  him  the  canteen  it  was  struck 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


505 


with  a  bullet,  which  pierced  it  and  lodged  in 
Col's  stomach,  knocking  him  down.  The  can 
teen  however  had  exhausted  the  force  of  the 
ball,  and  thus  a  life  was  saved.  The  following 
winter  was  spent  in  the  vicinity  of  Vicksburg, 
where  Lieut.  Ware  veteranized  and  started  for 
home  on  furlough.  At  Springfield  while  on 
their  way  home  he  and  his  comrades  were 
armed,  placed  on  cars  and  hurried  to  Charles- 
.ton  to  repel  an  attack  made  by  the  members 
of  the  Golden  Circle,  upon  unarmed  soldiers, 
and  after  many  of  the  former  had  been  killed 
and  captured,  Mr.  Ware  was  permitted  to  enjoy 
his  furlough.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  rejoined 
his  Regt.  at  Nashville,  went  to  Tunnel  Hill, 
Ga.,  thence  to  Marietta,  where  he  was  detailed 
to  the  pioneer  corps.  Lieut.  W^are  was  assigned 
to  Co.  K.,  53d  111.,  but  he  did  not  serve  therein 
after  the  battle  of  Atlanta,  as  he  was  commis 
sioned  Lieut.  Co.  D.,  which  he  had  recruited  in 
that  section,  I35th  U..S.  C.  T.  He  led  his 
Co.  upon  the  march  to  the  sea,  being  usually 
in  advance  assisting  in  building  bridges  and 
roads.  After  the  capture  of  Savannah  he  turned 
Northward  with  Sherman's  army  through  the 
Carolinas  and  on  to  Washington,  being  the  only 
colored  troops  who  had  accompanied  this  com 
mand.  He  took  part  in  the  Grand  Review.  On 
one  occasion  being  out  scouting  near  Jackson 
he  was  fired  upon,  and  in  making  his  escape, 
his  horse  fell,  throwing  him  and  breaking  his 
collar  bone,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  con 
tinues  to  be  a  sufferer.  After  the  grand  re 
view  he  was  sent  to  Louisville,  where  he  was 
mustered  out  Oct.  21,  1865,  and  recommended 
for  Capt. 

After  the  war  he  moved  to  Minn.,  and  en 
gaged  in  farming,  but  in  1868  and  1869  was  em 
ployed  in  building  forts  Ransom  and  Pembiln 
in  Minn.  He  has  been  twice  married,  the  first 
time  to  Mary  Truet,  who  died  in  1878, 
leaving  two  children,  Charles  and  Lottie.  His 
last  marriage  was  to  Ella  McFeeters,  Jan.  7,- 
1883.  He  has  since  his  residence  in  Mahomet 
been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising. 

Lieut.  Ware  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  a  Republican,  having  cast  his  first  vote  for 
President  Lincoln. 


AM.  SWENGEL,  a  prominent  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post,  at  Princeton,  Bureau  Co., 
111.,  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union 
army  at  the  first  call  of  the  President  which 
was  for  three  month's  men.  He  joined  Co.  I., 
I2th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  April,  1861,  and  served  at 
Cairo,  111.,  and  Paducah,  Ky.,  being  most  of 
the  time  on  detailed  duty. 

July  24,  of  the  same  year  he  re-enlisted  in 
the  I2th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  went  into  the  field. 
In  the  winter  of  1863,  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  Mr. 
Swengel  enlisted  as  a  veteran,  starting  out  as  a 
private  he  was  promoted  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  to 
Sergeant  Major.  With  a  record  reaching  over 
four  years  active  service  and  participating  in 
many  of  the  fiercest  battles  of  the  war  with  no 
absence  from  duty  during  this  time,  except 
while  home  on  a  veteran  furlough,  Sergeant 
Major  Swengel  escaped  every  injury  and 
returned  untouched  by  a  bullet  or  disease 
except  contracting  rheumatism.  This  is  all 
the  more  remarkable  when  it  is  remembered 
that  he  was  in  the  battles  of  Fort  Henry  and 
Fort  Donelson;  with  Grant  at  Pittsburg  Land 
ing;  in  the  siege  and  battle  of  Corinth;  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  participating  in  the  battles 
of  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Jonesboro,  Lovejoy  Station,  and  was  with  Gen. 
Sherman  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea;  in  the  cam 
paign  of  the  Carolinas,  taking  part  in  the  bat 
tles  of  Averysboro  and  Bentonville,  and  was  in 
the  army  until  he  was  discharged  at  Springfield, 
111.,  July  io,  1865.  From  Atlanta  to  the  sea 
Sergeant  Swengel  was  acting  as  Adjutant  of 
his  Regt. 

A.  M.  Swengel  was  born  at  Middleburg,  Pa., 
Jan.  2,  1841,  and  coming  West  with  his  parents 
in  1857,  was  on  a  farm  until  15  years  of  age, 
near  Mendota,  111.,  and  a  year  later  moved  to 
Princeton,  his  present  home.  For  the  past  20 
years  he  has  been  connected  with  the  First 
National  Bank  at  Princeton.  At  present  he  is 
manager  of  the  Beehive  Branch  store  in  Prince 
ton.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  ''Abe"  Lincoln; 
has  been  -commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post;  and 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Chapter  and  a 
Knight  Templar.  Mr.  Swengel,  has  by  per 
sistent  "energy  and  faithful  attention  to  busi- 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ness,  worked  his  way  up  to  a  satisfactory 
position  and  won  recognition  by  his  worth  and 
integrity  as  a  gentleman  and  a  citizen. 

Mr.  Swengel  was  married  at  Princeton,  Dec. 
25,  1865,  to  Laura  B.,  only  daughter  of  George 
Cropley,  of  Princeton.  By  this  union  they 
have  two  sons — Harry  W.  and  George  L.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican  and  seeks  no  office. 


FRYAR  JOBLING  entered  upon  his  soldier  life 
by  enlisting  in  the  Union  army,  July  6, 
1862,  at  Centralia,  111.,  and  was  mustered 
in  as  Sergt.  in  Co.  C.,  8oth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  during 
August  of  the  same  year.  They  proceeded 
shortly  after  organization  to  Louisville,  and 
were  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  and 
Oct.  i,  under  Gen.  Buell,  marched  in  pursuit  of 
Bragg,  passing  through  Taylorville,  Bloom- 
field  and  Mackville,  and  on  the  i8th  participat 
ed  in  the  battle  of  Perrysville,  where  they  lost 
14  killed  and  58  wounded,  as  also  Gens.  Terrell 
and  Jackson,  commanders  of  the  Brig,  and  Div. 
respectively.  They  afterwards  moved  through 
Danville,  Lebanon,  and  New  Market  to  Mum- 
fordsville,  and  Nov.  30th  to  Bledsoe  Creek 
by  way  of  Glasgow  and  Hartsville,  remaining 
at  the  latter  place  until  Dec.  26th,  when  they 
went  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Morgan  on  to  Bear 
Wallow,  where  they  arrived  Dec.  3ist.  Aban 
doning  the  chase  of  Morgan  they  marched  into 
Murfreesboro,  where  they  remained  during  the 
greater  part  of  the  winter,  relieving  the  monot 
ony  of  camp  duty,  however,  by  an  occasional 
raid  into  the  surrounding  country.  March  20, 
when  out  on  one  of  theseexpeditions  they  were 
attacked  by  rebels  under  John  Morgan,  whom 
they  succeeded  in  repulsing  with  heavy  loss  to 
the  attacking  party.  They  subsequently 
marched  to'  Nashville;  then  by  transports 
moved  down  the  Cumberland  and  up  theTenn. 
Rivers,  disembarking  at  Eastport,  and  April 
19  marched  to  Tuscumbia,  where  they  were 
mounted.  Moving  from  the  last  named  place 
on  the  26th,  they  were  attacked  at  Dug's  Gap 
and  Sand  Mt.  respectively,  but  on  both  occa 
sions  repulsed  the  enemy — capturing  at  the  lat 


ter  a  battery  of  two  guns — sustaining  the  loss 
of  20  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 

They  encountered  the  enemy  again  May  2d, 
at  Blunt's  Farm,  whom  they  defeated.     On  the 
following  day  the  rebels  again  appeared    with 
an   overpowering   force  under  Gen.  Forrest  to 
whom  the  whole    command    was    surrendered. 
After  depriving  the  Union  soldiers  of  all  their 
money,  blankets,  etc.,  they  were  taken  to  Rome, 
paroled,  excepting  the  officers,  who    were  the 
Lieuts.  of  Co.  C.,  and  sent  on  coal  cars  to  At 
lanta,  and  finally  reached  Camp  Chase,  Ohio. 
At  the  time  of  the  fight  Sergt.  Jobling  was  laid 
up  in  the  hospital  at  Murfreesboro,  and  joined 
the  Regt.  at  Nashville.     The  officers  captured 
were  sent  to  Libby  Prison.     Having   been   de 
clared  exchanged  June,  23rd,  the  Regt.  moved 
to  St.  Louis,  from  there  to  Nashville.     As   the 
Capt.  of  Co.  C.  was  now  in  Libby,  Sergt.  Wer- 
rich    took   command    until    the    close    of   the 
war.     Sergt.  Jobling  with  his  Co.  moved  after 
ward  to  Stevenson,  Ala.,  and  after  a  delay  there 
of  six  weeks,  marched  to  Bridgeport,   and  on 
the   2/th   was    present   at   the   battle  of  Wau- 
hatchie.     In  the  latter  end  of  Nov.  the  Regt. 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mt.  and 
Missionary  Ridge,  in  each  of  which  the  Union 
army  were  successful,  compelling  the  rebels  to 
retreat;  then  it  started  with  Knoxvilleas  its  ob 
jective  point  to  raise  the  siege  instituted  there 
under  Gen.  Longstreet,  but  before  arrival  it  had 
been  raised  by  Burnside's  forces,  causing  Long- 
street  to  retreat,  whereupon  the  Regt.  returned 
to  the  vicinity    of   Chattanooga.     During    this 
march  and  return  the  men  endured  terrible  suf 
fering    from    cold    and    hunger,    being    almost 
naked  and  had  only  such  food  as  could  be  for 
aged  along  the  line  of  march.     The    8oth    con 
tinued  here  until  Jan.  27,   1864,   then  moved  to 
Charleston  and  Blue  Springs,    and    afterwards 
entered  upon  the  Atlanta  campaign,  but  unfort 
unately    during  the  first    engagement—  Rocky 
Face    Ridge — fought    during  that    expedition 
and  whilst  Sergt.  Jobling  was    leading  his    Co. 
he  was  struck  by  a  ball    in    the    left   arm    and 
therefore  obliged  to  go  into  a  hospital  where  he 
remained  for  3  months.     After  recovering  from 
his  injury  he  rejoined  his  Regt.  which  was  then 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


507 


a  part  of  The  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and 
participated  with  it  in  all  the  battles  and  skir 
mishes  in  which  his  Regt.  was  engaged  up  to  the 
close  of  the  war.  His  Regt.  was  mustered  out 
of  service  on  June  the  loth,  1865,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  Camp  Butler,  111.,  where  the  men  re 
ceived  final  pay  and  discharge.  During  the 
Regts.  term  of  service  the  men  traveled  6,000 
miles  and  were  engaged  in  upwards  of  20  bat 
tles. 

Sergt.  Jobling  was  born  at  New  Castle  upon 
the  Tyne — that  town  which  is  neither  in  Eng 
land  nor  Scotland,  but  is  "upon  the  Tyne"- 
Feb.  24,  1829.  When  old  enough  to  work  he 
engaged  in  coal  mining,  afterwards  becoming 
a  mining  engineer  which  he  continued  to  fol 
low  in  his  native  place  until  1852,  when  he  im 
migrated  to  America.  Arriving  in  this  country 
he  resumed  his  calling,  first  at  Peoria,  then  at 
Tiskilwa,  whither  he  removed  in  the  year  1867. 
He  is  a  practical,  level-headed  Englishman — 
no:  well  Scotchman — but  we  are  not  sure.  If 
he  had  been  born  in  any  other  part  of  Great 
Britain  we  could  locate  his  nationality,  but 
since  he  hails  from  New  Castle  "we  give  it  up." 
It  makes  little  difference,  however,  as  the  Ser 
geant  has  earned  for  himself  a  reputation  as  a 
practical  mining  engineer,  far  beyond  the 
bounds  of  his  own  country  and  has  opened  up 
many  of  the  coal  mines  scattered  through 
Bureau  and  other  counties  in  this  State,  and  in 
doing  so  has  made  many  very  valuable  discov 
eries  in  the  profession  he  has  chosen.  He  sold 
out  his  mining  interests  sometime  ago  and  ac 
cepted  the  position  of  Mine  Inspector  for 
Bureau  County,  which  he  has  now  held  for 
several  years,  and  gives  perfect  satisfaction  to 
all  with  whom  his  business  brings  him  in  con 
tact. 

He  has  been  twice  married;  his  second  wife 
Mary  E.  Simpson, of  Ohio,  a  clever,  intelligent 
lady,  assists  the  Captain  in  dispensing  hospi 
talities  to  all  friends  of  whom  they  have  hosts, 
when  they  think  it  proper  to  drop  in  to  our 
subject's  happy  comfortable  Tiskilwa  home. 

In  politics,  Sergt.  Jobling  is  a  Republican. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Free  Mason's  order  and 
a  member  of  Post  No,  660,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Tiskilwa, 


Being  at  the  head  of  his  profession  as  an  engi 
neer,  and  possessed  of  all  the  practical  knowl 
edge  relating  to  coal  mining,  he  has  been  en 
abled  to  make  a  financial  success  of  his  calling, 
and  by  his  well  chosen  locations  and  good  in 
vestments,  succeeded  inamply providinga  finan 
cial  way  tor  the  wants  of  himself  and  family. 


PROMINENT  men  are  usually  selected  for 
prominent  positions,  and  the  life  of  our 
subject  Ernest  Lorenz,  of  Dewey,  111., 
goes  to  confirm  that  truism.  He  was  the  first 
to  build  one  stone  upon  another  in  the  present 
town  of  Dewey,  became  and  has  been  Post 
Master  ever  since,  except  during  the  period  of 
Cleveland's  administration.  He  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  Dewey  Post,  No.  282,  of  which 
he  has  served  as  commander  for  9  consecutive 
years,  but  absolutely  refused  re-election  this 
year  and  as  a  compromise,  was  forced  into  the 
office  of  S.  V.  Commander.  He  was  born  in 
Germany  in  1844,  and  with  his  parents  came  to 
America  in  1849,  and  settled  in  Ky.  opposite 
Cincinnati  upon  a  farm.  His  parents  belonged 
to  the  better  class  of  German  farmers  and  had 
some  means.  Ernest  received  a  liberal  educa 
tion  for  that  period,  but  abandoned  school  and 
home  at  17  to  become  a  soldier.  He  respond 
ed  to  the  first  call  for  troops,  April  i86i,and 
enlisted  in  Co.  F.,  6th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  but  the 
term  of  service  (3  months)  was  spent  at  camp 
Dennison.  He  re-enlisted  for  three  years  in 
the  same  Co.  and  Regt.  and  after  being  at  Lex 
ington  and  other  places,  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Filleby,  which  was  his  first  experience 
with  Rebel  bullets.  He  was  also  in  the  battle 
of  Laurel  Hill,  Carrick's  Ford  and  joined  in  the 
campaign  through  West  Va.,  reaching  Louis 
ville  in  the  fall  of  1861.  Whilst  on  a  scouting 
expedition  in  W.  Va.,  with  7  others  they  were 
fired  upon  and  four  of  the  number  fell  dead, 
whilst  Mr.  Lorenz  was  wounded  in  the  hip  by  a 
bullet  which  passed  through  and  killed  one  of 
his  comrades.  He  made  his  escape  and  re 
fused  to  go  into  a  hospital  preferring  to  remain 
with  his  command,  He  participated  in  Jan.  19, 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


1862,  in  the  battle  of  Mill  Springs,  and  soon 
after  moved  to  Fort  Donelson,  but  the  place 
was  captured  before  their  arrival,  then  took 
transports  to  Nashville  and  to  Pittsburg  Land 
ing,  where  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
bloody  battle  of  Shiloh,  having  been  in  the  ad 
vance  of  Gen.  Buell's  army  under  Gen.  Nelson. 
We  next  find  him  in  the  operations  against 
Corinth,  exposed  to  the  rebel  fire  for  several 
weeks  and  when  the  desperate  and  disastrous 
battles  of  Perrysville  and  Stone  River  were 
fought  there  also  he  could  be  seen  on  hand. 
The  6th  Ohio  did  grand  work  for  its  country 
in  the  last  named  battle,  and  owing  to  its  ex 
posed  position  was  one  of  the  largest  sufferers, 
haying  lost  in  the  three  days'  fight  some  300 
men  killed  and  wounded. 

The  following  year  he  participated  in  the 
Chattanooga  Campaign,  and  fought  in  the 
battles  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mt.  and 
Mission  Ridge,  then  undertook  a  severe  march 
to  Knoxville  for  the  relief  of  Gen.  Burnside, 
covering  112  miles  in  three  days  and  prac 
tically  without  food.  He  returned  to  Chatta 
nooga  where  the  command  wintered,  most  of  the 
time  the  men  being  on  short  rations,  and  part 
on  quarter  allowance.  Mr  Lorenz's  Xmas 
dinner,  which  was  the  only  meal  for  the  day, 
comprised  a  half  Ib.  of  black  bread  and  some 
beans,  which  when  counted  numbered  17.  In 
the  spring  of  1864  he  started  upon  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  went  as  far  as  Kingston  and  then 
back  to  Resaca,  but  his  term  of  service  having 
expired  he  was  mustered  out  in  June  1864.  He 
continued  in  the  employ  of  the  Govt.  at  Cov- 
ington  until  Oct.,  of  that  year  when  he  enlisted 
as  first  Sergt.  in  Co.  G.,  nth  Ky.  Cav.  in 
which  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  Re 
bellion,  as  ist  Lieut. 

For  a  time  Mr.  Lorenz  was  upon  detached 
duty  in  Ky.  in  charge  of  a  squad  of  Cav.,  and  was 
making  the  pursuit  warm  for  the  Rebel  guer 
rillas  when  the  war  came  to  a  sudden  close. 
He  then  went  in  pursuit  of  Jeff  Davis  and  as 
sisted  in  his  capture.  He  was  finally  mustered 
out  at  Louisville,  Ky.  After  the  war  he  re 
turned  home  much  broken  in  health,  and  for  a 
change  moved  to  111.,  settling  on  a  farm  in 


Champaign  Co.,  which  he  operated  success 
fully  until  1872,  when  he  engaged  in  mercan 
tile  pursuits.  He  had  a  brother  Edward  in  the 
army  with  him  in  the  6th  Ohio,  who  served  a 
full  term  of  3  years  and  was  wounded  at  Stone 
River.  Mr.  Lorenz  is  a  prominent  Odd  Fellow 
and  Free  Mason;  has  been  19  yrs.  Justice  of 
the  Peace;  Town  Assessor  for  17  years;  Notary 
Public  12  yrs.,  besides  holding  many  other 
offices.  He  married  in  July  5,  1865,  Catherine 
Bowman  by  whom  he  has  eight  children  liv 
ing — Ida,  wife  of  R.  M.  Chatham,  Dora,  Emma, 
Edward,  Cora,  Minnie,  Ernest  and  Annie.  He 
is  a  Republican. 


DR.  ESAIAS  S.  COOPER,  of  Galesburg,  111., 
was  born  in  Butler  Co.,  Ohio,  Jan.  I, 
1822,  passed  his  early  years  in  that 
locality,  and  attended  Miami  University,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  degree  of  A.  B. 
Later  he  received  the  diploma  of  A.  M.  at 
South  Hanover,  Ind.,  and  also  at  Knox  College, 
111.  In  medicine  Dr.  Cooper  made  a  thorough 
study,  graduating  at  the  Medical  College  of 
Ohio,  in  Cincinnati,  receiving  also  the  diploma 
of  the  Rush  Medical,  Chicago,  and  the  degree 
of  M.  D.  from  the  St.  Louis  Medical  College. 
After  some  years  of  extensive  practice  in  Hen 
derson,  111.,  Dr.  Cooper  was  appointed  Surgeon 
in  the  U.  S.  Army,  Nov.  9,  1862,  when  the  83rd 
Regt.  petitioned  for  his  assignment  to  its  staff, 
he  accepted  the  position,  went  to  Fort  Donel 
son,  Dec.  9,  and  assumed  charge  of  the  regi 
mental  hospital. 

He  was  here  during  the  attack  on  the  gar 
rison  by  Forrest  and  Wheeler,  with  a  force  it  is 
stated  ten  times  greater  than  the  Union  com 
mand,  yet  this  smaller  band  killed,  wounded 
and  captured  of  the  enemy  a  number  of  men 
greater  than  all  its  own  available  force,  and 
this  feat  was  not  accomplished  with  the  ad 
vantage  of  breastworks,  but  in  the  open  streets 
of  the  town.  Against  this  superior  number  the 
Union  men  held  the  place  until  night,  when  the 
enemy  withdrew.  The  next  day  gunboats  ar 
riving  shelled  the  woods,  but  the  rebels  had 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


509 


been  dispersed.  The  83rd  did  not  know  what 
surrender  meant,  and  proved  its  strength  and 
bravery  many  times  during  the  fight  at  Ft. 
Donelson,  as  several  times  when  the  rebels  sent 
a  flag  of  truce  demanding  surrender,  Col.  Har 
ding  refused  to  parley,  finally  ordering  the 
party  with  the  flag  of  truce  not  to  return  to 
him,  as  he  would  not  respect  the  flag  again. 

While  the  rebels  at  this  battle  evidently  had 
respect  for  the  yellow  flag  of  the  hospital  where 
Dr.  Cooper  was  located,  several  times  during 
the  day  brought  in  their  wounded  for  him  to 
treat.  Here  an  old  lady  visited  the  hospital 
whose  sympathies  were  so  very  freely  expressed 
toward  the  rebel  wounded,  the  Doctor  thought 
he  would  give  her  an  opportunity  to  practically 
demonstrate  her  partial  kindness  and  pity;  so 
ordering  several  bales  of  hay  to  be  spread  on 
her  parlor  floor  and  covered  with  blankets,  sent 
25  wounded  rebels  from  thehospitaltoherhome, 
which  was  not  at  all  satisfactory.  The  woman 
was  known  as  widow  Cable,  and  many  of  the 
soldiers  will  remember  her. 

Dr.  Cooper  was  very  fertile  in  expedients, 
and  on  a  number  of  occasions  displayed  his 
ability.  A  certain  house  on  the  river  outside 
the  lines  gave  considerable  trouble,  and  the 
Doctor  engaged  lodging  there  for  a  few  sick 
men,  then  nailing  a  smallpox  sign  on  the  door, 
soon  dispersed  the  other  notorious  inmates. 
He  also  resorted  to  the  same  means  to  preserve 
certain  camps  and  ambulances  from  the  attack 
of  the  local  guerrillas.  In  May,  1863,  Dr. 
Cooper  was  transferred  to  Clarksville  to  take 
charge  of  the  hospital  there,  and  this  place  he 
held  until  the  end  of  the  war,  making  a  daily 
report  of  matters  under  his  jurisdiction. 

When  his  service  in  the  army  was  ended, 
Dr.  Cooper  resumed  his  practice  at  Hen 
derson,  but  in  a  few  years  removed  to 'Gales- 
burg,  where  he  has  established  an  extensive 
and  lucrative  practice.  He  married  Mary 
Martin,  of  Rushville,  Ind.,  and  she  bore  him 
six  children,  all  living  at  present:  These  are 
Edwin  H.,  who  was  assistant  Surgeon  of  the 
83rd  Regiment  under  his  father.  He  is  a  grad 
uate  of  Yale  College  and  received  a  diploma 
of  the  Bellevue  Medical  College,  N.Y.,  just  before 


the  war,  was  qualified  for  the  U.  S.  Army  and 
secured  a  diploma  from  Rush  Medical  College 
before  he  was  of  age.  He  is  a  member  of 
Post,  No.  45,  G.  A.  R.  Elias  S.,  a  graduate  of 
the  University  of  Pa.,  has  also  the  degree  of  M. 
D.  from  the  Bellevue  Medical  College  in  N.  Y. 
Charles,  graduated  from  the  University  of  Pa. 
and  from  the  Jefferson  Medical  College  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  William  H.,  residing  in 
Denver,  Colo.,  finished  a  course  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Mich.,  graduating  as  Bachelor  of  Arts  and  Dr. 
of  Pharmacy;  Carrie  M.,  graduated  at  Daven 
port,  Iowa;  Emma  L.  is  a  graduate  of  Knox 
College. 

Dr.  E.  S.  Cooper  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and 
Mason,  as  are  all  his  sons.  He  votes  the  Re 
publican  ticket,  but  never  has  accepted  official 
positions  that  have  been  offered.  In  addition 
to  his  general  practice  Dr.  Cooper  is  examining 
Surgeon  of  Pensions. 

•  The  two  daughters  of  Dr.  Cooper  went  west 
a  few  years  ago,  to  the  North  Platte,  Neb.,  and 
under  the  homestead  act  located  640  acres  of 
land,  residing  on  the  same  until  they  had  com 
plied  with  the  law  and  proved  their  claim. 
When  they  first  occupied  the  claim,  they  were 
25  miles  from  any  human  habitation. 


DR.  JOHN  W.  MITCHELL  entered  the  U.  S. 
service  as  assistant  Surgeon  of  the  2ist 
Mass.  Regt.,  at  Boston,  Mass.,  in  July, 
1863.  Sept.  8th  of  the  same  year  he  was 
appointed  Surgeon  of  the  4th  U.  S.  C.  G.  He 
served  with  his  regiment  at  Deep  Bottom,  City 
Point,  Spring  Hill,  in  front  of  Petersburg  at 
Fort  Harrison,  White  Oak  Swamp,  Fort  Fisher, 
Sugar  Loaf  Mountain  and  Goldsboro.  He 
served  as  Division  Surgeon  until  a  wound, 
received  at  City  Point,  Va.,  in  June,  1864,  ren 
dered  him  unable  to  ride  on  horseback.  After 
this,  he  had  charge  of  a  hospital  until  he  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  in  1866.  He  had 
charge  of  the  Division  Hospital  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  and  at  Fort  Fisher,  Wilmington 
and  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  he  had  charge  of  the  Post 
Hospitals.  At  the  suggestion  of  Gen.  Payne, 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


after  the  siege  of  Fort  Fisher,  for  faithful  serv 
ice,  in  behalf  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  he  was 
breveted,  Colonel.  His  wound  received  at 
City  Point  resulted  in  disease  of  the  hip  joint, 
which  has  grown  worse  with  advancing  years, 
rendering  him  unable  to  practice  his  profession. 


GAPTAIN  JOHN  B.  LESTER,  of  Co.  F.,  I25th 
111.  Inf.,  a  man  who  justly  bears  the  dis 
tinction  of  a  true  and  gallant  son  of  war 
enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862,  and  was  at  once  detailed 
as  recruiting  officer  in  Champaign  Co.  He  as 
sisted  to  a  great  degree  in  the  raising  of  the 
company,  being  also  empowered  to  swear  the 
men  into  service,  and  upon  its  organization  was 
commissioned  first  Lieut.  From  Oct.  8th  he 
was  in  command  of  his  Co.,  the  former  Capt. 
having  resigned,  but  not  until  Feb.  14,  1863, 
did  he  receive  his  commission.  Tfye  Regt.  was 
organized  at  Danville,  111.,  Sept.  2,  1862,  and 
first  entered  the  enemy's  territory  at  Coving- 
ton,  Ky.,  proceeding  at  once  to  Louisville,  and 
being  attached  to  the  I4th  corps,  moved  out 
on  the  campaign  against  Bragg,  encountering 
the  enemy  at  Perrysville,  Oct.  8,  1862.  During 
this  sanguinary  battle  the  I25th  did  noble  serv 
ice  in  the  very  front  ranks.  From  here  our 
Capt.  led  his  Co.  to  Crab  Orchard,  where  they 
again  gallantly  assisted  in  fighting  Bragg. 
Then  moved  to  Stone  River,  where  he,  with  his 
command,  were  ordered  back  to  Nashville  on 
Post  duty,  remaining  so  engaged  for  six  months. 
This  style  of  warfare  waxed  too  monotonous 
for  our  typical  soldier  and  Captain,  to  whose 
ears  the  sound  of  battle  was  like  music.  The 
Regt.  was  relieved  from  this  duty  and  he  pro 
ceeded  at  once  to  the  battle  grounds  at  Chick- 
amauga,  arriving  Sept.  18,  1863,  and  already  the 
following  morning  we  find  him  gallantly  facing 
the  enemy  in  that  fierce  and  desperate  conflict, 
which  continued  two  days;  Nov.  23  and  25, 
1863,  followed  the  desperate  battle  of  Mission 
ary  Ridge  and  Lookout  Mt.  Here  Capt.  Les 
ter  and  his  men,  with  the  Brig.,  built  the  pon 
toon  bridge,  and  were  among  the  first  to  cross 
it.  They  followed  close  on  the  heels  of  the 


enemy  and  again  fought  him  at  Buzzard's  Roost, 
then  moved  by  forced  march  to  re-enforce 
Burnside  at  Knoxville,  a  distance  of  180  miles, 
covering  it  in  7  days,  and  at  once  took  a  hand 
in  defeating  Longstreet.  Returning,  they  went 
into  winter  quarters  on  the  old  Chickamauga 
battlefield,  and  in  the  spring  our  gallant  Capt., 
leading  his  brave  "  boys,"  started  out  on  the 
memorable  Atlanta  campaign  and  participated 
in  most  of  its  important  battles.  Then  onward 
with  Sherman  in  his  great  march  to  the  sea, 
engaging  in  all  the  hardships  and  skirmishes. 
Onward,  leading  his  men  through  the  swamps 
and  rivers  of  the  Carolinas,  fighting  his  last 
battle  at  Bentonville,  N.  C.,  March  19,  1865, 
and  then  making  the  victorious  march  to 
Washington,  participating  in  the  Grand  Review, 
after  which  he  was  mustered  out  at  Washing 
ton  June  9,  and  finally  discharged  and  paid  off 
at  Chicago,  June  29,  1865. 

Thus  our  brave  Captain  laid  down  his  weap 
ons  of  war  after  nearly  13  years  of  active  service 
He  participated  in  many  of  the  most  important 
battles  and  campaigns  of  the  great  Rebellion, 
and  came  out  without  a  scratch  or  mark,  though 
having  many  hairbreadth  escapes.  The  Capt. 
being  ranking  officer,  he  frequently  had  com 
mand  of  the  Regt.,  which  was  the  case  dur 
ing  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  Sept.  i,  1864,  and 
Bentonville.  He  was  never  off  duty  but  three 
weeks,  when  he  was  sick  at  Nashville.  During 
the  engagement  on  June  7,  1863,  his  clothes  were 
pierced  with  7  rebel  bullets.  At  the  battle  of  At 
lanta  he  and  his  command  were  taken  prisoners 
of  war,  but  when  the  Captain  was  about  to  be 
disarmed  he  made  a  bold  and  heroic  strike  for 
liberty,  cutting  and  slashing  his  way,  finally 
breaking  the  lines  and  taking  with  him  the 
rebel  commander.  For  this  act  of  towering 
bravery  on  the  part  of  the  Capt.  and  his  "boys," 
Gen.  M.  Cook  presented  to  Mr.  Lester  the 
sword  of  the  Rebel  General.  This  feat  is  doubt 
less  one  of  the  most  heroic  deeds  on  record. 
The  captured  sword  the  Capt.  still  has  in  his 
possession  and  it  is  a  constant  reminder  to  him 
that  had  he  not  been  successful  in  his  daring 
act  he  doubtless  would  have  suffered  the  tor 
tures  of  a  rebel  prison,  yea,  perchance,  even 


* 


O.   B.   CHAMPNEY. 


Bl 


R.   R.   LYNN. 


H.   F.   HARTMANN. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


death.  But  the  Captain  was  too  brave  a  man, 
too  patriotic  a  soldier,  to  die  so  easily.  Yet 
whilst  his  name  is  synonymous  to  bravery,  he 
was  kind  and  obliging  to  his  men,  many  of  whom 
speak  of  him  in  the  highest  terms,  as  a  man 
brave  as  a  lion,  yet  at  times  as  gentle  as  a  child. 
One  of  his  comrades  relates  that  during  the 
battle  of  Bentonville  when  the  Capt.  was  in 
command  of  the  Regt.  they  were  charged  by 
the  enemy  in  a  desperate  manner.  Then  echoed 
the  Captain's  voice  from  the  very  front:  "Boys, 
hold  the  ground,  I'll  die  with  you!"  So  kind 
and  sincere  were  these  words,  that  it  gave  them 
new  courage,  and  while  the  rebels  charged 
them  eleven  times  and  came  within  20  ft.,  they 
repulsed  them  each  time  and  crowned  the  day 
with  victory.  Thus  we  have  presented  a  brief 
history  of  Capt.  Lester's  military  record. 

Many  more  acts  of  kindness  and  bravery  of 
this  typical  soldier,  and  whole-souled  and  big- 
hearted  citizen  might  be  mentioned.  He  was 
born  Feb.  2,  1836,  in  Switzerland  Co.,  Ind.,  and 
is  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Deliverance  R.  (Bald 
win)  Lester.  His  paternal  ancestry  were  Ger 
man,  while  his  mother  was  of  Welsh  descent. 
His  maternal  grandfather  fought  in  the  Revolu 
tionary  war  and  both  he  and  the  paternal 
erandfather  were  soldiers  in  the  war  of  1812. 

o 

Thus  it  is  readily  seen  that  young  Lester  was  a 
soldier  by  birth,  a  warrior  by  blood.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm  receiving  a  common  school 
education,  and  at  the  age  of  17  turned  West  "to 
grow  up  with  the  country."  When  he  took  his 
departure  his  aged  grandfather  said  to  him, 
"boy  'run  is  a  good  dog,  but  hold  fast  is  a  bet 
ter.'  "  He  settled  on  a  farm  in  Champaign  Co.,  in 
1853,  where  he  has  ever  since  "held  fast,"  and 
today  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  that  vicinity. 
The  Capt.  has  filled  many  of  the  local  offices 
in  the  town  and  county,  having  been  town 
Supervisor  for  four  years,  school  director  21 
years,  and  it  is  generally  said  that  Capt.  Lester 
can  have  any  office  that  he  will  accept.  He  is 
an  active  G.  A.  R.  man,  a  charter  member  of 
Van  West  Post  No.  300,  of  Fisher,  and  was  one 
of  its  first  officers.  He  is  a  Mason  and  a  life 
long  Republican.  He  joined  Elizabeth  A. 
Trotter  in  marriage  Oct.  12,  1865.  She  was 


born  in  Frederick  Co.,  Va.  By  this  happy 
union  have  been  born  8  children  of  whom  are 
living:  Rosa,  Wiley,  Liddie  and  Nellie.  Capt. 
Lester  can  justly  feel  proud  of  his  record  as  a 
soldier,  while  as  a  citizen  he  is  a  man  of  many 
friends,  universally  respected  and  esteemed. 


JAMES  H.  LOTT,  the  subject  of  our  present 
notice,  was  born  in  Steuben  Co.,  N.  Y.,  June 
19,  1842,  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
(Arnwine)  Lott.  He  springs  from  old  veteran 
stock,  his  grandfather  Lott  having  served  his 
country  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  About  the 
year  1846  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  a  farm 
near  Kankakee,  111.,  having  gone  thither  by 
way  of  the  lakes,  but  in  1854  removed  to  Iowa. 
When  the  Rebellion  broke  out  young  Lott  had 
budded  into  manhood,  and  his  patriotism  dic 
tated  in  no  unmistakable  way  his  course  in 
that  National  emergency.  He  enlisted  Aug.  4, 
1862,  as  a  private  in  Co.  A.,  28th  Iowa  Vol.  Inf., 
was  mustered  in  at  Iowa  City,  Oct.  11,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  Helena,  Ark.  He  next  joined  an 
overland  expedition  to  Coldwater,  Miss.,  and 
made  the  greater  part  of  the  march  under  a 
drenching  rain,  with  several  inches  of  mud 
upon  the  ground  over  which  they  moved.  On 
return  Mr.  Lott  was  smitten  with  mumps,  caused 
by  exposure,  went  into  the  hospital,  where  he 
was  confined  for  six  weeks,  and  received  other 
permanent  injuries  from  that  hard  and  exposed 
campaign,  which  has  left  him  with  a  wrecked 
constitution  and  deformed  body — having  what 
is  known  as  a  curvature  of  the  breast.  This 
injury  has  grown  steadily  worse  since  the  war. 
On  recovering  from  the  mumps  he  again  re 
sumed  his  position  in  the  ranks,  went  down  the 
river  to  Vicksburg,  and  remained  in  the  con 
valescent  camp  at  that  place.  To  show  the 
nerve  and  courage  of  our  young  Lott,  it  may 
be  stated  that  many  times  he  went  upon  picket 
duty  when  his  comrades  had  to  carry  his  be 
longings  to  his  post.  He  accompanied  his 
command  to  Natchez,  Miss.,  and  after  two 
weeks  moved  to  Carlton,  La.,  thence  to  Algiers, 
and  Brashear;  leaving  the  garrison  equipage 


5I2 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


and  camp  supplies  at  the  latter  place,  they 
started  on  a  long  march  up  the  Bayou  Teche, 
and  finally  under  a  drenching  rain  went  into 
camp  at  Vermillionville,  thence  to  Rebel  Camp 
Pratt,  after  which  they  fell  back  to  New  Iberia, 
where  they  remained  until  Dec.  loth.  Here 
Mr.  Lott  suffered  much  from  cold  and  exposure. 
On  the  iQth  he  marched  to  Brashear,  then 
by  cars  to  Algiers  where  the  Regt.  awaited 
transportation  to  Texas,  but  before  its  arrival 
started  for  New  Orleans,  thence  for  Shreve- 
port  to  join  in  the  Red  River  expedition.  To 
follow,  however,  the  many  wanderings  of  our 
fighting  comrade  would  of  itself  fill  a  volume, 
for  he  marched  thousands  of  miles,  made  176 
different  camps,  in  two  years  of  his  army  life; 
embarked  for  Washington  by  way  of  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico;  marched  through  the  Shenandoah 
valley,  fought  and  defeated  Pemberton  at  Port 
Gibson,  also  fought  in  the  battles  of  Champion 
Hills,  Vicksburg,  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  Jackson, 
Cane  River,  Middle  Bayou,  Winchester.  Fish 
er's  Hill  and  Cedar  Creek.  He  went  by  trans 
ports  to  Morehead  City,  N.  C.,  took  steamer 
for  Savannah,  Ga.,  then  inarched  to  Augusta, 
and  returned  to  Savannah  where  he  camped 
until  July  31,  1865,  where  he  was  mustered  out 
and  returned  to  Davenport,  la.,  and  was  then 
discharged  after  a  service  of  upwards  of  three 
years.  His  Regt.  received  much  praise  for  the 
excellent  work  performed  at  Champion  Hills. 
Gen.  Hovey  in  his  report  said:  "No  Regt.  ever 
fought  with  more  valor  than  did  the  old  28th 
la.,  and  the  State  may  well  be  proud  of  the 
brave  boys  composing  it."  Mr.  Lott  had  three 
brothers  in  the  army,  Jacob,  '  William  and 
Charles,  all  in  the  ;6th  111.  Jacob  was  killed 
in  the  battle  of  Jackson  and  found  a  common 
grave  in  the  trenches,  while  Charles,  who  was 
but  sixteen  years  old,  was  wounded  in  the  leg 
in  the  same  battle.  After  returning  from  the 
army  Mr.  Lott  went  to  111.,  where  he  farmed 
for  6  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Mahomet,  at  which  he  has  been 
since  employed.  He  is  characterized  as  well 
for  his  honest  straightforward  ways,  as  for  his 
bravery  and  good  soldiership.  His  business 
has  prospered  which  indicates  that  he  is  a  man 


possessed  of  good  business  ability.  Although 
quite  in  sympathy  with  the  G.  A.  R.  he  has 
never  become  a  member.  He  is  a  Master  and 
Chapter  Mason.  He  was  married  in  Cham 
paign  Co.,  June  24,  1869,  to  Sarah  J.  Hinton,  by 
whom  he  had  five  children— Minnie  O.,  Nancy 
E.,  Maud  A.,  Lillie  L.  and  Lura  H.,  the  last  two 
twins.  All  living  but  Nancy  and  Lura. 


HENRY  W.  SADORUS,  of  Sadorus,  Cham 
paign  Co.,  111.,  was  born  near  the  pres 
ent  site  of  the  town  of  Sadorus,  April 
I,  1840,  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Moore) 
Sadorus.  In  the  year  1824,  the  father,  then  a 
boy  of  12,  immigrated  with  his  parents,  pene 
trating  the  unexplored  Western  prairies,  finally 
locating  upon  the  land  which  is  the  site  of 
Sadorus.  In  after  years  when  the  town  was 
started,  it  was  named  Sadorus  in  honor  of  the 
family.  The  grandfather  was  an  old  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812  and  died  seven  years  ago  at 
the  advanced  age  of  95  years.  William  Sad 
orus,  father  of  our  subject,  was  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  war  an  extensive  farmer,  merchant, 
miller  and  warehouse  owner  in  the  manage 
ment  of  which,  Henry  assisted.  Regardless 
however  of  the  financial  interests  he  was 
jeopardizing,  and  of  the  great  dangers  to  be 
encountered,  our  subject  promptly  responded 
to  the  President's  call  for  troops,  enlisted,  but 
was  not  accepted  at  the  first  call.  He  again 
enlisted  and  Aug.  27,  1861,  became  a  member 
of  Co.  G.,  25th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  which  Co.,  he  as 
sisted  in  raising.  With  his  Regt.  he  pro 
ceeded  to  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  where  he 
continued  six  weeks,  then  moved  to  Otterville 
and  Springfield,  upon  a  wild  chase  after  Gen. 
Price,  who  was  menacing  the  latter  place. 
There  he  was  taken  sick  with  chronic  diarrhoea 
and  flux,  which  gradually  increased  in  severity 
until  it  was  supposed  the  patient  was  dead,  and 
preparations  were  being  made  for  his  inter 
ment.  But  comrade  Sadorus  had  nofyet  com 
pleted  his  work  on  this  side  of  the  hemisphere, 
hence  surprised  those  around  him  by  showing 
signs  of  life  and  returning  strength.  Soon  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  St.  Louis,  where  life 
hung  by  a  brittle  thread  for  some  weeks,  but 
he  finally  began  to  mend  sufficiently  to  move 
about.  He  was  then  tendered  a  furlough  to 
return  home,  and  recruit  his  health,  but  he  re 
fused,  stating  that  it  was  for  fight  that  he  was  en 
listed,  and  not  to  return  home.  Finally  he 
obtained  permission  to  join  his  Regt.  at  Rolla, 
where  it  remained  until  Feb.  2,  1862,  when  it 
was  again  marched  to  Springfield,  thence  to 
Bentonville,  Ark.  While  there  his  Co.  was 
sent  to  guard  a  mill  near  by,  and  having  some 
knowledge  of  the  business  Mr.  Sadorus  was 
detailed  to  run  the  mill,  but  his  management 
was  cut  short  by  the  appearance  of  the  Rebel 
hosts,  and,  dog  in  the  manger  like,  the  mill  was 
rendered  useless  and  abandoned. 

On  the  6th,  ;th  and  8th  of  March,  he  par 
ticipated  in  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  and  occu 
pied  a  position  in  the  front  on  the  last  day 
under  Gen.  Sigel,  during  which  he  had  two  holes 
shot  through  his  clothing,  and  the  bayonet  of 
his  gun  struck  by  a  ball,  severing  it.  He  then 
moved  to  Forsythe,  Mo.,  where  he  remained  for 
sometime,  and  there  he  suffered  much  with 
rheumatism.  He,  however,  stood  by  his  Regt., 
crossed theOzark  Mountains toBatesville, started 
for  Little  Rock,  but  before  reaching  was  headed 
for  Cape  Girardeau,  marching  36  miles  per  day 
for  three  successive  days,  and  on  arrival  started 
for  Pittsburg  Landing.  The  battle  of  Shiloh  had, 
in  the  meantime,  been  fought  and  won.  Here  he 
was  placed  on  detached  duty  for  a  time,  then  mov 
ed  to  Corinth  and  was  in  the  skirmish  line  during 
the  siege.  He  next  moved  to  luka  Springs,  and 
subsequently  via  Decatur,  Nashville  and  Louis 
ville,  on  to  the  battlefield  of  Perrysville,  where 
his  Regt.  was  held  in  reserve.  He  proceeded 
to  Bowling  Green  and  on  the  last  day  of  Dec., 
1862,  joined  in  the  desperately  fought  battle  of 
Stone  River.  His  Regt.  under  orders  fired  their 
80  rounds  of  cartridges  as  rapidly  as  could  be 
done,  and  when  concluded  Mr.  Sadorus'  shoul 
der  and  arm  began  to  swell,  caused  by  the  re 
bounding  musket,  and  then  to  turn  black.  In 
the  following  spring  he  went  upon  the  Tullaho- 
ma  campaign,  under  Gen.  McCook,  then  to 
Winchester,  where  he  was  detailed  to  guard  a 

32 


drove  of  cattle  across  Lookout  Mountain.  He 
assisted  in  erecting  Fort  Wood,  then  partici 
pated  in  the  battles  of  Orchard  Knob  and  Mis 
sion  Ridge,  where  he  was  in  advance  in  the 
capture  of  the  latter  place.  He  was  slightly 
wounded  in  the  left  hand  during  this  battle. 
He  then  started  upon  that  wearisome  march  to 
Knoxville,  for  the  relief  of  Burnside,  skirmish 
ing  with  the  enemy  along  the  march,  then  into 
Strawberry  Plains,  where  he  wintered.  In  Feb., 
1863,  his  Regt.  went  to  Cleveland,  upon  Post 
duty,  then  to  Dalton,  Ga.,  where  it  was  attached 
to  the  4th  A.  C.  He  joined  in  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign  and  fought  in  the  battles  of  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  and  many  other 
of  the  heavy  battles  and  skirmishes  of  that 
famous  expedition.  He  was  discharged  at 
Springfield,  Sept.  I,  1864  (his  enlistment  hav 
ing  expired),  after  a  service  of  37  months,  and 
after  participating  in  many  of  the  hard  marches 
and  heavy  battles  of  the  Rebellion.  He  returned 
to  his  home  at  Sadorus,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  In  1887 the  Govt.  granted  him  $2,200 
back  pension  and  $12  per  month  by  reason  of 
his  disabilities  contracted  during  the  war.  In 
1889  he  erected  his  fine  residence  within  the 
corporate  limits  of  the  town  which  bears  his 
name,  where  he  is  now  living  a  retired  life, 
overseeing  the  operations  upon  his  farm.  He 
is  a  charter  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at 
Sadorus  ;  for  five  years  its  Quarter  Master,  and 
has  held  many  other  offices  in  the  Post.  He  is 
the  Secretary  of  the  Old  25th  Regt.  Association; 
has  been  14  years  a  member  of  the  Village 
Board,  of  which  he  was  four  years  its  President. 
His  father  and  grandfather  were  Democrats, 
but  he  and  his  brother,  Capt.  G.  W.  Sadorus, 
are  strong  Republicans. 

Mr.  Sadorus  was  married  in  1865,  to  Marvil- 
lia  Padgett,  of  Ind.,  who  served  in  Co  .H,  125  111., 
and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mt. 
June  16,  1864.  Mr.  Sadorus  had  six  children, 
five  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Addie,  Nettie, 
Charles,  Gertrude  and  Bert.  Public  spirited, 
patriotic,  and  scrupulously  honest  in  all 
his  transactions  of  life,  Mr.  Sadorus  has  well 
sustained  his  honorable  family  name  handed 
down  through  his  illustrious  ancestors. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


DR.  J.  L.  WILKINS,  of  Tiskilvva,  111.,  was 
born  in  that  much  disturbed  country, 
Ireland,  in  the  year  1827,  where  he  was 
educated  and  afterward  attended  the  Dublin 
Medical  University,  from  which  he  was  gradu 
ated  as  a  physician  and  surgeon.  Shortly  after 
receiving  his  diploma  he  was  appointed  phy 
sician  on  one  of  the  Atlantic  passenger  ships 
and  as  such  crossed  the  Atlantic  on  two  or 
three  occasions,  but  tiring  of  that  itinerant  life 
resigned  the  position  on  this  side  of  the  ocean 
and  came  West,  settling  at  Whitefield,  111.,  in  the 
year  1852,  but  afterward  removed  to  Tiskilwa, 
where  he  has  since  remained,  except,  of  course, 
the  time  he  was  absent  during  the  war.  Im 
mediately  upon  locating  at  Whitefield,  the 
doctor  opened  an  office  and  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  and  being  the  gradu 
ate  of  such  a  renowned  institution  as  the  Dublin 
Medical  College,  he  was  soon  rewarded  with  a 
flourishing  and  ever-increasing  practice.  After 
a  few  years,  however,  he  preferred  to  practice 
in  a  larger  place,  consequently  removed  to  his 
present  location.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  re 
bellion,  Dr.  Wilkins  tendered  his  services  and 
was  accepted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  for 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  86th  111.  Inf.,  Co.  H.,  at  Camp  Lyon, 
Peoria,  Aug.  27,  1862.  Sept.  7,  following,  his 
Regt. — 923  men  and  officers — embarked  for 
Louisville,  Ky.,  from  which  point  it  joined  about 
Oct.  1st,  in  the  pursuit  of  Gen.  Bragg,  and  on 
the  8th,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Perrysville, 
occupying,  during  the  engagement,  a  position 
in  front  of  the  main  army,  and  in  which  it 
suffered  many  casualties  in  killed  and  wounded. 
His  Regt.  again  pursued  Bragg's  forces  to  Crab 
Orchard,  Ky.,  then  returning  marched  to  Nash 
ville,  where  it  arrived  Nov.  7,  and  remained  in 
that  vicinity  for  the  winter.  The  Doctor  was 
mustered  out  for  the  purpose  of  becoming  As 
sistant  Surgeon  in  the  I4th  111.  Cav.,  which  was 
then  being  organized  at  Peoria. 

By  the  end  of  March,  1863,  the  men  were 
well  drilled,  and  started  for  the  front,  arriving 
at  Glasgow,  Ky.,  April  7,  was  brigaded,  and  two 
hours  thereafter  the  Brig,  was  on  the  move 
toward  Celind,  on  the  Cumberland  River. 


Marching  day  and  night,  it  struck  the  enemy 
on  the  i gth,  and,  after  some  firing,  captured  the 
town  and  destroyed  an  immense  quantity  of 
rebel  supplies  stored  there  for  its  use.  In 
June  the  Regt.  pursued  and  attacked  Col.  Ham 
ilton's  rebel  force  near  Turkey  Neck  Bend,  and 
drove  them  into  the  mountains  of  Tennessee, 
havng  captured  600  stand  of  arms,  a  wagon, 
train  of  supplies  and  the  commander's  papers 
It  pursued  the  rebel  raider,  John  Morgan  from 
July  4,  until  his  capture,  during  which  it  was  en 
gaged  in  many  battles  and  skirmishes.  On  the 
raid  it  took  a  particularly  prominent  part  at  the 
engagement  of  Buffington  Island,  as  also  at  the 
capture  of  Morgan,  traveling  during  this  cam 
paign  about  2,100  miles.  In  the  early  days 
of  Sept.,  when  in  advance  of  the  command,  it 
captured  the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy  and  a  large 
amount  of  stores  and  munitions  of  war.  Again 
on  the  gth,  at  the  battle  and  capture  of  Cumber 
land  Gap,  it  took  an  important  part,  as  also  in 
the  engagement  of  the  I5th,  when  it  pursued 
and  routed  Col.  Carter's  rebel  command.  Con 
tinuing  into  Va.,  it  again,  on  the  2Oth  and  22nd, 
engaged  the  enemy,  and  on  each  occasion  suc 
ceeded  in  starting  him  on  the  retreat.  Oct.  u 
saw  the  I4th  Cav.  giving  battle  to  the  rebels, 
which  was  renewed  on  the  I4th,  when  they  were 
forced  from  under  cover;  then  hurried  on,  and, 
by  quick,  decisive  movements,  harassed  Long- 
street's  forces,  then  besieging  the  Union  army 
at  Knoxville,  where  Dr.  Wilkins  was  on  detail 
service,  being  in  charge  of  a  hospital. 

Dec.  19,  the  Brig,  was  attacked  by  a  greatly 
superior  force  from  Longstreet's  command,  and 
in  retreating  with  skill,  although  it  suffered 
severely,  inflicted  terrible  loss  upon  the  enemy. 
At  the  close  of  the  siege  of  Knoxville  the 
Doctor  rejoined  his  Regt.  In  the  same  month 
it  took  part  in  a  battle  at  Danbridge,  From 
this  time  the  men  rested  until  the  Regt.  was 
selected  in  Jan.,  1864,  to  fight  "Thomas'  Legion" 
of  whites  and  Cherokee  Indians  in  N.  C.  Start 
ing  out  on  this  expedition  after  following  a 
mountainous  old  Indian  trail,  it  surprised  the 
Legion,  killing  and  capturing  the  greater  part 
of  them,  and  for  which  Gen.  Grant  highly  com 
plimented  the  men  for  the  manner  in  which 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


they  performed  the  duty  entrusted  to  them. 
The  Atlanta  campaign  having  opened  in  the 
early  days  of  May,  the  I4th  joined  Gen.  Sher 
man's  command  and  July  27,  with  it  left  Lost 
Mt.  on  the  famous  Macon  raid,  which  town  was 
reached  on  the  30th  where  it  destroyed  a  large 
amount  of  property  and  captured  many  pris 
oners.  At  Sunshine  Church  after  a  hot  battle 
with  the  enemy,  Gen.  Stoneman  decided  to 
surrender,  consequently,  Dr.  Wilkins  became  a 
prisoner,  and  was  confined  in  "Hotel  Libby"  of 
which  institution  he  was  an  unwilling  and  un 
fortunate  "guest"  for  six  months,  when  he  was 
exchanged,  and  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Edge- 
field,  Tenn.,  where  he  remained  until  mustered 
out  in  July  31,  1865,  returning  immediately  to 
Tiskilwa.  The  Dr.  had  a  brother  George,  also 
in  the  war,  who  was  Captain  of  Co.  H.,  47th 
111.,  and  who  passed  through  it  safely  and  is 
now  a  resident  of  San  Diego,  Cal. 

Our  subject  married  in  the  year  1856,  Mary 
J.  Church,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  only 
one  of  whom — Charles  Leslie — is  now  living. 
Returning  home  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  and  being  skillful,  attentive  to 
business,  and  possessed  of  winning  manners, 
soon  regained  his  practice — lost  during  his  ab 
sence — which  steadily  increased  until  he  was 
completely  absorbed  in  the  business  of  his  high 
and  noble  calling.  He  now  holds  the  position 
of  Examining  Surgeon  of  Pensions.  He  is 
Surgeon  for  the  Rock  Island  R.  R.  at  Tiskilwa; 
a  Free  Mason,  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of 
Post  No.  660,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Tiskilwa,  in  which  he 
held  the  position  of  Surgeon  for  a  time. 


SWAN  H.  OLSON,  was  born  in  Sweden,  Aug, 
4,  1844,  and  coming  to  the  U.  S.  in   1854. 
settled  with  his  parents  at  Galesburg,  111., 
where  he  attended  the  district  schools  for  two 
months  of  each  year  for  six  years,  in  the  inter 
vals  assisting  a  farmer  as  a  farm  haud.     He  en 
listed  in  Aug.,  1862,  in  Co.  A.,   io2nd  111.  Inf., 
going  into  camp  at  Knoxville,  being  put  upon 
rations  of  badly  cooked  bread  and  having  to  en 
dure  many  privations  and  hardships. 


They  were  subsequently  encamped  for 
two  weeks  at  Peoria.  Until  they  were  suitably 
armed  and  equipped,  they  performed  guard 
duty  with  sticks  instead  of  guns.  In  going 
from  Peoria  to  Louisville  the  train  only  had 
enough  coaches  to  accommodate  half  of  the 
regiment,  the  other  half  having  to  ride  in  stock 
cars.  At  this  the  men  began  to  complain  and 
to  refuse  to  be  transported  like  so  many  cattle. 
They  were  carried  the  balance  of  the  way  in 
coaches.  Arriving  in  Jeffersonville,  they  were 
armed  but  got  no  tents.  They  were  thence  sent 
on  to  Louisville  to  operate  against  Forrest,  and 
were  assigned  to  Ward's  Brig.,  with  which  they 
proceeded  on  a  forced  march  toward  Franklin, 
Ky.  The  weather  was  extremely  hot  and  there 
was  no  fresh  water  to  be  had.  Coming  across 
a  pond  in  which  hogs  had  been  wallowing,  the 
men  drove  them  out,  and  thus  in  great  disgust 
quenched  their  thirst.  Many  halted  by  the 
wayside,  being  unable  to  proceed  further,  and 
camped  out  rejoining  the  command  the  follow 
ing  day.  They  then  then  moved  on  to  Shelby- 
ville,  there  going  into  camp  in  a  freshly 
ploughed  field  without  tents,  their  only  shelter 
being  afforded  by  blankets  suspended  over 
their  guns. 

They  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Gallatin, 
Tenn.,  thence  moving  on  to  Murfreesboro, 
where  for  a  year  they  guarded  the  railroad  be 
tween  that  point  and  Nashville.  While  at 
Gallatin,  they  were  transported  on  railway 
trains  to  other  points,  from  time  to  time,  and  on 
one  of  these  occasions  while  quietly  sitting  in 
the  cars  they  were  suddenly  fired  upon  by  the 
rebels,  which  was  promptly  returned  with  a 
loss  to  the  enemy  of  6  or  8  men.  The  detail 
had  several  men  wounded,  and  afterward  form 
ing  a  line,  they  offered  battle,  but  the  rebels  re 
treated  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded. 

In  the  spring  of  1864,  they  joined  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland  and  were  in  action  at  Resaca, 
where  they  captured  a  masked  battery  and 
held  their  position.  Here  the  regimental  loss 
was  heavy.  The  Regt.  was  afterward  in  all  of 
the  battles  of  the  campaign  up  to  Atlanta. 
Next  they  accompanied  Gen.  Sherman  on  his 
march  to  the  sea,  were  present  at  the  surrender 


5i6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


of  Gen.  Johnston  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.  Pushing 
on  they  arrived  at  Washington  and  took  part 
in  the  Grand  Review.  Discharged  at  Wash 
ington,  they  went  home  by  way  of  Chicago. 

Mr.  Olson  obtained  temporary  employment 
in  the  R.  R.  shops  at  Galesburg,  afterwards 
driving  a  grocery  wagon  for  F.  O.  Crocker  for 
three  years,  when  he  bought  out  the  business, 
five  years  later  having  a  new  building  erected 
at  his  present  location,  the  firm  being  S.  H. 
Olson  &  Bro.  They  are  doing  a  thriving  and 
profitable  business. 

He  was  married  to  Clara  Burke  in  1870,  and 
they  have  had  three  children — Clarence,  a  stu 
dent  at  Knox  College,  Grace  M.,  who  died 
when  five  years  old,  and  Irene,  yet  quite  a 
child. 

He  is  a  Republican  and  a  Prohibitionist, 
and  has  been  a  Supervisor  of  his  Township  for 
several  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.,  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.;  also  a  Modern 
Woodman  and  a  member  of  the  C.  M.  B.  A. 
He  is  an  upright  and  worthy  citizen  and  a  pro 
gressive  and  enterprising  merchant. 


JOHN  M.  PALMER  is  a  Kentuckian  by  birth, 
having  been  born  at  Eagle  Creek,  Scott 
County,  Sept.  13,  1817.  He  moved  in 
early  life  to  111.  In  1839  he  settled  at  Carlin- 
ville  where,  in  1840,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 
He  at  once  took  an  active  part  in  politics.  He 
represented  that  district  in  the  State  Senate 
from  1852  to  1855.  He  was  prominent  in  the 
organization  of  the  Republican  party  in  1856. 
In  1861  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Peace  Conven 
tion  which  met  in  Washington.  At  the  out 
break  of  the  Civil  War  he  entered  the  service 
and  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  I4th  Regt.  of 
111.  Vol.,  and  was  with  Gen.  Fremont  in  his  ex 
pedition  to  Springfield,  Mo.  In  Oct.  1861,  he 
was  made  a  Brig.  Gen.  and  subsequently,  for 
gallant  conduct  on  the  field  at  Stone  River,  he 
was  made  a  Maj.  Gen.  He  was  in  command  of 
the  1 4th  A.  C.  at  the  beginning  of  Sherman's 
Atlanta  campaign,  and  subsequently  in  com 
mand  of  the  Department  of  Ky.  He  resigned 


his  position  in  the  army  in  Sept.  1866,  and  re 
turned  to  civil  life. 

In  1848  he  was  nominated  by  the  Republi 
can  party  for  Governor  and  was  elected,  serv 
ing  from  1869  to  1873.  In  subsequent  years  he 
changed  his  politics  and  became  a  Democrat. 
In  1885  he  ran  for  Governor  on  the  Democratic 
ticket,  but  was  defeated  by  Joseph  Fifer,  the 
present  incumbent.  During  the  campaign  of 
1890,  Gen.  Palmer  made  a  general  canvass  of 
the  State  to  secure  a  popular  expression  from 
the  people  of  their  choice  for  U.  S.  Senator  to 
succeed  Charles  B.  Farwell.  The  result  at  the 
fall  election  was  very  favorable  to  him  and  the 
following  legislature  after  a  long  and  exciting 
contest  in  joint  ballot,  chose  him  to  represent 
the  State  in  Congress.  He  took  his  seat  in  the 
U.  S.  Senate,  Dec.  6,  1891.  Thiselection  to  the 
Senate  brought  Gen.  Palmer  once  more  into 
prominence  in  the  politics  of  the  State,  and 
made  him  an  important  factor  in  the  Demo 
cratic  councils  of  the  country.  At  the  present 
time  he  is  favorably  mentioned  as  one  of  the 
Presidential  candidates  before  the  coining 
National  Democratic  Convention  to  be  held  at 
Chicago. 


LYSANDER  B.  PIPER,  of  Moline,  111.,  a  native 
of  Royalston,  Mass.,  was  born  March  20, 
1822,  a  son  of  Luke  and  Betsey  (Cole) 
Piper,  natives  of  Mass.  The  former  was  the  son 
of  Josiah  Piper,  a  Scottish  emigrant,  who  settled 
in  this  country  many  years  ago.  Having  been 
born  upon  the  farm,  our  subject  continued  with 
his  parents,  attending  school  and  working  upon 
the  homestead,  like  other  boys  similarly  circum 
stanced.  The  farm,  however,  did  not  furnish  him 
with  the  exciting  scenes,  or  go  to  make  up  what 
Lysander  concluded  should  be  his  ideal  of 
life,  and,  as  his  parents  would  not  hear  to  his 
leaving  home  at  so  tender  an  age,  nothing  was 
left  for  him  except  to  choose  between  farm 
drudgery  and  an  elopement,  and,  to  cut  the 
agony  short,  he  decided  upon  the  latter,  al 
though  he  was  only  17  years  of  age.  He  pro 
ceeded  to  Charleston,  Mass.,  and  enlisted  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


U.  S.  Naval  Service,  and  was  assigned  to  the 
sloop  of  war  "Preble,"on  her  sail  for  Labrador, 
under  command  of  Lieut.  Johnson.  The  cruise 
lasted  some  4  months,  during  which  time  the 
ship  was  employed  in  looking  after  the  inter 
ests  of  Uncle  Sam's  fleet  fishing  in  and  about 
those  waters.  Completing  the  object  of  this 
cruise,  he  returned  to  Boston,  and  was  trans 
ferred  to  the  receiving  ship  "Columbus,"  from 
which  he  was  drafted  to  the  "  Macedonia,"  and 
with  her  proceeded  to  the  West  Indies,  cruising 
among  the  islands  for  upward  of  four  months, 
then  returned  to  Boston,  where  he  was  returned 
to  the  "Columbus,"  which  completed  his  first 
year's  service.  A  draft  was  ordered  in  which  to 
man  the  line  of  battleship  "Delaware,"  No,  74, 
and  desiring  to  become  a  member  of  her  crew, 
to  which  he  was  not,  under  the  circumstances, 
eligible,  he  re-enlisted  for  three  years  from 
that  date,  and  was  accepted,  and  went  to  Nor 
folk,  where  the  ship  was.  fitted  out  for  a  three 
years'  cruise  in  the  Brazilian  waters,  under  com 
mand 'of  Capt.  Samuel  McAuley,  with  Com 
modore  Charles  Morris  as  Squadron  Com 
mander. 

With  his  ship  he  cruised  for  16  months  on 
the  Brazilian  coast,  and  then  to  the  Mediterra 
nean  Sea,  where  he  continued  for  the  remainder 
of  his  term,  besides  an  additional  year,  and  by 
the  time  he  had  reached  Norfolk,  had  been  in 
the  service  six  years  in  all,  therefore,  on  ar 
rival  at  the  last  named  point  he  was  discharged 
and  paid  off  in  the  year  1845.  He  returned 
to  his  native  State  where  he  worked  until  1856, 
when  he  removed  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he 
resided  until  1860,  then  removed  to  Moline,  111. 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  our  young  naval 
soldier  concluded  to  join,  but  on  reflection, 
thinking  the  war  would  be  suppressed  without 
fighting  or  excitement,  decided  otherwise.  The 
second  call  for  troops,  however,  soon  followed 
and  proved  to  be  more  than  our  courageous 
subject  could  stand,  therefore,  he  enlisted  June 
17,  1861,  rendezvoused  at  Chicago  and  was  sub 
sequently  mustered  into  the  service  as  a  private 
in  Co.  H.,  igth  111.  Vol.  Inf.  They  remained  in 
camp  at  Chicago  where  they  were  instructed  in 
drill  and  army  movements  and  then  ordered  to 


Mo.  The  command  was  really  an  independent 
one,  yet  was  nominally  under  Gen.  Fremont, 
and  after  operating  in  Mo.  for  six  months,  was 
ordered  to  Washington  and  in  proceeding 
thither  by  rail  the  train  fell  through  a  bridge 
at  Willow  Valley,  Ind.,  resulting  in  the  killing 
and  maiming  of  160  of  the  Regt.  The  order  to 
proceed  to  Washington  was  here  counter 
manded,  so  the  Regt.  proceeded  to  and  went 
into  camp  at  Cincinnati  for  three  weeks,  and 
were  then  sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  on  ar 
rival  was  assigned  to  Sherman's  command,  and 
later,  to  Buells.  Secret,  rapid  and  continuous 
movements  became  the  order  of  the  day  with 
fighting  and  skirmishes  coming  along  in  rapid 
succession. 

Having  completed  operations  in  that  State, 
the  Regt.  moved  to  Tenn.,  where  they  were 
later  actively  engaged  in  the  battles  of  luka, 
and  Stone  River.  During  the  latter,  the  igth  be 
ing  unacquainted  with  the  grounds,  by  mistake 
found  themselves  in  a  swamp  where  they  were 
completely  surrounded  by  the  rebels,  neces 
sitating  a  surrender  or  a  desperate  assault  upon 
some  part  of  the  enemy's  line  in  order  to  cut 
their  way  out.  The  latter  course,  although  a 
desperate  one,  was  decided  upon,  and  with  the 
knowledge  that  if  captured  the  prison  gates  of 
Libby  stood  open  and  already  yearned  to  re 
ceive  them,  "they  all  as  of  one  accord"  joined 
in  the  charge  upon  the  rebel  line  which  gave 
way,  thus  setting  Mr.  Piper  and  his  gallant 
comrades  free.  His  Brig,  then  under  Rose- 
crans  charged  across  Stone  River  and  drove 
the  enemy  back  in  confusion,  and  fearing  its 
position  untenable,  the  enemy  retreated  during 
the  night. 

While  drilling  at  Baron's  Creek  in  the  spring 
of  1862,  under  Gen.  Mitchell  and  just  before 
the  battle  of  Ft.  Donelson,  Comrade  Piper 
slipped  by  accident  and  his  left  knee  coming 
in  contact  with  the  end  of  a  log,  caused  a  se 
vere  wound.  By  being  exposed  he  caught  cold 
causing  inflammation  to  set  in,  which  rendered 
him  totally  disabled.  Notwithstanding  this 
injury  he  remained  with  his  Regt.  until  July 
29, 1862,  when  he  was  discharged  on  a  surgeons 
certificate.  From  this  injury  he  has  never  re- 


5i8 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


covered  and  at  the  present  time  is  totally  dis 
abled  from  its  effects. 

After  quitting  the  army  he  located  at  Mo- 
line,  and  has  there  lived,  except  for  a  short 
period,  when  he  was  at  Colorado  Springs,  Col., 
being  in  the  employ  of  Dimmock  &  Gould  part 
of  the  time,  and  afterwards  with  the  Moline 
Plow  Company,  where  he  continued  17  years, 
ending  in  Oct.  1891.  He  is  a  member  of  Gra 
ham  Post,  No.  312,  G.  A.  R.  and  also  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  Lodge,  of  Moline,  No.  133.  He  first 
married  Rachel  Done,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children.  He  married  again  Lavenia  Town- 
send,  and  by  her  had  one  child,  Mary  E.,  who 
died  Aug.  I2th,  1891,  aged  16  years. 


M 


ELVIN  W.  BENNETT, of  Morris,  111.,  a  son  of 
George  and  Jane  (White)  Bennett,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Cairo,  Green  Co., 
N.  Y.,  Sept.  17,  1846,  and  made  his  home  at  this 
place  until  he  reached  the  age  of  22  years.  The 
maternal  ancestor  of  Mr.  Bennett  was  a  daughter 
of  George  and  Elizabeth  White  who  were  from 
Kent,  England.  On  the  paternal  side,  his 
grandfather  was  Jeremiah  Bennett,  of  New 
Bedford,  Mass.,  of  Puritan  stock. 

When  the  call  for  soldiers  sounded  through 
the  land,  Mr.  Bennett  presented  himself  for 
enlistment  but  was  declared  too  young.  He, 
however,  entered  the  service  of  the  Govt.  on  a 
dispatch  boat,  plying  between  Baltimore  and 
Fortress  Monroe,  carrying  troops,  provisions 
and  dispatches.  The  young  man  took  a  posi 
tion  as  sailor  on  board  this  boat,  his  brother, 
William  Bennett,  being  the  pilot.  He  served 
in  this  capacity  for  about  18  months  until  the 
vessel  was  pronounced  unseaworthy,  he  then 
returned  home  and  remained  until  the  spring  of 
1869,  when  he  moved  to  Morris,  111.,  where  he 
has  been  engaged  in  farming  ever  since. 

In  1877  he  took  unto  himself  a  wife — Marie 
E.  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  William  K.  Johnson. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bennett  have  two  children — 
Daisy  and  Mary.  He  was  formerly  a  Democrat 
and  voted  for  Seymour  and  Cleveland,  but  has 


determined  to  vote  hereafter  with  the  Republi 
cans.  Mr.  Bennett  is  an  extensive  farmer,  a 
temperance  man,  a  good  citizen  and  a  man 
widely  respected  for  his  many  good  qualities. 


HENRY  C.  YETTER,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  was 
born  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  May  30,  1843, 
and  with  his  parents,  who  were  Louis 
and  Elizabeth  (Bear)  Yetter,  came  to  Hancock 
Co.,  111.,  when  but  a  small  boy.  His  father, 
Louis,  was  a  native  of  Pa.,  as  was  also  his  wife. 

Henry  C.  Yetter,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  brought  up  on  a  farm  in  Hancock  Co.,  111.* 
and  at  the  age  of  17,  in  Aug.,  1862,  enlisted  in 
Co.  A.,  iiSth  111.  Inf.,  going  to  Camp  Butler, 
and  thence  to  Memphis.  Subsequently  he 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills. 
Here  Co.  A.  threw  out  as  skirmishers,  fully 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  main  line  of 
the  army,  and  was  charged  upon  by  a  Brig,  of 
the  enemy,  losing  heavily — the  Captain,  ist 
Lieut.,  Orderly  Sergt.  and  ist,  2nd  and  3rd 
Sergt's,  and  every  non-commissioned  officer  to 
the  corporal  being  killed.  C.  M.  Gedis,  the  8th 
Corporal  being  the  next  day  promoted  to  Cap 
tain. 

The  enemy  seeing  with  what  obstinacy  they 
held  their  position,  now  fell  back,  and  the  Co. 
was  enabled  to  rejoin  the  command.  They 
were  after  this  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  where 
they  were  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Mc- 
Clernand  on  the  left  of  the  works.  They  were 
here  on  constant  duty  as  skirmishers  for  42 
days.  After  its  capitulation  and  surrender, 
they  moved  on  to  Baton  Rouge,  and  were  there 
mounted  and  equipped  for  an  expedition 
through  La.,  under  Gen.  Davidson,  into  the 
pine  forests  of  that  State  and  Ala.  They  were 
on  this  raid  for  three  weeks,  two  weeks  of 
which  time  it  rained  incessantly.  They  had  to 
ford  the  rivers  and  cut  boughs  from  the  pine 
trees  to  afford  them  a  passage  through  the 
muddy  roads. 

Mr.  Yetter  has  never  entirely  recovered 
from  the  effects  of  his  sufferings  on  this  memor 
able  march.  Taking  a  vessel  at  Pensacola  Bay 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


5'9 


they  went  to  New  Orleans,  where  they  re 
mained  for  six  weeks,  leaving  then  for  Baton 
Rouge,  where  they  continued  until  the  expira 
tion  of  their  term  of  service. 

During  the  whole  period  of  his  service  to 
June  10,  1865,  when  he  was  discharged  for  dis 
ability,  Mr.  Yetter  was  never  absent  from  duty. 
Returning  home  to  Hancock  Co.,  he  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business  at  Webster,  subse 
quently  removing  to  Burnside,  same  Co.,  where 
he  became  Postmaster,  retaining  that  position 
for  12  years,  after  which  he  went  into  the  drug 
business.  In  1888  he  sold  out  and  went  to 
Galesburg,  where  he  resumed  the  drug  business, 
purchasing  the  interest  of  Anderson  &  Bros., 
in  which  he  has  achieved  a  notable  success. 

He  was  married  in  1877,  to  Ida  J.  McGee, 
of  Adrian,  111.,  and  has  three  children — Har- 
din,  Gay  and  Bessie  Mabel. 

He  is  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  45, 
and  a  Republican.  Is  also  a  member  the  Alpha 
Lodge  No.  155,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Galesburg, 
and  Sr.  Deacon  of  said  lodge.  Mr.  Yetter  is  a 
worthy  citizen  and  merchant,  and  retains  the 
high  respect  and  confidence  of  all  who  know 
him. 


WASHINGTON  M.  ELLIOT,  of  Kewanec, 
111.,  lived  at  Mount  Pleasant,  Jeffer 
son  Co.,  Ohio,  (where  he  was  born 
May  7,  1832,)  until  he  moved  to  Kewanee,  111. 
in  1854,  before  the  railroad  reached  that  place 
and  when  only  three  houses  had  been  erected. 
His  father  was  James  Elliot,  a  native  of  Eng 
land.  The  mother's  name  was  Mary  Mayhew, 
who  was  born  in  Kennebec  Co.,  Me.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  Aaron  Mayhew.  The  family 
of  Mayhews  descend  from  an  early  missionary 
of  that  name  who  was  in  America  at  time  of 
its  earliest  settlement. 

Washington  Elliot  was  married  in  Knox- 
ville,  111.,  Ang.  1865,  to  Amanda  M.  Goodnow. 
She  was  born  April  8,  1836,  in  Erie  Co.,  Pa., 
and  is  now  living.  She  had  one  brother,  Frank, 
in  the  army  with  Mr.  Elliot  in  Co.  A.,  I24th  111. 
Vol.  Inf. 


Mr.  Elliot  entered  the  U.  S.  service  as  a  re 
cruit,  March  14,  1864,  and  joining  his  Regt,  at 
Vicksburg,  remained  with  it  until  Dec.  in  the 
same  year.  The  heat  of  the  southern  climate, 
the  bad  food  and  water  induced  chronic  diar 
rhea,  on  account  of  which  he  was  discharged. 
He  has  never  fully  regained  his  health.  When 
he  left  the  regiment  the  "boys"  never  expected 
to  see  him  alive,  so  greatly  was  he  reduced, 
but  by  skillful  treatment  has  made  some  re 
covery  although  for  a  year  after  his  return 
home  he  was  an  invalid.  Mr.  Elliot  has  made 
his  home  in  Kewanee  since  1854,  and  has  been 
employed  as  a  carpenter  and  in  other  work. 
He  is  a  Republican  and  has  usually  been  in 
some  office.  He  is  now  Street  Commissioner, 
and  Health  Officer  of  the  city;  was  also  Truant 
officer  for  two  years.  He  has  8  children  living, 
and  3  dead,  as  follows:  Rose,  wife  of  Gilbert  La 
Shell,  living  at  Norton  Co.,  Kan.,  with  6  chil 
dren  ;  Isora,  wife  of  George  Geer  of  Chicago,  and 
has  two  children — Ed.,  an  engineer  in  the  Rol 
ling  Mills,  at  Kewanee;  Benj.  H.,  married,  is  a 
clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store  in  Omaha;  Ollie  G.,  a 
graduate  of  the  High  School  at  Kewanee,  is  a 
stenographer  and  typewriter  in  Chicago,  Carrie 
is  at  home;  William  is  at  home,  preparing  to 
perfect  himself  in  electrical  science.  Ernest,  a 
lad  of  9  years,  is  at  home;  Ulysses  Grant  died 
in  1866,  at  the  age  of  two  years;  Grace  died  in 
1884,  18  months  old;  and  Ethel  died  at  the  age 
of  8  years  in  1882. 

Mr.  Elliot  is  a  working  member  of  the  G. 
A.  R.  and  also  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


DANIEL  C.  LONG,  of  Urbana.  111.,  enlisted 
in  Co.  D.,  72nd  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  July  25. 
1862,  for  3  years,  and  was  assigned  to 
Wilders  Brig.,  2nd  Div.,  I4th  A.  C.  His  Regt. 
started  Aug.  iith,  for  Indianapolis  and  after 
spending  a  day  marching  and  countermarching 
at  that  place  camped  until  the  i8th,  when  it 
crossed  the  Ohio  River  and  marched  through 
Louisville  to  Oakland.  On  the  following  day 
it  moved  to  Lebanon,  Ky.,  capturing  its  first 
prisoners  on  the  3Oth,  and  on  Sept.  5th  moved 


520 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


to  Lebanon  Junction  where,  it  was  expected  the 
enemy  would  be  encountered.  On  the  22nd  it 
marched  to  Shephardsville  and  Louisville,  and 
Oct.  6th,  by  boat  to  Salt  River;  on  the  i8th  to 
Shelbyville,  and  immediately  went  in  pursuit  of 
the  Rebel  Morgan.  It  subsequently  marched 
to  Scottsville,  Gallatin,  Castillion  Springs,  Bear 
Wallow,  Cave  City  and  then  on  to  Murfrees- 
boro,  where  it  went  into  camp  and  was  mounted, 
and  remained  for  several  weeks  performing 
hard  duty  and  kept  upon  short  rations.  The 
Regt.  led  in  the  advance  of  Rosecrans'  army 
upon  Hoover's  Gap  where  they  took  part  in  a 
bloody  battle  in  the  rain,  losing  several  men  in 
killed  and  wounded.  Mr.  Long  was  among 
those  wounded  having  had  his  right  arm  broken 
in  two  places.  The  ball  had  entered  at  the 
wrist,  shattering  both  bones  into  many  pieces 
and  came  out  at  the  elbow.  Mr  Long  was  at 
once  placed  in  Hospital,  No.  I,  Murfreesboro, 
where  the  wound  was  dressed  and  pieces  of 
bone  extracted  in  the  vain  hope  of  saving  the 
arm.  He  lay  in  the  hospital  for  eight  and  a 
half  months  suffering  untold  pain  but  finally 
he  submitted  to  the  inevitable  and  had  it  am 
putated  after  gangrene  had  appeared  and 
threatened  his  life.  He  soon  improved  and 
was  removed  to  Camp  Dennison,  Ohio,  where  he 
spent  two  months.  He  was  discharged  from  the 
army  June  24,  1864,  when  Moses  Boggs,  a  per 
sonal  friend,  offered  to  pay  his  way  for  a  short 
course  in  the  Kingston  College,  Ohio,  which 
he  accepted  and  fitted  him  all  the  better  to 
earn  a  living.  He  removed  to  Tippecanoe, 
La  Fayette  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  was  elected  and 
served  as  assessor  and  apprisor  for  seven  years 
in  succession  and  was  fora  portion  of  the  same 
period  Deputy  Sheriff  at  La  Fayette. 

In  1869,  Mr.  Long  moved  further  west,  set 
tled  down  at  Homer,  111.,  where  he  had  a 
brother  living,  and  became  engaged  in  several 
enterprises  until  the  following  year,  when  he 
removed  to  Urbana,  and  there  engaged  in  the 
news  and  stationery  business  which  he  has 
since  followed.  He  has  by  industry  and  atten 
tive  habits,  built  up  a  large  and  prosperous 
trade.  He  has  served  two  years  as  town  clerk 
of  Urbana,  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of 


the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  1 29,  and  has  filled  about  all 
the  offices,  having  occupied  the  honorable 
office  of  Commander  of  the  Post.  Mr.  Long  is 
a  Republican,  first,  last,  and  all  the  time.  He 
has  also  represented  his  Post  on  several  occa 
sions  at  the  Department  Encampment.  The 
72d  Ind.  has  an  annual  reunion  and  at  these 
meetings  the  genial  face  of  comrade  Long  will 
always  be  found,  and  with  one  empty  sleeve 
he  has  a  constant  reminder  of  the  terrible  war 
and  the  sufferings  he  endured  in  the  interest  of 
the  Republic. 

Mr.  Long  was  married  March  16,  1865,  to 
Catherine  Kiser,  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  and  his 
estimable  wife  are  well  and  favorably  known 
in  his  county,  and  both  are  consecrated  mem 
bers  of  the  M.  E.  church. 


GALLANTLY  and  patriotically  jeopardizing 
his  life,  fighting  the  battles  of  his  coun 
try,  was  Capt.  David  J.  Ford  of  Ma 
homet,  111.,  during  the  late  Rebellion.  He  was 
born  in  Ohio,  May  15,  1833,  a  son  of  James  G. 
and  Elizabeth  P.  (Hannah)  Ford.  He  had  an 
uncle  (John  Ford)  as  also  grand  uncle  in  the 
war  of  1812.  His  parents  were  among  the  early 
settlers  in  Ohio,  where  our  subject  first  saw  the 
light,  and  grew  up  upon  a  farm.  After  acquir 
ing  such  an  education  as  was  then  obtainable  at 
the  country  schools,  young  Ford  moved  to  the 
fertile  prairies  of  111.,  settling  upon  land  in 
Piatt  Co.,  near  Monticello,  where  he  became  a 
tiller  of  the  soil.  The  war  having  been  precip 
itated,  our  gallant  subject  could  no  longer  con 
tent  himself  upon  a  farm,  and  assisted  to  raise 
a  Co.  Aug.,  1862,  of  which  he  was  chosen  Capt. 
It  became  Co.  C,  of  the  io;th  111.  Vol.  Inf. 
He  led  his  Co.  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  he 
camped  for  two  weeks,  then  moved  to  the  pro 
tection  of  Elizabethtown,  threatened  by  the 
rebel  raider,  John  Morgan,  whose  forces  were 
encountered  and  defeated  after  a  short  struggle. 
He  was  next  employed  guarding  the  Louisville 
and  Nashville  R.  R.  until  Dec.  He  wintered  at 
Mumfordsville,  Ky.,  and  in  April  moved  south 
to  Glasgow,  fortifying  the  position  as  the  army 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


moved  forward.  A  detachment  of  the  Regt. 
made  two  expeditions  to  the  Cumberland  River 
for  the  purpose  of  dispersing  a  band  of  guerril 
las  who  were  foraging  the  country  for  Bragg's 
Army.  Capt.  Ford,  whilst  at  Glasgow  was 
taken  sick,  from  constrained  work  and  exposure, 
and  compelled  to  give  up  his  command  for  a 
time,  but  soon  was  able  to  resume  his  responsible 
position.  On  Aug.  i8th  he  started  on  that  long, 
hard  march  across  the  mountains  to  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  but  on  reaching  Armstown  was  again 
smitten  with  chronic  diarrhea  and  rheuma 
tism,  and  sent  back  to  Lebanon  for  medical 
treatment,  where  he  remained  until  Nov.  Hav 
ing  recovered,  he  again  assumed  command  of 
his  Co,  at  Loudon,  Tenn.,  participating  in  the 
battles  .of  Huff's  Ferry,  Leonore  Station,  and 
Campbell's  Station,  where  the  boys  in  blue 
were  outnumbered  by  the  rebels  in  the  propor 
tion  of  three  to  one;  but  notwithstanding  this, 
the  enemy  was  kept  back  until  the  retreat  was 
covered  to  Knoxville.  Then  came  the  siege  of 
Knoxville.  Here  Capt.  Ford's  men  were  kept 
day  after  day  upon  the  sidewalks,  much  of  the 
time  without  rations,  and  throughout  on  short 
allowance.  The  men  grew  restless  and  insisted 
upon  knowing  the  reason  for  such  treatment, 
The  Capt.  communicated  the  facts  to  his  su 
periors  and  the  following  day  Gen.  Burnside 
came  to  them  and  informed  the  men  of  the 
circumstances  which  amply  satisfied  them  with 
their  hard  luck. 

Subsequently  Capt.  Ford  led  his  men  at  the 
battles  of  Elaine's  Cross  Roads,  Dandridge, 
Strawberry  Plains,  from  the  latter  of  which  he 
was  driven  back  to  Knoxville  for  protection. 
The  long  suspense  and  exposure,  coupled  with 
the  want  of  nourishing  food  whilst  in  Knox 
ville,  told  upon  a  constitutionalready  weakened 
with  a  wasting  disease,  yet  our  hero  stood  at 
his  post,  directing,  cheering  and  encouraging 
his  men  until  his  constitution  could  no  longer 
respond  to  active  work.  Being  a  physical 
wreck  and  no  longer  able  to  continue  with  his 
command,  he  resigned  Feb.  10,  1864,  and  re 
turned  to  his  home.  Finding  himself  unable 
for  the  heavy  toil  of  farming,  he  abandoned  it 
and  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Mahomet 


in  1868,  where  he  became  a  prominent  figure 
and  a  businessman.  He  was  one  of  the  prin 
cipal  organizers  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Ma 
homet,  of  which  he  has  been  Commander  for 
three  years.  He  has  been  a  delegate  on  sev 
eral  occasions  to  the  National  Encampment. 
He  is  Aid-de-Camp  on  the  Staff  of  the  Depart 
ment  Commander,  and  whilst  he  is  a  Republi 
can  has  never  allowed  his  name  to  be  used  as 
a  candidate  for  any  office.  He  is  a  prominent 
Mason.  Capt.  Ford  is  a  man  of  soldierly  bear 
ing,  fine  appearance,  pleasant  gentleman,  and 
a  great  favorite  with  the  boys.  He  was  mar 
ried  to  Annie  Webb  Jan.  20,  1853,  by  whom  he 
has  two  children  living,  Stella  G.  and  Irene  L. 


JAMES  L.  RICHARDSON,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  was 
born  in  Cooperstown,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y., 
April  10,  1838,  where  he  resided  with  his 
parents,  John  and  Elizabeth  Richardson,  of  old 
Conn,  families,  until  he  went  into  the  army, 
Aug.  12,  1861,  enlisting  in  Co.  D.,  3d  N.  Y.  Cav., 
better  known  as  the  Van  Allen  Cav.,  which  was 
the  ist  Vol.  Cav.  Regt.  to  enter  Washington. 

The  first  encounter  with  the  enemy  was  at 
Ball's  Bluff.  Next  it  proceeded  to  Charleston 
turnpike  and  joined  in  Foster's  expedition  into 
N.  C.,  where  guarding  railroads  running  into 
Newbern  it  made  a  number  of  raids,  at  one 
time  going  as  far  as  Goldsboro,  meeting  the 
rebels  in  a  heavy  fight  on  the  road,  where  they 
were  in  force,  but  gave  way  after  a  sharp  con 
test.  After  Gen.  Grant  assumed  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  the  Regt.  came  North 
and  at  one  time,  when  ordered  to  Cold  Harbor, 
was  about  five  miles  from  Richmond,  where  it 
tore  up  about  50  miles  of  railroad  and  captured 
two  trains,  and  this,  Mr.  Richardson  says,  was 
the  beginning  of  his  work  on  railroads. 

The  men  had  just  returned  to  camp  from 
this  raid  when  the  explosion  of  the  mine  at 
Petersburg,  three  miles  away  was  heard  and  felt, 
as  the  earth  under  them  trembled  and  every 
man  leaped  into  his  saddle  to  be  prepared  for 
the  worst,  as  none  knew  the  cause  of  the  terri 
ble  convulsion  which  was  like  an  earthquake. 


522 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


The  Regt.  was  sent  on  the  Wilson  raid,  and 
going  into  the  rear  of  Richmond  raided  the 
country  to  destroy  property,  burn  bridges  and 
tear  up  railroad  tracks,  so  that  the  enemy  could 
not  escape  from  the  city.  During  this  whole 
time,  day  and  night,  the  enemy  was  endeavor 
ing  to  check  the  operations,  continually  firing 
upon  the  raiders.  One  night  the  union  force 
was  surrounded  by  cavalry,  and  fording  a  creek 
to  escape  received  a  volley  from  some  infantry 
hidden  there,  but  rallying,  the  Union  men  cut 
their  way  through  the  rebel  lines,  and  rode  24 
hours,  encountering  others  of  their  force,  who 
had  escaped  in  other  directions.  When  nearing 
Petersburg  this  command  ran  unexpectedly  into 
the  right  wing  of  Lee's  army,  and  it  required  rapid 
movements  and  some  fighting  to  effect  an  es 
cape,  as  at  one  time  Lee's  whole  army  lay  be 
tween  this  raiding  command  and  the  Union 
army. 

Previous  to  this,  when  Gen.  Butler  held  pos 
session  of  Bermuda  Hundreds,  the  Union  Cav. 
made  a  dash  into  Petersburg,  and  reached 
the  bridge  in  the  streets  of  the  city,  and  if  it 
had  been  supported  could  have  held  the  place. 
A  few  days  later  when  dismounted,  and  acting 
as  Inf.  in  a  skirmish,  Col.  Simon  Mix  fell  at  the 
head  of  his  Regt.,  and  his  body  left  on  the  field 
with  many  others  of  his  comrades,  was  never 
recovered. 

The  3d  Regt.  was  in  the  battle  of  Reams' 
Station,  was  then  ordered  to  go  up  the  Ann 
River,  and  later  was  at  Pingo,  where  it  hunted 
guerrillas  and  performed  guard  duty,  after 
wards  going  to  Suffolk,  Va.,  where  it  was  con 
solidated  with  another  Regt.,  as  the  men  had 
re-enlisted  in  the  fall  of  1863  for  three  years' 
more  service. 

In  1864,  Mr.  Richardson  was  appointed 
Quartermaster  Sergeant  of  his  Regt.  While  at 
Pingo,  he  went  to  Norfolk  and -the  Gen.  gave 
him  official  notice  of  Lee's  surrender,  and  when 
the  Captain  of  the  Co.  was  informed  of  the  fact 
he  ordered  Mr.  Richardson  to  take  a  ten  gallon 
keg  of  whisky  which  was  in  the  commissary 
stores,  knock  in  the  head  and  allow  the  men 
to  help  themselves.  Mr.  Richardson,  anticipat 
ing  the  result,  suggested  that  the  guns  should 


be  removed  first,  so  on  pretense  of  inspection 
of  arms  the  guns  were  secured;  then  the  Cap 
tain  read  the  news-  he  had  received  and  invited 
the  men  to  help  themselves  to  the  whisky,  with 
a  result  that  can  better  be  imagined  than  de 
scribed. 

At  Norfolk  the  Regt.  was  mustered  out  Aug. 
12,  1865,  just  four  years  after  the  day  of  enlist 
ment,  and  returning  to  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Mr. 
Richardson  was  married  to  Emma  Burk,  daugh 
ter  of  John  Tracy  Burk,  of  an  old  American 
family.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richardson  moved  to 
Galesburg,  111.,  in  1866,  where  the  next  day  af 
ter  arriving  he  secured  a  position  as  brakesman 
on  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  rising  in  22  months  to 
the  position  of  conductor,  which  he  has  held 
to  the  present  time,  running  passenger  trains 
during  the  past  seven  years,  and  is  now  one  of 
the  best  known  conductors  on  the  road. 

Conductor  Richardson  has  two  children — 
Elizabeth  and  James  Leroy.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Universalist  Church,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  a 
charter  member  of  Post  No.  45,  in  which  he  has 
filled  every  office.  He  has  also  held  the  posi 
tion  of  Jr.  Vice  Department  Commander  of  the 
State  of  111,  and  served  one  term  as  Quarter 
master  General  of  the  Department.  He  has 
always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  object  and 
success  of  the  G.  A.  R.  In  politics  he  is,  as  he 
says,  "Republican  all  the  way  through,"  as  was 
his  father  and  his  wife's  father,  and  exerts  no 
small  influence  in  the  political  affairs  of  his  lo 
cality.  Posessing  a  genial  nature  and  having  a 
wide  acquaintance,  Conductor  Richardson 
makes  friends  everywhere,  and  is  deservedly 
popular  among  those  who  best  know  his  many 
commendable  attributes  and  true  worth  of 
character. 


M 


AJ.-GEN.  IRWIN  McDowELL,  was  born  in 
Ohio  in  1818.  Educated  at  West  Point, 
and  graduated  in  1838.  Entered  mili 
tary  service  as  1st  Lieut,  of  Art.;  was  promoted 
to  Aide-de-Camp  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Wool  in 
1845.  Served  in  the  war  with  Mexico,  and  dis 
tinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista. 
Resigned  his  commission  and  retired  from  mil- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


523 


itary  service  in  1857.  Early  in  1861  he  was  ap 
pointed  Brig.  Gen.  of  Volunteers  and  took  com 
mand  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  fine 
appearance  and  military  knowledge  of  this 
young  officer  rapidly  won  the  confidence  of 
Gen.  Scott,  then  Commander-in-Chief,  and 
made  him  a  leading  spirit  in  the  military  move 
ments  about  the  Capital.  Washington  City  was 
at  that  time  threatened  by  a  strong  Rebel  force 
concentrated  at  Centerville  and  Manassas  Junc 
tion,  on  the  Va.  side  of  the  Potomac.  As  soon 
as  a  Union  army  could  be  organized,  Gen.  Scott 
determined  to  force  the  enemy  into  battle,  and, 
if  possible,  to  crush  the  Rebellion  in  its  incep 
tion.  The  position  of  the  Confederate  troops 
was  well  understood,  and  Gen.  Scott  drew  the 
plans  and' directed  the  movements  against  it. 
Everything  being  ready,  Gen.  McDowell  was 
given  the  command,  and  on  July  2ist,  1861,  the 
first  great  battle  of  the  war  was  fought.  Gen. 
Scott's  plan  was  to  make  a  feint  on  the  center 
of  the  position  of  the  enemy,  push  a  strong 
flank  movement  on  the  left,  double  up  his  lines 
and  crush  them  between  two  fires.  Bull  Run 
Creek  only  divided  the  two  armies.  At  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning  Gen.  Tyler  opened  fire 
with  heavy  artillery  on  the  center  of  the  Rebel 
lines,  while  Gens.  Sumner,  Burnside  and 
Heintzelman  crossed  the  Creek  and  attacked 
the  Rebel  left  with  terrible  fury.  All  the  fore 
noon  the  bloody  strife  went  on.  For  long  and 
weary  hours  the  tide  of  battle  raged  writh  ever 
changing  results.  The  day  was  terribly  hot. 

The  Union  soldiers,  many  of  them  stripped  to 
the  buff,  delivered  some  of  the  most  daring 
bayonet  charges  ever  known  in  war.  These 
were  answered  by  shouts  and  yells  and  counter 
charges  from  the  rebels.  At  noon  the  struggle 
was  still  in  doubt.  Gen.  Robert  Patterson  was 
at  Charlestown,  twenty  miles  away,  with  twenty 
thousand  men,  ordered  to  hold  the  Rebel  Gen's. 
(Joe  Johnston)  army  under  the  same  place,  or 
unite  with  Gen.  McDowell  at  Bull  Run.  From 
causes  never  fully  explained,  Gen.  Patterson 
failed  in  his  work.  Johnston  was  allowed  to 
hurry  his  troops  via  railroad  to  the  field  of 
strife,  while  Patterson  and  his  men  quietly  sat 
and  listened  to  the  distant  roar  of  the  cannon 


as  they  thundered  along  the  banks  of  Bull 
Run.  Never  did  men  fight  better  as  long  as 
there  was  hope  on  the  Union  side.  As  soon  as 
our  first  lines  wavered, the  Rebel  troops  rapidly 
advanced,  charging  and  shouting  like  demons 
incarnate.  The  Union  troops  in  disorder,  fell 
back  to  the  fortifications  around  Washington, 
and  the  followers  in  wild  confusion,  made  their 
way  across  the  river  and  into  the  city.  The 
enemy  had  suffered  so  severely  that  no  effect 
ive  pursuit  was  attempted.  The  forces  engaged 
in  this  great  battle  were  about  equal  when  the 
fighting  began,  but  the  arrival  of  Johnston's 
turned  the  tide  in  favor  of  the  Rebels. 

General  McDowell  continued  to  serve  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  until  the  close  of  the  war 
and  remained  in  service  in  the  regular  army 
until  his  death,  in  May,  1885.  In  person,  Gen. 
McDowell  was  over  six  feet  high,  and  very 
large.  His  complexion,  hair  and  eyes  very 
dark,  making  his  appearance  commanding  and 
soldierly  in  a  degree  rarely  equaled  among  all 
the  commanders  of  the  great  Union  army. 


JOSEPH  ENDERLE,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  a  resident  of  Rock    Island,  111.,  was 
born  in  Durmersheim    Baden,    Germany. 
Aug.  24,    1842,  the    only  child  of  Anton    and 
Carolina  ( Heinz)  Enderle.     When  but  an  infant 
of  six  months,  Joseph  lost  his  mother,  and  on 
March  25,  1860,  he  joined  his  father  and  sailed 
for    America,  landing  at  New    Orleans,   from 
whence   came    directly    to    Davenport,    Iowa, 
June  14,  1860. 

In  the  Enderle  family  we  have  a  case  that 
clearly  depicts  how  the  love  of  liberty  and 
freedom  so  freely  flows  in  the  German  blood, 
All  honor  to  the  army  of  Germans  who  so 
valiantly  stood  by  their  new  colors!  In  this 
case  both  fatherand  son,  though  having  scarcely 
settled  in  their  new  home,  lost  no  time  in 
rallying  to  the  support  of  their  newly  adop 
ted  flag,  but  responded  to  the  very  first  call  for 
volunteers,  both  enlisting  Apr.  25,  1861,  at 
Davenport,  Iowa,  in  Co.  G.,  ist  Iowa  Inf. 
They  went  into  camp  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  where 


524 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  Regt.  was  organized,  and  where  the  "boys" 
were  equipped,  drilled  and  mustered  in  May 
8,  1861.  Soon  they  broke  camp  and  moved  to 
the  front,  first  halting  at  Macon  City,  then  to 
Boonville,  Mo.,  Springfield,  Mo.,  and  at  Duck 
Creek  they  had  their  first  brush  with  the  enemy. 
Returning  to  Springfield  they  subsequently  en 
countered  the  rebels  at  Wilson's  Creek,  where 
Aug.  10,  i86j,  they  participated  in  the  short,  but 
desperately  fought  battle  in  which  the  Union 
force  suffered  a  loss  of  1,235,  m  killed,  wounded 
and  missing.  Here  stood  father  and  son,  side  by 
side,  right  up  in  the  front  and  left,  facing 
volley  upon  volley  of  the  enemy's  fire.  Here 
our  soldier  was  slightly  wounded,  being  shot 
near  the  stomach.  Regardless  of  the  Captain's 
request,  he  refused  to  go  to  the  hospital,  but 
was  accordingly  assigned  to  the  ambulance. 

The  term  of  enlistment  having  expired  the 
Regt.  was  mustered  out  at  St.  Louis,  Aug.  2, 
1 86 1 .  But  neither  father  nor  son  was  contented 
to  remain  at  home.  Only  a  few  months  elapsed 
and  we  find  both  of  them  again  marching  in 
time  to  the  pulsations  of  cannon.  The  senior 
Enderle  enlisted  in  Co.  E.,  4th  Mo.  Cav.,  and 
served  three  years,  participating  in  all  the 
sieges,  marches  and  battles  of  his  Co.  Joseph 
re-enlisted  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  Jan.  22,  1862,  in 
Co.  K.,  i6th  Iowa  Inf.  The  Regt.  was 
mustered  in  at  Davenport,  Feb.  5,  1862,  later 
moved  to  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  where  it  was 
equipped  ready  for  action.  Shortly  they  em 
barked  for  Pittsburg  Landing,  arriving  during 
the  night  of  Apr.  5th.  The  next  morning  we 
find  comrade  Enderle  engaged  in  the  bloody 
battle  of  Shiloh,  his  command  which  was  again 
to  the  front,  suffering  a  heavy  loss,  among 
which  was  the  Captain  of  his  Co.  After  this. 
Apr.  27,  1862,  the  gallant  i6th,  together  with 
the  nth,  I3th  and  I5th  Iowa  were  formed  into 
the  famous  '"Crocker's  Iowa  Brigade,"  which 
was  so  generally  noted  for  its  heroic  bearing 
throughout  the  war. 

Subsequently  we  find  our  young  soldier 
actively  engaged  on  the  battlefield  before  Bol 
ivar,  July  27,  luka,  Miss.,  Sept.  19,  and  Corinth, 
Oct.  3  and  4,  his  Regt.  losing  heavily  each  time. 
After  months  and  months  of  constant  march 


ing  and  countermarching,  together  with  active 
service  on  the  canal  at  Young's  Point,  we  find 
our  young  Corporal  again  under  fire  during  the 
stubborn  assault  on  Vicksburg,  May  19,  1863. 
Two  days  later  they  made  another  desperate 
assault,  and  then  set  in  the  long  and  terrible 
siege  which  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  Vi'cks- 
burg,  after  which  Mr.  Enderle  was  taken  sick 
and  confined  to  the  Captain's  tent  for  several 
weeks.  After  months  of  general  duty  in  their 
winter  quarters  at  Vicksburg,  they  started  out 
Feb.,  1864,  on  the  famous  Meridian  expediton 
under  Sherman.  Subsequently  our  subject  went 
home  on  veteran  furlough,  returning  about 
May  i,  and  rejoining  his  comrades  on  their 
march  to  Atlanta. 

At  Nickerjack  Creek,  Ga.,  the  Regt.  did 
constant  skirmishing  for  three  consecutive  days, 
losing  several  in  killed  and  wounded.  After  a 
week  of  hard  and  active  service  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  our  young  hero  was  taken  prisoner, 
marched  into  Atlanta,  loaded  into  box  cars 
and  transported  to  Andersonville  Prison,  about 
July  22,  1864.  Here  in  this  living  tomb  of  liv 
ing  skeletons  and  such  horrors  as  the  pen  can 
never  picture,  with  hundreds  of  his  comrades 
starving  daily,  he  was  confined  for  eight  long 
weeks.  Sept.  21  he  was  exchanged  and  joined 
what  was  left  of  the  Regt.  at  Atlanta. 

Oct.  4  he  was  confined  to  the  general  hos 
pital,  and  subsequently  went  home  on  a  sick 
furlough.  Dec.  23  he  rejoined  his  command  at 
Savannah,  Ga.,  and  soon  we  find  him  on  the 
difficult  march  through  the  Carolinas,  tramp 
ing  through  almost  bottomless  swamps,  fording 
rivers,  and  on  March  19,  1865,  fighting  his  last 
battle — thebattleof  Bentonville.  Crowned  with 
victory  the  heroic  "boys"  marched  onward, 
and  March  24,  1865,  amidst  prens  of  victory, 
joined  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington. 

Returning  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  comrade 
Enderle,  who  had  during  this  time  been  pro 
moted  to  Sergeant,  was  finally  paid  off  July  27, 
1865,  having  faithfully  served  the  stars  and 
stripes  for  nearly  four  years. 

Mr.  Enderle  was  married  at  Davenport, 
Aug.  31,  1865,  to  Mary  A.  Littig,  daughter  of 
Peter  and  Letonia  Littig.  For  many  years  past 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


525 


he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  government,  and 
is  now  engaged  as  a  shipper  with  Deere  &  Go's 
Plow  Works,  Moline,  111.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  A.  O.  U.  W.  Lodge  No.  11,  of  Moline,  and 
a  loyal  and  faithful  soldier,  he  has  made  a  good 
citizen. 


LS.  HOPKINS,  M.  D.,  a  leading  physician, 
residing  at  Maiden,  111.,  enlisted  in  Aug., 
1862,  in  Co.  B.,  93rd  111.  Vol.  as  a  private. 
He  was  appointed  at  the  organization  of  the 
Co.  Orderly  Sergt.  and  while  in  camp  at  Chi 
cago  was  appointed  Assistant  druggist  of  the 
Post  and  afterward  selected  as  Hospital  Stew 
ard.  At  Germantown,  Tenn.,  he  was  commis 
sioned  1st  Lieut,  of  his  Co.  At  the  battle  of 
Champion  Hills,  the  second  fight  the  Regt. 
encountered,  he  was  wounded  in  the  side  and 
also  received  injuries  while  in  the  line  of  duty 
from  the  falling  limb  of  a  tree  cut  off  by  a  can 
non  ball. 

The  brother  of  Dr.  Hopkins,  Capt.  J.  W. 
Hopkins,  in  the  same  Co.,  \vas  taken  prisoner 
at  Champion  Hills  and  died  in  Mo.  in  1869. 
His  father,  Dr.  S.  A.  Hopkins,  was  Surgeon  of 
the  Regt.  and  was  made  Sergt.  Major  and  held 
the  commission  until  he  resigned  on  account 
of  a  severe  sunstroke.  He  died  at  Maiden  in 
March,  1887. 

After  the  capture  of  Vicksburg,  Dr.  L.  S. 
Hopkins  resigned  as  the  wounds  he  had  re 
ceived  rendered  him  unfit  for  duty.  He  was 
born  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1838,  and  was  edu 
cated  in  his  native  city,  graduating  from  the 
Miami  Medical  College  in  the  spring  of  1857, 
when  but  19  years  of  age.  He  had  also  studied 
medicine  in  111.  in  1854.  He  did  not  obtain 
his  diploma  until  two  years  after  graduation, 
although  he  successfully  passed  the  examina 
tion,  as  the  college  could  not  issue  one  to  stu 
dents  under  21.  Dr.  Hopkins  practiced  medi 
cine  for  sometime  in  different  places  in  Iowa 
and  Illinois  after  the  war,  until  1870,  when  he 
located  at  Maiden  and  has  secured  there  an 
extensive  practice.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post  in  Princeton,  and  holds  a  mem 


bership  in  the  Masonic  Chapter,  and  also  with 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Modern  Woodmen. 
In  politics  is  a  Republican. 

The  father  and  two  brothers  of  Dr.  Hop 
kins  were  physicians.  Dr.  Hopkins  now  holds 
a  position  as  Examiner  on  the  Pension  Board 
at  Princeton,  his  commission  bearing  date  Oct. 
17,  1889.  He  is  regarded  as  a  careful  and  able 
physician  and  is  frequently  called  in  consulta 
tion  by  other  doctors  in  different  parts  of  the 
county.  His  early  associations  and  training, 
with  the  wide  experience  of  years,  a  varied 
and  constant  practice  have  given  him  a  high 
place  among  his  associates,  and  in  the  confi 
dence  of  the  people,  while  his  social  standing 
and  intellectual  culture  make  him  honored 
and  esteemed  in  his  community. 

Dr.  Hopkins  was  married  in  Bureau  County, 
111.,  Feb.  18,  1865,  to  Victoria  A.,  daughter  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  Ott,  and  they  have  four 
children — Samuel  W.,  John  W.,  Elizabeth  H., 
and  Eva. 


JOHN  NESBIT  EDMOND,  of  Minooka,  III., 
was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  March 
30,  1837,  Dut  lived  until  he  was  about  17 
years  old  in  Pa.,  his  family  going  into  this  State 
when  he  was  quite  young.  His  father  was 
John  Edmond,  who  married  Isabel  Nesbit,  a 
lady  of  Scotch  and  Irish  ancestors.  Reaching 
the  age  of  18  the  young  man  went  West  and 
settled  at  Plainfield,  Will  Co.  111.  While  he 
was  at  this  place  the  call  of  his  country  came 
to  him  and  inspiring  his  heart  with  patriotism, 
led  him  to  offer  himself  as  a  soldier  to  battle 
for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  In  response 
to  this  call  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  he 
joined  the  McAllister  Battery,  or  the  Plainfield 
Light  Art.,  which  was  incorporated  with  the 
loth  Regt.  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  sent  to  Cairo 
to  guard  the  river.  As  the  term  of  service  had 
expired,  Mr.  Edmond  was  discharged  in  the 
fall  of  that  yea.r  and  returned  home.  As  his 
father  was  dead  and  his  widowed  mother  had  a 
family  of  six  children,  it  became  necessary  for 
John  to  assume  the  responsibility.  A  brother, 


526 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Samuel,  in  the  army,  a  member  of  the  i8th 
Pa.  Cav.,  was  captured  by  Mosby  at  Fairfax 
Court  House  and  taken  to  Libby  prison,  and 
afterwards  to  Belle  Island,  where  he  was  held 
a  prisoner  for  7  months.  The  other  brother, 
Robert,  was  in  the  i5Oth  Pa.,  "Bucktails,"  and 
at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  on  the  first  day  of 
the  conflict,  was  hit  in  the  foot  by  a  shell  and 
taken  prisoner  by  the  enemy,  but  was  released 
as  he  could  not  walk.  Both  of  these  brothers 
returned  from  the  war  and  are  now  living  in 
Iowa. 

John  N.  Edmond  was  married  Jan.  2,  1862, 
to  Ellen  McCauley,  of  Plainfield,  111.,  who  was 
born  in  N.  Y.  of  Irish  descent.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Edmond  have  two  children,  Mary  married  to 
Edward  Brady,  who  has  one  child  named, 
Mary,  and  John,  living  at  home. 

.  After  leaving  the  army  Mr.  Edmond  re 
turned  to  his  home  in  the  East,  but  in  1865, 
moved  to  111.  and  commenced  farming  oper 
ations  in  which  he  was  engaged  until  he  became 
interested  in  the  oil  regions  of  Pa.,  where  he 
was  quite  successful.  After  one  year  in  this 
field  he  returned  to  Illinois,  and  with  the  profits 
of  his  venture  in  oil,  purchased  80  acres  of 
land  three  miles  north  of  Minooka.  Two  years 
later  he  sold  this  80  acre  tract  and  bought  160 
acres  where  he  has  resided  for  twelve  years. 
Having  added  80  acres  adjoining,  he  now  owns 
a  fine  farm  of  240  acres,  all  under  good  culti 
vation,  and  one  of  the  best  in  the  county. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Burden  Post,  494,  G. 
A.  R.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 


FREDERICK  A.  SHULL,  who  was  in  active 
service  in  the  most  important  engage 
ments  of  the  civil  war,  was  born  in  Phila., 
Pa.,  Feb.  20,  1845,  an<^  at  the  age  of  9  years 
moved  to  Lacon,  111.  His  father  was  F.  A. 
Shull  and  his  mother  Sarah  (Mustin)  Shull,  a 
daughter  of  William  Barger  of  Phila.,  who 
served  in  the  Mexican  war  ancf  was  a  man  held 
in  high  repute  in  his  city,  having  been  twice 
chosen  Past  Grand  Master  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge  of  Pa.,  an  honor  seldom  conferred.  His 


picture  is  preserved  in  a  large  compass  and 
square  of  solid  gold,  which  was  presented  to 
him.  The  wife  of  William  Barger  was  of  Eng 
lish  descent,  but  the  Barger  family  is  of  Dutch 
ancestry. 

Frederick  A.  Shull  was  living  in  Rutland, 
111.,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A.,  88th  111.  Inf., 
under  Captain  Geo.  W.  Smith,  in  Chicago,  and 
went  to  Louisville  under  Buell,  operating 
against  Bragg.  It  is  said  that  the  two  oppos 
ing  Gens,  slept  togethcrat  night  after  marching 
in  sight  of  each  other  by  day.  The  first  fight 
of  the  88th  after  uniting  with  the  army  was  at 
Perrysville,  followed  by  the  engagements  at 
Stone  River  and  Chickamauga.  Just  beforethe 
fight  at  the  latter  place  the  men  marched  all 
day  and  night,  and  halting  a  short  time  on  the 
road,  Mr.  Shull  and  some  others  fell  asleep. 
When  they  awoke  the  Regt.  was  not  in  sight, 
but  following  on  it  was  overtaken  in  the  midst 
of  the  fighting.  Immediately  after  the  battle 
he  was  made  bugler  of  the  Regt.,  having  pre 
viously  served  as  Drummer  in  the  Co.  At  the 
battle  of  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  before  he  was  18 
years  old,  he  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner. 
A  piece  of  shell  struck  him  in  the  left  hip  and 
knocked  him  down  so  the  rebels  captured  him, 
but  paroled  him  on  the  field.  The  next  day  the 
enemy  were  driven  back  and  the  prisoners  re 
taken.  The  next  hard  battle  was  at  Mission 
Ridge,  and  while  making  his  way  with  the 
Regt.  up  this  fearful  height,  undera  galling  fire, 
Gen.  Phil.  Sheridan  saw  him,  and  as  his  own 
bugler  had  not  arrived,  ordered  young  Shull  to 
sound  the  call  "  Forward,  all  along  the  line." 

When  the  color  bearer  of  the  88th,  John 
Cheevers,  who  was  said  to  bear  a  charmed  life, 
planted  his  colors,  the  first  on  the  top  of  that 
rugged  hill  which  was  above  the  clouds.  Mr. 
Shull  was  there  inspired  with  the  thrilling  or 
der  "forward."  Subsequent  to  the  battle 
the  Regt.  started  on  the  march  from  Chat 
tanooga  to  Knoxville,  100  miles  distant,  and 
the  rations  issued  on  this  march  were  one 
pint  of  corn  meal  per  day  for  eight  or  nine  days, 
until  a  country  was  reached  that  afforded  an 
opportunity  of  foraging.  Battles  then  fol 
lowed  in  quick  succession,  the  enemy  making 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


527 


a  stand  at  Dalton,  Resaca,  Adairsville,  Dallas 
and  Kenesaw  Mt.  At  the  latter  place  Mr.  Shull 
was  sent  to  the  rear  for  ammunition  and  as  he 
was  returning  over  a  ridge  with  a  box  of  cart 
ridges,  the  bullets  came  so  thick  and  fast,  he 
concluded  to  lie  on  the  ground  for  a  few  min 
utes  until  the  storm  was  over,  and  while  in  this 
position  a  man  who  was  shot  fell  across  his 
body.  At  Peach  Tree  Creek,  the  heel  of  one 
shoe  was  shot  away.  The  siege  and  fall  of  At 
lanta,  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  under  "Pap" 
Thomas,  the  engagements  at  Lovejoy  Station 
and  Franklin  were  participated  in  and  bravely 
fought.  At  the  latter  place  the  Brig.,  under 
command- of  Col.  Geo.  W.  Smith  was  held  in 
reserve  and  when  the  rebels  had  massed  their 
forces  and  broken  the  Union  line  after  repeated 
and  desperate  assaults  and  taken  some  slight 
earthworks,  Col.  Smith's  Brig,  was  thrown  into 
the  breach  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight  and  right 
nobly  did  its  duty,  not  only  holding  its  position 
but  rushing  forward  captured  the  opposing  re 
bels  already  on  the  works.  It  was  close  work 
and  every  officer  used  his  pistols  in  the  bloody 
fray,  but  the  determined  bravery  of  his  brigade 
turned  the  tide  of  battle  and  saved  the  army 
from  defeat.  The  rebel  forces  far  outnum 
bered  the  Union  men  and  they  made  a  desper 
ate  effort  to  win  the  victory.  The  next  en 
counter  at  Nashville,  known  also  as  the  battle 
of  Spring  Hill,  although  continuing  two  days, 
was  not  severe,  as  the  enemy  was  practically 
beaten  from  the  first  of  the  fight.  This  ended 
the  war  record  of  the  88th  Regt.  as  it  was  mus 
tered  out  and  sent  to  Chicago  for  payment  and 
discharge  and  was  marched  through  the  build 
ing  in  Chicago  in  which  the  Sanitary  Fair  was 
being  held. 

Mr.  Shull  returned  to  Rutland,  111.,  and  en 
gaged  in  the  railroad  business,  but  for  the  past 
1 8  years  has  been  a  conductor  on  the  C.,  B.  & 
Q.  Ry.,  making  his  home  at  Galesburg  since 
1869.  He  married  Emma  H.  Ellsworth,  Oct. 
25,  1869,  a  daughter  of  O.  A.  Ellsworth  of  Elm- 
wood,  111.,  formerly  of  Vermont.  Mrs.  Shull 
had  two  brothers  in  the  army — John  and  Alonzo 
— the  former  was  a  Lieut,  in  the  Vt.  Regt. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shull  have  had  eight  children, 


seven  of  whom  are  living — William  B.,  married 
to  Mary  Barlow,  of  Galesburg,  is  a  machinist 
in  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  shops.  Fred.  A.,  Luella 
Maud,  a  young  lady  at  school;  Alonzo,  John, 
Benjamin  and  Harry.  Mr.  Shull  is  a  Repub 
lican,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  the  G. 
A.  R.  and  O.  R.  C. 

At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  when  made  a 
bugler  of  the  regiment  Mr.  Shull  was  presented 
with  a  new  bugle,  this  he  still  has,  and  although 
old  and  battered  it  is  called  into  use  at  almost 
all  the  soldiers'  reunions  and  camp  fires,  where 
"Fred"  is  always  in  demand  to  sing  a  song  or 
tell  a  story  of  the  war,  which  rekindles  old 
memories  and  touches  the  brave  hearts  that 
can  never  forget  the  days  when  the  old  soldiers 
stood  side  by  side  on  many  a  hard,  fought  bat 
tlefield. 


LIEUT.  H.  M.  FERRELL,  of  Tiskilwa,  111.,  en 
listed  in  the  Union  army  for  the  war  of  the 
rebellion  on  Oct.  15,  1861,  and  was  mus 
tered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  F.,  5/th  111.  Vol.  Inf. 
Feb.  8,  1862,  the  Regt.,  armed  with  old  Harper's 
Ferry  muskets,  altered  from  flint  locks,  left 
Camp  Douglas  for  Cairo,  111.,  where  it  arrived 
on  the  following  evening,  then  proceeded  by 
boat  to  Fort  Henry,  on  the  Tenn.  River.  With 
out  disembarking,  the  Regt.  was  hurried  back 
down  the  river  to  Paducah,  thence  up  the  Cum 
berland  to  a  point  two  miles  below  Fort  Donel- 
son,  where  it  landed  on  the  morning  of  the  I4th, 
and  made  its  first  march  to  a  position  in  front 
of  that  rebel  stronghold,  where  fighting  had  al 
ready  begun.  It  was  attached  to  Col.  Thayer's  3d 
Brigade  of  Gen.  Lew  Wallace's  3rd  Div.,  which 
occupied  the  center  of  the  line.  It  remained  in 
this  position  through  the  night,  the  men  suffer 
ing  greatly  from  exposure,  having  nothing  but 
blankets  to  protect  them  from  the  cold  and 
snow,  which  fell  in  quantities  to  cover  the 
ground.  During  the  I5th  the  Regt.  occupied 
an  unenviable  position,  being  subjected  to  dan 
ger  from  the  cannonading  in  its  front  and  the 
bullets  of  the  sharp-shooters,  without  the  privi 
lege  of  retaliation.  On  the  following  morning, 


528 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


when  ready  to  make  an  attack,  word  passed 
along  the  line  thatthegarrison  comprising  about 
17,000  men,  had  surrendered  to  Gen.  Grant.  It 
afterward  moved  to  Fort  Henry,  where  the  men 
were  overtaken  with  sickness  in  such  numbers 
as  to  be  unable  to  furnish  sufficient  men  for  guard 
and  camp  duty.  It  afterward  proceeded  up  the 
Tenn.  River  to  Crump's  Landing,  the  boat  car 
rying  it  being  one  of  122  transports,  nearly  all 
loaded  with  troops,  constituting  the  greater  part 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tenn.,  the  fleet  forming  one 
of  the  grandest  sights  of  the  war. 

Arriving  at  the  landing,  March  26,  the  Regt. 
moved  up  to  Pittsburg  Landing  and  there  re 
mained  until  April  6  (Sunday),  when  firing  was 
heard  toward  Corinth.  Preparations  were 
made  for  the  impending  struggle  and  the  Regt. 
moved  toward  Shiloh.  Arriving  at  that  point, 
it  was  for  a  time  held  in  reserve,  but  afterward 
went  to  support  a  battery  of  art.  which  was 
sharply  engaged  with  the  enemy,  and  about  4 
P.  M.  it  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  the  men 
fighting  with  all  the  heroism  and  valor  that 
could  have  distinguished  older  and  tried  sol 
diers,  but  the  conflict  was  unequal;  the  old 
altered  flint-lock  rifles  became  foul  after  a  few 
rounds  rendering  it  impossible  to  get  a  load 
down,  though  many  of  the  men  in  their  efforts 
to  drive  the  "charges  home"  drove  the  ramrod 
against  the  trunks  of  trees;  some  baffled  in  this 
attempt  picked  up  the  muskets  of  dead  or 
wounded  comrades  and  renewed  the  fight. 
Being  at  last  practically  without  arms  and 
flanked  in  on  both  sides,  the  gallant  command 
was  forced  to  retire  or  suffer  capture,  and  on 
falling  back  was  subject  to  a  storm  af  grape 
and  canister  from  the  enemy's  cannon.  In  this 
murderous  engagement  the  57th  lost  187  offi 
cers  and  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  missing. 
The  night  was  almost  as  weird  as  the  day;  the 
clouds  opened  and  deluged  the  battlefield 
amidst  a  terrible  lightning  storm,  drenching  the 
soldiers  as  also  the  wounded  and  dying  who 
were  left  upon  the  field  as  they  had  fallen.  At 
daybreak  the  57th  was  again  in  the  front  and 
after  a  stubborn  fight  the  rebel  lines  began  to 
waver  under  a  terrific  fire  and  before  night  the 
enemy  were  forced  into  a  general  retreat.  In 


the  general  advance  upon  Corinth,  which  be 
gun  the  last  of  April,  the  57th  took  a  prominent 
part  and  shared  in  all  the  toil  and  dangers  in 
cident  thereto,  until  the  evacuation  of  that 
place  May  30th. 

It  afterwards  went  into  camp  near  Corinth 
and  there  remained  until  Oct.  3rd,  when  it 
moved  out  4  miles  to  wait  an  expected  attack 
under  the  combined  forces  of  Van  Dorn,  Price, 
Powell,  Villipiguc  and  Rust,  and  soon  the 
Union  pickets  were  driven  in  and  the  engage 
ment  became  general,  and  although  at  first  un 
decisive,  the  rebels  were  afterwards  forced 
back  but  received  fresh  troops  when  the  57th 
fell  back  to  Corinth  Seminary.  On  the  fol 
lowing  morning  the  battle  was  renewed  with 
varying  and  changing  success  until  the  after 
noon  when  a  desperate  effort  was  made  by  the 
Union  forces  which  succeeded  in  forcing  the 
enemy  to  retire  in  confusion,  leaving  over 
2,000  prisoners  to  fall  into  the  former's  hands. 
In  the  two  days'  fighting  the  regiment  lost  42 
in  killed  and  wounded.  It  remained  in  camp 
at  Corinth  until  April  16,  1863,  when  it  left  on 
an  expedition  to  Town  Creek  and  Tuscumbia, 
Ala.-,  then  returning  to  Corinth,  where  it  re 
mained  until  the  fall  when  it  moved  to  Holly 
Springs,  afterwards  returning  to  the  point  of 
starting.  In  the  following  Jan.  the  Regt.  vet 
eranized,  when  the  men  were  granted  a  fur 
lough  of  30  days.  On  his  return  from  veteran 
furlough,  Mr.  Ferrell  was  appointed  sergeant. 
The  men  joined  their  Regt.  at  Athens,  Ala., 
March  15,  and  remained  until  May,  when  it  set 
out  on  the  Atlanta  campaign,  taking  part  in 
the  maneuvering  against  the  rear  of  Gen.  John- 
ton's  army  and  in  the  battle  of  Resaca. 
While  at  Athens  he  was  ordered  before  the 
Board  of  Examination,  and  was  appointed 
later  2nd  Lieut,  of  the  io6th  U.  S.  Colored  Inf., 
April  14,  1864,  but  served  with  his  old  Regt. 
until  he  went  to  Rome.  It  was  afterwards  en 
gaged  in  the  battle  of  Rome  Cross  Roads,  and 
then  went  on  a  fruitless  march  through  middle 
Tenn.,  taking  three  days'  rations,  but  was  gone 
a  month.  Sept.  22,  1864,  Mr  .Ferrell  was  com 
missioned  1st  Lieut,  of  Co.  D.,  io6th  U.  S.  Col. 
Inf.,  and  moved  from  Rome  to  Atlanta  with 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


529 


the  i6th  A.  C.  Later  they  were  transferred 
to  the  i /th.  Nov.  10,  his  Co.  started  on 
that  campaign  known  as  the  "march  to  the 
sea."  Mr.  Ferrell  continued  through  the  Caro- 
linas  and  then  in  the  march  to  Washington, 
where  he  took  part  in  the  grand  review.  From 
Washington  he  was  ordered  to  Granville,  Tenn., 
where  his  Co.  was  consolidated  with  the  4Oth 
U.  S.  Colored  Inf.,  and  assigned  to  Co.  H. 
They  wintered  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.  Were  mus 
tered  out  at  Chattanooga,  April  25,  1866. 

After  leaving  the  army  he  returned  to  his 
birthplace,  Tiskilwa.  He  was  born  Jan.  7th, 
1843,  and  was  the  son  of  Timothy  K.  Ferrell 
who  removed  from  Mass,  in  the  year  1840,  set 
tling  in  111.,  and  had  but  one  child,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  Aug.  13,  1865,  Lieut.  Ferrell 
married  Belle  M.  Gibbons,  a  native  of  Pa.,  who 
is  now  a  representative  woman,  and  holds  the 
position  of  Senior  Vice  of  the  W.  R.  C.  of 
Tiskilwa.  They  had  one  child,  Henry  D.  Mr. 
Ferrell  is  prominent  in  all  matters  relating  to 
Grand  Army  work  and  is  a  member  of  Post, 
No.  660  G.  A.  R.  at  Tiskilwa,  of  which  he  was 
Commander  for  two  years,  and  at  present  is 
the  Adjutant  thereof.  He  has  been  Town 
Clerk  of  Tiskilwa  for  many  years;  is  a  member 
of  the  Odd  Fellows'  order,  a  modern  Wood 
man,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics. 


CHAUNCEY  H.  STARKEY,  of  Wheaton,  111., 
was  born  near  the  town  of  Addison, 
Steuben  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  16,  1840.  His 
parents  were  Warren  and  Sophia  (Bixby)  Star- 
key,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  Empire 
State,  and  died — his  mother  at  Bellefonte,  Pa., 
in  April,  1852,  and  his  father  in  Oct.,  1877,  at 
Batavia,  111.  Young  Starkey's  early  life  was 
spent  at  home,  attending  school  a  part  of  the 
time,  and  assisting  his  father  in  the  stone  busi 
ness,  in  which  he  and  his  brother,  David  W.,  after 
wards  became  prominently  engaged.  He  en 
listed  in  Co.  I.,  42nd  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Aug.  I,  1861, 
and  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago. 
Sept.  ist,  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Camp  Ben- 
ton.  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  then  went  to  Jefferson 

83 


City.      From    here  it    went  to  Warsaw,    Mo., 
then  to  Springfield,  following  Price's  army,  then 
to  Tipton  and  Smithton,  where  they  went  into 
winter  quarters.      Mr.  Starkey's  Co.  was  sta 
tioned  at  Farmer's  City,  some  two  miles  from 
the  main  body    of  the  Regt.      Early    in    the 
spring  of  1862,  they  returned  to  Jefferson  City, 
and  crossing  the  river,  marched  to  St.  Charles 
and  then  on  to  St.  Louis  where  the  regimental 
band  was  mustered  out  of  service.     The   Regt. 
then  took  up  the  line  of  march  to  Fort   Holt, 
then  on  to  Columbus,  Ky.,  which  the  enemy 
were  evacuating.     About  the  middle  of  March, 
it  participated  in  the  siege  of  Island   No.   10, 
and  part  of  Co.  A.,  participated  in  the   spiking 
of  the  guns  of  a  large  battery,  which  the  rebels 
had  placed  at  the  head  of  the  bend  of  the  river, 
thus  opening  the  way  for  gunboats  to  go  below 
the  Island.     After  this  they  went  to   Fort  Pil 
low,  and  from  there  to  Pittsburg  Landing  to 
join  Gen.  Grant.     On  the  morning  of  May  9,' 
1862,  when  near  Farmington,  Miss.,  they  come 
in  contact  with  about  3,000  of  the  enemy.     A 
fierce  battle  ensued,  in  which  the  losses  on  both 
sides  were  severe.     The  Regt.  a  few  days  after 
ward  moved  to   Farmington,  where  it  camped 
and  threw  up  heavy  fortifications,   remaining 
there  during  the  siege    of   Corinth,   Miss.,  at 
which  place  it  arrived  the  morning  after  the 
evacuation. 

Mr.  Starkey  relates  an  incident  which  oc 
curred  and  in  which  he  participated,  immedi 
ately  after  the  evacuation  of  Corinth.  It  was 
in  the  early  morning  when  he  and  some  of  his 
comrades  entered  one  of  the  fine  residences  of 
the  city  and  found  the  breakfast  table  laid  with 
all  the  appointments  that  wealth  could  procure, 
and  an  elegant  repast  just  ready,  the  house  and 
table  deserted,  while  the  food  was  still  warm. 
The  sight  was  a  pleasant  one  and  the  hungry 
soldiers  did  justice  to  the  sumptuous  repast,  no 
doubt  being  more  able  to  appreciate  it  than  the 
persons  for  whom  it  was  prepared.  Breakfast 
over,  they  enjoyed  themselves  for  an  hour  or 
two  in  the  music  room,  one  of  their  comrades 
being  a  fine  musician,  and  as  the  house  pos 
sessed  an  elegant  piano,  they  took  advantage 
of  the  opportunity  for  a  little  recreation.  Leav- 


530 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ing  Corinth,  the  Regt.  proceeded  to  Cortland, 
and  from  there  to  Nashville,  Tenn.  On  the 
way  it  had  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy  at 
Pulaski,  Tenn.,  defeating  them  and  killing  and 
wounding  quite  a  number  while  losing  but  one, 
a  private.  They  captured  lots  of  horses  on  the 
way,  to  form  a  Cav.  Regt.  Early  in  the  winter 
of  1862,  Mr.  Starkey's  Regt.  was  ordered  to 
Camp  Sheridan,  on  Stuart's  Creek,  and  placed 
in  Sheridan's  Div.,  2Oth  A.  C.  Here  the  army  was 
surprised  by  the  enemy,  hostilities  commenced, 
and  the  battle  of  Stone  River  took  place.  Af 
ter  this,  they  remained  inactive  near  Murfrees- 
boro  for  sometime.  While  in  camp  at  this 
point  Mr.  S.  was  appointed  Brigade  Bugler  for 
the  3d  Brig.,  3d  Div.,  2Oth  A.  C. 

Jujie  3,  1863,  the  Regt.  moved  to  Cowen's 
Station,  Tenn.,  and  was  stationed  on  top  of  the 
Cumberland  Mts.,  and  after  being  there  two 
or  three  weeks  went  to  Bridgeport  on  the  Tenn. 
River,  then  joined  Rosecrans  near  Chattanooga, 
participating  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  At 
Chattanooga  his  Regt.  was  placed  in  3rd  Brig., 
2nd  Div.,  4th  A.  C.  The  battle  of  Mission 
Ridge,  Nov.  21,  was  the  last  in  which  this  Div. 
engaged  under  Sheridan.  The  Regt.  was  then 
sent  to  Knoxville  and  Strawberry  Plains,  and 
from  there  to  Loudon,  where  they  went  into 
winter  quarters.  March  12,  1864,  Mr.  Starkey 
was  granted  a  30  days  furlough  and  went  home. 
Before  the  expiration  of  his  furlough  he  went 
to  Louisville,  on  his  way  back  to  his  command. 
Meeting  an  officer  in  the  street,  he  made 
inquiries  concerning  the  depot  from  which  to 
leave  for  Nashville.  The  officer  arrested  him 
and  took  him  to  the  guard  house,  where  he  was 
asked  to  give  his  name.  This  he  at  first  refused 
to  do,  as  he  felt  he  was  unjustly  detained,  but 
finally  handed  him  his  furlough  papers,  which 
upon  examination  proving  to  be  correct,  he 
was  released,  and  rejoined  his  Regt.,  which  was 
then  not  far  from  Loudon,  in  time  to  participate 
in  the  Atlanta  campaign.  Mr.  Starkey  was 
mustered  out  at  Atlanta,  Sept.  16,  1864,  paid  off 
at  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  discharged.  He  then 
returned  to  his  home. 

He  was  married  at  Waterman,  111.  April  7, 
1886,  to  Miss  EllaE.  York,  formerly  of  Walling- 


ford,  Vt.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Levi  P.  and 
Laura  (Allen)  York.  They  have  one  daughter 
— Laura  Sophia. 

After  leaving  the  army,  Mr.  Starkey  resided 
in  Batavia,  Ills.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the 
stone  business  for  some  years,  afterwards,  in 
1874-75,  he  became  engaged  in  the  clerical 
Evangelical  work  in  behalf  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
of  Vermont,  was  appointed  local  preacher  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  1876 
went  to  Nebraska,  in  1877  to  Colorado  Springs, 
Colo.,  returning  to  Batavia,  Ills.,  in  1882,  where 
he  took  charge  of  the  editorial  department  of 
the  Batavia  Nezvs.  Was  in  the  stone  business 
in  Aurora,  Ills.,  in  1884.  Elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  Batavia  in  1886.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  Post  No.  48,  of  which  he  was 
chaplain,  also  J.  V.  C.  Courteous  and  genial 
in  manner,  he  possesses  innumerable  friends, 
and  is  much  respected  by  all  who  come  in  con 
tact  with  him. 


CAPTAIN  EDWARD  C.  RAYMOND,  of  Gales- 
burg,  111.,  was  born  at  Brunswick,  Me., 
June  16,  1828,  where  he  received  his 
preliminary  education,  and  where  he  resided 
until  26  years  of  age,  working  at  the  carpenter's 
trade  and  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  until  he  came  to 
Chicago,  Jan.  21,  1854.  Here  he  found  employ 
ment  in  the  ship  chandlery  business,  in  which 
he  continued  for  about  two  years.  Subse 
quently  removing  to  Kewanee,  111.,  he  re 
mained  there  until  his  enlistment  in  the  mili 
tary  service  in  1862. 

He  was  mustered  in  Aug.  9,  1862,  as  2nd 
Lieut,  of  Co.,  A.,  I24th  111.  Inf.,  which  was  as 
signed  to  the  1st  Brig.,  3rd  Div.  of  the  I7th  A. 
C.  Gen.  John  A.  Logan  commanding.  They 
were  quickly  marched  to  the  front  and  accom 
panied  Grant  to  Holly  Springs  and  Oxford, 
Miss.,  thence  returning  to  Memphis,  subse 
quently  composing  a  part  of  the  expedition 
through  Miss.,  participating  in  the  battle  of 
Port  Gibson,  May  I,  1863,  and  moving  on  to 
Raymond.  Here  Lieut.  Raymond  took  com 
mand  of  his  Co.,  as  the  Captain  and  1st  Lieut. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


53  r 


were  on  sick  leave.  The  ist  Lieut,  was  killed 
June,  25,  and  July  9,  the  Captain  resigned,  and 
on  petition  of  the  entire  company,  Lieut. 
Raymond  was  commissioned  Captain. 

The  command  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
actions  at  Raymond,  Jackson  and  Champion 
Hills,  then  moved  to  Vicksburg.  Here,  May 
22,  Co.  A.,  in  a  desperate  charge  captured  a 
position  of  vantage  which  it  held  during  the 
siege.  Feb.  12,  1864,  Captain  Raymond  was 
ordered  by  the  War  Department  to  report  to 
Gen.  Julius  White  at  Springfield,  111.,  and  was 
placed  in  charge  of  the  draft  rendezvous  of  the 
State  of  111.  '  He  was  engaged  in  this  duty  for 
18  months,  receiving  and  transporting  to  the 
different  Regt's.,  57,784  men,  including  all 
kinds  of  recruits. 

He  was  mustered  out  in  1865,  with  an  hon 
orable  and  gallant  record.  Returning  home  to 
Kewanee,  he  became  a  member  of  the  dry 
goods  firm  of  Phillips  &  Raymond,  which  ex 
isted  for  five  years,  after  which  he  conducted 
a  sash,  door  and  blind  factory  for  six  years, 
losing  everything  he  had  by  fire.  He  procured 
employment  with  Geo.  W.  Brown  &  Co.,  of 
Galesburg,  as  a  traveling  salesman,  in  which  he 
continued  up  to  a  short  time  ago,  when  he  be 
came  general  agent  for  the  State  of  111. 

He  was  married  May  10,  1857,  a  second 
time.  He  has  two  children — Harry  P.  and 
Addie  M.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
an  active  worker  in  that  cause,  and  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  the  Masonic  Frater 
nity.  He  is,  as  merchant  and  citizen,  an  ex- 
amplification  of  what  a  good  soldier  ever  be 
comes. 


WILLIAM  H.  YOUNGBLOOD,  of  Sidney,  111., 
enlisted  upon  the  first  call  for  troops 
by    President    Lincoln.      His    uncle 
who  was  his  guardian  at   the   time    (his   father 
having  died)  refused   to  allow   his  enlistment, 
to    overcome    which,    our   brave   young   hero 
ran  away  to    Champaign    Co.,    111.,    from    Lo- 
gansport,    Ind.,   joined   an    elder   brother   and 
enlisted    in   Co.   A.,  35th    111.   Vol.    Inf.,   July 


3d,  1861.  With  his  Regt.  he  went  to  St. 
Louis  then  to  Jefferson  City  and  was  as 
signed  to  Gen.  Sigel's  command  and  marched 
across  the  country  to  Bolivar  and  Springfield, 
where  he  got  his  first  snuff  of  rebel  powder. 
Here  our  subject  although  he  escaped  the  ene 
my's  bullets  was  smitten  with  smallpox,  sent 
to  hospital  at  St.  Louis,  where  he  continued 
from  Dec.,  i86i,to  Feb.  2d,  1862.  He  rejoined 
his  Regt.  in  winter  quarters  at  Rolla,  then  took 
up  the  march  through  Ark.  and  participated  in 
the  famous  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  fought  on 
March  6th,  7th  and  8th,  1862,  then  the  com 
mand  moved  to  Shiloh,  but  arrived  too  late  for 
the  battle.  It  was  not  engaged  in  the  siege  of 
Corinth,  but  after  its  evacuation  started  by  a 
forced  march  for  Holly  Springs  and  Louis 
ville,  which  occupied  12  days  and  nights,  and 
was  almost  constantly  on  the  move,  the  stops 
for  rest  being  only  of  one  hour's  duration.  It 
then  went  in  pursuit  of  Bragg,  chasing  him 
from  point^to  point  until  Perryville  was  reached, 
and  where  a  desperate  battle  ensued,  Oct.  8th, 
1862,  resulting  in  defeating  the  enemy,  whom 
it  again  pursued  through  Tenn.,  and  on  to  Mur- 
freesboro,  when  again  comrade  Youngblood 
was  an  active  participant  in  the  bloody  battle 
of  Stone  River,  Dec.  31 — Jan.  2d,  1863.  Mr 
Youngblood  was  on  guard  duty  at  the  Gait 
House,  Louisville,  when  the  unfortunate  alter 
cation  took  place  between  Gens.  Nelson  and 
Davis;  heard  the  hot  words  and  assaults  of 
Gen.  Nelson  and  was  within  a  few  feet  of  the 
men  when  the  latter  fell  fatally  wounded  by  a 
pistol  bullet  from  the  hands  of  Gen.  Davis.  In 
the  summer  of  1863  our  subject  went  upon  the 
Chattanooga  campaign,  and  was  actively  en 
gaged  in  the  ever  memorable  battles  of  Chick- 
amauga,  Lookout  Mt.  and  Mission  Ridge.  The 
following  year  (1864)  he  went  upon  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Buzzard's 
Roost,  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Atlanta. 
At  that  of  Resaca  Mr.  Youngblood  received  an 
injury,  which  during  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
will  be  a  constant  reminder  of  the  horrors  of 
that  terrible  war.  While  in  line  a  rebel  shell 
came  into  the  ranks  and  exploded  striking  him 
and  leaving  him  insensible  and  to  all  appear- 


532 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ances  dead.  He  continued  on  the  field  in  that 
condition  from  3  o'clock  P.  M.  until  midnight, 
but  on  regaining  his  senses  it  was  found  that 
although  his  eyes  were  severely  injured  his 
other  hurts  were  not  permanent.  He  refused 
to  go  into  the  hospital  but  remained  at  his  post 
until  his  term  of  enlistment  expired  when  he 
was  mustered  out  Sept.  2/th,  1864.  He  re 
turned  home  and  by  the  following  Feb.  his 
eyes  were  nearly  well,  therefore  he  re-enlisted 
Feb.  6th  in  Co.  K.,  isoth  111.  Vol.  Inf.  and  went 
to  Nashville,  where  he  was  put  on  detached 
duty  in  charge  of  wagon  trains,  but  two  months 
thereafter  his  eyes  began  to  fail  him,  therefore 
our  daring  comrade  was  obliged  to  yield  up  his 
responsible  position,  return  to  his  Regt,  with 
which  he  continued  until  Jan.  16,  1866,  when 
he  was  mustered  out  on  special  order,  after  a 
service  of  nearly  four  years. 

Mr.Youngblood  then  returned  to  Sidney,  en 
gaged  in  the  saw-mill  business  and  other  enter 
prises,  but  his  eyes  began  to  fail  him,  growing 
gradually  worse,  until  four  years  ago,  when  he  be 
came  blind  from  the  effects  of  his  terrible  experi 
ences  at  Resaca,  and  for  which  he  reaps  a  small 
reward  from  his  country  in  the  shape  of  $72  per 
month.  His  brother,  Thomas  J.,  who  enlisted 
at  the  same  time,  was  discharged  before  his 
time  expired,  owing  to  disability  contracted  in 
the  service,  and  died  soon  after  from  the  same 
causes.  Whilst  this  Republic  may  well  be  looked 
upon  as  the  greatest  country  of  the  earth,  it 
should  never  be  forgotten  that  the  glory  of  pre 
serving  it  from  disintegration,  belongs  to  her 
brave  and  courageous  sons  (like  comrade  Young- 
blood),  who  left  their  peaceful,  happy  homes 
and  went  into  the  battle,  many  of  them  to  sac 
rifice  their  lives  or  be  maimed  for  life,  for  its 
preservation.  Consequently  Mr.  Youngblood 
even  after  he  shall  have  finished  his  race  and 
"fought  the  good  fight,"  shall  have  erected  to 
his  memory,  a  monument  in  the  world's  history, 
which  to  his  children  and  country,  will  ever  re 
main  imperishable.  He  has  ever  been  an  active 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  now  a  member 
of  the  Sidney  Post. 

He  was  born  at  Logansport,  Ind.,  Dec.  3, 
1840,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mahala  (Ar 


cher)  Youngblood.  His  father  was  a  veteran 
in  the  Mexican  war,  and  did  good  service  in 
that  conflict,  dying  when  our  subject  was  but 
14  years  of  age.  Mr.  Youngblood  has  always 
been  an  ardent  Republican  and  "  votes  as  he 
fought."  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Education.  He  was  married  March  30,  1866, 
to  Savila  Lucas,  and  six  children  have  blessed 
the  union  —  James  A.,  Anna  L.,  wife  of  William 
Eaton;  Lizzie,  Howard,  Grace  and  Leroy,  all  of 
whom  are  living  except  Grace. 

Mr.  Youngblood  has  recently  completed  a 
beautiful  home,  where  he  expects  to  spend  the 
evening  of  his  days,  surrounded  by  his  devoted 
wife  and  happy  family,  and  amidst  that  modest 
luxury  which  a  willing  hand  and  honest  toil  has 
enabled  our  much  respected  comrade  and  fellow 
citizen  to  accumulate. 


LIEUTENANT  STEPHEN  TART,  of   Kankakee, 
111.,  who  has  an  enviable  record  of  hon 
orable  service  in  the  War  of  the   Rebel 
lion,  was  born  in  Alburgh,  Vt.,  Dec.  12,  1839,  of 
Canadian  parents.     His  father  and  mother  were 
Peter  and  Rosilia  (Terrien)  Tart,  who,  on    ac 
count  of  political  difficulties  in  Canada    1837-9, 
made  their  home  in  the  U.  S. 

Stephen  Tart  came  West  with  his  parents  in 
June,  1849,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Bourbonais, 
111.,  where  he  received  a  common  school  edu 
cation.  In  1854,  he  removed  to  Kankakee,  111., 
followed  later  by  his  parents  who  made  their 
home  there  until  death.  In  1862,  when  it  was 
evident  that  a  desperate  struggle  was  imminent 
and  that  the  Nation  was  in  its  greatest  peril 
from  foes  at  home  and  abroad,  he  put  aside 
every  other  claim  and  consideration  and  en 
listed  on  the  anniversary  of  Washington's  birth 
day  in  1862,  as  a  private  in  Co.  I.,  ist  111.  Art. 
Was  mustered  in  at  Chicago,  remaining  in  camp 
but  a  short  time  when  orders  came  to  proceed 
to  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  arriving  March 
3,  and  on  April  I,  and  went  on  board  the 
"Crescent  City,"  enroute  for  Pittsburg  Landing 
which  was  reached  on  the  night  of  April  5. 
The  next  day  the  Co.  was  in  the  engagement 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


533 


of  Shiloh,  and  during  the  two  days'  battle,  lost 
a  number  of  men  in  killed  and  wounded,  and 
from  this  introduction  to  the  stern  realities  of 
war,  there  was  active  service  and  almost  con 
tinuous  movement. 

The  battery  was  next  engaged  at  Russell 
House  and  at  the  siege  of  Corinth,  Mr.  Tart 
having  been  made  gunner  at  Shiloh,  held  in 
that  siege  a  very  important  position.  From 
Corinth  a  march  was  made  to  Fort  Pickering, 
where  he  was  promoted  to  Sergeant.  After  a 
short  delay  at  Fort  Pickering,  the  battery  was 
removed  to  Colliersville  and  Moscow,  Tenn., and 
employed  in 'garrison  duty  for  a  short  time. 
It  was  then  transferred  to  Memphis,  July  18, 
1862,  from  whence  the  expedition  to  Holly 
Springs  was  made,  to  join  Generals  Grant  and 
Sherman.  Owing  to  some  change  in  the  move 
ments,  the  battery,  with  other  portions  of  the 
army,  returned  to  Memphis  and  took  a  boat  for 
Haines' Bluff,  on  the  Yazoo  near  Vicksburg. 
From  Memphis  a  number  of  expeditions  were 
made,  including  the  Tallahatchie  march,  the 
Yazoo,  Fort  Randolph,  Colliersville,  and  other 
engagements. 

After  a  short  winter's  camp  at  Moscow, 
Tenn.,  and  a  few  months  of  activity  in  different 
directions,  the  investment  of  Vicksburg  came 
with  its  long  siege  and  final  capture.  Then  at 
Jackson,  the  battery  was  engaged  in  the  second 
day's  battle  and  proceeded  to  Messengers 
Bridge,  on  Black  River,  arriving  at  Big  Black, 
July  24,  and  going  into  a  camp,  which  was 
found  to  be  very  unhealthy,  as  the  sick  men 
soon  out-numbered  the  well,  reducing  the  force 
so  that  there  was  not  a  sufficient  number  of 
well  men  to  do  guard  duty  and  Mr.  Tart,  who 
had  been  made  Orderly  Sergeant  July  27,  1863, 
at  Black  River,  was  compelled  to  assume  this 
duty.  In  Sept.  this  camp  was  vacated  and  the 
battery  sent  to  Vicksburg,  arriving  Sept.  9,  then 
to  Memphis  in  Oct.,  where  Sergt.  Tart  was 
taken  to  the  hospital  and  confined  by  a  severe 
sickness  ( caused  by  a  former  injury  at  Fort  Pick 
ering)  for  a  month.  Meanwhile  the  battery 
had  been  to  Corinth,  Missionary  Ridge,  Chatta 
nooga,  and  to  Scottsboro,  Ala.,  where  Sergt. 
Tart  rejoined  it.  While  at  Scottsboro  the  bat 


tery  veteranized  March  17,  1864,  and  received 
a  30  day  furlough  to  go  home. 

After  the  visit  home  the  men  returned  to 
the  army  at  Nashville,  and  the  battery  received 
new  equipment,  new  guns,  and  outfit  complete. 
At  Nashville,  Sergt.  Tart  received  a  commission 
as  Lieut.,  dated  back  to  Feb.  10,  1864.  The 
battery  remained  some  time  at  Nashville  and 
was  there  at  the  time  Hood  made  his  attack, 
then  followed  his  forces,  until  they  took  refuge 
at  Dalton.  From  Nashville  the  line  of  March 
led  to  luka  and  Eastport,  where  winter  quar 
ters  were  occupied,  making  several  expeditions 
in  vicinity  until  mustered  out. 

This  battery  made  a  creditable  record,  serv 
ing  under  Gen's.  Grant,  Sherman,  Thomas  and 
Logan  to  the  end  of  the  war,  and  received  a 
royal  welcome  on  its  return. 

Lieut.  Tart  was  mustered  out  at  Chicago 
July  26,  1865,  and  returned  to  Kankakee  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  was  married  in  1871, 
to  Nettie  Hughes  of  Joliet,  111.,  and  has  two 
children — Arthur  T..  and  Belle  A.  Mrs.  Tart 
was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  31,  1851  and 
is  the  daughter  of  Henry  Hughes.  Lieut. 
Tart,  cast  his  first  vote  for  Stephen  A  Douglas, 
but  since  that  time  has  voted  and  worked  with 
the  Republican  party,  although  not  seeking  for 
office.  He  is  a  member  of  Whipple  Post  No. 
414,  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  held  a  position  on  the 
Board  of  City  Aldermen  for  ten  years. 

This  gentlemen  is  the  recipient  of  a  pension 
'-om  the  Govt.  for  injuries  received  in  1862,  and 
has  established  a  pleasant  and  a  comfortable 
home,  which  bears  many  indications  of  the  cult 
ure  and  refinement  of  its  inmates. 


DANIEL  S.  HECKER,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  was 
born  at  Reading,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  4, 
1849,  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Ma 
tilda  (Sellers)  Hecker.     Hisgrandfather,  Jacob 
Hecker,  lived  to  be  92  years  of  age.    The  Amer 
ican  progenitors  of  the  Hecker  family  were  of 
distinguished  German  ancestry.     Daniel  S.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  lived  at  Reading    until 
his  eight  year,  when  he   removed  with  his  par- 


534 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ents  to  Valley  Forge,  where  they  resided  in  the 
house  used  by  Washington  as  his  headquarters 
during  the  Revolution.  His  father  was  station 
agent  at  Valley  Forge  for  sometime,  subse 
quently  removing  to  Phila.  At  Valley  Forge, 
as  a  boy,  Daniel  would  often,  by  digging  in  the 
works  thrown  up  by  Washington's  command, 
unearth  curious  and  highly  prized  relics  of  the 
Revolutionary  period. 

He  was  living  in  Phila.  when  the  Civil  War 
begun,  and  was  at  the  age  of  12  ambitious  to 
be  a  soldier,  and  in  1863  made  an  attempt  to 
enlist,  but  his  father  prevented  him.  A  few 
months  later  he  ran  away  with  one  of  his  com 
panions  and  joined  Battery  D.,  ist  Pa.  Reserve 
Light  Art.,  and  while  but  14  he  successfully 
passed  muster  by  simulating  a  greater  than  ac 
tual  height.  He  pushed  on  to  the  front  and  at 
Alexandria,  Va.,  was  uniformed  and  armed. 
While  here  he  wrote  his  father  informing  him 
where  he  was,  but  it  was  now  too  late  for  pa 
rental  interference  to  avail  in  getting  him 
released. 

Proceeding  to  Harper's  Ferry  he  joined  his 
battery,  there  awaiting  the  arrival  of  new  guns. 
He  participated  in  numerous  skirmishes  until 
July,  1864,  when  he  was  inaction  with  the  bat 
tery  on  the  4th  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  again 
on  the  i8th  at  Maryland  Heights.  Thence 
going  to  Halltown  they  became  a  part  of  the 
command  underSheridan  to  operate  in  Va.,and 
were  sent  to  intercept  the  rebel  Gen.  Ewell, 
meeting  and  defeating  him  at  Monocacy 
Bridge.  After  this,  returning  to  the  Shenan- 
doah  Valley  they  had  a  skirmish  with  Early's 
Army  at  Berryville,  being  again  in  the  engage 
ment  at  Winchester  with  Sheridan.  This  was 
a  hotly  contested  battle,  but  the  enemy  was 
driven  back  to  Fisher's  Hill.  The  rebel  army 
was  badly  routed  at  Fisher's  Hill,  Sept.  22,  and 
Sheridan  continued  in  pursuit  for  several  days, 
destroying  everything  on  both  sides  of  the  road 
as  they  went  along. 

Oct.  19,  Early  attacked  Cedar  Creek  about  4 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  creating  great  conster 
nation,  capturing  the  guns  of  Mr.  Hecker's 
battery  and  killing  several  of  the  gunners. 
The  Federal  forces  fell  back,  but  before  night 


succeeded  in  repulsing  the  enemy  and  retriev 
ing  their  position.  The  Cav.  went  in  pursuit  of 
the  flying  enemy,  driving  them  up  the  valley. 
Thus  they  effectually  rid  themselves  of  Early. 
The  battery  moved  on  to  Martinsburg,  where 
they  received  new  guns,  thence  going  into  winter 
quarters  at  Harper's  Ferry.  The  weather  was 
very  cold  and  Mr.  Heckerhad  both  of  his  feet 
frost-bitten,  but  managed  to  recover  their  use 
after  sometime.  The  battery  remained  at  Har 
per's  Ferry  until  ordered  to  Camp  Curtin,  Har- 
risburg,  Pa.,  to  be  mustered  out,  June  30,  1865. 

Before  this  Mr.  Hecker  had  been  appointed 
bugler  for  the  Co.,  but  on  arrival  at  Harper's 
Ferry  he  was  retained  as  a  mounted  orderly  to 
Gen.  Stevenson  and  bore  dispatches  through 
the  surrounding  country.  During  the  war  his 
parents  had  removed  to  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa. 
Here  he  rejoined  them,  but  did  not  remain 
long  as  he  had  an  aversion  to  farming.  He 
went  to  Lancaster  City,  where  he  met  some  of 
his  old  comrades,  who  had  secured  employ 
ment  under  a  railroad  contractor.  He  did 
likewise,  and  going  to  Pittsburg  worked  in  that 
vicinity  for  a  short  time,  thence  returning 
home  and  remaining  there  until  1868,  when  he 
came  to  Chicago.  Previous  to  this  he  served 
one  term  as  door-keeper  of  the  Pa.  Senate. 

In  the  spring  the  family,  consisting  of  the 
father  and  mother,  three  sisters,  Laura,  Rosa 
and  Mary,  and  himself  came  to  Chicago,  but 
only  remained  a  short  time,  going  to  Naper- 
ville,  where  he  was  employed  in  a  plow  factory. 
In  1869  he  went  to  Kansas  City,  where  he  was 
engaged  as  a  fancy  cake  baker,  having  previ 
ously  acquired  that  trade.  Returning  to 
Ouincy,  111.,  he  worked  on  a  farm  until  the  fall, 
thence  going  back  to  his  old  home  at  Reading, 
Pa.,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1870, 
working  on  the  Phila.  &  Reading  R.  R..  In 
Sept.  1870  he  became  connected  with  the  C.,  B. 
&  Q.  R.  R.,  and  as  a  conductor  for  18  years 
has  won  the  cofidence  and  commendation  of 
the  company. 

He  was  married  in  Sept.,  1879,  to  Hattie  E., 
daughter  of  I.  W.  Wilbur,  of  Galesburg,  in  the 
house  where  they  now  reside.  They  have  no 
children  living,  having  lost  three  in  their 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


535 


childhood.  He  is  a  confirmed  Republican  and 
takes  great  interest  in  whatever  concerns  the 
supremacy  of  his  party.  He  has  the  finest  col 
lection  of  badges  in  the  city. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  and  of  Division  83,  order  of  R.  R. 
Conductors.  In  1890  he  was  Secretary  and 
Treasurer  of  that  division  and  a  delegate  to  the 
convention  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.  This  conven 
tion  expunged  the  "strike"  clause  from  the 
constitution.  He  was  Commander  of  his  Post, 
and  is  now  a  member  of  the  State  Encamp 
ment.  Mr.  Hecker  has  ever  preserved  his 
identity  as  an  incorruptible  servitor  of  all  con 
fided  trusts,  and  is  honored  and  respected  by 
all  who  know  him. 


LIEUT.  HENRY  L.  NICOLET,  of  Champaign, 
111.,  a  native  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  was  born 
Sept.  4th,  1825,  a  son  of  Julian  and  Em 
ily  (Favre)  Nicolet,  natives  of  Switzerland, 
who  immigrated  to  this  country  when  young, 
settling  in  Baltimore,  where  the  father  engaged 
in  the  watchmaker  and  jewelry  business,  having 
learned  that  trade  in  his  native  country.  In  the 
year  1831  he  removed  to  Pittsburg,  there  fol 
lowed  the  same  occupation,  then,  in  1836, 
removed  to  Madison,  Ind.,  where  he  continued 
for  three  and  one-half  years,  and  finally  settled 
in  St.  Louis,  where  he  died  of  appoplexy.  He 
had  three  children  besides  our  subject,  now  all 
deceased.  The  mother  died  of  cholera  in  the 
year  1854. 

Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Madison,  Ind.,  and  when  14  years  of 
age  entered  the  Madison  Courier  office  and 
learned  typesetting.  When  his  parents  removed 
to  St.  Louis  he  accompanied  them,  and  engaged 
in  the  office  of  the  New  Era  newspaper,  and  af 
terwards  on  the  Reveille  and  Republican. 

He  was  married  at  St.  Louis  in  1851  to  Anne 
A.  Stout,  of  Baltimore,  who  was  born  in  1833. 
In  the  year  1852  he  removed  to  Canton,  111., 
where  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Canton 
Register,  with  which  he  remained  connected 
until  the  spring  of  1869. 


Lieut.  Nicolet  enlisted  in  the  Union  army 
Aug.  6,  1862,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service 
Oct.  2  following,  at  Peoria,  as  ist  Lieut  of  Co. 
C.,  iO3rd  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  the  organization  of 
which  he  was  very  active,  and  rendered  mate 
rial  assistance  in  the  raising  of  his  own  Co. 
The  following  days  were  spent  in  drilling 
the  men,  and  by  the  latter  end  of  the  month 
all  was  ready  when  the  order  to  move  arrived. 
The  regiment  proceeded  to  Cairo,  then  to  Co 
lumbus,  Ky.,  then  on  to  Bolivar,  Tenn.,  a  point 
only  1 8  miles  distant  from  a  well  organized  and 
powerful  enemy.  Nov.  3,  it  moved  to  LaGrange, 
where  again  the  men  were  instructed  in  drill, 
and  on  the  28th  moved  South  as  part  of  the 
army  intended  by  Gen.  Grant  for  the  capture 
of  Vicksburg,  passing  through  Holly  Springs, 
camped  near  Waterford,  where  the  men  did 
garrison  and  other  such  duty.  Whilst  here  the 
men  were  scourged  with  measles  which  caused 
many  deaths,  and  disabled  many  others  who 
were  necessarily  discharged  by  reason  of  dis 
ability.  The  last  day  of  the  year  saw  the  Regt. 
on  the  move  by  rail  for  Jackson,  Tenn.,  where 
the  winter  was  passed,  the  men  being  employed 
upon  guard  and  other  similar  duties  until  March 
loth,  when  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  return  to 
LaGrange.  Lieut.  Nicolet  during  the  winter 
had  felt  a  growing  illness  coming  upon  him 
ending  in  chronic  diarrhea,  which  refused  to 
yield  to  treatment,  completely  disabling  him. 
Seeing  his  health  endangered,  and  at  the  sug 
gestion  of  his  surgeon,  he  resigned  the  service 
and  was  mustered  out. 

He  returned  home  to  Canton  and  resumed 
his  business  there  until  1869,  and  removing  to 
Champaign  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Cham 
paign  Union  newspaper  which  he  assisted  to 
manage  for  six  and  one-half  years.  He  has 
always  been  a  Republican  and  so  pronounced  in 
his  views  that  if  anything  good  should  per 
chance  appear  in  the  acts  of  the  other  party  it 
is  largely  obscured  by  his  partizanship.  His 
faithfulness  to  his  party  has  secured  for  him 
the  position  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  which  he 
has  held  for  12  years,  as  also  the  office  of  City 
Clerk.  He  is  a  member  of  Col.  Nodine,  Post 
No.  140,  G.  A.  R.  He  has  seven  children,  viz.: 


536 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Annie,  widow  of  Dr.  Allsbrook;  Charles  H.,  of 
Ogden,  Utah,  civil  engineer;  William  H.,  of 
Chicago,  clerk  in  savings  bank;  Emma;  Harry 
L.,  reporter  of  the  Kansas  City  Star;  Arthur].; 
and  Jesse  G. 

Lieut.  Nicolet  is  a  man  well  posted,  pos 
sessed  of  broad,  liberal  views,  and  being  of  a 
mild  disposition,  and  agreeable  manner,  has  be 
come  a  familiar  figure  and  much  respected  citi 
zen  in  the  town  and  county  in  which  he  resides. 


REV.  JOHN  HITCHCOCK,  of  Minooka,  111., 
was  born  near  the  town  of  Oquawka,  111., 
Sept.  9,  183$,  and  ls  tne  son  °f  Emanuel 
and  Rebecca  (Merrill)  Hitchcock.  Emanuel 
was  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Ball)  Hitch 
cock,  who  were  natives  of  Vt.  He  was  among 
the  early  settlers  of  111.,  having  moved  to  the 
prairie  State  in  1829,  settling  near  where  Peoria 
is  now  located.  Rebecca  was  the  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Nancy  Merrill,  who  were  natives 
of  Va.,  and  removed  first  to  Ohio,  subsequently 
to  111.,  settling  in  Peoria  Co.  The  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  removed  from  Peoria,  111., 
to  Mo.,  where  he  lived  for  a  time,  then  went  to 
Iowa,  and  from  that  State  to  Savannah,  111., 
where  young  John  was  raised,  securing  the 
advantages  of  such  education  as  was  obtainable 
in  that  town,  at  that  time. 

Mr.  Hitchcock  was  of  that  American  family 
who  believed  in  the  Union,  and  whose  patriot 
ism  never  wavered  when  the  liberties  of  their 
country  were  in  danger,  so  he  is  found  in  the 
early  part  of  August,  1862,  enrolled  for  the 
War.  He  was  mustered  into  the  92nd  111. 
Regt.,  Co.  C.,  Sept.  4th.  The  Regt.  was  raised 
from  Stephenson,  Ogle,  and  Carroll  Counties, 
and  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Smith  D. 
Atkins  as  Colonel.  It  went  into  camp  at  Rock- 
ford  where  it  remained,  preparing  for  the  great 
struggle  that  was  to  come,  and  in  which  it  was 
to  take  a  conspicuous  part,  until  Oct.  10,  when 
it  was  ordered  to  Cincinnati  and  participated 
in  the  movements  that  protected  that  city  and 
drove  the  rebel  Morgan  out  of  Ky.  In  Nov.  it 
was  stationed  at  Mt.  Sterling,  Ky.,  guarding 


that  part  of  the  State  from  the  guerrillas.  From 
that  post  it  was  ordered  to  Nicholasville,  thence 
to  Danville.  While  there  the  entire  command 
under  Granger  marched  out  to  intercept  Mor 
gan  on  the  Louisville  &  Nashville  Railroad. 
Morgan  changed  his  course  and  they  returned 
to  Danville.  In  Jan.  1863,  they  moved  out  to 
Louisville  and  thence  on  to  Nashville,  and  went 
into  camp  south  of  the  city.  In  March  the 
Regt.  was  ordered  out  to  meet  Van  Dorn's 
forces,  which  were  driven  south  of  Columbia. 
It  then  marched  to  Franklin,  and  thence  to 
Brentwood,  which  place  it  assisted  in  fortify 
ing.  The  92nd  was  kept  busy  for  some  weeks 
operating  at  various  points  in  Tenn.  against 
Van  Dorn,  Morgan  and  Forrest.  In  July,  1863, 
the  Regt.  was  detached  from  Granger's  Corps 
and  was  assigned  to  Wilder's  Brig.,  mounted 
Inf.,  Reynold's  Div.,  Thomas'  Corps,  Army  of 
the  Cumberland.  Thus  organized  it  moved 
over  the  mountains  into  the  Tenn.  Valley, 
north  of  Chattanooga,  driving  back  the  rebel 
Cav. 

The  next  important  movement  in  which  Mr. 
Hitchcock  was  engaged  was  the  operations 
against  Chattanooga,  his  Regt.  entering  there 
Sept.  9,  1863  in  advance.  The  Brig,  was  next 
sent  against  Forrest,  met  him  near  Ringgold 
and  drove  him  through  Ringgold  Gap.  By 
Sept.  12,  the  Regt.  with  its  command,  had 
opened  communications  with  the  main  army  of 
Thomas,  when  it  chiefly  engaged  in  scout  duty 
prior  to  the  great  battle  of  Chickamauga,  in 
which  it  took  an  active  part.  Subsequently  it 
recrossed  the  mountains  to  Bridgeport,  and 
from  there  it  marched  to  Huntsville,  Ala.,  for 
forage  and  winter  quarters.  For  a  time  Mr. 
Hitchcock  with  other  members  of  the  regiment 
were  used  as  dispatch  bearers,  between  the  two 
armies.  While  at  Huntsville  the  Regt.  was  out 
on  several  expeditions  against  the  enemy. 

Receiving  orders  to  get  ready  for  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  the  Regt.  moved  out  from  Hunts 
ville,  April,  4,  1864,  and  marched  to  Ringgold, 
Ga.  About  daylight  April  23,  the  g2nd  picket 
was  attacked  eight  miles  from  camp,  where  it 
was  guarding  a  picket  post  at  Nickajack  Gap, 
by  a  large  force  of  rebels,  who  surrounded  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


537 


picket,  and  out  of  62  men,  killed,  captured  or 
wounded  33;  shooting  down  12  after  they  had 
surrendered  and  were  disarmed.  Mr.  Hitch 
cock  participated  in  that  long  and  brilliant 
campaign  which  terminated  in  the  fall  of 
Atlanta,  and  his  command  covered  the  left  of 
Sherman's  army  when  it  withdrew  from  Jones- 
boro.  When  Kilpatrick's  Div.  was  reorganized 
Nov.  4,  the  92nd,  was  assigned  to  Atkins  Brig, 
and  participated  in  all  the  Cav.  actions  on  the 
march  through  Ga.,  and  in  the  capture  of  Sa 
vannah.  Leaving  Savannah  in  Jan.  the  Regt. 
took  part  in  all  the  Cav.  fighting  on  the  march 
through  the  Carolinas,  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  In  the  engagement  at  Averysboro  it  had 
the  honor  of  opening  the  fight  and  was  in 
action  at  Bentonville.  After  the  surrender  of 
Johnston,  it  was  ordered  to  Concord,  N.  C., 
where  it  was  mustered  out,  sent  to  Chicago, 
and  there  the  men  were  paid  off  and  discharged. 
During  the  engagement  at  Averysboro,  a  rebel 
officer,  w7ell  mounted,  dashed  in  among  the 
Union  troops  and  ordered  the  boys  up,  sup 
posing  they  were  of  his  own  army.  The  boys 
laughed  at  him,  when  he  cried  out,  "Maybe 
you  don't  know  who  I  am!  I  am  Colonel 
Rehtt  of  the  2nd.,  S.  C.  Regt."  Hearing  this, 
one  of  the  soldiers  pulled  his  carbine  on  him 
and  told  him  to  throw  up  his  arms,  which  he 
quickly  did  and  was  taken  a  prisoner.  The 
Hitchcock  family  were  distinguished  for  their 
patriotism  and  for  their  sturdy  devotion  to 
their  country,  and  the  principles  of  liberty.  A 
grand  uncle  of  John  Hitchcock  (Miles)  vvas 
in  the  War  of  the  Revolution  and  took  part  in 
the  battles  of  White  Plains  and  Brandywine. 
An  uncle  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  Miles 
Hitchcock,  was  in  the  war  between  Texas  and 
Mexico  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  San 
Jacinto,  where  he  was  killed.  Mr.  Hitchcock 
had  two  brothers  both  of  whom  served  in  the 
war  for  the  Union — S.  G.  Napoleon,  and 
Thomas  A. 

After  final  muster  out  Mr.  Hitchcock  re 
turned  to  Savannah  and  subsequently  went  to 
Rockford  and  entered  the  Methodist  Ministry. 
His  first  charge  was  at  Capron,  111.  Since  that 
time  he  has  been  stationed  at  Harvard,  Che- 


mung,  Barryington,  Kingston,  Albany,  and 
Fulton.  He  was  returned  to  Kingston,  serving 
there  two  years,  then  at  Millidgeville  and  Joliet. 
In  1890,  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  Min- 
ooka  church  where  he  is  at  the  present  time, 
Mr.  Hitchcock  has  had  an  extensive  experience 
in  the  pulpit  and  pastoral  field,  and  has  been 
an  able,  successful  minister  of  the  Methodist 
Church.  He  has  been  as  brave  and  as  gallant 
a  soldier  fighting  under  the  banner  of  the  Lord, 
as  he  was  in  fighting  in  the  army  of  the  Union, 
under  the  flag  of  his  country,  in  both  of  which 
he  has  done  effective  work. 

He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  with  strong 
prohibition  tendencies.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Joliet  Post  No.  6,  G.  A.  R.,  and  also  of  the  M. 
W.  A.,  Camp.  Mr.  Hitchcock  was  married  to 
Josephine,  daughter  of  Dr.  Edward  Cochrane, 
formerly  of  Savannah.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  six  children — John  H.  (civil  en 
gineer),  Laura,  Mary,  Bird,  Grace  and  Eva  B. 
Mary  is  quite  an  accomplished  artist  and  many 
of  her  artistic  productions  adorn  her  home.  All 
the  children  have  fine  musical  taste  and  when 
gathered  around  the  home  circle,  they  make  it 
exceedingly  attractive  by  their  musical  per 
formances. 


JUDGE  ARTHUR  A.  SMITH,  of  Galesburg,  111., 
was  born  in  Batavia  in  Clermont  Co., 
Ohio,  May  6,  1829,  a  county  honored  and 
historically  immortalized  as  having  been  the 
birthplace  of  the  famous  military  genius,  Gen. 
U.  S.  Grant.  Here  Judge  Smith  grew  up  amid 
the  impressionable  incidents  of  parental 
affection  and  a  happy  home  until  his  eleventh 
year,  when  he  removed  with  his  father  and 
mother  to  111.  His  father  was  Erastus 
Smith;  his  mother  Martha  (Hulick)  Smith. 
They  settled  upon  a  farm  in  Knox  Co.  111.,  and 
their  son,  Arthur  A.  continued  at  home  until 
about  1848,  when  he  was  put  to  school  at  Gales- 
burg,  entering  Knox  College,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1853.  He  soon,  after  began 
the  study  of  law  with  Mr.  Abraham  Becker,  of 
Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  after  a  year  thus  em- 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ployed,  he  resumed  his  preparation  for  ad 
mission  to  the  bar  in  the  office  of  Mr.  Julius 
Manning.  In  1855,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Galesburg,  at  that  time  a  mere  village.  In 

1862,  he,  with  the  co-operation  and  assistance 
of   Gen.  A.    C.    Harding,    organized   the  83rd 
Regt.  of  111.,  Inf.  Gen.   Harding  being   elected 
Col.  and  Judge  Smith  Lieut.  Col.     This    Regt. 
was    mustered    in    Aug.     21,     1862,    and  pro 
ceeded  at  once  to  Cairo,  111.,  the  place  of  rendez 
vous,   thence   to    Forts  Henry  and   Donelson. 
where    for   some    time  they    performed  guard 
duty  along  the  Cumberland  River,  having  fre 
quent  skirmishes  with  the  bands  of  guerrillas 
at   that  time  infesting  that  locality.      Feb.  3, 

1863,  the  Confederate  Gens.  Forrest,  Wheeler, 
and  Wharton,  with  an  aggregate  force  of  8,000 
men  attacked  the  remnant  of  the  83rd  111.  on 
duty  at  Fort  Donelson  (one  Co.  having  that  day 
gone  on  special   expedition  to  Clarksville),  a 
Co.  of  the  5th  Iowa  Cav.,  and  a  section  of  three 
guns  of  Flood's  battery,  Col.  Harding  was   in 
command  of  the  post  and  Col.  Smith  in  direct 
command  of  the  Regt. 

The  Confederate  coalition  was  bent  upon 
the  capture  of  Fort  Donelson,  and  surrounding 
it  demanded  its  surrender,  but  the  gallant  little 
band  of  defenders  determined  to  stand  their 
ground.  The  attacking  enemy  charged  from 
two  sides, penetrating  the  camp  where  many  were 
killed.  They  had  succeeded  in  capturing  one 
of  the  two  guns  of  Flood's  battery,  after  having 
killed  all  of  the  horses,  and  carried  it  off.  Col. 
Smith  proposed  to  recapture  it,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  some  of  his  men  made  a  gallant 
effort  to  do  so,  but  were  overpowered  by  supe 
rior  numbers  and  withdrew.  The  battle  raged 
until  after  nightfall,  the  heroic  defenders  of  their 
position  fighting  and  holding  in  check  without 
assistance  an  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy, 
which  was  driven  back  to  the  woods.  The  gun 
boats  coming  up  Col.  Smith  was  ordered  by 
Gen.  Harding  to  go  aboard  to  direct  their  fire, 
causing  the  rebels  to  abandon  any  further 
attempt  to  capture  the  fort.  This  is  truly 
regarded  as  one  of  the  most  signal  triumphs 
recorded  of  the  Federal  army  during  the  con 


flict.  Gen.  Lowe,  then  commandant  of  Fort 
Henry,  complimented  both  Gen.  Harding  and 
Col.  Smith  for  their  gallant  and  meritorious 
conduct  on  this  occasion.  They  were  given 
the  camp  as  a  post  of  honor  and  became  very 
well  posted  concerning  the  surrounding  country 
during  the  ensuing  summer.  Lieut.  Gamble, 
of  Co.  C.,  who  had  been  despatched  with  six 
men  to  guard  a  train  going  to  Nashville,  was 
set  upon  by  rebel  guerrillas  and  he  and  his  men 
taken  prisoners.  After  stripping  them  of  their 
shirts  their  captors  affixed  a  tab  to  each  one.read- 
ing-"Killed  by  guerrillas."  They  stood  them  up 
in  line  for  the  final  act  of  the  tragedy,  Lieut. 
Gamble  at  the  head  and  but  a  few  feet  from  the 
bushes.  Just  as  they  were  about  to  fire,  Lieut. 
Gamble  sprang  into  the  bushes  and  escaped, 
but  the  six  men  who  were  with  him  were  shot 
down  like  dogs.  Lieut.  Gamble  reached  the 
camp  in  safety  and  it  was  said  that  the  murder 
of  his  men  was  subsequently  many  times 
avenged.  Gen.  Harding  was  promoted  to  Brig. 
Gen.  but  on  account  of  defective  sight  he  soon 
after  resigned  and  returned  home,  and  Col. 
Smith  was  given  command  of  the  Regt.  with 
his  corresponding  rank  and  commission,  and 
subsequently  was  assigned  to  the  command  of 
the  District  of  Tenn.,  with  headquarters  at 
Clarksville,  where  a  part  of  the  Regt.  was  sta 
tioned.  He  held  this  position  until  the  end  of 
hostilities. 

During  the  period  of  the  anticipated  inva 
sions  and  threatened  capture  of  Nashville  by 
Hood,  pending  reinforcements  from  A.  J.  Smith, 
Gen.  Thomas  would  telegraph  him  every  half 
hour  to  know  if  the  enemy  was  yet  in  sight. 
About  this  period  Gen.  Smith  formed  two  large 
camps  of  freedmen  (as  the  former  slaves  were 
called),  who  were  coming  to  him  from  every 
direction. 

In  1865  he  was  mustered  out  with  his  Regt., 
with  the  rank  of  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  Returning 
to  his  home  in  111.,  he  soon  after  returned  to 
Clarksville,  Tenn.,  temporarily  engaging  in 
business  there  with  Mr.  W.  A.  Peffer,  of  the 
83rd,  and  at  present  U.  S.  Senator  from  Kansas. 
Here  he  encountered  the  violent  antipathies  of 
some  of  the  people,  being  shot  at  at  night  on 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


539 


several  occasions  and  receiving  menacing  let 
ters.  His  friends  finally  persuaded  him  to 
leave,  and  in  1866  he  returned  to  Galesburg, 
where  he  devoted  himself  to  the  practice  of  his 
profession  as  an  attorney-at-law  until  1867, 
when  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Oglesby  to  a 
seat  on  the  bench  of  the  Circuit  Court  to  fill 
a  vacancy.  In  1868  he  was  elected  to  the  same 
office,  and  for  every  six  years  successively 
since.  At  the  conclusion  of  his  present  term 
he  will  have  served  in  this  relation  31  years. 

He  married  early  in  life,  losing  both  his  wife 
and  a  child  within  a  year.  He  was  again  mar 
ried  Nov  12,  1856,  to  Mary  E.  Benner,  daughter 
of  Elias  Benner,  of  Galesburg,  and  they  have 
five  children  living — Blanche  V.,  Arthur  A.  Jr., 
DeWitt,  Loyal  L.,  and  Ben  X.  His  daughter 
is  accomplished  in  music,  and  spent  five  years 
in  Europe  in  the  perfection  of  her  talent. 
Arthur  A.  Jr.  is  a  rising  young  attorney  of 
Galesburg;  DeWitt  is  now  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  Chicago;  and  Loyal  is  an  attorney- 
at-law  in  Chicago.  The  youngest  son,  Ben  X., 
is  now  a  student  of  the  Columbia  College  of 
Law  in  New  York  City.  Judge  Smith  is  a  Re 
publican,  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post 
No.  45,  of  Galesburg.  He  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Illinois  Legislature  from  his  district  in 
1861  and  in  1862.  Few  men  have  retained  for 
so  long  a  period  so  honorable  a  position  in  the 
legal  profession  as  Judge  Smith.  As  a  soldier 
he  was  an  inflexible  example  of  courage  and 
duty,  and  as  a  citizen  and  jurist  has  won  as 
priceless  a  heritage. 


JAMES  C.  WARE  was  born  in  Ohio,  May  27, 
1841 — a  son  of  Lecester  and  Jane  (Reed) 
Ware.  The  father  was  a  practicing  at 
torney  of  recognized  ability  and  prominence. 
Our  subject's  mother  died  when  he  was  6 
weeks  of  age.  He  lived  in  Champaign  Co., 
Ohio.,  until  he  was  13  years  of  age,  at  which 
time  he  moved  with  the  family  to  111.,  settling 
near  Mahomet,  then  called  Middletown, Cham 
paign  Co.  After  two  years  he  moved  to  Pella, 
Marion  Co.  Iowa.  There  our  subject  attend 


ing  the  common  schools,  and  the  Iowa  Central 
University  for  two  years,  after  which  he  re 
turned  to  Mahomet,  111.,  working  on  a  farm 
until  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion.  Realiz 
ing  that  his  country  was  in  danger,  young 
Ware,  to  the  army  determined  to  go,  and  as 
sist  in  the  suppression  of  war  and  save  the 
Republic  from  disintegration.  Enlisting  at 
Mahomet  June  I,  1861,  as  a  private  in  Co.  I., 
25th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  was  soon  appointed  to 
be  a  corporal  and  in  the  following  winter, 
color  bearer  of  his  Regt.  For  thousands  of 
miles  and  on  many  a  bloody  battlefield  we 
find  young  Ware  sacredly  guarding  and  bravely 
unfolding  to  the  breeze  his  country's  flag.  He 
was  mustered  in  at  St.  Louis,  then  moved  to 
Jefferson  City,  Mo.  His  Co.  was  detailed  un 
der  Capt.  Houston  to  convey  supplies  to  Gen. 
Mulligan  at  Lexington.  They  impressed  a 
river  boat  into  service,  the  Capt.  and  crew  of 
which  were  rebel  sympathizers.  They  pro 
ceeded  up  the  River,  calling  at  different  points 
to  discharge  merchandise,  without  encounter 
ing  any  unusual  incidents,  until  Glasgow  was 
reached.  Almost  instantly  a  rebel  battery, 
concealed  in  the  bushes,  and  the  muskets  of 
1,200  rebels,  opened  a  deadly  fire  on  the  Co. 
The  boat  captain  intimated  that  he  would  sur 
render  the  boat,  whereupon  Capt.  Houston 
covered  him  with  his  revolver  and  said,  any  at 
tempt  to  do  so,  would  mean  instant  death.  The 
pilot  was  similarly  informed  and  compelled  to 
start  down  the  river.  The  fire,  from  the  re.bel 
guns,  flew  wide  of  its  mark  and  soon  the  men 
found  protection  behind  the  boxes  of  merchan 
dise,  which  they  piled  up  for  that  purpose, 
then  opened  fire  on  the  Rebels;  the  crew  per 
forming  their  duties  at  the  point  of  the  bayo 
net.  They  were  soon  beyond  the  enemy's 
reach. 

The  rebels  gave  chase  along  the  banks, 
many  of  whom  were  killed  before  the  chase 
was  abandoned.  Not  one  of  this  brave  Land 
was  killed  or  injured,  and  the  trip  was  looked 
upon  as  one  of  the  most  perilous  expeditions 
of  the  war.  Mr.  Ware  wintered  at  Rolla,  Mo., 
and  in  the  spring  moved  to  the  protection  of 
Springfield  which  was  threatened  by  Gen. 


540 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Price,  whom  they  followed  to  Ark.,  and  across 
the  Ozark  Mountains.  He  participated  in  the 
desperate  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Shiloh,  seige 
and  battle  of  Corinth  and  Stone  River,  at  the 
latter  of  which,  he  and  another  man,  were  the 
only  two  survivors  out  of  five  color  bearers  who 
ever  engaged  in  that  conflict.  Col.  Williams 
took  the  colors  in  the  heat  of  the  conflict  to 
lead  a  charge  and  was  killed  instantly.  In  the 
summer  of  1863,  Ware  joined  in  the  Chatta 
nooga  campaign,  and  on  the  second  day  of  the 
famous  battle  of  Chickamauga,  fell  pierced 
through  the  hip  by  a  rebel  bullet.  He,  however, 
struggled  to  his  feet,  and  with  bullets  flying  all 
around  him,  succeeded  in  hobbling  beyond  the 
rebels  reach,  whilst  many  of  his  comrades  were 
captured  as  prisoners.  He  was  sent  to  a  hospital 
at  Louisville,  but  the  ball  could  not  be  extri 
cated.  Whilst  there  he  received  an  appoint 
ment  to  the  secret  service  but  his  wound  pre 
vented  his  accepting.  Recovering  he  joined 
his  Regt.  at  Cleveland  E.  Tenn.  where  he  was 
elected  Sergt.  Major  of  the  roll  of  honor  corps, 
which  was  organized  by  Gen.  Rosecrans,  but 
the  organization  was  countermanded  by  the 
war  department,  and  he  continued  with  his 
Regt.  until  discharged  Sept.  5th,  1864,  having 
faithfully  and  patriotically  served  his  country 
for  upwards  of  3  years.  During  his  service  he 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  Shiloh, 
Corinth,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Noon  Day 
Creek,  Pine  Top  Mountain,  Chattahoochie, 
Kenesaw  Mt.,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Atlanta. 
Whilst  in  the  war  Mr.  Ware  contracted  rheuma 
tism,  from  which  aggravated  by  his  wounds,  he 
suffers  terrible  pain  and  is  caused  much  un 
easiness.  After  leaving  the  army  he  returned 
to  Mahomet,  where  he  has  been  engaged  farm 
ing  and  fancy  stock  raising,  adjoining  the 
limits  of  .the  town,  where  he  owns  a  splendid 
farm  and  a  comfortable  home.  In  politics  he 
is  decidedly  Republican,  and  as  a  reward  has 
been  elected  by  his  party  as  Supervisor: 
and  also  as  sheriff  of  the  county  from  1882 
till  1886  as  well  as  to  many  other  minor  posi 
tions  in  his  county.  Being  an  able  leader  and 
forcible  debater,  his  party  always  looked  to 
him  for  aid,  where  hard  work,  requiring  skill 


and  ability  to  perform  is  to  be  done.  He  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.;  an  exem 
plary  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  a 
great  warm  hearted  and  patriotic  citizen. 


HON.  LUCIEN  B.  CROCKER  was  born  Nov.  12, 
1840,  in  Windsor  Co.,  Vt.  The  father 
was  an  early  pioneer  farmer  in  Illinois, 
and  the  family  endured  the  hardships  that  such 
a  life,  supplemented  by  poverty  and  lack  of  edu 
cational  facilities,  inevitably  necessitates. 

Under  obligation  to  do  his  part  in  assisting 
his  parents,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  able 
to  secure  only  a  limited  education,  mostly  ac 
quired  at  the  rude  common  schools  of  that  pe 
riod,  supplemented,  however,  by  such  academic 
aid  as  could  be  obtained  in  three  months  while 
working  for  board. 

After  teaching  school  two  winters,  and 
"  boarding  'round,"  after  the  manner  of  that 
time,  a  natural  prejudice  agaist  hard  work  at 
the  rate  of  twelve  dollars  a  month,  turned  young 
Mr.  Crocker's  attention  toward  a  profession, 
and  the  spring  of  1861  found  him  in  an  uncle's 
office  at  Mendota,  wrestling  with  the  mysteries 
of  Blackstone.  Just  as  he  had  learned  that 
"  law  signifies  a  rule  of  action,"  the  drums  that 
ushered  in  the  great  war  of  the  rebellion  began 
to  beat.  Of  sterling  revolutionary  ancestry, 
it  seemed  natural  to  Mr.  Crooker  that  he  should 
follow  the  example  of  his  ancestors,  and  fight 
for  his  country.  He  enlisted  the  sixth  man,  or 
rather,  boy,  in  his  town,  and  served  during  the 
"three  months"  service  in  the  I2th  111.  Inf., 
commanded  by  Colonel  John  McArthur. 

At  the  end  of  that  term  our  young  friend 
re-enlisted  in  what  was  then  called  the  Douglas 
Brigade,  organizing  in  old  Camp  Douglas,  under 
David  Stuart.  This  became  afterward  the  55th 
111.  Inf.,  in  which  he  became  the  First  Sergeant 
of  Co.  I.  This  regiment  was  one  of  the  best 
and  most  famous  in  the  war  annals  of  Illinois 
during  the  rebellion,  losing  a  greater  per  cent, 
of  killed  and  wounded  than  any  other  like  or 
ganization  from  that  State. 

At  Shiloh  it,  with  one  other  regiment,  was 
stationed  on  the  extreme  left,  and  800  yards 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


541 


separated  from  any  other  troops,  and  for  two 
hours  stood  a  sturdy  obstruction  in  the  way  of 
the  grand  left  wheel  by  which  Albert  Sidney 
Johnston  proposed  to  sweep  that  field.  In  this 
bloody  struggle  the  55th  111.  lost  249  men  killed 
and  wounded,  or  53  per  cent,  of  its  members 
engaged — the  heaviest,  with  one  exception 
upon  that  noted  battlefield. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  three 
wounds  in  the  first  day's  battle — one  through 
the  right  knee,  one  through  the  left  leg,  and 
one  under  the  shoulder. 

Mr.  Crooker  was  commisioned  First  Lieut, 
of  his  company,  and  his  first  commission  bore 
the  legend,  "  for  gallantry  at  Shiloh." 

After  partially  recovering  from  his  injuries, 
Mr.  Crooker  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Memphis 
and  participated  in  the  various  marches  and 
skirmishes  from  that  place  during  the  summer 
of  1862.  He  took  part  in  the  Tallatchie  cam 
paign  and  from  thence  to  Chickasaw  Bayou, 
where  occurred  the  first  battle  of  Vicksburg 
under  Gen.  Sherman.  At  this  place  Mr.  Crooker 
was  transferred  to  and  made  Captain  of  Co.  F. 
of  the  same  regiment,  "vice  Schleich,  killed  in 
battle."  He  took  part  in  the  battle  which 
quickly  followed  at  Arkansas  Post,  and  then  in 
the  various  efforts  in  canal  digging  and  finally 
the  movement  via  Grand  Gulf  in  the  rear  of 
Vicksburg,  participating  in  the  battle  of  Cham 
pion  Hills  on  the  way.  May  19,  \vhile  engaged 
with  his  Regt.  in  an  assault  upon  the  "Grave 
Yard"  fort,  Mr.  Crooker  was  again  wounded. 
This  occurred  about  50  yards  from  the  rebel 
entrenchments  toward  which  he  and  his  com 
panions  were  struggling,  and  was  caused  by  a 
musket  ball  breaking  the  left  forearm.  After 
partial  recovery  from  this,  his  fourth  wound, 
Mr.  Crooker  finding  himself  unable  to  do  duty, 
was  discharged  Aug.  3,  1863,  "for  wounds  re 
ceived  in  battle,"  having  served  2  years  and  3 
months.  He  was  subsequently  commissioned 
Captain  in  the  Invalid  Corps  and  appointed 
Major  in  a  Colored  Regt.  but  was  too  badly 
disabled  to  accept  either  position.  After  the 
war  Mr.  Crooker  finished  the  study  of  his  pro 
fession  and  practiced  law  at  his  home  for  more 
than  2O  years,  where  he  now  resides,  having  re 


tired  from  the  active  professional  work.  He 
has  probably  the  largest  war  library  of  any  pri 
vate  person  in  this  State,  and  has  a  miscellaneous 
library  of  several  thousand  volumes.  He  has 
paid  great  attention  to  war  history  and  may  be 
safely  consulted  as  authority  thereon,  and  has 
written  considerable  on  that  line,  notably  the 
history  of  his  own  Regt.  In  due  time  he  mar 
ried  and  has  now  two  children  grown,  who  to 
gether  with  his  wife  and  himself,  now  reside  at 
their  pleasant  country  home  in  Mendota,  111. 

Since  the  war  Mr.  Crooker  has  been  a  Re 
publican  in  politics,  and  has  been  occasionally 
honored  by  his  fellow  citizens,  having  been 
Mayor,  City  Attorney,  Supervisor,  etc.,  in  his 
municipality. 

He  has  also  served  in  the  Legislature  of 
Illinois  for  four  years,  and  was  Revenue  Col 
lector  of  the  Second  District  of  Illinois  from 
1879  to  1885,  and  until  removed  by  President 
Cleveland,  ostensibly  as  an  offensive  partisan. 

Mr.  Crooker  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
Loyal  Legion  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Of 
late  years  he  has  become  very  heavy,  and  his 
time  is  mostly  spent  in  his  library  and  such 
amusements  as  his  tastes  call  for.  Among  the 
latter  may  be  named  five  visits,  within  the  last 
ten  years,  to  the  various  battlefields  of  the  Re 
bellion. 

We  close  this  short  sketch  by  quoting  from 
Mr.  Crocker's  epigrammatic  sentences  uttered 
by  him  when  the  author  visited  him.  These 
seem  to  state  his  convictions,  and  are  in  part  as 
follows  : 

"  In  the  language  of  Tom  Payne;  '  the  world 
is  my  country,  and  to  do  good,  my  religion.'  I 
think  one  flag  is  enough  for  this  country,  and 
humbly  apologize  for  being  born  on  American 
soil.  I  regret  that  no  means  have  been  pro 
vided  for  naturalizing  a  native  born  American, 
and  acknowledge  it  to  be  a  disqualification  for 
office.  After  years  of  study  and  two  visits  to 
the  field,  since  the  war,  I  conclude  that  Shiloh 
was  a  complete  surprise,  and  think  the  rebels 
outgeneraled  us,  but  we  outcoloneled  them. 
I  believe  Grant  to  have  been  the  great  soldier 
of  the  war,  on  our  side.  I  bow  to  Thomas, 
Sherman  and  Sheridan.  When  I  see  the  mis- 


542 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


takes  we  made,  I  wonder  we  ever  whipped  the 
rebels,  and  when  I  see  the  mistakes  the  rebels 
made,  I  wonder  they  were  not  whipped 


sooner. 


WILLIAM  STEWART,  a  member  of  the  G. 
A.  R.,  and  a  resident  of  Batavia,  was 
the  eldest  of  a  family  of  six  able- 
bodied  and  stalwart  sons  who  all  rallied  to  the 
defense  of  the  grand  "old  flag"  at  the  first  out 
break  of  the  great  rebellion.  He  was  born  in 
1836,  in  Tompkins  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  the  par 
ents  who  begot  this  family  of  patriots  were 
Henry  and  Harriet  (German)  Stewart,  both 
natives  of  the  same  place.  In  1853,  the  family 
moved  to  Geneva,  111.,  and  for  the  last  two 
years,  the  parents  have  lived  at  Batavia.  The 
father  is  a  carpenter,  and  is  the  son  of  Solomon 
Stewart,  who,  at  an  early  age  came  from  Scot 
land,  and  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Lewis  S.,  a  brother,  enlisted  with  our  subject, 
but  after  three  months  of  active  service  was 
discharged  on  account  of  physical  disability. 
Charles,  a  second  brother,  enlisted  in  1861,  in 
a  Kan.  Co.  which  went  to  the  front  as  a  body 
guard  to  Gen.  Steele.  He  was  discharged  after 
three  years  of  noble  service.  Chester  and 
Maurice,  a  third  and  forth  of  this  noble  band 
of  soldiers,  enlisted  in  the  army.  At  the  ex 
piration  of  three  months'  service,  Maurice  re-en 
listed  in  the  i/th  111.  Cav.  and  served  to  the 
close  of  the  war. 

William,  our  subject,  spent  his  boyhood 
days  attending  school  until  his  i6th  year  at  his 
native  home.  He  then  began  life  as  a  carpenter. 
This  calling  he  diligently  followed  until  the 
war.  He  tried  to  enlist  in  his  native  State  in 
response  to  the  first  call,  but  the  quota  had 
already  been  filled.  However,  he  was  deter 
mined,  and  hearing  that  there  might  be  a 
possibility  of  success  in  the  West,  he  at  once 
came  to  111.,  where  he  was  duly  mustered  in, 
May  25,  1862,  Co.  K.,  8gth  111.  Inf.  Ten  days 
later  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky., 
and  the  following  month  we  find  comrade 
Stewart  under  the  enemy's  fire  in  the  hard  and 


bloody  battle  of  Perryville.  Moving  on  to 
Nashville,  he  was  transferred  to  and  made 
Sergt.  of  Co.  F.,  U.  S.  Engineer  Corps,  under 
Gen.  Morton.  Shortly,  they  moved  to  the  front 
at  Murfreesboro,  and  much  of  the  success  of 
the  Union,  on  that  day  was  due  to  the  gallant 
service  of  Stewart's  command.  The  troops 
remained  camped  here  for  five  months. 

During  this  time  Sergt.  Stewart  was  detailed 
with  a  command  of  forty  men  to  construct 
pontoon  bridges.  At  Bridgeport,  under  almost 
constant  fire  of  the  enemy,  they  built  a  bridge 
for  the  army  to  cross  the  Tenn.  River.  At 
Chattanooga,  although  hemmed  in  by  the  rebels 
they  constructed  bridges  for  Sherman's  army 
to  cross  to  Mission  Ridge.  After  months 
of  constant  activity,  began  the  arduous  and 
hazardous  duties  connected  with  the  long  and 
memorable  Atlanta  campaign,  during  which 
the  "boys"  were  constantly  engaged  in  laying 
bridges  over  the  many  streams,  subject  many 
times  to  the  greatest  danger.  After  the  fall  of 
Atlanta  they  returned  with  General  Thomas 
and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Nashville, 
next  going  to  Chattanooga  where  our  Sergeant 
was  mustered  out  July  20,  1865,  after  three 
years  of  active  service,  he  never  having  been 
off  duty  a  single  day. 

His  first  wife  died  and  he  was  married  a  sec 
ond  time,  in  1878,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Alvison.  Com 
rade  Stewart  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Batavia  Post.  He  has  been  Officer  of  the  Day 
for  two  years,  and  was  its  first  Junior  Vice  Com 
mander.  He  is  a  Mason,  and  a  member  of 
the  Fox  River  Chapter,  No.  14,  at  Geneva. 


M 


AJ.  C.  M.  REESE,  Sergt.  Cottage  No.  2,  I. 
S.  &  S.  H.  at  Quincy,  111.,  was  born  in 
Copenhagen,  Denmark,  Aug.  13,  1824. 
Came  to  America  in  May,  1852,  and  located  in 
Rock  Co.,  Wis.,  where  he  had  editorial  charge 
of  the  Emigrantcr,  a  Scandinavian  paper  pub 
lished  in  Inmansville.  In  the  summer  of  1854 
he  severed  his  connection  with  the  paper  and 
went  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  employed  as  a 
book-keeper  in  a  real  estate  office  for  two 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


543 


years.  He  then  went  to  Madison  Wis.,  in  1856, 
and  took  charge  of  the  Norwegian-American,  a 
paper  published  there.  In  the  spring  of  1860 
he  returned  to  Chicago  and  started  a  Scandi 
navian  paper  on  his  own  account,  but  before 
fairly  started,  the  Civil  war  broke  out.  Having 
taken  an  active  part  in  the  Presidential  cam 
paign  of  1868,  he  felt  compelled,  in  honor,  to 
"practice  what  he  preached,"  and  he  set  about 
organizing  a  company  of  about  70  of  his  coun 
trymen,  for  the  three  months'  service.  But  the 
quota  was  filled,  and  they  were  not  accepted. 
In  June.  1861,  he  joined  the  24th  111.  Inf.,  and 
was  mustered  into  service  July  8,  1861,  as  Or 
derly  Sergt.  of  Co.  I.  In  Aug.  following,  our 
subject  was  honored  with  promotion  to  the 
position  of  Adjt.  of  his  Rcgt.  He  remained 
with  the  24th  until  Nov.  26,  1861,  when  he  was 
commissioned  as  Maj.  of  the  I5th  Wis.  Inf. 
This  Regt.  was  organized  at  Madison.  Re 
mained  with  the  1 5th  until  Aug.  28,  1862,  when 
he  resigned  on  account  of  disability.  Remained 
out  of  service  until  Dec.,  1863,  when  he  re-en 
listed  as  a  private  in  Co.  B.,  82d  111.  Inf.  Soon 
after  his  enlistment,  in  recognition  of  his  dis 
abilities  and  former  services  he  was  detached 
and  sent  with  the  Quartermaster's  department 
on  Gen.  Thomas'  staff.  Was  mustered  out  of 
service  July  3,  1865,  but  remained  as  a  civilian 
clerk  for  two  months  afterward.  Participated 
in  the  guerrilla  warfare  in  Mo.  until  Aug.,  1861, 
when  they  were  sent  to  Cairo,  and  the  24th 
helped  to  build  Fort  Holt  on  Ky.  soil,  opposite 
Bird's  Point.  Was  then  sent  East  to  Cincin 
nati,  and  was  about  to  leave  for  Va.,  when  the 
order  was  countermanded  and  the  Regt.  was 
returned  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  sent  down  on 
the  Louisville  and  Nashville  R.  R.  between 
Colesburg  and  Elizabethtown,  Ky.  Here  sub 
ject  received  promotion,  as  before  stated,  to 
Maj.  1 5th  Wis. 

March  I,  1861,  the  Regt.  left  Madison  and 
went  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  and  from  thence  to 
take  part  in  the  expedition  against  Island  No. 
10.  Here  the  Maj.  was  prostrated  with  rheum 
atism,  which  eventually  compelled  him  to  re 
sign.  With  the  82d  111.,  he  participated  in  the 
battles  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  and  Dallas,  Ga.  Maj. 


Reese  was  liberally  educated  in  his  mother 
country,  being  able  to  speak,  read  and  write 
four  languages.  Being  discharged,  he  re 
mained  two  years  in  the  South  in  the  coal  busi 
ness,  and  later  came  to  Ottawa,  111.,  where  he 
studied  law.  He  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  there,  in  which  office  he  served  eight 
years.  He  was  also  editor  of  a  German  paper 
published  in  Ottawa  for  several  years.  Maj. 
Reese  was  married  in  Wis.,  in  1853,  to  Ida  Cole, 
who  died  10  years  later,  leaving  3  children, two 
sons  and  one  daughter — the  latter  only  now 
living.  The  sons  died  in  childhood.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  at  Ottawa,  111.  He  has 
always  taken  an  active  interest  in  political  af 
fairs,  and  has  spent  considerable  time  during 
exciting  campaigns  on  the  stump,  as  a  Repub 
lican.  Our  subject  served  in  the  army  of  his 
native  country  for  a  period  of  five  and  a  half 
years,  three  years  of  this  time  1848,  1849  a°d 
1850 — in  active  warfare,  during  the  war  with 
the  German  Confederacy,  known  in  history  as 
the  Schleswig-Holstein  war.  During  this  service 
he  rose  to  the  rank  of  a  Captain  in  the  regular 
army.  He  came  to  the  I.  S.  &  S.  H.  in  1887. 
His  wife  and  children  being  dead  and  having 
no  other  home,  he  feels  especially  grateful  for 
the  splendid  provision  made  by  the  State  for 
her  wards,  whether  wholly  dependent  or  par 
tially  so.  He  has  been  in  charge  of  Cottage 
No.  2,  for  the  last  seven  months,  a  position  of 
responsibility  which  affords  relief  from  the 
monotony  and  humdrum  of  life  suffered  by  those 
who  are  without  employment.  It  also  brings 
some  recompense. 


CHARLES  LEHNUS,  a  retired  farmer  of  Kan- 
kakee   Co.,    111.,    was   born    at    Baden, 
Germany,   August   26,    1833.      I"   Jan-» 
1854,   he   left   his   native   country  to   come    to 
America,  landing  in  N.  Y.,  and  soon  after  set 
tling  at  Naperville,  111.,  where  he  began  work 
by  the  month  to  replenish  his  purse  which  was 
empty,  as  he  was  robbed  on  ship-board  of  what 
money  he  possessed.     He  moved  to  Kankakee 
in  Oct.,  1856,  and  was  married  to  Mary  Schmidt, 


544 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


who  was  born  at  Nassau,  Germany,  Feb.  6, 
1840.  He  then  settled  on  a  farm,  cultivating 
the  same  until  1889,  when  he  went  into  the 
city  of  Kankakee.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lehnus  are 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
living — William  C.,  Emma  L.,  Charles  E., 
George  F.,  Jacob  B.;  Katie,  who  died  Oct.  5, 
1891 ;  Herman,  Ida  M.  A.  and  John  F. 

In  1862,  Mr.  Lehnus  enlisted  in  Co.  I.  76th, 
111.  Inf.,  and  mustered  in  at  Kankakee.  He 
went  to  Memphis  and  on  account  of  sickness  was 
sent  to  the  hospital,  remaining  for  some  time. 
From  Memphis  he  was  moved  to  St.  Louis  and 
was  placed  in  the  convalescent  camp.  On  one 
occasion  while  in  St.  Louis,  about  4,000  of  the 
Union  forces  went  out  to  fight  against  General 
Coffee.  Having  been  taken  sick,  Mr.  Lehnus 
was  transferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps,  and  sent 
to  Indianapolis,  where  he  performed  guard 
duty.  While  in  the  army  his  eyesight  was  in 
jured  and  he  was  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis 
July,  1865,  and  returned  to  his  farm  at  Kanka 
kee. 

Mr.  Lehnus  is  a  charter  member  of  Whipple 
Post.  No.  414,  G.  A.  R.,  and  interested  in  its 
success  and  prosperity.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re 
publican,  and,  with  his  wife,  belongs  to  the  Ger 
man  Evangelical  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leh 
nus  have  become  old  and  respected  citizens  in 
the  locality  where  they  reside,  and  have  lived 
to  see  many  changes  in  the  growth  and  devel- 
opement,  not  only  in  their  neighborhood,  but 
of  the  country  generally.  By  hard  labor  and 
strict  economy,  they  have  acquired  property, 
and  are  now  able  to  live  the  remainder  of  their 
days  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  home  that  has  been 
so  honestly  secured,  respected  and  esteemed 
by  those  who  know  them  best. 


GEORGE  W.  ROBINSON,  of  Elgin,  111.,  a  na 
tive  of  N.  Y.  State,  was  born  in  Yates 
Co.,  March  9,  1840.     His  parents  were 
Carl  Robinson,  born  in  New  York  in  1808,  of 
German  ancestry,  a  shoemaker   by   trade,   and 
Rachel    (Winters)    Robinson  of  N.  Y.,  born  in 
1808.      Carl   and    Rachel    Robinson    were   the 
parents  of  eleven  children. 


Beldin,  one  of  the  brothers,  served  in  a 
Mich.  Regt. 

The  early  life  of  George  W.  Robinson,  was 
spent  in  111.  on  a  farm,  with  but  few  opportuni 
ties  for  attending  school,  so  when  the  call  came 
for  soldiers  he  gladly  enlisted  and  bravely 
started  to  serve  in  the  army  of  his  country. 
Joining  Co.  G,  520!  111.  Inf.  at  Barrington,  111., 
Sept.  25,  1861,  and  going  into  camp  at  Geneva, 
111.,  was  mustered  in  Oct.  4th. 

After  drilling  and  learning  camp  duty  here 
and  at  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  for  a  month 
or  two,  the  men  were  ordered  to  St.  Joseph,  and 
guarded  railroad  bridges  until  into  the  winter 
season.  Having  received  the  necessary  disci 
pline  in  this  service  they  were  faced  southward 
for  more  important  and  more  serious  duty,  and 
went  through  Quincy  to  Ft.  Holt,  up  to  Smith- 
land  and  Ft.  Donelson,  then  back  to  Chicago 
in  charge  of  prisoners. 

Only  a  few  days  were  spent  here,  when  they 
proceeded  to  Pittsburg  Landing. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  April  6th,  the  long 
roll  beat,  and  the  52d,  going  about  two  miles 
to  its  position  in  front,  was  at  once  engaged. 
As  a  movement  was  being  made  by  the  flank, 
a  rebel  Cav.  Regt.  made  a  charge,  but  a  volley 
from  the  52d  piled  the  men  and  horses  in  ridges 
and  the  Cav.  retired  to  give  place  to  an  assault 
ing  column  of  rebel  infantry,  which  forced  the 
Regt.  back  for  a  time  to  a  battery,  and  while 
making  a  stand  to  guard  it,  a  Regt.  approached 
in  Union  uniform  under  the  stars  and  stripes. 
When  it  arrived  within  a  certain  distance  it 
dropped  the  Union  flag,  and  hoisting  the  rebel 
colors  opened  with  a  galling  fire.  It  was  driven 
back,  but  in  pursuing  it,  the  52d  was  drawn  into 
an  ambush  and  nearly  captured.  While  it  was 
thus  escaping  Mr.  Robinson  made  an  effort  to 
carry  back  a  wounded  comrade,  but  found  it 
impossible.  Stopping  a  moment  to  make  him 
more  comfortable,  where  he  was  compelled  to 
leave  him,  he  had  just  started  back  when  he 
was  commanded  to  halt.  He  did  not  obey  how 
ever,  but  as  he  says,  "got  out  quick"  and  soon 
overtook  Col.  Sweeney,  who  had  been  wounded. 

The  forces  were  soon  rallied  and  the  enemy 
checked  for  a  time.  Col.  Sweeney  recom- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


545 


mended  Mr.  Robinson  for  promotion  on  ac 
count  of  "meritorious  conduct  in  the  battle  of 
Pittsburg  Landing",  and  he  received  an  ap 
pointment  as  2nd  Lieut,  from  that  date. 

The  Union  forces  were  driven  back  until 
about  four  o'clock  when  the  supply  of  amuni- 
tion  failing,  the  52nd,  went  to  its  camp,  but 
could  not  remain  there  on  account  of  heavy 
firing  from  rebel  guns.  Late  in  the  even 
ing  the  amunition  arrived  and  the  Regt. 
promptly  took  its  place  in  the  line  again,  re 
maining  all  night  in  the  rain  until  morning; 
then  went  through  a  bayou  of  water  nearly 
neck  deep,  and  were  soon  engaged.  When  the 
Art.  opened  fire,  Lieut.  Robinson  was  wounded 
by  a  heavy  piece  of  shell  which  struck  his  cap, 
glanced  over  the  front  of  his  head,  through 
the  nose,  and  lodged  in  his  mouth. 

He  was  put  on  a  hospital  boat,  and  sent  to 
Mound  City,  where  he  remained  a  few  days  un 
til  a  furlough  was  given  him  to  go  home. 

He  rejoined  his  Regt.  just  after  the  evacua 
tion  of  Corinth,  and  camped  in  that  vicinity 
until  the  second  battle  at  Corinth,  where  the 
regiment  was  actively  engaged,  marching  out 
eight  miles  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  fighting 
over  the  ground  all  day.  It  was  a  terrible, 
long,  hot  day,  but  by  hard  and  persistent 
fighting,  the  position,  which  had  been  changed 
five  times,  was  finally  held  for  the  next  day's 
work.  Lieut.  Robinson  while  in  command  of 
his  Co.  this  day,  received  a  wound  in  the  hip 
by  a  rifle  ball,  and  while  crawling  to  the  rear 
was  run  over  by  the  artillery  horses. 

He  was  sent  to  the  hospital,  but  was  dis 
abled  a  month  before  returning  to  duty.  He 
then  went  on  a  raid  into  Northern  Ala.,  about 
100  miles,  and  returned  to  Corinth.  A  forward 
movement  was  made  to  Germantown  and  Pu- 
laski,  where  the  Regt.  re-enlisted,  and  Lieut. 
Robinson  went  home  on  recruiting  service  and 
returned  to  Pulaski.  April  28  they  started  on 
an  expedition  to  Chattanooga.  Here  the  river 
was  found  to  be  so  full  of  worms  that  it  was 
difficult  to  procure  water.  Passing  over  to  the 
Chickamauga  battlefield,  they  camped  in  Hall's 
Gap,  and  May  9,  1864,  made  the  advance  on 
Resaca,  charging  the  enemy  and  driving  him 


for  a  time,  then  drew  back  and  threw  up  breast 
works. 

A  march  was  then  made  by  flank  movement 
to  Lacy  Ferry,  where  the  rebels  were  found  in 
strong  force.     They  had  sharp-shooters  posted 
in  trees,  but  these  were  soon  disposed  off.     At 
this  place  one  of  the  Union  men  swam  across 
the  river  and  stole  the  rebel  flag  from  the  fort. 
The  next  day  the  Regt.  crossed  the  river, 
and  in  a  fierce  and  most  desperate  charge  took 
the  rebel  works.     When  this  work  was  done 
the  force  marched  on  and  struck  the  railroad 
south.     The  next  day  it  was  entrapped  in  an 
ambush  by  the  enemy,  but  swinging  into  line 
and  falling  on  the  rebel  flank  soon  started  them 
in  lively  retreat,  and  marched  on  without  delay. 
The    next   objective    point   was    Dallae,   then 
Pumpkinvine  Creek,  where  there  was  fighting 
for  five  days,  and   from    which  the  force  was 
compelled  to  fall  back  on  account  of  the  un 
endurable   stench   arising   from   the    unburied 
dead  and  uncared  for  wounded. 

Following  this  came  the  engagement  at  Big 
Shanty  and  Kenesaw  Mt.  Most  of  the  time  dur 
ing  the  march  between  different  points  there  was 
almost  continued  skirmishing,  so  that  constant 
alertness  and  watchfulness  were  required,  which 
rendered  the  service  more  exhaustive.  At 
Kenesaw  Mt.  the  rebels  evacuated  the  place, 
and  the  $2nd  marched  on  to  Resaca,  where  the 
mills  for  grinding  corn  and  wheat  were  captured. 
» The  battle  of  Resaca  finished,  the  enemy  was 
pursued  to  Decatur,  where  he  made  a  short 
stand,  and  continued  his  retreat. 

One  day  when  on  picket  duty  Lieut.  Robin 
son  was  ordered  to  ascertain  the  movements  of 
the  enemy,  and  by  going  to  the  lines  discovered 
that  they  were  being  abandoned,  when  report 
to  this  effect  was  made.  An  early  movement 
was  ordered  the  next  morning,  when  it  was  dis 
covered  that  the  rebels  had  entrenched  them 
selves,  and  about  8  o'clock  the  engagement  of 
Atlanta  began.  The  52d  took  a  position  on  the 
left,  where  the  firing  was  hot  and  heavy.  Mc- 
Phersonhadjustbeenkilled.and  there  wasactive 
fighting  all  along  the  line.  The  rebels  made 
desperate  charges,  but  were  met  by  counter 
charges  which  held  them  in  check.  That  night 


546 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


works  were  thrown  up,  and  the  dead  were 
buried.  The  engagement  was  fiercely  continued 
during  the  next  two  days,  and,  moving  to  the 
west  side  of  the  city,  seven  lines  of  works  were 
thrown  up  and  occupied. 

Lieut.  Robinson,  in  command  of  his 
Co.,  was  called  upon  to  send  three  men  and 
a  non-commissioned  officer  to  build  an  out 
work  ;  he  did  not  wish  to  make  a  detail 
for  this  dangerous  duty,  knowing  that  it 
was  almost  certain  death,  so  he  called  for  vol 
unteers,  and  one  young  soldier,  about  17  years 
old,  said,  "  I  will  go,  Lieut."  and  soon  two  more 
responded,  and  a  Sergeant  volunteered,  and 
preparations  began  for  this  hazardous  duty. 
The  men  gave  their  valuables  to  the  Lieut., 
with  messages  to  be  sent  to  their  friends  at  home 
in  case  they  did  not  return,  and  after  a  sad  good 
bye  to  their  comrades,  set  out  to  face  death 
where  duty  called.  They  succeeded  in  build 
ing  the  works  and  successfully  held  them.  No 
greater  act  of  real  heroism  was  ever  performed 
during  the  war,  for  there  was  no  enthusiasm  of 
battle  to  hide  the  stern  reality  of  death. 

At  this  place  there  was  a  long  siege  of  skir 
mishing  and  fighting,  and  Lieut.  Robinson 
states  that  he  lay  nine  days  in  one  ditch,  sup 
porting  a  battery  and  repairing  embrasures, 
and  some  of  the  boys  did  not  remove  their  car 
tridge  boxes  during  this  time.  When,  at  last, 
Atlanta  fell  they  at  once  pressed  on  to  Rome, 
where  the  enemy  was  massed  for  another- 
struggle. 

While  the  Regt.  was  engaged  here  Lieut. 
Robinson  was  detailed  to  assist  the  Provost 
Marshal  who  had  charge  of  the  prisoners  to  be 
sent  North,  and  the  refugees  that  distress,  mis 
fortune  and  starvation  had  driven  into  the 
camp  of  the  Union  army  from  the  country  that 
had  been  devastated  by  both  armies.  These 
refugees  consisted  of  men,  women  and  chil 
dren,  white  and  black.  An  attempt  was  made  to 
provide  for  them,  and  many  were  assisted  to 
Kingston,  but  it  became  necessary  to  abandon 
them,  as  the  army  moved  on  to  make  prepara 
tions  for  the  unequaled  march  to  the  sea. 

In  this  great  expedition  the  52nd  was  on  the 
right  of  the  column,  and  at  Ogeechee  River 


crossed  on  pontoon,  as  the  enemy  had  burned 
the  bridge,  and,  charging  down,  the  pike  cap 
tured  the  rebel  works  and  a  number  of  prison 
ers,  compelling  the  opposing  force  to  retreat 
and  leave  the  dead  upon  the  field.  Nov.  20,  a 
snow  storm  and  freezing  weather  made  progress 
difficult  and  unpleasant  for  men  and  teams,  but 
the  march  continued,  crossing  the  Oconee 
River,  on  to  Macon  and  Millen.  At  this  place 
the  rebel  prison  was  captured,  with  its  Union 
prisoners,  and  Lieutenant  Robinson  says:  "  I 
never  saw  such  living  skeletons  and  such  filth." 
From  this  point  to  Savannah  the  march  was  a 
continual  skirmish,  the  men  subsisting  chiefly 
on  rice  and  ear  corn. 

About  this  time  Lieut.  Robinson  was  mus 
tered  out,  and,  returning  to  111.,  engaged  in 
fruit  farming  for  a  number  of  years,  was  in 
mercantile  business,  and  also  in  the  ministerial 
work  for  some  time,  and  at  present  is  pastor  of 
a  Baptist  Church.  Rev.  George  W.  Robinson 
was  married  July  7,  1860,  at  Bellington,  111.,  to 
Jane  Applebee,  a  daughter  of  American  parents, 
and  four  children  have  blessed  their  union — 
Mabel,  Grant  L.,  Gilbert  A.  and  Willis  Judson. 
With  a  brilliant  and  thrilling  army  record,  in 
some  of  the  famous  battles  and  campaigns  of 
the  war,  followed  by  years  of  selfsacnficing 
work  for  the  good  of  humanity,  this  gentleman 
may  regard  his  life  work  with  satisfaction  and 
confidently  expect  at  the  end,  the  welcome 
plaudit,  "Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  ser 
vant." 


COL.  NICHOLAS  C.  BUSWELL,  of  Neponset, 
111.,  was  born  in  Caledonia  Co.,  Vt.,  Dec. 
5,1831.  In  the  year  of  1834  he  came  with 
his  father  to  a  point  on  the  farmington  road 
near  Peoria,  111.,  and  in  1837  moved  to  Osceola, 
Stark  Co.,  111.,  where  he  lived  untill  he  grew 
to  manhood,  acquiring  such  education  as  the 
log  school-houses  of  pioneer  times  afforded. 
Neponset  111.  was  started  in  1855,  and  in 
1857  he  located  at  that  place  where  he 
was  in  business  when  the  cloud  of  civil  war 
broke  upon  the  land.  The  country  in  this 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


547 


vicinity,  just  opened  by  a  railroad,  was  rapid 
ly  settling  up,  and  Mr.  Buswell  was  well 
situated  to  reap  the  advantages,  as  he  had 
entered  a  law  office  as  a  student,  and  was  pre 
paring  to  begin  the  practice  of  this  profession. 

In  1862  he  was  commissioned  by  Gov.  Yates 
to  raise  a  Co.  of  men  for  the  army.  This  he 
did,  and  entered  the  93d  111.,  Vol.  Inf.,  which 
was  known  as  the  Bureau  Co.  Regt.  When  the 
Regt.  was  organized  Mr.  Buswell  was  chosen 
Lieut.  Col.  He  went  to  the  field  under  Gen. 
Grant  and  was  with  the  Regt.  below  Oxford 
when  Holly  Springs  surrendered,  and  on  the 
march  to  Memphis  where  they  went  into  winter 
quarters.  In  the  spring  of  1863  they  started 
on  an  expedition  through  Moon  Lake  and 
Coldwater,  going  through  the  muddy  swamps 
on  boats  to  reach  the  Yazoo.  This,  the  Col. 
says,  was  his  first  overland  trip  on  a  boat.  The 
return  from  this  movement  required  18  days. 
Orders  were  then  received  to  go  down  to  Milli- 
ken's  Bend  above  Vicksburg.  The  command 
proceeded  to  cross  the  river  at  Bruinsburg,  and 
was  at  the  battles  of  Port  Gibson  and  Ray 
mond,  but  the  93d  did  not  participate  in  these 
battles,  although  Col.  Buswell  was  fiel'd  officer 
at  Raymond,  and  witnessed  the  action. 

The  force  was  sent  forward  to  Jackson,  and 
was  in  that  battle  and  shortly  afterwards  was 
in  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills  where  the 
Regt.  lost  180  men  in  about  45  minutes. 

Col.  Buswell  always  had  a  great  admiration 
for  fine  horses,  and  at  the  battle  of  Champion 
Hills,  was  riding  his  favorite  steed,  which 
became  excited  and  when  struck  in  the  jaw 
by  a  ball  became  unmanageable.  Rearing  and 
plunging,  the  saddle  girth  was  broken,  and  the 
Col.  was  unhorsed,  but  had  no  time  to  do  any 
thing  with  the  escaping  horse  which  ran  into 
the  rebel  lines  with  the  saddle  under  his  flanks. 
The  Regt.  went  to  Vicksburg,  and  was  in  the 
siege  until  just  before  the  fall  of  that  place, 
when  it  was  sent  out  to  Black  River  and  Jack 
son  to  intercept  Gen.  Johnston.  Returning  on 
the  day  that  Vicksburg  fell  the  Col.  rode  into 
the  captured  city  on  a  mule.  Here  he  found 
his  lost  horse  which  was  claimed  by  a  rebel 
Gen.  The  General's  orderly  had  the  horses  in 


charge,  and  Col.  Buswell  riding  up  took  hold 
of  the  bridle,  and  finding  the  rebel  Gen.  made 
his  claim  for  the  horse.  The  Gen.  protested,  as 
according  to  the  terms  of  surrender,  the  officers 
were  to  retain  their  personal  property.  The 
Col.  said  "I  rode  into  this  city  as  Christ  did 

into  Jerusalem,  but  I'll  be  d d  if  I  am  going 

out  that  way.  This  is  my  horse  and  I  am  going 
to  keep  him,"  and  started  with  him  towards 
camp.  Stopping  on  the  way  a  cavalryman 
stole  the  horse,  and  the  rebel  Gen.  finding  this 
man  with  the  horse  took  it  from  him.  The 
Colonel  started  out  again  in  search  of  his  horse 
and  going  along  a  very  high  bluff  that  over 
looked  a  large  corrall,  he  told  a  comrade  to 
stay  on  the  hill  and  gather  the  boys  passing 
along  the  road  so  they  could  assist  him  if  neces 
sary,  and  he  would  go  down  and  get  his  horse 
which  was  in  the  rebel  Gen's,  camp.  He  got 
the  horse,  but  the  rebel  Gen.  and  his  aids  saw 
him  and  ordered  him  to  dismount,  threaten 
ing  to  do  him  harm  if  he  did  not.  The  Col. 
simply  called  their  attention  to  the  soldiers 
gathered  on  the  hill  who  were  there,  he  said, 
to  see  that  no  harm  came  to  him,  and  he  was 
allowed  to  go  with  his  well  earned  horse. 

The  Col.  went  with  Gen.  Sherman  on  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  and  took  part  in  all  the  bat 
tles  leading  up  to  the  capture  of  that  city,  and 
continued  on  with  Gen.  Sherman  to  the  sea; 
took  part  in  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington, 
and  returned  home, 

Col.  Putnam,  who  went  out  in  command  of 
the  Reg't  was  killed  Nov.  25,  1863,  at  Mission 
ary  Ridge,  when  Lieut.  Col.  Buswell  was  placed 
in  command  and  led  it  until  the  close  of  the 
war. 

The  Colonel  is  considered  one  of  the  best 
posted  men  in  war  history  now  living,  and 
has  painted  the  largest  map  in  the  world,  show 
ing  all  the  battlefields  from  Brownville,  Tex. 
to  Gettysburg,  Penn.  This  work  required  sev 
eral  years  time  and  a  great  deal  of  careful  and 
dilligent  research;  but  every  battle  given  in 
history  is  located  and  the  position  of  the  troops 
indicated.  Some  very  highly  interesting  lec 
tures  on  the  war  has  also  been  delivered  at 
various  times  by  this  gentleman. 


548 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Col.  Buswell,  after  his  return  from  the  war, 
was  elected  sheriff  on  the  Republican  ticket  of 
Bureau  Co.,  and  has  held  other  important 
offices.  He  was  also  tendered  a  commission 
in  the  regular  army,  which  was  declined.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  289. 

At  the  time  of  his  enlistment  he  was  study 
ing  law,  and  since  that  time  has  been  admited 
to  practice  in  the  local  courts.  Col.  Buswell 
was  never  blessed  with  children,  and  has 
recently  been  called  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his 
wife,  who  was  a  lady  possesed  of  very  fine 
qualities, 

In  1873  Col.  Buswell  was  selected  by  the 
Granger  societies  as  their  agent  to  go  to  Eu 
rope  to  purchase  blooded  horses.  This  com 
mission  he  performed  with  ability  and  to  the 
complete  satisfaction  of  the  societies. 

In  addition  to  his  other  accomplishments, 
the  Colonel  is  the  author  of  many  fine  literary 
productions,  and  a  poem  is  here  given  that 
will  appeal  to  the  "boys  in  blue,"  especially 
those  who  took  part  in  the  famous  battle. 

BATTLE    OF   CHATTANOGA. 

November  23,  24  and  25,  1863. 

BY  COL.  N.  C.  BUSWELL,  930  ILL.  VOL.  INFTY. 


We  cannot  forget  the  bold  mountains  before  us, 
Nor  the  camp  in  the  valley,  in  years  long  ago, 

The  blue  lines  of  battle, — our  flag  floating  o'er  us, — 
On  the  heights  far  above  us,  a  resolute  foe. 

From    the    crest  of    each   mountain  their  cannon  are 
bristling, 

And  the  face  of  each  hillside  is  green  with  the  Grey, 
Where  line  above  line  their  bay'nets  are  glist'ning, 

Entrenched  and  awaiting  the  bloody  affray. 

Nor  long  do  they  wait,  for  the  columns  of  Granger, 
Out  from  the  center,  are  sweeping  the  plain  ; 

Are  cheering  and  charging,  regardless  of  danger, 
Where  death-dealing  missiles  are  falling  like  rain. 

On  the  right,  the  heroes  of  Hooker  are  forming  ; 

They  charge  'cross  the  valley  ;  they  cheer  as  they  go  ; 
The  bold  heights  of  Lookout  are  gallantly  storming  ; 

Are  striving,  are  driving,  pursuing  the  foe. 

A  sulphurous  mantle,  the  mountain  enfolding, 
Creeps  steadily  onward  and  up  the  steep  way, 

"Till  shouts  of  the  loyal  are  loud,  on  beholding 
Our  flag  on  the  crest,  at  the  close  of  the  day. 


The  vale  is  now  vacant  where  Sherman  was  camping  ; 

They  stem  the  dark  flood  at  the  hush  of  the  night  ; 
Along  the  broad  valley  their  columns  are  tramping  ; 

Are  nearing  the  tunnel ;  are  climbing  the  height. 

On  right,  left  and  center  the  battle  is  raging 

From  brow  of  the  mountain  to  valley  and  plain  ; 

And  doubtful  the  contest  the  Union  is  waging  ; 
And  woeful  the  sight  of  our  comrades  there  slain. 

The  foe  in  confusion,  in  darkness  retreating, 

Encumbered  the  highways,  as  southward  they  flee  ; 

The  sound  of  the  bugle  and  drums  loudly  beating— 
Our  army  pursuing— well  remembered  by  me. 

We  cannot  forget  the  dead  and  the  dying 

That  cumbered  the  crest,  as  the  smoke  cleared  away  ; 
When  there,  side  by  side  like  brothers,  were  lying 

In  death's  calm  repose,  both  the  Blue  and  the  Grey. 

Nor  can  we  forget  the  brave  comrades  we  carried, 
And  laid,  side  by  side,  in  the  long  shallow  grave  ; 

Nor  the  field  on  the  hillside,  where  those  heroes  were 

buried, 
To  await  the  reward  of  the  true  and  the  brave. 


SAMUEL  CLARK,  of  Sidney,  111.,  commenced 
his  soldier  experiences  in  the  early  days  of 
the  late  war.  Responding  to  the  Presi 
dent's  first  call  for  troops,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A., 
2Oth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  April,  1861,  being  about  the 
first  man  to  enroll  his  name  from  Champaign 
Co.  With  his  Co.,  he  went  to  Joliet,  where  he 
was  drilled  and  made  acquainted  with  army 
movements.  This  occupied  the  period  of  his 
enlistment.  He  immediately  re-enlisted  for  the 
3  years'  service  in  Co.  C.,  25th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  he 
being  better  satisfied  with  the  officers  in  charge 
of  that  Regt.  than  of  the  former.  With  his 
Regt.  he  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  then  to  Jeffer 
son  City,  where  it  relieved  Mulligan's  Brig., 
and,  after  a  month,  went  to  camp  Otterville, 
and  afterwards  to  Springfield,  via  Sedalia,  for 
the  purpose  of  driving  the  rebel,  Price,  out  of 
that  part  of  the  country.  The  Regt.  wintered 
at  Rolla,  and,  March  6  and  8,  was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  then  moved  on  to  Cape 
Girardeau,  thence  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  where 
they  took  part  in  the  bloody  battle  of  Shiloh. 
The  Regt.  then  started  on  the  expedition 
through  Tenn.,  Miss,  and  Ala.,  bringing  up  at 
Louisville,  then  on  to  the  famous  battlefield  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


549 


Perryville,  where  it  was  held  in  reserve.  Leav 
ing  there,  they  marched  back  to  Nashville, 
where  they  did  some  scouting  and  foraging, 
then  participated  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River, 
going  into  winter  quarters  at  Murfreesboro. 
The  following  spring  they  participated  in  the 
operations  against  Vicksburg,  and  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Champion  Hills.  After  the  surren 
der  of  that  city  it  joined  in  the  Chattanooga  cam 
paign,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga.  On  the  morning  of  the  sec 
ond  day's  fight,  and  while  in  the  line  of  duty,  he 
was  struck  by  a  rebel  bullet  in  the  left  arm, 
which  shattered  a  bone.  He  was  the  only 
soldier  in  the  Regt.  that  carried  a  i6-shooter, 
having  purchased  it  himself  at  a  cost  of  $60, 
and,  on  being  wounded,  he  handed  his  gun  to 
a  comrade,  and  he,  too,  soon  fell,  pierced  by  a 
rebel  bullet;  consequently,  Mr.  Clark's  much- 
prized  weapon  went  into  the  enemy's  hands. 

Mr.  Clark  escaped  from  being  captured, 
was  then  conveyed  by  ambulance  and  taken 
across  the  river,  then  by  wagon  across  the 
mountains  to  Bridge  Port,  thence  by  cars  to 
Murfreesboro,  where  he  lay  suffering  for  3 
months.  By  that  time  he  was  enabled  to  go 
home  on  a  furlough  which  was  extended  to  a 
period  of  60  days.  He  then  returned  to  hos 
pital  No.  3,  at  Murfreesboro  and  desired  to  go 
to  the  front  but  the  Surgeon  refused  to  give 
him  a  permit,  but  a  few  days  later  he  secured  a 
pass  to  go  down  town,  and  taking  advantage 
left  for  his  Regt.  then  at  Strawberry  Plains, 
having  secured  passage  on  a  freight  car 
loaded  with  soldiers  going  to  the  front. 
He  reported  to  the  Surgeon  at  Knoxville,  but 
finding  that  his  was  not  a  flesh  wound,  he  in 
sisted  upon  knowing  where  he  had  come  from. 
Mr.  Clark  admitted  running  away  from  hospital 
No.  3  to  which  the  Dr.  said  he  must  return. 
That  advice  did  not  suit  Mr.  Clark's  ambition, 
therefore  he  skipped  out,  reached  his  Regt.  and 
marched  with  the  boys  to  Cleveland,  Tenn., 
where  they  went  into  Camp.  Subsequently  he 
moved  with  the  Regt.  to  Rome,  Ga.,  and  was 
there  ordered  to  a  hospital  where  he  was  fur- 
loughed  and  was  afterwards  discharged  Sept. 
6th,  1864. 


His  arm  continued  to  give  him  much 
trouble,  many  pieces  of  bone  having  come 
away.  Although  it  has  not  been  amputated  he 
has  little  more  use  of  it  than  if  he  were  with 
out  that  member.  Mr.  Clark  inherited  his 
soldierly  qualities  from  his  father  Michael  Clark, 
who  was  also  a  soldier  in  the  Rebellion  and 
died  from  disease  contracted  while  in  the 
army,  at  Young's  Point,  La.  His  brother,  Hugh 
Clark,  was  also  in  the  army  for  upwards  of  a 
year  when  he  was  discharged,  and  has  not  been 
seen  since.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Ohio, 
May  10,  1840,  and  grew  up  upon  his  father's 
farm,  where  he  received  a  common  school 
education.  In  1855,  he  removed  to  Homer, 
111.,  and  after  one  year  returned  to  Ohio  where 
they  remained  until  i860,  when  he  again  re 
turned  to  Homer,  where  he  remained  until  he 
entered  the  service  of  the  war.  He  lived  for  a 
time  at  Homer,  then  at  Monticello,  where  he 
spent  2  years,  going  to  Sidney,  111.  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  has  been  town  clerk  for 
one  year,  assessor  for  five  years,  and  police 
justice  for  four  years.  In  1889,  he  engaged  in 
the  general  hardware  business  at  Sidney,  at 
which  he  is  still  employed,  as  well  as  in  the 
buggy  and  harness  trade.  Mr.  Clark  was  a 
charter  member  of  the  Sidney  Post  and  has  held 
the  offices  of  Adj.  and  Quarter  Master.  He  is 
a  member  of  Odd  Fellow  Subordinate  Encamp 
ment,  and  a  Republican,  having  changed  his 
party  allegiance  at  the  time  of  the  war.  He 
was  married  Jan.  10,  1864,  to  Susan  A.  Eaton, 
and  out  of  a  family  of  13  children  8  are  living, 
viz.:  Laurabella,  Arizona,  Henry,  lola,  Clara, 
Nellie,  Charlie  and  Fannie. 


THERE  is  no  resident  of  Champaign    Co., 
111.,  better  or  more  favorably  known  then 
FRANKLIN    D.    SCOTT    of  Rantoul,  now 
commander  of  Senior  Post  No.  253  at  Rantoul. 
He  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  April  8,  1864,  as 
a  private  in   Co.  A.,    26th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.     He 
started  for  the  front  joining  his  Regt.  at  Don- 
aldsville  where  it  remained  for  several  weeks. 
Here  he  became  ill,  was  placed  upon  detached 


550 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


duty  but  was  soon  forced  to  abandon  all  active 
work  and  sent  to  the  hospital.  For  many 
weeks  he  lay  helpless  hovering  between  life  and 
death  with  every  indication  pointing  to  the  lat 
ter  as  the  probable  issue.  He  recovered  how 
ever,  and  rejoined  his  Regt.  He  participated 
later  in  the  expedition  having  for  its  object  the 
capture  of  Mobile.  He  was  actively  engaged 
in  the  siege  and  assault  upon  Spanish  Fort,  the 
capture  of  Fort  Blakely  and  was  present  at  the 
surrender  of  Mobile.  He  was  with  his  Regt. 
at  Meridian,  and  accompanied  it  to  Jackson, 
thence  to  Vicksburg  where  he  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service  Jan.  1 1 ,  1 866.  Having  been  in 
capacitated  the  greater  part  of  the  time  through 
sickness,  he  had  not  the  opportunity  of  partici 
pating  in  many  of  the  operations  of  the  war. 
He  had  two  brothers  in  the  army  who  did  val 
iant  duty  for  their  country,  viz.:  H.  B.  and 
Thomas  W. — the  former  also  served  in  the  26th 
Ind.,  having  joined  at  its  organization  in  1861, 
and  continued  with  it  throughout  the  whole 
war.  He  was  wounded  by  a  bullet  at  Prairie 
Grove  which,  incapacitated  him  for  active  serv 
ice,  for  a  short  time,  but  that  was  his  only 
casuality.  His  other  brother,  Thomas,  enlisted 
in  the  46th  Ky.,  in  Oct.  1861,  afterwards  was 
veteranized,  and  was  in  all  the  battles  of  his 
Regt.,  but  was  killed  towards  the  close  of  the 
war  in  the  battle  of  Mansfield.  This  brave 
young  hero's  body  found  an  unknown  grave. 

Mr.  Scott's  parentage  on  his  father's  side 
runs  back  in  the  country  to  the  early  settle 
ment  of  this  as  a  colony,  and  of  Scotch  an 
cestry.  He  was  born  at  Irishburg,  Vt,  Sept.  8, 
1842,  a  son  of  Phineus  and  Anna  (Brown) 
Scott  who  were  of  the  leading  families  of  Vt. 
His  parents  were  both  well  educated,  and  for 
generations  had  been  identified  with  the  edu 
cational  institutions  of  the  State.  When  the 
son  was  a  bby  of  8  years  the  parents,  in  com 
mon  with  thousands  of  others,  joined  in  the 
Western  movement,  settling  in  Ind.,  where  they 
engaged  in  farming,  but  results  did  not  justify 
their  expectations,  therefore  they  both  engaged 
in  teaching,  under  whose  tuition  young  Scott 
was  prepared  for  the  same  profession.  He  was 
licensed  as  a  teacher,  following  that  calling  for 


several  years,  but  his  principal  business  of  life 
has  been  a  ''tiller  of  the  soil."  His  ancestors 
were  conspicuous  in  times  of  war  as  well  as 
peace — his  grandfather  Brown  fought  for  his 
flag  and  country  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his 
two  uncles  in  the  Mexican  war.  The  father 
died  many  years  ago,  the  mother  died  four 
years  ago  at  the  mature  age  of  84  years. 

In  1864  Commander  Scott  removed  to  111., 
locating  on  a  farm  near  Rantoul,  which  he  con 
ducted  until  three  years  ago,  when  his  circum 
stances  enabled  him  to  retire  from  that  honest 
and  healthgiving  toil.  He  has  built  himself  a 
fine  residence  in  the  city  where  he  expects  to 
spend  the  evening  of  his  active  life,  surrounded 
by  all  the  comforts  which  a  modest  income, 
devoted  wife,  and  interesting  family  can  supply. 
He  was  married  March,  1871,  to  Elizabeth 
Lukens,  an  estimable  lady  from  Ind.,  by  whom 
he  has  three  bright,  intelligent  children,  viz.: 
George  H.,  Clara  and  Arthur  H.  Mr.  Scott 
has  filled  many  of  the  subordinate  offices  in  the 
G.  A.  R.,  as  well  as  ably  represented  his  post 
as  a  delegate  to  the  Department  Encampment. 
Honorable  and  straightforward  in  every  walk 
of  life,  Mr.  Scott  has  established  for  himself  a 
good  name  which  will  endure  in  that  part  of 
the  country,  long  years  after  the  owner  shall 
have  been  called  to  his  final  muster  in  the 
Heavenly  army. 


JAMES  P.  HAMBLEN,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  was 
born  at  Livingston,  York  Co.,  Me.,  July  8, 
1829.  He  was  early  put  to  school,  and  at 
theageof  19  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  trade 
of  machinist.  After  working  for  a  time  in  this 
relation  he  became  a  locomotive  engineer  on 
the  Portland  &  Rochester  R.  R.  He  continued 
in  this  employment  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
war  of  the  rebellion.  July  18,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  Co.  F.,  i6th  Me.  Vol.  Inf.,  going  into  camp 
at  Augusta  and  thence  to  Fort  Tillinghast,  near 
Arlington  Heights,  Washington,  D.  C.  Here 
the  men  were  drilled  in  heavy  artillery  tactics, 
for  3  months,  and  joined  the  advance  to  Antie- 
tam,  reaching  the  field  just  as  Gen.  Lee  asked 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


for  a  cessation  of  hostilities  for  24  hours  to  bury 
the  dead. 

The  i6th  Me.  went  into  camp  at  Sharpsburg, 
where  they  remained  for  a  short  while,  thence 
going  to  Fredericksburg,  and  participating  in 
that  battle,  where  they  suffered  heavy  losses. 
The  Regt.  experienced  great  suffering  from  not 
being  provided  with  suitable  clothing,  and 
many  deaths  occurred  from  exposure  to  the 
cold,  often  being  obliged  to  sleep  in  the  snow 
and  rain  without  shelter,  and  with  only  a 
blanket  as  a  protection  from  the  pitiless  frost. 
It  was  not  an  unusual  thing  to  find  men  frozen  to 
death  in  their  blankets.  It  was  in  a  demor 
alized  condition  that  these  tattered  and  dis 
heartened  men  went  into  action  at  Fredericks- 
burg,  caring  little  as  to  whether  they  survived 
the  battle  or  not.  They  moved  forward  in  the 
charge  and  were  cut  down  on  all  sides.  Mr. 
Hamblen  had  now  been  assigned  to  duty  as 
Sergeant  in  the  ordnance  department.  The 
Regt.  was* also  engaged  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  in  1863,  where  on  the  first  day  the 
Brig,  was  drawn  up  inline  for  religious  services 
on  Fast  Day  by  a  proclamation  from  Lincoln, 
when  the  enemy  opened  their  batteries  upon 
them,  killing  several,  and  putting  an  abrupt 
termination  to  the  solemnities. 

The  ensuing  night  they  marched  ten  miles 
to  another  part  of  the  line,  and  were  supposed 
to  be  very  near  the  enemy;  hence  the  troops 
were  not  permitted  to  speak  above  a  whisper, 
or  to  light  a  fire.  It  had  begun  to  rain  about 
nightfall  and  continued  all  night,  coming  down 
in  torrents.  They  were  held  in  this  position 
for  two  days,  and  on  the  night  of  the  second 
day,  when  they  were  ordered  to  fall  into  line  of 
march,  it  was  so  dark  they  could  not  see  each 
other  at  the  distance  of  a  few  rods.  They 
were  again  compelled  to  stand  in  the  rain, 
which  was  still  falling,  for  two  hours,  when  the 
order  was  whispered  to  put  up  their  tents  and 
lie  down,  which  was  quickly  done,  but  just  as 
they  were  beginning  to  get  a  little  rest,  an  or 
der  was  whispered  to  fall  in  again.  Keeping 
in  line  until  daybreak,  they  resumed  the  march 
in  the  rain,  tramping  26  miles  through  the 
mud.  Previous  to  this,  they  had  been  on  the 


famous  "mud  march"  with  Burnside.  This 
march  will  never  be  forgotten  by  those  who 
were  so  unfortunate  as  to  have  been  called 
upon  to  undertake  it.  The  ground  had  been 
frozen,  upon  which  a  warm  rain  had  fallen, 
causing  a  thaw  and  mud  to  the  depth  of  sev 
eral  feet.  Some  of  the  mule  teams  became 
suffocated  in  the  mud,  and  the  wagons  were 
driven  right  over  them.  A  corduroy  road  was 
laid  upon  the  dead  mules,  over  which  the  troops 
were  finally  enabled  to  pass. 

The  next  battle  in  which  they  participated 
was  at  Gettysburg,  where,  although  his  duties 
did  not  call  him  into  the  action,  Mr.  Hamblen 
left  his  ordnance  store  with  a  deputy  and  took 
a  place  in  the  ranks.  On  the  morning  of  the 
second  day's  fight  when  they  came  together 
there  were  but  14  men  of  the  whole  Regt.,  the 
highest  officer  being  an  orderly  sergeant,  who 
took  command.  They  left  Me.  as  a  Regt.  of 
1,000  men,  but  had  been  reduced  from  time  to 
time,  until,  after  this  battle,  the  rebels  having 
released  their  prisoners,  they  mustered  nearly 
300.  They  had  borne  the  first  great  charge  of 
Lee's  army  as  a  part  of  the  corps  of  Gen.  Rey 
nolds,  who  was  killed  in  this  action.  Mr. 
Hamblen,  after  this  battle,  while  on  the  pursuit 
of  the  retreating  rebels,  was  attacked  with  sun 
stroke,  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Wash 
ington,  where  he  remained  through  the  ensu 
ing  winter. 

In  the  following  spring  he  went  to  the  con 
valescent  camp,  and,  at  his  examination,  was 
declared  unfit  for  duty,  and  was  sent  home  on 
a  furlough  for  thirty  days,  thence  going  to  the 
post  hospital.  There  were  900  inmates  of  this 
hospital  and  after  a  few  months  Mr.  Hamblen 
was  given  charge  of  the  cooking  department. 
He  was  finally  discharged  at  Augusta,  Me., 
May  22,  1865,  the  war  being  over. 

He  returned  to  his  home  at  Limington, 
but  was  unfit  for  any  kind  of  labor  for  more 
than  a  year.  He  had  a  brother  residing  in  111., 
and  his  physician  had  recommended  a  change 
of  climate,  so  in  the  spring  of  1866,  he  went  to 
Galesburg,  where  he  soon  found  employment 
as  a  machinist  in  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  shops, 
and  in  which  he  continued  until  about  four 


552 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


years  ago,  when  he  became  a  locomotive  engi 
neer  on  the  same  road,  and  has  since  followed 
this  occupation. 

He  married  Susan  S.,  daughter  of  Sam.  and 
Eliza  Hopkinson,  of  Limington,  Me.,  Jan.  2, 
1853.  They  were  raised  as  children  in  the  same 
neighborhood.  Two  sons  have  been  born  to 
them — Frank  E.  and  James.  Mrs.  Hamblen 
died  April  26,  1880,  her  children  surviving  her. 

Mr.  Hamblen  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 
He  enlisted  in  the  service  without  his  wife's 
knowledge,  at  the  time,  though  she  very  unwill 
ingly  assented  for  the  cause'  sake,  leaving  her 
to  support  herself  and  two  boys  as  best  she 
could  on  what  he  could  manage  to  send  her 
from  his  soldier's  pay.  He  was  among  the  first 
to  enlist  in  the  call  for  600,000  more  troops. 
His  wife  was  a  patriotic  woman  and  did  her 
duty  as  the  wife  of  a  soldier,  while  he  was  away, 
and  bade  him  God  speed  on  his  way  to  the 
field.  She  learned  the  trade  of  a  tailoress  and 
worked  industriously  in  that  relation  during 
her  husband's  absence  in  the  service.  When 
he  became  chief  of  the  cooking  department  at 
the  hospital  she  took  a  place  with  him  to  the 
end  of  the  war. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post  45, and 
ranks  as  past  Post  Commander.     He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  a  strictly  honor 
able  and  conscientious  man. 


FIRST  LIEUT. JOSEPH  W.  HARRIS,  of  Tiskilwa^ 
111.,  was  born  at  Valley  Falls,  R.  I.,  Jan! 
16,  1819,  his  ancestors,  as  far  as  he  has 
been  able  to  trace  them,  being  all  close  follow 
ers  and  ardent  adherents  of  the  Quaker  faith 
and   doctrines.     When    in   his  eighteenth  year 
he   removed  West,  and   settled    in    Mich.,   but 
growing   disappointed   with   that   country,  re 
moved  in  the  year  of  1840,  to  Tiskilwa,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising. 

He  is  a  son  of  William  Harris,  who  in  his 
time  was  a  gentleman  of  prominence,  and  ex 
tensively  engaged  in  the  cotton  manufacturing 
business  in  R.  I.  His  grandfather,  Joseph  Har 
ris,  was  on  the  "Gasper,"  and  was  one  of  the 


men  who  assisted  in  throwing  the  tea  into  the 
Narragansett  Bay  in  1774.  He  could  trace  his 
genealogy  through  those  who  were  citizens  of 
this  country  even  anterior  to  the  arrival  of  the 
Pilgrim  Fathers  upon  the  shores  of  America; 
his  first  American  ancestors  having  arrived 
here  from  Bristol,  England,  in  the  year  1630. 

After  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion,  inherit 
ing  the  soldierly  characteristics  of  his  grand 
father,  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  and  was 
mustered  in  as  1st  Lieut.  Co.  F.,  57th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  with  F.  A.  Beatty  as  Capt.  of  the  Co.  His 
Co.  with  three  others  proceeded  to  Chicago, 
where  they  went  into  camp,  and  in  the  follow 
ing  Dec.  the  56th  was  consolidated  with  the 
57th,  and  continued  to  be  known  as  the  latter 
during  the  war.  Feb.  8,  1862,  the  Regt.,  com 
prising  about  975  men,  fully  officered  and  armed 
with  old  Harper's  Ferry  muskets  altered  from 
flint  locks,  proceeded  by  rail  to  Cairo,  111.,  and 
thence  by  transports  to  Fort  Henry,  which  had 
been  evacuated  by  the  enemy  and  taken  pos 
session  of  by  the  Union  forces,  and  from  there 
hurried  down  to  the  river  to  Paducah,  Ky., 
thence  up  the  Cumberland  to  a  point  three 
miles  below  Fort  Donelson,  disembarked  and 
marched  to  a  position  in  front  of  the  rebel 
stronghold,  where  fighting  had  already  com 
menced.  It  remained  in  this  position  through 
the  night,  and  suffered  greatly  from  cold,  hav 
ing  nothing  but  blankets  to  sleep  in  and  pro 
tect  them  from  the  snow  which  fell. 

On  the  following  day  the  Regt.  was  sent  to 
support  two  batteries  of  artillery.  Next  morn 
ing,  when  the  men  were  all  in  readiness  to  as 
sault  the  rebel  works,  word  passed  along  the 
line  that  the  whole  rebel  garrison — about  17,000 
men — had  surrendered  to  Gen.  Grant.  They  pro 
ceeded  a  few  days  later  to  Fort  Henry,  then  up 
the  river  to  Crump's  Landing,  the  boat  carrying 
them  being  one  of  122  transports,  nearly  all 
loaded  with  troops,  constituting  the  greater  part 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tenn.,  the  fleet  formingone 
of  the  grandest  sights  of  the  war.  They  con 
tinued  ascending  the  river  until  Pittsburg 
Landing  was  reached,  having  on  the  route 
touched  at  different  places,  and  making  short 
excursions  into  the  surrounding  country,  to  as- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


553 


certain,  if  possible,  the  situation  of  the  enemy. 
They  went  into  camp  a  short  distance  up  the 
river,  to  the  right  of  the  Landing,  and  remained 
there  until  Sunday  morning,  April  6,  when 
firing  at  the  front  in  the  direction  of  Cor 
inth  was  heard,  and  the  battle  of  Shiloh  had 
opened.  Lieut.  Harris'  Regt.  was  ordered  to 
the  front  by  the  Corinth  road,  and  on  its  arrival 
was  held  in  service  for  a  time  when  it,  went  to 
the  support  of  a  battery  of  artillery  then  sharply 
engaged  with  the  enemy.  The  fighting  increased 
in  severity  as  the  numbers  engaged  increased, 
and  when  placed  in  position  in  the  afternoon, 
the  57th  changed  its  position  to  the  extreme 
left  of  the  Union  line,  and  made  an  advance 
where  the  enemy  was  encountered  in  immense 
numbers  ;  simultaneously  fire  was  opened  from 
both  sides,  and  for  twenty  minutes  a  terrible 
roar  of  musketry  was  steadily  maintained.  The 
Regt.  soon  discovered,  however,  that  its  men 
were  waging  an  unequal  contest.  The  old  al 
tered  flint  locks  became  fouled  and  heated  after 
firing  a  few  rounds,  making  it  impossible  to 
force  the  cartridge  into  the  barrel,  even  when 
the  men  in  desperation  would  strike  the  ram 
rods  against  stumps  and  stones  to  force  the 
charge  home  ;  therefore  the  rifles  of  their  dead 
and  wounded  comrades  were  seized  and  used, 
until  they  also  became  useless. 

Thus  handicapped  by  arms  which  failed  to 
be  of  use,  being  without  support  and  flanked 
on  both  sides,  the  gallant  command,  although 
they  had  fought  with  all  the  heroism  of  tried 
veterans,  were  compelled,  in  order  to  avoid 
capture  or  annihilation,  to  retire,  and  in  doing 
so  were  subjected  to  a  storm  of  grape  and  can 
ister  from  the  enemy's  cannon  until  they  had 
passed  the  line  of  Union  artillery,  which  opened 
upon  the  enemy  with  awful  effect,  checking  his 
advance,  and  starting  him  on  the  retreat  in 
confusion.  By  this  time  night  closed  upon  the 
scene,  leaving  the  Regt.  with  a  loss  of  187  of 
its  number  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
In  this  engagement  Lieut.  Harris  was  wounded 
in  the  left  wrist,  rendering  his  hand  useless  for 
a  time.  He  did  not  go  into  a  hospital,  but  ac 
cepted  a  thirty-days'  furlough  and  returned 
home.  He  soon  regained  the  use  of  his  hand, 


rejoined  his  regiment,  and  with  it  participated 
in  the  siege,  and  afterwards  in  the  battle,  of 
Corinth.  Shortly  after  the  Corinth  engage 
ment  he  was  detached  from  his  regiment  and 
placed  upon  special  duty,  at  which  he  was  con 
tinued  for  upwards  of  two  years,  without  ex 
periencing  any  noteworthy  incidents. 

This  detailed  duty  consisted  of  superin 
tending,  first  contrabands,  who  were  afterwards 
known  as  Freedmen,  who  were  put  at  work  in 
the  cotton  fields  near  Corinth,  Miss.  He  next 
had  charge  of  contrabands  at  Pulaski,  Tunnel 
Hill  and  Hobbs'  Plantation.  In  this  depart 
ment  Lieut.  Harris  was  very  successful  and  re 
ceived  many  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  cotton, 
which  he  sold  for  the  Government.  He  was 
mustered  out  and  discharged  to  date  June  7, 
1865,  and  immediately  returned  to  his  home. 
After  severing  his  connection  with  the  army 
he  resumed  farming,  which  he  operated  with 
intelligence,  and»succeeded  in  producing  satis 
factory  and  flattering  results;  improving  his 
farm  so  that  it  is  now  considered  one  of  the 
finest  in  Bureau  County.  Ten  years  ago  Lieut. 
Harris  removed  to  Tiskilwa,  where  he  has  a 
magnificent  home,  but  still  attends  to  his  farm 
and  stock-raising  business. 

He  always  took  an  active  part  in  politics, 
and  as  he  was  a  rising  and  prosperous  man, 
was  selected  by  his  friends  and  elected  as  a 
member  of  the  State  Legislature  in  1861,  and 
served  a  term  of  two  years  before  his  enlistment 
in 'the  army.  He  has  never  been  a  slave  to 
party,  and  when  the  party  in  power  departs 
from  what  he  considers  the  path  of  rectitude, 
he  does  not  hesitate  to  sacrifice  even  his  friends, 
so  that,  even  at  the  expense  of  his  party,  he  is 
often  found  engaged  with  the  party  which  he 
considers  does  the  greatest  amount  of  good  for 
the  great  body  of  the  people,  regardless  as  to 
whether  the  party  earning  his  displeasure  is  of 
the  Republican  or  Democratic  faith.  He  has 
no  hesitation  in  announcing  that  in  his  time, 
and  as  he  still  believes,  at  the  proper  time,  he 
was  a  Republican;  afterwards  a  Greenbacker, 
but  at  the  present  time  has  ranged  himself  with 
the  Democrats. 

He  was  united  in  the   holy   bonds   of  mar- 


554 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


riage  to  Fannie  Hall,  a  native  of  Devonshire, 
England,  Jan.  15,  1846,  and  one  son,  William,  is 
the  fruit  of  that  long,  prosperous  and  happy 
union.  Our  subject  is  a  member  of  Post  No. 
666,  G.  A.  R.,  and  takes  a  prominent  part  in 
all  matters  pertaining  to  the  advancement  and 
general  good  of  that  order. 

Lieut.  Harris  has  been  successful  in  all  busi 
ness  transactions  of  his  long  and  honorable 
life,  and  by  exercising  intelligence  and  energy 
and  by  following  honorable  methods,  he  has 
been  able  to  accumulate  ample  means  for  his 
declining  years. 


LR.  THOMPSON,  of  Homer,  111.,  who  has 
been  one  of  Champaign  County's  most 
•  successful  farmers,  and  enterprising 
business  men,  was  born  in  Ind.,  Oct.  30,  1845, 
son  of  F.  M.  and  Susan  (Hartman)  Thompson. 
His  parents  in  1838  settled  in  the  "big  woods" 
of  Ind.  where  7  years  later  our  subject  saw  the 
first  light  of  day.  In  1852  with  his  parents  he 
removed  to  near  Homer,  Champaign  Co.,  111., 
settling  there  upon  a  farm,  being  one  of  the 
early  poineers  of  that  now  flourishing  district. 
He  grew  up  upon  his  father's  farm,  at  which  he 
assisted,  and  attended  school  when  he  could  be 
spared  from  that  work.  Being  a  true  son  of  the 
Republic  and  a  devoted  patriot,  he  enlisted  in 
the  army  Feb.  i,  1864,  in  Co.  F.,  26th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  He  joined  it  at  Scottsborough,  Ala.,  and 
on  the  following  spring  set  out  to  endure  the 
hardships  and  confront  the  dangers  of  actual 
warfare,  his  first  move  being  upon  the  Atlanta 
campaign.  During  his  service,  besides  many 
skirmishes  and  heavy  and  continuous  marches 
he  was  engaged  in  the  following  battles: 
Resaca,  fought  May  13-16,  1864;  Ackworth, 
May  17;  Kingston,  May  18;  Burnt  Hickory, 
May  24;  Allatoona  Hills,  May  25;  New  Hope 
Church,  May  26  and  June  4;  Big  Shanty,  June 
6;  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  10-22;  Marietta, 
July  4;  Chattahoochie  River,  July  11-12;  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  July  19-20;  Atlanta,  July  22;  Siege 
of  Atlanta,  July  23-Aug.  17:  Griswoldville,  Nov. 
22;  Savannah,  Dec.  10-21;  Columbus,  S.  C.,  Feb. 


15-18,  1865;  Bentonville,  March  18-20.  At  the 
siege  of  Atlanta,  Aug.  17,  he  was  wounded  in 
the  head  by  a  piece  of  shell  striking  him  on 
the  left  side  of  his  head.  He  lay  unconscious 
upon  the  ground  for  sometime,  was  then 
taken  to  the  Div.  hospital  in  the  rear, 
where  he  was  led  to  overlook  his  own  intense 
pain  by  the  excruciating,  agonizing  sufferings 
of  the  .dying  and  wounded  close  about  him. 
One  poor  fellow  in  the  bunk  at  his  right  had 
been  shot  in  the  face,  the  ball  passing  through 
his  head,  rendering  him  speechless. 

He  groaned  terribly,  and  what  he  suffered 
was  painfully  evident,  but  his  moaning  grew 
more  feeble  as  the  moments  flew  by.  Finally 
Mr.  Thompson  was  enabled  to  snatch  a  short 
sleep,  but  the  noise  in  the  bed  to  his  right  had 
ceased;  his  wounded  comrade  had  died,  and 
his  spirit  had  taken  its  flight  to  the  God  who 
gave  it.  To  Mr.  Thompson's  left  was  another 
wounded  comrade  who  told  the  following  story 
of  his  wounds  and  escape  from  death.  Upon 
leaving  home  he  had  left  behind  him  a  young 
wife,  who  as  a  parting  token,  had  placed  in  his 
breast  pocket  a  small  Bible,  with  the  request 
that  he  carry  it  where  she  had  placed  it. 
Many  times,  being  burdened  with  supplies  and 
army  outfit,  he  was  tempted  to  throw  it  away, 
but  carried  it  faithfully  as  a  token  of  a  dear 
one  at  home.  In  battle  he  was  struck  with  a 
bullet  in  the  hand  which  took  off  the  index 
finger  and  struck  against  the  Bible,  upon  his 
breast,  imbedding  itself  therein,  and  knocking 
the  possessor  down.  He  exhibited  the  book 
to  Mr.  Thompson,  who  looks  upon  his  comrade's 
escape  as  miraculous.  Our  subject  soon  re 
covered  and  entered  the  ranks.  Just  previous 
to  the  battle  of  Atlanta,  his  Col.  received 
orders  to  occupy  an  open  field  before  the 
enemy's  lines,  and  replied  that  he  was  only  too 
glad  to  do  so,  thereby  calling  forth  the  remark 
from  Isaac  Rush  of  Co.  F.,  "You  may  be  d— 
glad  to  get  out  again."  He  occupied  the  field 
however  and  held  it  against  five  repeated 
charges  from  the  Rebels  under  Gen.  Hood. 
Upon  one  occasion  when  on  the  march  to  the 
sea,  his  Regt.  went  into  camp,  after  a  hard 
day's  work  and  was  waiting  for  the  appearance 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


S55 


of  the  men  who  had  that  day  been  out  foraging. 
Late  in  the  evening  the  boys  along  the  line 
commenced  shouting  and  laughing  and  whilst 
wondering  as  to  its  cause  their  forager,  Ira  D. 
Carpenter,  appeared,  sitting  in  a  fine  family 
carriage  drawn  by  a  band  of  negroes  whom  he 
had  pressed  into  the  service  from  the  plantation, 
and  as  he  rode  by  he  was  cheered  from  one 
end  of  the  line  to  the  other.  He  had  captured 
about  300  Ibs.  of  cured  pork,  the  contents  of  4 
or  5  beehives,  several  bushels  of  potatoes,  large 
quanties  of  corn  meal;  besides  several  chickens. 
That  night  Mr.  Thompson  and  his  comrades 
enjoyed  a  banquet  with  the  negroes  as  guests. 
Mr.  Thompson  was  one  of  900  picked  sol 
diers  who  were  detailed  to  storm  the  rebel 
works  around  Atlanta  and  at  a  given  signal  did 
so,  capturing  the  fortifications  as  also  many 
prisoners,  not  before  however  he  had  heard  the 
whiz  of  many  bullets  as  they  passed  by  him, 
some  of  which  made  victims  of  his  comrades. 
One  bullet  pierced  his  blouse.  His  comrades 
fell  dead  and  wounded  all  around  him,  but  he, 
strange  to  say,  escaped.  Many  times  during 
the  pursuit  of  Hood,  he  had  wished  the  rebels 
would  make  a  stand  and  fight,  by  which  means 
he  might  obtain  a  respite  from  his  long  and 
tedious  marching.  Near  Columbia,  S.  C.,  so 
completely  tired  and  exhausted  was  Mr. 
Thompson,  that  one  night  while  asleep  he 
dreamed  that  someone  was  gently  tapping  on 
his  tent,  but  awaking  was  surprised  to  find  the 
gentle  tapping  was  caused  by  rebel  shells  ex 
ploding  uncomfortably  close  to  where  he  re 
posed.  The  26th  being  veterans  it  was  expect 
ed  to  perform,  and  was  generally  assigned  to 
the  most  hazardous  duties.  After  the  surren 
der  of  the  rebel  army  Mr.  Thompson  marched 
with  his  Regt.  to  Washington,  and  there  took 
part  in  the  grand  review.  Later  was  ordered 
to  Louisville  where  he  was  mustered  out,  July 
28,  1865,  and  discharged  at  Springfield,  July 
28th.  He  had  a  brother,  Harmon  H.,  also  in 
the  26th,  who  was  severely  wounded  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Atlanta,  served  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  died  from  his  injuries  in  1888.  Mr.  Thomp 
son's  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812.  Returning  from  the  army,  Mr.  Thomp 


son  spent  one  year  at  school,  then  engaged  in 
farming  for  many  years,  then  in  the  butchering 
and  stock  business  at  Homer  where  his  trade 
prospered  and  grew  apace,  enabling  him  to  re 
tire  from  active  duty  and  enjoy  a  quiet  and 
retired  life.  He  figures  prominently  in  all  the 
matters  pertaining  to  the  G.  A.  R.  work,  has  filled 
many  places  of  trust  and  responsibility  in  his 
Post  at  Homer,  of  which  he  has  been  the  com 
mander.  He  spent  7  years  in  Kan.,  after  the 
war,  where  he  pre-empted  a  homestead  and 
where  he  still  holds  valuable  property.  He  is 
also  the  proprietor  of  valuable  real  estate  in 
and  about  Homer,  among  which  is  his  fine 
home,  where  he  lives  in  peace  and  happiness 
surrounded  by  his  family.  Courteous  and  affa 
ble  in  his  demeanor,  shrewd,  energetic  and  en 
terprising  as  a  business  man,  he  has  made  a 
success  of  life,  accumulated  a  fair  share  of  this 
world's  goods  and  retired  from  active  work,  in 
the  full  enjoyment  of  respect  and  esteem  of  all 
his  friends  and  acquaintances. 

He  was  married  at  Homer,  Aug.  28,  1868, 
to  Maggie  Robinson,  by  whom  he  had  eight 
children  —  Fred,  May,  Frank,  Anna,  Lulu, 
Charles,  Harry  and  Bessie.  Mrs.  Thompson 
died  June  6,  1881.  She  was  an  active  member 
of  the  W.  R.  C.  His  oldest  son  is  a  member  of 
the  Sons  of  Veterans.  Mr.  T.  had  an  excep 
tionally  happy  home  until  the  demise  of  his 
beloved  wife. 


PETER  KIEFFER,  the  present  commander  of 
Eph.  Scott  Post  G.  A.  R.,  No.  464.  of 
Mahomet,  111.,  a  German  of  more  than 
average  ability,  with  a  record  as  a  citizen  and 
soldier  that  any  American-born  citizen  might 
well  be  proud  of,  was  born  in  Luxemburg, 
Germany,  Sept.  19,  1832.  In  1851,  he  immi 
grated  to  the  U.  S.,  remaining  in  N.  Y.  State 
for  two  years,  then  moved  to  Chicago,  where 
he  was  engaged  on  steamboats  upon  the  laker, 
for  some  years.  But  in  1860  he  removed  to 
Champaign  Co.,  where  he  was  employed  in 
farming  near  Mahomet.  He  enlisted  in  the 
army  Aug.  2,  1862,  as  a  private  in  Co.  H.,  I25th 


556 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  with  his  Regt.  proceeded  to 
the  front  by  way  of  Covington,  Ky.,  and  Louis 
ville,  and  then  upon  a  chase  after  Gen.  Bragg, 
whose  army  was  encountered  in  the  battle  of 
Perrysville,  Oct.  8,  1862,  and  then  again  at  Crab 
Orchard.  He  then  started  upon  a  hard  march 
to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  driving  the  rebel  Bragg 
and  his  army  before  him;  then  wintered 
at  Nashville.  He  was  employed  guarding  the 
prisoners  captured  at  the  battle  of  Stone  River. 
In  the  spring  of  1863,  he  took  part  in  the 
Chattanooga  campaign,  and  in  the  battles  of 
Chickamauga  and  Mission  Ridge.  After  the 
first  named  battle  his  Regt.  was  stationed  to 
guard  a  ford,  some  four  miles  above  Chat 
tanooga,  where  it  was  many  times  shelled  by  the 
enemy.  There  the  men  were  several  times  on 
the  point  of  starvation,  and  oftentimes  but  one 
or  two  crackers  were  doled  out  to  them  as  a 
meal.  Mr.  Kieffer  was  one  of  a  party  of  for 
agers  to  capture  a  flock  of  sheep,  and  he  ad 
mits  soon  after  this  he  had  at  least  one  square 
meal.  The  winter  of  1863-4  was  spent  in  camp 
at  Gordon's  Mills,  and  in  the  spring  he  started 
upon  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  and  was  in  nearly 
all  the  battles  of  that  expedition,  and  among 
the  number  may  be  mentioned  those  of  Kene- 
saw  Mt.,  Dalton  Ga.;  Peach  Tree  Creek,  At 
lanta,  and  Jonesboro;  at  the  last  named,  he  was 
struck  in  the  knee  by  a  spent  ball,  but  he  did 
not  suffer  the  loss  of  one  drop  of  patriotic 
blood.  This  campaign  terminated  successfully 
in  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  he  started  again  with 
Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea,  participating 
in  all  the  heavy  marches  and  skirmishes  until 
Savannah  was  made  to  acknowledge  Union 
supremacy. 

Turning  northward,  he  accompanied  the 
army  up  through  the  Carolinas,  and  was  act 
ively  engaged  in  that  desperate  battle  at  Ben- 
tonville.  In-  fact,  Mr.  Kieffer  was  always  in  line 
of  duty  and  present  when  his  Regt.  was  called 
upon  to  encounter  the  enemy,  and  displayed 
all  the  courage  and  bravery  which  are  such 
necessary  ingredients  in  the  composition  of  a 
successful  soldier.  He  was  at  the  surrender  of 
Johnston,  then  moved  to  Richmond  and  after 
wards  to  Washington,  and  was  in  the  Grand 


Review.  After  a  service  of  three  years  he  was 
mustered  out  and  discharged  in  June,  1865. 
He  was  promoted  first  to  Corporal,  and  after 
wards  to  Sergt.  He  was  always  commended 
by  his  superior  officers  for  having  the  cleanest 
gun  in  the  Regt.  After  leaving  the  army  he 
returned  to  his  farm,  where  he  has  since  re 
sided.  He  has  been  twice  married,  the  last 
occasion  being  in  1870,  to  Mrs.  Lydia  Ann 
Payton,  a  widow,  by  whom  he  has  two  children 
living,  viz.:  Frederick  and  Mary. 

He  was  formerly  a  Republican,  but  of  late 
years  has  voted  with  the  Prohibition  party. 
Mr.  Kieffer  makes  very  little  display,  and  is 
always  the  same  happy,  good-natured  individ 
ual,  whose  company  is  always  enjoyed  by  his 
many  friends.  He  declined  several  times  the 
honor  of  being  elected  Commander  of  his  Post, 
but  these  excuses  were  no  longer  regarded, 
consequently  he  was  elected  to  the  position, 
which  he  fills  with  dignity  and  to  the  satisfac 
tion  of  his  comrades.  He  never  lost  a  day's 
duty  while  in  the  service,  and  never  was  put 
on  extra  duty,  but  was  always  ready  for  battle 
whenever  called  upon. 


JAMES  LAWRENCE,  enlisted  in  the  army  Aug. 
10,  1861,  Co.  D.,  7th  111.  Cav.,  and  with  his 
Regt.  went  to  Bird's  Point,  then  to  New 
Madrid,  after  the  fall  of  Island  No.  10.  From 
this  time  the  Regt.  was  on  the  move,  and  passed 
through  Jacinto,  Courtland,  Russelville,  Tus- 
cumbia,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  luka,  and 
then,  3d  and  4th  of  Oct.,  at  Corinth,  where  his 
Regt.  suffered  severely.  He  next  was  in  the 
engagements  at  Oxford  and  Coffeeville,  respect 
ively,  and  during  the  latter  was  appointed 
Quartermaster  Sergeant  in  charge  of  the  camp 
equipage,  where  all  the  commissioned  officers 
were  taken  prisoners,  he  alone  escaping.  He 
was  subsequently  in  command  of  his  company 
after  its  release,  whilst  Capt.  Bradshaw  was  at 
home  recruiting.  It  went  to  La  Grange,  where 
it  wintered,  taking  part  in  the  meantime  in  sev 
eral  skirmishes  and  raids  into  the  adjoining 
country.  He  was  here  in  charge  of  the  camp, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


557 


after  the  Rcgt.  left  upon  the  Guntown  raid,  and 
continued  there  until  July,  1863;  then  he  went 
to  La  Fayette,  and  afterwards  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Moscow.  In  Feb.,  1864,  he  partici 
pated  in  the  attempt  of  Gen.  Smith  to  join 
Sherman's  army  at  Meridan,  Miss.,  resulting 
in  failure,  during  which  the  men  suffered  terri 
ble  hardships,  from  cold  and  hunger.  Having 
re-enlisted,  Mr.  Lawrence  went  home  on  vet 
eran  furlough,  and  remained  until  June,  when 
he  returned,  joining  his  Regt.  at  Memphis;  then 
went  to  Moscow,  then  to  White  Station,  next 
to  Florence,  where  General  Hood's  forces  were 
encountered,  from  which  point  he  returned  with 
the  camp  equipage  to  Memphis.  Having  been 
afflicted  with  sore  eyes,  he  went  into  hospital 
and  there  obtained  a  furlough,  and  on  returning 
home  voted  for  President  Lincoln.  Subse 
quently,  he  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Nashville,  ar 
riving  there  the  day  of  the  Franklin  battle,  at 
which  place  his  Rcgt.  arrived  the  following 
day,  going  into  camp,  and  in  the  following 
month  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Nashville; 
then  followed  the  rebels  to  East  Port,  Miss.; 
then  proceeded  to  Bibb's  Springs,  by  way  of 
•Corinth  and  luka.  The  men  were  all  taken  sick; 
consequently  were  sent  to  Huntsville,  Ala. 
Having  been  mustered  out,  Mr.  Lawrence  finally 
got  home  in  Nov.,  1865. 

In  June,  1862,  his  horse  stumbled,  and  the 
rider  falling  upon  his  saddle  pommel,  was  rup 
tured,  making  it  difficult  and  almost  impossible 
to  endure  heavy  work  of  any  kind,  and  the  in 
jury  has  always  been  a  source  of  pain.  In  his 
Co.  were  five  of  his  nephews,  all  of  whom  called 
him  Uncle  Jim,  by  which  name  he  became 
known.  Before  going  to  the  front,  he  returned 
home  to  see  his  sick  wife,  and  on  returning, 
the  Regt.  had  gone,  whereupon  he  mounted  his 
horse  and  wended  his  way  to  St.  Louis,  with 
out  a  dollar  in  his  pocket.  Then  took  a  boat,  and 
having  no  money  to  pay  for  transportation,  the 
clerk  detained  his  horse.  He,  however,  found 
Gen.  Grant,  who  gave  an  order,  which  im 
mediately  released  the  animal. 

Mr.  Lawrence  was  born  March  7,  1819,  in 
Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  Elisha  Lawrence  who 
took  part  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  a  descendant 


of  the  Lawrence  family  of  Delaware,  founded 
by  one  of  three  brothers,  who  reached  this 
country  in  the  Mayflower.  Our  subject  went  to 
Knoxville,  111.,  in  1839,  and  the  following  year 
cast  his  first  vote  for  General  Harrison,  as  Presi 
dent. 

Mr.  Lawrence  married  Frances  Ferguson, 
daughter  of  Major  James  Ferguson,  who  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  He  had  four 
children,  viz.:  Ann,  who  married  Alexander 
Burnett;  Minnie,  wife  of  Robert  Christian;  Ed- 
win,  a  railroad  man  residing  with  his  father; 
and  Estella. 

He  is  a  Republican,  an  M.  E.  Churchman, 
and  a  member  of  Post  No.  45,  G.  A.  R. 


M 


AJOR-GENERAL  JUDSON  KILPATRICK  was 
born  in  Sussex  Co.,  N.  J.,  Jan.  14,  1836; 
educated  at  West  Point  Military  Acad 
emy,  and  graduated  in  1861;  entered  military 
service  as  a  2d  Lieut,  in  the  1st  Regt.  U.  S. 
Art.,  May  6,  1861.  He  was  soon  transferred  to 
the  volunteer  service,  and  made  a  Capt.  in  Du- 
ryea's  N.  Y.  Zouaves.  His  first  opportunity  to 
smell  powder  was  at  Big  Bethel,  in  Va.,  on  June 
10,  1861,  where  he  went  rashly  into  the  fight, 
and  was  seriously  wounded.  As  soon  as  he  re 
covered  from  his  wounds  he  accepted  a  commis 
sion  as  Col.  of  what  was  then  called  the  Harris 
Light  Cav.,  a  Regt.  of  scouting  dragoons,  ope 
rating  against  the  rebels  from  Long  Bridge, 
near  Washington,  out  into  the  neighboring 
counties  of  Va.  Eastern  Va.  was  at  that  time 
a  theater  for  raids  by  the  Cav.  of  the  contend 
ing  armies.  Gen.  Kilpatrick  soon  distinguished 
himself  in  this  exciting  mode  of  warfare  as  a 
bold  and  dashing  leader,  and  for  two  years  on 
horseback  he  ranged  the  country  between  the 
Potomac  and  Rapahannock  Rivers.  By  sudden 
dash,  intrepid  fighting,  and  rapid  pursuit  of 
Rebel  cavalry,  he  became  a  terror  to  the  enemy 
on  the  Potomac.  During  the  summers  of  1861 
and  1862  he  continued  in  this  hazardous  service 
under  Gen.  McDowell,  protecting  Washington 
and  harassing  the  Rebel  army  in  Virginia.  It 
was  here  he  acquired  the  knowledge  of  Cav.  tac- 


558 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


tics  for  which  he  was  afterward  so  highly  dis 
tinguished.  In  June,  1863,  he  was  made  Brig.- 
Gen.,  and  took  command  of  a  Div.  of  Cav.  in 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  After  the  organiza 
tion  the  Cav.  on  the  Potomac,  in  1863,  Gen.  Kil- 
patrick  took  command  of  the  1st  Brig,  of  the  3d 
Div.  of  Cav.  under  Gen.  Stoneman.  About  this 
time  extensive  raids  were  introduced  by  Gen. 
Stewart,  of  the  celebrated  Black  Horse  Cav.  in 
the  Rebel  army.  A  grand  raid  had  been  made, 
and  the  Union  army  completely  circumvented, 
greatly  to  the  surprise  of  its  commander  and 
the  mortification  of  the  country  generally. 

To  counteract  this  daring  adventure  was  an 
object  of  prime  necessity,  and  a  counter-raid 
was  organized.  Gen.  Kilpatrick  was  chosen 
among  the  leaders  of  this  uncertain  expedition. 
Striking  west  from  Washington,  the  Confeder 
ate  army  was  flanked,  their  Cav.  outwitted,  and 
the  Union  raiders  reached  Richmond  with  very 
little  opposition.  After  making  an  accurate 
reconnoissance  of  Richmond,  the  defensive 
works  and  surrounding  country,  the  expedi 
tion  returned  with  the  loss  of  I  officer  and  37 
men.  All  previous  Rebel  raids  were  eclipsed 
by  this  bold  ride  of  200  men  in  five  successive 
days.  Gen.  Kilpatrick  made  another  raid  on 
Richmond  in  Feb.,  1864.  Leaving  Stevens- 
port  with  three  brigades  of  light  Cav.,  and 
passing  rapidly  to  the  rear  of  the  Rebel  army, 
he  reached  the  fortifications  around  Richmond 
the  second  day.  Some  of  the  outer  works 
were  captured  and  held  for  several  hours. 
Having  no  support  and  without  artillery,  of 
course,  the  opposition  could  not  be  held.  This 
was  the  last  of  Kilpatrick's  brilliant  services  in 
the  East.  By  order  of  the  War  Department, 
he  was  transferred  to  the  West  in  the  winter  of 
1864  and  1865,  and  assigned  to  Gen.  Sherman's 
army.  When  Sherman  began  his  last  and  final 
march  through  the  South,  Kilpatrick  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  cavalry.  How  well 
he  succeeded  in  this  command,  the  smoulder 
ing  ruins  of  Rebel  property  a  hundred  miles 
wide  through  Ga.  and  S.  C.  amply  attest. 
The  Rebel  Cav.  were  defeated  wherever  over 
taken.  Sherman's  army  was  protected  on  the 
flank  and  on  the  rear.  Wherever  it  moved, 


Kilpatrick's  Cav.  was  seen  around  it  as  a  wall 
of  fire.  Not  only  was  Sherman's  army  defend 
ed  by  his  cavalry,  but  the  cavalry  captured 
supplies,  tore  up  railroads,  burned  bridges, 
opened  roads,  and  drove  the  lurking  enemy 
out  of  the  way.  A  thousand  miles'  ride 
through  a  hostile  country  has  no  parallel  in 
the  world.  As  Sherman's  army  marched 
through  the  Confederacy,  Kilpatrick's  cavalry 
could  always  be  heard  in  advance.  The  Rebels 
never  could  assemble  an  army  to  capture 
Sherman,  but  Kilpatrick  would  have  it  whipped 
before  Sherman's  army  proper  could  come  up, 
Continuing  in  service  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  Gen.  Kilpatrick  returned  to  N.  J.  Few 
Generals  have  conferred  more  enduring  honor 
on  the  service  or  done  more  to  save  the  coun 
try.  He  died  Dec.  4,  1881. 


JOHN  HOLMES,  of  Morris,  Ills.,  was  born 
in  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  June  30th,  1849, 
and  has  the  reputation  of  being  the 
youngest  soldier  in  the  region  where  he  re 
sides.  He  removed  in  early  life  with  his 
father,  John  Holmes,  to  Constantine,  Mich., 
where  he  was  raised  and  educated.  In  Dec., 
1861,  when  but  a  boy,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C.,  igth 
Mich.  Vol.  Inf.  Starting  from  Grand  Rapids, 
Mich.,  his  first  move  was  to  McMinnville,Tenn., 
and  from  there  marched  to  Resaca,  Ga.  From 
this  point  a  steady  pursuit  of  the  enemy  was 
maintained  until  Atlanta  was  reached;  having 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Peach  Tree  Creek 
and  all  the  actions  that  led  up  to  the  siege  of 
Atlanta.  Here  the  young  soldier  was  seriously 
wounded,  the  day  before  the  victory  came,  and 
was  carried  into  the  captured  city.  He  recov 
ered  and  was  able  to  join  his  comrades  just  as 
they  were  preparing  to  march  with  Sherman  to 
the  sea.  The  wound  which  disabled  our  young 
soldier  was  caused  by  a  minie  ball,  which  passed 
through  a  part  of  his  body,  coming  out  at  the 
hip,  and  was  received  while  digging  pits  on  the 
skirmish  line. 

During  the  memorable  "March  to  the  Sea" 
Mr.  Holmes  was  detailed  as  forager  in  a  com- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


559 


pany  of  500  men  under  command  of  Capt. 
Cahill,  and  his  band  supplied  the  army  with  all 
the  provisions  on  this  trip  to  Savannah,  Ga. ; 
and  it  is  stated  that  there  was  no  dissatisfaction 
in  regard  to  the  quality  or  quantity  of  the 
supply.  It  was  discovered  that  the  people  of 
the  country  through  which  the  army  marched 
made  a  practice  of  hiding  their  goods  and  pro 
visions  in  the  woods,  leaving  a  trusty  negro  in 
charge  of  the  premises.  The  negro,  in  most 
cases,  faithful  to  his  master's  interests,  would 
at  first  attempt  to  lead  the  soldier  astray,  but 
by  threatening  him  with  death,  with  a  number 
of  muskets  pointingtoward  him,  the  true  locality 
of  the  hidden  treasures  would  soon  be  revealed. 

One  day  Mr.  Holmes  found  in  a  field  a  large 
pile  of  sugar  cane,  and  accidentally  stepping 
upon  a  bottle,  he  proceeded  to  investigate,  and 
soon  found  500  bottles  of  fine  wine,  which,  it  is 
needless  to  say,  were  very  soon  appropriated 
by  the  boys. 

On  reaching  Savannah  there  was  a  change 
in  the  supplies,  and  from  an  abundance  of  the 
best,  gathered  from  the  fertile  valleys  of  a  rich 
section  of  country,  the  soldiers  were  compelled 
to  thresh  out  rice  and  use  it  with  unwholesome 
swamp  water. 

When  Savannah  surrendered  the  Regt.  en 
tered  and  went  into  camp  about  one  week; 
then  crossed  the  Savannah  River,  going  through 
the  rice  swamps  to  Columbia,  where  the  news 
of  Lee's  surrender  was  first  received,  which 
occasioned  great  rejoicing.  From  Columbia  the 
march  led  to  Washington,  D.  C.;  was  in  Wash 
ington  at  the  time  of  the  grand  review,  and 
remained  in  camp  there  about  three  weeks, 
when  orders  came  to  go  to  Jackson,  Mich., 
where  the  Regt.  was  mustered  out. 

Three  brothers  of  Mr.  Holmes  were  in  the 
army,  two  (Jeremiah  and  Perry)  were  members 
of  the  same  Co.  he  was  in.  Perry  received  a 
wound  at  Resaca  which  required  three  fingers 
of  his  left  hand  to  be  amputated.  Henry  was 
a  member  of  the  53d,  Mich.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was 
wounded  at  Atlanta  two  days  before  its  sur 
render.  He  was  shot  through  his  left  leg. 

Mr.  Holmes  was  married  July  4,  1869,  to 
Minnie  Knight,  at  Constantine,  Mich.  She  was 


the  daughter  of  E.  A.  Knight.  He  remained 
in  Mich,  about  four  years  and  then  located  in 
Ottawa,  111.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  ice 
business  about  1  1  years.  He  then  removed  to 
Morris,  111.,  and  purchased  a  livery  stable. 

They  have  three  children,  Willie,  Daisy,  and 
Earl,  all  attending  school.  Mr.  Holmes  is  a 
decided  Republican,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
and  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  is  a  respected  citizen  of 
the  country  that  he  sacrificed  so  much  to 
defend. 


WILLIAM  J.  M.  FISH,  of  Sandwich,  111., 
enlisted  in  the  army  for  the  war  of 
the  rebellion  at  Sandwich,  Aug.  22, 
1862,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co. 
H.,  I05th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  With  his  Regt.,  he  went 
to  Chicago,  Sept.  8,  and  from  there  to  Louis 
ville,  Ky.,  reporting  to  Gen.  Dumont,  was  at 
tached  to  his  Div.,  and  Ward's  Brig.  Subse 
quently  the  Div.  moved  to  Frankfort,  then  to 
Bowling  Green,  where  it  arrived  Nov.  4,  and 
then  went  to  Scottsville.  He  spent  the  fall  and 
the  following  months  between  Gallatin,  South 
Tunnel,  Lavergne,  Murfreesboro  and  Nash 
ville,  and  at  the  latter  place  was  employed 
guarding  trains  and  other  similar  duties.  On 
Feb.  24,  1864,  they  moved  to  Wauhatchie  Val 
ley  where  he  remained  until  May  2,  when  his 
Regt.  joined  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  par 
ticipated  in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Cassville, 
Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Gulp's  Hill,  Golgotha 
Church,  New  Hope  Church,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
and  Atlanta.  At  the  Dallas  battle,  Mr.  Fish's 
Regt.  took  a  very  prominent  part  in  capturing 
a  masked  battery,  being  the  only  one  of  the 
kind  taken  during  the  campaign.  His  brigade 
was  the  first  of  the  3d  Div.,  20th  A.  C.,  com 
manded  by  Gen.,  afterwards  Pres.  Harrison. 
It  also  suffered  severely  in  this  engagement, 
losing  upwards  of  40  killed,  and  448  wounded. 
It  remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Atlanta  until 
Nov.  15,  when  it  joined  in  the  "March  to  the 
Sea"  campaign,  and  took  part  in  all  the  im 
portant  battles  and  skirmishes  of  that  expedi 
tion.  Mr.  Fish  now  looks  back  with  pleasure 


560 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


to  his  experiences  in  the  last  mentioned  cam 
paign,  inclining  his  interviewer  to  the  belief 
that  if  to-morrow  a  similar  expedition  became 
necessary,  Mr.  Fish  would  apply  for  a  place 
therein.  After  the  fall  of  Savannah,  the  iO5th 
remained  there  for  some  days,  then  crossed  the 
Savannah  River  and  moved  to  Hardeeville, 
where  it  found  that  the  Union  troops  had  started 
on  the  march  through  the  Carolinas.  Mr.  Fish 
with  his  Regt.  fought  the  battles  of  Lawton- 
ville,  Averysboro  and  Bentonville;  and  was 
also  in  several  important  skirmishes  during  the 
expedition. 

The  surrender  of  Johnston  at  Raleigh  ended 
the  war,  therefore  the  iO5th  left  a  few  days 
later  for  Washington;  participated  in  the  Grand 
.Review  at  that  place,  and  was  mustered  out  of 
service  June  7,  1865,  and  placed  en  route  for 
Chicago,  where  the  men  were  finally  paid  off 
and  discharged.  Mr.  Fish  was  born  in  Craw 
ford  Co.,  Pa.,  April  18,  1830,  and  was  the  son 
of  Amon  and  Marilla  (Joles)  Fish,  both  of 
whom  are  now  dead.  His  great  grandfather 
was  married  three  times,  and  was  the  father  of 
22  children.  Our  subject  attended  school  until 
14  years  of  age,  when  he  hired  as  a  farm  hand, 
continuing  thus  engaged  for  four  years,  then 
moved  west  to  Galesburg,  where  he  learned  the 
carpenter  trade,  then,  in  1851,  moved  to  Minn., 
and  engaged  with  the  North  American  Fur 
Company.  He  continued  with  this  company 
for  five  years,  then  went  to  Texas  and  traded 
on  his  own  account  for  a  short  time,  when  he 
returned  to  his  old  home  in  Pa.  on  a  visit; 
leaving  again,  went  west  and  settled  at  Sand 
wich. 

He  married  Martha  Elizabeth  Jolcs  in  Au 
gust,  1861,  and  by  her  had  12  children,  6  of 
whom  are  now  living. 

After  his  discharge  from  the  army,  Mr.  Fish 
returned  to  Sandwich  and  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Sandwich  Manf'g.  Co.,  and  was  placed 
in  the  position  of  foreman  in  the  wood  de 
partment  of  that  establishment,  which  he  has 
filled  ever  since  with  satisfaction  to  his  em 
ployers.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  510,  G. 
A.  R.,  at  Sandwich,  and  a  prohibitionist  in 
politics. 


CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  WARNER,  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Hampshire,  111.,  was  born  in 
Stark  Co.,  Ohio,  Oct.  5.  1829.  His  par 
ents  were  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Fetters) 
Warner,  who  were  natives  of  Pa.,  settling  at  an 
early  period  in  Ohio,  and  in  1854,  removing  to 
Hampshire,  111.,  which  place  their  son  William 
had  a  few  months  before  selected  as  a  future 
home.  Here  the  remainder  of  their  lives  were 
spent,  the  father  dying  in  1887,  at  the  age  of  80, 
and  the  mother  in  1889,  at  the  age  of  81.  Jacob 
Warner  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  his  father, 
George,  who  died  in  Ohio,  belonged  to  one  of 
the  oldest  and  most  highly  respected  Colonial 
families.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Capt. 
William  Warner,  Phillip  Fetters,  died  in 
Ohio.  William  was  an  only  child  and  was 
carefully  reared  under  the  safe  guidance  of 
his  parents,  and  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  was  married  in  1852,  in  his  native 
county,  to  Catherine,  daughter  of  Patrick 
Harney,  who  was  born  near  Dublin,  Ireland,  and 
emigrated  to  Ohio  about  the  year  1843.  He 
was  a  contractor  and  builder.  Catherine  A. 
Harney,  first  wife  of  Wm.  Warner  was  born  in 
County  Wicklow,  Ireland,  in  1830,  and  died  at 
Hampshire,  111.,  June  13,  1855,  leaving  two 
children,  Mary  E.  and  George  O.  In  April 
1857  Capt.  Warner,  married  Sallie  A.  Dickson, 
of  Hampshire,  111.  She  died  in  Dublin,  Texas, 
Feb.  10,  1883,  leaving  6  children — Alice  Lorain, 
Jessie  J.,  Francis  Marion,  William  Tecumseh, 
Willis  Montgomery  and  Albert  Chapmann. 
Alice  L.  departed  this  life  Aug  5,  1882  at  China 
Springs,  Tex.  The  others  are  all  living.  Capt. 
Warner  went  to  Kane  Co.,  111.,  in  the  spring  of 
1854,  and  purchased  a  farm  near  Hampshire, 
which  he  cultivated  up  to  the  outbreak  of  the 
rebellion.  In  1861,  he  went  to  Washington 
where  he  engaged  as  a  cook  for  the  soldiers 
and  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Ball's  Bluff.  He 
returned  home  in  1862,  and  raised  a  squad  of 
30  men  with  whom  he  enlisted  at  Hampshire, 
Aug.  7,  1862,  as  Co.  C.,  I27th  111.  Inf.  After  be 
ing  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  for  about  3 
months,  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Memphis 
and  was  there  brigaded  and  assigned  to  the  2nd 
Brig.,  2nd  Div.  of  the  I5th  A.  C.  Mr.  Warner 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


561 


was  commissioned  2nd  Lieut.  The  command 
participated  in  the  Tallahatchie  campaign,  en 
during  great  hardships,  and  losing  3  of  Lieut. 
Warner's  Co. 

In  the  winter  of  1862-3  they  returned  to 
Memphis  and  proceeding  thence  to  Young's 
Point  opposite  Vicksburg,  remained  there  dur 
ing  the  winter.  In  the  spring  crossing  at 
Hardtimes  Landing,  taking  part  in  the  battles 
of  Raymond,  Jackson,  Champion  Hills  and 
Black  River  Bridge.  Lieut.  Warner  here  re 
ceived  his  deserved  promotion  as  Captain,  and 
in  that  relation  led  the  skirmish  line  in  two 
assaults  at  Vicksburg,  and  his  Co.  being  the 
color  Co.,  was  actively  engaged  during  the 
siege,  suffering  considerable  loss.  After  the 
capitulation,  they  recaptured  Jackson  and 
went  into  camp  at  Camp  Sherman.  While 
here  Capt.  Warner  was  detailed  for  duty  with 
the  Brig.  Q.  M,  and  ordered  to  Memphis, 
thence  going  to  Chattanooga,  arriving  there 
just  previous  to  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge, 
and  resuming  the  command  of  his  Co.  which 
did  some  excellent  fighting,  but  at  the  expense 
of  heavy  losses  in  killed  and  wounded.  Capt. 
Warner  gallantly  led  his  Co.,  into  the  thickest 
of  the  fight  and  won  imperishable  renown. 
After  this,  the  command  moved  on  to  Knox- 
ville  to  relieve  General  Burnside,  and  after 
Longstreet's  repulse,  returned  to  Chattanooga, 
thence  going  into  winter  quarters  at  Larkins- 
ville,  Ala.  May  2,  1864,  they  started  out  on 
the  Atlanta  campaign,  being  engaged  in  the 
battles  at  Dalton,  Dallas,  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mt. 
Big  Shanty,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  other  places. 
At  Atlanta  the  Regt.  was  to  the  right  of  the 
center  and  did  hard  fighting  with  considerable 
loss.  After  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  Capt.  War 
ner  was  appointed  to  a  position  on  Gen. 
Sherman's  staff  and  ordered  to  his  headquar 
ters  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  to  take  charge  of  the 
engineering  department.  He  had  had  some 
experience  as  a  civil  engineer  in  his  early  life 
in  Ohio.  While  at  Nashville,  after  the  failure 
of  some  French  scientific  engineers  to  success 
fully  construct  a  pontoon  bridge  across  the 
Cumberland  River,  he  was  requested  by  Gen. 
Thomas  to  undertake  the  operation.  Selecting 


60  men  from  the  Mich,  troops  who  had  recently 
arrived  and  who  were  from  the  pine  districts 
of  that  State,  he  put  them  to  work  and  accom 
plished  his  undertaking,  greatly  to  the  satis 
faction  of  Gen.  Thomas  who  expressed  high 
commendation  of  his  skill  and  enterprise. 
Soon  after  this,  Capt.  Warner  was  ordered  to 
join  Gen.  Sherman  at  Savannah,  which  he  did, 
going  by  way  of  Louisville  and  Cincinnati. 
During  this  trip,  while  the  train  was  sidetracked 
at  night  at  Great  Bend,  Pa.,  the  car  in  which 
was  Capt.  Warner  and  a  number  of  other  pas 
sengers,  was  run  into  by  a  freight  train.  Sev 
eral  persons  were  killed  and  wounded,  and 
Capt.  Warner  severely  shocked,  receiving 
injuries  from  which  he  has  never  entirely  re 
covered.  He,  however,  proceeded  on  his  way, 
joining  Gen.  Sherman  in  Savannah  and  remain 
ing  with  him  during  his  march  through  the  Caro- 
linas.  He  was  at  the  Grand  Review  of  the  Fed 
eral  army  at  Washington,  May  24,  1865,  and 
afterwards  went  on  to  St.  Louis  to  establish  the 
headquarters  of  Gen.  Sherman  in  that  city.  He 
remained  here  until  March,  1866,  when  he  re 
signed  and  returned  home.  He  received  a  com 
mission  in  the  regular  army  but  refused  to  muster. 
During  his  period  of  service  he  was  engaged 
in  25  pitched  battles  and  numerous  skirmishers; 
was  never  wounded  or  taken  prisoner,  and  was 
never  in  a  hospital.  He  was,  while  at  Nash 
ville,  granted  a  furlough  of  10  days  to  go 
home.  On  his  return  to  civil  life  he  resumed 
the  cultivation  of  his  farm  near  Hampshire  and 
was  thus  engaged  forseveral  years,  after  which 
he  invested  in  a  large  ranch  in  Texas.  Losing  his 
wife  and  daughter  of  27  years  of  age,  he  returned 
to  Hampshire,  which  has  since  been  his  home, 
retiring  from  active  employment.  He  has 
served  as  Township  Assessor,  Collector  and  in 
other  relations.  He  was  one  of  the  super 
visors  of  the  construction  of  the  court  house 
building  at  Geneva,  recently  burned.  He  is  a 
member  of  Miller  Post,  No.  453,  G.  A.  R.,  of 
Hampshire.  It  may  be  well  said  of  Captain 
Warner  that  in  all  of  his  obligations  and  re 
sponsibilities  he  has  ever  shown  himself  worthy 
of  the  high  place  he  holds  in  the  estimation  of 
all  who  know  him. 


562 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


GOTTLOB  GMELICH,  of  Peru,  111.,  entered 
the  army  of  the  U.  S.  Aug.  i,  1861, 
rendezvoused  at  Camp  Ellsworth,  Chi 
cago,  and  was  mustered  into  Co.  A,  44th  111. 
Inf.  Aug.  1 3th,  taking  the  cars  next  day  for 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  they  arrived  on  the  I5th. 
His  Regt.  went  into  Benton  Barracks,  where,  a 
few  days  later,  it  received  arms  and  uniform 
from  the  St.  Louis  arsenal,  and  then  went  by 
steamer  to  Jefferson  City  in  order  to  protect  it 
against  a  threatened  attack  from  the  enemy. 
When  the  danger  of  this  attack  ceased,  the 
Regt.  moved  to  Sedalia.  It  remained  there 
drilling  and  scouting  until  Oct.  13,  when  itt~ok 
up  the  line  of  march  to  Springfield,  Mo.,  where 
it  remained  until  Nov.  8,  when  it  moved  to 
Wilson's  Creek  to  deceive  the  enemy,  after 
wards  returning  to  Springfield,  following  in  the 
rear,  and  remaining  over  winter.  It  suffered 
severely  from  sickness  during  its  stay  there. 
Many  of  the  soldiers  died  and  many  were  dis 
charged  on  account  of  disability.  In  Feb.,  1862, 
the  army  under  Gen.  Curtis  returned  to  Spring 
field, where  the  rebels  under  Gen.  Price  had 
concentrated,  but  instead  of  offering  battle  they 
retreated  upon  the  approach  of  the  Union  forces, 
and  a  pursuit  was  immediately  ordered — the  44th 
111. taking  an  advanced  position — and  continued 
for  two  successive  days,  skirmishing  daily,  and 
in  most  inclement  weather,  with  several  inches 
of  snow  upon  the  ground.  The  chase,  however, 
was  abandoned,  the  Union  army  going  into 
camp  at  Camp  Halleck,  Ark.,  where  it  staid  for 
several  weeks.  March  5,  it  became  evident 
from  the  movement  of  the  rebels  that  an  attack 
was  determined  upon  by  the  united  forces  of 
VanDorn,  Price  and  McCullough,  and  by  the 
way  of  preparation  the  Union  army  under  Gen. 
Curtis  moved  toward  Sugar  Creek  Valley,  and 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  its  rear  guard 
was  attacked  and  driven  in  by  the  enemy,  thus 
opening  the  terrible  battle  of  Pea  Ridge.  Mr. 
Gmelich's  Regt.  was  one  of  those  selected  to 
follow  up  the  victory,  and  to  pursue  its  now  re 
treating  foe,  and  being  continued  for  three  days 
succeeded  in  capturing  a  stand  of  colors,  many 
hundred  prisoners,  and  several  pieces  of  artil 
lery. 


It  subsequently  returned  to  Camp  Halleck, 
and  remained  there  until  April  5,  when  it  crossed 
over  into  Mo.,  then  to  Batesville,  Ark.,  where 
the  army  was  reorganized.  The  Regt.  afterwards 
proceeded  to  assist  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  ar 
riving  at  Pittsburg  Landing  May  26,  and  on  the 
following  day  had  reached  a  point  within  sup 
porting  distance  of  the  main  army,  being  two 
days  before  the  evacuation  of  Corinth.  His 
Regt.  was  again  sent  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy, 
but  the  roads  were  impassable,  hence  it  was 
abandoned  after  a  few  days,  when  it  returned 
and  went  into  camp  at  Rienzi,  and  there  re 
mained  until  Aug.  26,  when  it  again  moved  out 
toward  Cincinnati  and  Covington  to  repel,  if 
needs  be,  the  threatened  raid  upon  those  places 
by  the  enemy.  His  Regt.  afterwards  moved  to 
Louisville,  and,  after  a  delay  there  of  some  days, 
\vent  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Bragg  through  Ky., 
and,  on  Oct.  8,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Per- 
ryville,  then  followed  the  retreating  foe  to  Crab 
Orchard,  and  afterwards  moved  toward  Bowling 
Green,  arriving  Nov.  1st.  Communication  be 
tween  Nashville  and  Louisville  having  been  cut 
off  by  the  enemy,  the  44th  took  up  its  line  of 
march  to  the  former  place,  reaching  there  on 
the  7th,  and  successfully  re-established  commu 
nications  between  those  points. 

On  the  26th  it  again  advanced  against  the 
rebels  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  and  in  that  vi 
cinity  was  in  the  terrible  conflict  of  Stone  Riv 
er,  wherein  it  sacrificed  more  than  one-half  its 
number  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  army, 
next  went  into  winter  quarters  and  about  the 
end  of  June,  1863,  went  in  search  of  the  enemy 
whom  it  met  and  engaged  at  Hoover's  Gap, 
Shelbyville,  and  again  at  Tullahoma,  Tenn.  An 
expedition  against  Chattanooga  having  been 
determined  upon,  the  44th  joined  therein,  and 
on  Aug.  21,  moved  from  Stevenson,  Ala.,  cross 
ing  Sand  Mt.  down  the  valley  toward  Rome, 
Ga.,  and  had  reached  a  point  within  27  miles  of 
the  last  named  place,  when  the  main  army  near 
Chickamauga  was  attacked  by  the  rebels  under 
Bragg  and  Longstreet.  The  44th  was  immedi 
ately  ordered  to  return  and  rejoin  the  main 
army,  which  it  succeeded  in  doing  after  three 
days  and  nights  forced  marches,  arriving  just  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


563 


time  to  participate  in  the  bloody  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  fought  Sept.  19,  1863,  then  fall 
ing  back  to  Chattanooga,  remained  there  on 
one-fourth  rations  until  the  latter  end  of  Nov. 
In  the  charge  upon  Missionary  Ridge,  Mr. 
Gmelich's  Regt.  took  a  leading  part,  and  was 
thanked  by  Gen.  Sheridan  for  being  the  first  to 
place  a  flag  upon  the  rebel  works.  It  followed 
the  now  retreating  enemy  and  captured  many 
prisoners  and  several  pieces  of  artillery,  and 
subsequently  made  forced  marches  to  Knox- 
ville.  The  army  remained  for  a  time  at  Straw 
berry  Plains,  where  the  men  endured  cold  and 
hunger  in  its  most  distressing  forms.  It  after 
wards  moved  to  Chattanooga,  where  for  the  first 
time  in  3  months,  it  drew  full  rations.  Mr. 
Gmelich  joined  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and 
participated  in  the  early  battles  of  that  march 
including  that  of  Resaca  where  he  was  wounded 
in  the  knee  by  a  rebel  bullet,  and  was  placed  in 
a  hospital,  first  at  Jefferson,  then  at  Quincy, 
111. — in  all  about  3  months — during  which  time, 
his  term  of  3  years'  enlistment  expired,  conse 
quently  he  was  mustered  out  and  discharged, 
Sept.  15,  1864.  He  was  promoted  during  his 
service  to  be  Corporal. 

Mr.  Gmelich  was  born  at  Wurtumberg,  Ger 
many,  in  1843,  and  with  his  parents  came  to 
this  country  in  1853,  locating  at  Peru;  and  at 
the  age  of  14  started  to  learn  the  trade  of  a 
tinsmith,  which  he  followed  until  his  enlist 
ment.  After  his  discharge  from  the  army,  he 
returned  to  Peru,  and  resumed  his  trade  until 
1866,  when  he  embarked  in  the  hardware  busi 
ness;  at  first  as  a  clerk,  and  later,  on  his  own 
account;  and  being  possessed  of  a  good  busi 
ness  training,  of  energy  and  excellent  judg 
ment,  was  not  long  in  building  up  a  splendid 
business,  which,  owing  to  his  popularity  and 
shrewdness,  has  increased  year  by  year  until 
few  men  now  in  business  in  country  towns  are 
more  successful  and  prosperous.  Although  he 
had  a  large  business  to  oversee  he  was  not 
unmindful  of  his  duty  as  a  citizen,  and  being 
pressed  by  friends,  allowed  himself  to  be  nom 
inated  as  Alderman  of  Peru,  and  was  duly 
elected  and  served  for  six  years,  filling  that 
position  so  honestly  and  faithfully  that  he  was 


in  time  elected    Mayor,  in    1890,  and  again  in 
1891,  which  position  he  now  adorns. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order,  hav 
ing  filled  the  chair  of  his  lodge  forseveral  years, 
and  was  also  delegate  on  several  occasions  rep 
resenting  it  in  the  General  State  Conventions 
of  that  institution.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
lodge  of  Modern  Woodman,  at  Peru,  and  its 
manager;  has  served  as  President  of  Peru  Turn- 
verein  Society,  and  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 
He  married  in  the  year  1867,  Josephine  Schmidt, 
and  four  children  have  been  the  result  of  the 
marriage — Lula,  Jacob,  Robert  and  Fred. 

In  visiting  Peru  we  would  suggest,  to  our  G. 
A.  R.  friends  especially,  to  call  upon  comrade 
Gmelich  and  feel  assured  they  will  meet  with  a 
hearty  welcome  from  him,  his  amiable  wife  and 
interesting  family. 


FD.  PETTEYS,  of  Tiskilwa,  111  ,  was  born  at 
Clyde,  Wayne,  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  the  year 
•  1841,  where  hemade  his  home  until  1879, 
save  the  time  he  was  in  the  army,  then  re 
moved  io  Mich.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
and  continued  there  until  1881,  when  he  re 
moved  to  his  present  home  in  Tiskilwa,  where 
he  has  since  been  occupied  in  farming.  Com 
rade  Petteys  springs  from  warrior  stock,  his 
paternal  grandfather  having  been  in  the  war  of 
1812,  serving  his  country  with  distinction.  Our 
subject  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  for  the  war 
of  the  rebellion  in  Aug.,  1862,  and  was  afterwards 
mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  H,  gth  N.  Y. 
Heavy  Art.  His  Regt.  was  stationed  for  some 
time  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington  in  order  to 
protect  that  city  against  an  attack  from  the 
enemy,  and  while  there  built  Fort  Sommons, 
Mansfield,  Bayard,  Gaines,  and  Foote.  May 
18,  1864,  the  Regt.  left  Alexandria,  Va.,  for  the 
front  and  participated  in  the  storming  of  the 
rebel  earthworks  at  Cold  Harbor,  which  was 
its  first  experience  under  fire,  losing  16  killed 
and  126  wounded.  Its  next  battle  was  before 
Petersburg,  then  at  Monocacy,  Md.,  Opequon, 
Cedar  Creek,  Va.,  Fisher's  Hill,  siege  of  Peters 
burg,  fall  of  Petersburg,  and  Sailor's  Creek, 


564 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Va.  He  was  also  present  in  reserve  in  the  fol 
lowing  battles:  Fort  Stevens,  Snicker's  Gap, 
Charleston,  Smithfield,  Hilltown,  Hatcher's 
River,  Appomatox,  and  was  there  when  Gen. 
Lee  surrendered,  thus  closing  the  war,  having 
been  in  active  service  for  nearly  three  years. 
In  the  engagement  at  Cedar  Creek,  the  Regt. 
lost  43  killed  and  165  wounded.  In  the  battle 
of  Monocacy,  when  the  Regt.  was  compelled 
to  fall  back,  Col.  W.  H.  Seward  was  left  with  a 
broken  leg,  his  horse  having  been  shot  from 
under  him.  After  falling  back  some  distance 
Mr.  Petteys  turned  to  fire  his  gun  and  Col. 
Seward  succeeded  in  attracting  his  attention. 
He  ran  back  and  whilst  helping  Seward  off  the 
field  received  a  ball  through  his  shoulder.  He, 
however,  secured  a  horse,  rode  back  about  40 
miles  while  his  blood  flowed  freely  from  the 
wound  as  he  wended  his  way  to  the  rear.  His 
shoulder  having  been  rendered  useless  for  a 
time,  he  was  granted  a  furlough  when  he  re 
turned  home,  and  on  recovery  rejoined  the 
Regt.  at  Winchester.  He  entered  the  service 
as  a  private  but  was  promoted  to  be  Sergt. 
and  as  such  was  mustered  out  at  Washington 
in  July,  1866,  after  the  close  of  the  war.  At  a 
reunion  of  the  gth  N.  Y.  H.  A.  at  Lyons,  N.Y., 
Oct.  29,  1891,  Gen.  W.  H.  Seward  in  speaking 
of  this  battle  of  Monocacy  said:  "I  remember 
with  gratitude,  the  face  of  Sergt.  Petteys,  who 
upon  the  same  occasion  held  me  up  beside  the 
colors  until  a  minie  bullet  passed  through  my 
sleeve  and  shattered  his  right  arm." 

In  the  year  1866,  our  subject  finding  it  was 
not  good  to  be  alone,  therefore,  in  compliance 
with  the  scriptural  injunction,  "took  to  himself 
a  wife,"  Almary  Jenkins,  by  name,  who  has 
been  his  faithful  and  loving  helpmate  to  the 
present  time  and  shares  with  her  husband  the 
general  respect  and  esteem  entertained  for 
them  by  their  many  friends  and  acquaintances. 
They  had  five  children,  of  whom  are  living 
three  sons  and  a  daughter.  Commander  Petteys 
has  never  recovered  from  the  wound  above  re 
ferred  to,  but  has  continued  a  great  sufferer 
therefrom.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  660, 
G.  A.  R.,  at  Tiskilwa,  and  has  been  so  greatly 
esteemed  by  his  comrades  as  to  be  selected  as 


Commander  of  that  Post,  a  position  which  he 
now  holds.  He  is  a  Mason,  and  in  politics  a 
Republican.  Mrs.  Petteys  is  the  President  of 
the  Woman's  Relief  Corps  at  Tiskilwa  and  has 
held  that  distinguished  position  since  the  orga 
nization  of  the  society.  Commander  Petteys 
has  a  magnificent  record  as  a  soldier,  and  al 
though  he  was  not  one  of  those  who  directed 
the  action  of  war,  he,  nevertheless,  played 
quite  an  important  part,  and  when  his  comrades 
were  falling  thick  and  fast  around  him,  as  they 
did  in  several  battles  in  which  he  was  engaged 
—notably  in  those  of  Cold  Harbor,  Monocacy 
and  Cedar  Creek  he  never  hesitated  in  the 
surrounding  danger,  but  discharged  his  duty 
as  a  brave  soldier  and  patriotic  citizen  of  the 
Republic,  which  in  a  humble  yet  forcible  way 
he  was  endeavoring  to  preserve. 


WILLIAM  F.  COKBUS,  of  La  Salic,  111.,  is 
a  native  of  Ohio,  having  been  born 
at  Millersburg,  April  28,  1840,  and  is 
the  son  of  Godfrey  Corbus,  also  a  native  of 
Ohio.  His  mother,  Sarah  Clark,  was  born  in 
Va.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  attended  the 
public  schools  until  he  attained  the  age  of  13 
years.  Being  possessed  of  an  intelligent  mind,' 
reinforced  with  a  determined  application  to 
whatever  duties  he  might  be  engaged  upon,  he 
was  not  long  delayed  in  falling  into  possession 
of  a  liberal  education  which  was  always  being 
improved  by  a  course  of  general  reading.  After 
leaving  school,  he  entered  a  printing  office, 
starting  in  the  position  of  "Printer's  Devil." 
After  having  continued  for  7  years  he  became 
proficient  in  that  trade.  In  1860,  he  came  to 
111.  and  located  at  Malugin  Grove,  read  medi 
cine  a  year  and  a  half,  under  his  brother,  J.  C. 
Corbus,  until  his  enlistment  in  the  U.  S.  service 
in  the  75th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in 
as  Hospital  Steward,  Sept.  I5th,  1862.  The 
Regt.  remained  at  Camp  Dement,  perfecting 
its  drill  until  the  2/th,  when  it  was  ordered 
South;  subsequently  arrived  at  Jeffersonville, 
Ind.,  on  the  29,  and  crossed  the  Ohio  on  the 
following  evening.  Oct.  I,  it  was  ordered  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


565 


move  against  Bragg  whose  forces  were  concen 
trated  at  Bardstown,  Ky.,  and  on  tne  8th  took 
part  in  the  battle  of  Perryville. 

The  loss  of  the  75th  in  this  engagement 
was  severe;  Lieuts.  Eels  and  Blean  were  killed, 
Major  Kilgour,  Captains  Whallon,  Frost, 
Roberts,  and  Lieuts.  Barber,  Thompson,  Irwin 
and  Blodgett  were  wounded.  His  Regt.  with 
the  army  then  moved  to  Bowling  Green  where 
the  latter  was  reorganized,  the  75th  being 
placed  in  the  ist  Brig.,  ist  Div.  It  participated 
in  the  skirmishes  at  Nolandsville  and  Knob 
Gap  as  also  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River.  In 
this  battle  the  retreat  of  Johnston's  Div.  left 
Post's  Brig,  exposed  to  a  flank  movement  of 
the  enemy,  therefore,  the  Brig,  was  ordered  to 
fall  back.  Go's.  E.  and  H.  of  the  Regt.  was 
ordered  to  contest  the  advance  of  the  rebels 
until  the  line  could  be  reformed.  During  the 
entire  battle  Mr.  Corbus'  Regt.  was  actively 
engaged  and  lost  2,  killed,  25  wounded  and  21 
taken  prisoners.  It  was  next  at  Liberty  Gap 
and  Chickamauga.  It  aftenvard  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mt,  Nov.  24.  1863; 
marched  to  Blue  Springs,  and  subsequently 
shared  in  the  reconnoissance  to  Buzzard's 
Roost  Feb.  24,  and  25,  of  the  following  year. 
It  remained  in  camp  until  the  early  days  of 
May,  when  it  joined  Gen.  Sherman's  army  in 
his  historical  campaign  of  Atlanta,  during 
which,  it  participated  in  the  engagements  at 
Dalton,  Resaca,  Marietta,  Kenesaw,  and  all  the 
skirmishes  and  battles  of  its  Brig.,  until  At 
lanta  was  reached  and  the  expedition  termi 
nated.  It  was  afterwards  in  the  battle  of  Frank 
lin:  Marching  all  night,  it  reached  Nashville 
Dec.  i,  and  was  engaged  on  the  2nd  day  in  the 
conflict  of  that  place,  charging  through  an 
open  field  on  the  enemy's  line,  and  capturing 
233  prisoners  and  a  large  quantity  of  arms  and 
camp  equipage,  and  thus  terminated  the  active 
existence  and  open  hostile  conflict  of  the  75th 
111.  Vol.-Inf:  Our  subject  owing  to  the  posi 
tion  he  occupied  had  not  the  opportunity  of 
using  his  musket  and  destroying  the  enemy, 
but  in  the  position  he  filled,  while  nearly  as 
hazardous,  endured  a  terrible  and  almost  un 
bearable  experience.  Surrounded  and  be 


sieged  by  wounded  and  dying  comrades,  Mr. 
Corbus  patiently,  skillfully  and  systematically 
administered  to  their  wants  as  enabled  so  to 
do  with  the  limited  means  at  his  command;  and 
no  doubt  many  a  dying  soldier  was  soothed  on 
his  path  to  the  great  Unknown,  so  far  as  pos 
sible  by  human  means,  by  our  kind  and  tender 
hearted  comrade,  Corbus.  His  Regt.  was 
mustered  out  at  Nashville,  June  I,  1865,  and 
finally  paid  off  in  Chicago  in  July. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Corbus  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  at  Mendota,  111.,  where  he  continued 
until  1876  ;  he  then  removed  to  La  Salle,  and 
followed  the  same  vocation  which  he  has  man 
aged  ever  since,  and  by  reason  of  his  good 
qualifications,  genial  and  courteous  manner  and 
attention  to  business,  has  secured  a  lucrative 
trade.  He  had  two  brothers  in  the  army,  Dr. 
John  C.  Corbus  and  Dr.  J.  R.  Corbus,  the  former 
being  Asst.  Surgeon  of  the  75th  111.  The  latter 
is  now  engaged  in  his  profession  in  Chicago. 
Mr.  Corbus'  maternal  grandfather  was  in  the 
Revolutionary  war. 

In  the  year  1870  our  subject  married  Clara 
M.  Robinson  and  they  have  one  child — Burton 
R.  Mr.  Corbus  assisted  in  the  reorganization  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  at  La  Salle,  is  one  of  its  most 
active  members,  and  in  all  matters  pertaining 
to  his  comrades,  he  takes  a  lively  interest.  He 
is  a  Free  Mason,  a  Modern  Woodman,  and  a 
Republican  in  politics. 


WILLIAM  BEAL,  of  Sheridan,  111.,  was 
born  in  Crawford  Co.,  Ohio,  July  27, 
1837,  a°d  was  the  son  of  Daniel  M. 
and  Olive  (Westover)  Beal,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Vt.  Mr.  Beal's  grandfather, 
Obadiah  Beal,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution, 
and  his  father  an  enterprising  farmer,  who  loca 
ted  in  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  in  1847.  He  died  in 
1872,  and  his  wife  in  1876.  Mr.  and  Mrs  Beal 
raised  a  family  of  8  children,  of  whom  William 
was  the  fourth  son,  and  who  received  his  edu 
cation  in  the  public  schools  of  the  neighbor 
hood,  after  which  he  followed  farming.  At 
the  commencement  of  hostilities,  in  1861,  he 


566 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


enlisted  in  Co.  K.  8th  111.  Cav.  under  command 
of  Col.  John  F.  Farnsworth.  They  went  into 
camp  at  St.  Charles  111.  Here  the  Regt.  was 
formed  and  was  ordered  to  Washington,  D.  C., 
where  it  joined  Gen.  Stoneman's  Brig,  and  sub 
sequently  Gen  McClellan's  army.  They  after 
ward  moved  to  Richmond  and  took  part  in 
almost  all  the  prominent  battles  and  skirmishes 
in  which  this  army  was  engaged.  Among 
them  were  Richmond,  2nd  Bull  Run,  Antietam, 
Williamsburg,  Baltmore  Cross  Roads,  Fair 
Oaks,  Turkey  Creek,  Malvern  Hill,  Poolville, 
Bardstown,  Cacatin  Pass,  Middletown,  South 
Mountain,  Boonsboro,  Marti nsburg,  Wood- 
grove,  Phillimont,  Union,  Upperville,  Barber's 
Cross  Roads,  Amosville,  Little  Washington, 
Fredericksburg,  Freeman's  Ford,  Beverly  Ford, 
Kelly's  Ford,  Rapidan  Station,  Fairfield,  Get 
tysburg,  Williamsport,  Benevola,  Funkstown, 
Falling  Water,  Chester  Gap,  Culpepcr,  2nd 
Rapidan,  Madison  Court  House,  Raccoon 
Ford,  Stephensburg,  Bealton  Station,  Hazel 
River  and  Chantilly.  He  was  mustered  out  of 
service  Jan.  1864,  veteranized  the  same  day  at 
Culpeper  Va.  and  took  part  in  the  defense  of 
Washington  City,  remaining  there  until  Au 
gust,  when  he  went  to  Va.,  and  from  there  to 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  which  city  he  was  finally 
mustered  out  of  service,  July  5,  1865.  Return 
ing  home,  he  continued  farming,  but  in  1876, 
removed  to  Kan.  Five  years  later  he  returned 
to  111.,  where  he  has  since  remained. 

Mr.  Beal  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post 
No.  672.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  President 
Lincoln.  He  was  never  married  and  lives  with 
his  sister  and  her  husband,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hib- 
bard. 

Mr.  Timothy  Hibbard,  the  brother-in-law  of 
Mr.  Beal,  was  born  March  I,  1824,  in  Monroe 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Hess)  Hibbard,  natives  of  Vt.  and  Germany, 
respectively.  His  father  was  a  farmer  and  lo 
cated  at  Mission,  111.,  in  1843.  He  died,  July 
26,  1843,  and  his  wife  Oct.  3,  1874.  Mr.  Hib 
bard  is  the  only  one  now  living,  out  of  a  family 
of  13  children,  10  of  whom  lived  to  be  grown. 
Timothy  was  the  8th  born,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  Monroe 


Co.  In  1839,  he  located  in  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  and 
engaged  in  farm  work  with  the  various  farmers 
of  this  county.  He  was  twice  married.  His 
first  wife  was  Tiny  Dart,  a  native  of  Ind.,  and  a 
daughter  of  Mr.  Thomas  Dart.  Mrs.  Hibbard 
died  Feb.  22,  1843,  leaving  an  infant.  In  1849, 
Mr.  Hibbard  married  Sopronia  Beal,  who  was 
born  in  Ohio,  Oct.  13,  1828.  They  have  two  chil 
dren.  He  did  not  participate  in  any  active  duty 
during  the  war,  on  account  of  his  disability, 
but  his  sympathies  were  entirely  with  the  union 
cause,  and  he  did  all  possible  to  further  its  ad 
vancement.  He  is  well  known  and  much  re 
spected. 


CAPTAIN  HENRY  HAWKINS,  of  Quincy,  111., 
in  Aug.  ,1862,  in  conjunction  with  Lieuts. 
Cannon  and  Earl  raised  a  Co.  of  men  for 
the  army  of  the  Union  in  Adams  Co.,  111.,  and 
Sept.  1st,  received  a  commission  as  Captain  of 
Co.  F,  78th  111.  Inf.,  and  on  the  igth,  the  Regt. 
under  Col.  W.  H.  Bennison,  was  ordered  to 
Louisville,  and  detailed  for  provost  duty  until 
sent  to  guard  the  railroad.  At  Rolling  Fort 
Bridge,  Co.  F.,  built  a  stockade  and  remained 
during  the  winter.  The  rebel  guerrillas  under 
Morgan  attacked  the  headquarters  of  the  78th 
at  New  Haven,  but  were  repulsed.  A  demand 
was  also  made  by  them  upon  Capt.  Hawkins 
to  surrender  the  stockade  he  held,  but  the  in 
vitation  was  declined  and  the  rebels  made  no 
fight.  The  rebel  officer  stopped  about  three 
miles  out  to  forage  on  a  loyal  Ky.  farmer,  and 
he  is  reported  to  have  said  "that  was  a  d — d 
ugly  looking  cuss  at  the  stockade,"  which  Capt. 
Hawkins  considered  a  rather  dubious  compli 
ment. 

Feb.  14,  1863,  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to 
Franklin,  Tenn.,  where  it  remained  until  June 
24th,  guarding  railroads.  In  the  fall  it  partici 
pated  in  the  battle  of  Chickarrtauga.  After 
conveying  about  2OO  prisoners  to  Chattanooga 
on  the  night  of  the  fight,  Capt.  Hawkins  re 
turned  Monday  P.  M.  after  the  battle  and  as 
sisted  in  protecting  the  rear  of  the  army. 
Here  by  some  official  carelessness,  Co.  F,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


567 


several  details  from  other  Regts.  were  left  on 
the  picket  line  when  the  army  fell  back  at  mid 
night.  These  details  consisting  of  eleven 
commissioned  officers  and  about  160  rank  and 
and  file  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands.  Oct.  I, 
Capt.  Hawkins  found  himself  inside  Libby 
Prison  with  about  900  officers  like  himself, 
prisoners  of  war,  and  here  he  remained  until 
the  following  spring  when  he  was  transferred 
to  Danville,  to  Macon,  and  thence  to  Charles 
ton,  where  he  remained  in  prison  buildings 
under  the  steady  bombardment  of  the  federal 
fleet  for  two  months,  but  no  missile  ever  touched 
the  building  except  one  piece  of  shell  that 
dropped  in  the  prison  yard. 

When  the  U.  S.  authorities  retaliated  by 
placing  about  600  rebel  prisoners  on  an 
island  in  the  harbor  under  the  fire  of  the  rebel 
guns,  Capt.  Hawkins  was  removed  with  other 
prisoners  to  Columbia,  S.  C.  When  Gen.  Sher 
man  approached  Columbia  the  prisoners  were 
hurriedly  crowded  on  to  cars  in  a  storm  of 
snow  and  sleet  to  be  sent  to  Charlotte  for 
parol.  About  30  miles  out  the  prisoners, 
having  no  confidence  in  the  statement  in  regard 
to  parol,  succeeded  in  cutting  the  train  in  two 
and  about  250  escaped.  The  officer  in  charge 
made  no  effort  to  recapture  them,  and  said, 
"The  bottom  is  dropping  out  of  the  Confederacy 
and  they  may  just  as  well  go  as  not." 
Although  the  weather  was  terribly  severe  Capt. 
Hawkins  and  four  officers,  on  the  third  day 
fortunately  discovered  a  true  friend  in  the 
person  of  a  colored  man  who  recognizing  them 
as  Union  soldiers,  and  learning  their  needs 
assured  them  of  his  personal  care  until  "Massa 
Sherman  comes  along  in  a  day  or  two."  He 
well  fulfilled  his  promise  to  care  for  these 
prisoners,  and  one  evening  came  with  the  joy 
ful  news  that  Gen.  Sherman  had  come  and  they 
could  go  where  they  pleased.  That  night  an 
Orderly  en  route  from  Gen.  Sherman  to  Gen. 
Logan,  took  them  in  charge  and  by  noon  the 
next  day  they  gladly  rejoined  the  victorious 
army  of  General  Sherman. 

March  5,  Capt.  Hawkins  was  heartily  wel 
comed  by  his  comrades.  At  Fayetteville  he 
was  granted  a  furlough,  and  passing  through 


Washington  had  the  honor  of  recounting  his 
sufferings  and  escape  to  President  Lincoln. 
Before  his  furlough  expired  the  war  was  ended 
and  Capt.  Hawkins  was  mustered  out  by  Gen 
eral  order  May  15,  1865. 

Captain  Henry  E.  Hawkins,  a  native  of 
England,  was  born  at  Stroud,  in  the  County  of 
Gloucester,  Feb.  2,  1822,  a  son  of  Henry 
Hawkins,  an  eminent  attorney  and  solicitor, 
and  M.  A.  S.  Hawkins,  ne6  Ross,  both  now 
dead.  On  the  father's  side  his  male  ancestors 
were  for  many  generations  Naval  officers,  the 
father  of  Henry  Hawkins  serving  as  Lieut, 
under  Lord  Nelson,  was  disabled  by  losing  an 
arm,  which  caused  him  to  resign.  At  a  very 
early  age  Capt.  Henry  E.  Hawkins,  wearying 
of  the  restraints  of  home  and  school,  was 
articled  to  the  Captain  of  a  merchant  ship  in 
the  Australian  trade,  and  on  the  arrival  of  the 
ship  at  Adelaide,  South  Australia,  not  fancy 
ing  the  idea  of  five  years'  work  as  an  appren 
tice  without  wages,  he  left  the  ship.  After 
about  1 8  months'  experience  in  the  several 
Australian  Colonies,  he  shipped  on  a  New 
England  whaler,  and  for  7  or  8  years  was  on 
the  sea,  having  five  times  rounded  Cape  Horn. 
He  also  visited  the  graves  of  the  Arctic  Ex 
plorers  in  Petro-Palonski,  captured  whales  in 
the  Pacific,  shivered  and  toiled  in  the  nightless 
day  of  Behring  Sea,  and  reveled  on  the  sunny 
Isles  of  the  Pacific — a  varied  life,  full  of  con 
trasting  experiences,  the  remembrance  of  which, 
even  at  this  distant  period,  assists  in  pleasantly 
passing  away  hours  that  otherwise  would  be 
w.carisome. 

Capt.  Hawkins  becoming  weary  of  this 
rambling  life  determined  in  1853  to  make  the 
overland  trip  to  California  after  spending  the 
winter  in  Ohio.  He  started,  as  book  agent, 
for  St.  Louis,  and  shortly  visiting  a  friend  in 
Schuyler  County,  concluded  to  defer  his  West 
ern  trip,  and  spent  three  years  in  teaching 
school.  When  the  Northern  Cross  Ry.  was 
opened  he  secured  a  position  as  Station  Agent, 
and  continued  for  several  years,  and  was,  dur 
ing  the  six  years  prior  to  the  war,  at  Coats- 
burg,  in  Adams  County,  during  which  time  he 
held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  for 


568 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


three  years  was  Supervisor  of  the  Township  of 
Honey  Creek. 

Captain  Hawkins  for  many  years  since  the 
war  has  been  subject  to  epilepsy,  which  at 
times  totally  incapacitates  him  for  mental  or 
physical  labor,  and  for  the  past  two  years  has 
been  an  inmate  of  the  111.  S.  and  S.  Home  at 
Quincy,  111.,  of  which  he  speaks  in  the  highest 
terms  as  being  indeed  a  Home.  In  1856,  Capt. 
Hawkins  married  Miss  P.  Blackburn,  of  Brook 
lyn,  Schuyler  Co.,  111.,  daughter  of  Dr.  James 
Blackburn,  formerly  of  that  place,  now  de 
ceased.  He  is  the  father  of  three  living  chil 
dren — S.  F.  Hawkins,  a  lumber  dealer  at  Bos- 
worth,  Mo.;  Mrs.  M.  P.  Graham, and  Maude  B., 
both  residents  of  that  place.  Capt.  Hawkins 
has  been  for  many  years  a  Mason,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  at  Quincy, 
111. 


J  MONROE  RIFENBERICK,  a  native  of 
Clarion,  Pa.,  born  April  30,  1845,  son  of 
•  William  and  Margaret  ( Ralston)  Rifen- 
berick,  the  former  a  native  of  N.  J.,  born  in 
1805,  and  died  in  1863,  the  latter  was  also 
born  in  the  same  State,  in  1815,  and  died 
December,  1869.  The  father  was  a  farmer 
and  merchant  and  held  various  offices  of  trust 
and  responsibility.  Our  subject  is  the  eldest 
living  of  a  family  of  four  children,  his  brother 
William,  and  sister  Mary  having  died  in  infancy, 
leaving  a  sister  Annie  L.,  wife  of  W.  H.  Lane 
of  Farmington,  111.  J.  Monroe  grew  to  man 
hood  in  Pa.,  attended  the  public  schools,  and 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  entered  Covode  Academ 
ical  Institute  and  graduated  therefrom  in  his 
igth  year.  While  in  the  school  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  C,  2o6th  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  during  his  serv 
ice  received  his  diploma  from  the  President 
of  the  college.  He  served  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  under  Col.  Hugh  J.  Brady,  who  was 
an  old  veteran  of  the  Mexican  war.  His 
regiment  lay  in  front  of  Richmond  during  the 
winter  of  1864-5,  taking  part  in  the  final  cam 
paign  of  the  war,  and  being  among  the  first  to 
enter  Richmond.  During  his  stay  at  the  last 


named  place  our  subject  was  discharged  on 
account  of  disability— pneumonia  having 
caused  partial  paralysis  of  the  right  side.  His 
enlistment  bore  date  Aug.  12,  1864,  and  his 
discharge  followed  May  26,  1865,  after  the  war. 

He  then  returned  to  Covode,  Pa.,  and  the 
following  winter  being  improved  in  health, 
was  able  to  teach  school,  which  he  continued 
simultaneously  with  reading  medical  works 
until  the  fall  of  1869,  when  he  was  again  pros 
trated  with  sickness.  He  then  moved  West, 
settling  in  Bloomington,  111.,  where  he  taught 
school  for  two  years,  then  returned  to  Clarion, 
Pa.,  in  1872,  and  taught  school  and  read  law  for 
upwards  of  a  year  and  a-half,  subsequently  re 
turning  to  Bloomington  and  resumed  teaching 
which  he  continued  for  twelve  years  in  that 
town  and  adjoining  villages.  Here  he  was 
married,  Feb.  12,  1883,  to  Kya  E.  Hayes,  prin 
cipal  of  the  Chenoa,  111.  graded  schools.  She 
died  June  16,  of  the  same  year  of  consumption. 
Here  also  Mr.  Rifenberick  had  a  stroke  of 
paralysis  and  was  rendered  helpless.  Recover 
ing  slightly,  he  entered  the  Soldiers  and  Sail 
or's  Home  May  4,  1887,  remaining  about  18 
months.  During  his  sickness  at  Bloomington, 
which  prostrated  him  for  a  year,  his  former 
students  presented  him  with  an  invalid's  chair, 
in  which  he  spent  his  time  when  not  in  bed. 
While  at  the  "Home"  he  began  work  at  the 
pension  business,  and  finally  felt  competent  to 
conduct  an  office,  and  withdrew  from  the 
"Home"  and  opened  his  present  business,  Pen 
sion  Atty.,  in  which  he  has  been  phenomenally 
successful  and  has  over  1,200  cases  now  on  file. 
July  25,  1890,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Mrs.  Lizzie  A.  Thompson,  of  Kirksville,  Mo., 
born  at  La  Grange,  Mo.,  in  1855,  she  being  the 
widow  of  Capt.  Fred  Thompson,  of  a  Mo.  Regt., 
in  the  Confederate  service,  serving  under  Gen. 
Price.  Her  parents  were  John  S.  and  Charlotte 
(Gotliff )  Craig  the  former  a  soldier  in  Co.  A, 
3rd  Mo.  Cav.,  who  died  from  the  effects  of  his 
army  service.  The  mother  resides  at  Quincy, 
and  is  a  pensioner  by  reason  of  her  husband's 
army  service. 

Three  brothers,  Joseph  F.,  Charles  G.,  and 
Andrew,  were  soldiers  in  the  same  Co.  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


569 


Regt.  with  their  father,  the  latter  dying  soon 
after  his  discharge.  Another  brother  is  Dr. 
Thomas  Craig,  Government  Physician  at  Talla- 
quale,  Ind.  One  sister,  now  Mrs.  F.  M.  Brown, 
resides  at  Kirksville,  Mo.  By  her  former  mar 
riage  Mrs.  Riefenberick  has  three  children,  viz.: 
Ora  Lee,  bookkeeper  for  the  Singer  Sewing 
Machine  Co.,  in  Ouincy;  Thomas  Clifford  and 
Pansy  Eva,  both  in  school. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rifenberick  are  members  of 
the  first  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Quincy.  Mr. 
Rifenberick  is  a  member  of  John  Wood  Post, 
No.  196,  also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  at  Hamilton, 
Pa.,  and  is  a  P.  N.  G.  of  that  order.  Mr.  Rifen 
berick  is  six  feet,  four  inches  tall.  Mrs.  Rifen 
berick  is  a  Notary  Public  and  is  of  great  assist 
ance  to  her  husband  in  his  large  and  increasing 
business. 


WALTER  S.  ANGELL,  of  Sterling,  111.,  was 
born  Oct.  31,  1838,  at  Smithfield, 
R.  I.  His  parents  were  Arnold  J. 
and  Almira  (Maxfield)  Angell.  His  father  was 
the  son  of  Thomas,  who  was  also  a  native  of 
R.  I.,  and  descended  from  an  Fnglish  family, 
settling  in  America  before  the  Revolution.  His 
mother  was  likewise  a  native  of  R.  I.  Arnold 
J.,  the  father  of  Walter  S.,  was  by  profession  a 
wheelwright  and  prosecuted  his  trade  in  his 
native  town  until  his  removal  to  the  west  in 
1853,  locating  at  Como,  Whiteside  Co.,  111., 
where  he  resumed  his  occupation.  He  is  still 
living  at  Prophetstown,  111.,  surviving  his  wife 
who  died  Jan.  20,  1892.  They  had  seven  chil 
dren — WalterS., the  eldest,  Arnold  J.,  Jr.,  Henry 
(dead),  Draper,  a  member  of  the  75th  111.,  Co. 
H.,  now  living  at  Prophetstown,  Pardon,  and 
two  others  who  died  in  infancy. 

Walter  S.  as  a  boy  was  kept  at  home,  attend 
ing  school,  assisting  in.  the  farm  work,  and  ac 
quiring  some  knowledge  of  blacksmithing.  He 
enlisted  in  Aug.  1862,  and  was  mustered  in  at 
Dixon,  111.,  Aug.  30,  as  a  private  of  Co.  H,  75th 
Ills.  Inf.  After  being  in  camp  for  awhile  the 
Regt.  marched  to  the  front  and  was  engaged 
in  the  action  at  Perry ville,  Ky.,  Oct.  8,  1862. 


The  Co.  was  in  the  center  of  the  line  and  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  losing  in  killed  and 
wounded  31  men,  all  in  about  20  minutes.  Mr. 
Angell  shared  the  honor  with  his  gallant  com 
rades  and  won  the  recognition  and  approval  of 
his  commanding  officer  by  his  courageous  and 
soldierly  bearing.  The  Regt.  next  went  in  pur 
suit  of  Bragg  to  Danville,  Ky.,  where  they  were 
overtaken  by  a  furious  snow  storm  and  had  to 
go  on  to  Lebanon  for  their  tents  and  camp  sup 
plies,  which  had  been  left  behind  when  they 
advanced  upon  Perryville.  The  next  move  was 
to  Bowling  Green  and  Nashville,  and  pursuing 
the  enemy  as  far  as  Crab  Orchard,  subsequently 
returning  by  way  of  Stanford,  Danville,  and 
Perryville.  Nov.  7th,  the  reorganization  of  the 
command  was  effected,  and  the  75th  was  as 
signed  to  ist  Brig.,  1st  Div.  At  the  battle  of 
Murfreesboro  the  75th  operated  with  the  22d 
Ind.,  and  the  5Qth  and  74th  111.,  making  an  ad 
vance  upon  the  town,  continuing  the  engage 
ment  throughout  the  day.  Night  found  them 
still  upon  the  field,  where  they  bivouacked. 
Resting  on  the  27th  and  28th,  the  army  moved 
forward  on  the  2Qth,  and  on  the  3Oth  the  entire 
corps  reached  Overall's  Creek,  three  and  one- 
half  miles  from  Murfreesboro,  the  command 
remaining  here  during  the  winter  and  spring 
engaged  in  picket  and  other  incident  duties. 

Just  before  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mt.  the 
75th  was  ordered  to  protect  the  train  of  sup 
plies  which  was  coming  in.  The  Regt.  was  not 
in  the  battle  at  Chickamauga.  The  75th  was 
now  placed  in  the  3rd  Brig.,  ist  Div.,  4th  A.  C. 
The  command  was  in  action  at  Lookout  Mt. 
and  again  at  Missionary  Ridge,  contributing 
essentially  to  the  victories  which  attended 
those  engagements.  The  battles  of  Ringgold 
and  Tunnel  Hill  closed  the  campaign,  the  com 
mand  afterwards  going  into  winter  quarters  at 
Whiteside.  They  joined  the  advance  upon 
Atlanta  in  the  following  spring  and  partici 
pated  in  all  the  battles  of  that  memorable  cam 
paign.  Buzzard's  Roost,  Dalton,  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Pumpkinvine  Creek,  Dallas, 
Kenesaw  Mt.,  Adairsville,  Gulp's  Farm,  Peach 
Tree  Creek  and  other  minor  engagements. 

After" the  battle  of  Atlanta  the    command 


570 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


went  in  pursuit  of  Hood,  forcing  him  back  up 
on  Franklin,  there  bringing  him  to  battle  and 
defeat.  The  Regt,  pushing  the  enemy  on  they 
reached  Hunts ville,  Ala.,  where  they  were 
quartered  through  the  winter,  Onward  they 
moved  and  reaching  Strawberry  Plains  about 
the  middle  of  April,  they  proceeded  to 
Nashville,  where  they  were  mustered  out  by 
the  general  order  of  the  war  department  June 
12,  1865,  and  finally  discharged  at  Chicago. 

At  Nashville  on  their  return  home  July  i, 
1865,  the  75th  arranged  a  grand  torchlight  pro 
cession  by  placing  lighted  candles  in  the  muz 
zles  of  their  guns,  and  marched  to  the  head 
quarters  of  Gen.  Stanley,  who  in  a  speech  warmly 
applauded  the  Regt.  for  its  brilliant  services  in 
the  cause  of  the  Union.  He  returned  home. 
He  had  passed  through  the  war  and  many  of 
its  most  desperate  situations  without  a  scratch 
or  having  lost  a  single  day  from  sickness.  Re 
turning  to  Como,  111.,  July  3,  1865,  he  conducted 
farming  operations  and  a  blacksmithing  shop 
until  1872,  when  he  removed  to  Sterling,  where 
he  has  since  been  engaged  mostly  as  a  black 
smith.  He  was  married  Oct.  8,  1865,  at  Como, 
to  Frances,  daughter  of  Jason  and  Eleanor 
Hopkins,  the  veritable  girl  he  left  behind  him 
when  he  took  up  arms  in  defense  of  his  country. 
The  parents  of  Mrs.  Angell  were  old  settlers  in 
Whiteside  Co.,  and  their  first  child  was  the  first 
white  male  child  born  in  that  county.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Angell  had  but  two  children:  William 
H.,  living,  and  Carl,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Angell  died  March  6,  1891.  Mr.  Angell  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  274,  and  is  a 
staunch  Republican,  and  as  a  citizen  as  highly 
esteemed  as  he  was  distinguished  as  a  soldier. 


CAFT.  ALIMIEUS  M.    BLAKESLEV,   of  Rock 
Island,  111.,  one  of  that  city's  most  enter 
prising  and   responsible   manufacturing 
and  business  men,  is  the  subject  of  the  present 
notice.     He  was  born  April  28,  1835,  a^  Kings- 
ville,  Ashtabula  Co.,  Ohio,  a  son  of  Alpheus  and 
Almira  (Webster)  Blakesley,   the  former  born 
Feb.    i,   1798,  and  the  latter,  April  16,  1804,  a 
daughter    of    Clark  Webster.     The    Captain's 


maternal  grandfather  Michael  Webster,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  which  he  passed  safe 
ly  through,  and  died  at  the  extraordinary  age 
of  IC2  years.  Capt.  Blakesley's  father  died 
when  the  son  was  only  a  few  weeks  old,  leaving 
his  widow,  and  three  children,  viz.:  George  O., 
Celia  and  Alpheus  M.  The  mother  died  in  1845, 
the  daughter,  Celia,  having  died  soon  after  the 
father.  At  the  age  of  10,  after  the  death  of  his 
mother,  Alpheus  removed  to  Wisconsin  to  re 
side  with  an  aunt,  but  not  finding  matters  as 
satisfactory  as  he  could  desire,  left  to  fight  his 
journey  alone.  His  struggles  in  early  life  were 
heroic  and  his  misfortunes  were  realized  by 
none  more  keenly  than  himself;  therefore,  he 
determined  to  acquire  a  good  education  which 
he  finally  accomplished,  finishing  up  at  Kings- 
ville  Academy,  Ohio,  when  21  years  of  age. 
He  then  learned  the  tinner  trade,  and  soon  after 
became  interested  with  his  brother  in  the  hard 
ware  business  at  Sterling,  111.,  which  continued 
from  1856,  for  two  years,  when  he  removed  to 
Rockford  where  he  continued  in  the  same  line. 

At  the  first  call  for  troops  in  April,  1861,  he 
enlisted  fqr  the  three  months'  service  in  the  Rock- 
ford  Zouaves,  a  company  made  up  mostly  of 
Col.  Ellsworth's  first  company,  and  commanded 
by  Capt.  G.  L.  Nevins.  His  Co.  claimed  to 
be  among  the  first  to  respond  and  report  for 
service  under  the  President's  call.  He  reported 
at  Springfield  and  was  mustered  into  the  nth 
111.  Vol.  Inf.  with  W.  H.  L.  Wallace  (a  brother 
of  Gen.  Lew  Wallace),  afterwards  a  Gen.  killed 
at  Shiloh,  as  Colonel  of  the  Regt.,  and  Gen. 
Ransom,  as  Major. 

Capt.  Blakesley  served  out  his  term,  but 
owing  to  very  poor  health  was  compelled  to 
abandon  the  army  for  a  time.  He,  however, 
assisted  in  raising  and  drilling  a  Co.  at  Sterling, 
111.,  and  Aug.  13,  1862,  he  again  enlisted  as  a 
private  at  Rockford,  where  he  was  mustered  in 
as  2nd  Lieut,  of  Co.  E.,  74th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  with 
Elias  Cosper  as  Captain,  and  Jas.  B.  Kerr,  as 
Lieut.  Col.  of  the  Regt.  On  Sunday,  Sept.  28, 
amidst  the  ringing  of  bells  and  a  general  dem 
onstration,  the  Regt.,  940  strong,  left  for  Louis 
ville,  Ky.,  where,  on  arrival,  it  was  brigaded 
with  the  /5th  and  59th  111.,  the  22d  Ind.,  and 


^3i 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


the  5th  Wis.  battery,  forming  the  3Oth  Brig.,  gih 
Div.,  3d  A.  C.,  with  Col.  Post  in  command  of 
the  Brig.,  Gen.  Mitchell  of  the  Div.,  Gen.  Gil 
bert  of  the  Corps,  and  Gen.  McCook,  of  the 
army.  In  Oct.,  1862,  the  army  then  at  Bowling 
Green,  was  reorganized  under  Gen.  Rosecrans, 
and  afterwards  known  as  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland.  The  /4th,  while  still  in  the  1st 
Brig.,  became  part  of  the  1st  Div.,  under  Jeff 
C.  Davis,  of  the  2Oth  Corps,  commanded  by 
Gen.  McCook. 

In  Oct.,  1863,  at  Chattanooga,  when  the  re 
organization  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
occurred,  the  74th  was  brigaded,  during  the  re 
mainder  of  the  war,  with  the  36th,  44th,  73d 
and  88th  111.,  22d  Ind.,  2d  and  I5th  Mo., 
and  5th  Wis.  battery,  forming  the  1st  Brig., 
2d  Div.  and  4th  Corps,  with  Col.  Sherman, 
of  the  88th  111.,  or  Gen.  Kimball,  as  Brig, 
commanders  ;  Gen  Phil  Sheridan  commanding 
Div.  a  part  of  the  time,  and  Gen.  Gordon 
Granger  the  Corps.  Moving  from  Louis 
ville,  Capt.  Blakesley  was  in  almost  daily  skir 
mishes  with  Bragg's  army.  The  Regt.  \vas  held 
in  reserve  at  the  battle  of  Perryville.  From 
this  time  until  Nov.  7th,  when  Nashville  was 
reached,  the  Regt.  was  almost  constantly  on  the 
march.  At  the  battle  of  Perryville,  our  subject 
acted  as  Adjutant  of  his  Regt.  It  continued  in 
camp  near  Nashville,  having  occasional  skir 
mishes  with  the  enemy,  until  the  latter  days  of 
Dec.,  when  it  became  evident  that  a  deadly 
struggle  was  soon  to  occur  in  the  vicinity  of 
Stone  River.  The  Union  army  advanced  their 
lines,  driving  the  rebels  before  them  towards 
Murfreesboro.  At  Nolensville,  on  the  26th, 
the /4th,  being  in  advance,  came  upon  an  outpost 
of  the  enemy,  strongly  supported  by  a  battery. 
Mere  the  Regt.  received  its  first  real  test  under 
fire.  It  gallantly  drove  the  enemy  from  the 
hill  under  heavy  fire.  In  this  charge  our  sub 
ject  was  partially  disabled  by  a  cannon  shot,  but 
by  the  aid  of  two  of  his  men  went  through  the 
charge.  They  continued  in  the  advance  bivouack 
ing  without  fires,  being  engaged  Dec.  3Oth,  with 
constant  skirmishing  and  heavy  artillery  firing, 
and  resting  that  night  upon  their  arms  and 
without  fire. 


Before  daybreak  the  74th  was  in  line  and  as 
the  day  dawned  the  confederate  shots  were  ob 
served  moving  up  the  left  flank,  when  the  col 
umn  to  which  the  74th  was  attached  moved  by 
the  right.  The  rebels  then  charged  Johntson's 
Div.  to  the  right,  completely  surprising  it,  and 
capturing  the  batteries  before  a  gun  was  fired. 
Johnston's  Div.  having  fallen  back,  exposed  the 
Brig,  to  an  enfilading  fire,  to  avoid  which,  it 
changed  front,  fell  back  some6o  rods,  and  took 
position  behind  a  fence.  The  rebels  advanced 
in  three  lines,  and  as  they  did  so,  Gen.  Davis 
rode  along  in  front  and  turning  to  the  men 
said:  "Give  them  hell,  74th,  keep  cool  and  fire 
low."  Firing  commenced  immediately,  but  the 
74th  reserved  its  fire  until  the  enemy  was  close 
upon  them  when  it  opened  with  volley  after 
volley,  making  the  solid  lines  to  recoil.  Mean 
while  the  5th  Wis.  poured  in  grape  and  canister 
at  short  range,  making  fearful  havoc  in  the 
closely  pressing  confederate  ranks.  Being 
confronted  with  an  immensely  superior  force 
and  to  escape  capture,  the  74th  fell  back,  three 
quarters  of  a  mile,  reformed,  checked  the  en 
emy,  then  drove  him  back  a  considerable  dis 
tance.  The  regimental  casualties  in  this  action 
were  8  killed,  35  wounded,  and  42  missing  or 
captured,  being  a  loss  of  one-fifth  of  its  force 
engaged.  The  same  evening  the  74th  repelled 
a  persistent  Cav.  attack  made  by  the  Texas 
Rangers  and  Morgan's  Cav.  In  this  engage 
ment  our  subject  was  complimented  by  the 
commanding  Col.  for  the  skill  in  which  he 
handled  the  skirmish  line.  The  bravery  and 
skill  displayed  by  the  74th  during  the  battle  of 
Stone  River  was  highly  commended  by  Col. 
Post,  who  said  of  the  74th:  "The  deliberation 
and  order  in  which  the  74th  retired  is  espe 
cially  commended."  Jan.  2,  the  Regt.  was 
again  engaged,  but  it  soon  terminated  by  the 
enemy  starting  on  full  retreat.  It  continued 
near  Murfreesboro  during  the  winter,  then 
started  on  June  24,  upon  the  Tullahoma  cam 
paign,  one  of  incessant  march,  battle  and  skir 
mish,  which  terminated  in  the  fierce  struggle  of 
Sept.  igth  and  2Oth  on  the  line  of  Chickamauga, 
and  the  occupation  of  Chattanooga  by  the 
Union  forces.  On  the  last  day  of  this  battle, 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Mr.  Blakesley's  Brig,  was  entirely  cut  off  from 
the  army,  and  in  imminent  danger  of  capture, 
but  on  the  following  day,  cut  their  way  through 
the  rebel  lines,  and  joined  the  main  army. 
Nov.  14,  his  Regt.  received  a  flag  from  the 
ladies  of  Rockford.  Nov.  25,  Sherman  made 
several  ineffectual  attempts  upon  the  confed 
erates'  right,  at  Mission  Ridge,  but  early  in  the 
afternoon,  Sheridan's  Div.  and  the  4th  Corps 
were  ordered  forward  to  carry  the  rebel  rifle 
pits  at  the  foot  of  the  Ridge. 

They  succeeded  in  surprising  the  enemy 
and  carrying  the  pits,  taking  the  surviving  oc 
cupants  as  prisoners.  Orders  were  then  given 
to  storm  the  Ridge,  which  after  a  terrible  and 
sanguinary  conflict  was  carried.  In  this  charge 
Capt.  Blakesley  was  knocked  senseless  by  the 
concussion  of  a  shell,  but  soon  regained  con 
sciousness  and  led  his  company  on  "to  do  or 
die."  He  has  never  fully  recovered  from  the 
effects  of  this  injury.  In  this  charge  the  /4th's 
new  flag  was  borne  by  Sergt.  C.  E.  Allen  who 
soon  fell  wounded.  It  had  scarcely  fallen  from 
his  grasp,  before  it  was  seized  by  Alba  Miller 
of  Co.  C,  who  a  few  minutes  later  fell  severely 
wounded.  It  was  then  taken  by  Corporal 
Compton,  who  in  time  fell  mortally  wounded, 
whereupon,  it  was  snatched  from  the  dying 
Compton  by  Corporal  Hensey  who  soon  plant 
ed  it  pierced  by  15  bullet  holes  upon  the  rebel 
works,  the  first  Union  flag  to  wave  upon  the 
hard-won  crest  of  that  rugged  hill.  In  this  as 
sault  the  74th  lost  14  killed,  39  wounded,  and  6 
missing.  The  Regt.  took  part  in  the  expedi 
tion  to  Knoxville  and  the  occupation  of  Lou- 
don.  That  winter  will  long  be  remembered  for 
the  intense  suffering  by  the  exposed  troops, 
from  the  severity  of  the  weather.  In  Feb.  1863, 
our  subject  was  promoted  to  be  1st  Lieut.,  and 
on  Feb.  8,  1864,  was  commissioned  as  Captain 
of  his  Co.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  participa 
ted  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  was  actively 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  Tunnel  Hill,  Rocky 
Face  Ridge,  at  which  he  worked  all  one  night, 
with  others,  hauling  two  parrot  guns  by  ropes 
up  the  Ridge,  giving  the  rebels  an  early  salute 
the  next  morning.  The  view  from  this  point 
presented  an  imposing  sight  of  the  contending 


forces.  Then  followed  the  battles  of  Dalton, 
Resaca,  Calhoun,  Lost  Mt.,  assault  at  Kenesaw 
Mt.,  Marietta,  Vining  Station,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Atlanta  and  Jonesboro.  During  the  assault 
upon  Kenesaw  Mt.,  the  74th  suffered  a  loss  of 
1 8  killed,  39  wounded,  and  6  taken  prisoners. 
From  this  time  forward  the  4th  Corps  under 
Gen.  Thomas  was  detailed  to  keep  the  rebel 
Hood,  and  his  forces  in  subjection,  going  first 
to  Chattanooga,  then  to  Resaca,  thence  to 
Pulaski,  Nashville  and  Spring  Hill,  where  the 
74th  engaged  the  enemy,  moving  the  same  day 
to  Franklin.  About  Nov.  i,  Capt.  Blakesley, 
owing,  to  the  absence  of  the  Col.,  was  placed  in 
charge  of  the  Regt.,  when  he  in  turn  was  grant 
ed  a  furlough,  rejoining  his  Regt.  again  at 
Huntsville,  Ala.,  Jan.  6th.  It  was  while  en 
camped  near  this  place  that  the  Regt.  was  com 
plimented  by  the  Gen.  in  command  of  the  Corps, 
as  excelling  all  others  in  the  Corps,  in  the  neat 
ness,  cleanliness,  and  comforts  of  the  camp. 
In  the  latter  partof  March  they  moved  to  Knox 
ville,  and  whilst  in  camp  near  there,  received 
news  of  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee  and  the 
assassination  of  President  Lincoln.  No  tongue 
nor  pen  can  describe  the  intense  excitement  in 
camp,  of  those  few  days.  His  Brig,  then 
marched  to  Nashville  where,  on  June  12,  it  was 
mustered  out  of  service  with  343  officers  and 
men,  then  placed  en  route  for  Rockford,  arriv 
ing  there  on  the  29th,  where  they  were  tendered 
a  public  reception  at  the  hands  of  the  citizens. 
As  the  Regt.  moved  homeward  it  was  de 
tained  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  awaiting  transpor 
tation.  Gov.  Morton,  on  hearing  this,  sent  an 
urgent  request  that  they  go  to  the  Capitol 
Grounds  to  receive  his  congratulations,  with 
other  returning  troops.  The  "  boys"  were  in  a 
scarcely  presentable  condition,  and  at  first 
hesitated,  but  finally  yielded  and  were  marched 
to  the  grounds  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
Blakesley,  who  modestly  sought  a  seat  upon  a 
concealed  corner  of  the  platform.  He  was 
soon  called  upon  for  a  speech,  but  at  first  de 
clined  the  honor.  He  was  lifted  bodily  and 
passed  over  the  heads  of  the  people  to  the 
front  of  the  platform  amidst  wild  enthusiasm, 
where  he  made  a  short  address  to  the  assem- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


573 


bled  multitude.  The  Regt.  continued  on  to 
Chicago,  where  they  were  finally  discharged, 
and  started  for  their  respective  homes. 

After  the  war,  the  Captain  removed  to  Beloit, 
Wis.,  where  he  embarked  in  the  hardware  and 
stove  trade,  and  remained  until  1869,  when  he 
removed  to  Hiawatha,  Kan.,  and  there  resumed 
the  same  business.  In  1875  he  removed  to 
Chicago,  continuing  there  for  two  years,  then 
went  to  Rock  Island,  working  with  the  old 
R.  I.  Stove  Company  until  Dec.,  1880,  when 
with  Messrs.  Mitchell  &  Mixter,  he  formed  a 
co-partnership  under  the  style  of  Rock  Island 
Stove  Company,  for  the  manufacture  of  stoves 
and  ranges,  which  has  grown  to  be  an  exten 
sive  and  flourishing  business.  On  July  19, 
1865,  he  married  Mary  Ann  Avery,  of  Belvi- 
dere,  daughter  of  Egbert  H.  Avery,  and  by 
whom  he  has  the  following  children:  Ella 
Avery,  George  Webster,  Charles  Alpheus,  and 
Theodore  Seward. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Republican;  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.;  and  a  member  of  the  Broadway 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Rock  Island,  of  which 
he  is  an  PLlder  and  trustee.  He  has  always 
been  characterized  by  his  pronounced  views 
upon  moral,  religious,  and  temperance  subjects, 
and  is  admired  and  respected  for  his  honest 
methods  in  all  his  business  transactions. 


CHARLES  JOSENHANS,  of  Morris,  111.,  a  na 
tive  of  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  whose 
parents  were  Gottleib  and  Redina  Josen- 
hans,  came  to  America  in  1853,  before  he  was 
17  years  of  age.  He  soon  found  his  way  to 
Chicago,  and  was  employed  as  a  tanner,  a  trade 
which  he  had  learned  in  the  old  country.  When 
the  war  was  declared  he  was  a  resident  of  Lock- 
port,  111.,  and  there  enlisted  in  the  3  months' 
service.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  he  en 
listed  in  Co.  D,  111.  Light  Art.,  known  as  Dres 
sers'  Battery.  In  this  he  served  3  years,  tak 
ing  part  in  the  battle  of  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Don- 
elson  and  Shiloh;  also  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and 
in  guarding  the  Mobile  &  Ohio  and  Memphis 
&  Charleston  roads,  while  Gen.  Grant  made  his 


expedition  to  Holly  Springs,  and  was  in  the 
fight  at  Davis' Mills,  just  below  La  Grange,  Tenn. 
Serving  in  this  army  until  his  time  had  expired, 
in  1864,  Mr.  Josenhans  returned  home,  and 
again  enlisted,  this  time  as  a  veteran,  in  Han 
cock's  Corps.  He  was  ordered  to  Washington, 
D.  C.,  and  was  a  participant  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  Eastern  campaign.  He  was  also  employed 
in  guarding  prisoners,  among  whom,  at  one  time, 
was  the  noted  Mrs.  Surratt.  When  this  woman 
was  executed  he  stood  within  20  feet  of  her, 
and  in  full  sight  of  her  when  the  drop  fell  and 
she  was  launched  into  eternity. 

Returning  to  Illinois  in  1866,  after  receiving 
his  discharge,  this  faithful  veteran  settled  in 
Morris,  and  found  employment  with  the  firm  of 
Casper  &  Woelfell,  where  he  has  remained  to 
this  date,  although  the  firm  has  changed  several 
times.  In  1868,  Mr.Josenhansand  MaryPelke.of 
Morris,  were  married.  They  have  five  children  : 
Amelia,  Frederick,  Charles,  Julia,  Hulbert  and 
Nellie. 

At  one  time  Mr.  Josenhans  moved  with  his 
family  to  Pawnee  Co.,  Kan.,  to  secure  a  farm  un 
der  the  Soldiers' Claim  Law,  and  was  in  the  West 
about  three  years.  This  farm  he  still  owns.  He 
is  a  decided  Republican  politically,  and  is  an 
active  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  citizen 
worth  of  respect. 


SERGEANT  DAVID  FLACK,  of  Cottage  No.  I, 
111.  S.  and  S.  H.,  Quincy,  111.,  and  a  mem 
ber  of  the  G.  A.  R.  was  born  in  Wayne 
Co.,  Ohio,  March  16,  1836;  and  is  the  son  of 
James  and  Judy  Plack.  His  father  was  one  of 
the  early  pioneers  of  Ohio,  having  located  at 
Wooster,  when  there  were  but  two  or  three 
cabins  in  that  now  important  city.  He  was 
twice  married,  our  subject  being  the  eldest  of  a 
family  of  six  born  by  the  second  union. 
Ezekiel,  a  brother,  and  now  a  resident  of  In 
dianapolis,  Ind.,  served  in  the  i6th  Ohio  Inf. 
David  was  reared  to  farm  life,  attended  the 
public  schools  and  grew  to  manhood  in  his 
native  county.  When  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age  he  lost  his  father,  and  shortly  went  to 
Henry  Co.,  111.,  where  he  remained  three  years. 


574 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


He  returned  home,  and  upon  the  death  of 
his  mother,  which  occurred  soon  after  the 
parental  home  was  broken  up.  David  contin 
ued  farming  until  the  outbreak  of  the  great 
rebellion,  when  he  responded  to  the  very  first 
call  for  volunteers,  enlisting  in  Co.  E,  4th  Ohio 
Inf.  The  Regt.  camped  at  Camp  Dennison, 
where  it  remained  drilling  and  awaiting  arms 
and  equipments  during  the  entire  term  of  en 
listment.  June  i,  1861,  Sergt.  Flack  mustered 
into  the  three  years'  service  in  the  same  or 
ganization.  The  "boys"  lost  no  time  but  at 
once  moved  to  the  front,  crossing  the  Ohio 
River  and  entering  Va.,  thence  onward,  under 
McClellan  into  W.  Va.,  receiving  the  first  bap 
tism  of  rebel  fire  at  Rich  Mt.,  July  11,  1861. 
After  this  victory  they  subsequently  marched 
to  Pendleton,  Md.,  to  relieve  the  8th  Ohio,  who 
were  all  sick  from  exposure  and  camp  diseases. 
Here  they  remained  during  the  summer, 
strengthening  the  fort,  digging  rifle  pits  and 
doing  general  fatigue  duty.  Co.  E  continued 
in  these  duties  during  the  winter  and  rejoined 
the  Regt.  in  the  spring  at  Cumberland,  Md. 

May  25,  comrade  Flack  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Winchester,  where  the  troops  defeated 
the  rebels  under  Stonewall  Jackson.  At  Fred- 
ericksburg  they  joined  McDowell's  forces  and 
then  began  the  manoeuvers  in  which  the  Union 
tried  to  hem  in  Jackson  between  Fremont  and 
McDowell's  forces.  In  the  opinion  of  Sergt. 
Flack,  Jackson  could  have  been  captured  very 
easily.  But  instead  McDowell  sent  one  divi 
sion  down  to  Port  Republic,  where  it  was  badly 
used  up  trying  to  hold  the  bridge,  and  thus 
Jackson  escaped.  Orders  were  given  by  Mc 
Dowell  to  not  destroy  this  bridge,  which  was 
another  "military  bull."  The  4th  Ohio  joined 
McClellan's  army  at  Harrison's  Landing,  and 
subsequently,  when  the  army  moved  on  the 
second  Bull  Run  campaign,  it  marched  to  New 
port  News,  whence  by  transports  to  Alexandria. 
Soon  it  was  ordered  to  N.  Y.  City  to  aid  in  sup 
pressing  the  draft  riots.  Remaining  about  five 
weeks,  it  returned  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  and  went 
into  winter  quarters  at  Falmouth.  May  1-4, 
1863,  the  Regt.  participated  in  the  sanguinary 
battle  at  Chancellorsville,  and  was  assigned  to 


the  1st  Brig.,  3d  Div.,  and  2nd  A.  C.,  with  its 
position  on  the  right  center.  During  the  des 
perate  charge,  the  giving  way  of  the  nth  corps 
on  the  right,  placed  the  second  corps,  especially 
the  right  wing,  in  a  most  critical  position.  After 
digging  intrenchments  they  lay  in  the  rain  all 
night,  and  the  second  night  afterward,  covered 
their  retreat,  leaving  the  line  about  daylight 
and  being  the  last  of  the  army  to  recross  the 
Rappahannock.  Returning  to  Falmouth,  they 
remained  there  until  the  march  for  Gettysburg, 
which  was  a  most  wearisome  one,  the  men  be 
ing  obliged  at  times  to  march  night  and  day. 
July  2,  they  reached  the  bloody  battle  field  and 
at  once  went  into  action.  Bravely  they  fought, 
and  heavily  they  lost  in  killed  and  wounded. 
After  the  battle  they  followed  Lee's  defeated 
army  to  the  Potomac.  Here,  in  comrade  Flack's 
opinion,  was  another  grievous  mistake  of  those 
in  high  authority,  in  not  following  the  rebels 
closely.  Instead,  they  were  allowed  to  peace 
ably  recross  the  Potomac,  and  gain  their  fast 
nesses  in  Va.  The  next  spring  we  find  Sergt. 
Flack  actively  engaged  in  the  memorable  Wild 
erness  campaign,  after  which,  June  21,  1864,  at 
Columbus,  Ohio,  he  was  duly  mustered  out  af 
ter  three  years  of  active  service. 

Returning  to  Wooster,  Ohio,  he  was  mar 
ried  Oct.  11,  1864,  to  Mary  E.  Stonebreaker. 
By  this  happy  union  were  born  five  children, 
of  whom  are  living:  William  Irvine,  Mary 
Ellen,  and  Effie  May.  Mrs.  Flack  died  at  Cleve 
land,  Ohio,  after  which  our  subject  moved  to 
Minn.,  remained  four  years,  thence  to  Cal.,  re 
turning  to  Chicago,  and  going  to  the  "Home" 
Oct.  3,  1889.  Here  he  has  charge  of  cottage 
No.  i.  Mr.  Flack  is  a  member  of  the  congre 
gational  Church.  In  politics  he  was  formerly 
a  Republican,  but  is  now  a  Prohibitionist.  He 
is  a  brave  soldier  and  an  affable  comrade. 


C 


OL.  EI.HANAN  J.  SEAKLE.    The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  born  fifty-five  years  ago 
Fairfield    Co.,    Ohio.     In    1840,    his 


in 


parents  emigrated  to  Rock  Island  Co.,  111.,  and 
located  on  a  farm  about  14  miles  east  of  the 
city  of  Rock  Island.  Here  he  was  brought  up 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


575 


until  near  manhood.  His  father  was  a  farmer, 
born  in  Ohio  Co.,  Va.  (now  W.  Va.),  in  1802, 
of  New  England  ancestry,  more  remotely  of 
English  ancestry,  his  foreparents,  both  on  his 
father's  and  mother's  side,  having  emigrated 
from  England  and  settled  in  Mass.,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  i/th  century.  His  mother  was  born 
in  1800,  in  Tazewell  Co.,  Va.,  of  English  an 
cestors,  her  parents  being  among  the  oldest 
settlers  in  Va.  Soon  after  their  advent  to  the 
New  World  his  ancestors,  both  paternal  and 
maternal,  became  thoroughly  identified  with 
and  adapted  to  the  new  conditions,  circum 
stances  and  interests  of  their  new  home;  in 
other  words,  they  became  Americans  in  every 
sense  of  the  term.  Some  of  them  were  in  the 
Revolutionary  war  with  the  mother  country  for 
independence;  also  in  the  war  of  1812;  also  in 
some  of  the  Indian  wars.  His  father's  paternal 
grandfather  was  a  chaplain  in  the  Revolutionary 
army,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill;  and  his  father's  father  was  a  Cap 
tain  in  the  war  of  1812.  Both  parents  are  dead. 
Colonel  Searle  is  the  eldest  of  a  large  family 
of  children,  his  brothers  and  sisters  being  in 
the  order  of  their  birth  as  follows:  Almira  New- 
some,  Elmer  Q.  Searle,  James  W.  Searle,  Alvah 
P.  Searle,  Pauline  Smith,  of  the  full  blood,  and 
Melcina  Yolton,  Clark  Searle,  Mary  Searle, 
Clarissa  Hubbard  and  Sherman  Searle,  of  the 
half-blood.  Col.  Searle  was  brought  up  on  his 
father's  farm,  at  hard  work,  and  with  but  limited 
educational  advantages.  When  near  manhood, 
in  1855,  he  left  home  for  the  purpose  of  acquir 
ing  a  thorough  education.  In  Sept.  of  that  year 
he  entered  Rock  River  Seminary,  at  Mount 
Morris,  111.,  and  therein  prepared  for  college. 
In  1856  he  matriculated  in  the  Northwestern 
University,  at  Evanston,  near  Chicago,  111. 
Here  he  took  a  full  classical  course,  and  was  grad 
uated  June,  1859,  receiving  the  degree  of  Bache 
lor  of  Arts.  In  due  time  he  received  from  the 
same  institution  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts. 
Some  months  before  completing  his  course  he 
commenced  the  study  of  law  under  the  direc 
tion  of  Gov.  Beveridge,  of  Chicago,  111.  After 
leaving  the  University  he  continued  his  legal 
studies  atSpringfield,  111., in  theofficeof  Lincoln 


&  Herndon,  until  Feb.,  1861,  when  he  passed  a 
successful  examination  by  the  Supreme  Court 
of  111.  for  admission  to  the  bar.  Anticipating, 
even  then,  the  impending  struggle  for  the  pre 
servation  of  the  Union,  and  being  resolved  to 
render  his  services  as  a  soldier  in  that  behalf,  if 
his  country  should  need  them,  for  the  time  be 
ing,  he  did  not  locate  or  seek  to  locate  for  the 
practice  of  his  chosen  profession.  Having 
spent  a  few  months  in  travel  and  recreation, 
Sept.  23d,  1861,  he  entered  the  military  service 
of  the  U.  S.  as  a  private  in  Co.  H,  in  the  loth  111. 
Cav.  Vol.,  at  Camp  Butler,  near  Springfield,  111. 
It  may  be  observed  at  the  outset  that  Col. 
Searle's  military  life  was  eventful,  varied  and 
laborious,,  scarcely  to  be  paralleled  by  that  of 
any  other  soldier  no  older  than  he  and  attain 
ing  to  no  higher  rank  in  the  army;  and  we  can 
give  no  more  in  this  sketch  than  a  very  short 
summary  of  his  services.  Col.  Searle  rendez 
voused  with  his  regiment  at  Camp  Butler  until 
Jan.,  1862,  then  a  short  time  at  Quincy,  111.; 
then  was  thrown  into  active  service  in  the  field 
at  the  front  in  the  Southwest.  He  served  with 
his  Regt.  until  the  2/th  of  Feb.,  1863,  when  he 
was  transferred  or  promoted  to  the  1st  Ark.  Inf. 
Vol.  In  this  latter  Regt.  he  served  until  Aug. 
10,  1865,  when  he  was  discharged  at  Fort  Smith, 
Ark.  During  his  whole  service  of  nearly  four 
years  he  never  received  a  furlough  or  leave  of 
absence;  and  though  almost  continuously  at 
the  front,  and  in  many  battles  and  skirmishes, 
he  never  was  made  a  prisoner  or  received  a 
wound.  In  Jan.,  1862,  at  Camp  Butler,  while 
on  duty  in  the  rain  and  wading  in  slush  snow, 
he  took  the  measles,  was  taken  to  the  military 
hospital  and  there  remained  three  weeks.  His 
attack  nearly  proved  to  be  fatal;  indeed,  dur 
ing  the  forepart  of  his  illness,  the  surgeons 
gave  up  hope  of  his  recovery.  This  attack 
resulted  in  lung  trouble,  from  which  he  has 
never  been  clear.  Only  by  the  natural  vigor  of 
his  constitution  has  he  been  enabled  to  regain, 
in  some  measure,  his  former  health  and  vitality. 
Immediately  upon  his  discharge  from  the  hos 
pital,  he  was  put  to  duty  in  the  most  exposed 
situations,  when  he  should  have  been  in  a  warm 
room  or  in  bed  But  this  he  desired  and  re- 


576 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


quested,  so  anxious  was  he  to  perform  his  whole 
duty  as  a  soldier.  Col.  Searle's  description  of 
his  experience  and  the  hospital  scenes  while  he 
was  a  patient,  is  interesting  and  instructive. 
There  was  at  the  time  a  vast  amount  of  sick 
ness  among  the  troops  from  typhoid  fever  and 
measles,  and  the  hospitals  were  crowded  with 
these  patients.  The  measles  especially  was 
very  fatal,  and  many  died  from  it.  The  suffer 
ing  by  the  patients  was  hardly  to  be  paralleled 
by  the  field  hospitals  after  a  terrific  battle.  The 
moans  and  cries  were  distressing,  and  there  was 
hardly  a  time  when  he  could  not  see  from  his 
own  cot  some  poor  fellow  in  a  dyingcondition. 
Perhaps  it  was  in  a  measure  due  to  his  own 
suffering  that  he  became  noted,  during  his 
whole  after  service,  for  his  tender  solicitude  for 
and  kindness  to  the  sick  and  wounded,  whether 
comrades  or  the  enemy,  wherever  he  met  them 
—in  field  or  hospital. 

Col.  Searle  served  as  private  until  Dec. 
30th,  1 86 1,  when  he  was  promoted  to  ist  Lieut, 
in  Co.  M.,  in  the  loth  111.  Cav.  He  served  in 
this  position  until  July  7,  1862;  he  was  then 
promoted  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  to  Captain  in 
same  company;  served  as  Captain  until  Feb. 
27,  1863,  and  was  then  promoted  at  Fayette- 
ville,  Ark.  to  Lieut.  Col.  of  the  1st  Ark.  Inf., in 
which  position  he  served  to  the  date  of  his 
discharge,  Aug.  10,  1865.  The  principal  cam 
paigns  and  marches  in  which  Col.  Searle  par 
ticipated  after  reaching  the  front  were  as  fol 
lows:  From  Rolla,  Mo.,  to  Springfield,  Mo., 
thence  to  Hartville,  Mo.,  thence  to  Rolla, 
thence  back  to  Springfield,  thence  to  S.  Mo.  and 
return,  all  in  the  spring  of  1862:  From  Spring 
field,  Mo.,  to  Cassville,  Mo.,  thence  to  the 
vicinity  of  Van  Buren,  Ark.,  thence  back  to 
Springfield,  in  June  and  July,  1862.  From 
Springfield  to  Hartville,  thence  to  Clark's 
Mills,  Mo.1,  thence  to  the  vicinity  of  Yellville, 
Ark.,  and  back,  thence  to  the  vicinity  of  Salem 
and  back,  all  in  August,  Sept.  and  Oct.,  1862. 
From  Clark's  Mills  to  Ozark,  Mo.,  thence  on 
the  campaign  to  Northern  Ark.  in  Nov.  and 
Dec.  1862,  which  ended  in  the  battle  of  Prairie 
Grove,  Ark.  From  Fayetteville,  Ark.  to  Cass 
ville  and  thence  to  Springfield,  Mo.,  in  April, 


1863.  From  Springfield  in  campaign  to  Fort 
Gibson,  Indian  Ter.,  thence  to  Perryville,  Ind 
ian  Ter.,  thence  to  Fort  Smith,  Ark.,  all  in 
August,  1863.  From  Fort  Smith  to  Darden- 
clle,  Ark.,  and  return  in  Nov.  and  Dec.,  1863; 
thence  to  Waldron,  Ark.,  in  December,  1863; 
thence  to  the  vicinity  of  Red  river  and  return, 
in  Jan.,  1864;  thence  to  Fort  Smith  in  March, 
1864;  thence  to  Camden,  Ark.  with  Gen. 
Steele's  column,  co-operating  with  Gen.  Banks 
in  his  Red  River  operations  in  March  and 
April ;  thence  to  Jenkins'  Ferry,  where  the  battle 
of  that  name  took  place  on  the  3Oth  of  April, 
1864;  thence  to  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  thence  back 
to  Fort  Smith  in  May,  1864.  From  Fort  Smith. 
to  Clarksville,  Ark.,  to  intercept  Gen.  Price  on 
his  retreat  from  his  Mo.  raid,  and  return  to 
Fort  Smith  in  Nov.,  1864;  thence  to  the  Indian 
Terr,  in  a  campaign  for  the  protection  of  com 
missary  trains  carrying  provision  for  the  army 
from  Fort  Scott,  Kan.,  to  Fort  Gibson  and 
Fort  Smith.  This  campaign  continued  through 
the  months  of  Dec.,  1864  and  Jan.,  1865,  during 
which  time  Col.  Searle  was  the  ranking  officer 
in  the  Indian  Terr.  He  was  without  pro 
visions  or  camp  and  garrison  equipage  and  it 
was  in  the  dead  of  winter.  The  duties  were 
most  difficult  and  trying  and  he  was  almost 
continually  on  the  move.  His  force  consisted 
of  but  little  over  one  thousand  men,  and  with 
this  he  confronted  and  held  in  check  Gen. 
Cooper  with  a  much  higher  force.  These 
were  his  principal  campaigns  and  marches; 
but  many  others  might  be  named  to  the  num 
ber  of  forty  or  fifty,  not  counting  such  as  did 
not  exceed  fifty  miles. 

Incident  to  these  campaigns,  Col.  Searle 
took  part  directly  in  the  following  battles; 
Cane  Hill,  Prairie  Grove  and  Fayettville,  Ark.; 
Perryville,  Ind.  Ter.;  Moscow,  Camden  and 
Jenkins'  Ferry,  Ark.,  and  many  other  battles 
and  skirmishes  to  the  number  of  thirty  or  for 
ty.  During  his  military  career,  Col.  Searle 
served  under  Gens.  Curtis,  Brown,  Schofield, 
Herron,  Blunt,  Totten,  Edwards,  Thayer,  Solo 
mon,  Steele,  Reynolds,  and  a  number  of  others. 
In  Col.  Searle's  eventful  army  experience,  but 
two  or  three  instances  of  his  conduct  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


577 


positions  in  trying  situations  and  engagements 
will  be  given.  And  first,  as  to  the  part  he  took 
in  the  battle  of  Jenkins'  Ferry  or  Saline  River 
April  30,  1864.  During  the  greater  part  of  this 
terrific  battle  (which  lasted  from  6  o'clock  A.M. 
to  12  o'clock  M.)  he  was  in  command  of  a  Brig, 
and  his  position  was  in  the  left  wing  of  the 
army  and  part  of  the  time  upon  its  extreme 
left  flank.  In  the  latter  position  he  checked  a 
powerful  flank  movement  which  the  enemy  at 
tempted,  and  which,  if  accomplished,  might 
have  resulted  disastrously  to  the  whole  army. 
Here  he  had  a  horse  shot  and  killed  under 
him.  In  this  engagement  he  did  not  receive 
the  credit  due  him,  so  far  as  the  reports  of  the 
same  were  concerned,  though  he  was  compli 
mented  on  the  battle  field  by  his  Div.  com 
mander  for  his  gallant  conduct.  Again  in  the 
engagement  at  Moscow,  Ark.,  about  the  1st  of 
April,  1864,  his  Div.  being  at  the  rear  of  Gen. 
Steele's  column  and  not  having  broken  camp 
was  suddenly  attacked  by  a  large  calvary  force 
under  Gen.  Price.  It  was  a  complete  surprise, 
and  a  stampede  was  setting  in  when  Col  Searle, 
having  his  Regt.  (composed  of  700  men)  well 
in  hand,  with  great  energy  brought  it  into 
position  confronting  the  enemy,  and  checked 
his  charge  until  the  rest  of  the  Div.  rallied  and 
moved  into  line  to  the  right  and  left  of  him. 
The  result  was  the  defeat  and  severe  chastise 
ment  of  the  enemy.  This  prompt  and  ener 
getic  action  of  Searle  saved  the  Div.  from  a 
humilating  and  disastrous  defeat.  Here  he 
was  complimented  on  the  field  by  Gen.  Ed 
wards  commanding  the  Brig.  Another  in 
stance  will  be  given:  Gen.  Steele  in  his  move 
ments  in  co-operation  with  Gen.  Banks  in  the 
Red  River  expedition,  took  possession  of  Cam- 
den,  Ark.,  within  a  few  days  of  the  ist  of  April, 
1864,  having  approached  it  from  the  west 
against  the  constant  opposition  of  Gen.  Price 
for  forty  miles.  Two  or  three  days  after  his 
occupancy  of  that  city,  he  sent  Col.  Williams 
with  his  Regt.  (known  as  the  ist  Kan.  Colored 
Inf.)  and  about  200  cavalry  and  two  small  how 
itzers  on  a  foraging  expedition  to  the  vicinity 
of  Poison  Springs,  about  12  to  14  miles  west  of 
Camden. 

36 


The  next  morning  after  Williams  was  sent, 
the  i8th  la.  Inf.  was  ordered  to  go  in  the  same 
direction,  probably  to  reinforce  Williams.  On 
the  next  day  Col.  Searle  was  ordered  out  with 
his  Regt.  in  the  same  direction  to  forage,  with 
no  intimation,  however,  that  he  was  to  rein 
force  Williams,  or  even  as  to  the  latter's  where 
abouts.  He  was  furnished  from  Gen.  Steele's 
headquarters  with  several  scouts  who  acted  as 
guides.  He  started  about  noon.  At  the  time, 
distant  but  heavy  artillery  firing  was  heard  in 
the  direction  of  Poison  Springs.  He  could  not 
understand  the  meaning  of  this  but  he  moved 
out  with  double  quick  speed,  so  that  if  his 
assistance  were  needed  in  any  emergency,  he 
would  be  present  as  quickly  as  possible  to  ren 
der  it.  Four  or  five  miles  from  Camden  he 
drove  before  him  a  rebel  picket  post  of  several 
men.  The  firing  of  the  artillery  increased  in 
rapidity  and  distinctness;  and  still  he  pressed 
on.  Six  or  seven  miles  from  town  he  arrested 
a  boy  14  or  15  years  of  age,  who  lived  a  few 
miles  south  of  this  point.  After  severe  threat 
ening  he  obtained  from  him  information,  from 
which  he  became  satisfied  that  Williams  was  in 
the  vicinity  of  Poison  Springs  and  that  he  was 
attacked  by  a  large  force  of  Price's  army, 
whose  camp  was  then  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
boy's  residence.  Searle  then  pressed  on  with 
greater  energy.  A  little  further  on  he  drove 
before  him  a  heavy  rebel  picket  post,  com 
posed  probably  of  forty  or  fifty  men  with  whom 
shots  were  exchanged.  He  now  concluded 
that  the  enemy  were  between  him  and  Wil 
liams.  At  this  point,  the  day  being  still,  he 
heard  the  musketry — musketry  heavy  enough 
for  an  engagement  of  several  thousand  on  a 
side.  He  went  but  a  mile  or  two  further,  being 
then  probably  nine  or  ten  miles  from  Camden, 
when  the  artillery  and  musketry  suddenly 
ceased.  Experienced  as  he  was  he  knew  what 
this  meant.  Williams,  in  all  probability  had 
been  defeated.  At  once  he  halted  and  sent 
back  a  scout  on  'the  fleetest  horse  direct  to 
Gen.  Steele  with  information  as  to  the  supposed 
situation.  Soon  his  fears  were  confirmed. 
Large  numbers  of  straggler's  from  Williams' 
command  were  seen  slipping  through  the 


578 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


woods,  many  of  them  wounded,  some  fatally, 
some  on  foot,  some  on  mules  that  had  been 
cut  loose  from  the  forage  wagons.  All  agreed 
in  their  reports  as  to  the  disaster.  Williams' 
forces  had  been  overwhelmed,  badly  cut  to 
pieces,  and  very  cruelly  treated.  Searle  then 
fell  back  two  or  three  miles,  selected  a  favor 
able  position  for  defense  and  awaited  further 
orders  from  Gen.  Steele. 

In  an  incredibly  short  time  orders  came  and 
to  the  effect  that  Searle  should  rapidly  fall 
back  toward  Camden  until  he  met  reinforce 
ments.  This  he  did  and  met  the  reinforcements 
four  or  five  miles  from  town  before  night.  The 
evening  and  night  were  spent  in  gathering  up  the 
broken  fragments  of  Williams'  command.  Two 
or  three  days  later  Col.  Searle  made  the  detail 
that  buried  the  dead,  all  of  whom  had  been 
left  upon  the  field.  They  were  found  to  num 
ber  30  or  40  white  soldiers  and  124  colored,  a 
large  proportion  of  the  latter  being  shot  in  the 
head,  showing  that  the  wounded  and  prisoners 
had  been  killed  by  the  enemy.  There  were 
probably  not  over  450  men  in  this  colored 
Regt.  in  the  engagement,  and  124  killed  was  an 
immense  mortality.  This  regiment  displayed 
great  bravery  in  the  unequal  conflict  and 
proved  to  the  army  and  country  that  colored 
troops  well  drilled  and  disciplined,  as  they 
were,  and  well  commanded  as  they  were  on 
this  occasion,  could  be  depended  upon  in  the 
most  trying  emergencies.  It  was  for  some 
time  a  wonder  to  Col.  Searle  that  the  rebel 
forces,  upon  the  defeat  of  Williams,  did  not 
turn  upon  his  small  command  and  annihilate  it. 
But  this  was  removed  some  years  later  by  a 
prominent  confederate  officer  with  whom 
Searle  became  acquainted  after  the  war,  who 
was  in  the  Poison  Springs  battle,  and  he  stated 
that  when  their  conflict  with  Williams  ended, 
they  expected  the  arrival  of  reinforcements 
from  Camden  and  they  supposed  that  Scarle's 
regiment  was  the  advance.  The  circumstances 
of  this  affair  have  been  thus  fully  stated  to  show 
what  disasters  sometimes  resulted  from  slight 
oversights  of  commanding  generals,  and  what 
grave  responsibilities  were  often  suddenly 
thrown  upon  subordinates 


Among  the  earlier  of  his  experiences  the 
following  is  given:  Confederate  Colonel  Por 
ter  with  a  Regt.  newly  organized  in  N.  Mo., 
passed  southward  through  the  Ozark  Moun 
tains,  Mo.,  in  the  latter  part  of  Oct.,  1862. 
Major  Stephenson  commanding  at  darks' 
Mills  (a  post  in  said  mountains),  was  ordered 
to  intercept  Porter's  Regt.,  if  possible.  In 
obedience  to  the  order,  he,  at  the  head  of  300 
men  scoured  the  mountains  with  great  energy 
for  three  or  four  days.  On  the  evening  of  the 
second  day  he  went  into  camp  at  Mountain 
Grove  Village.  Next  morning,  before  sunrise, 
he  and  Col.  Searle  (then  Captain)  met  to  con 
sult  as  to  the  course  to  pursue  for  the  day. 
While  together,  they  took  a  walk  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  village  and  camp,  armed  only 
with  their  side  arms.  They  carelessly  walked 
on  until  they  reached  a  farm  house  more  than 
a  mile  from  camp.  Here  they  enquired  of  the 
resident  whether  any  rebel  soldiers  had  been 
seen  in  the  vicinity,  the  past  few  hours,  and 
were  informed  that  there  were  four  men  at  the 
stable  putting  up  their  horses,  who  they  were  he 
did  not  know.  They  then  walked  on  past  an 
orchard  and  a  lane  leading  from  the  road  back 
to  the  stable,  when  they  suddenly  confronted 
four  men,  not  more  than  150  feet  distant,  in 
line  across  the  lane,  armed  wifh  revolvers  and 
Sharps  carbines,  etc. 

Instantly  they  commanded,  "Halt!"  The 
command  was  hardly  given  before  the  Union 
officers  halted  and  fronted  the  enemy  with  arms 
leveled.  The  rebel  sergeant  commanded,  "Ad 
vance  one,  and  give  an  account  of  yourselves." 
The  Union  officers  made  the  same  demand. 
Thus  they  confronted  each  other  for  a  few  mo 
ments,  that  seemed  like  an  hour.  The  sergeant 
finally  showed  signs  of  weakening  by  taking  a 
step  or  two  to  the  front,  with  a  timid  bearing. 
Seeing  this  the  Union  officers  repeated  their 
demand  with  the  threat  that  they  would  fire  at 
once  unless  instantly  complied  with.  The 
Sergt.  then  promptly  came  upand  delivered  up 
his  arms;  and  so  did  the  others,  one  at  a  time; 
and  they  were  all  marched  to  camp.  They 
proved  to  be  a  scouting  detachment  from 
Porter's  command  (which  had  just  passed 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


through  a  few  miles  distant)  and  the  detach 
ment  had  stopped  at  this  farm  house  to  procure 
food  for  themselves  and  horses.  The  boys  in 
camp  laughed  at  them  for  having  permitted 
themselves,  armed  as  they  were,  to  be  "gobbled 
up"  by  two  men  poorly  armed.  The  Sergt. 
shrewdly  answered  that  they  could  plainly  see 
that  their  antagonists  were  officers,  and  they 
supposed,  of  course,  that  they  had  a  body  of 
men  near  at  hand.  "We  could  not,"  said  he, 
"presume  otherwise  without  taking  the  officers 
to  be  fools,  or  at  least  fool-hardy."  Perhaps 
this  was  true.  The  rebels  were  intelligent  and 
cool,  and  no  doubt  they  were  brave  men. 

Col.  Searle  was  often  detached  on  special 
service  or  duty,  but  seldom  under  such  circum 
stances  as  to  take  him  from  the  command  of 
his  Regt.  He  was  provost  marshal  at  the  Post 
of  Hartville,  Mo.,  in  the  summer  of  1862;  also 
provost  marshal  of  the  District  of  Fort  Smith, 
Ark.,  in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  1863.  He  was  in  com 
mand  of  the  Post  of  Dardanelle,  Ark.,  in  No 
vember,  1863;  also  in  command  of  the  Post  of 
Walden,  Ark.,  during  the  most  of  the  winter  of 
1863-4.  Several  times  he  was  in  command  of  a 
Brig.,  and  once  of  a  Div. 

He  was  several  times  on  courts  martial  and 
military  commissions,  and  in  every  instance, 
owing  to  his  previous  legal  studies,  he  was 
president  of  the  court.  Another  instance  of 
special  duty  must  be  mentioned.  In  Jan.,  1863, 
one  Dr.  J.  M.  Johnson,  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Ark.,  an  excellent  man  and  a  true  patriot,  de 
sired  Col.  Searle  to  aid  him  in  the  organization 
of  a  Regt.  of  loyal  men  from  his  state  for  three 
years,  or  during  the  war,  for  the  raising  of 
which  he  had  authority  from  Gen.  Schofield 
and  the  War  Department.  Col.  Searl  was  Cap 
tain  at  the  time  in  the  loth  111.  Cav.  He  went 
in  with  Johnson  and  they  completed  the  Regt., 
March  23th,  1863.  He  was  promoted  to  the 
position  of  Lieut. -Colonel  in  said  Regt.  and 
was  mustered  in  as  such  Feb.  27,  1863;  and 
Johnson  was  mustered  in  as  Colonel  March  25, 
1863.  Colonel  Searle  served  with  said  Regt. 
until  his  discharge,  the  loth  of  August,  1865. 
Col.  Johnson  was  in  no  respect  a  military  man. 
So  the  organization  of  the  regiment  devolved 


entirely  upon  himself,  as  well  also  as  its  com 
mand  and  management  during  its  service  to 
August  10,  1865,  except  when  he  was  assigned 
to  higher  commands  or  more  important  duties. 

Again,  in  Oct.,  1863,  he  was  ordered  by 
Gen.  Blunt,  then  in  command  of  the  Fort 
Smith  Military  District,  to  organize  another 
regiment  of  the  loyal  men  of  Arkansas,  for 
three  years,  or  during  the  war,  to  be  known  as 
the  3rd  Ark.  Cav.  Vol.  In  obedience  to  this 
order  he  enlisted  and  organized  in  the  months 
of  Oct.  and  Nov.,  1863,  1,200  men.  But  Col. 
Ryan  having  organized  the  3rd  Ark.  Cav.  under 
the  authority  of  Gen.  Steele,  in  command  at 
Little  Rock,  Ark.,  Col.  Searle's  men  were  as 
signed  by  companies  to  the  2nd  Ark.  Cav.  and 
the  4th  Ark.  Cav.,  about  half  to  each.  In  en 
listing  and  organizing  these  men,  it  was  never 
his  purpose  to  leave  the  I  st  Ark.Inf  .,a  Regt.  brave 
and  patriotic,  composed  of  the  very  best 
material,  and  in  which  he  had  great  praise  and 
confidence.  He  simply  acted  in  obedience  to 
Gen.  Blunt's  orders. 

Col.  Searle's  occupation  since  the  war  has 
been  that  of  a  lawyer.  Upon  his  discharge 
from  the  military  service,  he  located  in  Ark., 
and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession 
in  the  western  part  of  the  State.  On  the  iQth 
of  Feb.,  1866,  he  was  commissioned  as  prose 
cuting  attorney  of  the  gth  Judicial  Circuit  of  Ar 
kansas,  consisting  of  eight  counties.  The 
position  at  the  time  was  very  difficult,  requir 
ing  much  courage,  tact  and  skill.  He  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  the  office  and  performed 
them  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  classes.  He  was 
also  appointed  U.  S.  Commissioner  for  the 
Western  District  of  Ark.,  embracing  the  west 
ern  portion  of  the  State  and  the  whole  of  the 
Indian  Terr.  He  also  acted  as  assistant  Dis 
trict  Attorney  of  the  U.  S:  District  and  Circuit 
Courts  for  said  district.  He  filled  these 
positions  until  about  the  ist  of  Jan.,  1867,  when 
he  was  commissioned  as  Circuit  Judge  in  and 
for  said  gth  Judicial  Circuit,  by  the  Provisional 
Governor  of  the  State,  by  and  with  the  approval 
of  the  Military  authority  of  the  United  States. 
This  was  the  most  difficult  circuit  in  the  State. 
Well  understanding  this,  he,  at  first  refused  the 


58o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


commission.  But  he  was  urged  to  accept;  in 
deed,  it  was  almost  forced  upon  him.  He  served 
under  this  commission  until  22nd  of  July,  1868, 
when,  after  reconstruction,  he  was  commis 
sioned  by  Gov.  Clayton,  with  the  approval  of 
the  State  Senate,  as  Circuit  Judge  of  the  same 
circuit  for  the  term  of  six  years.  He  served 
by  virtue  of  this  commission  until  the  loth  of 
Feb.,  1871,  when  he  was  appointed,  with  the  ap 
proval  of  the  Senate,  as  an  Associate  Justice  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State,  under  which  he 
served  nearly  two  years  and  until  he  was  elected 
by  the  people  of  the  State,  Nov.  5,  1872,  to 
succeed  himself.  Dec.  19,  1872,  he  was  com 
missioned,  in  pursuance  of  said  election,  as 
Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  for  the 
term  of  eight  years.  Under  this  commission 
he  served  until  the  fall  of  1875,  when  his  term 
was  cut  short  by  the  inauguration  of  a  new 
governor  under  a  new  State  constitution.  He 
also  served  on  the  State  Board  of  Education 
for  several  years;  also  as  one  of  the  Trustees  of 
the  Arkansas  Industrial  University  from  the 
beginning  of  that  enterprise  in  1870,  to  near 
the  time  of  his  departure  from  the  State.  As 
such  Trustee  he  filled  some  of  the  most  im 
portant  positions  on  the  Board,  as  Chairman  of 
the  Executive  and  Building  committees.  The 
scheme  of  government  and  instruction  for  the 
institution  and  all  its  departments  were  drafted 
by  him;  and  this  has  been  proven  by  the  suc 
cess  of  the  school  to  be  the  best  that  could 
have  been  devised  under  the  circumstances. 
Indeed,  it  may  be  said  that  both  the  efficiency 
of  the  University  during  his  service  on  its  Board 
of  Trustees  and  its  success  and  high  standing 
since  in  the  Southwest  are  largely  due  to  the 
activity,  labor  and  fidelity  of  Col.  Searle  in  its 
behalf. 

In  the  fall  of  1875,  he  returned  to  111.  and 
located  in  Chicago.  After  this  he  resided  sev 
eral  years  in  the  city  of  Pana,  111.,  and  while 
there  was  elected  and  served  a  term  of  two 
years  as  City  Attorney.  In  1887,  he  returned 
to  his  old  home — Rock  Island  Co.,  111.,  since 
which  time  he  has  resided  in  the  cities  of  Mo- 
line  and  Rock  Island.  Col.  Searle  had  three 
brothers  of  the  full  blood  in  the  service  as  fol 


lows:  Elmer  Q.  Searle,  Sergt.  in  Co.  M,  loth 
111.  Cav.,  who  died  in  1864,  of  disabilities  con 
tracted  in  the  line  of  duty;  James  VV.  Searle, 
in  the  I7th  111.  Cav.,  and  promoted  to  2d  Lieut, 
in  Co.  H.,  ist  Ark.  Inf.,  and  Alvah  P.  Searle, 
Sergt.  of  Co.  F,  8th  111.  Cav.  Col.  Searle  is 
now  and  always  has  been  a  Republican  in  poli 
tics.  He  is  not  a  pensioner  and  has  not  applied 
for  a  pension.  He  belongs  to  the  G.  A.  R.  and 
was  for  two  years  ( 1886-7)  Commander  of  Post 
No.  411  at  Pana,  111.  Colonel  Searle  was  mar 
ried  April  i,  1862,  to  Cassie  R.  Pierce,  who  was 
born  in  Sangamon  Co.,  111.,  April  I,  1843.  Her 
parents  were  Charles  and  Melinda  Pierce. 
They  migrated  from  Tenn,  and  settled  in  Sanga 
mon  Co.,  111.,  in  1825.  They  were  of  English 
and  German  ancestry,  but  their  families  have 
been  residents  of  America  for  several  genera 
tions.  From  this  union  two  children  are  living, 
namely:  Charles  J.  Searle,  born  May  16,  1865, 
now  in  the  practice  of  the  law  in  the  city  of 
Rock  Island,  111.;  and  Blanche  Searle,  born 
April  26,  1873.  Both  make  their  home  with 
their  parents. 


DR.  CHARLES  A.  KITCHEN,  of  Rock-ford, 
111.,  was  born  in  Troy,  Ohio,  Oct.  20th, 
1839,  a  son  of  John  Kitchen,  born  1808, 
in  Pa.,  a  merchant  tailor  by  trade.  The  ma 
ternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  served  with 
eminent  distinction.  Joseph  Kitchen,  brother 
of  our  subject,  joined  Co.  C,  33rd  111.,  during 
the  rebellion,  continued  with  his  regiment 
eighteen  months,  was  honorably  discharged, 
and  is  now  living  at  Harvey,  near  Chicago. 

Charles  lived  in  Ohio  until  seventeen,  in  the 
meantime  having  attended  school,  then 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Lexington,  111., 
there  also  attending  school  for  a  time,  then  en 
tered  Wesleyan  College  at  Bloomington,  at 
which  he  continued  his  studies  until  his  enlist 
ment  in  the  army.  The  towns  of  Lexington 
and  Bloomington  had  each  a  band  of  musi 
cians,  young  Kitchen  being  a  member  of  the 
latter,  and  these  two  united  and  formed  what 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


581 


was  known  as  the  33rd,  regimental  band,  of 
which  our  subject  became  a  member. 

Sept.  19,  1861,  he  was  mustered  into  the 
service  at  Springfield,  111.,  and  immediately 
proceeded  toward  the  front,  via  St.  Louis, 
thence  to  Pilot  Knob,  Mo.,  camping  there  some 
weeks;  then  moved  to  Arcadia,  lived  in  tents 
during  the  fall  and  occupied  vacant  houses  for 
the  winter,  during  which  time  his  Regt.  as 
sisted  in  building  a  tort,  our  subject's  partic 
ular  duty  being  to  attend  to  rehearsing,  prac 
ticing  etc.,  and  attending  dress  parades  etc., 
with  the  band. 

About  Oct.  20,  his  Regt.  was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Frederickton,  Mo.,  he  taking  a  gun 
and  acting  as  a  private  with  the  regiment,  be 
ing  the  first  conflict  in  which  the  Regt.  was  en 
gaged  and  among  the  first  of  the  war.  Jeff. 
Thompson  and  Col.  Lowe,  were  the  command 
ing  rebel  officers,  the  latter  being  killed  and  the 
opposing  forces  completely  routed  after  sus 
taining  a  loss  of  175  killed,  besides  having  a 
large  number  wounded  and  many  prisoners 
taken.  The  following  day  the  Regt.  returned 
to  Arcadia,  where  it  continued  upon  guard  and 
similar  duty  until  March,  when  it  moved  to 
Reeves  Station,  where  it  was  delayed  some 
weeks  by  reason  of  the  heavy  rains  and  im 
passable  roads,  then  continued  to  Batesville, 
Ark.,  stopping  at  that  point  for  upwards  of  a 
month.  Then  it  marched  to  Clarendon,  Ark., 
on  the  White  River.  In  this  vicinity  the  Texas 
Rangers  were  encountered,  the  Regt.  being 
commanded  by  Col.  Hovey,  of  the  33d  Regt. 
and  a  sharp  contest  ensued  resulting  favorably 
for  the  Union  army,  and  in  which  many  of  the 
rebels  were  killed  or  wounded,  and  the  sur 
vivors  scattered. 

He  next  moved  toward  Helena,  and  the 
rations  being  exhausted,  the  water  hot,  and  the 
roads  bad  and  heavy,  the  men  experienced 
many  hardships  and  much  suffering  before  the 
point  of  destination  was  reached.  After  a  stay 
of  several  weeks  the  Regt.  proceeded  to  Old 
Town  Landing,  south  of  Helena,  and  had  one 
month's  camping  at  that  point,  which  proved 
to  be  a  very  sickly  place.  Nearly  all  the  men 
becoming  ill  and  unfit  for  duty,  they  were 


moved  up  the  river  to  Sulphur  Rock,  near  St. 
Louis,  in  order  that  the  men  might  recuperate 
in  health.  After  a  delay  there  for  a  few  weeks, 
being  much  improved,  they  moved  to  Pilot 
Knob,  thence  to  Patterson,  Mo.,  where  Mr. 
Kitchen  was  relieved,  the  Government  having 
abolished  the  office  of  Principal  Musician,  to 
which  office  he  had  been  promoted.  He  re 
turned  to  Lexington,  and  resumed  his  studies 
at  Wesleyan  College  for  a  time,  then  studied 
dentistry  at  Bloomington,  and  when  he  had 
completed  his  course  commenced  practice  at 
Toulon,  and  then  at  Galva,  near  by,  where  he 
remained  eleven  years.  He  subsequently  settled 
in  Rockford,  where  he  has  since  continued  his 
profession. 

He  married  Oct.,  1865,  Abby  Gardner,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children,  all  of  whom  are 
dead.  He  has  held  the  position  of  Tax  Collector 
for  one  term;  has  been  President  of  the  State 
Dental  Society,  Vice-President  one  term,  and 
Treasurer  for  five  years,  and  was  appointed  by 
the  Governor  as  Dental  Examiner  upon  the 
State  Board,  which  office  he  has  filled  for  nine 
years.  HeJs  a  Free  Mason,  held  the  position 
in  that  organization  as  Recorder  for  the  Com- 
mandery,  and  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  I,  G.  A. 
R.,  of  Rockford.  He  is  a  Republican  in  pol 
itics. 


COL.  MOSES  DILLON,  lumber,  grain  and 
coal  merchant  of  Sterling,  111  ,  the  son 
Lloyd  and  Margaret  (Culbertson)  Dil 
lon,  was  born  at  Zanesville,  Ohio,  Sept.  19,  1841;. 
Lloyd,  the  father  of  Moses  Dillon,  was,  as  was 
his  father,  John,  born  at  Baltimore,  Md.  The 
family  is  of  Quaker  ancestry.  The  mother  of 
Moses  Dillon  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
His  father  was  a  pioneer  pig  iron  manufacturer 
of  Ohio,  at  Dillon's  Falls,  near  Zanesville. 
Five  children  were  born  to  him  as  follows:  Ella, 
who  died  in  childhood  ;  Lloyd  H.,  Mary  P., 
Washington  M.,  and  Moses.  He  died  at  Zanes 
ville  in  1845,  and  his  wife  at  Sterling  in  1879. 
The  early  years  of  Moses  Dillon  were  spent 
under  the  parental  roof,  where  he  received  the 


582 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


kindly  care  and  salutary  instruction,  which  have 
never  lost  their  virtue  and  effect.  His  family 
removed  from  Zanesville  to  Dixon,  111.,  in  1856, 
and  from  thence  to  Sterling,  111.,  in  1860,  where 
after  receiving  such  an  education  as  was  afford 
ed  by  the  common  schools  of  that  period,  he 
obtained  a  clerkship  in  Crawford's  dry  goods 
store.  He  continued  in  this  employment  up  to 
the  time  of  his  enlistment  in  Co.  A,  I40th  111. 
Inf.,  at  Sterling,  May  19,  1864,  going  into  camp 
at  Dixon.  His  Co.  was  commanded  by  Capt. 
J.  A.  Morgan,  and  the  Regt.  by  Col.  L.  H.  Whit 
ney.  June  1 8,  the  Regt.  removed  to  Camp 
Butler,  and  thence  by  rail  to  Cairo,  where  it 
embarked  for  Memphis.  The  ensuing  3  months 
were  spent  in  guarding  the  Memphis  &  Charles 
ton  R.  R.,  after  which  the  Regt.  was  ordered 
back  to  Memphis,  and  thence  to  Camp  Fry, 
Chicago.  At  the  time  of  Price's  invasion  of 
Mo.  the  command  of  Mr.  Dillon  was  sent  to 
that  State  to  assist  in  repelling  his  advance 
upon  St.  Louis.  Throughout  a  period  of  six 
weeks  in  this  service,  Mr.  Dillon  exhibited  the 
most  commendable  example  of  fortitude  and 
endurance,  and  achieved  the  satisfaction  of 
having  been  engaged  in  a  successful  military 
movement,  although  not  actually  participating 
in  a  battle. 

He  was  mustered  out  at  Camp  Fry,  Oct.  29, 
1864,  returning  to  his  home  at  Sterling,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  His  first  venture  was  in 
the  grocery  business  with  a  Mr.  Smith,  the  firm 
name  being  Smith  &  Dillon.  After  ten  years 
he  sold  out  his  interest  and  engaged  in  the 
lumber,  grain  and  coal  business,  purchasing  the 
establishment  of  Judge  Golden,  and  has  since 
devoted  his  attention  to  this  branch  of  trade, 
in  which  he  has  accomplished  a  marked  suc 
cess.  He  operated  a  large  planing  mill  and 
grain  elevator  in  connection  with  his  business. 
Mr.  Dillon,was  united  in  marriage  May  8.  1867, 
at  Sterling,  to  Emma  J.,  daughter  of  Judge 
Joseph  and  Prudence  Golden.  Judge  Golden 
was  a  former  Judge  of  the  Woodstock  district. 
Their  children  are  Mary  P.,  Morgan  A.,  Alice 
E.,  Joseph  G.  and  Moses  L.  Mrs.  Dillon  died 
June  14,  1888,  and  on  Jan.  6,  1892,  Col.  Dillon 
was  married  to  Mrs.  Annie  H.  Whipple,  one  of 


the  most  charming  and  cultured  ladies  of  Ster 
ling,  as  also  a  general  favorite  in  society.  After 
a  two  months'  trip  to  the  Pacific  Slope,  they 
have  settled  down  in  their  elegant  home  at 
Hawthorn  Villa,  a  beautiful  suburb  of  the  city 
of  Sterling. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Lodge 
174,  of  Sterling,  and  has  successfully  filled  its 
various  offices.  He  was  Lieut.  Colonel  of  the 
ist  Regt.  P.  M.  of  111.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
A.  O.  U.  W.,  the  M.  W.  A.,  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post 
No.  274,  and  was  its  Commander  in  1888.  While 
serving  as  Commander  of  his  Post  he  conceived 
and  projected  the  erection  of  the  soldier's  mon 
ument,  which  resulted  in  the  most  satisfactory 
consummation  of  his  plans  in  the  completion 
of  this  noble  and  artistic  memorial  to  Sterling's 
devoted  sons,  who  so  gallantly  fought  for  their 
country.  It  was  'due  to  the  untiring  zeal  and 
patriotic  fervor  of  Mr.  Dillon,  while  serving  as 
the  President  of  the  soldier's  and  citizen's  com 
mittee,  that  Sterling  has  been  so  distinguished 
in  possessing  this  grand  tribute  of  honor  to  her 
soldiers,  and  to  the  cause  for  which  they  hero 
ically  struggled.  The  dedicatory  ceremonies 
were  held  July  4,  1890,  in  the  presence  of  Gen. 
R.  A.  Alger,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  G.  A. 
R.,  an  oration  being  delivered  by  Gen.  McNulty, 
of  Bloomington,  111. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Dillon  is  a  Republican.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
building  committee  for  the  erection  of  the  new 
church  structure  which  was  completed  in  1887. 
He  served  on  the  staff  of  Commander-in-Chief 
Warner  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  in  1889.  Mr.  Dillon 
has  by  his  many  laudable  public  and  private 
acts  and  benefices  conferred  much  honor  upon 
his  community,  and  given  to  his  country  an 
example  of  lofty  patriotism  which  will  ever 
dignify  and  ennoble  his  name  and  memory. 

CAPTAIN  ARCHIBALD    MEANS,  of  Peru,  111., 
made  a  record  in  the  war  of  the  rebel 
lion  which  is  worthy  of  being  placed  in 
enduring  form,  that  other  generations  may  gain 
some  knowledge  of  the  sacrifices  made  to  per- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


583 


petuate  the  liberties  of  this  country,  and  trans 
mit  them  as  a  legacy  to  the  future. 

Captain  Means  is  a  native  of  Pa.,  born 
in  Alleghany  Co.,  March  31,  1833,  and  when 
three  years  of  age  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Steubenville,  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  man 
hood.  He  received  an  academic  education  at 
Steubenville,  but,  on  account  of  delicate 
health,  went  onto  a  farm  at  the  age  of  18,  antici 
pating  a  benefit  from  the  change.  In  1854  he 
moved  to  Kentucky,  and  resided  in  that  State 
during  the  exciting  Presidential  campaign  of 
1 860,  and,  although  his  political  convictions  up  to 
this  time  had  been  in  favor  of  the  Democratic 
policy,  and  his  first  vote  was  cast  for  James 
Buchanan,  he  became  convinced  that  the  views 
of  that  party  were  not  conducive  to  the  best 
interests  of  the  National  Union,  and  he  deter 
mined  to  give  his  influence  on  the  side  of  loy 
alty,  and  at  the  next  Presidential  election  cast 
his  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 

This  act,  in  that  locality,  at  such  a  crisis  in 
public  affairs,  was  equivalent  to  taking  his  life 
in  his  hand,  and  some  idea  of  the  bravery  re 
quired  for  an  American  citizen  to  exercise  the 
right  of  franchise  in  Ky.  at  that  time  may  be 
given  when  it  is  stated  that  Captain  Means  was 
one  of  five  men  in  his  precinct,  and  one  of 
eleven  in  the  county,  who  voted  for  the  Repub 
lican  President.  Of  this  act,  under  the  cir 
cumstances,  Captain  Means  is  as  proud  as  of 
any  event  in  the  history  of  his  eventful  life, 
and  justly  so,  when  all  things  are  considered. 

In  the  following  spring  he  began  to  compre 
hend  the  true  situation  of  the  country,  and  saw 
the  perilous  danger  that  threatened  the  Na 
tion's  life,  therefore  decided  to  do  all  in  his 
power  to  save  the  country  from  disunion  and 
defend  the  honor  of  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  So, 
in  June,  1861,  he  began  to  recruit  a  company  of 
loyal  men  of  Kentucky,  which  was  afterwards 
known  as  Co.  F.,  I4th  Ky.  Inf.,  and  of  which  he 
was  elected  Captain,  receiving  his  commission 
Oct.  1 6,  1861. 

Captain  Means  at  once  went  to  the  front 
with  his  Co.,  and  served  under  Gen.  Garfield 
(then  Colonel)  on  the  Big  Sandy  River,  against 
Humphrey  Marshall.  The  I4th  Ky.,  with  oth 


ers,  in  1862,  formed  the  nucleus  of  seven  Tenn. 
regiments,  which  were  known  as  the  East  Tenn. 
troops. 

At  the  battle  of  Cumberland  Mt,  Captain 
Means  was  actively  engaged,  and  while  at  this 
place  was  taken  seriously  sick,  and  went  home 
on  a  furlough,  as  his  friends  thought,  to  die,  but 
by  the  faithful  and  careful  nursing  of  his  devoted 
mother,  with  the  assistance  of  other  friends  and 
relatives,  he  slowly  recovered,  and,  returning  to 
the  front,  was  assigned  to  the  staff  of  Gen.  A.J. 
Smith,  and  had  charge  of  the  pontoon  bridges 
at  Cincinnati;  but,  his  health  again  failing,  he 
was  reluctantly  compelled  to  resign  his  com 
mand,  and  sent  in  his  resignation  Oct.,  1862. 

After  recovering  his  health  in  a  measure, 
Captain  Means  engaged  in  business  at  Pitts 
burgh,  Pa.,  and  later  at  Manchester,  Ohio,  un 
til  1871,  when  he  located  at  Peru,  111.,  and  erect 
ed  the  extensive  zinc  works  at  that  place,  in 
which  he  has  ever  since  been  a  stockholder  and 
manager,  extending  the  business  which  has 
grown  to  a  large  and  permanent  enterprise. 

Captain  Means  was  first  married  June  2, 
1858,  to  Isabella,  daughter  of  Thomas  W. 
Means,  of  Lawrence  Co.,  Ohio,  who  died  with 
out  issue,  Jan.  20,  1863,  near  Hanging  Rock, 
Ohio.  He  was  again  married  April  26,  1866, 
taking  as  his  wife,  Sarah  Jane  Ellison,  a  daugh 
ter  of  Wm.  Ellison,  a  resident  of  Manchester, 
Adams  Co.,  Ohio,  and  four  children  were  born, 
of  whom  three  are  living.  These  are:  William 
E.,  Archibald  L.,  Robert  W.,  and  Sadie.  Robert 
E.  was  drowned  Dec.  29,  1888,  at  Peru  in 
attempting  to  rescue  a  companion  who  had 
broken  through  the  ice.  Death  again  invaded 
the  home  of  Captain  Means  and  took  his  wife, 
who  died  Jan.  24,  1880,  at  Peru.  He  was  married 
Aug.  16,  1881,  to  Jenie  Schleich,  a  daughter  of 
General  Newton  Schleich,  of  Lancaster,  Ohio, 
and  one  child,  Allan  Hay,  has  been  born. 

The  biography  of  Captain  Means  would  be 
far  from  complete  without  a  short  history  of 
his  ancestry,  of  which  he  has  a  published  rec 
ord  showing  the  connection  with  prominent 
families  of  the  old  country.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in 
County  Tyrone  in  the  year  of  1750,  and  emi- 


584 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


grated  to  America  in  1787,  soon  after  the  close 
of  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  settled  on  a 
tract  of  land  in  Pa.,  where  his  son  William 
Means,  the  father  of  Captain  Archibald  Means, 
was  born  Sept.  15,  1803.  William  Means  passed 
the  early  years  of  his  life  on  a  farm  in  Penn 
sylvania  until  his  removal  to  Steubenville, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  foundry  and 
manufacturing  business  until  1850,  when  he  be 
came  interested  in  farming,  and  continued  in 
this  line  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Oct., 
1871,  at  the  age  of  68  years. 

The  mother  of  Captain  Archibald  Means, 
who  was  married  to  William  Means,  Feb.  11, 
1832,  in  Alleghany  County,  Pa.,  was  a  descend 
ant  of  Garret  Von  Swearingen  who  came 
from  Holland  to  America  in  1656,  and  settled 
near  New  Amsted.,  Delaware,  on  the  Delaware 
River,  and  in  1664,  removed  to  St.  Mary's,  Md. 
The  direct  line  of  descent  through  a  number  of 
generations  on  the  mother's  side  is  thus  given, 
beginning  with  Garret  Van  Swearingen,  of 
Holland,  who  had  one  son,  Zacharias.  Zacha- 
rias  had  four  sons,  one  of  whom  was  John, 
whose  son  John,  had  also  a  son  of  the  same 
name,  who  was  the  father  of  Nicholas  Dawson, 
the  father  of  Nancy,  the  mother  of  Captain 
Archibald  Means.  The  mother,  a  native  of  Pa., 
now  resides  in  that  State  at  the  advanced  age 
of  85  years.  The  maiden  name  of  the  mother 
of  Mrs.  Nancy  Means,  was  Verlinda  Blackmore, 
born  April  30,  1776,  and  married  Nicholas 
Dawson  Swearingen,  in  Nov.  1/95.  Verlinda 
was  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Blackmore,  Jr.,  who 
came  from  England  and  settled  in  Maryland 
on  a  tract  of  land  granted  to  his  father,  Samuel 
Blackmore,  Sr.,  by  Lord  Baltimore,  which 
covered  the  land  now  occupied  by  the  National 
Capitol  at  Washington. 

Captain  Archibald  Means  is  a  gentleman 
who  makes  no  ostentatious  display,  but  never 
theless  extends  a  marked  influence  in  the  com 
munity  in  which  he  resides,  and  by  his  business 
ability  and  integrity  of  character  has  won  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  his  associates  in  bus 
iness  and  social  circles.  During  the  war  he 
not  only  gave  his  services  for  his  country's 
need,  but  also  contributed  of  his  means  to 


enable    others  to  serve   in   the   same   patriotic 
cause. 

Captain  Means  is  President  of  the  School 
Board  of  the  city  of  Peru,  an  active  charter 
member  of  the  E.  N.  Kirk  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  in 
which  he  has  served  as  Commander.  He  takes 
an  active  interest  in  enterprises  that  conduce  to 
the  public  good,  and  all  measures  that  promote 
local  or  National  prosperity  find  in  him  an  able 
supporter,  although  his  extensive  business  in 
terests  fully  occupy  his  time  and  prevent  his 
more  active  participation  in  such  measures. 


ALFRED  H.  POLLARD,  of  Rock  Island,  111.,  a 
native  of  Jacksonville,  111.,  was  born  June 
15,  1841,  and  spent  his  early  days  in  his 
native  State,  removing  with  his  parents  to 
Whiteside  Co.,  111.,  12  years  later.  He  enlisted 
in  the  Union  army  for  the  late  rebellion  Aug. 
5,  1862,  rendezvoused  at  Dixon,  where  he  was 
mustered  into  the  service  as  a  corporal  in  Co. 
C.,  75th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  and  was  there  engaged 
upon  guard  duty,  armed  with  a  club  as  a  weapon 
of  offense  as  well  as  defense.  The  Regt.  re 
mained  at  that  point  perfecting  its  drill,  and 
army  movements,  until  Sept.  27,  when  it  was 
ordered  South,  arriving  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind., 
there  crossed  the  Ohio  River  and  moved  with 
the  army  against  Gen.  Bragg's  forces  at  Bards- 
town,  Ky.,  Oct.  1st.  Coming  upon  the  enemy 
on  the  8th,  it  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Perrys- 
ville  and  sustained  a  heavy  regimental  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded,  viz.:  46  killed,  and  167 
wounded.  For  the  bravery  and  courage  dis 
played  by  the  boys  of  the  75th  they  received 
honorable  mention  in  Gen.  Mitchell's  despatch 
es  to  his  commanding  officers.  With  the  army 
the  Regt.  moved  southward,  arriving  at  Bow 
ling  Green  on  the  3ist.  It  next  did  noble  serv 
ice  in  the  bloody  battle  of  Stone  River,  which 
lasted  nearly  four  days,  Dec.  31,  '62-Jan.  3,  '63. 
Going  into  winter  quarters,  the  suffering  en 
dured  by  the  soldiers  through  sickness,  cold  and 
hunger,  was  intense.  Its  next  engagements  was 
at  Liberty  Gap — sustaining  about  50  casualities 
in  killed  and  wounded — and  soon  after,  followed 
the  desperate  encounter  of  Chickamauga. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


585 


Later,  it  was  in  the  main  army  at  Chatta 
nooga  whilst  that  place  was  being  besieged  by 
the  enemy,  and  afterwards  took  an  active  part 
in  the  conflict  of  Lookout  Mt. — known  in  his 
tory  as  "Hooker's  battle  above  the  clouds  "- 
occupying  a  prominent  position  in  the  line,  and 
there  again  its  men  sustained  their  reputation 
for  bravery    and  courage  so  dearly  bought  in 
the  sacrifice  of  life  and  limb  on  previous  oc 
casions.     Next  it  confronted  the  enemy  in  the 
battle  of  Mission   Ridge,  and  while  its  deadly 
fire    mowed    swaths  in   the  rebel  ranks,  it  es 
caped  with  but  fewcasualities.     Having  routed 
the  enemy,  the  75th  joined  in  his  pursuit  and 
proceeded  as  far  as  Ringgold,  Ga.,  and  coming 
up  with  the  enemy,  engaged  at  the  last  named 
place  and  soon  had  him  in  full  retreat.     The 
situation  at  Knoxville,    however,    precluded  a 
further  pursuit,  consequently  the  75th  returned 
to  Chattanooga,  destroying  railroads  and  other 
property  along  the  line  of  march,  and   on  arri 
val,  went  into  winter  quarters.     The  winter  was 
a  long  and  dreary  one,  the  men  having  been 
kept  upon  short  rations,  which  at  one  time  was 
reduced  to  a  cracker  at  each  meal — certainly 
not  high  living  that  would  endanger  the  men 
with  gout.     In  the   early   days   of    Feb.,    1864, 
Mr.   Pollard  with  his  Regt.  marched  to  Camp 
Blue  Springs,  Tenn.,  and  shared  in  the  recon- 
noissance  to  Buzzard's  Roost  in  front  of  Dai- 
ton,  and   May  6th,   he  joined   in    the    Atlanta 
campaign,  and  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of 
Dalton,  Resaca,  Marietta,  Kenesaw  Mt.  and  all 
the  other  skirmishes  and  battles  of  his  Regt., 
until  Atlanta  was  reached  and  the  campaign 
terminated.     After  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  the  75th 
was  left  by  Sherman  at  Galesville  and  under 
him  marched  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  following  Gen. 
Hood's  forces,  and  on  the  30th  engaged  the 
rebels  at   Franklin,  where   the  army  suffered 
severely.       In    quick    succession    followed  the 
battle    of    Nashville    which    commenced    Dec. 
1 5th,  and  continued  throughout  that  and  the* 
following  day,  and  in  proportion  to  the  number 
engaged,    was    one   of   the   most   desperately 
fought  battles  of  the  rebellion,  but  resulted    in 
the  complete  breaking  up  of  the  rebel  army 
hitherto  led  by  Gen.  Hood.     The  75th  was  en 


gaged,  and  again  distinguished  itself  for  the 
bravery  displayed  in  charging  on  the  second 
day  over  an  open  field  upon  the  enemy's  line, 
which  it  forced,  and  captured  235  prisoners, 
besides  a  large  quantity  of  small  arms  and  camp 
equipage.  This  was  the  last  battle  of  the  Regt. 
It  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Huntsville, 
afterwards  at  Nashville  and  proceeded  to  Chi 
cago,  where  the  men  were  discharged  and 
paid  off  July,  1, 1865.  Comrade  Pollard,  although 
he  was  never  wounded,  nor  suffered  the  indig 
nity  of  being  captured,  the  exposure  and  hard 
ships  endured  during  his  three  years'  active 
service  wrecked  his  weak  constitution,  which 
has  never  recuperated  since  that  exciting  peri 
od.  For  meritorious  service  he  was  promoted 
to  be  sergeant  in  May,  1863. 

After  leaving  the  army  he  returned  to  Mor 
rison,  111.,  where,  for  a  short  time,  he  followed 
farming,  after  which  he  took  up  railroading  on 
the  C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R.,  with  which  company  he 
continued  for  two  years,  then  accepted  a  posi 
tion  on  the  Q  Road,  and  was  later,  appointed  a 
conductor,  and  has  ever  since  maintained  his 
connection  as  such,  and  is  the  oldest  conductor 
on  the  division. 

He  was  married  in  the  year  1872,  to  Amelia 
S.  Hubbard,  and  two  children,  Alfred  R.  and 
Harvy  DeWitt,  are  the  fruits  of  that  union.  He 
is  a  member  of  Burford  Post,  No.  243,  G.  A.  R., 
is  a  Free  Mason,  and  has  passed  through  the 
Barrett  Chapter  and  Evart's  Commandery.  His 
brother,  E.  J.  I.  Pollard,  was  also  in  the  war. 

Comrade  Pollard  is  a  big  hearted,  genial 
gentleman,  and  owing  to  the  nature  of  his  em 
ployment,  is  acquainted  with  very  many  people 
all  of  whom  appreciate  a  kindly  smile  from 
him,  but  when  it  comes  to  a  matter  of  business 
he  "punches"  all  alike. 


JOHN  POPE.     This  distinguished  general  of 
the    Union  army  was  born  in   Louisville, 
Ky.,  March  16,  1823.     He  was  appointed  a 
cadet  to  the  military  academy  at  West  Point, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1842.     In  July 
following,  immediately  after  graduating,  he  was 
commissioned   Brevet  2nd  Lieut.,  and   was  as- 


586 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


signed  to  the  department  of  Topographical 
Engineers.  Prior  to  1846  he  was  engaged  in 
military  duty  in  Florida,  and  in  the  survey  of 
the  N.  E.  boundary  line  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain.  Gen.  Pope  was  one 
who  believed  that  having  been  educated  by  the 
government,  it  was  entitled  to  his  time,  and  he 
has  been  continuously  in  its  service  since  he 
left  that  point.  He  was  in  the  army  that  was 
sent  to  Mexico  in  1846,  and  served  through  the 
Mexican  war  with  credit,  having  been  twice 
promoted  for  meritorious  conduct,  gaining  the 
brevets  of  1st  Lieut,  and  Captain.  Among  the 
battles  he  took  part  in  were  those  of  Monterey 
and  Buena  Vista.  After  the  termination  of  the 
Mexican  war  he  conducted  the  survey  of  a 
route  for  the  Pacific  railroad.  When  the  re 
bellion  broke  out  he  was  engaged  on  lighthouse 
duty.  He  was  among  the  first  to  be  placed  in 
command  in  the  civil  war,  and  was  made  a 
Brig.  Gen.  May  17,  1861,  and  assigned  to  the 
Department  of  Mo.  In  Dec.  of  the  same  year, 
he  surprised  a  confederate  camp  at  Milford, 
which  he  captured,  with  a  large  amount  of  sup 
plies.  This  forced  the  rebels  under  Gen.  Price 
into  Southeast  Missouri.  Following  up  his 
success,  now  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Mississippi,  he  lay  siege  to  New  Madrid,  and 
with  the  co-operation  of  Admiral  Foote,  capt 
ured  that  place  March  14,  1862.  By  the  capt 
ure  of  this  Fort  he  gained  possession  of  the 
river  below  Island  No.  10,  which  was  then  oc 
cupied  and  strongly  fortified  by  the  enemy. 
He  was  promoted  to  Major  Gen.  March  21,  1862, 
and  a  month  later  captured  Island  No.  10  in 
the  Miss.,  with  upwards  of  2,500  prisoners. 
This  was  a  most  brilliant  affair  and  exhibited  a 
talent  for  masterly  strategy  on  the  part  of  Pope. 
It  was  a  victory  of  great  importance  to  the 
National  cause  and  reflected  much  credit  on 
its  commander.  Uniting  with  the  combined 
armies  under  Gen.  Halleck,  he  participated  in 
the  advance  upon  Corinth,  and  upon  the  evac 
uation  of  that  place,  May  30,  pursued  the  con 
federate  army  as  far  as  Baldwin. 

In  June  (1862)  he  was  called  to  the  East, 
and  having  been  made  a  Brig.  Gen.,  (July  14) 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  Army  of  Va., 


comprising  then,  the  force  of  Fremont,  Mc 
Dowell  and  Banks,  to  which  were  added  those 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  arriving  from  the 
Peninsula.  Before  he  had  his  army  well  under 
command  he  was  attacked  Aug.  28,  by  the  com 
bined  forces  under  the  rebel  Gens.  Hill,  Ewell, 
Jackson  and  Longstreet,  and  a  fierce  battle 
ensued,  lasting  six  days,  with  great  loss  to  both 
sides.  Through  the  insubordination  or  want  of 
support  of  some  of  Pope's  generals,  he  was 
finally  beaten  and  compelled  to  fall  back.  It 
is  the  general  belief  of  military  men  and  other 
critics,  that  had  Pope  been  properly  supported 
by  his  subordinates,  he  would  have  been  suc 
cessful  in  defeating  the  enemy.  Soon  after 
this  battle  he  was  transferred  to  the  Army  of 
the  West,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  in  important  commands.  He  was 
made  a  Maj.  Gen.  of  the  regular  army,  Dec.  II, 
1882.  His  history  in  detail  is  full  of  adventure. 
He  was  generally  successful  in  war,  achieved 
many  brilliant  victories  and  captured  a  large 
number  of  prisoners.  His  record  is  a  sure 
prestige  of  renown,  and  his  name  will  shine  on 
the  pages  of  future  history  conspicuous  among 
the  honored  soldiers,  who  in  time  of  peril 
commanded  the  Union  armies  and  saved  the 
Nation's  life. 


JOHN  C.  DUNBAR,  of  Monmouth,  111.,  is  a 
native  of  Morrayshire,  Scotland,  born 
April  26,  1843,  m  the  village  of  Gumtown, 
and  with  his  parents  removed  to  America, 
arriving  at  N.  Y.  Aug.  4,  1856,  going  direct  to 
Peoria.  The  parents  settled  at  Smithville,  near 
Peoria,  where  the  mother  died,  Sept.,  1866. 
Then  the  family  removed  to  College  Springs, 
where  the  father  died  in  the  fall  of  1880.  John 
enlisted  in  the  army  Aug.  11,  1862,  as  a  private 
in  Co.  C.,  77th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  went  into  camp 
•at  Peoria,  where  the  men  were,  armed,  then  went 
on  cars  to  Covington,  Ky.,  and  thence  marched 
to  Richmond,  Ky.  During  this  march  the  boys 
experienced  some  cold  weather,  from  which 
they  suffered  severely.  Next  they  marched  to 
Louisville,  and  there  took  transports  for  Mem- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


587 


phis,  and  from  there  moved  with  Sherman's 
army  against  Vicksburg,  about  the  last  of  Dec. 
In  the  early  days  of  Jan.,  1863,  they  fell  back, 
took  transports  for  Arkansas  Post,  where  they 
had  a  severe  battle  on  Jan.  11,  and  succeeded 
in  capturing  the  Post,  together  with  the  garrison 
and  war  supplies.  Subsequently  they  returned 
to  Young's  Point,  and  worked  upon  Butler's 
canal,  suffering  during  the  winter  from  exposure 
and  hardship.  Mr.  Dunbar  was  afflicted  with 
typhoid  fever  and  other  ailments  known  to 
camp  life. 

He  worked  in  the  ditch  whilst  able  until 
April,  when  with  his  command  he  moved  down 
the  river  and  marched  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg, 
having  witnessed  the  running  of  the  blockade 
and  was  the  first  command  to  reach  Port  Gib 
son.  The  Regt.  had  constant  engagements 
and  heavy  skirmishing  with  the  rebels,  and  was 
continuously  engaged  on  May  1st,  it  being  the 
first  to  enter  the  city  of  Port  Gibson.  Mr. 
Dunbar  was  also  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Ray 
mond,  Champion  Hills  and  Big  Black  River 
Bridge,  arriving  at  Vicksburg  in  time  to  close  in 
the  lines  around  that  place,  where  on  the  19,  and 
22,  of  May  respectively,  he  participated  in  the 
assaults  upon  the  rebel  stronghold,  and  having 
pushed  forward  and  mounted  the  rebel  works, 
he  was  shot  in  his  left  arm  with  a  cartridge 
ball.  He  had  his  gun  leveled  in  the  act  of  fir 
ing  when  his  arm  was  shattered  and  dropped 
powerless,  but  it  saved  his  life  as  doubtless  the 
ball  would  have  entered  his  breast.  He  fell  to 
the  ground  beside  a  fatally  wounded  comrade 
and  almost  immediately  a  bursting  shell 
literally  tore  the  dying  comrade  to  pieces,  also 
striking  Mr.  Dunbar,  leaving  him  insensible  and 
on  regaining  partial  consciousness,  imagined 
he  was  disemboweled  and  in  the  attempt  to 
replace  them  discovered  his  error.  He  crept 
from  that  spot  as  soon  as  able  amidst  a  shower 
of  bullets  and  bursting  shells,  taking  refuge 
behind  a  stump  until  dark,  when  he  reached 
camp,  and  wras  sent  to  the  field  hospital,  thence 
to  Memphis  where  he  remained  two  months, 
having  in  the  meantime,  taken  intermittent 
fever.  He  then  went  to  Peoria,  a  broken  down 
man,  where  he  was  kindly  treated  by  Dr.  Fry 


and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wonder,  who  took  good  care 
of  him  and  he  soon  recovered.  His  arm  has 
never  grown  strong  and  is  still  very  tender. 
The  ball  was  composed  of  pounded  glass  and 
lead  which  was  extracted  and  is  still  retained. 
He  reported  to  his  Regt.  in  Texas  in  Dec.  1863, 
and  was  discharged  the  following  month,  Jan. 
16,  1864,  as  unfit  for  duty,  then  returned  to  111., 
and  in  1866  settled  in  Monmouth,  engaging  in 
the  drug  business  with  W.  F.  Smith  by  whom  he 
was  employed.  He  became  a  partner  in  1869, 
with  W.  F.  Smith  &  Son  which  lasted  for  a  year 
when  the  name  was  changed  to  Smith  and 
Dunbar,  and  in  the  fall  of  1876,  the  firm  moved 
to  its  new  quarters. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  first  United  Prespy- 
terian  Church.  Mr.  Dunbar  has  a  long  and 
honorable  career  as  a  merchant  in  his  adopted 
town  and  stands  in  the  front  rank,  for  sterling 
honor  and  unfaltering  integrity  among  the 
first  class  business  and  professional  men  of  the 
prosperous  city  of  Monmouth. 

He  was  married  at  Monmouth,  111.,  Oct.  7, 
1869,  to  Mary  F.,  daughter  of  Wm.  F.  and 
Margaret  (Bell)  Smith  by  whom  he  has  had 
six  children — Margaret  J.,  Anna,  Robert  C., 
Mary  H.,  Wm.  F.  Edna  I.,  all  are  living  except 
Wm.  F. 


OUR  present  subject,  Albert  B.  Straub,  of 
Galesburg,  111.,  enlisted  as  a  soldier  at 
Ouincy,  Aug.  22,  1861,  in  Co.  F.,  50th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  the  Co.  being  known  as  "The  blind 
half  hundred"  which  always  clung  to  it.  He 
first  came  under  fire  at  Fort  Henry,  then  at 
Fort  Donelson,  where,  having  succeeded  in 
capturing  almost  the  entire  army  (14,500)  op 
posing  them,  at  that  point,  wrote  that  he  would 
soon  be  home,  concluding  that  the  same 
success  would  always  attend  the  Union  arms. 
He  was  next  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  that  des 
perate  encounter  which  caused  him  to  change 
his  mind,  and  concluded  that  there  were  still 
some  rebels  under  arms,  and  fighters  too.  In 
entering  this  battle,  the  Regt.  was  cut  off  from 
its  Div.,  surrounded  by  the  rebels,  and  the  first 


588 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


volley  poured  upon  them  90  men  dropped 
dead  or  wounded.  It  then  fell  back  and  sup 
ported  the  battery.  He  joined  in  the  advance 
upon  Corinth,  being  occupied  31  days,  going 
21  miles,  having  thrown  up  breastworks  almost 
every  mile  to  insure  safety,  and  when  the  en 
gagement  took  place  on  Oct.  3d  and  4th,  he 
again  participated  with  his  Regt.,  which  was 
there  also  cut  off  from  its  Brig,  for  7  hours,  but 
finally  with  a  desperate  charge  cut  its  way 
through.  On  the  second  day,  the  rebels  ad 
vanced  against  the  Union  works  almost  in 
the  cannon's  mouth,  capturing  several,  but  the 
place  was  made  so  hot  they  soon  fell  back  in 
confusion  and  were  pursued  40  miles.  The  50th 
garrisoned  Corinth  until  Nov.,  1863,  but  in  the 
meantime,  was  engaged  in  several  raids — one 
to  Town  Creek,  meeting  the  enemy  at  Bear 
Creek,  whom  it  attacked  driving  him  of  up 
wards  of  100  miles.  In  the  winter  it  joined 
Sherman's  army,  and  later  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Buzzard's  Roost,  Resaca,  Kingston 
and  Rome  Cross  Roads,  and  was  then  sent  to 
Rome  to  garrison  the  place.  This  was  done  by 
the  request  of  the  Col.  who  desired  to  remain 
in  command  although  he  was  carrying  a  ball  in 
his  side  and  had  his  arm  shot  away.  The  Regt 
here  remained  until  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  then 
moved  to  Linnville,  Tenn.,  where  it  secured 
horses  and  mules  by  confiscation,  and  subse 
quently  re-enlisting,  the  men  went  home  on  a' 
veteran  furlough.  Returning,  his  Regt.  joined 
Sherman's  army  on  the  march  to  the  sea,  where 
it  was  dismounted  and  participated  in  all  the 
hardships  of  that  campaign,  terminating  in  the 
fall  o.f  Savannah,  and  afterwards  went  on  the 
march  through  the  Carolinas,  taking  part  in 
the  battles  Lawtonville,  Averysboro,  and  Ben- 
tonville,  which  closed  his  active  field  service. 
He  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Gen.  John 
ston  at  Raleigh,  and  shortly  after,  participated 
in  the  grand'  review  at  Washington,  and  later, 
was  discharged  in  Ky.,  July  13,  1865. 

Mr.  Straub  was  born  in  111.,  April  22,  1842, 
son  of  John  and  Dorothy  (Linclenmeyer) 
Straub,  who  in  1837  removed  to  111.  where  they 
lived  and  died,  having  had  a  family  of  5  boys 
and  5  girls,  3  of  the  former  being  in  the  rebel 


lion,  viz.:  F.  H.,  who  was  killed  at  Atietam; 
Joseph,  wounded  whilst  fighting  under  Sher 
man;  and  our  subject.  Our  subject's  grand 
father  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

Returning  from  the  war,  Mr.  Straub  engaged 
in  the  general  merchandising  business  at  Mur 
ray,  Iowa,  which  he  continued  for  3  years, 
then  moved  to  Fowler  and  opened  a  grocery 
store  which  he  followed  for  some  years,  then 
removed  to  Galesburg  in  1881,  and  went  rail 
roading  for  5  years,  when  he  was  appointed 
depot  master  which  position  he  now  fills.  He 
is  handsome  in  appearance,  a  jolly  good  fellow, 
and  known  by  many.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Weidenhomer  Feb.  28,  1867,  and  they  have 
nine  children,  viz.:  Rose,  now  Mrs.  L.  J.  Burk; 
Edward;  Dolly,  now  Mrs.  J.  B.  Stout;  Roy, 
Mattie,  William,  John,  Peach,  and  Arty.  He 
is  a  Republican  as  is  also  the  soldier  brother, 
whilst  the  two  brothers  who  were  not  in  the 
war  are  Democrats.  He  is  a  member  of  Post 
No.  45  G.  A.  R.,  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  a  Modern 
Woodman.  He  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  at 
Fowler,  and  Collector,  and  now  owns  a  hand 
some  home  on  the  Knoxville  Road. 


WALTER  J.  CAMPBELL,  at  this  time  a  re 
sident  of  Minooka,  111.,  was  regist 
ered  in  the  army  as  Walter  Campbell. 
He  was  born  near  Vandalia,  111.,  Jan.  I,  1843. 
His  father  was  Robert  Campbell  of  Scotch  de 
scent,  and  a  resident  of  Fulton  Co.,  Pa.  His 
mother  was  Nancy  Fogler,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Barbara  Fogler,  of  German  ancestry.  The 
Foglers  were  of  old  Va.  stock  and  early  settlers 
in  Va.,  afterwards  moving  to  Md.  and  later  to 
the  vicinity  of  Delaware,  Ohio.  Grandfather 
Fogler,  born  in  America  of  German  parents, 
was  in  the  War  of  1812. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  a  resident  of 
Vandalia,  111.,  until  he  was  18  years  of  age.  At 
this  time,  inspired  with  a  love  of  country  and 
desire  to  take  part  in  the  great  struggle  for 
freedom,  he  united  with  a  number  of  fellow 
patriots  and  formed  a  company.  The  quota  of 
the  county  was  so  rapidly  filled  that  this  Co. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


589 


could  not  be  accepted.  This  was  a  great  dis 
appointment  to  the  enthusiastic  young  men, 
and  as  Major  Webber,  of  St.  Louis,  offered  to 
find  a  place  for  them  in  the  Regts.  of  Mo.,  they 
went  to  St.  Louis,  expecting  to  enlist  for  3 
months,  learning  when  they  reached  there  that 
they  must  go  in  for  three  years.  About  40  of 
the  85  men  returned  to  their  homes,  but  the 
others,  including  Mr.  Campbell,  made  up  what 
was  known  as  Co.  C,  6th  Mo.  Vol.  Inf.,  being 
mustered  in  June  14,  1861.  This  Regt.  remained 
in  Mo.  until  May  of  the  next  year,  guarding 
railroads  and  performing  duty  at  Pilot  Knob. 
They  left  Pilot  Knob  about  Sept.  20,  went  to 
St.  Louis;  from  there  embarked  for  Jefferson 
City,  and  from  there  they  marched  to  Tipton, 
Mo.,  where  they  joined  Fremont's  expedition 
to  Springfield;  then  returned  to  Tipton,  and 
guarded  the  Union  Pacific  until  May.  It  was 
then  sent  to  Shiloh,  and  formed  a  part  of  Sher 
man's  Div.,  just  after  the  battle  at  that  place. 
The  first  loss  to  the  Regt.  was  while  on  picket 
duty  in  front  of  Corinth,  during  the  siege  of 
that  city.  Reaching  Memphis  June  27,  1862, 
the  summer  and  autumn  were  spent  in  drilling 
and  scouting.  The  next  movement  was  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Sherman,  to  invest  Vicks- 
burg,  Miss. 

Mr.  Campbell  recalls  a  pleasant  incident 
that  occurred  on  the  boat  going  down  the  river. 
The  second  morning  when  he  awoke  he  found 
his  haversack  filled  with  pigs'  feet  and  his  can 
teen  full  of  whisky.  Not  having  any  use  for 
the  whisky  he  put  it  away,  but  made  good  use 
of  the  pigs'  feet.  In  explanation  it  was  dis 
covered  that  the  officers  had  laid  in  a  good 
supply  of  delicacies  to  be  used  on  the  trip 
down  the  river,  but  some  of  the  boys  captured 
these  good  things  and  made  a  general  dis 
tribution.  The  canteen  of  whisky  was  more 
profitably  disposed  of  than  by  drinking  it,  as 
a  comrade  suggested  that  it  could  be  diluted 
one-half  with  river  water  and  sold  for  five  dol 
lars,  which  was  done. 

The  first  severe  engagement  this  Regt.  par 
ticipated  in,  was  under  command  of  Gen.  Sher 
man,  at  Chickasaw  Bayou.  In  this  engagement 
the  company  marched  into  battle  by  the  "right 


flank,"  that  is  four  men  abreast.  The  man 
behind  Mr.  Campbell  and  the  men  on  either 
side  were  shot  down.  The  Capt.  called  for 
men  to  follow  him  across  the  Bayou,  and  Mr. 
Campbell  and  four  men  responded.  In  cross 
ing  he  became  separated  from  his  comrades 
and  fell  in  with  Co.  A.,  and  was  with  it  during 
the  rest  of  the  day.  In  returning  over  the  field, 
covered  over  the  wrecks  of  the  battle,  he  found 
a  young  boy  of  his  Co.,  named  Ray,  who  had 
been  shot  through  both  legs.  The  boy  implored 
the  men  not  to  leave  him,  so  Campbell  placed 
his  gun  in  the  hands  of  a  comrade  by  the  name 
of  Scott,  and  carried  the  wounded  boy  to  the 
rear.  On  reaching  his  own  Co.  Mr.  Campbell 
heard  the  men  recounting  the  names  of  the 
killed,  among  which  his  name  was  mentioned; 
one  man  said  he  saw  Campbell  killed  and 
others  were  equally  certain,  but  just  then  he 
spoke  and  said,  "Hold  on  there,  not  yet."  The 
boy  whom  he  so  kindly  bore  from  the  field, 
recovered  from  his  wounds. 

From  the  Chickasaw  Bayou  campaign,  these 
soldiers  were  sent  up  the  White  River  to  Arkan 
sas  Post,  where  they  had  a  sharp  engagement, 
and  many  good  men  were  lost.  The  Post  was 
taken  with  about  8,000  prisoners. 

A  very  amusing  event  occurred  in  this  bat 
tle  The  men  had  advanced  until  they  were 
close  upon  the  enemy  and  were  still  firing 
when  the  order  was  given  to  lie  down.  While 
lying  upon  the  ground  a  rooster  between  the 
lines  began  to  crow.  This  was  too  much  for 
the  "boys,"  so  one  of  the  Union  soldiers  arose 
and  started  after  the  defiant  rooster,  which, 
when  pursued,  ran  toward  the  rebel  lines.  At 
this  point  one  of  the  officers  while  rising  to  call 
the  reckless  soldier  back,  received  a  ball  in  his 
foot  and  went  hobbling  to  the  rear  on  one  foot. 
This  appeared  so  ludicrous  that  all  lost  sight 
of  the  man  and  rooster  for  a  time,  and  the 
rooster  was  not  found  even  after  the  enemy 
surrendered,  which  they  did  within  a  few  hours. 
They  moved  then  to  Milliken's  Bend.  The  6ist 
Regt.  with  others  was  then  set  to  work  on  the 
canal  across  from  Vicksburg  and  while  camped 
on  the  bank  of  the  river  Mr.  Campbell  saw  the 
"Oueen  of  the  West"  run  the  blockade. 


590 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


The  command  then  moved  up  the  Yazoo 
River,  where  it  engaged  the  enemy  while  Gen. 
Grant,  went  around  by  Grand  Gulf  and  Jack 
son.  Following  this  was  the  battle  of  Cham 
pion  Hills;  May  17.  the  troops  crossed  the 
Black  River,  and  on  the  i8th,  closed  up  on 
Vicksburg,  and  the  igth,  drew  the  enemy's  fire, 
his  Regt.  losing  quite  a  number  of  men.  It 
then  crossed  the  Black  River  at  the  upper  ford 
and  had  a  skirmish  with  the  opposing  forces. 
May  22,  the  assault  was  made  and  Mr.  Camp 
bell  was  engaged  in  the  siege  until  the  surren 
der.  On  the  day  Vicksburg  fell  he  was  on 
guard  where  he  could  overlook  the  rebel  works 
and  a  rebel  invited  him  to  partake  of  his  break 
fast  which  was  taken  from  the  rump  of  a  mule. 

The  next  expedition  was  with  Gen.  Sherman 
into  East  Tenn.  In  Oct.  a  Co.  of  the  6th  and 
.a  Co.  of  the  8th  were  detailed  to  load  the  "Sam 
Gatey",  an  old  Miss.  Steamer,  on  which  they 
started  for  Memphis.  In  the  night  the  boat 
struck  a  snag  and  sunk  in  about  15  feet  of 
water.  The  men  were  put  on  board  a  trans 
port  and  continued  on  their  course.  The  pilot 
of  the  steamer  was  arrested,  as  it  was  thought 
he  intentionally  wrecked  the  Steamer  for  the 
benefit  of  the  rebel  guerrilla  bands. 

At  Memphis  the  Regt.  took  the  cars  for 
Corinth,  Miss.,  and  marched  to  Tuscumbia, 
Ala.,  crossed  the  river  at  Eastport  and  marched 
to  Chattanooga,  Tenn,  The  day  before  the 
battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  its  line  was  formed 
on  the  left  of  the  army,  and  on  the  morning  of 
the  battle,  it  took  the  first  line  of  works,  al 
though  later  in  the  day  the  heaviest  fighting 
was  on  the  right.  Nov.  24,  having  drawn  three 
days'  rations,  the  Regt.  started  to  relieve 
Burnside  at  Knoxville,  marching  over  a  portion 
of  country  that  had  been  scourged  by  two 
armies.  On  this  march,  after  fasting  24  hours, 
Mr.  Campbell  bought  a  piece  of  fat  pork, 
which  he  ate  without  any  other  food,  and  it 
made  him  sick;  he  soon  secured  some  corn 
bread  which  remedied  the  difficulty.  Becom 
ing  footsore  he  procured  a  horse  and  rode  with 
the  command  back  to  Chattanooga  and  was 
there  detailed  to  go  with  the  pontoon  train 
down  the  river  to  Bridgeport,  later  going  into 


camp  at  Larkinsville,  where  the  men  enlisted 
for  3  years  more.  Taking  a  furlough  for  30 
days,  he  went  home  to  Vandalia,  111.  The  first 
battle  after  re-enlistment  was  at  Snake  Creek 
Gap,  followed  by  actions  at  Resaca,  Dallas, 
Kenesaw,  Atlanta,  Ezra  Chapel,  Jonesboro, 
then  going  into  camp  at  Eastpoint.  The  com 
mand  then  followed  Hood  as  far  as  Rome, 
Ga. 

At  Vining  Station  the  men  voted  for  Presi 
dent  Lincoln.  A  start  was  then  made  on  the 
"March  to  the  Sea"  with  Gen.  Sherman.  The 
Div.  commanded  by  Gen.  Hazen,  opened  the 
line  of  communication  by  capturing  the  rebel 
Fort  McAllister,  at  Savannah.  On  boats  by 
sea,  Beaufort,  N.  C.,  was  reached  and  a  cam 
paign  through  the  Carolinas  was  entered  upon, 
during  which  on  Feb.  14,  the  men  waded  in  the 
swamp  part  of  the  day  with  water  up  to  their 
waists,  for  the  purpose  of  flanking  the  rebel 
line.  They  were  in  Columbia  the  night  it  was 
burned,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Ben- 
tonville,  and  then  moved  to  Goldsboro.  While 
here  a  soldier  insulted  an  elderly  lady,  for 
which  his  head  was  shaved  and  he  was  drum 
med  out  of  the  service.  They  followed  Gen. 
Johnston  and  occupied  Raleigh,  N.  C.  After 
Johnston's  surrender,  April  26,  the  command 
then  marched  through  Va.  to  Petersburg,  Rich 
mond,  and  Washington,  where  they  took  part 
in  the  grand  review.  From  there  they  were 
sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  then  to  Little  Rock, 
Ark.,  and  were  mustered  out  Aug.  17,  1865. 
Mr.  Campbell  served  three  years  as  a  private, 
and  when  re-enlisted  he  was  appointed  Orderly 
Sergt.  He  was  also  offered  a  brevet  Lieuten 
ancy.  After  the  war  Mr.  Campbell  resided  in 
Vandalia,  111.,  until  1867,  when  he  moved  to 
Minooka,  where  he  opened  a  harness  shop. 

He  was  married  Sept.  5,  1870,  to  Bell  Gif- 
ford,  of  Oberlin,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  John  N. 
Gifford,  a  retired  farmer.  They  have  a  family 
of  six  children;  Maude,  Dora,  Hattie,  Robert, 
Gertrude  and  John. 

Mr.  Campbell  votes  the  Republican  ticket, 
and  is  enrolled  in  Post  No.  494,  G.  A.  R.  His 
only  brother  was  in  the  service  and  suffered 
the  horrors  of  Andersonville. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


591 


CAPT.  G.  W.  B.  SADORUS,  of  Sadorus,  111., 
was  born  Dec.  31,  1838,  upon  his  father's 
farm,  situated  near  the  head  water  of  the 
Kaskaskia  River,  contiguous  to  the  present  site 
of  the  town  of  Sadorus.  His  father.  Wm.  Sa 
dorus,  removed  with  his  parents  to  that  locality 
in  1824,  from  Pa.,  the  family  being  an  honor 
able  specimen  of  Pa.  Dutch  stock,  as  also  de 
voted  patriots  to  their  country.  The  grandfather 
Henry  Sadorus,  was  an  old  soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812.  Our  subject  continued  upon  his 
father's  farm  until  1858,  when  he  entered  his 
father's  mercantile  business,  which  the  former 
conducted,  as  also  a  large  warehouse  and 
mill  business.  He  assisted  in  raising  a  Co., 
and  enlisted  himself  Aug,  12,  1862,  and  became 
a  Sergt.  in  Co.  E.,  I25th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  was 
promoted  to  Orderly  Sergt.,  Jan.  20,  1863,  and 
as  such  commanded  his  Co.,  receiving  his  com 
mission  as  Capt.  April  20,  1865,  which  was 
delayed  for  a  time,  as  communication  between 
Sherman's  army  and  the  north  had  been  inter 
rupted.  With  his  Regt.  he  proceeded  to  Cin 
cinnati,  thence  to  Covington,  and  later  to 
Louisville,  where  the  Regt.  was  Brigaded  with 
the  85th  111.,  86th  and  52nd  Ohio.  Our  gallant 
young  hero  has  good  reasons  to  remember  his 
first  greeting  in  the  historical  battle  of  Perry- 
ville,  fought  Oct.  8,  1862,  which  was  a  contest 
between  the  giants,  and  to  a  finish.  He  then 
started  in  pursuit  of  Bragg's  army,  and  as  his 
men  who  were  not  accustomed  to  army  life,  set 
out  carrying,  besides  other  impediments,  an 
extra  suit  of  clothing  each.  As  the  chase  upon 
which  they  were  engaged  demanded  constant 
action  we  soon  saw  the  "boys"  drop  by  the 
roadside  all  superfluous  clothing.  Bragg  was 
pursued  to  Cumberland  Gap,  then  the  I25th 
was  headed  for  Bowling  Green  and  Nashville, 
where  Gen.  Rosecrans  superseded  Buell  to  the 
command,  which  change  brought  rejoicing 
among  the  men  who  had  grown  exasperated  in 
being  led  by  a  Gen.  who  performed  his  move 
ments  in  a  carriage  with  his  servants,  as  does  a 
State  Gov.,  in  times  of  peace. 

Reaching  Edgefield,  Nov.  8,  they  established 
winter  quarters,  and  soon  were  under  command 
of  Gen.  Sheridan.  In  the  spring  of  1863,  the 


army  moved  across  the  Cumberland  River,  to 
below  Nashville,  where  Capt.  Sadorus  was  em 
ployed  upon  Provost  duty,  and  at  Nashville, 
and  in  guarding  supply  trains,  en  route  to  the 
main  army,  at  Murfreesboro,  until  Aug.  20,  1863, 
when  they  started  on  the  Chattanooga  campaign, 
marchingby  way  of  Franklin, Columbia,  Decatur, 
Athens  and  Turn,  then  crossed  the  country,  ar 
riving  at  Huntsville  Sept.  4,  1863,  crossed  the 
Tenn.  River  at  Bridgeport,  then  to  Lookout 
Mt.,  and  went  into  camp  at  Rossville,  with 
rations  for  three  days  only,  having  arrived 
several  days  in  advance  of  the  army  supplies. 
The  men  were  soon  compelled  to  go  foraging, 
whereupon  Gen.  Granger  issued  an  order,  stat 
ing  that  soldiers  caught  thereat,  should  be  hung 
up  by  the  thumbs  for  six  hours.  The  men's 
necessities  compelled  them  to  even  take  the 
chances  or  a  violation  of  the  order,  and  being 
discovered  were  subjected  to  this  terrible  pen 
alty.  Gen.  McCook  remonstrated  with  Granger 
at  the  inhuman  treatment,  but  without  avail. 
The  troops  became  mutinous,  rushed  for  Gran 
ger's  tent,  at  the  same  time  turning  a  battery 
upon  his  headquarters.  He,  seeing  the  des 
peration  of  the  men  with  whom  he  was  con 
fronted,  promptly,  and  covered  with  humilia 
tion,  abrogated  the  order,  and  had  the  men 
undergoing  such  barbarous  treatment  cut  down. 
This  occurred  upon  the  eve  of  the  great  battle 
of  Chickamauga,  and  caused  Granger  the  loss 
of  all  prestige  with  his  command,  therefore  he 
was  superceded  by  Gen.  Davis.  On  the  day 
preceding  the  battle  Capt.  Sadorus'  Regt.  was 
sent  out  to  locate  the  enemy.  It  surprised  him, 
captured  25  men,  and  lay  upon  their  arms  that 
night.  Early  the  following  morning  the  Corps 
was  ordered  to  Cumberland  Gap,  to  hold  that 
point,  and  at  2  o'clock  joined  in  the  general 
struggle,  repulsing  the  enemy,  who  was  attempt 
ing  to  take  a  position  in  the  rear  of  Thomas' 
army. 

On  the  2 ist  while  guarding  the  Gap,  a  rebel 
shell  exploded  directly  over  Capt.  Sadorus' 
head,  but  beyond  having  his  wits  almost  dis 
lodged  for  a  time,  sustained  little  other  injury. 
He  was  also  an  active  participant  in  the  battles 
of  Lookout  Mt.  and  Missionary  Ridge,  which 


592 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


lasted  from  the  23d  to  the  27th  Nov.  He  was 
next  in  the  engagement  at  Ringgold,  and  from 
there  started  for  Knoxville,  to  the  relief  of 
Burnside,  and  immediately  returned.  This  was 
one  of  the  hardest  marches  of  the  war,  and  the 
men  endured  more  suffering  from  cold  and 
hunger,  than  at  any  other  period  of  their  army 
life.  After  wintering  at  Gordon's  Mills,  our 
subject,  on  May  4,  1864,  started  upon  the  cele 
brated  Atlanta  campaign,  and  was  exposed  to 
the  enemy's  murderous  fire  in  the  battles  of 
Buzzard's  Roost,  Ringgold,  Resaca,  Rome, 
Kingston,  Dalton,  New  Hope  Church,  Kenesaw 
Mt.,  Chattahoochie  River,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
the  siege  and  battles  of  Atlanta,  and  Jonesboro. 
His  Regt.  entered  upon  the  campaign  with  449 
men,  and  at  its  close  only  206  were  to  be  found 
within  its  ranks.  In  the  short  space  of  20  min., 
lost  1 20  of  its  brave  and  patriotic  members,  in 
the  assault  upon  Kenesaw  Mt.  Capt.  Sadorus 
and  the  survivors  of  his  brave  band  went  into 
camp  at  Atlanta  upon  the  capture  of  that  place 
for  48  days.  Subsequently  they  were  ordered 
to  Huntsville  and  Athens,  Ala.,  by  train,  thence 
marched  across  *~he  country  to  Florence  where 
they  were  headed  off  by  Hood.  Returned  to 
Athens,  then  took  the  cars  for  Chattanooga, 
thence  marched  back  to  Atlanta.  Nov.  16,  his 
command  started  on  the  march  to  the  sea.  In 
due  time  Savannah  fell  into  the  Govt's  hands, 
and  accordingly  Capt.  Sadorus  started  north 
through  the  Carolinas  to  make  fresh  conquests. 
He  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Averysboro  and 
Bentonville,  which  was  his  last  experience  in 
actual  conflict.  Soon  after  he  started  for  Rich 
mond,  where  for  the  first  time  during  his  army 
service  he  was  taken  ill — having  been  smitten 
with  cholera  morbus.  He  recovered  in  time 
to  join  his  Regt.,  being  sent  with  the  sick  down 
the  James  River  to  Fortress  Monroe,  up  the 
Chesepeake  Bay  and  landed  at  Alexandria,  and 
then  participated  in  the  Grand  Review  at  Wash 
ington,  where  he  was  mustered  out  June  9, 
1865.  Subsequently  proceeded  to  Chicago  and 
was  finally  discharged  June  30,  1865.  Notwith 
standing  his  numerous  battles  and  many  ex 
posures  to  rebel  bullets,  causing  death,  and  the 
wounding  of  his  comrades,  all  around  him,  he 


emerged  from  the  war  without  a  scratch,  except 
two  slight  wounds  from  spent  balls. 

Returning  to  citizen  life  and  casting  all  wars 
behind  him,  Capt.  Sadorus  Dec.  24,  1865,  mar 
ried  Phcebe  J.  Brown,  and  six  children  have 
blessed  this  marriage;  one  died  in  infancy,  the 
others  are  living,  viz.:  William  Elmer,  Enos  B., 
Frank  Allen,  Warren  and  Mary  Edna.  Capt. 
Sadorus  is  an  active  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
an  exemplary  consistent  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  in  which  he  is  Steward,  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  Supt.  of  the  Sunday 
School.  He  was  a  Douglas  Democrat  on  enter 
ing  the  army,  but  soon  became  and  has  since 
continued  to  be  a  staunch  Republican. 


PROF.  A.  W.  WILLIAMSON,  of  Augustana 
College,  Rock  Island,  111.,  was  born  in 
Swift  Co.,  Minn.,  Jan.  31,  1838,  and  was 
the  son  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  S.  and  Margaret 
(Poage)  Williamson,  the  former  a  native  of  S. 
C.,  and  the  latter  of  Ky.  The  father  removed  to 
Minn,  in  May,  1835,  making  it  his  permanent 
home.  Our  subject  passed  his  boyhood  days 
in  his  native  State,  and  when  of  sufficient  age 
attended  the  public  schools.  Afterwards  stud 
ied  successively  at  Knox  College,  Galesburg, 
111., -and  Marietta  College,  Marietta,  O.,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1857,  and  completed 
his  education  at  the  University  of  Yale.  He  then 
engaged  in  teaching  at  which  he  continued  to 
be  employed  until  he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in 
the  Union  army  Jan.  17,  1862,  Co.  B.,  5th  Minn, 
Vol.  Inf.  After  organization,  his  Co.  was  sta 
tioned  at  Fort  Ridgely,  Minn,  to  keep  the  In 
dians  in  subjection.  Whilst  at  that  point  the 
Indian  outbreak  occurred  and  in  the  battles 
with  them  24  men  of  Co.  B.  were  killed,  besides 
8  severely  wounded.  Prof.  Williamson  while 
at  Fort  Ridgely  was  clerk  in  the  Quartermaster 
and  Commissary  Department  but  drilled  and 
fought  with  his  Co.  In  Nov.  they  rejoined 
their  Regt.  in  the  South,  and  with  it  in  the  fol 
lowing  spring,  participated  in  various  battles 
and  skirmishes  of  the  Vicksburg  and  other 
campaigns  as  also  in  the  assaults  and  siege  upon 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


593 


that  town,  continuing  before  the  city  until  its 
surrender.  He  was  mustered  in  as  a  private 
but  was  soon  promoted  to  Sergeant  and  held 
that  position  throughout  the  campaign  just  men 
tioned,  and  as  such,  owing  to  the  illness  of  his 
superior  officer,  was  at  times  in  command  of  his 
Co.  For  a  short  time  he  was  detached  in  charge 
of  one  or  more  mortar  boats  wherein  he  had 
command,  and  was  bombarding  the  city, 
when  the  "  Cincinnati"  made  its  attack  and 
was  sunk.  During  the  fall  of  1863,  and  win 
ter  of  1863-4,  his  Regt.  was  kept  in  pursuit 
of  the  rebel  Gen.  Forrest  and  his  command, 
and  when  not  engaged  in  active  battle  or 
skirmishes,  was  in  the  march  from  point  to 
point  minimizing  so  far  as  possible,  the  de 
structive  operations  of  that  portion  of  the 
enemy.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  was  again 
detached  and  transferred  to  the  recruiting  serv 
ice,  and  in  that  capacity  recruited  Co.  F., 
7ist  Inf.  (Col.  troops),  was  commissioned  2nd 
Lieut,  and  mustered  in  at  Alexandria,  La.,  March 
nth,  1864.  He  served  as  acting  regimental 
Quartermaster  for  one  month,  and  afterwards 
as  acting  Co.  commander,  until  the  consolida 
tion  of  the  Regt.,  with  the  70th  U.  S.  Col.  Inf. 
(he  becoming  a  Lieut,  of  Co.  D.)  in  Oct.,  same 
year,  at  Natchez,  Miss.  Much  of  his  time  was 
spent  as  junior  member  •  of  boards  of  survey. 
Shortly  he  was  appointed  Adjutant  of  Fort 
McPherson,  Natchez,  Miss.,  and  in  Dec.,  1864, 
as  Quartermaster  and  Commissary,  Freedmen's 
Bureau,  District  of  Natchez,  in  which  capacity 
he  served  until  disabled  by  swamp  fever,  being 
relieved  of  duty  in  Aug.,  1865.  He  nominally 
returned  to  duty  in  Nov.,  straightened  up  his 
business  as  Q.  M.  and  Commissary,  but  his 
system  was  shattered  to  such  a  degree  that 
any  active  exertion  at  once  disabled  him  for 
several  days,  and  he  was  mustered  out  with  his 
Regt.,  March  6,  1866.  Up  to  the  time  he  fell  a 
victim  to  swamp  fever,  he  never  lost  a  day 
from  duty  from  the  time  of  his  enlistment,  par 
ticipating  in  the  ranks  in  all  battles  and  skir 
mishes  in  which  his  Co.  was  engaged,  even 
when  he  was  on  detached  service.  As  did 
others  of  his  command,  he  often  marched  all 
day,  and  stood  guard  all  night,  notwithstanding 

37 


his  painful  sufferings  from  chills,  fever  and 
diarrhea.  The  performance  of  duty  while 
suffering  from  swamp  fever  so  shattered  his 
nervous  system,  that  he  was  unable  to  do  any 
thing  for  sometime  after  his  discharge.  In 
June,  1866,  he  took  up  the  study  of  law  in  Min 
neapolis,  until  August,  when  he  accepted  the 
position  of  Principal  of  Central  College,  Ohio, 
continuing  there  four  years.  Failing  health 
then  compelled  him  to  resign.  He,  subse 
quently,  temporarily  occupied  various  positions 
in  Minn.,  being,  part  of  the  time,  an  instructor 
in  the  State  University,  but  the  nervous  dis 
ease  contracted  in  the  Army  compelled  him  to 
discontinue  teaching  for  some  years,  and  he 
continued  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Sleepy 
Eye,  Minn.,  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  His 
health  being  sufficiently  regained,  he  resumed 
teaching.  He  was  Professor  at  Gustavus 
Adolphus  College,  St.  Peter,  Minn.,  from  1876 
to  1880,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  his 
present  prominent  position,  as  Professor  of 
Mathematics  and  Astronomy,  in  the  Augus- 
tana  College,  Rock  Island,  111.  He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  Buford  Post,  No.  242,  G.  A.  R.,  111.,  and 
as  an  educator,  his  excellent  reputation  is  not 
limited  by  the  bounds  of  his  State. 


NICHOLAS  GEORGE  VAN  SANT,  of  Sterling, 
111.,  the  son  of  John  Wesley  and  Lydia 
(Anderson)  VanSant,  was  born  at  Rock 
Island,  111.,  Nov.  22,  1,846.  The  elder  Van  Sant 
was  born  in  Burlington  Co.,  N.  J.,  June  9,  1810, 
and  was  descended  from  German  parentage. 
The  Anderson  family  to  which  his  wife  be 
longed  was  of  English  extraction.  The  pro 
genitors  of  both  of  these  families  were  among 
the  early  settlers  in  the  U.  S.  John  Wesley 
Van  Sant,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  was  by  profession  a  ship  carpenter  and 
worked  at  his  trade  in  N.  J.,  and  afterwards  in 
Rock  Island  in  1837,  where  they  resided  until 
1860,  when  they  removed  to  La  Clare,  Iowa, 
where  they  are  now  living.  Six  children  were 
the  fruits  of  his  marriage — Adam  C.,  Hester 
Ann,  Elias,  Samuel,  Nicholas  George  and  Nel 
lie.  Hester  Ann  married  T.  C.  Harris;  and 


594 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Nellie,  Thos.  B.  Taylor.  Mr.  Van  Sant  was  a 
pronounced  abolitionist,  and  took  great  inter 
est  in  the  dissemination  and  encouragement  of 
the  principles  of  his  doctrine.  Nicholas  George, 
as  a  boy,  remained  at  home  until  his  i6th  year, 
going  to  school  and  assisting  his  father  in  the 
operation  of  a  saw-mill,  and  in  boat  building,  as 
an  adjunct  of  his  regular  business.  His  father 
is  now  engaged  in  a  lumber  logging  and  towing 
business,  conducted  by  the  Van  Sant  &  Musser 
Towing  Co.,  and  the  Le  Clare  Navigation  Co., 
of  both  of  which  he  is  a  member, 

Nicholas  George,  in  1863,  when  but  16  years 
of  age,  entered  the  military  service  as  a  visitor 
of  the  Qth  111,  Cav,,  but  being  by  reason  of  his 
age  unable  to  muster,  remained  only  a  few 
months,  during  which  he  accompanied  the 
Regt,  on  several  scouting  expeditions.  Return 
ing  home  he  attended  school  during  the  fall 
term  of  1863.  His  strong  inclination  for  the 
military  service  finally,  in  Feb.,  1864,  resulted 
in  his  enlistment  in  Co.  A,  Qth  111.  Cav.,  joining 
his  Regt.  at  Memphis,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Harry  Berg.  Memphis  continued  for 
some  time  the  base  of  operations  for  the  fre 
quent  expeditions  in  which  the  gth  was  en 
gaged.  In  the  first  move  they  encountered  the 
enemy  in  a  sharp  engagement  at  Guntown, 
where  they  met  with  a  loss  in  killed  and  wound 
ed,  and  prisoners  of  thirty.  It  was  here  that 
Mr.  Van  Sant  first  experienced  a  battle.  Again 
on  July  10,  the  gth  was  engaged  in  action  at 
Tupello,  being  on  the  left  flank  and  hotly 
pressed  by  the  enemy.  In  the  battle  with  For 
rest  at  Hurricane  Creek,  the  Regt.  behaved  with 
great  galantry,  and  Mr.  Van  Sant  bore  himself 
like  the  true  soldier  he  ever  showed  himself  to 
be.  The  command  next  moved  on  to  Oxford, 
Miss.,  which  it  occupied  for  a  few  days,  when 
a  return  was  made  to  Memphis.  Removing 
their  base  of  operations  to  East  Tenn.,  they  met 
the  army  of  Gen.  Schofield  which  was  being  har"- 
rassed  by  Hood,  and  which  they  reinforced. 
An  engagement  followed  at  Campbellsville,  in 
which  the  Qth  shared  the  honors,  as  also  at 
Franklin,  where  it  was  for  some  time  subjected 
to  a  heavy  fire  and  considerable  suffering.  The 
Regt.  went  into  camp  at  Edgefield  until  the 


battle  of  Nashville,  in  which  it  took  an  active 
part,  afterwards  scouting  and  doing  picket  duty 
until  spring,  when  it  moved  on  to  Eastport  on 
the  Tenn.  River,  thence  to  Selma,  Ala.  Here 
did  police  and  guard  duty  until  mustered  out 
Oct.  31,  1865.  Mr.  Van  Sant  returned  home 
and  resumed  his  studies  first  at  Galesburg,  and 
then  at  Cornell  College  at  Mt.  Vernon,  la., 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the  spring  of 
1870.  He  became  associated  with  his  father  in 
the  lumber  and  boat  business  at  Le  Clare,  Iowa, 
in  which  he  continued  until  1872,  when  he  went 
to  Rock  Falls  and  began  business  on  his  own 
account,  which  he  has  since  successfully  con 
ducted.  He  carries  a  full  stock  of  lumber, 
coal,  and  all  kinds  of  moulding,  sash,  door  and 
building  accesories.  In  1883  he  purchased  a 
farm  of  142  acres  in  Montmorency  Township, 
which  he  devotes  specifically  to  raising  the 
finest  breeds  of  poultry,  swine,  etc.,  notably  the 
Poland  China,  and  Plymouth  Rock  varieties. 

He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
Post  No.  247,  of  Sterling,  of  which  he  is  the 
incumbent  Commander,  and  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  of 
its  Board  of  Trustees;  also  the  Superintendent 
of  a  Sunday  school  at  Montmorency,  which  he 
regularly  conducts,  and  in  which  he  takes  a 
special  pride.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 
He  was  married  at  Sterling,  Nov.  17,  1870,  to 
Ella  A.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Prudence 
(Goodrich)  Godder.  Her  mother  is  still  liv 
ing,  but  her  father  has  been  for  some  years 
deceased.  They  were  both  members  of  the 
older  families  of  Sterling,  and  came  originally 
from  N.  Y.  State.  Mrs.  Van  Sant  is  like  her 
husband,  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr. 
Van  Sant  as  soldier  and  merchant  has  demon 
strated  an  honorable  identity,  and  afforded  his 
generation  an  instance  of  incorruptable  man 
hood. 

DANIEL  D.  COOPER,  of  Belvidere,  111.,  was 
born  in  Bates  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  20,   1835, 
and    is  a    son    of    Henry    and    Phoebe 
(Snyder)  Cooper,  natives  of  the  same  State,  of 
English  descent,  who  were  the  parents  of  seven 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


595 


children,  viz.:  James  R.,  Daniel  D.,  George  W., 
Lavina,  Rebecca  Mariette,  and  Johanna.  Our 
subject  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  his  native 
State,  where  he  received  his  education.  When 
only  12  years  of  age  he  was  thrown  upon  his 
own  resources  and  compelled  to  hire  out  upon 
a  farm  and  earn  a  living  for  himself.  When  18 
years  of  age  he  went  to  Tioga  Co.,  Pa.,  but 
after  staying  there  seven  years,  returned  to  his 
former  home,  resuming  work  at  that  place. 
The  following  year  he  travelled  to  seek  his  for 
tunes  in  the  West,  and  at  last  struck  Belvidere. 
Here  he  engaged  upon  a  farm  until  the  war. 
The  handling,  however,  of  hay  forks  and  teams 
became  monotonous,  and  to  participate  in  more 
exciting  scenes,  to  the  war  he  would  go.  So  he 
enlisted,  during  the  first  days  of  the  month  of 
Aug.,  1861,  and  was  subsequently  mustered  into 
the  service  as  a  private  in  Co.,  I.,  37th,  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  at  Camp  Webb,  Sept.  18,  of  the  same  year. 
On  the  following  day  the  Regt.  left  for  St. 
Louis. 

It  next  proceeded  to  Boonville,  via  Sedalia 
and  Springfield;  the  rebels  retreating  from  the 
latter  town  on  its  approach.  It  went  into  camp 
at  Lamine  River,  where  it  was  joined  in  Feb. 
1862,  by  Capt.  Payne's  command  and  marching 
by  way  of  Cassville,  Mo.,  along  the  wire  road, 
skirmishing  all  the  way  with  the  retreating 
rebel  army  to  Sugar  Creek,  Ark.,  and  on  the  6th, 
7th,  and  8th,  of  March,  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Pea  Ridge,  where,  although  the  rebel  army 
outnumbered  that  of  the  Federal,  two  to  one, 
the  latter  gained  a  complete  victory  and  saved 
St.  Louis  from  Price's  grasp.  During  the 
second  day  from  10  A.  M.,  until  sundown,  Mr. 
Cooper's  Brigade  met  and  repulsed  the  on 
slaught  of  6,OOO  rebels  under  Gens.  McCul- 
loch  and  Mclntosh,  both  of  whom  were  killed 
in  front  of  his  Brig.  The  regimental  loss  was 
21  killed  and  114  wounded,  our  subject  being 
among  the  latter  number,  having  sustained  a 
slisfht  wound.  His  Regt.  was  then  stationed  at 

o  o 

Cassville  on  outpost  duty  and  guarded  the 
frontier  in  S.  W.  Mo.,  all  through  that  summer, 
having  frequent  fights  with  roving  bands  under 
Coffee  and  Quantrell.  Later  it  was  detailed  as 
guard  of  the  College  Military  Prison  at  Spring 


field,  constructed  a  stockade  and  otherwise 
fortifying  the  town.  In  the  last  days  of  Oct., 
it  wras  again  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  proceed 
ing  to  Pond  Springs,  drove  the  rebels  out  of 
Newtonia,  thence  to  Gadfly,  thence  to  Hunts- 
ville,  Ark,  arriving  Oct.  20th.  Two  days  later 
they  started  in  the  evening  for  Bentonville, 
marched  all  night,  passed  through  Cross  Hol 
lows,  Osage  Springs,  and  marched  again  on  the 
night  of  the  27th  surprised  the  rebels  at  day 
light  at  Fayetteville,  Ark.,  took  some  prison 
ers  and  retired  to  Osage  Springs.  The  Regt. 
continued  the  chase  of  the  enemy  from  place 
to  place,  and,  owing  to  its  rapid  and  continuous 
movements,  gained  the  sobriquet  of  "The 
111.  Greyhounds."  Whilst  at  Camp  Lyon,  Mo., 
it  was  ordered  to  the  relief  of  Gen.  Blunt,  be 
sieged  at  Sugar  Hill  and  reached  that  point,  112 
miles,  in  three  days,  the  last  ten  miles  being 
covered  on  the  double  quick. 

On  the  following  morning  it  engaged  the 
enemy  at  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  which  lasted  all 
day,  and  was  one  of  the  most  hotly  contested 
and  bloody  battles  of  the  war,  considering  the 
number  engaged;  the  37th  lost  about  one-sev 
enth  of  its  number  in  killed  and  wounded.  It 
spent  the  winter  in  marching  from  place  to  place 
in  M'o.  and  Ark.,  having  numerous  skirmishes 
with  the  enemy,  and  in  April  going  to  St.  Louis, 
then  to  Cape  Girardeau,  where  it  again  engaged 
the  enemy,  single-handed,  and  drove  them  across 
the  country  to  Chalk  Bluffs,  then,  returning  to 
St.  Louis,  proceeded  to  Vicksburg.  Here  Mr. 
Cooper  was  detailed  to  the  heavy  Art.  service, 
and  fought  every  day  for  three  weeks,  without 
once  taking  off  his  shoes  or  clothing.  July  15, 
1863,  the  Regt.  proceeded  to  Yazoo  City,  which 
it  captured  after  a  desperate  fight,  taking  many 
prisoners;  returning,  then,  to  Vicksburg,  thence 
to  Port  Hudson,  afterwards  to  New  Orleans, 
where  it  was  reviewed  by  Gen.  Grant,  and  sub 
sequently  moved  to  Morganzia,  from  which  point 
it  pursued  the  rebel,  Dick  Taylor,  and  Gen. 
Green's  forces  west  of  Atchafalya  River.  Sept. 
29  it  met  the  rebel  force  near  Morgan's  Bend, 
utterly  routed  them,  and  in  the  following  month 
returned  to  New  Orleans.  In  the  same  month 
the  Brig,  embarked  for  Texas,  took  possession 


596 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


of  Brownsville,  and  was  also  employed  until 
winter,  when,  having  re-enlisted,  the  men  were 
granted  a  furlough.  Returning,  the  boys  joined 
the  Regt.  at  Chicago,  and  proceeded  to  Mem 
phis,  and  afterwards  went  on  the  Red  River 
campaign,  and  thence  to  Natchez.  Subsequently 
it  was  detailed  to  New  Orleans,  then  proceeded 
over  the  swamps  to  Fort  Blakely.  During  the 
latter  action,  April  9,  1865,  Mr.  Cooper  had 
his  left  arm  broken  in  16  places,  neces 
sitating  its  amputation  at  the  shoulder.  The 
next  day  he  was  transported  over  a  cordu 
roy  road  in  an  ambulance  to  Mobile  Bay, 
where  he  lay  stretched  on .  the  beach,  hov 
ering  between  life  and  death,  during  the  entire 
long  and,  to  him,  memorable  and  painful  night. 
From  here  he  was  sent  to  the  St.  Louis  hospi 
tal,  at  New  Orleans,  and  subsequently  home  to 
Belvidere,  arriving  June  7,  1865. 

Whilst  absent  on  furlough,  in  1864,  he  mar 
ried  Huldah  Carmichael,  April  7,  1864,  a  daugh 
ter  of  James  B.  Lanning. 

Mr.  Cooper,  when  able,  engaged  in  farming 
near  Belvidere,  and  continued  so  employed  un 
til  1869,  when  he  removed  to  Belvidere,  where 
he  followed  different  vocations  until  1872,  and 
was  then  elected  City  Marshal  for  the  town, 
and  Chief  of  Police,  which  he  held  for  six 
years,  when  he  resigned,  and  has  since  been 
otherwise  engaged.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Bap 
tist  Church,  and  of  Post  No.  164,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
votes  as  he  shot,  for  the  Republicans,  of  course. 

COLONEL  J.  P.  SANDFORD,  of  Wheaton,  Ill.( 
the  popular  lecturer,  was  born  at  Romu- 
laus,  Seneca  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  11,  1837. 
He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Sanford.  His 
excellent  education  was  completed  at  Iowa 
University.'  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  H., 
2nd  Iowa  Cav.,  at  Iowa  City,  July,  1861.  He 
was  promoted  from  time  to  time,  until  at  length 
he  became  Captain  of  his  Co.  He  was  engaged 
during  his  term  of  enlistment,  in  active  service. 
At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  was  in  command  of 
the  47th  Iowa  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  out  in 
Sept.,  1865.  Shortly  after  his  return  home,  he 


became  engaged  in  lecturing,  and  to-day  is  one 
of  the  most  popular  lecturers  in  this  country. 
No  man  of  the  day  has  traveled  more  ex 
tensively  than  he,  and  in  the  art  of  presenting 
humorous  lectures  on  travels  in  all  lands,  he  is 
probably  without  a  peer.  He  has  over  16  years' 
reputation,  and  to-day  stands  in  the  first  rank. 
His  witticisms  are  irresistible,  while  his  full, 
clear  accent,  natural  eloquence,  and  acute  com 
prehension  of  human  nature  stamp  him  as  one 
of  the  most  interesting  speakers  and  popular 
lecturers  of  the  day.  The  extent  of  his  travels 
can  be  appreciated  when  we  state  that  he  has 
crossed  the  Atlantic  Ocean  nineteen  times,  cir 
cumnavigated  the  entire  globe,  thrice,  and  lit 
erally  dined  in  every  kingdom,  empire,  and 
Republic  on  the  globe.  The  press  and  other 
testimonials  which  he  has  received  would  alone 
fill  a  large  volume.  He  is  of  fine  personal  ap 
pearance  and  commanding  address.  Intellect 
and  energy  are  suggested  in  all  his  features. 
Always  ready  to  give  more  than  he  receives, 
ever  anxious  to  do  all  the  good  he  can  for 
others,  he  goes  from  city  to  city,  and  from  land 
to  land  entertaining  the  audiences  he  appears 
before  with  accounts  of  his  extensive  travels, 
instructing  them  from  his  large  store  of 
knowledge.  Col.  Sanford  may  well  be  called 
the  world's  preat  traveler  and  humorist. 


THOMAS  B.  MANNING,  of  Momence,  111.,  was 
born  in  Trowbridge,  Wiltshire  Co.,  Eng 
land,  July  29,  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  Wil 
liam  and  Sarah  (Blair)  Manning,  natives  of  the 
same  place.  Thomas  grew  to  manhood  in 
England,  having  received  an  education  in  the 
public  schools  in  his  native  country,  then  was 
apprenticed  to  the  carpenter  and  joiner  trade, 
which  he  completed.  He  left  the  shores  of 
"Old  England"  April  10,  1852,  and  landed  in 
N.  Y.  City.  He  engaged  at  his  trade  soon  after 
landing,  and  there  continued  for  3  years,  when 
he  went  West,  locating  first  in  Chicago  for  3 
years,  then  finally  removing  to  Momence,  111., 
where  has  since  made  his  home. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


597 


He  joined  the  U.  S.  army  in  the  early  days  of 
the  late  rebellion,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a 
private  in  Co.  H.,  ;6th  111.  Vol,  Inf.,  at  Kanka- 
kee,  Aug.  22,  1862.  The  Regt.  remained  at  its 
place  of  organization  for  a  few  days,  engaged 
at  drilling  and  obtaining  an  insight  into  army 
movements,  and  were  ordered  to  Columbus, 
Ky.,  where  the  men  were  armed.  They  continued 
at  this  point  until  Oct.  4,  when  they  proceeded 
to  Bolivar,  Tenn.;  were  there  under  fire  from 
the  enemy,  and  after  a  month's  camping  moved 
to  La  Grange,  at  which  point  they  joined  Gen. 
Grant's  command,  and  participated  in  his  cam 
paign  along  the  Miss.  Central  R.  R.,  and  did  their 
part  in  driving  Price's  army  Southwest.  Con 
tinuing  the  march  Southward,  it  halted  near 
Springdale,  until  Dec.  22,  when  news  reached 
them  that  the  rebel  Gen.  Van  Dorn  had  cap 
tured  Holly  Springs,  and  destroyed  a  large 
quantity  of  supplies,  and  cut  off  all  communi 
cation  with  the  North.  Then  the  command 
was  immediately  "  about  faced  "  and  proceeded 
Northward,  reached  Holly  Springs,  which  they 
occupied  Jan.  5,  1863,  and  there  witnessed 
many  extensive  conflagrations.  In  leaving  the 
place  the  /6th  was  the  last  to  pass  out  and 
moved  on  to  Moscow,  where  it  remained  until 
Feb.  5,  then  to  La  Fayette,  and  subsequently 
to  Memphis,  Tenn.  May  13,  it  proceeded  down 
the  river  on  board  the  "Fort  Wayne,"  and 
whilst  en  route,  was  fired  upon  by  guerrillas 
from  the  Arkansas  shore,  wounding  two  men 
and  disabling  the  boat,  which  was  towed  down 
the  river  to  Young's  Point,  La.,  where  the  men 
landed. 

The  Regt.  shortly  afterwards  proceeded  by 
boat  to  Chickasaw  Bayou,  and  subsequently  as 
sisted  in  closing  up  the  lines  around  Vicksburg, 
until  after  the  charge,  when  it  was  placed  on 
the  left  of  the  besieging  lines,  and  bravely  held 
its  place  close  under  the  rebel  guns  until  the 
final  surrender,  July  4,  and  on  the  following 
day  moved  with  Sherman's  army  against  Jack 
son,  skirmishing  with  the  rebels  at  Big  Black 
River.  Then  followed  the  conflict  of  Jackson, 
\vhere  it  was  engaged  from  the  I2th  to  the  i6th 
of  July.  Leaving  Jackson  a  few  days  later  Mr. 
Manning's  Regt.  proceeded  to  Vicksburg,  then 


moved  to  Natchez,  afterwards  returned  to 
Vicksburg,  going  into  camp  at  Cowan,  then  to 
Camp  Hebron,  and  from  there  proceeded  with 
Sherman's  army  on  the  Meridian  campaign,  and 
was  on  the  continual  move  until  March  4,  1864, 
and  returning,  went  to  the  vicinity  of 
Vicksburg. 

During  the  Meridian  campaign  which  lasted 
31  days,  he  had  skirmishes  almost  daily  with 
the  rebels.  May  4th,  it  moved  for  Yazoo  City 
and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Benton,  Vaughn's 
Station,  Deasonville,  and  drove  the  enemy  from 
Yazoo  City;  then  returned  to  Vicksburg,  again 
joining  in  the  Jackson  expedition.  Encounter 
ing  the  enemy,  had  a  sharp  battle  July  6th, 
which  was  renewed  on  the  7th,  when  the  Regt. 
became  detached  from  the  main  body  of  troops 
but  cut  its  way  out,  sacrificing  however,  102 
in  killed  and  wounded,  and  returned  to  Vicks 
burg  much  fatigued.  It  was  during  the  same 
month,  transported  by  boat  to  Morganzia,  then 
to  port  Hudson,  and  then  landed  and  marched 
with  five  days'  rations,  night  and  day  to  Clinton, 
but  the  rebels  fled  before  the  approaching 
Union  troops. 

It  then  returned  to  Morganzia,  arriving  Aug. 
29th,  footsore  and  weary.  Subsequently  it  pro 
ceeded  toMemphis, then  to  DuVall's  Bluff,  where 
it  assisted  in  building  log  cabins,  which  it  was 
forced  to  abandon  and  return  to  Memphis,  from 
there  to  New  Orleans,  arriving  Jan.  4,  1865,  and 
there  continuing  for  several  weeks.  It  next 
proceeded  by  transport  for  Fort  Barrancas, 
Fla.,  then  to  Pensacola,  and  March  20th,  joined 
in  the  campaign  to  Spanish  Fort,  traveling 
through  pine  swamps,  necessitating  corduroy 
ing  the  quicksand  roads,  for  a  distance  of  42 
miles,  and  whilst  on  this  march  fought  Gen. 
Clarendon,  whose  command  was  either  killed 
or  captured,  besides  having  many  severe  skir 
mishes.  Spanish  Fort  was  captured  April 
gth,  and  the  same  day  the  76th  participated  in 
the  battle  of  Fort  Blakely,  capturing  the  whole 
garrison,  and  was  the  first  to  plant  its  colors  on 
the  enemy's  works,  losing,  however,  in  the  en 
gagement,  17  killed  and  81  wounded.  Mr. 
Manning  and  his  Regt.  were  then  transported 
to  Mobile,"  where  they  did  guard  and  picket 


598 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


duty,  then  moved  to  Selma,  afterwards  back  to 
Mobile,  and  later  to  Galveston,  Texas,  where 
they  remained  doing  guard  duty  until  mustered 
out,  July  22,  and  ordered  to  Chicago,  and  there 
finally  discharged  and  disbanded  Aug.  5, 
1865.  Mr.  Manning  then  returned  to  Momence 
and  resumed  his  former  trade.  He  was  mar 
ried  on  the  22nd  of  March,  1852,  to  Ann  Bar- 
naby,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Davis) 
Barnaby,  and  five  children  have  resulted  from 
the  union,  viz.:  Nelson  B.,  locomotive  engineer, 
of  San  Francisco,  Cal.;  William  Henry,  travel 
ing  salesman;  Sarah  A.,  Frank  B.,  traveling 
salesman;  and  Mary  J.,  wife  of  Robert  Blake. 

In  arriving  in  the  U.  S.  Mr.  Manning  was, 
like  the  great  majority  of  emigrants,  without 
means;  he  had  however  other  resources  quite 
as  important,  namely,  a  good  trade,  ambition, 
and  energy,  which  he  never  hesitated  to  use, 
and  by  his  industry,  honesty  and  ability,  has 
won  for  himself  a  position  of  respectability, 
and  a  character  for  uprightness,  of  which  he 
has  every  reason  to  be  proud.  In  politics  he  is 
an  uncompromising  Republican.  He  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Gen.  Scott,  1852,  voted  for  Fre 
mont  in  1856,  and  subsequently  for  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  has  never  neglected  voting  for  the 
Republican  nominee. 

He  has  held  the  positions  of  Toxvnship 
Collector,  Road  Supervisor,  and  Judge  of 
Election.  He  is  a  member  of  Wooster  Post, 
No.  627,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is  Chaplain.  He 
and  family  are  consistent  members  of  the  Epis 
copal  Church,  and  are  people  who  are  much 
respected  in  the  district  in  which  they  reside. 


GEORGE  HENRY  STONE,  of  Neponset,  111., 
who  lived  in  Westboro,  Mass.,  until  he 
nearly  attained  his  majority,  was  born 
in  that  place  Oct.  4,  1840.  In  the  prosecution 
of  his  studies  he  had  passed  through  the  high 
school,  when  in  1860,  he  accompanied  his 
brother,  who  was  visiting  the  East,  to  the  West 
and  settled  at  Toulon,  Stark  Co.,  111.,  where  in 
June,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  igth  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Chicago  June  I7th, 
1 86 1,  for  three  years'  service. 


The  first  movement  was  to  operate  against 
rebels  in  Mo.,  marching  from  Palmyra  to  St. 
Louis,  and  then  to  Pilot  Knob  and  back  to  St. 
Louis.  The  Regt.  was  then  moved  to  Bird's 
Point,  where  it  embarked  for  a  return  to  St. 
Louis.  \t  was  ordered  into  Ky.  opposite  Cairo, 
and  took  train  for  Washington  via  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  On  the  first  day  out  the  2nd  Div.  of 
the  train  went  through  a  bridge  and  almost  all 
of  Co.  I  were  lost,  with  many  other  men.  The 
dead  and  wounded  were  conveyed  to  Cincin 
nati,  where  the  citizens  received  them,  burying 
the  dead  and  providing  for  the  wounded.  The 
Regt.  went  into  camp  here  two  weeks,  and 
then  was  sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  from 
there  to  Lebanon.  Under  Gen.  Mitchell,  it  in 
succession  saw  Huntsville,  Florence  and  Athens. 
One  time  on  this  expedition  Mr.  Stone  was 
detailed  to  go  to  Athens  as  conductor  with  a 
train  of  cars,  and  had  Fred  Whitaker  and  a 
colored  man  for  brakemen. 

The  i8th  Ohio  held  the  city,  and  as  Stone 
reached  his  destination  he  saw  their  Regt.  re 
tiring,  but  as  no  guns  had  been  fired,  he  tele 
graphed  to  Gen.  Mitchell,  who  came  on  a 
special  train,  and  when  he  saw  the  situation 
gave  orders  for  the  trains  to  pull  out  with  all 
speed.  On  reaching  a  bridge  it  was  discovered 
to  be  on  fire  with  John  Morgan's  men  in  pos 
session.  The  engineer  opened  the  throttle,  put 
on  all  the  steam  possible,  and  rushed  across 
through  the  flames  and  the  fire  of  the  rebel 
bullets.  The  train  following  went  through  the 
bridge  and  was  destroyed  with  the  U.  S.  mail. 
Some  Regts.  were  gathered,  returned  to  Athens, 
and  burned  the  town,  for  which  act  the  Colonel 
was  censured.  Here  the  igth  was  detailed  to 
guard  the  railroad,  and  was  left  on  that  duty 
when  the  army  was  withdrawn  from  that  local 
ity.  This  fact  the  men  did  not  learn  until  three 
days  afterwards,  when  they  took  a  train  to  re 
join  their  Co.  On  this  trip  Mr.  Stone  was  sit 
ting  in  the  door  of  a  car  with  others  when  he 
saw  some  horses  tied  to  a  tree  near  Pulaski, 
and  soon  the  train  was  fired  into  and  thrown 
from  the  track.  Here  600  rebels  attacked  the 
125  Union  soldiers,  but  the  rebels  soon  ran, 
leaving  the  boys  to  get  the  engine  righted.  By 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


599 


repairing  the  bridge  with  cotton  bales  from  the 
train,  this  detachment  finally  reached  Nashville 
and  reported  to  Gen.  Negley. 

A  Mrs.  Hardin  out  on  the  Hardin  pike 
asked  for  a  guard  to  protect  her  property. 
The  Gen.  said  if  a  guard  was  sent  out  it  would 
be  captured,  but  she  assured  him  that  it  would 
not.  He  said  if  the  men  were  taken  he  would 
send  out  3  Regts.  to  live  on  the  products  of 
the  plantation.  The  men  were  captured  the 
second  night  they  were  on  guard,  as  the  Gen 
eral  predicted.  So  he  sent  out  the  iQth  with 
other  regiments  to  subsist  on  the  plantation  as 
he  said  he  would  do. 

The  Regt.  remained  at  Nashville  until  the 
battle  of  Stone  River  in  which  it  was  engaged. 
At  Murfrcesboro  Mr.  Stone  was  detailed  to 
serve  at  Div.  headquarters  in  Gen.  Negley's 
Div.,  when  he  took  charge  of  the  ammunition 
train,  his  duty  being  to  issue  ammunition  to 
the  brigades. 

At  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mt,  he  went  in 
the  night  in  charge  of  two  wagons  of 
ammunition  to  the  General.  The  night  before 
the  battle  at  Chickamauga  his  train  was  in  two 
sections  when  he  went  into  camp.  In  the  dark 
ness  of  the  night  orders  came  to  move  up,  and 
in  so  doing  he  became  entangled  in  the  rebel 
skirmish  line  which  happened  to  be  in  front  of 
his  Regt.;  here  one  of  the  boys  perceiving  the 
situation  piloted  him  out  although  the  rebels 
had  opened  fire  upon  him.  Gen.  Rosecrans 
noting  this  ordered  him  clown  the  hill  to  the 
rear, .and  the  next  morning  as  the  army  fell 
back  the  train  was  nearly  stampeded,  but  all 
was  safely  removed  except  one  wagon,  which, 
when  the  boys  moved  forward  again,  they  found 
just  where  it  was  needed  to  replenish  their 
cartridge  boxes  and  turn  the  tide  of  battle. 

The  Regt.  was  at  one  time  holding  a  spring 
which  the  rebels  were  very  eager  to  secure, 
and  during  the  fight  to  maintain  possession, 
one  of  the  boys  by  the  name  of  Pike  assumed 
the  disguise  of  a  rebel  officer,  and  rode  into 
the  rebel  picket  lines  and  ordered  the  men  to 
fall  back,  which  they  did.  The  deception  was 
soon  discovered  and  the  rebels  in  pursuit  un 
horsed  him  just  outside  of  the  Union  lines. 


He  had  a  16  shooter  and  emptying  several 
saddles,  finally  made  his  escape.  That  night 
the  men  burned  piles  of  rails  in  many  places 
to  give  the  rebels  the  impression  that  there  was  a 
large  force  opposed  to  them.  They  held  this 
position  against  heavy  odds  until  reinforce 
ments  arrived  and  the  enemy.was  driven  back. 
The  whole  line  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  where  the  rebels  outnumbered 
the  Union  soldiers  four  to  one.  Arriving  at 
Chattanooga  the  Regt.  lay  there  for  some 
time,  and  the  supplies  having  been  cut  off, 
many  of  the  men,  it  is  stated  on  good  author 
ity,  ate  meat  from  mules  that  had  died  of 
starvation. 

Mr.  Stone  had  been  sick  for  some  time,  but 
had  remained  on  duty  rather  than  go  to  the 
hospital,  but  here  he  was  reduced  to  85  pounds 
in  weight  and  so  weak  he  could  not  move  about. 
He  then  got  better,  and  becoming  hungry  he  suc 
ceeded  in  stealing  a  sack  of  corn  and  buying  a 
beef's  liver  for  $1.50.  He  lived  on  this  supply 
for  a  time  and  became  quite  hearty.  Before 
this  he  had  been  offered  a  discharge  on  account 
of  his  feeble  condition. 

After  taking  part  in  the  engagements  at 
Mission  Ridge  and  Resaca,  the  term  of  en 
listment  expired  and  the  men  started  homeward, 
receiving  their  discharge  papers  in  Chicago. 
Mr.  Stone  was  mustered  out  July  9,  1864. 

Returning  to  Toulon  Mr.  Stone  went  into 
business.  In  1868  he  was  married  to  Hannah 
Hilckins,  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Huckins,  of 
Neponset,  111.  Two  years  later  he  moved  to 
Neponset,  where  he  has  resided  since,  except 
ing  about  two  years'  absence  at  Stewart,  Iowa, 
and  one  year  in  Chicago.  In  1889  he  was  ap 
pointed  Postmaster.  Holds  the  office  of  Com 
mander  of  the  W.  S.  Bryan  Post,  284,  G.  A. 
R.,  and  has  been  Jr.  V.  C.  and  Sr.  V.  C.,  and 
discharged  the  duties  of  other  offices  in  the 
Post. 

Mr.  Stone  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
has  filled  the  office  of  Collector  of  the  Town 
ship  and  Constable.  His  family  consists  of  two 
sons  and  three  daughters,  who  may  be  enume 
rated  as  follows:  William,  a  young  man  living 
in  the  home  town;  Charles  E.,  Effie  a  young 


6oo 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


lady  who  has  officiated  as  assistant  Postmaster, 
but  is  now  devoted  to  the  study  of  music;  Lucy 
M.,  who  is  assisting  her  father  in  the  Postoffice; 
Ethel  Maud,  a  young  girl  in  school. 

Mr.  Stone  recalls  the  following  incident  in 
his  experience:  At  one  time  the  great  guer 
rilla,  John  Morgan,  came  into  Elizabethtown, 
Ky.,  and  passed  6*utby  the  Post  that  Mr.  Stone 
was  guarding.  He  was  disguised  as  a  planter 
in  homespun  clothes,  and  had  a  pass  properly 
signed.  When  he  passed  through  all  right  he 
turned  back  and  gave  Mr.  Stone  a  flask  of 
whiskey,  saying,  as  he  bade  him  good  bye, 
"  accept  this  from  John  Morgan,"  and  putting 
spurs  to  his  horse  was  soon  hidden  from  sight 
among  the  trees.  It  was  a  common  thing  for 
Morgan  to  come  disguised  into  camp  to  witness 
the  drill  of  the  iQth  regiment,  for  which  he  had 
a  great  admiration,  and  which  had  the  reputa 
tion  of  being  the  best  drilled  Regt.  in  that  part 
of  the  army. 


JW.  PERRY,  of  Maiden,  was  born  at  Clays- 
ville,  Ohio,  July  23,  1843,  and  is  a  son 
•  of  John  and  Martha  Perry.  The  father 
was  a  prosperous  merchant,  therefore,  the  son 
concluded,  wisely  as  is  now  apparent,  to  en 
gage  in  the  same  business — after  he  had  left 
school — and  was  so  employed  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  war.  In  the  summer  of  1862,  the  whole 
population  of  the  U.  S.  who  continued  loyal  ^to 
the  Govt.,  grew  restless  and  excited.  Young 
Perry,  whose  heart  beat  with  patriotic  pride 
was  among  those  that  concluded  that  the 
autonomy  of  the  Govt.  and  its  institutions 
should  be  preserved,  even  if  he  should  sacrifice 
his  young  life  in  the  cause  he  so  forcibly  advo 
cated.  He  accordingly  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army,  Aug.  2,  1862,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a 
private  in  Co.  B,  9/th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.  Leaving 
a  comfortable,  happy  home,  he  set  out  with 
his  Regt.  to  meet  the  fates  which  the  gods  of 
war  should  decree  to  be  his  portion.  The 
Regt.  drilled  and  proceeded  first  to  Covington, 
Ky.,  thence  to  Louisville,  and  during  the  fol 
lowing  14  months  took  a  prominent  part  in  the 


battles  of  Perryville,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga 
and  Mission  Ridge,  besides  many  other 
smaller  engagements  and  numerous  skirmishes. 
At  the  last  named  battle,  which  occurred 
Nov.  25th,  1863,  Mr.  Perry  was  struck  in  the 
left  shoulder  by  a  rebel  bullet,  shattering  many 
bones  and  rendering  him  powerless.  He  lay 
in  this  condition  upon  the  field  which  he  so 
bravely  and  courageously  fought  to  save  for  a 
night  and  a  day,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that 
time  only  received  relief  in  the  shape  of  being 
removed  and  protected  from  the  cold,  and  nine 
days  elapsed  before  the  merciless  ball  which 
caused  his  wound  was  extracted.  He  lay  in 
the  hospital  first  at  Chattanooga,  then  Nashville, 
Louisville,  and  Madison,  Ind.,  successively,  in 
all  9  months;  his  young  spirit,  meanwhile, 
hovering  between  life  and  death,  with  every 
indication  to  his  family  and  friends  that  the 
final  result  would  incline  toward  the  latter. 
He  had,  however,  in  the  fearful  conflict  that 
was  being  waged  in' his  physical  condition, 
marshalled  on  the  side  of  a  favorable  issue, 
health,  strength  and  youth,  able  and  successful 
combatants  in  such  a  struggle,  and  fortunately 
the  contest  so  often  won  by  this  combination, 
was  again  repeated  in  young  Perry's  case. 
After  indications  looking  favorably  toward  his 
his  recovery  presented  themselves,  he  was  re 
turned  to  Camp  Dennison,  Ohio,  and  then 
discharged  from  the  army  July  8,  1864,  when 
he  returned  to  his  parental  roof,  completely 
broken  in  health  and  a  constant  sufferer.  Dur 
ing  his  period  in  the  hospital  and  for  some 
months  afterward,  pieces  of  bone  were  being 
cast  off  from  time  to  time  through  the  wound 
caused  by  the  bullet,  and  these  discharges  did 
not  discontinue  until  28  pieces  of  bone  had 
come  away  through  the  wound.  The  opening 
having  healed,  he  slowly  recovered  and  assisted 
in  his  father's  shop,  and  in  1869,  removed  to 
Maiden  and  started  a  general  store  on  his  own 
account.  Being  possessed  of  a  good  business 
training,  with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  busi 
ness,  to  which  he  had  been  carefully  trained  by 
his  father,  his  business  commenced  to  grow 
and  increase  in  volume  and  has  steadily  gone 
forward,  to  the  present  time,  when  he  com- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


601 


mands  one  of  the  largest  and  most  successful 
trades  in  the  county  in  which  he  lives. 

Mr.  Perry  married  Harriet  Nevin,  of  Cam 
bridge,  Ohio,  Sept.  12,  1871,  by  whom  he  has 
three  children — Mattie  E.,  John  N.,  and  Wil 
liam  W.  He  a  is  Mason,  a  Knight  Templar,  and 
a  member  of  Post  No.  308,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Prince 
ton.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


M 


ATTHEW  G.  KENNEDY,  of  Galesburg,  111., 
was  born  at  Holly  Cross,  County  Tip- 
perary,  Ireland,  July  12,  1843.  His  pa 
rents  were  Thomas  and  Mary  Kennedy.  He 
was  one  of  7  children,  of  which  there  were  four 
boys,  one  of  whom  died  from  the  effects  of  a 
burn  received  at  Chicago  when  the  house  oc 
cupied  by  his  parents  was  on  fire.  This  was 
soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  family  in  this 
country.  The  other  three  sons  grew  to  man 
hood  and  were  in  the  military  service  of  the 
Union  army  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion.' 

Matthew  G.,  the  eldest  of  the  three  sons,  is 
the  only  survivor  of  the  family,  except  his 
father,  who  is  still  living  in  Warren  Co.,  and 
one  sister  in  Cairo,  111.  Both  John  and  Pat,  the 
two  brothers  of  Matthew,  were  members  of  Co. 
H,  47th  111.  Inf.  John  became  a  Sergt.  and 
\vas  for  some  time  on  duty  as  a  marine.  He 
was  killed  on  the  Santa  Fe  R.  R.  at  Topeka, 
Kan.  Pat  died  in  1891,  at  the  Soldiers'  Home, 
at  Quincy,  111. 

Matthew  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  en 
listed  in  Co.  K,  nth  111.  Cav.,  commanded  by 
"Bob"  Ingersoll.  He  participated  in  the  san 
guinary  battle  at  Shiloh,  thence  proceeding  to 
Corinth,  where  Co.  K.  was  constituted  a  body 
guard  to  Gen.  Lew.  Wallace,  accompanying  him 
to  Memphis  and  thence  to  Vicksburg,  scouting 
through  Miss,  and  Ark.,  and  subsequently  going 
with  Sherman's  army  to  Meridian,  Miss.  They 
had  a  battle  with  the  enemy  at  Jackson.  Here 
the  Cav.  charged  the  rebel  Art.,  and  a  Lieut,  of 
the  enemy,  mounting  one  of  the  guns  of  his 
battery,  shot  the  horse  of  Lieut.  Col.  Otto 
Funk,  that  officer,  however,  escaping  unhurt. 
The  Regt.  went  on  a  raid  after  this  to  Enter 


prise,  Miss.,  where  the  garrison  was  placed  on 
a  railway  locomotive  just  as  they  came  in  sight, 
upon  which  they  all  escaped,  except  the  fire 
man,  who  returned  and  surrendered  himself  a 
prisoner. 

Returning  thence  to  Vicksburg,  they  went 
on  a  raid  into  Ark.,  where  for  weeks  they  waded 
through  water  up  to  their  horses'  knees.  On 
one  of  their  expeditions  they  noticed  a  solitary 
horseman  in  the  road  above  them,  who,  when 
they  rode  out  after  him,  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and 
went  at  full  speed  in  the  direction  of  a  valley. 
Pursuing  him,  they  came  upon  a  large  force  of 
the  enemy,  and  had  two  of  their  men  shot,  whom 
they  were  obliged  to  abandon. 

During  their  sojourn  at  Memphis  the  Regt. 
went  on  a  reconnoissance  to  Holly  Springs, 
Miss,  where  they  took  several  hundred  negroes 
and  their  baggage,  and  on  their  return  had  the 
whole  of  their  rear  guard  captured,  but  when 
within  about  20  miles  of  Memphis,  they,  having 
made  their  escape,  came  up. 

While  at  Jackson  Gen.  Sullivan  took  com 
mand  and  sent  a  detail  of  80  picked  men  from 
the  Regt.,  one  being  Mr.  Kennedy,  to  the  Tenn. 
River,  to  ascertain  if  Forrest  was  advancing. 
After  coming  to  a  point  about  eight  miles  from 
the  river  they  started  to  return,  with  Forrest's 
advance  closely  pursuing  them.  At  Lexington 
Col.  "Bob"  Ingersoll  came,  out  with  reinforce 
ments,  and  he  and  some  250  of  his  men  were 
captured.  Forrest  told  Ingersoll  that  he  was 
going  to  capture  Jackson,  and  Col.  "Bob"  asked 
him  to  bring  him  his  trunk,  which  he  had  left 
there,  which  Forrest  said  he  would  do.  But 
his  plan  miscarried,  and  he  did  not  enter  Jack 
son.  Forrest  allowed  Ingersoll  the  freedom  of 
the  camp,  and  gave  him  $100  in  confederate 
money.  When  they  reached  a  small  town  where 
there  were  several  stores,  Ingersoll  went  into 
one  of  them  and  bought  a  suit  of  clothes,  of 
which  he  was  in  great  need,  compelling  the 
Jew  to  accept  Confederate  money  in  payment. 
All  of  the  rebels  likewise  bought  clothes  with 
the  same  kind  of  money,  much  to  the  sorrow 
of  the  proprietors. 

When  the  nth  111.  Cav.  were  first  armed 
with  carbines  at  Jackson,  they  went  off  about 


602 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ten  miles  to  a  country  town,  where  they  first 
loaded  up  with  "Tenn.  Spring  Water,"  after 
which  they  loaded  their  guns  and  kept  shoot 
ing  at  a  mark  until  they  had  nearly  exhausted 
their  stock  of  ammunition.  After  being  in 
camp  at  Peoria  for  three  months,  they  pro 
cured  horses  and  rode  to  St.  Louis.  While  at 
Vicksburg  they  made  an  expedition  up  the 
Yazoo  River,  encountering  Forrest  and  having 
a  spirited  engagement. 

The  Regt.  re-enlisted  at  Clear  Creek,  Miss., 
and  continued  at  Vicksburg  until  1865,  being 
discharged  Oct.  II,  and  going  to  St.  Louis 
on  the  steamer  "Welcome,"  a  very  slow  boat. 
The  men  declared  she  \vould  be  welcome  when 
she  got  there.  Mr.  Kennedy  after  reaching 
home  and  getting  rested,  went  back  to  Mem 
phis,  where  he  was  employed  by  the  Memphis 
&  Charleston  R.  R.  as  carpenter.  He  returned 
to  111.  in  1866,  and  secured  a  position  with  the 
C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  which  he  occupied  for  about 
18  years.  During  Cleveland's  administration 
he  was  appointed  a  gauger  in  the  Internal  Rev 
enue  service,  continuing  in  this  capacity  for 
four  years  and  three  months,  when  he  returned 
to  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  In  April,  1891,  he  was 
appointed  Supt.  of  streets  of  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg. 

He  has  a  family  of  seven  children — three 
boys  and  four  girls,  and  is  a  grandfather.  He 
is  a  member  of  Post  No.  45,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Gales- 
burg,  A.  O.  H.,  and  is  President  of  the  Gales- 
burg  division  of  that  order.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Corpus  Christi  Church,  of  Galesburg. 
He  was  Alderman  of  the  seventh  ward  from 
1877  to  1888.  His  wife  and  children  are  all 
living.  One  of  his  sons,  Geo.  W.,  is  a  machin 
ist  for  the  C.  B.  &  O.  R.  R.;  another  son,  Mat 
thew  V.,  is  in  the  employ  of  that  road.  His 
eldest  son  is  married  to  Mary  Goodsill,  as  also 
a  daughter,'  the  wife  of  William  Mylon,  of 
Galesburg.  The  other  children  at  home  are 
Julia,  John,  Lilllie  and  Bessie. 

In  all  his  relations  in  life,  Mr.  Kennedy  has 
ever  kept  in  sight  the  virtue  and  value  of  the 
true  employment  of  his  time  and  energies,  and 
is  a  citizen  of  whom  his  community  is  justly 
proud. 


FRANK  G.  WELTON,  County  Clerk  of  Henry 
Co.,  111.,  and  resident  of  Cambridge, 
joined  the  army  in  the  early  days  of  the 
late  Rebellion,  and  was  mustered  into  the  serv 
ice  July  28,  1861,  as  private-  in  Co.  B,  42nd  111. 
Vol.  Inf.  The  Regt.  moved  to  St.  Louis,  Sept. 
20th;  Oct.  8th  embarked  for  Jefferson  City,  was 
then  fitted  out  with  a  wagon  train  and  put  in 
marching  order.  Oct.  I5th  their  real  soldiering 
began,  when  they  started  to  Tipton,  Mo.,  where 
they  were  assigned  to  Gen  Hunter's  Div.,  Gen. 
John  M.  Palmer,  Brigade  Commander.  Arrived 
at  Warsaw,  Oct.  2 1st,  and  at  Camp  Baker  on 
the  28th.  The  Regt.  with  a  detachment  of 
home  guards  made  a  raid  upon  guerrilla  rebels 
under  Dick  McCann  and  captured  considerable 
stock  and  supplies  together  with  five  of  the 
rebels.  Nov.  ist  it  started  on  a  forced  march 
for  Springfield,  Mo.,  where  it  arrived  on  the 
4th,  left  Springfield  on  the  gth  and  proceeded 
to  Smithton,  Mo.,  and  went  into  winter  quar 
ters.  The  winter  proved  almost  as  disastrous 
to  the  soldiers  as  did  actual  war,  many  of  the 
42nd  having  in  consequence  of  this  forced 
march  from  Camp  Baker  to  Springfield  and  re 
turn  to  Smithton  contracted  colds  and  diseases 
causing  their  death, — among  their  number  be 
ing  Col.  Webb,  who  died  the  day  proceeding 
Christmas,  1861,  of  typhoid  fever.  The  Regt. 
left  for  Columbus,  Ky.,  Feb.  3d,  which  place  it 
occupied  March  4th,  having  passed  through 
St.  Charles,  Mo.,  and  Fort  Holt,  Ky.,  on  its 
way  thither.  Shortly  thereafter  the  command 
moved  against  Island  No.  10,  participated  in 
the  military  operations  in  the  vicinity  until  its 
surrender,  on  the  nth  of  the  following  month; 
and  on  the  following  night  joined  Gen.  Pope's 
army,  proceeded  down  the  Miss.  River  and 
took  part  in -the  bombardment  of  Fort  Pillow. 
Two  days  later  the  42nd  was  ordered  to  Pitts- 
burg  Landing  where  it  was  brigaded  with  the 
22nd,  27th,  and  5ist  111.  and  Co.  C,  ist  111.  Art. 
with  Gen.  J.  M.  Palmer  in  command,  and  took 
part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  as  also  in  the 
battle  of  Farmington,  May  9,  1862,  resulting  in 
a  regimental  loss  of  2  killed,  12  wounded,  and 
3  missing. 

After  the  evacuation  of  Corinth  it  was  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


603 


the  advance  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Beauregard's 
army  as  it  retreated  to  Baldwin,  Miss.  The 
42nd,  returning,  went  into  camp  at  Big  Springs, 
Miss.,  June  14,  1862,  and  July  2ist  marched  to 
Cortland,  Ala.,  where  it  continued  until  Sept. 
3rd,  then  left  for  Nashville,  crossing  the  River 
at  Decatur,  Ala.,  en  route,  and  on  the  gth  par 
ticipated  in  the  engagement  at  Columbia,  Tenn. 
— while  acting  as  rear  guard  for  the  main  army 
— and  suffered  the  loss  of  one  man  killed.  The 
Regt.  arrived  at  Nashville  Sept.  I3th,  and  re 
mained  during  the  siege,  then  on  Dec.  loth 
moved  to  Mill  Creek,  where  it  was  assigned  to 
Gen.  Sheridan's  Division,  starting  on  the  Mur- 
freesboro  campaign  on  the  26th,  occupying  a 
position  in  the  advance  along  the  march,  and 
on  the  3ist  joined  in  the  bloody  battle  of  Stone 
River,  the  42nd  losing  167  men  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners.  It  continued  in  the 
vicinity  of  Murfreesboro  during  the  winter  of 
1862-63,  and  March  5th  moved  in  pursuit  of 
Gen.  Van  Dorn's  forces  until  Columbia  was 
reached,  subsequently  returning  to  Murfrees 
boro,  where  it  camped  until  the  following  June. 
During  the  months  of  July  and  August  the 
command  participated  in  the  Tullahoma  cam 
paign,  and  later  in  that  of  Chattanooga.  Dur 
ing  the  latter  it  marched  to  Alpine,  Ga.,  thence 
to  Trenton,  and  on  to  Athens,  Ga.,  then  back 
to  Stevens'  Gap  and  McElmon's  Cove.  Sept. 
igth  it  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
which  left  him  to  mourn  the  loss  of  28  of 
his  comrades  killed,  128  wounded,  and  28  taken 
prisoners.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  2Oth  the 
Div.  fell  back  to  Mission  Ridge,  which  was 
done  amidst  great  confusion.  On  the  2ist  it 
threw  up  works  at  Rossville,  and  with  the  army 
entered  Chattanooga  on  the  22nd,  and  remained 
until  Nov.  25th,  when  the  desperate  conflict  at 
Mission  Ridge  was  fought,  after  which  they 
assisted  in  pursuit  of  the  fleeing  rebels  to 
Chickamauga  Creek,  and  then  returned.  Next 
they  proceeded  to  the  relief  of  Gen.  Burnside's 
army,  at  Knoxville,  but  before  their  arrival  the 
siege  had  been  raised;  on  Dec.  27th  the  Regt. 
went  into  camp  at  Stone  Mills,  East  Tenn. 
Early  in  Jan.,  1864,  the  men  of  the  42nd  re- 
enlisted,  and  it  became  a  veteran  organization. 


After  participating  in  the  Dandridge  campaign, 
in  pursuit  of  Longstreet,  they  started  for  Chat 
tanooga,  arriving  February  2nd,  and  left  on  the 
2 ist  by  rail  for  Chicago,  when  the  men  were 
granted  a  veteran  furlough.  April  5th  found 
Mr.  VVelton  in  the  ranks  of  his  Regt.,  and  with 
it  arrived  at  Chattanooga,  April  27th,  and  May 
3  started  on  the  Atlanta  campaign;  shared  in 
all  the  hardships,  privations  and  dangers  of 
that  terrible  but  finally  successful  expedition, 
and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  desperate 
struggles  known  as  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resaca, 
Adairsville,  and  New  Hope  Church. 

In  the  last  named  battle,  he  received  five 
bullet  wounds  simultaneously,  three  of  them  in 
the  left  leg,  one  in  the  right  knee,  striking 
under  the  knee  cap  and  taking  a  downward 
course  to  the  ankle;  the  fifth  bullet  struck  the 
back  of  his  right  hand,  where  a  portion  still 
remains.  The  right  leg  was  so  badly  shattered 
that  it  was  amputated  above  the  knee  on  the 
same  day.  Eleven  days  later  our  subject  was 
being  moved  to  the  hospital  at  Ackworth,  when 
by  accident  he  was  thrown  from  the  ambulance, 
and  in  striking  the  ground  the  wounded  limb 
struck  first,  forcing  the  bone  through  the  flesh 
and  skin  which  overlapped  it,  in  which  con 
dition  he  lay  on  the  ground  without  care  for  24 
hours,  during  which  time  his  wounds  were  fly 
blown  and  filled  with  maggots.  Arriving  at 
Ackworth  his  wounds  were  dressed  and  after 
a  few  days'  rest,  he  was  conveyed  to  Chatta 
nooga,  thence  to  Nashville,  and  on  July  4th, 
*  started  for  home  accompanied  by  his  father, 
who  had  come  to  his  assistance,  and  remained 
with  him  until  he  was  sufficiently  recovered  to 
endure  the  journey.  So  soon  as  he  could  go 
about  on  crutches  he  reported  at  Military  Hos 
pital,  Quincy,  and  was  sent  to  hospital  at  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago.  He  contracted  the  small 
pox  in  Nov.  and  did  not  escape  from  the  pest 
house  until  Jan.,  and  was  mustered  out  and  dis 
charged  from  the  service  March  gth,  1865. 
After  recovering  he  attended  the  college  at 
Wheaton  for  one  year,  then  engaged  in  the 
drug  business  at  Berlin,  111.,  which  business  he 
sold  out  nine  months  later,  in  consequence  of 
re-opening  of  his  wounds.  Later  he  was  ap- 


604 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


pointed  in  the  circuit  clerk's  office  at  Cam 
bridge,  where  he  was  employed  for  a  year.  He 
then  turned  his  attention  to  mercantile  pur 
suits  until  1869,  when  he  was  elected  County 
Clerk,  which  position  he  has  filled  to  the 
present  time.  He  has  been  Treasurer  of  the 
town  for  five  terms.  He  is  a  Republican,  a 
Free  Mason,  and  a  member  of  Post  No.  436,  G. 

A.  R.,  of  which  he  has  been  Commander  for 
two  years. 

Mr.  Welton  chose  as  a  life  companion,  Ella 
M.  Clark,  whom  he  married  April  30th,  1 866,  and 
8  children  have  resulted  from  the  union,  6  of 
whom  are  now  living,  viz.:  Albert  D.t  Clar 
ence  W.,  Kate  C.,  wife  of  Benj.  M.  Smith,  of 
Birchwood  Beach,  Chicago;  Mabel  E.,  Susie 

B.  and    Tom.     Mrs.    Welton    is    daughter    of 
Dexter   G.   and    Mary   J.    (Moore)    Clark,   of 
Rockford,    111.     The    father    was    a    physician 
during  the   early  years   of  his   life,  but   subse 
quently  embarked  in  banking,  at  which  he  was 
engaged  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Our  subject  was  born  near  Waterbury,  New 
Haven  Co.,  Conn.,  April  14,  1843.  He  is  the 
son  of  Albert  and  Susan  (Bidwell)  Welton. 
The  father  was  a  wood-turner,  which  he  fol 
lowed  in  his  native  State,  then  removed  in  1851, 
to  Cambridge  and  engaged  in  farming  until 
1879,  when  he  removed  to  Lancaster  Co.,  Neb., 
where  he  now  resides.  He  had  four  children, 
only  one  of  whom  besides  Frank  G.,  is  now 
living,  namely:  George  W.,  who  also  resides 
in  Neb.  Our  subject  was  8  years  of  age  when 
his  parents  moved  to  111.,  and  was  therefore, 
only  18  years  old  when  he  joined  the  army, 
having  spent  the  earlier  days  of  his  life  upon 
his  father's  farm. 


JOSEPH  VOLLER,  of  Elgin,  111.,   a   native  of 
Canada,  was  born  of  English   parents  at 
Toronto,  Oct.   12,   1836.     His  father   was 
Joseph  Voller,  born  in  England  in  1794,  and  as 
captain  took  the  first  vessel  through  the  Wei- 
land  Canal.      The    mother's  maiden  name  was 
Ellen  Donahue,  a  native  of  Ireland. 


Joseph  Voller,  the  son,  passed  the  first  12 
years  of  his  life  at  his  birthplace  in  Canada, 
and  then  moved  with  his  parents  to  Batavia, 
111.  He  continued  on  the  farm  until  the  sound 
of  rebel  cannon,  firing  upon  the  flag  of  the 
Union  that  floated  over  Fort  Sumter  touched 
with  its  echoes  every  loyal  heart.  He  offered 
his  services  the  next  day  after  the  assault  and 
enlisted  at  Batavia  on  the  call  for  the  first  75,- 
OOO  men,  but  was  not  able  to  muster  in  as  the 
quota  was  full.  He  then  enlisted  in  Co.  I, 
42nd  111.  Inf.,  in  the  latter  part  of  July,  and  was 
mustered  in  at  Chicago  Aug.  i,  1861.  This 
Regt.  went^to  Benton  Barracks,  and  to  Jeffer 
son  City,  Mo.,  for  instruction  and  equipment, 
and  marched  to  Warsaw,  where  our  comrade 
saw  the  first  man  killed,  but  the  death  was 
caused  by  accident. 

Then  he  went  to  Tipton  as  train  guard,  and 
remained  until  the  regiment  returned  to  Smith- 
town,  where  Co.  I  was  detailed  to  patrol  the 
railroad  about  two  months.  Marching  to  St. 
Louis,  they  took  transports  to  Cairo,  then 
crossed  to  Fort  Holt,  and  remained  there  until 
Orders  came  to  move  to  Columbus,  Ky.,  then  on 
to  Island  No.  10  and  up  to  Union  City;  they 
marched  out  under  command  of  General 
Buford.  Moving  back  to  Island  No.  10,  they 
were  engaged  there  until  its  surrender,  April 
nth.  Among  the  most  noted  of  the  many 
heroic  acts  performed  by  the  soldiers  during 
this  siege,  was  the  spiking  of  a  rebel  battery 
of  6  guns  in  the  darkness  and  storm  of  night, 
by  Colonel  Roberts  and  50  men  of  the  42  Regt., 
without  the  loss  of  a  man.  Subsequently,  the 
42d  moved  down  to  Fort  Pillow,  and  after  the 
battle  of  Shiloh,  boarded  vessels  for  Hamburg 
Landing.  Was  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
also  participated  in  a  battle  at  Farmington  where 
the  soldiers  were  ordered  to  remove  their  knap 
sacks,  which  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Moving  back  to  Corinth,  the  42nd  was  the  first 
in  the  enemy's  works.  It  followed  the  enemy 
after  the  battle  to  Boonville  and  returned  to 
Camp  Blue  Springs,  near  Corinth.  Here  the 
Regt.  was  equipped  with  "pup"  tents,  Austrian 
rifles,  saber  bayonets  and  ordered  to  Cortland, 
Ala.,  which  it  occupied  from  July  25,  1862, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


605 


until  Sept.  3,  when  it  marched  to  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  and  on  the  way  had  a  skirmish  at 
Columbia,  losing  one  man  killed,  the  rebels 
losing  8  killed  and  45  wounded,  before  they 
escaped.  At  Nashville  the  command  partici 
pated  in  the  siege  and  waited  until  Rosecrans 
returned,  when  the  Murfreesboro  campaign 
was  inaugurated.  It  had  a  heavy  skirmish  Dec. 
30,  and  sustained  severe  loss,  but  the  next  day 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River  and  again 
suffered  a  serious  loss  of  22  killed,  1 16  wounded 
and  85  prisoners.  As  the  train  was  captured  by 
the  rebels,  the  men  had  nothing  but  a  little  mush 
for  supper. 

At  Stone  River  Mr.  Voller  was  wounded 
twice  during  the  first  part  of  the  battle,  and  dis 
covered  that  three  bullets  had  passed  through 
his  clothing.  Although  deprived  of  the  use  of 
his  arm  by  wounds  he  heroically  held  his  place 
as  Corporal  in  the  ranks  with  his  company  to 
the  end  of  the  battle.  During  the  whole  day 
of  fighting,  so  fierce  and  hot  was  the  action  that 
the  men  were  without  food,  and  as  they  were 
compelled  to  sleep  on  their  arms,  under  picket 
firing  the  whole  night,  there  was  no  opportunity 
to  secure  rations.  The  arrival  of  the  supply 
train  in  the  morning,  however,  changed  this 
condition  of  affairs. 

After  the  evacuation  of  Murfreesboro,  they 
went  to  Nashville  in  charge  of  a  train  sent  for 
provisions.  This  duty,  which  required  3  or  4 
days,  was  performed  in  a  cold,  heavy  rain  with 
out  tents.  A  camp  was  then  made  at  Murfrees 
boro  until  the  advance  on  Chattanooga  was 
ordered,  when  a  position  was  taken  near  Frank 
lin  for  about  a  week  before  proceeding  to 
Chattanooga. 

General  Rosecrans  established  a  roll  of 
honor,  to  stimulate  and  reward  those  who  dis 
tinguished  themselves  by  bravery  and  faithful 
service.  In  accordance  with  this  one  corporal, 
one  sergeant,  and  five  privates  were  chosen 
from  each  company.  Accordingly  Mr.  Voller 
was  honored  by  being  chosen  Corporal.  After 
the  battle  of  Stone  River,  Mr.  Voller  was  pro 
moted  to  Q.  M.  Sergeant,  as  a  reward  that  he 
had  justly  won  and  merited.  While  at  Mur 
freesboro,  during  a  foraging  expedition,  a  corn- 


company  of  rebels  suddenly  attacked  the  for 
aging  party,  but  were  dispersed.  Then  some 
were  discovered  in  the  woods  scattered  for  the 
purpose  of  shooting  Union  Generals,  so  Mr. 
Voller  with  three  men  went  out  and  captured 
them,  and  for  this  promptness  and  daring,  re 
ceived  commendation,  and  deserved  recogni 
tion.  In  the  performance  of  his  duties  as  Quar 
termaster  Sergeant,  he  was  with  the  supply 
train  that  crossed  Lookout  Mountain,  south  of 
Chattanooga,  which  was  a  most  difficult  under 
taking,  attended  with  great  danger. 

From  Chattanooga  Mr.  Voller  was  sent,  in 
charge  of  the  brigade  tools  on  the  march  to  Knox- 
ville,  and  then  up  to  Dandridge,but,  soon  return 
ing  to  near  Knoxville,  remained  there  until 
Jan.  i,  1864.  Here  the  regiment  re-enlisted,  and 
marched  back  to  Chattanooga  to  take  30  days' 
furlough  and  a  trip  home.  On  the  expiration 
of  the  furlough  the  men  returned  to  Chattanoo 
ga,  and  soon  started  on  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
during  which  Mr.  Voller  was  in  charge  of  his 
train.  He  relates  that  while  he  was  on  this  ex 
pedition  he  went  out  foraging,  and  was  informed 
that  the  Big  Sandy  road  was  abandoned,  on  ac 
count  of  the  bushwhackers  investing  it,  but,  not 
being  acquainted  with  any  other  road,  decided 
to  try  that.  He  was  soon  fired  upon,  but  his 
horse  carried  him  safely  through.  At  one  time, 
on  this  march,  a  company  of  officers  were 
found  at  a  house  where  they  had  ordered  a  din 
ner  of  chicken,  and  were  waiting  in  the  parlor, 
entertained  by  the  young  ladies  until  it  should 
be  ready;  one  soldier  engaged  the  old  lady  in 
conversation  in  the  kitchen,  while  another,  en 
tering  the  dining  room,  secured  all  the  chicken 
and  other  good  things  from  the  table. 

Mr.  Voller  was  with  his  regiment  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  but  acted  as  Quarter 
master  during  the  Atlanta  campaign,  as  the 
Q.  M.  of  the  regiment  was  sick  at  Chattanooga. 
The  command  remained  in  Atlanta  some 
time  after  the  city  was  captured,  then  pro 
ceeded  with  Gen.  Thomas  to  Bridgeport, 
Ala.,  and  on  to  Nashville.  While  here  the 
.Colonel  of  the  42nd  sent  to  the  Governor 
of  the  State  for  a  commission  for  Mr.  Voller, 
but  did  not  receive  it.  From  here  the  ene- 


6o6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


my  was  pursued  about  eighty  miles,  to  Lexing 
ton,  when,  after  a  short  rest,  the  regiment 
marched  to  Decatur.  Leaving  April  I,  it  started 
for  East  Tennessee,  going  to  Blue  Springs, 
where  news  came  of  Lee's  surrender  and  Lin 
coln's  assassination.  The  42nd  then  returned 
to  Nashville,  and,  when  preparations  were  com 
pleted,  was  transferred  to  New  Orleans,  and 
from  there  to  Port  Lavaca,  Texas,  where, 
after  a  trip  to  Camp  Irwin,  it  was  assigned  to 
post  duty  until  mustered  out  and  finally  paid 
off  at  Springfield,  111.,  Jan.  20,  1866.  While 
here  Mr.  Voller  received  commission  as  Q.  M. 
of  the  regiment. 

After  his  military  duty  was  concluded  he 
went  to  Batavia,  and  thence  to  Chicago,  where 
he  established  himself  in  the  wholesale  notion 
business.  The  great  fire  of  1871  reduced  his 
flourishing  business  to  ashes.  He  moved  to 
Portland,  Maine,  and  was  engaged  there  two 
and  one-half  years  in  a  manufacturing  business, 
then  returned  to  Elgin,  and  resumed  the  manu 
facture  of  chewing  gum,  which,  at  the  present 
time,  has  become  an  extensive  and  prosperous 
business.  He  was  married  in  1868  to  Martha. 
C.  Faldron,  of  Elgin,  and  has  two  children — 
Dunbar  W.  and  Nellie.  Mr.  Voller  is  a  promi 
nent  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  in  which  he 
served  three  or  four  years  as  Quartermaster  and 
S.  V.,  and  at  the  present  date  is  Commander. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  gentleman 
in  good  circumstances,  who  has  made  not  only 
an  enviable  position  by  his  energy  and  ability, 
but  also  by  superior  social  and  intellectual  qual- 
ties,  has  won  the  high  esteem  of  his  fellow-men. 


M 


AJOR  GENERAL  DON  CARLOS  BUELL,  one 
of  the  most  accomplished  millitary 
scholars  of  the  army,  and  one  of  the 
most  popular  Generals  of  volunteers  during  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  an  officer  who  oftcner 
deserved  success  than  won  it — who  was,  per 
haps,  the  best  organizer  of  an  army  that  the 
contest  developed,  and  who  was  certainly  the 
hero  of  the  greatest  of  the  early  battles  of  the 


war,  was  born  near  Marietta,  in  WashingtonCo., 
Ohio,  March  23,  1818.  Before  the  lad  that  was 
afterward  to  hold  so  prominent  positions,  had 
completed  his  7th  year,  his  father  died.  The 
mother  remarried,  but  young  Don  Carlos,  how 
ever,  was  soon  taken  by  his  uncle,  George  P. 
Buell,  to  Lawrenceburg,  Ind.,  where  his  boy 
hood  was  passed.  He  was  a  reserved  and  taci 
turn  lad,  having  few  intimate  associates,  but  re 
garded  by  them  as  a  "most  genial  and  compan 
ionable  fellow."  He  excelled  in  all  the  boyish 
sports  of  the  time,  was  a  fearless  hunter,  and 
noted  as  the  best  skater  in  all  that  region.  Un 
usually  undemonstrative  and  quiet  in  demeanor, 
he,  nevertheless  gave  proof  enough  that,  when 
roused,  he  was  not  only  a  brave  but  almost  a 
savage  fighter.  At  16  he  left  school  and  began 
life  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store.  Here  he 
remained  a  year,  when  he  entered  West  Point 
Millitary  Academy,  from  which  he  graduated 
in  1841.  He  entered  millitary  service  as  2nd 
Lieut,  of  the  third  Regt.  U.  S.  Inf.  immediately 
after  graduating.  \Vas  promoted  to  ist  Lieu 
tenant,  June,  1846,  and  to  Captain,  September, 
1847.  Continued  in  the  regular  army  until  the 
beginning  of  the  Rebellion.  He  accompanied 
Gen.  Taylor  to  Mexico,  and  took  an  active  part 
in  the  campaign  of  1846.  Marching  with  Gen. 
Scott  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  renownded  city  of 
Mexico,  he  participated  in  the  battle  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  Contreras,  Churubusco.  At  the  last 
named  place  he  was  severely  wounded  and 
promoted  for  gallant  conduct  on  the  field. 
In  1861  we  find  him  at  the  Adjutant-General's 
office  at  Washington  regarded  by  the  few  who 
concerned  themselves  with  the  affairs  of  the 
army  as  one  of  the  best  administrative  officers. 
When  Gen.  McClellan  organized  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  Buell  was  placed  in  command  of 
a  Div.  Subsequently  he  was  transferred  to  the 
West,  and  superseded  Gen.  Sherman  in  the 
command  of  the  Union  forces  in  Ky.  As  Maj. 
Gen  of  Volunteers  he  commanded  a  campaign 
through  Ky.  andTenn.  in  1863,  and  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing.  He  was  after 
wards  relieved  by  the  appointment  of  Gen. 
Rosecrans,  and  mustered  out  of  service,  May 
23,  1864.  Personally  he  was  cultivated,  pol- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


607 


ished  and  retired;  disposed  to  have  but  few 
warm  friendships;  exclusive  and  somewhat 
haughty  in  his  bearing.  He  was  a  forcible  and 
pungent  writer.  He  died — 


JOHN  CONKLIN,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  a  soldier 
in  the  war  for  his  country,  was  born  June 
7,  1811,  in  Zanesville,  Muskingum  Co., 
Ohio,  where  he  lived  to  the  years  of  early 
manhood,  and  married  Maria  Ritchey,  a  daugh 
ter  of  Samuel  Ritchey.  The  parents  of  John 
Conklin  were  John  and  Mary  (Spencer)  Conk- 
lin.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  Matthew 
Conklin,  a  native  of  Washington  Co.,  Pa.,  of 
English  ancestry.  The  mother's  father  was 
John  Spencer,  of  German  descent,  whose 
brother,  Amos,  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  and  lived  to  be  an  old  man.  His  stories 
of  that  war  and  his  exploits  are  well  remem 
bered  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

John  Conklin  was  a  seller  of  clocks,  travel 
ing  through  the  country,  but  raised  his  family 
on  his  farm  near  Zanesville,  until  he  removed  to 
DeWitt  Co.,  111.,  in  1859,  and  settled  in  Clin 
ton.  July  4,  1861,  after  war  had  been  declared, 
Mr.  Conklin  began  to  raise  a  Co.  of  men  for 
the  army,  and  on  the  I5th,  going  into  camp  at 
Decatur,  111.,  was  elected  Captain.  The  men 
were  sent  to  St.  Louis  and  there  assigned  to 
the  4ist  111.  Inf.,  as  Co.  C,  Col.  Isaac  C.  Pew, 
commander.  The  first  service  was  at  Fort 
Henry,  followed  by  the  battle  at' Fort  Donel- 
son.  Marching  from  Ft.  Henry  to  Ft. 
Donelson  the  men  were  compelled  to  wade 
through  the  water,  and  to  camp  at  night  in 
freezing  weather  without  covering,  so  that 
they  were  frozen  into  the  mud  in  the  morning. 
From  this  exposure  Capt.  Conklin  became 
sick,  but  remained  with  his  Co..  although  unfit 
to  do  so,  through  the  terrible  days  of  Fort 
Donelson,  where  the  '  Regt.  was  in  the  front 
line,  and  charged  across  an  open  field. 

In  March,  still  suffering  from  disease  and 
continually  growing  worse,  Capt.  Conklin  re 
turned  to  his  home,  starting  on  the  first  boat 
that  went  up  the  river  after  the  battle  of 


Shiloh.  The  Regt.  went  through  the  battle  of 
Ft.  Donelson;  was  in  the  hard  marches,  in  bad 
weather,  with  Gen.  Payne  on  the  campaign 
from  Columbus  to  Paducah,  and  served  with 
prominence  and  distinction  to  the  end  of  its 
term  of  service. 

Capt.  Conklin  recalls  an  incident  of  a  march 
when  meeting  a  colored  man  who  was  asked  con 
cerning  the  locality  of  the  rebels.  He  replied, 
"  Look  out,  dey's  jus  'ahead  of  ye."  The  Art. 
was  brought  forward  and  shelling  the  woods 
developed  the  fact  that  a  rebel  force  was  lying 
in  ambush  awaiting  the  appearance  of  the 
Union  troops. 

While  the  army  was  at  Paducah  a  negro 
came  to  Capt.  Conklin  seeking  employment  as 
servant,  as  he  wished  to  escape  from  slavery, 
but  the  orders  at  the  time  forbade  the  employ 
ment  of  negroes  or  any  interference  with  the 
slaves  even  of  rebels.  "  Mose,"  however, 
would  not  go  back,  but  remained  in  camp  until 
the  Captain  wishing  to  assist  him,  asked  the 
Colonel  how  the  man  could  be  sent  across  the 
river  to  111.  The  reply  was,  "Give  a  pass  to 
five  men  without  designating  or  describing  any 
of  them."  He  did  so,  and  the  man  secured 
his  liberty. 

At  Paducah  Gen.  Payne  reviewed  Co.  C., 
which  \vas  100  strong,  and  had  75  men  who 
stood  6  ft.  high.  The  General  called  the  Cap 
tain  up  and  shook  hands  with  him,  saying  it 
was  the  finest  Co.  he  had  ever  reviewed. 

John  and  Maria  Conklin  were  the  parents  of 
six  children,  as  follows:  John  R.,  now  a  prom 
inent  stockgrower  and  shipper  in  Nebraska, 
was  a  member  of  Co.  E,  2Oth  111.  Inf.,  and  re 
ceived  the  -appointment  of  Adj.,  on  the  field  at 
Fort  Donelson;  Arenius  Origen,  was  in  the  66th 
111.  Inf.,  and  served  3  years  in  the  Eastern  army; 
Sam  A.  and  Seth  Thomas,  named  for  the  cele 
brated  maker  of  clocks.  The  three  last  named 
sons  are  in  the  clothing  business  in  Faribault, 
Minn.  Then  there  are  two  daughters,  Hannah, 
wife  of  Thornton  Snell,  a  banker  at  Blooming- 
ton,  111.,  and  Mary,  married  to  Samuel  Rhodes, 
a  hardware  merchant  in  Indianapolis,  Ind. 
Both  sons-in-law  were  soldiers  in  the  Union 
army. 


6o8 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Captain  Conklin  is  an  uncompromising  Re 
publican,  and  a  gentleman  of  wide  experience 
who  has  never  lost  interest  in  the  events  that 
affect  the  stability  of  the  country  he  so  bravely 
volunteered  to  defend  in  the  hour  of  its  peril. 

After  the  war,  Capt.  Conklin  went  to  Minn, 
and  engaged  in  the  clothing  business.  In  1882 
he  removed  to  Galesburg,  111.,  where  he  has 
since  resided,  and  engaged  in  the  feed  business. 


THE  sufferings  and  privations  endured  by 
many  of  the  old  veterans  of  the  late 
Rebellion  have  never  yet  found  an  appro 
priate  place  on  the  imperishable  pages  of  war 
history.  And  while  many  will  never  be  re 
corded,  the  war  record  of  our  subject,  Thomas 
J.  Scott,  of  Mahomet,  111.,  will  no  longer  remain 
unknown  to  the  world.  His  history  is  an  in 
teresting  one,  and  although  it  is  not  our  inten 
tion  to  particularize  every  hardship  he  endured, 
or  danger  he  encountered,  it  is  our  object  to 
portray,  in  a  feeble  way,  some  of  those  hard 
ships,  and  a  few  of  those  dangers,  as  also  the 
prominent  features  of  his  life.  Mr.  Scott  was 
born  in  the  county  in  which  he  now  resides,  in 
1838 — a  son  of  Fielding  and  Julia  (Herriot) 
Scott.  His  grandfather,  with  other  ventur- 
some  pioneers,  penetrated  the  Western  prairies 
in  the  early  part  of  this  century,  and  becoming 
surrounded  by  hostile  Indians  sought  refuge 
on  an  Island  below  Louisville,  Ky.,  where,  for 
a  period,  they  entertained  little  hope  of  escape. 
They  had  saved  some  corn,  which  they  planted 
in  order  to  supply  food  in  the  event  of  its  being 
required.  Two  of  the  besieged  party  at  last 
determined  to  make  an  attempt  to  escape  and 
finally  reached  the  headquarters  of  Gen.  Boone, 
who,  with  a  small  force  went  to  the  rescue  of 
the  besieged  islanders  and  assisted  them  away 
from  the  place  of  their  imprisonment.  That 
Island  has  since  been  known  as  Corn  Island. 
Old  Mr.  Scott,  on  being  relieved,  went  to  Ky., 
where  he  became  one  of  the  prominent  resi 
dents  of  that  State,  as  also  a  slave  holder.  Our 
subjects  father,  however,  disliked  being  a  slave 
owner,  became  an  abolitionist  and  moved  from 


that  State,  taking  with  him  all  his  earthly  pos 
sessions,  as  also  his  wife,  moving  towards  the 
setting  sun.  Finally  he  halted  upon  the  un 
broken  prairies  of  111.,  near  the  present  town  of 
Mahomet.  Here,  in  1838,  the  subject  of  our 
sketch  becomes  a  factor  in  his  father's  house 
hold.  Our  subject  was  reared  upon  the  home 
stead,  assisted  in  farm  work,  and  attended  a 
country  school. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  late  war  he  ten 
dered  his  services  for  the  support  of  his  coun 
try's  cause,  enlisting  June  ist,  1861,  in  Co.  I, 
25th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  as  aSergt.  He  wasmustered 
in  at  St.  Louis,  moved  to  Jefferson  city,  Mo., 
and  with  his  Co.  was  detailed  to  convey  sup 
plies  for  Gen.  Mulligan,  then  at  Lexington. 
They  impressed  a  steam-boat  having  as  a  crew 
sympathizing  rebels,  and  proceeded  upon  their 
perilous  trip.  The  boat  called  at  several 
points  to  discharge  merchandise,  but  on  touch 
ing  at  Glasgow  for  the  same  purpose  was  at 
tacked  by  a  battery  and  1,300  rebels.  The  Capt. 
proposed  to  surrender  but  he,  as  also  the  pilot 
and  other  members  were  covered  with  revol 
vers  and  ordered  to  return  down  the  river  at 
full  speed.  The  fire  from  the  battery  was  wild, 
and  the  men  were  enabled  to  barricade  the  ship 
and  find  protection  from  the  musketry,  then 
opened  fire  upon  the  rebels  as  they  rode  along 
the  banks  in  pursuit,  and  many  of  them  were 
seen  to  tumble  from  their  horses.  Mr.  Scott's 
first  heavy  battle  was  Pea  Ridge,  and  from  that 
time  forward  his  life  was  one  continual  and  un 
broken  line  of  privations,  hunger,  danger,  bat 
tle  skirmishes  and  suffering  until  discharged 
from  the  service.  Among  the  battles  in  which 
he  participated  may  be  mentioned,  Crossville, 
Batesville,  Shiloh,  Corinth,  luka,  Stone  River, 
and  Chickamauga.  He  arrived  upon  the 
ground  at  the  opening  of  the  last  named  battle 
after  a  long  and  forced  march,  and  immediately 
joined  in  that  fierce  and  desperate  struggle. 
Mr.  Scott  was  in  the  very  front  where  the  fire 
was  the  hottest,  and  his  comrades,  without  his 
knowledge,  during  his  excitement,  had  retreated 
leaving  him  alone  as  a  target.  The  bullets  flew 
around  him  like  driving  rain,  and  soon  he  was 
struck  in  the  side  with  a  ball,  felling  him  to  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


609 


ground.  His  blood  flowed  freely  from  what 
he  feared  was  a  mortal  wound,  but  calming 
himself  and  bracing  his  mind  for  the  inevitable, 
struggled  to  his  feet  to  seek  a  place  of  safety. 
He  had  almost  reached  a  ravine  when  the 
sound,  of  what  appeared  to  him  a  thousand 
rifle  shots;  echoed  in  his  ears  and  simultane 
ously  he  again  fell  pierced  by  a  dozen  rebel 
bullets.  With  his  life's  blood  coursing  from  13 
wounds  he  lay  helpless  upon  the  battle  ground. 
His  right  arm  was  the  only  limb  not  disabled. 
During  the  following  night  4  of  his  com 
rades  on  searching  found  him,  tenderly  con 
veyed  his  prostrate  form  in  a  blanket  to  camp, 
where  the  surgeon  intimated  that  his  case  was 
hopeless.  He  however  extracted  some  of  the 
balls  and  dressed  his  wounds.  Besides  his  first 
wound,  two  balls  had  entered  his  hip,  another 
broke  his  collar  bone,  another  took  away  his 
right  heel,  another  in  the  leg  above  the  knee, 
the  others  lodged  in  different  parts  of  his  body. 
His  belt  was  also  pierced  on  the  left  side,  the 
ball  coursing  around  his  body  to  the  right 
side,  cutting  his  shirt  and  waist  band  but 
made  no  mark  upon  the  body.  The  fol 
lowing  day  the  hospital  was  captured,  hence 
Mr.  Scott  received  better  treatment,  it  be 
ing  believed  he  had  no  chance  to  live.  He, 
however,  determined  to  still  be  of  service  to 
his  country.  Thirteen  days  later  he  was  ex 
changed,  and  the  want  of  medical  treatment  had 
about  completed  the  work  so  nearly  accom 
plished  by  rebel  lead.  Already  maggots  had 
found  a  lodging  place  in  his  gaping  wounds. 
He  was  carted  across  the  mountains  in  an  am 
bulance  to  Bridgeport,  some  90  miles — a  four 
days'  trip — exposed  to  a  Southern  sun  and  the 
miseries  he  endured  cannot  be  truthfully  de- 
described  in  language.  His  father  hearing  of 
his  illness,  went  in  search  of  his  boy,  traveling 
on  foot  from  point  to  point,  in  all  about  200 
miles,  finally  finding  him  at  Bridgeport.  He 
took  him  to  Nashville,  placed  him  in  hospital, 
obtained  a  furlough,  then  returned  home  with 
his  son,  where  under  good  surgical  treatment 
and  the  attention  of  a  loving  mother  he  was 
soon  on  the  fair  way  to  recovery.  In  March, 
1864,  he  returned  to  Nashville,  using  crutches 


to  move  upon,  when  he  was  smitten  with  vario- 
loid  by  which  he  was  confined  to  his  bed  for 
five  weeks.  Recovering  he  reported  to  Parol 
camp,  thinking  he  was  a  paroled  instead  of  an 
exchanged  prisoner.  His  name 'could  not  be 
found  upon  the  parol  list,  hence  he  was  ordered 
to  the  front,  joining  the  Regt.  at  E.  Tenn. 
There  gangrene  set  in  in  his  heel.  He  was  placed 
in  hospital  for  a  month,  then  granted  a  fur 
lough  to  go  home  and  await  his  discharge  with 
the  Regt.,  which  he  received  at  Springfield, 
Sept.  5,  1864. 

For  many  years  our  hero  suffered  from  his 
wounds  but  at  present — although  his  wounds 
were  considered  fatal — and  he  still  carries  two 
bullets,  he  suffers  but  little  in  his  deathly  ex 
perience.  His  father  was  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war,  and  his  brother  E.  J.  was  also  in  the  late 
rebellion  serving  in  Co.  H.,  I25th  111. 

Mr.  Scott  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  G. 
A.  R.,  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Post 
at  Mahomet,  and  was  a  Republican  until  a  few 
years  ago,  when  he  became  an  ardent  Prohibi 
tionist.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
and  his  wife  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  His  life 
work  has  been  farming  and  stockraising,  but 
of  late  years  he  has  taken  life  easy,  living  in 
his  beautiful  home  in  Mahomet,  surrounded  by 
an  interesting  family  and  devoted  wife.  Brave 
and  courageous  as  a  soldier,  honorable  as  a 
citizen  and  business  man,  the  name  of  Thomas 
J.  Scott  will  long  be  remembered  in  the  town 
in  which  he  lives  after  he  shall  have  been  mus 
tered  into  the  army  above. 


M 


R.  LYCURGUS  C.  POWELL,  of  Kewanee, 
111.,  a  native  of  Ky.,  was  born  at  Frank 
fort,  Oct.  18,  1843,  and  early  came  to 
111.,  with  his  parents.  His  father  was  Wm. 
Powell,  a  Virginian  of  an  old  American  family. 
His  mother,  who  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  75 
years,  in  Kan.  and  rides  her  horse  over  the 
prairies,  was  Nancy  Hancock,  a  native  of  Ky., 
a  daughter  of  Col.  Hancock,  who  died  in  1850, 
belonging  to  one  of  the  foremost  families  in 
that  State.  On  the  mother's  side  there  were  a 


6io 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


number  of  relatives,  living  in  Ky.  that  served 
in  the  rebel  army. 

The  Powell  family  located  first  in  111.  at 
Albany,  Whiteside  Co.,  in  1853,  and  moved  to 
Port  Byron,  Rock  Island  Co.,  in  the  same  State, 
where  Lycurgus  C.  Powell,  enlisted  in  Co.  D, 
I2th  111.  Inf.,  was  mustered  in  at  Cairo,  Aug. 
12,  1861,  and  started  on  an  expedition  which 
included  Belmont,  Ky.,  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo., 
and  the  return  to  Cairo.  The  winter  of  1861 
was  spent  in  Paducah,  Ky.  In  Feb.,  1862,  the 
Regt.  was  in  action  at  Fort  Henry,  then  Fort 
Donelson,  where  it  held  a  position  on  the  ex 
treme  right,  suffering  heavy  losses.  After  this 
fight  it  was  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  in  what  was 
called  "the  hornets'  nest"  in  McCarther's  Brig. 
Major  Hugunin  was  in  command  when  it  was 
surrounded  by  a  triangle  of  rebels  and  he  gave 
the  order  "about  face,"  and  the  men  cut  their 
way  out,  although  Gen.  Prentiss  had  sur 
rendered,  and  this  way  the  I2th  escaped. 
Prentiss  had  maintained  his  position  against  all 
attempts  to  force  him  back  from  early  morning 
until  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  the 
supply  of  ammunition  had  become  exhausted, 
he  surrendered.  The  I2th  then  moved  on  to 
Corinth  under  Gen.  Halleck,  and  participated 
in  the  battles  there  Oct.  3d  and  4th,  1862, 
under  Gen.  Rosecrans.  From  Corinth  a  march 
was  made  to  Pulaski,  Tcnn.,  and  then  into 
camp  for  the  winter  at  Richland  Creek,  near 
Corinth. 

In  Jan.,  1864,  the  Regt.  re-enlisted  as  vete 
rans,  and  in  April  marched  to  Larkinsville, 
and  went  by  rail  to  Chattanooga,  Ga.  On 
May  Qth,  it  started  on  the  Atlanta  campaign 
and  was  in  all  the  engagements  that  followed 
in  that  memorable  expedition. 

Shortly  after  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
Mr.  Powell  was  hurt  in  the  foot,  so  he  was  not 
able  to  march,  and  was  sent  to  Chattanooga, 
Tenn.,  and  to  the  hospital  at  Paducah,  Ky., 
where  he  had  intermittent  fever.  He  was  with 
his  Regt.  and  on  duty  during  its  entire  service 
except  while  in  the  hospital. 

Mr.  Powell  was  in  the  line  of  battle  at  At 
lanta  under  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery  when  his 
discharge  papers  came  to  him.  The  papers 


had  been  sent  to  the  Colonel's  headquarters, 
which  could  be  seen  by  the  rebels,  and  they 
fired  at  the  tent.  The  Col.,  busy  with  the 
papers,  was  nearly  hit  by  a  shell  which  came 
close  to  his  head;  as  he  dodged  down  he  said, 
"Boys  this  is  a  good  place  to  get  out  of."  The 
discharge  of  these  men  was  on  account  of  ex 
piration  of  term  of  enlistment.  They  were  in 
one  charge  in  this  siege  of  Atlanta  under  John 
A.  Logan. 

After  his  war  service  Mr.  Powell  came  back 
to  Port  Byron  and  staid  a  year,  then  moved  to 
Hardin  Co.,  Iowa,  remaining  about  a  year,  when 
he  came  to  Kewanee,  111.,  with  his  brother, 
Leonard  B.,  who  was  in  the  65th  Regt.,  and  also 
the  I26th.  His  father  was  also  a  member  of  the 
65th  Regt.,  but  was  captured  with  his  son 
Leonard  at  Harper's  Ferry.  The  father,  who 
had  previously  served  in  the  I2th  111.,  but  was 
discharged  for  disability,  died  at  Port  Byron, 
111.,  in  Sept.,  1864,  a  few  weeks  after  the  return 
of  his  son  Lycurgus  from  the  army. 

In  the  family  of  Wm.  Powell  there  were  two 
sons  and  three  daughters.  The  two  sons  have 
been  mentioned;  the  sister,  Minnie,  married  a 
soldier  and  lives  in  Port  Byron,  111.,  and  two 
sisters  reside  with  the  mother  in  Jewell  Co., 
Kan. 

Dr.  Powell  has  now  a  wide  reputation  as  a 
Veterinary  Surgeon,  and  his  skill  and  ability 
are  known  far  beyond  the  limits  of  his  own 
State.  He  was  married  in  1868,  and  has  three 
children  by  this  marriage.  They  arc  William 
D.,  now  working  in  the  Western  Tube  Works  at 
Kewanee;  Bird  C.,  a  young  man  living  in 
La  Salle,  111.;  Maree,  a  young  miss  of  ten,  at 
home. 

Dr.  Powell  is  now  living  with  his  second 
wife,  who  was  May  Terrell,  of  Toulon,  Stark 
Co.,  III.,  a  daughter  of  Ed.  Terrell.  The  father 
of  Dr.  Powell  was  a  strong  abolitionist,  and  all 
the  family  are  Republicans,  straight  and  true. 
The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  of 
Kewanee,  and  can  be  counted  on  when  good 
counsel  and  decided  action  are  demanded,  as  he 
holds  a  leading  position  in  his  profession,  and 
is  widely  known  as  a  cultured  and  well-informed 
man. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


611 


M 


AYNARD  H.  DEAN,  a  member  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  Post,  No.  91,  Dept.  of  111.,  G. 
A.  R.,  was  born  at  Palmyra,  N.Y.,  Sept. 
8,  1840.  His  parents  were  John  S.  and  Chloa 
E.  Dean.  The  former  was  a  hatter,  and  died 
in  1860,  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  the  latter  dying  six 
years  later  in  Chicago.  Of  the  five  children 
born  to  them  our  subject  is  the  only  survivor. 
When  Maynard  was  but  a  youth  his  parents 
moved  to  Detroit,  Mich.  Ten  years  later  they 
located  at  Adrian,  Mich.  Here,  at  the  age  of 
19  years,  he  bid  his  parental  home  good-bye, 
and  went  to  Toledo,  O.,  where  he  enlisted  April 
21,  1861,  in  Co.  K,  25th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  under 
Lincoln's  first  call  for  75,000  troops.  He  faith 
fully  served  with  the  nth  A.  C.  in  all  of  its 
continuous  maneuvers,  faced  the  enemy's  hot 
fire  in  the  battles  of  Rich  Mt.,  July  11,  1861; 
Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861 ;  and  was  with  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  in  all  of  its  fluctuating  fortunes 
up  to  the  consolidation  of  the  nth  and  I2th 
Corps,  thus  forming  the  2Oth  Corps,  which  was 
under  Sherman.  Subsequently  he  was  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,  during  the  Peninsular  cam 
paign,  fighting  in  the  front  ranks  in  the  tragic 
and  stubbornly-fought  battles  of  Winchester, 
Culpeper  Court  House,  and  Chancellorsville. 
During  the  last  bloody  engagement,  May  1-4, 
1863,  this  gallant  soldier  was  shot  through  both 
legs.  He  was  carried  off  the  field,  fell  into  the 
enemy's  hands,  and  was  exchanged  and  taken 
to  Columbia  College  Hospital,  at  Washington. 
After  convalescing  he  was  furloughed  and 
visited  his  family  in  Chicago  for  60  days,  return 
ing  to  hospital,  and  shortly  rejoining  his  Regt., 
which  had  come  to  Washington  to  recruit. 
Then  onward  again  under  the  stars  and  stripes. 
Onward  with  the  2Oth  Corps,  moving  South 
and  joining  Sherman  in  his  march  to  the  sea, 
participating  in  all  of  the  many  privations  and 
hardships  of  the  exhausting  marches,  skirmishes 
and  battles.  After  the  capture  of  Savannah, 
we  find  our  comrade  victoriously  tramping 
through  the  heavy  swamps  and  rivers  of  the 
Carolinas.  Onward,  finally  joining  the  grand 
review  at  Washington,  May  24,  1865.  He  re 
mained  in  the  fortifications  about  Washington, 
where  he  was  mustered  out  Nov.  14,  1865,  after 


having  loyally  and  actively  served  his  country 
for  4  years  and  six  months,  probably  as  long  a 
term  as  was  served  by  any  volunteer  during 
the  war.  Moreover,  his  service  was  one  con 
tinuous  line  of  active  duty  from  first  to  last, 
except  during  the  period  he  was  confined  to  the 
hospital,  wounded.  In  1887  Mr.  Dean  felt 
obliged  to  leave  off  active  labor  on  accouut  of 
his  disabled  legs,  and  accordingly  entered  the 
111.  Soldier's  Home  at  Quincy,  111.,  and  indeed, 
if  any  inmate  of  that  worthy  institution  has 
justly  earned  a  respite  from  labor,  and  a  care 
ful  and  loving  attention,  it  is  comrade  Dean, 
whose  life  has  been  sacrificed  to  a  great  degree 
to  the  service  of  the  grand  old  flag.  A  Pres 
byterian  in  religion,  a  Republican  in  politics, 
Mr.  Dean  is  a  true  soldier  and  a  gentleman  of 
exceptionally  good  habits,  abstaining  both  from 
tobacco  and  liquor. 


ELMER  H.  DEAN  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army  at  Champaign,  111.,  August  14, 
1862,  rendezvoused  at  Chicago,  where  he 
was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  G,  72nd  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  the  Regt.  being  known  as  the  "First 
Board  of  Trade  Regt."  Immediately  after  the 
organization  it  was  ordered  to  Cairo  and  Sept. 
8,  moved  to  Paducah,  where  it  .performed  post 
duty,  afterwards  marched  to  Columbus,  Ky., 
and  was  there  engaged  in  guard  and  picket 
duty.  The  work  of  the  Regt.  continued  to  be 
hard  and  onerous;  beside  heavy  marching,  the 
men  were  obliged  to  drill,  and  in  a  short  time 
were  among  the  flower  of  the  army.  Oct.  6th 
they  joined  in  an  expedition  to  Clarkson,  Mo., 
and  there  dispersed  a  rebel  camp,  capturing  a 
number  of  prisoners,  then  on  a  similar  campaign 
to  New  Madrid  and  afterwards  passed  through 
Moscow,  Lumpkin's  Mills,  Miss.,  then  accom 
panied  Gen.  Grant's  army  to  Yaconapatfa  River. 
Owing  to  supplies  having  been  cut  off  at  Holly 
Springs,  the  army  was  forced  to  return,  the 
72nd  being  detailed  to  guard  a  wagon  train  to 
Memphis.  It  remained  in  the  vicinity  of 
Memphis  until  March  ist,  when  with  its  Div. 
it  started  down  the  Yazoo  Pass,  but  afterwards 


6l2 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


returned  and  proceeded  to  Milliken's  Bend,  La. 
and  from  there  with  Grant's  army  marched  to 
ward  Vicksburg,  arriving  at  Champion  Hills 
May  16,  just  in  time  to  participate  in  that  bat 
tle  and  turn  the  enemy's  left,  and  by  that 
movement  decided  the  fate  of  the  engagement. 
This  was  the  first  live  battle  in  which  the  72nd. 
was  engaged,  and  although  its  share  was  an 
important  one,  it  sustained  but  few  casual 
ties.  The  following  day  it  moved  to  Big  Black 
in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  and  was  the  first  to 
open  the  assault  upon  that  city,  May  19,  and 
again  on  the  22nd  it  participated  with  the  high 
est  honor,  but  as  a  consequence  suffered  terri 
bly,  losing  130  of  its  number  in  killed  and 
wounded.  It  continued  in  the  siege  until  the 
surrender,  shortly  after  embarking  for  Natchez, 
of  which  it  took  possession  and  captured  a 
large  number  of  prisoners,  several  pieces  of 
artillery,  stores  and  5,000  head  of  Texas  cattle. 
Mr.  Dean  remained  here  except  whilst 
absent  on  a  couple  of  skirmishes,  one  at  Cath 
erine's  Creek,  Miss.,  and  the  other  at  Cross 
Bayou,  La.,  afterwards  moving,  Oct.  i6th,  to 
Vicksburg,  Miss.,  where  he  was  on  provost 
guard  duty  for  the  following  twelve  months. 
On  moving  the  Regt.  went  to  Benton,  there 
engaging  the  enemy  in  a  severe  fight,  and 
again  some  weeks  later,  had  a  similar  battle  at 
Grand  Gulf.  Oct.  3Oth,  it  moved  to  join  the 
march  to  the  sea,  but  on  arrival  at  Nashville  it 
was  too  late,  therefore,  became  attached  to 
Gen.  Schofield's  command.  At  Spring  Hill 
the  72nd  had  a  severe  skirmish  with  the  rebels, 
and  the  following  day  arrived  at  Franklin  and 
were  attacked  by  Hood  about  4  P.  M.,  the  bat 
tle  raging  with  terrific  fury  until  midnight. 
The  72nd  lost  9  out  of  15  officers  engaged,  and 
1 52  men  killed  and  wounded.  It  left  that  night 
for  Nashville  where  it  arrived  Dec.  1st,  and  on 
the  1 5th  the' whole  Union  army  stationed  there 
moved  out  to  give  battle  to  the  rebels,  the 
engagement  lasting  all  that  night  and  the  fol 
lowing  day,  resulting  in  the  complete  whipping 
of  the  enemy;  then  started  in  pursuit  of  the 
retreating  rebels  whom  they  followed  as  far  as 
Clifton,  and  afterwards  proceeded  to  East  Port, 
Miss.,  where  they  remained  until  Feb.  9th.  The 


72nd,  on  the  last  named  date,  set  out  for  New 
Orleans,  then  across  the  gulf  to  Dauphin 
Island,  Ala.,  then  to  the  western  shore  of 
Mobile  Bay,  where  they  had  several  skirmishes 
with  the  enemy,  afterwards  returning,  rejoined 
the  main  army  at  Fish  River,  Ala. 

March  26,  it  moved  to  Spanish  Fort  where 
it  took  part  in  the  siege  until  April,  when  the 
rebel  works  were  attacked  and  about  midnight 
were  carried,  and  the  Fort  captured.  The  same 
day  it  was  engaged  in  the  charge  upon  the  en 
emy's  works  at  Fort  Blakely,  which  was  also 
captured,  then  moved  on  the  road  to  Mont 
gomery,  Ala.,  marching  over  200  miles  to  that 
place  in  1 1  days,  and  there  remained  in  camp 
until  May  25th;  were  ordered  to  Union  Springs, 
remaining  there  until  July,  when  they  started 
on  their  homeward  journey.  Mr.  Dean  was 
mustered  out  at  Vicksburg  Aug.  6th,  then  pro 
ceeded  directly  to  Chicago.  During  the  serv 
ice  of  the  72d  it  received  450  recruits,  traveled 
during  its  term  of  service  9,280  miles  and  was 
145  days  under  the  enemy's  fire.  He  was  de 
tailed  on  one  occasion  to  accompany  some 
prisoners  to  Chicago,  on  another  was  given  a 
furlough  to  enable  him  to  return  and  vote  for 
Abraham  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Dean  was  born  in  Dutchess  Co.,  N.  Y., 
Oct.  4th,  1842,  removing  with  his  parents  to 
Ohio,  in  1852,  and  two  years  later  to  Cham 
paign,  111.,  where  he  was  residing  at  the  time  of 
his  enlistment.  After  receiving  his  discharge 
from  the  army  he  returned  to  his  home,  and 
four  years  later  was  married  to  Eliza  Batzell  of 
Dark  Co.,  Ohio,  and  two  children,  Emmett  C., 
and  Myrtle  J.,  are  the  result  of  that  marriage. 
Emmett  is  a  Lieut,  in  the  Sons  of  Veterans'  or 
ganization.  Our  subject  is  a  member  of  No- 
dean  Post,  No.  140,  G.  A.  R.,  and  in  politics  is 
a  Republican.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers 
in  his  county,  having .  removed  there  before 
Champaign  had  an  existence  even  as  a  village. 


WILLIAM  OUTHOUSE,  of  Elgin,  111.,  whose 
ancestors  have  a  creditable    war    re 
cord    in    the  older  wars,  was  born  at 
Campton,    Kane    Co.,    111.,    in    Aug.    1840,    the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


613 


third  in  a  family  of  7  children  whose  names 
were  Priscilla,  Edward,  William,  George,  Mary, 
Renahvin,  and  Arathusa. 

His  father  was  James  Outhouse,  a  German 
farmer,  a  native  of  New  Brunswick,  who  was 
born  in  1807.  Three  of  his  father's  uncles 
were  killed  at  Bunker  Hill,  and  three  others 
were  in  King  William's  Life  Guard.  The  moth 
er  was  Elizabeth  Reed,  born  in  1811,  in  New 
Brunswick,  of  English  parents.  Her  father  was 
a  soldier  with  Gen.  Wolfe  in  the  capture  of 
Quebec.  Wm.  Outhouse  spent  the  early  years 
of  his  life  on  a  farm  in  111.,  and  acquired  a 
thorough  education  in  the  distict  schools. 

May  10,  1864,  he  enlisted  for  100  days' serv 
ice  in  Co.  G,  I4ist  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Elgin,  111., 
and  was  mustered  in  as  1st  Sergeant,  June  10. 
The  Regiment  soon  started  for  Columbus,  Ky., 
which  was  made  the  headquarters  of  the  com 
mand  until  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  en 
listment,  making  an  occasional  excursion  into 
the  country  in  pursuit  of  the  rebel  forces.  In 
this  camp  the  men  received  thorough  instruc 
tion  in  all  of  the  duties  of  a  soldier,  including 
tactics  and  camp  and  garrison  service. 

About  Aug.  i,  the  Regt.  went  down  the 
Miss.  River  to  Cairo,  then  up  the  Ohio  to  Union- 
town,  Ky.,  and  disembarking  here  marched  out 
after  the  rebel  Gen.  Morgan  to  Careyville,  go 
ing  through  the  country  to  Smithland.  Being 
in  light  marching  order,  and  without  wagons  or 
provisions,  marching  by  forced  marches  from 
twenty  to  thirty  miles  per  day,  the  men  foraged 
for  supplies,  which  were  limited,  and  consisted 
chiefly  of  green  corn  and  green  apples. 

Morgan  crossed  the  Cumberland  River 
about  20  miles  from  Smithland,  and  the  Union 
force  marched  down  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river,  crossed  to  Smithland,  where  it  em" 
barked  for  Columbus.  This  campaign  lasted 
about  two  weeks,  and  Oct.  5,  the  order  came  to 
take  transports  for  Cairo  to  receive  marching 
orders  for  St.  Louis;  but  these  were  counter 
manded,  and  the  troops  sent  to  Chicago  to  be 
mustered  out.  When  the  time  of  enlistment 
expired  Gen.  Thomas  came  to  Sergt.  Outhouse 
and  requested  him  to  use  his  influence  to  have 
the  men  remain  in  service  until  they  could  be 


relieved.  When  a  vote  of  the  regiment  was 
taken  a  majority  voted  against  the  proposition, 
but  it  was  held  two  months  over  time,  and 
mustered  out  Oct.  15,  1864. 

Sergt.  Outhouse  made  a  creditable  record, 
and  holds  a  certificate  signed  by  President 
Lincoln,  commending  him  for  honorable  ser 
vice  of  which  he  should  be  justly  proud. 

After  his  war  experience  he  resumed  his 
work  upon  a  farm,  prosecuted  it  until  seven 
years  ago,  when  he  moved  to  Elgin  111.,  and 
became  interested  in  the  granite  and  marble 
business,  in  which  he  is  now  engaged,  although 
still  managing  his  farm  which  he  yet  owns.  In 
Nov.,  1871,  he  was  married  to  the  estimable 
Hanna  Kelly,  of  Campton,  111.,  and  to  them 
were  born  four  children.  These  are  James  and 
David,  twins,  who  are  now  19  years  of  age; 
Frank,  a  younger  son,  and  a  daughter  Lizzie. 

Near  the  beginning  of  his  service  the  Ser 
geant  received  a  severe  sunstroke,  while  waiting 
for  transfer  boats  at  Cairo.  He  was  unconscious 
for  twelve  hours,  and  was  prostrated  for  some 
time  so  he  was  unfitted  for  duty.  He  was  also 
much  reduced  in  weight,  running  from  180 
pounds  to  106  in  a  very  short  time;  and  al 
though  years  have  passed,  he  has  never  fully 
recovered  from  this  injury,  and  for  two  years 
was  unable  to  perform  any  labor. 

Mr.  Outhouse  is  a  leading  member  in  the  G. 
A.  R.,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  By 
his  enterprise  and  ability  he  has  success 
fully  managed  his  affairs  so  that  he  may  be 
considered  in  good  circumstances.  His  social 
qualities  and  warm,  genial  manners  have  ever 
made  him  popular  among  a  large  circle  of 
friends,  while  his  business  integrity  and  good 
judgment  have  won  the  esteem  and  confidence 
of  the  entire  community  where  he  is  known. 


JOHN  S.  BALL,  of  Turner's  Junction,  111.,  was 
born   in    Cattaraugus  Co.,  N.  Y.,  April  24, 
1838,   and  is  the  third  son  of  Alvin  and 
Eunice  (Selfridge)  Ball,  both  deceased.       His 
paternal  grandfather,  James  R.  Ball,  was  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  Mr.  Ball  and  his  two  brothers 
took  part  in  the  great  Rebellion,  being  in  the 


614 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


same  Co.  and  Regt.  He  was  reared  on  the 
family  homestead,  receiving  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  He  en 
listed  for  three  years  at  Batavia,  111.,  August  ii» 
1862,  in  Co.  B.,  1 24th  111.  Vol.  The  Regt.  ren 
dezvoused  at  Camp  Butler,  where  it  was  mus 
tered  in.  Mr.  Ball,  though  not  strong,  staid 
with  his  Co.  until  Dec.  following,  when,  owing 
to  continued  sickness  and  incapacity  for  mili 
tary  duties,  he  was  discharged  and  returned 
home.  His  two  brothers,  Samuel  and  Theodore, 
however,  remained  in  their  command  and  saw 
much  active  service.  Samuel  was  taken  sick 
with  the  measles  at  Vicksburg,  and  was  removed 
to  the  hospital  at  Memphis,  Tenn.-  Later,  he 
was  furloughed,  and  returned  home,  where  he 
died  some  five  weeks  after.  Theodore  com 
pleted  his  full  term  of  service,  and  was  mustered 
out  Sept.,  1865.  On  his  discharge  from  the 
service,  Mr.  Ball  became  engaged  in  wagon 
making,  and  has  continued  in  that  line  most  of 
the  time  since.  For  some  time  he  was  a  resident 
of  Sarpy  Co.,  Neb.  From  there  he  went  to 
Fairbanks,  Iowa,  and  then  to  Turner,  111.  He 
was  married  March  30,  1863,  to  Louisa  Higby, 
daughter  of  Harvey  and  Eliza  (Anisworth) 
Higby.  They  have  four  children — Viola,  Wal 
lace,  Estella  and  Eliza  E. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Politically, 
Mr.  Ball  is  a  Republican.  Had  his  health  per 
mitted,  he  would  have  remained  in  the  army 
and  probably  have  served  his  country  equally 
as  well  as  his  brothers.  He  is  well  known  in 
the  locality  where  he  resides,  and  is  held  in  high 
esteem. 


CHARLES  I.  HAYNES,  of  Wauponsee,   111., 
was  born   in  Iowa  City,   Dec.   31,  1842, 
and  was  a  son  of  George  W.  and  Tacy 
(Inschoe)  Haynes.     The  mother's  father  came 
from    Plymouth,    Ohio,  and   settled   in    Little 
Rock,   Kendall   Co.,   111.,   at  a  very  early  date. 
Three     Haynes     brothers — Andrew    Jackson, 
Wm.  Henry  Harrison,  and  George  Washington 
— moved    from    N.   Y.   to  111.,    where  the  two 
younger    brothers    married    into    the    Inschoe 


family.  After  George  W.,  the  father,  was  mar 
ried,  he  located  at  Big  Grove,  Kane  Co.,  111., 
where  two  children  were  born.  He  afterwards 
changed  his  residence  to  Iowa,  where  Charles 
was  born,  and  then  returned  to  Kendall  Co., 
111.,  where  another  child  was  born.  The  father 
died  when  the  children  were  young.  The 
mother  kept  the  family  together  for  years,  and 
died  at  the  home  of  her  son  Charles,  Aug.  15, 
1876.  Charles  I.  Haynes  received  the  school 
advantages  that  came  to  young  men  reared  as 
he  was  upon  a  farm.  He  enlisted  Aug.,  1862, 
in  Co.  C,  4th  111.  Cav.  and  at  once  joined  the 
Regt.  at  Trenton,  Tenn.  His  first  assignment 
was  picket  duty,  and  while  serving  on  this  post 
he  became  tired  and  begun  to  shoot  at  a  stump 
to  relieve  the  monotony.  The  Sergt.,  who 
came  out  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  firing, 
said:  "  Don't  you  know  better  than  to  shoot 
when  on  picket  duty?"  and  the  new  recruit  an 
swered,  "  No."  But  before  the  war  was  over 
he  had  learned  the  lesson  well.  The  first  hard 
service  experienced  was  on  the  Coffeyville 
march.  The  Regt.  was  posted  along  the  Mem 
phis  and  Charleston  R.  R.  during  the  summer 
of  1863,  and  had  many  skirmishes  with  the 
rebels,  who  were  under  Forrest  and  Chalmers, 
and  also  with  a  band  of  guerrillas  under  the 
Porter  brothers. 

In  1864,  about  Feb.,  Mr.  Haynes  and  16 
men  were  detached  from  the  Regt.  and  put  on 
duty  as  escorts  and  aids  to  Gen.  Thomas  Kirby 
Smith,  in  the  Red  River  campaign,  during 
which  Mr.  Haynes  carried  despatches.  While 
at  Alexandria,  Gen.  Smith  crossed  the  river 
with  his  escort  and  went  to  a  military  academy 
about  four  miles  from  the  city,  which  had  been 
in  charge  of  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman  before  the 
war.  Here  four  wagon  loads  of  books  were 
secured  and  were  taken  to  the  river  and  placed 
on  boats. 

The  night  before  the  fleet  moved  up  the 
river,  Mr.  Haynes  was  chosen  to  carry  the 
orders  to  the  boats  lying  along  the  bluff.  The 
bluff  was  very  high  and  a  cable  was  run  up 
over  the  bank  which  was  the  only  means  of 
reaching  the  boats  at  night,  where  the  orders 
were  to  be  delivered.  Starting  about  9  o'clock 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


615 


with  orders  to  be  delivered  to  some  15  boats, 
he  found  usually  no  one  up  but  the  watchman. 
Calling  out,  "  Boat  a  hoy  !  "  The  watchman 
would  ask,  "What  do  you  want  ?"  "I  want  to 
go  aboard  with  orders  !  "  would  be  the  answer. 
"  All  right,  get  aboard,"  was  the  reply,  leaving 
the  messenger  his  own  time  and  way.  The 
only  thing  to  be  done  was  to  climb  down  the 
cable  hand-over-hand,  wake  up  the  captain, 
deliver  the  orders  and  get  a  receipt.  The  Cap 
tain  would  provide  help  to  land.  This  opera 
tion  was  repeated  at  each  of  the  15  boats,  and 
kept  him  busy  until  after  midnight,  when  he 
returned  to  the  steamer  Hastings,  which  was 
headquarters. 

While  at  Natchitoches,  Gen.  Smith  disem 
barked  and  started  out  along  the  river  with  a 
part  of  his  escort,  numbering  about  15  men, 
when  he  saw  some  rebels  across  the  stream.  Turn 
ing  to  his  men  he  said,  "How  many  of  you  are 
there  here?"  A  little  Frenchman,  Louis  Pelke, 
from  Kankakee,  111.,  answering,  said,  "Dere  is 
enough  of  us  here  to  fetch  dem  fellows  in  if 
you  say  so.'  The  fleet  proceeded  up  the 
river,  while  the  army  marched  by  another  route. 
At  one  point  the  rebels  had  cut  trees  and  sunk 
a  boat  across  the  channel  to  stop  the  fleet.  On 
meeting  the  obstruction,  Gen.  Smith  landed 
his  escort  and  sent  them  into  the  woods  to  in 
vestigate  the  matter.  Mr.  Haynes  being  well 
mounted  soon  was  in  the  advance.  In  the 
brush  he  saw  some  of  the  rebels,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river,  arid  reported  the  fact  to  the 
Gen.  At  this  point  the  fleet  turned  back  and 
Mr.  Haynes  was  in  a  position  to  witness  the 
fight  between  the  gun  boats,  the  infantry  on 
transports,  and  a  force  of  rebels.  On  the  night 
after  this  battle  the  fleet  passed  several  batter 
ies  on  the  land  and  received  their  fire,  but  Mr. 
Haynes  was  so  exhausted  that  he  slept  on  the 
top  of  a  boat  and  dreamed  of  a  storm  with 
thunder  and  lightning. 

A  start  was  made  for  Alexandria,  and  on 
this  trip  there  were  engagements  in  front,  rear 
and  flanks  almost  daily.  One  day  there  was  a 
duel  between  the  batteries  of  the  opposing 
armies  that  continued  nearly  the  whole  day, 
until  at  last  the  rebels  gave  way.  Again  this 


command  took  the  boats  and  were  conveyed 
to  Memphis,  but  before  this,  it  was  necessary 
to  transport  the  troops  over  Atchafalaya  Bayou. 
This  was  done  by  placing  the  boats  side  by 
side  with  the  bows  up-stream  and  building  a 
bridge  on  them. 

Mr.  Haynes  was  at  Memphis  at  the  time  of 
Sturgis'  raid  and  soon  after  joined  his  Regt.  at 
Natchez,  Miss.  From  Natchez  he  was  sent  to 
Alton,  111.,  with  prisoners,  and  while  North 
went  home  for  a  week. 

Mr.  Haynes  can  relate  many  personal 
experiences  in  camp  and  saddle,  which  are  a 
part  of  the  most  thrilling  history  of  the  war, 
much  of  which  has  not  been  written.  In  1863, 
he  had  a  very  narrow  escape  and  lost  his  horse, 
and  at  Yazoo  City  he  had  a  horse  shot  from 
under  him  where  he  led  in  a  charge.  At  Sar- 
tasia,  on  the  Yazoo  River,  in  a  hotly-contested 
fight,  where  60  Union  men  were  combating  175 
rebels,  he  was  one  of  three  men  in  advance; 
one  of  these  men  ran  but  the  two  remaining 
dismounted,  and  seeking  the  shelter  of  trees, 
held  the  enemy  in  check  until  the  rest  of  the 
company  came  up.  The  fight  continued  from 
9  o'clock  until  12,  when  the  supply  of  ammuni 
tion  failed.  In  reporting  this  fight,  the  rebels 
stated  that  they  were  opposed  by  500  Yankees, 
when  the  fighting  force  actually  consisted  of 
but  30  men.  In  June,  1865,  Mr.  Haynes  was 
mustered  out,  having  been  promoted  to  Orderly 
Sergeant. 

His  brother,  Andrew].,  went  out  in  the  4th 
Cav.,  and  was  afterward  commissioned  a  Capt. 
in  Co.  K,  3d  U.  S.  Colored  Cav.,  in  which  he 
served  until  late  in  1866,  when  he  located  in  the 
South,  and  was  in  Ark.  under  Gov.  Powell  Clay 
ton's  administration.  He  was  killed  July  15, 
1869,  by  the  Kuklux. 

Charles  I.  Haynes,  after  returning  to  his 
home  was  married  Sept.  13,  -1866,  to  Louisa 
Crisler,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Crisler,  who 
was  the  father  of  7  daughters  and  two  sons. 
Mrs.  Haynes  was  the  mother  of  4  children,  and 
died  in  1886.  The  children  are  as  follows — 
Charles,  who  is  married  and  lives  near  his  fath 
er  on  his  own  farm  of  160  acres,  and  has  a  son 
Chas.  F.,  Jr.,  3  years  of  age ;  Halbert  A.,  a  young 


6i6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


man  of  21,  living  at  home;  Benjamin  H.,  a  bright 
young  lad,  who  is  a  "chip  of  the  old  block;"  and 
Florence  Louisa  Tacy,  a  young  lady,  living  at 
home  with  her  father.  Mr.  Haynes  is  a  decid 
ed  Republican  and  could  not  be  anything  else. 
He  has  been  a  School  Director  and  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  and  holds  the  office  of  Road  Com 
missioner.  He  is  a  Congregationalist  and  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He  has  faithfully  dis 
charged  the  many  duties  placed  upon  him  and 
has  won .  the  esteem  of  his  townsmen  by  his 
integrity  and  honorable  reputation. 


DR.  J.  A.  MCDANIEL,  of  Princeton,  111., 
was  born  in  Boone  Co.,  Ind.,  July  20, 
1847,  where  he  attended  school  until  he 
enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army,  Jan.  2, 
1864,  a  few  months  before  he  was  17  years  of 
age.  He  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co. 
D,  72nd  Ind.  Mounted  Inf.  Dr.  McDaniel  did 
not  wait  to  be  called  upon  to  take  part  in  the 
rebellion,  but  at  the  earliest  moment  sought 
out  the  recruiting  officer  and  after  some  banter 
was  "allowed  to  pass."  He  relates  an  amusing 
incident  which  occurred  on  this  occasion.  He 
had  a  twin  brother  who  accompanied  him  on 
the  occasion  of  his  enlistment,  and  who  was 
desirous  of  entering  the  army,  but  was  not  quite 
so  large  in  stature  nor  so  old  looking.  On  pre 
senting  himself  for  muster  he  was  rejected  and 
told  he  had  better  go  home  to  his  mother. 
This  rebuff  was  rather  unexpected  by  the  en 
thusiastic  young  patriot,  and  he  proceeded  to 
inform  the  officer,  that  if  he  was  not  quite  so 
large  or  so  old  looking  as  his  brother  who  had 
just  been  passed,  he  could  prove  beyond  a 
question  of  a  doubt  that  he  was  just  a  half 
hour  older.  '  This  settled  the  point,  and  the 
courageous  young  spirit  was  duly  enrolled  as 
a  soldier.  The  winter  months  were  spent  in 
camp,  where  the  regiment  was  thoroughly 
drilled  in  all  the  tactics  of  war,  and  in  the 
spring  proceeded  to  the  front  and  became  at 
tached  to  the  Army  of  Sherman,  and  with  it,  in 
fcfae  early  days  of  May,  started  upon  the  Atlanta 


campaign,  taking  part,  during  that  expedition, 
in  the  battles  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resaca, 
Cassville,  Adairsville,  New  Hope  Church,  Rack 
et's  Mills,  Kenesaw  Mt,  Smyrna,  Camp  Ground, 
Vining's  Station,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  siege  of 
Atlanta  and  Jonesboro,  besides  numerous  skir 
mishes,  some  of  which  were  as  severe  and 
destructive  as  battles.  After  the  fall  of  At 
lanta  Dr.  McDaniel,  with  his  Regt.,  participated 
in  the  "march  to  the  sea,"  going  as  far  as  Rome 
and  took  part  in  that  action.  It  fell  back  then 
to  Selma,  and  later  participated  in  the  cam 
paign  against  Hood  and  fought  in  the  battles 
of  Franklin  and  Nashville.  Then  followed 
Hood  in  his  retreat  for  a  time,  and  moved  to 
Gravely  Springs,  where  they  camped  for  two 
months,  then  moved  back  and  operated  in 
Tenn.  Our  subject  continued  in  the  army  after 
the  war  was  over,  and  was  only  mustered  out 
at  Nashville  Sept.  14,  1865. 

Previous  to  his  entering  the  army,  he  at 
tended  an  academy  for  two  terms,  and  after  his 
discharge  studied  the  Dental  profession,  and 
has  been  engaged  in  dental  practice  since.  He 
practiced  for  some  years  in  Ind.,  but  in  1878 
removed  to  Princeton  and  there  resumed  his 
profession.  The  Doctor  springs  from  old  Quaker 
stock,  and  illustrates  a  peculiar  tenet  of  that 
sect  by  stating  that  his  maternal  grandfather 
was  drafted  as  a  soldier  during  the  War  of  1812, 
but  the  doctrines  governing  his  ideas  and  modes 
of  life  frowned  down  wars,  irrespective  of  the 
causes  which  produced  them,  or  the  conse 
quences  which  they  might  entail,  and,  true  to  his 
faith,  the  old  grandparent  simply  refused  to 
fight.  History  docs  not  throw  any  light  upon 
the  result  of  this  conflict  of  opinion  between 
this  no  doubt  honorable,  well-intentioned 
Quaker,  and  his  government,  but  presumes  he 
was  compelled  to  accompany  his  regiment  until 
the  necessity  for  his  presence  therein  had  dis 
appeared.  The  Doctor's  paternal  grandfather 
was  a  large  slave-owner  in  the  South  before  the 
war,  but  we  incline  to  the  belief  he  had  sold 
out,  otherwise  the  grandson  must  be  regarded 
as  a  naughty  boy  in  exhibiting  so  much  zeal  in 
the  cause  of  the  North,  thus  threatening  his 
parental  estates. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


617 


The  Doctor  married  Delight  Garten,  of 
Ind.,  Sep.  13,  1870,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 
who  died  in  infancy.  .  He  is  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason,  and  a  member  of  Furris  Post,  No.  309, 
G.  A.  R.,  of  Princeton. 

Soon  after  settling  in  Princeton,  the  Doctor's 
practice  owing  to  his  prominence  in  the  pro 
fession,  accompanied  by  his  strict  attention  to 
business,  commenced  to  grow  and  increase  in 
volume  year  by  year,  notwithstanding  that 
rivals  had  since  sprung  up,  until  now  he  has  an 
extensive  and  lucrative  practice.  Besides  be 
ing  a  skilled  and  eminent  dentist,  he  is  a 
gentleman  who  takes  an  active  part  in  all  mat 
ters  relating  to  the  town  and  county,  and  when 
ever  important  movements,  having  for  their  ob 
jects  the  improvement  of  the  town  of  Prince 
ton  or  of  Bureau  Co.,aresetin  motion,  Dr.  Mc- 
Daniel  may  be  looked  for  as  one  of  the  pro 
moters. 


NELSON  WELLINGTON  BURNESON,  of  Gales- 
burg,  111.,  was  born  in  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y., 
Dec.  31,  1838.  His  father  went  to  reside 
in  Phila.  when  his  son  was  a  mere  boy,  where, 
after  a  limited  education,  he  obtained  employ 
ment  in  the  great  publishing  house  of  J.  B.  Lip- 
pincott  &  Co.  He  continued  in  this  relation 
until  he  attained  the  age  of  19,  when,  his  mother 
being  dead,  he  came  to  Knox  Co.,  111.,  where  he 
engaged  with  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  and  was  at 
work  for  that  Co.  until  he  enlisted  in  the  mili 
tary  service.  He  was  mustered  in  in  Aug.,  1862, 
in  Co.  G,  Sgth  111.  Inf.,  and  accompanied  his 
Regt.  to  the  front,  taking  part  in  the  battle  of 
Stone  River.  Here  his  Co.  lost  six  men  killed. 
The  night  before,  Mr.  Burneson  was  in  camp 
in  a  dense  body  of  woods,  and  when  the 
attack  of  the  enemy  was  made,  early  in  the 
morning,  he  at  first  supposed  them  to  be  his 
own  men.  The  night  after  the  battle  it  grew  to 
be  very  cold,  and  as  they  had  divested  them 
selves  of  their  blankets  and  every  other  article, 
they  suffered  intensely. 


The  day  before  the  fight  at  Stone  River,  in 
looting  a  store,  Mr.  Burneson  had  provided 
himself  with  a  white  plug  hat,  which  he  wore 
during  the  battle,  ignoring  the  fact  that  it  made 
a  conspicuous  mark  for  the  enemy's  bullets. 
Afterhe  had  escaped,  however,  unhurt,  the  Col 
onel  came  up  to  him  and  said:  "Hello  !  white 
plug  ;  you  here  all  safe?  I  never  expected  to 
see  you  get  out  of  there  alive."  Later  he  was 
in  the  action  at  Liberty  Gap.  The  next  im 
portant  engagement  in  which  he  participated 
was  at  Chickamauga,  where  he  was  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner.  He  had  been  in  line  all  day 
and  after  dark  had  taken  refuge  with  some  of 
his  companions  behind  a  log.  In  the  desperate 
charge  of  the  rebels  upon  his  point  several  of 
the  Co.,  including  Capt.  Whiting,  were  killed, 
after  which  they  came  on  to  the  other  side  of 
the  log,  when  there  ensued  a  hand  to  hand  fight 
with  clubbed  guns,  which  was  kept  up  until  the 
line  had  fallen  back  on  either  side  of  them,  the 
bullets  coming  thick  and  fast  from  the  rear, 
when  they  were  forced  to  surrender. 

They  were  taken  on  to  Richmond,  and  put 
into  a  tobacco  warehouse,  where  there  were 
about  1,350  prisoners.  They  had  one  meal  a 
day,  consisting  of  half  a  loaf  of  bread  and  a 
piece  of  meat  as  large  as  one's  hand.  Mr.  Bur 
neson  was  detailed  in  the  hospital  as  ward 
master.  He  became  well  acquainted  with  the 
rebel  commandant,  and  asked  to  be  allowed  to 
go  with  the  paroled  prisoners  about  to  be  sent 
off,  but  he  was  found  to  be  of  too  much  value 
in  caring  for  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  was  not 
granted  the  privilege.  However,  being  required 
to  make  out  the  list  of  those  paroled,  he  in 
cluded  his  own  name  and  that  of  a  comrade  not 
entitled  to  be  put  down,  and  thus  by  mingling 
with  the  others  managed  to  get  off .  He  reached 
Annapolis,  Md.,  and  by  paying  $5.00  for  a  bogus 
furlough,  tramped  with  three  of  his  comrades, 
a  distance  of  185  miles  to  Pa.,  and  after  a  short 
stay  at  home,  reported  to  the  parole  camp  at 
St.  Louis.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  during  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  and  was  wounded  in  front 
of  Atlanta,  July  i6th,  but  was  able  to  take  part 
in  the  battles  of  Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and  Love- 
joy.  He  was  in  the  campaign  against  Hood, 


6i8 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Columbus  and 
Franklin.  Thence  he  went  to  Nashville,  and 
was  in  the  midst  of  the  desperate  conflict  of 
the  i stand  2d  days'  battle.  He  was  mustered 
put  at  Chicago,  June  9,  1865.  He  was  mustered 
out  Sergeant  Major  of  the  89th.  Was  promoted 
for  gallant  conduct  on  the  field  at  Santee  River. 

Returning  home  after  the  war,  he  resumed 
work  for  the  C.,  B  &  Q.  R.  R.,  as  locomotive 
engineer,  continuing  up  to  1887.  In  1888,  he 
was  nominated  on  the  Union  Labor  ticket  for 
the  Legislature,  and  carried  his  own  county. 
He  was  married  in  1865,  to  Mattie  Rodgers,and 
has  one  child — Eva  M.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  Post  No.  45,  and  is  a  Mason  and 
Modern  Woodman. 

As  soldier  and  citizen  Mr.  Burneson  has 
demonstrated  the  most  commendable  charac 
teristics,  and  has  assumed  a  place  and  name  in 
the  public  confidence  consistent  with  his  un 
questioned  merits  and  capabilities. 


DR.  JOSEPH  W.  EDWARDS,  of  Mendota,  111., 
was  born  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  June  30, 
1832.     In  the  year  1838  removed  West 
with  his  parents,  receiving  an  academic  course 
at    Mount   Vernon,   Jefferson    Co.,    111.,  and  a 
collegiate  course  at  McKendree  College,  Le 
banon,  St.  Claire  Co.,  111.     He  entered  upon  the 
study  of  medicine  in  the  year  1851,  and  com 
pleted  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  in 
the  class  of  1854. 

Dec.  19,  1854,  he  was  married  to  Harriet  E. 
Higgins,  and  has  5  children — Hiram,  Hattie, 
Maud,  Willie,  and  Arthur. 

Dr.  Edwards  enlisted  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  O'ct.  21,  1862,  as  Assistant  Surgeon 
in  the  4<Dth  111.  Vol.  Inf.  Joined  his  Regt.  at 
Fort  Pickering,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  3  days  later, 
and  remained  in  the  vicinity  of  that  city  until 
Nov.  25,  when  it  moved  in  the  direction  of 
Vicksburg,  via  College  Hill,  Miss.,  and  South 
Oxford,  Ga.,  returning  subsequently  to  Holly 
t Springs,  and  from  there  to  Davis'  Mills,  in 


Northern    Miss.,    where    it   went   into   winter- 
quarters. 

While  encamped  at  Davis'  Mills,  the   Doc 
tor  was  detached  from  his  Regt.    for   special 
service    in   the   general  hospital  at  LaGrange, 
Tenn.,   where   he   continued  until   June,   1863, 
when  he  was  ordered   for  duty  to  the  Provis 
ional   Encampment  at  Fort   Pickering,    Mem 
phis,  where  he  served  until   Oct.  of  the  same 
year.     He  then  joined  his  Regt.  on    its  march 
from  Memphis  by   way  of  Corinth,   Eastport, 
Florence,    and    Stevenson,   reaching    Brown's 
Ferry  2  miles  below  Chattanooga,    Nov.  23rd. 
On  the  night  of  the  24,  the   Regt.   crossed  the 
river   and    succeeded    in    reaching     the     main 
body  of  the  army  about  one  o'clock  A.   M.;  at 
daylight   crossed  the  mouth  of    Chickamauga 
Creek  and  captured  a  high  hill,   driving  back 
the  enemy  and  placing  a  battery  in  position  on 
top,  supporting  it  through  the  night.      At  day 
break  of  the  25th,  the  Regt.  was  deployed  and 
under  fire,  led  the  assaulting  column  upon  the 
enemy's  works  at  Mission  Ridge  and  drove  in 
the  rebel  pickets  and  scaled  their  works.     The 
enemy  made  a  determined  attack  upon  the  4Oth, 
but  the  battery  above  spoken  of  poured  a  dead 
ly  fire  upon  them,  checking  their  advance,   but 
at  the   same   time   unintentionally   killing  and 
wounding  many  of  the  Reg't  it  was   intending 
to  protect.     The  men  protected  themselves  by 
lying  upon  the  ground  in  front   of  the  rebels, 
many  of  whom  they  picked  off,  thus  weakening 
their   lines    and    silencing   their   batteries.     A 
heavy  assault  was  about  this  time  made  upon 
the  enemy's  right,  engaging  their  forces,  thus 
affording  the  40th  an  opportunity   of   falling 
back,  which  it  did.    There  were  five  companies 
of   the   40th,  numbering    130   men  engaged  in 
this    battle,    of   whom    7    were    killed    and    44 
wounded,  many  of  them  mortally.     On  the  fol 
lowing  day  the  Regt.  joined  in  the  pursuit  of 
the    enemy   and    had    several    skirmishes.      It 
afterward  marched  Northward  to  relieve  Burn- 
side  at  Knoxville,  during  which  march  it  sub 
sisted  off  the  country. 

Shortly  it  returned  to  Scottborough,  and 
went  into  winter  quarters.  The  Doctor  was 
here  again  detached  for  special  service,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


619 


proceeded  to  Chattanooga  to  examine  into  the 
condition  of  the  wounded  of  the  4th  Div.  of  the 
1 5th  A.  C.,  arriving  at  that  place  after  the  bat 
tle  of  Mission  Ridge,  and  to  collect  such  statis 
tics  and  make  such  examinations  as  to  the  re 
sults  of  operations  performed  and  general  med 
ical  and  surgical  treatment  as  he  considered 
necessary.  Having  faithfully  and  skillfully  per 
formed  this  service,  he  prepared  his  written  re 
port,  and  presented  the  same  to  Dr.  Chas.  Mc 
Millan,  U.S.  Surgeon  Vols.and  Medical  Direc 
tor  for  the  1 5th  A.  C.,  whose  thanks  he  received 
for  the  able  and  comprehensive  statement  there 
presented.  In  the  early  days  of  Jan.  the  40th 
veteranized,  and  was  granted  a  3O-day  furlough. 
Its  numbers,  at  this  date,  had  been  reduced  to 
443  men,  266  having  been  killed  in  battle,  or 
died  from  other  causes,  while  196  had  been 
wounded,  or  laid  aside  from  other  casualties. 
Reporting  after  the  furlough,  the  Regt.  made 
preparations  in  the  early  days  of  May,  and 
started  on  the  celebrated  Atlanta  campaign, 
and  the  Doctor  was  present  in  all  its  battles, 
marches  and  skirmishes,  which  finally  termi 
nated  in  the  capture  of  Atlanta.  Among  the  im 
portant  battles  in  which  Dr.  Edwards  took  part 
may  be  mentioned  Mission  Ridge,  New 
Hope  Church,  Black  Jack  Knob,  Kenesaw  Mts., 
Decatur,  Atlanta,  Ezra  Chapel,  Jonesboro  and 
Dallas.  Shortly  after  the  fall  of  Atlanta  our 
subject,  owing  to  ill  health  caused  by  exposure, 
resigned,  Sept.  28th,  1864. 

After  his  discharge  he  returned  to  Mendota, 
and  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession. 


WILLIAM  E. WARD, of  Galesburg, 111., who 
bears  honorable  scars  received  on  the 
battlefield,  in  the  service  of  his  coun 
try,  was  born  at  Walnut  Grove  Township,  Knox 
Co.,  111.,  Sept.  8, 1841, and  lived  near  Altona  until 
the  war  of  secession  was  declared.  His  father, 
Amos  Ward,  came  to  111.  in  1838,  and  settled 
in  Knox  Co.,  with  the  early  pioneers  of  the 
Prairie  State,  and  William  E.  Ward  passed  his 
early  years  on  a  farm,  gaining  such  educational 
advantages  as  the  district  schools  could  afford. 


When  scarcely  21  years  of  age  he  enlisted,  Aug. 
9,  1862,  in  Co.  G,  Sgth  111.  Inf.,  and  was  mus 
tered  in  Aug.  25,  in  Chicago,  going  in  a  few 
days  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  to  reinforce  Gen.  Buell's 
army.  While  the  Regt.  was  at  this  place  the 
rebel  general  Bragg  came  with  his  forces  and 
after  investigating  the  condition  of  affairs 
decided  to  retreat,  and  was  promptly  followed 
and  given  battle  at  Perryville,  Crab  Orchard, 
Bowling  Green,  Rye  Springs,  Stone  River  and 
Nolensville  Pike,  although  Longstreet's  army 
had  come  to  the  assistance  of  Bragg.  On  this 
campaign  the  men  were  kept  busily  marching 
a  number  of  days,  and  one  very  dark  night  a 
march  led  into  some  thick  woods,  and  as  it  was 
impossible  to  move  on,  a  camp  was  made  until 
early  morning,  when  it  was  discovered  that  the 
right  of  Gen.  Bragg's  army  lay  within  a  stone's 
throw.  Hastily  falling  back  in  the  rain,  and 
unable  to  locate  the  position  of  the  support, 
about  one-third  of  the  Regt.  was  captured,  the 
remainder  escaping  in  disorder.  When  it  was 
fairly  light  Mr.  Ward  crossed  a  cotton  field  and 
with  two  others  gathered  about  the  regimental 
colors,  and  constituted  the  Regt.  for  the  time. 
This  little  group,  on  the  retreat,  would  stop  to 
fire  at  the  rebel  lines  and  move  on,  constantly 
gathering  up  the  scattered  men,  until  in  the 
afternoon  when  there  were  about  200  men 
together,  they  made  a  charge  on  the  rebels 
across  a  cotton  field.  As  their  own  corps  was 
almost  entirely  annihilated,  their  men  attached 
themselves  to  Gen.  Rosecran's  command.  A 
cold  night  followed,  and  as  no  fires  could  be 
made,  and  most  of  the  men  had  lost  their 
blankets  and  overcoats,  there  was  much  suffer 
ing  and  but  little  sleep  that  night;  but  the  next 
day  the  rebels  were  routed  and  driven  across 
the  river,  and  that  victory  softened  most  of  the 
discomfort  of  the  preceding  days  when  the  tide 
of  battle  was  moving  in-  another  direction, 
toward  defeat. 

Jan.  4,  Murfreesboro  was  entered,  and  one 
of  the  incidents  of  that  battlefield,  was  a  rain, 
continuing  all  day  and  night  which  flooded, 
the  ground.  Some  of  the  men  sat  up  during 
the  night,  but  others  lay  on  the  ground  in  water 
several  inches  deep  and  slept  soundly. 


620 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Manyskirmishes  followed  the  battle  at  Mur- 
freesboro,  and  until  June  there  was  constant 
activity,  when  Mr.  Ward  was  compelled  to  go 
to  the  hospital,  and  was  sent  to  Nashville,  Lou 
isville  and  Chicago,  where  he  was  held  until 
Sept.  At  Chattanooga,  Sept.  20,  1863,  Mr.  Ward 
was  with  the  wagon-train  that  crossed  Lookout 
Mt.  before  the  battle,  and  was  also  in  the  battle 
of  Mission  Ridge  and  siege  of  Chattanooga. 
The  next  move  was  into  East  Tenn.  to  strength 
en  Gen.  Burnside's  army,  and  Longstreet  was 
then  forced  back  and  met  in  battle  at  Dan- 
dridge.  When  the  Union  army  started  to  return 
the  8gth  was  in  the  rear  and  Longstreet's  Cav. 
followed  and  harrassed  it  for  some  distance. 
Reaching  McDonald  Station, a  camp  was  formed 
while  the  army  was  reorganized  for  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  May  5,  1864,  started  for  Atlanta, 
meeting  the  enemy  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  and 
Buzzard's  Roost.  From  the  latter  place  going 
out  with  the  sharpshooters,  the  rebels  were  en 
countered  on  the  top  of  a  mountain  and  Mr. 
Ward  with  two  comrades  took  a  position  be 
hind  a  rock;  as  he  had  the  best  place  to  fire 
from,  he  bade  his  comrades  load  the  guns  and 
he  would  do  the  shooting.  The  rebels  were 
hidden  and  the  method  was  to  fire  where  the 
smoke  of  a  gun  showed  the  presence  of  an  ene 
my.  This  continuedsome  time  without  visible 
results,  when  Mr.  Ward,  with  gun  cocked  and 
ready  to  fire,  remarked  concerning  a  bullet  that 
had  just  passed  above  him  through  the  leaves, 
"They  cannot  come  as  close  as  that  again."  Just 
at  that  instant  a  bullet  struck  him  and  passing 
through  his  arm  was  stopped  by  the  stock  of 
his  gun.  This  wound  rendered  him  unfit  for 
service,  and  he  was  discharged  Jan.  4,  1865. 

In  the  summer  of  18/3,  necrosis  of  the  bone 
began,  giving  continual  pain,  and  since  Oct.  10, 
1888,  four  and  one-half  inches  of  the  bone  has 
been  remov6d,  so  that  there  is  now  no  bone  to 
stiffen  the  arm.  The  wound  still  festered  until 
Aug.  1891,  when  Mr.  Ward  himself  removed  a 
piece  of  bone,  and  since  that  time  it  has  been 
well.  He  states  the  peculiar  fact  that  in  a  num 
ber  of  different  engagements  his  gun  wasstruck 
and  shattered  by  rebel  bullets. 

Mr.  Ward  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  Al- 


tona  when  he  returned  home  wounded,  and 
served  two  years;  was  then  for  two  years  a  clerk 
in  a  store;  then  tried  farming,  but  unable  to  do 
this  work  was  employed  in  the  Postoffice.  In 
1876,  moving  to  Iowa,  he  engaged  in  the  gro 
cery  trade,  but  the  condition  of  his  arm  unfit 
ting  him  for  this  business,  he  secured  the  posi 
tion  of  Deputy  Postmaster  at  Creston,  Iowa. 
In  1882,  he  was  appointed  Special  Pension  Ex 
aminer  and  assigned  to  111.,  with  headquarters 
at  Galesburg.  This  position  he  has  filled  since, 
except  one  year,  when  he  was  compelled  to  have 
a  surgical  operation  performed  on  his  arm. 

Feb.  19,  1869,  he  married  Mattie  A.  Dicken- 
son,  of  Galva,  111.,  daughter  of  H.  L.  Dickcn- 
son,  and  has  one  son,  Harry  A,,  a  lad  of  12 
years  of  age. 

Mrs.  Ward  had  eight  uncles  in  the  army, 
and  two  of  them  were  wounded  and  disabled — 
one  losing  an  arm.  Mr.  Ward  is  a  member  of 
Tom  Potter  Post,  No.  440,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Creston, 
Iowa,  and  is  a  Republican.  He  draws  a  pen 
sion.  In  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  Special 
Pension  Examiner  he  has  an  extended  acquaint 
ance  among  the  old  soldiers,  and  is  well  and 
favorably  known. 


M 


AJOR  JAMES  M.  HOSFORD,  of  Geneseo,  was 
a  son  of  Stephen  Hosforcl,  a  native  of 
Vt.  and  of  Welsh  descent,  whose 
father,  as  also  several  of  his  ancestors  and  rel 
atives,  were  actively  engaged  in  the  American 
army  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
Stephen  Hosford  was  prominent  as  a  citizen, 
and  also  as  a  politician  in  his  day,  being  a  suc 
cessful  and  prosperous  merchant  for  nearly 
fifty  years,  and  having  been  elected  as  a  mem 
ber  of  the  State  Legislature  for  Mass.,  and  also 
held  the  position  of  Trial  Justice  for  Berk 
shire  Co.  in  the  last  mentioned  State.  He  died 
many  years  ago.  Our  subject's  mother,  Amy 
(Brown)  was  of  English  ancestry,  born  in 
Mass.,  and  departed  this  life  many  years 
since.  Besides  the  Major,  she  had  the  fol 
lowing  children:  Juliet  P.,  wife  of  C.  R. 
Taft;  Henry  B.;  William  H.;  Louisa  A.,  and 
Laura  M.,  wife  of  Major  A.  M.  Smith.  Of  this 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


621 


number  Henry  B.  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion, 
having  joined  an  Ohio  Regt.,  and  for  a  time 
was  detached  on  the  hospital  service.  He  died 
in  1888.  Major  Hosford  was  born  at  Williams- 
town,  Mass.,  April  i5th,  1822,  attended  the 
public  schools,  afterwards  studied  at  Williams 
College,  Mass.,  then  studied  the  legal  profes 
sion  in  the  office  of  Gov.  W.  H.  Seward  at 
Auburn,  N.  Y.  Having  completed  his  law 
course,  he  practiced  his  profession  in  that  State 
for  eight  years  and  by  his  energy  and  ability 
built  up  a  remunerative  and  prosperous  busi 
ness.  Whilst  practising  his  profession  he  was 
appointed  Superintendent  of  Schools  in  Onon- 
dago  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  discharged  the  duties  of 
that  office  for  six  years.  He  was,  however,  in 
duced  by  the  prospects  of  a  western  location, 
to  proceed  thither,  which  he  did  in  the  year 
1856,  settling  in  Geneseo,  there  engaging  in  the 
real  estate  and  insurance  business,  which  he 
successfully  carried  on  for  three  years,  when  he 
accepted  the  position  of  cashier  of  a  bank  in 
his  adopted  town.  He  filled  this  trusted  and 
responsible  position  until  he  resigned,  in  July, 
1862,  deeming  it  his  duty  as  a  true,  patriotic 
American  to  assist  in  the  suppression  of  the 
rebellion  which  had  been  needlessly  and  im- 
providently  precipitated  upon  the  people  of 
the  Republic.  Major  Hosford  enlisted  as  a 
private,  then  raised  a  company,  of  which  he  was 
unanimously  chosen  Captain;  and  subsequently, 
on  the  organization  of  the  Ii2th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
at  Peoria,  he  was,  with  the  same  unanimity, 
elected  for  its  Major  and  was  duly  commis 
sioned  as  such,  Sept.  20th,  1862. 

The  Major's  Regt.  went  first  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  was  there  ordered  to  report  to  Maj.- 
Gen.  Gordon  Granger  at  Covington,  Ky. 
Having  reported,  it  then  proceeded,  Oct.  18, 
1862,  for  Falmouth,  but  had  not  gone  far  until 
it  was  ordered  to  guard  a  large  supply  train  to 
Big  Eagle,  on  the  Lexington  and  Covington 
Pike.  It  successfully  executed  this  order,  ar 
riving  at  its  destination  on  the  evening  of  Oct. 
2 ist,  and  on  the  night  of  the  next  day,  the 
bugle  called  the  men  to  arms  to  repel  a  threat 
ened  attack  from  the  rebels  under  Gen.  John 
Morgan,  and  whilst  marching  toward  George 


town — the  night  being  exceedingly  dark — his 
horse  missed  its  footing  and  tumbled  over  an 
embankment  carrying  the  Major  with  it,  causing 
him  hernia  and  other  severe  injuries.  He  was, 
owing  to  this  accident,  compelled  to  part  com 
pany  with  the  Regt.  for  about  three  weeks,  but 
having  improved,  rejoined  his  command  in 
Fayette  Co.,  near  Lexington,  Ky.,  with  which 
he  continued,  participating  in  all  its  varied  ex 
periences  and  hardships,  until  the  month  of 
Feb.,  1863,  when,  owing  to  his  physical  con 
dition,  he  resigned  from  his  command,  and  was 
thereupon  retired  from  service  in  the  field.  In 
the  following  month  he  was  assigned  to  duties 
connected  with  the  commissary  department  at 
Camp  Douglas,  which  he  continued  to  perform 
until  Oct.,  1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out  and 
discharged.  Major  Hosford  has  been  twice 
married.  The  first  occasion  being  in  New 
York,  in  the  year  1847,  to  Susan  S.  Seymour, 
whose  mother  was  the  sister  of  Gen.  Joseph 
Hooker's  father:  therefore  the  first  Mrs.  Hos 
ford  was  a  cousin  of  "Fighting  Joe."  By  this 
wife  he  had  five  children — Carrie  Seymour, 
James  Egbert,  Mary  L.,  William  H.  and  Susan 
A.  Mrs.  Hosford  having  died  many  years  ago, 
our  subject  after  some  years,  concluded  it  was 
not  well  to  continue  longer  alone,  consequently, 
married  Mrs.  Ruth  D.  Davidson,  widow  of  Cap 
tain  William  K.  Davidson  who  died  from  the 
effects  of  battle  and  exposure  in  the  field. 

Major  Hosford  has  been  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  Supervisor,  and  held  the  position  of 
State  Agent  for  the  Home  Insurance  Company 
for  21  years,  resigning  the  same  in  1889,  but  is 
still  in  connection  with  that  institution  as  ad 
juster,  as  also  for  some  other  companies.  He 
has  been  Prest.  of  Board  of  Education,  and  is 
now  President  of  Geneseo  Collegiate  Institute. 
He  is  a  Mason,  a  member  of  E.  J.  Jenkins  Post, 
No.  452,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Geneseo,  and  was  a  Re 
publican  and  prominent  supporter  of  the  party 
for  many  years,  but  it  having,  as  the  Major 
believes,  sacrificed  its  principles  on  the  question 
of  whisky,  he  concluded  as  an  honorable  man 
no  longer  to  support  it,  and  not  seeing  his  ideal 
in  the  Democratic  institutions,  identified  him 
self  with  the  Prohibitionists. 


622 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


THE  biographies  of  many  of  the  heroes 
developed  during  the  late  war  period, 
have  been  told  and  reduced  to  imperish 
able  print,  but  there  still  remains  the  story  and 
history  of  one  who  fulfilled  his  destinies,  and 
served  his  country  with  distinction,  and  who  at 
the  close  of  an  honorable  and  useful  career,  at 
ripe  old  age,  crowned  with  honors,  and  beloved 
by  his  comrades,  quietly  passed  to  that  bourn 
from  whence  no  traveler  returns — we  refer  to 
Gen.  Abner  C.  Harding,  who,  when  living,  re 
sided  at  Monmouth,  111.  The  General  was  born 
at  East  Hampton,  Conn.,  Feb.  10,  1807,  an<^ 
when  of  tender  years  moved  with  his  parents 
to  Plainfield,  N.  Y.  He  was  sent  to  school  and 
readily  acquired  a  good  education,  qualifying 
him  to  become  a  teacher  at  the  age  of  15,  which 
profession  he  followed  for  the  succeeding  six 
years,  reading  law  at  the  same  time.  He  was 
admitted  as  a  lawyer  when  22  years  of  age  at 
Lewiston,  Pa.,  and  soon  built  up  a  good  prac 
tice  in  his  adopted  professsion. 

He  married  Rebecca  L.  Byers,  nee  Liebrick, 
who  bore  him  two  children,  George  F.  and  Mary 
R.  She  died  in  1833.  Two  years  later  he  mar 
ried  Susan  A.  Ickes,  an  educated  and  accom 
plished  young  woman  of  Pa.,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Jonas  Ickes,  who  was  a  gentleman  of  large  pro 
portions,  possessed  of  rare  intelligence,  and 
lived  to  the  unusual  age  of  96  years,  and  with 
faculties  unimpaired.  He  died  March  28,  1889, 
after  spending  the  evening  of  his  days  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  General  Harding.  The  mother 
of  Mrs.  Harding  was  a  niece  of  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Brady,  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
who  died  July  10,  1868.  Her  name  was  Dun 
can. 

In  1833,  Gen.  Harding  was  elected  to  the 
Constitutional  Convention  of  Pa.,  and  served 
his  constituency  in  that  position  with  ability 
and  fidelity/  Two  years  later  he  removed  West, 
settling  at  Monmouth,  where  he  resumed  the 
practice  of  his  profession  and  stood  in  the  front 
rank  among  the  lawyers  of  his  adopted  State, 
until  removed  from  the  field  of  struggle  and 
anxiety  by  death.  In  the  year  1848,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Con 
vention  of  111.,  and  about  that  time  became  in 


terested  in  railroad  projects  and  subsequently 
with  other  gentlemen  of  Monmouth,  completed 
what  was  known  as  the  Peoria  &  Oquaka  R.  R. 
from  Peoria  to  Burlington,  which  now  forms 
part  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  system.  In  politics, 
he  was  a  Whig  and  always  ready  with  his 
tongue  and  purse  to  assist  his  party,  which  never 
failed  to  draw  upon  his  resources  when  delicate 
political  work  required  performance.  In  1851 
his  eyesight  began  to  fail,  from  which  he 
never  fully  recovered. 

Prominent  as  a  politician,  and  beloved  by 
acquaintances  and  devoted  to  his  country,  he 
had  no  hesitation  in  tendering  his  services  to 
his  Government  during  the  war,  and  accordingly 
enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  83rd  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  was  immediately  elected  as  Colonel,  and  as 
such  was  mustered  in  Aug.  21,  1862.  Four 
days  later  Col.  Harding  with  his  Regt.  moved 
to  Cairo,  thence  to  Fort  Henry,  then  on 
to  Fort  Donelson,  where  he  was  employed 
for  about  one  year.  During  this  time  he 
had  heavy  guard  duty  to  perform  over  the 
surrounding  country,  especially  upon  the 
banks  of  the  Tenn.  and  Cumberland  Rivers, 
they  being  infested  with  guerrillas,  and  had 
daily  skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  some  of  them 
quite  severe,  namely,  those  at  Waverly,  Tenn., 
and  Garrettsburg,  Ky.  Feb.  3rd,  1863,  at  Fort 
Donelson,  9  Cos.  of  his  Regt.,  with  Co.  C  of 
the  2nd  111.  Light  Art.,  successfully  resisted  the 
combined  attack  of  Gens.  Forrest  and  Wheeler 
with  8,000  men, — the  battle  lasting  from  1 130  P. 
M.  until  8:30,  when  the  enemy  was  compelled 
to  retire  with  a  loss  of  250  killed,  600  wounded 
and  105  prisoners.  Col.  Harding  only  lost  13 
men  killed  and  51  wounded.  He  was  immedi 
ately  promoted  to  Brig.  Gen.  for  gallant  conduct 
on  this  occasion.  Besides  being  an  able  gen 
eral  and  courageous  soldier,  our  subject  was, 
when  necessity  demanded,  a  wily  diplomat. 
On  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  just 
mentioned,  he  knew  of  the  enemy's  strength 
and  the  improbability  of  his  small  band  being 
able  to  repel  an  attack  therefrom,  his  object, 
therefore,  was  delay,  as  he  momentarily  ex 
pected  the  Govt.  gun  boats  up  the  river  for  his 
relief.  Repeated  demands  were  made  by  mes- 


GEN.  A.   C.   HARDING. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


623 


sengers  under  a  flag  of  truce  demanding  a  sur 
render,  and  as  often  the  General  would  delay 
the  messenger  and  discuss  all  imaginable  sub 
jects  barring  that  of  laying  down  his  arms  and 
voluntarily  becoming  a  captive.  The  final 
messenger,  however,  came  in  the  person  of  a 
young  officer  from  an  Alabama  Regt.,  who,  with 
a  very  dignified  step,  approached  Gen.  Harding 
and  in  the  name  of  Gen.  Wheeler  and  of  the 
Confederate  States  of  America,  demanded  his 
surrender.  Gen.  Harding  lengthened  his  face 
and  assuming  a  Yankee  drawl,  took  part  in  the 
following  dialogue: 

Gen.  Harding: — "Be  you  from  Gen.  Wheel 
er's  camp?" 

Con.  Officer: — "I  am,  sir,  and  am  instructed 
to  say  that  he  has  an  overwhelming  force,  which 
it  would  be  useless  for  you  with  your  small 
force  to  attempt  to  withstand.  The  demand  is 
made  that  there  may  be  no  unnecessary  blood 
shed." 

Gen.  Harding: — "Suppose  I  did  surrender." 
Con.  Officer: — "  In  that   case,   sir,   you  and 
your  men  shall  be  treated  with  respect  and  be 
protected  as  prisoners  of  war." 

Gen.  Harding;— "And  suppose  I  don't?" 
Con.  Officer: — "Then  sir,  you  will  have  to 
take  the  consequences." 

Gen.  Harding:—"  Air  you  right  from  Gen. 
Wheeler's  headquarters?" 
Con.  Officer: — "I  am,  sir." 
Gen.  Harding: — ''We  seed  you  a  comin  and 
didn't  know  whether  you  was  or  wasn't.    What 
Regt.  do  you  belong  to?" 

Con.  Officer:— "The  I4th  Ala.,  sir." 
Gen.  Harding: — Wa-11,  wa-11,  is  that  so. 
Alabama,  that  is  a  pretty  fine  country.  I've 
lots  to  say  about  it,  and  often  thought  I'd  like 
to  go  down  there  some  time.  Do  you  live 
there?" 

This  last  discussion  was  prolonged  after  the 
same  fashion  for  nearly  an  hour,  discussing  the 
soil,  climate,  population  and  other  characteris 
tics,  health,  wealth,  &c.,  until  the  young  man 
having  been  detained  and  delayed,  could  not 
longer  be  comforted,  and  there  being  no  other 
way  out  of  the  difficulty,  Gen.  Harding  intimi 
dated  that  he  could  not  surrender,  and  would 


be  obliged  to  "  take  the  consequences."  Soon 
after  he  was  assailed  by  the  rebel  hoards  with 
the  result  above  stated. 

After  retiring  from  the  army,  Gen.  Harding 
M.  C.  upon  the  Republican  ticket,  and  served 
in  the  39th  and  40th  Congresses.  In  1869,  his 
health  began  to  fail  and  his  maladies  to  in 
crease  until  July  19,  1874,  when  he  passed 
peacefully  away,  leaving  a  splendid  record  be 
hind  him  as  a  soldier,  lawyer,  business  man, 
and  gentleman.  By  ability  and  zeal  he  accu 
mulated  a  large  fortune,  which,  during  his  life 
time,  was  so  used  that  all  classes  of  society  re 
ceived  benefits  from  his  accumulated  wealth 
and  bounteous  hand. 

Mrs.  Harding,  a  lady  of  excellent  birth  and 
liberal  attainments,  survived  her  beloved  hus 
band,  and  is  admired  and  esteemed  by  her 
many  acquaintances,  and  particularly  by  the 
old  soldiers,  who  have  always  found  in  her  a 
true  and  devoted  friend  and  benefactor,  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  advancement  of  the 
soldiers  collectively  and  individually,  and  one 
who  often  has  shown  the  depth  of  her  devo 
tion  to  their  interests,  by  liberal  contributions 
from  her  own  private  purse. 


JOSEPH    P.  GIBBS,  of   Galva,  111.,  a  son  of 
Jonathan  Gibbs,  was  born   in  Waterford, 
N.  J.,  May  23,  1833,  and  came  to  111.,  with 
his  parents  in  1838,  settling  on  Walnut  Creek  in 
Knox  Co.     The   father   at  one  time   owned  a 
section  of  land  in  this  locality,  and  built  a  fine 
house,  in  which  he   lived   and  died,    leaving  a 
family    of    six    children— four   sons    and    two 
daughters,  all  at  this  time  living. 

Joseph  P.  Gibbs  was  living  on  the  old  home 
stead  when  the  flag  of  his  country,  flying  above 
Fort  Sumter,  was  fired  upon.  He  was  in  the 
field,  plowing,  when  he  heard  the  news  of  this 
fact,  and,  unhitching  his  horses,  mounted  one 
and  rode  to  Knoxville,  then  the  County  seat. 
On  the  way  two  young  men  joined  him,  Win. 
McBride  and  G.  W.  Bainbridge,  and  on  reach 
ing  town  all  signed  the  muster  call  of  the  ist 


624 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


111.  Cav.,  the  date  of  enlistment  being  April  15, 
1861.  This  Regt.  first  enlisted  for  three  months, 
but  was  soon  mustered  in  for  3  years. 

Sent  South,  it  camped  for  a  time  in  Mo., 
and  was  at  Lexington  with  Mulligan,  when 
Price  captured  that  place.  This  force  fought 
him  three  days,  although  cut  off  from  water 
the  first  day,  and  held  out  until  ammunition 
and  stores  were  exhausted  before  it  surrendered. 
It  was  paroled  at  once  and  forwarded  to 
Quincy,  111.,  and  home.  During  the  battle  the 
rebels  closed  in  and  surrounded  the  Union  men, 
and  like  a  mob  gathered  behind  houses  and  on 
roofs,  coming  within  speaking  distance,  when 
Geo.  W.  Bainbridge,  who  enlisted  with  Ser 
geant  Gibbs,  rode  up  onto  a  hill  and  calling  to 
the  rebels  challenged  any  man  in  their  army  to 
single  combat.  The  reply  he  received  was  a 
shot  which  killed  his  horse,  and  as  he  stopped 
to  remove  the  saddle  and  bridle  another  shot 
went  through  his  arm;  this  made  him  terribly 
angry,  and  he  swore  that  wounded  as  he  was 
he  could  whip  with  one  arm  any  man  in  the 
Southern  Confederacy.  Mr.  Bainbridge  was 
finally  taken  to  the  hospital  by  Sergt.  Gibbs, 
and,  just  as  they  entered  the  room,  saw  a  man 
stretched  on  the  operating  table,  and,  at  that 
instant,  a  ball  went  through  a  part  of  his  hip 
bone,  knocked  down  some  of  the  Surgeons  at 
tending  him.  On  the  second  day,  when  the 
men  began  to  suffer  terribly  from  thirst,  Mr. 
Gibbs  decided  he  would  endeavor  to  reach  a 
hog  wallow  about  50  yards  outside  the  breast 
works,  and,  taking  his  gun  in  his  hand,  jumped 
the  works,  ran  to  the  pond  and  throwing  himself 
into  the  water  took  a  drink.  When  he  ran  back 
the  rebels  opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  him,  and, 
leaping  the  works,  his  toe  caught,  throwing  him 
headlong,  and  some  of  his  companions,  think 
ing  he  had  been  shot,  said,  "Joe  has  sent  in  his 
check,"  but  rising  to  his  feet  he  said  "Not  yet," 

On  the  march  to  Lexington  the  Regt.  passed 
a  house  in  front  of  which  was  a  low  picket 
fence.  A  man  and  woman  were  standing  in  the 
door,  and  as  the  troops  passed  the  man  cried 
out  "Hurrah  for  Jeff  Davis!"  when  Mr.  Bain 
bridge,  before  mentioned,  rode  to  the  fence, 
leaping  it  drew  his  saber,  and  with  the  point 


touching  the  old  man's  breast,  said,  "Now 
hurrah  for  Lincoln,"  which  the  old  rebel  did  in 
a  lusty  voice.  On  the  3rd  day  a  house,  outside 
the  works  about  50  yards,  used  for  a  hospital, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  and  Col. 
Mulligan  gave  orders  to  charge  with  fixed 
bayonets  and  retake  it.  A  part  of  a  Mo.  Regt. 
under  Col.  Peabody  undertook  this,  and  had  a 
hand-to-hand  encounter,  losing  14  men  killed. 
A  Lieut.,  who  was  among  the  wounded  men  ly 
ing  on  the  floor,  describing  the  fight,  said  that 
men  pinned  each  other  to  the  walls  of  the  house 
with  bayonets.  The  rebels  were  reinforced  and 
the  Union  men  were  driven  back  at  last  with  a 
loss  of  14  men  killed. 

In  1887,  Sergt.  Gibbs  returned  to  the  site  of 
this  battle  and  saw  the  old  house  bore  all  the 
marks  of  the  fierce  encounter. 

In  Dec.,  1861,  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  the 
field  in  Mo.  and  Ark.,  and  went  to  St.  Louis, 
where  it  was  mustered  under  a  special  order 
from  the  War  Department.  When  the  Regt. 
started,  after  it  had  been  exchanged,  Mr.  Gibbs 
was  made  orderly  Sergt.,  and  when  discharged 
enlisted  in  the  3 1st  Mo.,  taking  30  men  with 
him,  and  was  promoted  to  ist  Lieut.,  but  owing 
to  orders  from  the  War  Department,  which 
would  not  allow  troops  from  one  State  to  be 
credited  to  another,  all  were  sent  home. 

Lieut.  Gibbs  remained  at  home  from  Sept., 
1862,  until  June  1863,  meantime  making  an  ef 
fort  to  join  the  Ii2th  Regt.,  and  went  to  Dan 
ville,  where  he  entered  the  Military  Telegraph 
Corps,  and  was  second  in  command,  ranking  as 
1st  Lieut.,  acting  in  this  branch  of  the  service 
to  the  close  of  the  war.  The  duty  of  this  corps 
was  to  put  up  and  repair  telegraph  lines. 

At  Louisville  this  corps  was  discharged,  and 
Lieut.  Gibbs  went  to  Memphis  and  worked  un 
til  1866  at  bricklaying  and  plastering,  and  then 
came  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  engaged  at 
the  same  business  until  1876;  and  during  this 
time,  while  his  home  was  at  St.  Louis,  he  went 
to  Chicago  to  help  rebuild  the  city  after  the 
great  fire.  He  then  went  to  Sherman,  Tex., 
which  had  been  destroyed  by  fire,  and  in  1878, 
was  in  Kansas  City  and  later  in  Clyde,  Kan.,  as 
contractor. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


525 


In  1879,  Lieut.  Gibbs  returned  to  his  old 
home  at  Galva,  111.,  where  he  has  since  resided, 
in  business  as  contractor  and  builder.  He  has 
2  children:  George,  who  is  a  brick  manufact 
urer  at  Lafayette,  111.,  and  Katy,  wife  of  O.  Q. 
Beckwith,  a  druggist  in  Denver,  Col. 

Joseph  P.  Gibbs  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 
He  is  now  and  has  been  for  several  years  Chief  of 
the  Fire  Department,  in  which  he  has  always 
shown  much  interest,  and  is  also  a  working 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

Jonathan  Gibbs,  the  father  of  Joseph  P. 
Gibbs,  was  born  Dec.  22,  1808,  at  Camden,  N.  J., 
a  son  of  Martin  Gibbs,  also  a  native  of  N.  J. 
The  forefathers  of  this  family  were  Quakers, 
who  came  to  this  country  with  Wm.  Penn,  in 
1682.  The  wife  of  Martin  Gibbs  was  Hannah 
Beck,  of  Irish  extraction.  The  wife  of  Jonathan 
Gibbs,  and  mother  of  Joseph  P.  Gibbs,  was  Ta- 
mar  Norcross,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Martha  (Duhle)  Norcross,  of  N.  J. 

The  Gibbs  family  were  of  old  Whig  stock, 
and  were  among  the  first  to  unite  with  the  Re 
publican  party  when  it  was  organized. 


M 


AJOR  HILAND  HENRY  CLAY,  one  of  Gales- 
burgh's  prominent  and  public-spirited 
men,  copiously  endowed  with  patriotic 
pride,  assisted  to  raise  a  company  in  the  early 
days  of  the  late  Rebellion,  of  which  he  was 
chosen  ist  Lieut,  of  Co.  D,  I02nd  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  was  mustered  Sept.  2,  1862.  He  started 
immediately  for  Louisville,  and  from  Louis 
ville  the  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Frankfort.  In 
Oct.  1862,  it  left  Frankfort  for  Bowling  Green. 
Subsequently  it  was  ordered  to  Gallatin,Tenn., 
where  the  command  remained  six  months,  and 
then  was  ordered  to  Laverne,  Tenn.,  where  the 
troops  were  employed  in  guarding  the  L.,  N. 
&  Chattanooga  R.  R.,  for  about  six  months, 
Major  Clay's  Co.  being  stationed  at  Mill  Creek 
most  of  the  time. 

In  April,  1863,  he  was  promoted  to  Captain 
of  his  Co.,  at  Gallatin.  During  Feb.,  1864, 
with  his  Brig.,  he  moved  to  Chattanooga,  and 

39 


soon  after  joined  the  Atlanta  campaign  and 
was  heavily  engaged  at  the  battles  of  Resaca, 
Cassville,  New  Hope  Church,  Lookout  Mt., 
Marietta,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Atlanta. 

During  this  campaign  Major  Clay  com 
manded  his  Co.,  and  all  through  the  several 
battles  was  upon  that  part  of  the  field  where 
the  battle  raged  in  its  fiercest  fury,  and  again 
at  the  siege  of  Atlanta  was  almost  constantly 
under  the  enemy's  fire  until  the  surrender  of 
the  town,  which  occurred  Sept.  2,  1864.  After 
a  rest  in  the  vicinity  of  Atlanta,  Major  Clay 
led  his  Regt.  all  through  the  expedition  to  the 
sea,  and  on  arrival  at  Savannah  received  his 
commission  as  Major,  as  a  recognition  for  his 
gallantry,  and  from  that  time  was  ranking 
officer  in  command  of  this  Regt.  Occupying 
that  position  in  his  Regt.,  he  commanded  it 
through  the  campaign  of  the  Carolinas,  and 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Lawtonville, 
Averysboro  and  Bentonville,  which  was  the 
closing  battle  of  his  command  and  practically 
closed  the  war.  The  Rebellion  being  over,  he 
conducted  his  Regt.  to  Washington,  took  part 
there  in  the  Grand  Review,  was  mustered  out 
on  June  6,  1865,  and  placed  en  route  for  home. 

Major  Clay  was  born  in  the  State  of  Vt., 
Jan.  3,  1838,  a  son  of  John  L.  and  Louisa  M. 
Clay,  the  latteragranddaughter  of  Hart  Balch, 
who  was  a  Federal  soldier  during  the  Revolu 
tionary  War.  The  Major's  parents  moved,  with 
their  family,  to  Galesburg  in  the  year  1840, 
settled  there  upon  a  farm  three  miles  distant 
from  the  town,  and  engaged  in  farming,  the 
father  dying  in  1877.  The  homestead,  a  beau 
tiful,  well-appointed  farm,  is  owned  and  ope 
rated  by  Major  Clay,  and  amidst  comfortable 
surroundings  he  makes  his  home.  He  married 
Jennie  E.  Clay,  of.  Gaysville,  Oct.  14,  1878,  and 
six  children  have  blessed  the  union,  viz.:  Fred 
erick,  Emma,  John  L.,  Walker,  Irwin  H.  and 
Edna. 

The  Major  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
takes  a  prominent  part  in  the  political  affairs 
of  his  party.  He  has  been  Supervisor  for  his 
Township,  and  Road  Commissioner,  and  is  a 
prominent  member  of  Post  No.  45,  G.  A.  R.,  at 
Galesburg.  Asa  soldier,  no  man  upon  the  field 


626 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


displayed  greater  zeal,  courage  and  patriotism 
than  did  Major  Clay,  and  his  many  promotions 
testify  to  the  unbounded  confidence  and  respect 
entertained  for  him  as  a  gentleman  and  army 
officer  by  his  superiors  in  command. 


JOHN  RIPPBERGER,  of  Elgin,  111.,  was  born 
Aug.  3,  1844,  m  Baden,  Germany.  When 
but  three  years  old  he  sailed  with  his  par 
ents  to  America,  locating  at  Hanover,  Cook 
Co.,  111.  Here  he  was  reared  a  farmer  and 
attained  a  thorough  education.  When  but  19 
years  old,  he  sallied  forth  to  fight  for  the  honor 
of  the  stars  and  stripes,  enlisting  Jan.  6,  1864, 
in  Co.  G,  ryth  111.  Cav.  He  rendezvoused  at 
Camp  Kane,  St.  Charles,  111.,  until  the  follow 
ing  May,  when  the  Co.  was  ordered  to  Jeffer 
son,  Mo.,  where  it  performed  scout  duty. 
While  there  it  was  attacked  by  Quantrell  and 
Andrews,  the  noted  rebel  bushwhackers,  but 
repulsed  them  without  much  loss  on  either 
side.  Then  the  Regt.  was  transferred  to  Alton, 
111.,  where  it  performed  guard  duty  at  the 
prison.  He  remained  in  this  situation  guard 
ing  rebel  prisoners  and  on  scouting  duty  until 
transferred  by  steamer  to  Glasgow,  Mo.,  and 
then  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  detailed  to  do 
scout  duty  in  the  country  around  that  city, 
remaining  there  until  his  Regt.  was  ordered  to 
Rqlla,  Mo.  January,  1865,  he  joined  in  the 
raid  made  with  a  view  to  capture  Price  and  his 
command.  On  Jan.  10,  1865,  his  Regt.  left 
Rolla  and  proceeded  to  Pilot  Knob,  via,  St. 
Louis.  The  country  around  Pilot  Knob  was 
infested  with  bands  of  bushwhackers;  therefore 
Mr.  Rippberger's  Regt.  was  with  others,  de 
tailed  to  pursue  and  control  these  bands  as  far 
as  possible.  It  continued  at  this  service  until 
about  April  19,  when  it  marched  through  the 
country  to  Cape  Girardeau.  It  then  boarded 
the  steamer  Silver  Wave,  proceeded  to  Kansas 
City,  Mo.,  and  had  the  inexpressible  pleasure  of 
having  bread  served  out  to  it,  a  commodity 
unseen  by  the  men,  much  less  tasted,  for  sev 
eral  weeks.  From  here  it  marched  to  Fort 
Scott,  and  on  arrival  there  did  some  scouting, 
and  was  also  detailed  to  escort  provision  wag 


ons  to  the  Indian  Terr.  Next  it  was  ordered 
to  Lawrence,  Kan.,  remaining  there  until  Sept. 
27,  1865,  then  marched  across  the  Plains  to 
Fort  Lamed.  At  this  point  four  companies, 
including  Co.  G,  were  detached  to  go  to  Fort 
Fletcher,  traveling  continuously  for  17  days. 
It  left  there  early  in  Dec.,  and  went  to  Leaven- 
worth,  where  he  joined  the  after  portion  of  the 
Regt.  On  the  way,  the  weather  was  so  exceed 
ingly  cold  that  the  men  suffered  severely.  Mr. 
Rippberger  had  his  foot  frozen,  while  three  of 
his  comrades  were  frozen  to  death.  It  is 
impossible  to  give  the  reader  a  clear  conception 
of  the  suffering  endured  on  the  march.  The 
distance  of  nearly  400  miles  occupied  about  17 
days,  and  the  cold  was  continuous,  while  those 
who  endured  it  were  poorly  clad  and  scantily 
provisioned.  Here  they  were  mustered  out  of 
the  service  Dec.  18,  paid  off  and  discharged  at 
Springfield  on  the  26,  after  which  Mr.  Ripp 
berger  went  to  Elgin. 

He  had  the  following  brothers  and  sisters  : 
Neitz  C.,  Abraham,  Adam,  Charles,  Louisa, 
Henry  and  George.  His  parents  are  both  dead. 
His  brother,  Abraham,  was  in  Co.  K,  52nd  111. 
Since  the  war  Mr.  Rippberger  has  been  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits.  He  was  first  married 
Jan.  i,  1869,  to  Sophia  Heine,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children,  but  she  having  died,  he  again 
married — this  time  to  Anna  Hesse,  by  whom  he 
has  six  children.  The  names  of  those  living 
are  Leah  E.,  Etta  F.,  Charles  C.,  Julius  J., 
George  W.,  Lulu  A.,  Wesley  H.,  Rudelphia  L. 
and  Frederick  William.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  49,  of  Elgin,  and  is  a  Repub 
lican  in  politics. 


JAMES  P.  DIXON,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  a  resident  of  Quincy,  111.,  was  born  in 
Licking  Co.,  Ohio,  March  30,  1838,  a  son  of 
John  and  Harriet  N.  (Kemp)  Dixon.  His  father 
hails  from  the  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  where 
he    was    born    Nov.  2,  1809,  and  when  a  child 
came  to  America  with  his  parents,  locating  in 
Ohio.     His  mother  is  a  native  of  Vt.,  and  dates 
her  birth  Jan.  11,1817.     Her  family  settled  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


627 


Ohio  when  the  commonwealth  was  a  territory, 
To  the  parents  were  born  11  children,  of  whom 
are  living  Alvira,  now  Mrs.  Bull,  of  Enis,  Mon 
tana;  Harriet  N.,  now  Mrs.  L.  D.  Simmonds,  of 
Quincy,  111'.;  Cyrus  A.,  now  a  resident  of  Indian 
apolis;  Serepta  E.,  now  Mrs.  Thomas  C.  De- 
Board,  of  Quincy,  111.;  Julia  R.,  now  Mrs.  F.  M. 
Corbeley,  of  Council  Bluffs,  la.;  Florence  P., 
now  Mrs.  M.  A.  Dunkle;  Laura  B.,  now  Mrs.  E. 
D.  Woods,  of  Galesburg,  111.  James,  our  sub 
ject,  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  State.  He 
attained  a  common  school  education,  and  fol 
lowed  the  calling  of  a  farmer  until  the  echoes 
of  Fort  Sumter  heralded  the  inauguration  of 
the  Rebellion.  He  enlisted  the  same  even 
ing  the  wires  flashed  the  startling  news,  joining 
Co.  B,  nth  Ind.  Inf.,  under  Col.  Lew.  Wallace. 
The  stigma  imposed  upon  the  nth  Ind.  during 
the  Mexican  war  was  the  occasion  for  the  per 
petuation  of  their  number.  Accordingly  Col. 
Wallace  asked  the  "boys"  to  register  an  oath 
that  they  would  vindicate  the  nth,  and  bring 
honor  where  dishonor  had  been  unjustly  given. 
This  they  did — the  entire  regiment  kneeling  on 
the  State  House  Square,  Indianapolis,  with  un 
covered  heads  and  uplifted  hands,  they  regis 
tered  a  vow  to  redeem  the  reputation  of  the  I  ith 
Ind.,  which,  in  this  case,  was  probably  the  first 
Ind.  Regt.  organized  under  the  call  for  3  months' 
troops.  The  Regt.,  on  the  expiration  of  the  3 
months,  re-enlisted,  and  were  sworn  in  for  3 
years,  nearly  every  man  volunteering. 

How  well  the  brave  "  boys"  kept  their  vow, 
the  history  of  the  noble  Regt.  and  its  gallant 
colonel,  -Lew.  Wallace,  who  became  a  distin 
guished  general  well  shows.  The  first  3  months' 
service  was  spent  in  Ind.,Md.,andW.  Va.  These 
were  trying  times  in  the  early  history  of  the 
war,  and  while  there  was  but  little  fighting,  there 
was  the  excitement  of  an  untried  contest  be 
tween  two  great  armies,  and  the  active  duties 
involved  in  securing  advantageous  positions. 
During  the  service  comrade  Dixon  contracted 
a  disease,  resulting  in  the  permanent  affection 
of  the  lungs  and  partial  loss  of  hearing.  When 
the  regiment  was  re-enlisted  he  was  prostrated 
with  sickness,  and  upon  his  recovery  immedi 
ately  offered  to  rejoin  his  comrades,  but  on  ex 


amination  was  rejected.  On  one  occasion 
later  in  the  war,  he  volunteered  for  service,  but 
was  unable  to  serve,  not  having  been  mustered 
in.  Thus  our  loyal  patriot  returned  home,  and 
for  a  time  was  engaged  in  Indianapolis  as  an 
engineer  in  a  manufacturing  establishment. 
This  calling  he  followed  at  different  places, 
until  his  disabilities  compelled  his  retirement. 
Subsequently  he  tried  farming,  but  had  to  give 
it  up. 

Mr.  Dixon  was  married  in  1868,  to  Mary  D. 
Clark,  who  died  at  Quincy,  111.,  after  2  years 
and  4  months  of  wedded  life.  By  this  union 
one  child,  Melvina,  was  born.  In  1872,  he 
married  Mrs.  Jane  E.  Dunning.  The  family 
are  all  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr. 
Dixon  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  member  of  the 
Shelbina  Lodge,  No  142,  in  which  he  has  taken 
the  encampment  degrees.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Prohibitionist,  of  Republican  antecedents,  they 
having  been  Whigs,  Know  Nothings,  and  Re 
publicans,  from  time  immemorial. 


DAVID  MAGEE,  of  Kewanee,  111.,  was  a  son 
of  James  B.  and  Sophia  (Hattoway) 
Magee.  The  parents  died  when  their 
son  was  only  5  years  old  and  left  him  and  ayoung 
brother,  William,  to  make  their  way  in  the 
world.  He  was  bound  out,  and,  like  many  other 
orphan  children,  has  but  few  pleasant  memories 
of  the  years  of  his  servitude.  His  home  was  in 
a  slave  State,  where  the  masters  were  harsh  and 
cruel  to  all  dependents.  He  lived  among  the 
slaves  and  received  a  share  of  the  severity  that 
prevailed  during  that  terrible  time.  At  the  age 
of  13  years  he  went  to  Philadelphia  Co.  and 
lived  there  two  years,  and  at  the  age  of  16  com 
menced  to  learn  the  trade  of  shoemaking  at 
Brusleton  and  served  out  his  time.  He  con 
tinued  to  work  at  his  trade  in  that  city  until  he 
moved  to  Glencoe,  Minn.,  in  1856,  and  took  a 
claim  near  that  place  in  McClead  Co.,  remain 
ing  two- years.  The  State  banks  failing  in  1858, 
he  lost  everything.  Capt.  Moss,  of  Peoria, 
offering  him  a  position,  he  moved  to  that  city, 
afterwards  going  on  to  a  farm  near  Galva,  111. 


628 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Aug.  13,  1862,  Mr.  Magee  enlisted  at  Kevvanee, 
in  Co.  F,  I24th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  and  was  mustered 
in  at  Camp  Butler,  going  at  once  to  the  field  in 
Tenn.  At  Camp  Jackson  he  was  sick  for  a  time, 
but  recovering,  accompanied  the  Regt.  on  the 
Oxford  march.  Laid  in  Memphis  until  the 
spring  of  1863  and  was  detailed  as  nurse  in  the 
regimental  hospital,  which  Mrs.  John  A.  Logan 
visited  at  one  time.  He  went  to  Milliken's 
Bend,  and  while  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  had 
charge  of  the  general  hospital  as  head  nurse. 
He  took  charge  of  a  train  of  sick  soldiers, 
with  only  12  guns  to  protect  them  from  the 
rebels,  on  the  way  to  Raymond  and  on  to 
Vicksburg.  At  Champion  Hills  he  was  placed 
in  charge  of  the  wounded  men  of  both  armies. 
Here  one  of  these  cruel  necessities  of  war  arose 
which  touches  many  hearts.  In  the  movement 
of  the  army  it  became  necessary  to  leave  some 
of  the  wounded  men  behind  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  rebels. 

Mr.  Magee,  after  this  service,  reported  to 
the  hospital  to  Dr.  Angel,  to  be  sent  to  his 
Regt.  and  the  Dr.  said:  "We  need  you  right 
here  where  all  these  men  need  care."  So  he 
staid  there,  occupying  the  Cook  House,  where 
both  sick  and  wounded  were  sent.  Here  he 
was  ward  master  on  the  night  of  May  22,  when 
hundreds  of  men  were  brought  in  and  laid  in 
rows  on  the  floor,  some  crying  in  agony,  some 
cursing  and  many  dying.  He  remained  here 
until  fall,  and  although  they  had  the  large  house 
and  many  tents  there  was  no  room  any  night 
to  sleep  inside  so  he  slept  in  a  hollow  tree. 
The  shells  of  the  rebel  batteries  and  the  Union 
gunboats  were  continually  flying  over  the  place 
during  the  siege  and  on  the  day  after  the  sur 
render,  Dr.  Gudbrick,  a  Surgeon,  of  the  hospi 
tal,  not  understanding  the  minute  guns  of  the 
Fort  when  the  morning  salute  was  fired,  jumped 
up  from  his  couch  and  said:  "My  God,  it's  not 
over  yet!"  Mr.  Magee  was  then  sent  to 
Hospital  No.  2  in  Vicksburg  and  became  Ward 
Master  under  Dr.  Smalley,  who  came  from  the 
rebel  army.  In  this  hospital  the  duty  was  very 
hard  as  a  great  many  men  were  suffering  from 
fever  and  bowel  troubles.  Here  Mr.  Magee 
was  highly  complimented  for  his  faithful  and 


efficient  service,  and  has  also  been  compliment 
ed  by  his  regiment  for  impartial  and  generous 
kindness  to  all.  It  has  always  been  a  source 
of  great  satisfaction  to  him  in  later  years,  when 
he  met  any  of  those  men  who  were  in  his  care 
that  he  endeavored  always  to  do  everything 
that  was  possible  for  the  sick  and  suffering. 

At  the  end  of  the  service  Mr.  Magee  was 
assigned  for  duty  as  commissary  guard  in 
Vicksburg,  and  afterwards  took  his  place  for  a 
short  time  in  the  ranks  and  went  with  the  Regt. 
to  Dauphin  Island.  In  the  autumn  of  1863,  he 
returned  home  for  a  short  visit,  and  married 
Elizabeth  Ann  Jewell,  daughter  of  William  C. 
and  Margaret  Jewell,  natives  of  Va.  and  Pa., 
but  residents  of  Henry  Co.,  111.  Mrs.  Magee 
accompanied  her  husband  on  his  return  to  the 
army  and  served  as  an  assistant  in  the  laundry 
department.  While  working  here  she  was 
seriously  sick  with  the  measles,  the  result  of 
washing  the  hospital  infected  clothing,  so  that 
her  recovery  was  very  doubtful.  She  was  sent 
home  in  the  winter,  but  she  never  fully  recovered 
and  died  Aug.  4,  1887,  of  pulmonary  consump 
tion.  Mr.  Magee  went  with  his  Regt.  to  Dau 
phin,  where  he  was  again  employed  as  nurse 
for  the  wounded  at  Spanish  Fort,  and  Blakely. 
going  then  to  Montgomery,  where  he  received 
a  sunstroke,  induced  by  overwork  in  carrying 
soldiers  who  were  seriously  sick.  On  account 
of  this  disability  he  was  sent  back  and  dis 
charged  at  Vicksburg.  There  was  one  day's 
march  on  the  way  to  Vicksburg,  and  as  it  was 
impossible  for  him  to  be  in  the  sunshine,  he 
was  compelled  to  march  in  the  night.  On 
reaching  Vicksburg  he  attempted  to  stand  in 
line  with  the  boys  but  was  forced  to  seek  the 
shade.  Discharged  in  Sep.,  1865,  Mr.  Magee 
made  his  home,  until  1882,  with  his  father-in- 
law  in  Kewanee,  when  he  went  on  to  a  farm 
near  Grinnell,  Iowa,  remaining  4  years  and 
suffering  while  there  from  the  great  cyclone 
that  swept  over  that  part  of  the  country,  ruin 
ing  the  crops  and  almost  destroying  the  town 
of  Grinnell.  He  moved  to  Oscaloosa,  Iowa, 
where  he  was  doing  well,  but  his  wife  died 
there,  and  he  returned  to  Kewanee  with  his 
sons,  one  of  whom,  George  W.,  is  head  cook  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


629 


a  hotel  in  Bloomington,  111.,  and  the  other 
William  Taylor,  now  a  baker  in  Chicago.  Mr. 
Magee  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church, 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served  as  Tax 
Collector.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  kind  and 
sympathetic  nature,  unobtrusively  and  quietly 
pursuing  the  even  tenor  of  his  way,  content  in 
the  thought  and  memory  of  duty  faithfully 
performed. 


OF  all  the  men  who  participated  in  the 
late  rebellion,  no  one  is  better  or  more 
favorably  known  to  the  people  of 
Galesburg  and  surrounding  country,  than  Col 
onel  H.  H.  Willsie.  Enlisting  in  the  early 
days  of  the  war,  he  was  immediately  selected 
as  Captain  of  Co.  D,  iO2nd,  111.  Vol.,  Inf.,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  with  gallantry  and 
soon  convinced  his  superior  officers  that  he 
was  a  born  leader  of  men.  He  moved  with  his 
Regt.  to  Peoria,  thence  to  Louisville,  and  soon 
after  under  Gen.  Bucl  started  upon  an  expedi 
tion  through  Ky.,  one  of  the  hardest  marches, 
entailing  as  much  suffering  and  privation  to 
those  engaged,  as  was  endured  in  any  other 
campaign  of  the  war.  On  this  expedition  a 
slave  escaping  from  his  owner  sought  refuge 
with  the  army  and  became  the  servant  of  the 
Captain,  although  orders  had  been  given  not 
to  harbor  them.  The  owner,  in  citizen's  dress, 
a  general  in  the  rebel  army,  appeared  and  de 
manded  his  property,  and  on  the  slave  intimat 
ing  that  his  master  was  a  rebel,  he  was  taken 
into  custody.  A  company  was  detailed  to  visit 
the  officers'  quarters,  to  drive  all  slaves  out,  and 
coming  to  the  Captain,  the  latter  told  them  to 
halt  and  in  a  moment  was  supported  by  his 
men.  The  Colonel  was  appealed  to,  and  he  re 
peated  his  order,  specially  ordering  the  Cap 
tain  to  give  up  the  negro,  but  again  he  refused, 
intimating  his  life  also  must  be  sacrificed  be 
fore  he  would  yield.  This  apparent  act  of  in- 
surbordination  was  reported  to  the  General 
commanding,  who  investigated,  the  result  of 
which  was  the  slave  was  permitted  to  accom 
pany  his  benefactor,  Captain  Willsie  through 


out  the  war,  and  proved  himself  by  his  devo 
tion,  as  worthy  of  the  respect  entertained  for 
him  by  his  new  master.  Several  attempts  were 
made  to  catch  him,  one  of  which  was  nearly 
successful,  but  a  cocked  pistol  in  the  hands  of 
Captain  Willsie  induced  his  would-be  captors 
to  desist,  glad  to  make  their  escape. 

Whilst  Gen.  Payne  had  command  at  Galla- 
tin,  Tenn.,  he  sent  for  Capt.  Willsie,  to  take 
command  of  350  picked  men,  comprising  300 
Inf.,  30  Cav.  and  2  sections  of  light  Art.,  to 
make  an  expedition  to  the  Ferry  near  Harts- 
ville,  where  the  great  rebel  raider,  John  Morgan 
was  encamped,  with  about  7,000  troops,  guard 
ing  a  large  quantity  of  supplies.  The  object 
was  to  load  and  get  away  with  about  40  or  50 
wagon  loads  of  supplies,  and  returning  cover 
the  retreat  by  destroying  the  ferry.  Starting 
on  his  perilous  undertaking,  about  midnight, 
he  was  soon  beyond  his  own  lines  taking  or 
placing  guard  over  every  person  in  sight,  and, 
proceeding  by  a  byway  through  the  timber, 
reached  the  ferry,  2O  miles  from  camp,  just 
about  day  break,  completely  surprising  the 
guards,  and  citizens  who  gave  up  without  a 
struggle.  Unmooring  the  ferry-foot,  he  placed 
it  in  charge  of  Lieut.  Clay,  with  15  men,  started 
it  down  the  river,  then  loaded  the  wagons  in  a 
short  time,  and  taking  every  person  along  with 
him,  to  prevent  alarm,  moved  back  toward  his 
camp,  arriving  inside  his  own  lines  by  dark, 
without  the  loss  of  a  man  or  the  firing  of  a  gun. 
He  was  immediately  recommended  for  pro 
motion  and  was  elected  Major  of  the  Regt. 
Whilst  at  Gallatin,  the  field  officers  all  became 
deathly  sick  and  the  Major  was  in  a  similar 
condition,  yet  he  commanded  his  Regt.  and 
with  other  duties  rode  every  fourth  day,  as  of 
ficer  of  the  day  from  one  end  to  the  other  of 
the  Union  lines,  a  distance  of  16  miles,  unac 
companied.  His  illness,  however,  grew  gradu 
ally  worse,  until  he  was  reduced  in  flesh  from  a 
man  of  200  Ibs.,  to  124  Ibs.,  when  his  strength 
completely  failed  him,  consequently  he  re 
signed  his  command  as  the  only  hope  of  sav 
ing  his  life,  not  from  the  enemy's  bullets  but 
from  a  disease  which  pointed  to  a  fatal  con 
clusion. 


630 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Major  Willsie,  after  being  mustered  out, 
returned  home,  May,  1863,  and  the  following 
spring  was  elected  City  Marshal,  of  Galesburg. 
The  city  desired  him  to  assist  in  raising  its 
quota  of  men  for  service,  and  placing  his  duties 
in  the  hands  of  a  deputy,  in  four  days  he 
reported  at  Peoria  with  114  men,  with  letters 
from  the  business  men  of  Galesburg  to  "Bob 
Ingersoll"  which  secured  for  our  subject  the 
position  of  Lieut.  Colonel  of  the  I39th  111., 
enlisted  for  100  days'  service.  He  did  duty 
in  Ky.  and  Mo.,  and  after  being  on  the  field 
about  five  months,  returned  to  Peoria,  where 
the  men  were  to  be  mustered  out,  but  orders 
were  received  calling  them  back  to  St.  Louis, 
as  Gen.  Price  was  threatening  that  city.  Col. 
Peter  Davidson  had  command  of  the  Regt.  and 
the  men  rebelled  and  were  likely  to  cause 
bloodshed,  when  Lieut. -Col.  Willsie,  who  had 
returned  home,  was  telegraphed  for,  and 
returning  post,  haste,  found  Col.  Davidson  tak 
ing  refuge  in  the  Peoria  House.  Col.  Willsie 
went  to  the  camp  alone,  gathered  the  men 
together,  talked  vith  them,  and  within  an  hour 
had  the  boys  in  line  marching  out  the  gates  on 
their  way  to  St.  Louis.  He  took  command 
and  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  where,  the  occasion 
for  his  presence  having  ceased,  he  returned  to 
Peoria  with  his  Regt.,  where  he  and  his  men 
were  mustered  out.  In  the  winter  of  1864-5, 
he  raised  another  Co.  and  sent  it  to  Springfield, 
and  a  few  days  later,  being  tendered  the  Col 
onelcy  of  the  Regt.  (i48th)  he  accepted,  took 
the  Regt.  to  Nashville,  and  reported  to  Gen. 
Thomas.  The  train  upon  which  his  horses 
were  traveling,  was  captured  at  Franklin,  Ky., 
where  three  of  the  men  we're  made  to  stand  up 
and  were  shot  by  the  rebels.  The  Col.  did  duty 
at  Tullahoma  where  he  was  appointed  Post 
Commander  of  Dechard,  by  special  request  of 
the  citizens,  and  subsequently  was  compli 
mented  by  the  General  in  command,  at  a  ban 
quet  given  by  Gen.  Thomas,  at  Nashville,  for 
having  the  best-drilled  and  disciplined  Regt.  in 
the  department. 

Col.  Willsie  was  born  in  Canada,  Jan.  27, 
1827,  his  grandfather  having  fought  as  Captain 
in  the  British  army,  during  the  war  of  1812. 


He  returned  from  the  war  in  the  fall  of  1865. 
In  the  spring  of  1868  he  was  elected  city  marshal 
of  Galesburg,  and  was  re-elected  holding  the 
office  in  all  six  years.  Then  he  started  the  livery 
business,  which  he  made  a  success  and  conducted 
until  recently.  He  married  at  Galesburg,  June 
5,  1855,  Betsey  H.,  daughter  of  Orson  Nichols, 
and  has  a  family  of  four  sons  and  one  daughter. 
Wilber  F.,  Horace  M.,  Alfred  N.,  John  and 
Daisy  A.  Few  men  in  that  part  of  the  country 
are  so  widely  or  favorably  known  as  Col.  Will 
sie,  who  although  recognized  by  all  as  a  deter 
mined  and  daring  soldier,  is  genial  and  com 
panionable  as  a  private  gentleman,  and  has 
always  without  effort,  been  enabled  to  com 
mand  the  respect  and  esteem,  of  all  who  have 
the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance. 


CURTIS  BISHOP  KNOX,  a  gentleman  whose 
expression  of  face,  says  as  if  in  so  many 
words,  "I'm  contented,  fate  can  not 
harm  me,"  was  born  July  20, 1844,  in  Rock  Island, 
111.,  the  city  he  has  ever  since  made  his  home, 
and  is  the  son  of  Charles  B.  and  Mary  ( Gohram ) 
Knox,  who  were  both  natives  of  Mass.,  and 
descendants  of  good  old  New  England  stock. 
His  father  was  born  June  27,  1819,  was  a  cabi 
net  and  furniture  maker  by  trade,  went  West, 
landing  at  Rock  Island,  Apr.  I,  1841,  and  at 
once  resumed  his  adopted  calling.  About  1853, 
he  established  himself  in  the  undertaking  busi 
ness,  which  he  continued  with  unusual  success, 
and  without  interruption  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  May  26,  1890.  His  mother  who  was 
born  Sept.  14,  1820,  is  still  living  at  her  home 
in  Rock  Island.  Curtis  was  reared  and  spent 
the  days  of  his  boyhood  in  his  native  town 
attending  school  up  to  his  I5th  year,  when  his 
natural  love  for  freedom  prompted  him  to  take 
up  farming.  This  he  continued,  devoting  the 
winter  months  to  the  manufacture  of  brooms, 
up  to  the  time  he  entered  the  service  of  his 
country.  It  was  while  he  was  out  binding  in 
the  harvest  field  that  his  patriotism  reached  its 
height,  and  he  suddenly  saluted  his  comrade 
with  a  "  Let's  join  the  boys  on  the  battle  field," 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


631 


They  dropped  their  bundles  and  walked  to 
town  the  same  day,  his  comrade  losing  his 
courage  while  young  Curtis  grew  more  enthu 
siastic  in  his  devotion  to  the  stars  and  stripes, 
and  accordingly  enlisted  at  Rock  Island,  July 
24,  1862,  Co.  F.  His  command  went  into 
camp  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  and  shortly 
moved  to  the  front,  joining  the  8Qth  111.  Inf. 
They  lost  no  time,  but  at  once  proceeded  on 
ward,  and  the  next  morning  our  young  soldier 
was  thoroughly  initiated  in  the  short  but  hotly- 
contested  battle  of  Perryville,  Ky. 

In  Dec.  they  started  out  on  the  fall  cam 
paign,  and  shortly  fought  the  bloody  and  mem 
orable  battle  of  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862,  to 
Jan.  4,  1863.  On  this  occasion  Knox's  com 
mand  did  most  gallant  work,  being  on  the 
extreme  right,  in  the  very  front  and  thickest  of 
the  charge,  his  Regt.  losing  142  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners.  Here  while  bravely 
defending  the  "old  flag"  young  Curtis  was 
struck  in  the  head,  the  bullet  glancing  off  from 
a  tree  and  tearing  out  a  piece  of  his  scalp.  He 
was  left  lying  on  the  battlefield  in  an  uncon 
scious  condition,  and  when  he  regained  his 
senses  found  himself  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
He  was  taken  into  the  town  of  Murfreesboro, 
marched  into  the  courthouse  square,  which  was 
surrounded  by  a  cold  gloomy  stone  wall,  re 
lieved  of  overcoat  and  all  valuables,  and  then 
turned  loose  under  a  cold  and  heavy  rain  amid 
shocks  of  several  thousand  bushels  of  unhusked 
corn,  into  which  the  fortunate  "boys"  buried 
themselves  for  shelter  against  the  rough  in 
clemency  of  the  elements.  Shortly  they  were 
treated  to  a  clay's  rations,  a  "feast,"  consisting 
of  one  pint  of  crude,  stale,  and  musty  corn 
meal.  The  next  morning  being  New  Year's 
morning,  the  brave  boys  exchanged  their 
"Happy  New  Year"  greetings  amid  these  deso 
late  and  pitiful  scenes  of  a  rebel  prison,  young 
Curtis  suffering  severely  from  his  wound,  which 
had  up  to  this  time  received  no  medical  atten 
tion  whatever.  From  here  the  prisoners  were 
marched  to  a  grist  mill,  where  they  each  re 
ceived  another  pint  of  musty  corn  meal.  This 
time  they  cooked  their  meager  rations,  and  for 
this  purpose  tore  down  thespoutings,  which  was 


used  for  fuel.  Shortly  they  were  crowded  into 
cattle  cars  and  transported  to  Huntsville,  Ala., 
where  amid  a  cold  and  shivering  rain  they  hud 
dled  themselves  around  small  camp  fires  during 
the  entire  bleak  and  wintry  night. 

About  the  middle  of  Jan.  they  reached 
Richmond,  Va.,  and  were  there  lodged  in  Libby 
Prison.  Amid  those  gloomy  walls  they  were 
confined  2  months,  during  which  time,  Mr. 
Knox  says,  he  was  treated  fairly  well,  but  re 
ceived  hardily  enough  food  to  hold  soul  and 
body  together.  The  weather  was  cold,  and  on 
one  occasion  when  the  prisoners  tore  down 
several  boards  from  an  old  bunk  for  fuel  pur 
poses,  they  were  for  this  slight  offense,  cut  off 
from  food  for  two  days.  Finally  they  were 
loaded  into  dirty,  filthy,  roofless  cars  and 
transported  to  Petersburg,  where  they  indulged 
in  a  little  stealing  of  tobacco,  for  which  offense 
they  were  threatened  to  be  killed.  Next  they 
were  taken  to  City  Point,  on  Chesapeake  Bay, 
where  for  the  first  time  in  2  months  they  once 
again  got  sight  of  their  beloved  stars  and 
stripes,  which  were  so  proudly  floating  o'er  a 
vessel  anchored  down  the  bay.  After  several 
months  they  were  taken  to  Benton  Barracks, 
St.  Louis,  and  while  on  parole  duty  there, 
young  Curtis  took  up  his  heels  and  made  his 
flight  from  custody,  reported  to  headquarters 
at  Chicago,  receiving  transportation  for  him 
self  and  five  men  for  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  about 
Sept.  15,  1863,  joined  his  old  comrades,  who 
had  long  thought  our  hero  dead.  Only  five 
days  later  we  again  find  him  actively  engaged 
in.the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  After  the  en 
counter,  they  proceeded  to  fortify  Chattanooga, 
fighting  almost  daily  up  to  the  time  of  the 
great  and  memorable  three  day's  battle  at  Mis 
sionary  Ridge.  At  Chattanooga,  Mr.  Knox 
says,  he  witnessed  one  of  the  most  awful  and 
saddest  sights  of  his  life  mules  dropped  of 
starvation  one  after  another,  and  for  a  long 
distance  they  tramped  over  a  corduroy  road  of 
living  skeleton  mules. 

The  Regt.  next  took  active  part  in  the  siege 
of  Knoxville,  Dec.  3,  and  4,  1863.  This  accom 
plished,  they  followed  the  rebel  army  up  into 
the  Smoky  Mt.,  N.  C.,  subsequently  participat- 


632 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ing  in  the  stubbornly-fought  battles  of  Resaca 
and  Kenesaw  Mt.,  and  from  July  20,  to  Aug; 
28,  were  constantly  engaged  in  the  hard  siege 
before  Atlanta.  The  Regt.,  after  the  fall  of 
Atlanta,  moved  after  Hood  to  take  part  in  the 
brilliant  achievement  at  Franklin,  Tenn.  The 
next  important  battle  was  at  Nashville,  driving 
Hood's  army  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  where  they  en 
countered  another  severe  fight  and  from  whence 
Mr.  Knox  was  detailed  to  take  care  of  a  sur 
geon  of  the  4th  U.  S.  Cav.,  who  had  his  leg 
shot  off  and  soon  died,  and  for  whom  he  per 
sonally  constructed  a  coffin  and  had  the  remains 
forwarded  to  Nashville,  where  the  wife  of  the 
deceased  soldier  was  in  waiting.  He  rejoined 
his  Regt.  and  subsequently  was  taken  danger 
ously  sick.  Recovered  after  several  weeks  and 
with  his  Regt.  returned  to  Chicago,  where  June 
24,  1865,  he  was  mustered  out,  having  served  a 
little  less  than  3  years,  and  although  having 
been  a  prisoner  6  months,  young  Curtis  never 
missed  one  of  the  many  battles  of  his  Regt. 
Mr.  Knox  returned  to  Rock  Island  and  subse 
quently  received  the  appointment  as  guard  at 
the  main  gates  at  the  U.  S.  Arsenal,  Rock 
Island,  a  position  which  he  held  successively 
for  16  years,  and  at  present  is  acting  as  fore 
man  of  a  crew  in  Govt.  employ. 

He  was  married  April  30,  1866,  at  Coal  Val 
ley  111.,  to  Mrs.  Martha  Thompson,  who  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent.  By  this  union  there  were 
born  three  children,  viz.:  Charles  T.,  who  is  at 
the  present  time  studying  for  the  ministry  at 
Chapin  College,  Beloit,  Wis.;  Mary  H.,  de 
ceased;  and  Martha  F.,  a  bright  young  lady, 
living  at  home. 

Mr.  Knox  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and 
also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge,  No.  18,  Rock- 
Island,  of  which  he  is  now  Past  Grand.  He  is 
a  jovial,  genial,  whole-souled  gentleman,  and  a 
right  good  Citizen. 


M 


AJOR  GEN.  HENRY  WAGER  HALLECK,  born 
at  Weston,  N.  Y.,  in  1820;  was  educated 
at  West  Point  Military  School,  where  he 
graduated  No.  3  in  the  class  of  1839;  entered 
military  service  as  2d  Lieut,  of  Engineers,  and 


remained  one  year  at  West  Point  as  Assistant 
Teacher  of  Engineering;  was  then  assigned  to 
post  duty  on  the  Atlantic  Coast,  until  1845, 
when  he  was  sent  to  Cal.,  to  construct  fortifi 
cations  and  protect  Government  interests. 

In  1847,  Lieut.  Halleck  had  some  fighting 
experience  among  the  California  Indians,  in 
which  he  acted  so  gallantly  that  he  was  pro 
moted  to  a  Captaincy  in  the  regular  service.  In 
1848  he  acted  as  Chief  on  the  Staff  of  Commo 
dore  Shubric,  and  in  1848,  was  appointed  Sec. 
of  State  for  what  was  then  the  Terr,  of  Cal.  In 
1.849  h°  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  conven 
tion  and  aided  in  making  the  first  constitution 
for  the  State  of  Cal.  Remaining  in  Cal.  until 
1854,  he  resigned  his  commission  in  military 
service,  studied  the  profession  of  law  and 
opened  an  office  in  San  Francisco.  When  Gen. 
Fremont  was  superseded  in  command  of  the 
West,  Halleck  was  summoned  from  Cal.  and 
placed  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  command  of 
the  department  thus  vacated. 

On  reaching  St.  Louis,  he  was  appointed 
Maj.  Gen.,  Aug.  19,  1861,  and  took  charge  of 
military  affairs  in  the  entire  West.  Gen.  Fre 
mont  had  been  relieved,  Gen.  Hunter  placed  in 
temporary  command,  the  troops  were  discour 
aged,  confusion  everywhere  prevailed,  and  the 
current  of  events  ran  strongly  in  favor  of  the 
rebels.  Mo.,  Ark.  and  Tenn.  were  occupied  by 
the  enemy,  and  the  Miss,  securely  blockaded 
by  Rebel  fortifications.  Gen.  Halleck  with  a 
master  hand  grappled  with  these  complicated 
embarrassments.  Among  the  first  of  his  mili 
tary  movements  was  to  issue  an  order  to  cap 
ture  all  bridge-burners  as  soon  as  possible. 
Wealthy  Secessionists  were  taxed  to  indemnify 
Union  men  who  had  been  robbed  by  Rebel 
bands  of  guerrillas;  gunboats  were  dispatched 
to  strategic  points;  troops  were  concentrated, 
reassured  and  rapidly  moved  on  the  enemy's 
lines.  In  quick  succession  the  Rebels  were  ex 
pelled  from  Mo.  and  Tenn.  Island  No.  10, 
Forts  Henry,  Donelson  and  Corinth  were  all 
captured  by  a  series  of  bold  and  successful 
movements.  So  brilliant  were  these  achieve 
ments  that  the  War  Department  ordered  Gen. 
Halleck  to  Washington  City,  in  the  spring  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


633 


1862,  to  act  as  Chief  of  Staff  in  supervising  the 
military  affairs  of  the  Nation. 

In  this  position  he  remained  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  when  he  was  placed  in  command  of 
the  Department  of  Va.,  with  Headquarters  at 
Richmond.  As  soon  as  military  matters  settled 
into  quiet  in  Va.,  Gen.  Halleck,  at  his  own  re 
quest,  was  ordered  to  Cal.  and  placed  in  com 
mand  of  the  Department  of  the  Pacific,  with 
.headquarters  at  San  Francisco.  Perhaps  no 
officer  in  the  military  service  in  the  country  has 
filled  more  important  and  critical  positions  than 
Gen.  Halleck;  and  few,  indeed,  have  acquitted 
themselves  with  more  distinguished  honor.  In 
all  varied  experiences  in  the  administration  of 
military  affairs,  he  has  made  no  capital  mis 
take,  so  common  among  commanding  Generals 
in  times  of  war.  On  the  contrary,  he  has  con 
stantly  evidenced  an  exalted  patriotism,  and  an 
unfaltering  purpose  to  suppress  the  Rebellion 
and  vindicate  the  authority  of  the  Nation. 
Uniformly  successful  while  in  the  field,  he  has 
given  the  most  indubitable  proofs  of  first-class 
ability  as  an  executive  officer. 

He  died  January  9,  1872.  In  person  Gen. 
Halleck  was  medium  size,  hale,  stout  and  com 
pact,  of  dark  complexion  and  full  habit,  black 
hair,  brown  eyes,  small  nose  and  ample  fore 
head.  His  manner  was  impatient  and  conver 
sation  rapid.  He  was  an  educated  soldier,  a 
successful  commander,  and  ranks  deservedly 
high  among  our  National  Chiefs. 


A  few  weeks  after  the  outbreak  of  the 
Rebellion,  Mr.  Thomas  J.  Huston,  of 
Lemont,  111.,  with  feelings  of  patriotic 
pride  in  the  welfare  of  his  country,  determined 
to  offer  his  services  for  the  preservation  of  the 
Union,  was  accepted,  and  enlisted  at  Gardner, 
111.,  Dec.  20,  1861,  as  a  private  in  Co.  I,  58th 
III.  Vol.  Inf.  They  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Doug 
las,  Chicago,  and  were  there  mustered  in  Dec. 
24,  1 86 1,  and  remained  until  the  early  part  of 
Feb.  of  the  following  year,  when  they  left  for 
Fort  Donelson,  joined  Grant's  army,  and  were 
attached  to  Gen.  C.  F.  Smith's  Div.  They  ar 


rived  at  Fort  Donelson,  Friday  morning,  the 
2nd  day  of  the  battle,  where  they  were  held  in 
reserve  for  that  day,  but  on  the  following  day, 
they  were  placed  in  the  front  line  of  the  left 
center  where  they  threw  up  some  temporary 
works  and  dug  rifle  pits.  In  this  position  they 
fought  vigorously  all  day,  and  at  the  close  45 
of  their  number  were  killed.  The  Regt.  lay  on 
arms  that  night  prepared  for  an  advance  at 
dawn  of  the  following  day,  but  the  rising  Sol 
dispelled  the  darkness,  and  a  flag  of  truce,  dis 
played  by  the  rebels,  was  seen.  Mr.  Huston's 
Div.  then  marched  to  Fort  Henry,  a  distance  of 
16  miles,  where  it  remained  in  camp  for  3  weeks, 
then  joined  Grant's  expedition  to  the  Tenn. 
River.  They  proceeded  on  transports,  landing 
frequently,  making  detours  to  locate  the  posi 
tion  of  the  enemy,  and  had  numerous  skir 
mishes  with  the  rebels.  His  Regt.  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  Gen.  Grant  personally 
assigning  it  a  position  on  the  Old  Hamburg 
Road,  with  orders  to  hold  it  all  hazards.  Here 
the  58th  111.  was  temporarily  annexed  to  Gen. 
Prentice's  Div.,  the  former  occupying  a  position 
about  the  center.  In  this  situation,  the  enemy 
made  an  attack;  the  Regt.  and  left  wing  of  the 
Union  army  fell  back,  leaving  Prentice's  com 
mand  to  be  flanked  on  both  sides,  and  resulted 
in  about  2,300  Union  soldiers,  including  Mr. 
Huston,  being  taken  prisoners.  During  this  battle 
he  was  shot  with  a  bullet  through  the  right 
shoulder.  He  was  then  sent  to  the  Confederate 
hospital  at  Mobile,  where  he  remained  3  months. 
To  call  this  place  a  hospital  would  be  a  travesty 
upon  the  word,  therefore,  a  just  regard  for  his 
torical  accuracy  compelled  Mr.  Huston  to  call 
this  "hospital"  wherein  he  was  confined,  a 
human  slaughter  and  maiming  house  combina- 
nation.  For  instance,  in  that  institution,  the 
surgeons  (?)  removed  a  comrade's  arm  from  the 
shoulder  socket — and  that  without  the  use  of 
anaesthetics  —  who  had  been  only  slightly 
wounded  in  the  forearm.  In  his  own  case,  he 
had  a  bullet  deeply  imbedded,  extracted  from 
near  his  spine  with  proffered  whisky  as  the 
only  anesthetic.  At  this  period  chloroform  was 
worth  $500  per  pound  in  the  Confederacy.  So 
it  can  be  left  to  the  imagination  of  the  reader 


634 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


as  to  the  quantity  of  that  drug  expended  upon 
the  Union  soldiers. 

Aft*er  his  discharge,  or  rather  after  his  hav 
ing  been  turned  out  of  the  hospital,  he  was  sent 
to  Macon,  Ga.,  and  there  imprisoned  on  the 
FairGrounds.  He  continued  sick  and  physically 
broken  up,  which  was  bad  enough  if  endured 
under  reasonable  circumstances:  but  in  this 
condition  to  be  penned  up  with  20,OOO  prisoners, 
the  majority  of  whom  were  sick  or  wounded, 
many  fatally,  entombed  with  comrades  dying 
at  the  rate  of  20  or  30  per  day,  practically  with 
out  food,  many  naked  or  nearly  so,  rendered  it 
almost  unbearable,  and  he  many  times  wished 
relief  might  come,  even  if  such  relief  should  be 
heralded  by  that  dread  messenger,  Death.  He 
was  imprisoned  here  3  months;  then  to  Belle 
Isle  for  10  days,  thence  to  the  Libby  Prison, 
which  proved  to  be  a  veritable  morgue  to  many. 
Here  he  was  confined  5  weeks  in  the  building 
on  the  3rd  floor,  and  without  an  opportunity  of 
looking  out  at  the  sun.  In  his  apartment  the 
men  were  compelled  to  sleep  uniformly  on  their 
right  or  left  sides,  packed  like  sardines,  and 
when  tired  of  laying  on  one  side,  an  order  was 
given  to  "right  spoon"  or  "left  spoon,"  as  the 
case  might  be;  whereupon  they  all  simultan 
eously  flopped  over  on  the  side  indicated.  A 
true  picture  of  the  sickness,  hunger,  physical 
and  mental  suffering  endured,  and  patiently 
borne  by  hundreds  of  Mr.  Huston's  comrades 
in  those  Confederate  prisons,  is  beyond  the 
power  of  the  pen  to  portray.  From  Libby  he 
was  marched  to  City  Point,  paroled  and  sent 
to  Parole  camp,  at  Annapolis,  where  he  was 
held  about  6  weeks.  He  was  finally  exchanged 
and  immediately  joined  his  Regt.,  which  pro 
ceeded  to  Springfield  and  reorganized  there 
early  in  Dec.,  1862.  His  Regt.  was  then  ordered 
to  Cairo,  and  was  occupied  in  guarding  the 
military  prison,  and  so  remained  about  6  months. 
From  that  point  it  went  to  St.  Louis,  and 
marched  across  the  State  with  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith's 
command,  and  succeeded,  after  several  engage 
ments  and  skirmishes,  in  driving  Price  and  his 
army  out  of  Mo.  Mr.  Huston's  Regt.  then 
returned  to  St.  Louis;  from  there  was  sent  to 
Memphis,  where  it  joined  Gen.  Sherman's  com 


mand,  who  organized  what  was  called  the 
"Meridian"  expedition.  They  tore  up  60  miles 
of  railroad  leading  to  Meridian,  during  which 
they  participated  in  several  skirmishes.  His 
Regt.  participated  in  the  battle  of  Fort  de 
Russey,  and  was  the  first  to  plant  its  colors  on 
the  fort  after  it  was  captured.  It  led  the  charge 
and  was  exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire,  causing  it 
many  losses. 

It  arrived  at  Pleasant  Hill,  or  Sabine  Cross 
Roads,  on  the  eve  of  Gen.  Banks' defeat  and  saved 
the  day  to  him,  and  on  the  same  evening,  Gen. 
Smith  went  into  camp  during  the  night,  intending 
to  resume  the  pursuit  the  next  morning,  but  after 
midnight  the  Div.  received  orders  to  fall  back  to 
Red  River.  This  order  he  refused  to  obey  until 
advised  by  his  staff  and  other  officers  as  to  the 
consequence  of  his  disobedience.  He,  however, 
ungraciously  yielded  and  fell  back  with  his  com 
mand.  Banks  with  his  forces  took  transports 
and  left,  leaving  Gen.  Smith  to  fight  his  way 
back,  harrassed  and  assaulted  by  the  rebels  all 
the  way  until  he  reached  the  junction  of  the 
Red  River  with  the  Miss.,  which  march  occu- 
pied'3  weeks,  and  each  night  of  that  march  the 
men  slept  on  their  arms.  At  Yellow  Bayou, 
Mr.  Huston's  Regt.  was  rear  guard  and  held  the 
rebels  at  bay  while  the  troops  crossed  the  river 
on  transports,  arranged  as  pontoons.  He  was 
placed  in  the  1st  Brig.,  3rd  Div.,  i6th  A.  C., 
with  Gen.  Mower,  commander  of  the  Brig. 
While  in  that  Brig,  the  battle  of  Yellow  Bayou 
was  fought,  in  which  his  Regt.  participated, 
and  lost  every  third  man,  in  killed  or  wounded, 
but  mostly  killed.  In  the  skirmish  at  Alex 
andria,  just  preceeding  this,  his  brother  Robert 
Huston,  lost  his  right  leg.  Our  subject  re 
mained  with  Gen.  Smith's  Div.  and  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15,  1864.  During 
his  army  life  he  was  promoted  to  Corporal  and 
afterwards  was  1st  Sergt.,  which  he  held  until 
he  returned.  He  was  mustered  out  as  a  sur 
plus  non-commissioned  officer,  upon  the  con 
solidation  of  the  Regt.  into  4  Cos.  of  veteran 
volunteers,  although  he  had  re-enlisted  for 
three  years  more  of  service. 

He  was  born  in  N.  Y.  City,  May  2,  1844,  and 
is  a  son  of  Robert  Huston,  who   was  born   in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


635 


Ireland,  of  Scotch  ancestry.  His  mother's 
name  was  Elizabeth  Shaw.  They  were  the  par 
ents  of  the  following  children:  John  W., 
Martha,  Ann,  Ella,  Thomas  J.,  Robert,  Mary, 
William  and  Eliza  (2nd  of  the  same  name), 
Martha  (2nd  of  the  same  name),  and  two  un 
named  twins,  who  died  at  birth.  Two  of  Mr. 
Huston's  brothers,  John  and  Robert,  were  also 
in  the  war,  serving  in  the  same  Regt.  John  W. 
died  of  typhoid  fever  at  St.  Louis,  in  the  sum 
mer  of  1864.  When  Mr.  Huston  was  8  years  of 
age,  he  moved  with  his  father  and  family  to 
Grundy  Co.,  111.,  and  settled  on  a  farm.  He 
went  to  school  and  received  a  fair  education. 
He  was  Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue  for 
Grundy  Co.,  during  the  years  of  1866  and  1867; 
was  Tax  Collector  for  Braceville  Township; 
several  years  Alderman  for  Lemont;  Police 
Magistrate  for  Lemont  for  the  past  IO' years, 
and  still  holds  that  position.  He  is  Agent  for 
the  C.,  A.  and  St.  Louis  R.  R.  at  Lemont,  and 
has  conducted  that  office  for  25  years;  is  Secre 
tary  of  the  Lemont  Building,  Loan  &  Home 
stead  Association,  and  President  of  the  State 
Bank  of  Lemont. 

He  married  Kate  A.  Rose,  of  Gardner,  111., 
Sept.,  1872.  She  was  a  descendant  of  Annake 
Jans,  original  owner  of  land  on  which  Trinity 
Church,  New  York  City,  is  situated,  and  there 
fore  one  of  the  claimant  heirs  to  that  property. 
He  had  by  his  wife  the  following  children: 
Burdette  W.,  Elmer.  Horace  H.,  Frederick  G., 
and  Lester  T.,  of  whom  Burdette  W.  is  dead. 
He  is  Past  Master  of  Lemont  Lodge,  No.  708, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  has  held  the  position  of 
Worshipful  Master  for  several  years.  He  is 
President  of  the  Stone  City  Lodge,  No.  138, 
Independent  Order  of  Mutual  Aid  of  111.  Is 
Prelate  of  Keepataw  Lodge,  No.  260,  K.  of  P. 
Mr.  Huston  has  by  his  ability  and  energy 
provided  ample  competence  for  his  declining 
years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post 
No.  460,  of  Lemont,  111.,  and  has  been  its  com 
mander  since  its  organization.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Republican.  A  portrait  of  Mr.  Huston  is 
presented  in  this  work. 


ALBERT  HIPPEN,  a  prominent,  progressive, 
and  highly-respected  citizen  of  Pekin, 
111.,  hails  from  Germany,  where  he  first 
saw  the  light  of  day  on  Jan.  31,  1845,  a  son  °f 
U.  H.  and  Anna  Hippen.  The  family  sailed 
for  America  in  the  year  1857,  settling  in  Peoria, 
afterwards  removing  to  Woodford  Co.,  in  the 
same  State.  When  but  19  years  old,  young 
Albert  left  his  home  and  loved  ones,  and  went 
forth  to  "  do  or  die"  in  defense  of  his  newly- 
adopted  flag.  He  accordingly  enlisted  in  the 
Union  Army,  in  May,  1864,  in  Co.  C,  i3Qth 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  having  joined  the  army  under  an 
enlistment  of  a  hundred  days.  The  Reg. 
moved  from  Peoria  to  St.  Louis  on  the  first 
day  of  June,  1864,  thence  to  Columbus,  Ky., 
afterwards  on  to  Cairo  where  it  was  actively 
engaged  upon  garrison  duty.  About  the  be 
ginning  of  Aug.,  a  guerrilla  party  had  captured 
some  steamboats  a  short  distance  above  Padu- 
cah,  as  also  several  hundred  horses  and  cattle, 
at  the  same  time  threatening  the  city  of  St. 
Louis.  Comrade  Hippen  with  a  portion  of  his 
Regt.  volunteered  their  service,  although  their 
term  of  enlistment  had  expired  and  they  had 
returned  to  Peoria.  They  set  out  for  St.  Louis, 
started  in  pursuit  of  the  Rebel  army  under 
Price,  and  by  the  time  they  reached  Otterville 
had  nearly  overtaken  him.  They  succeeded  in 
capturing  a  portion  of  the  stock  and  confis 
cated  other  stock  from  the  adjoining  Rebel 
farmers  sufficient  to  make  good  their  previous 
loss.  They  also  captured  two  or  three  of  the 
ringleaders  of  the  guerrilla  party.  Gen.  Price 
discontinued  his  movement  against  St.  Louis 
and  moved  toward  the  southern  part  of  the 
State.  Our  Union  "  boys  "  followed  as  fast  as 
possible,  but  failed  to  catch  him.  The  Regt. 
then  returned  to  Peoria,  where  it  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service,  Oct.  25,  1864,  two  months 
after  the  men's  term  had  expired. 

Mr.  Hippen  then  returned  to  Pekin  and 
entered  the  saddlery  business,  and  subse 
quently  engaged  in  buying  and  selling  grain. 
He  was  thus  engaged  until  1888,  when  he 
bought  out  Mr.  William  Wise  of  Wise  &  Co., 
and  established  a  new  firm  of  Conklin,  Sher 
man  &  Hippen.  This  firm  has  prospered  in  its 


636 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


business  beyond  the  most  sanguine  expecta 
tion,  and  now  controls  one  of  the  largest 
trades  of  any  firm  in  a  similar  line.  Their 
business  is  largely  lumber,  and  they  are  also 
builders  and  contractors,  owning  and  operating 
in  connection  therewith  a  large  planing  mill. 
The  establishment  is  one  of  Pekin's  most 
prominent  and  successful  enterprises,  due 
solely  to  the  integrity,  the  push  and  popularity 
of  all  the  members  of  the  firm. 

In  the  year  1877,  Mr.  Hippen  concluded  it 
was  not  good  to  be  alone,  therefore  in  compli 
ance  with  the  scriptural  injunction  he  "took  to 
himself  a  wife,"  Miss  Leonora  Ackerman,  by 
name.  She  is  the  amiable  and  estimable  daugh 
ter  of  C.  W.  and  Cordula  (Kempter)  Acker 
man,  of  Pekin,  and  has  been  his  faithful  and 
loving  helpmate  to  the  present  time,  sharing 
with  her  husband  the  general  respect  and 
esteem  entertained  for  them  by  their  many 
friends  and  acquaintances.  The  happy  union 
has  been  blessed  by  two  bright  intelligent 
boys,  William  and  Oscar.  Mr.  Hippen  is  a 
member  of  Joe  Hanna  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  a 
Republican  in  politics.  He  is  a  true  and  unas 
suming  gentleman,  whom  it  is  always  a  pleasure 
to  know,  and  is  universally  recognized  among 
his  fellow  townsmen  as  an  upright,  honest  man, 
whose  business  and  social  methods  commend 
him  to  the  highest  confidence  and  respect  of 
his  many  friends  and  acquaintances. 


M 


AJOK  GEN.  ROBERT  ANDERSON  was  born 
Sept.,  1805,  in  Ky.;  educated  at  West 
Point,  where  he  graduated  July,  1825; 
entered  military  service  as  Brevet  Second  Lieut., 
and  served  in  the  regular  army  until  1832,  when 
he  was  made  1st  Lieut.,  and  appointed  instructor 
in  the  military  school  at  West  Point.  In  1838 
was  made  Aidc-de-Camp  on  the  Staff  of  Gen. 
Scott,  then  Commandcr-in-Chief.  Was  pro 
moted  Captain  for  his  distinguished  services  in 
the  Seminole  war  in  1841.  Served  in  the  Mex 
ican  .war,  distinguishing  himself  at  the  battle 
of  Molino  del  Rey,  where  he  was  severely 
wounded,  but  refused  to  leave  the  field  until 


the  works  had  been  carried  and  the  Mexicans 
surrendered. 

For  his  manly  courage  and  gallant  conduct 
on  this  occasion  he  was  promoted  to  Major  in  the 
regular  army.  In  this  position  he  served  until 
1861,  when  the  Rebellion  found  him  in  com 
mand  of  the  Government  fortifications  at 
Charleston,  S.  C.  To  resist  the  Government, 
the  first  important  step  for  S.  Carolina  to  take 
was  to  obtain  possession  of  the  forts  com 
manding  Charleston  Harbor.  To  do  this  the 
most  tempting  offers  were  addressed  to  Maj. 
Anderson.  Wealth,  honors  and  promotion 
were  offered  in  profusion.  The  condition  on 
which  these  glittering  fortunes  were  offered 
was  simply  to  surrender  his  trust  into  the  hands 
of  secession  agents.  The  noble  Kentuckian 
was  proof  against  all  blandishments  of  treason. 
While  the  emissaries  of  treason  were  exhaust 
ing  all  the  resources  of  diplomacy  to  secure 
the  forts  at  Charleston,  Maj.  Anderson  was  not 
idle.  Instead  of  listening  to  the  seductions  of 
treason,  he  was  preparing  for  rugged  war.  His 
garrison  occupied  Fort  Moultrie,  situated  on 
Sullivan's  Island,  very  accessible  to  Charleston, 
and  could  be  easily  taken  by  a  land  force 
attacking  from  the  rear.  Fort  Sumter,  about 
a  mile  distant,  stood  half  a  mile  from  the  near 
est  point  of  land  in  the  water,  was  built  of 
brick,  and  was  first-class  masonry. 

Without  consulting  the  traitors,  the  garrison 
was  transferred  to  the  latter  fort.  The  rage  of 
Charleston,  when  these  facts  were  known,  knew 
no  bounds.  Old  acquaintances  and  long  cher 
ished  friends  denounced  Anderson  in  unmeas 
ured  terms.  In  the  meantime  the  administra 
tion  of  President  Buchanan  closed,  and  Mr.  Lin 
coln  was  inaugurated  President  of  the  United 
States,  March  4,  1861.  Among  the  first  official 
acts  of  the  new  Administration  was  to  dispatch 
a  supply  ship  to  the  starving  garrison  of  Fort 
Sumter.  As  soon  as  this  vessel  reached  the 
channel  approaching  the  fort,  she  was  fired  on 
by  Rebel  cannon  and  speedily  driven  from  the 
harbor.  This  was  the  first  hostile  gun  of  the 
coming  war.  A  peremptory  demand  was  made 
on  the  commander  to  surrender  the  fort  and 
garrison,  which  was  promptly  declined.  Long 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


637 


lines  of  earth-works  had  been  going  up  for 
months;  batteries  planted,  and  every  prepara 
tion  made  to  capture  the  fort,  while  the  garrison 
was  not  allowed  to  fire  a  gun.  At  4  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  I2th  of  April,  the  Rebel 
artillery  opened  on  Fort  Sumter,  converg 
ing  a  heavy  fire  from  a  large  number  of  batte 
ries.  The  fort  replied  with  great  spirit,  and  for 
two  days  a  garrison  of  80  men  fought  7,000 
Rebels.  At  last,  overwhelmed  by  numbers  and 
with  no  means  of  escape,  the  garrison  surren 
dered  on  the  1 4th.  Maj.  Anderson  marched 
out  with  the  honors  of  war,  and  returned  to 
Washington  City. 

For  his  gallant  defence  of  Sumter  he  was 
made  a  Brig.  Gen.,  and  afterward,  for  long  and 
meritorious  services,  was  breveted  Major-Gen. 
In  1865,011  the  I4th  of  April,  the  anniversary  of 
his  surrender,  he  was  sent  by  the  Govt.  to  again 
raise  the  same  flag  on  the  now  shattered  walls 
of  Sumter.  On  account  of  ill  health  he  re 
tired  from  military  service,  but  will  long 
be  remembered  by  his  countrymen,  and  honor 
ed  for  a  pure  and  noble  patriotism  that  traitors 
could  not  buy  nor  civil  war  destroy.  He  died 
Oct.  27,  1871. 


JOHN  SLADE,  M.  D.,  proprietor  of  the  Great 
Western  Pension  Claim  Agency,  at  Quin- 
cy,  111.,  hails  from  Clark  Co.,  Ky.,  where 
he  was  born  Aug.  2,  1826,  the  son  of  Lemuel 
and  Ann  (Williams)  Slade.  His  father  who 
was  a  M.  E.  minister,  located  in  Ky.  His  fore 
father  came  from  Va.,  with  Green  Clay,  in  the 
early  pioneer  days.  His  mother  was  a  Ken- 
tuckian  by  birth,  and  both  now  lie  buried  at 
Batavia,  Ohio,  the  former  having  died  at  the 
age  of  87,  and  the  latter  at  85.  To  the  parents 
were  born  five  daughters  and  five  sons,  of  whom 
nine  are  living.  The  Slade  family  was  truly  a 
loyal  and  patriotic  one,  for  indeed  each  one  of 
the  sons  has  faithfully  rallied  beneath  the  grand 
old  flag  to  fight  for  his  country.  James  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Mexican  war  and  was  killed  in 
battle  of  Rio  Calaboosa.  Isaac  Newton,  a  se 
cond  brother,  served  through  the  war  as  Lieut. 


and  Captain  in  a  Ky.  Regt. ;  is  now  engaged  in 
the  merchant  tailoring  business  at  Lexington, 
Ky.  George  Washington  enlisted  in  an  Ohio 
Regt.,  served  through  the  war  and  is  now  es 
tablished  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Ladoga, 
Ind.  Lemuel  Alexander  served  in  the  secret 
service  of  the  U.  S.  in  the  7th  Ohio  Cav.  and  is 
now  in  the  employ  of  the  Govt.  at  Frankfort, 
Ky.,  and  resides  at  Georgetown.  The  Doctor 
was  reared  and  gleaned  his  elementary  educa 
tion  at  Batavia,  Ohio,  and  pursued  his  studies 
at  Cincinnati.  He  served  in  Co.  A,  ist  La.  Vol, 
under  Captain  R.  P.  Mace  during  the  entire 
period  of  the  Mexican  war,  being  in  the.  same 
organization  with  his  brother  James,  whose 
death  he  witnessed  and  mourned  during  those 
trying  hours.  The  Doctor  himself  received  five 
wounds  during  the  service — three  from  sabre 
cuts  and  one  lance  wound  which  passed  entirely 
through  his  leg.  Twice  he  was  left  on  the 
bloody  field  of  battle  as  dead,  and  verily  es 
caped  miraculously,  as  if  by  the  will  of  Pro 
vidence. 

At  the  termination  of  the  war  with  Mexico, 
the  Doctor  began  the  study  of  medicine  at 
Cincinnati,  pursuing  his  studies  until  admitted 
to  practice.  He  came  West  in  1853,  entered 
the  college  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at 
Keokuk,  la.,  and  graduated  therefrom  in  1856, 
having  been  in  regular  practice  for  several 
years  prior  thereto.  The  ensuing  seven  years 
the  Doctor  enjoyed  an  extensive  practice  and 
July  7,  1863,  he  again  responded  as  a  son  of 
war,  entering  the  nth  Mo.  Cav.  as  Surgeon  of 
said  Regt.,  being  honored  with  the  appoint 
ment  of  Brigade  Surgeon,  and  was  Surgeon  in 
Chief  at  Duvall's  Bluff,  and  President  of  the 
examining  board.  He  was  with  the  Regt. 
throughout  the  service,  and  was  instrumental 
in  securing  its  early  mustering  out  at  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  believed  the  men  ought  to  be 
at  their  homes,  and  accordingly  they  were 
mustered  out  July  27,  1865,  on  his  personal 
application  to  the  commanding  General,  Phil. 
Sheridan,  at  New  Orleans,  La.  The  Doctor 
then  returned  to  his  medical  practice  in  New 
Hartford,  111.,  which  he  continued  to  prosecute 
until  age  and  failing  health  compelled  his 


638 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


retirement  six  years  ago.  Shortly  after  the 
war  he  began  to  assist  the  "boys"  in  procuring 
pensions,  but  made  no  charges  for  such  ser 
vices  until  1885,  when  he  bought  out  L.  D. 
Simmons  &  Co.,  who  were  then  prosecuting 
Government  claims.  As  in  his  practice  of 
medicine,  so  in  this  the  Doctor  has  been  very 
successful.  With  a  finely-appointed  suite  of 
rooms,  employing  several  clerks  and  type 
writers  to  facilitate  the  extensive  correspond 
ence  of  the  office,  he  has  ample  facilities  for 
the  successful  prosecution  of  all  kinds  of 
claims.  Dr.  Slade  was  married  in  1849,  to 
Melinda  C.  Hayes,  and  by  this  union  were  born 
four  children:  James  Newton;  Grant,  who  was 
born  and  named  just  after  Grant's  victory  at 
Shiloh,  Santee,  and  Olive.  Mrs.  Slade  died 
Nov.  9,  1884,  and  the  Doctor  was  married  the 
second  time  Jan.  31,  1886,  to  the  estimable 
Mrs.  Ella  S.  Matthews,  nee  (Fox,)  a  native  of 
Warsaw,  111.  Her  parents  were  Kentuckians, 
and  she  is  an  educated  and  accomplished  lady 
whose  early  life  was  spent  as  a  teacher.  Mrs. 
Slade  is  a  member  of  the  Women's  Relief 
Corps,  and  botn  she  and  the  Doctor  are  worthy 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  The  Doctor  is 
a  Mason,  has  on  several  occasions  been  a  rep 
resentative  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  has  served 
several  terms  as  Worshipful  Master  of  his 
lodge.  He  is  an  active  and  enthusiastic  worker 
of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  serving  the  fifth  term  as 
surgeon  of  his  post.  He  was  honored  with  the 
appointment  of  Assistant  Inspector  on  the 
staff  of  Colonel  Distin  when  he  was  Comman 
der  of  the  Department  of  111.,  and  is  now  serv 
ing  in  the  same  capacity  under  Colonel  Clark. 
A  worthy  citizen,  he  has  won  the  esteem 
of  all  who  know  him. 


GENERAL  ROBERT  H.  CARNAHAN,of  Quincy( 
111.,  enlisted  in  the  3rd  111.  Cav.  as  Cap- 
tainof  hiscompany.andwas  mustered  in 
by  Captain  Pitcher,  at  Camp  Butler,  near  Spring 
field,  111.,  August,  1861.     The  Regt.,  under  the 
command  of  Col.  E.  A.  Carr,  went  to  St.  Louis, 
then  to  Springfield,  Mo.,  and  was  soon  engaged 


at  Pea  Ridge.  In  this  battle  Captain  Carnahan 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  3rd  battalion, 
3rd  Cav.,  on  the  second  day's  fight,  and,  with 
that  battalion,  marched  with  Gen.  Hunter  to 
Helena,  Ark.,  and  was  appointed  Provost  Mar 
shal  of  the  district  of  Eastern  Ark. 

He  then  went  with  Gen.  Sherman  to  Vicks- 
burg,  and,  with  the  command,  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Chickasaw  Bayou,  afterwards  going  to 
Arkansas  Post  with  Gen.  McClernand.  The  next 
movement  was  under  Gen.  Grant,  on  the  march 
to  the  rear  of  Vicksburgjthe  3rd  Battalion  being 
assigned  to  the  Div.  commanded  by  Gen.Oster- 
haus,  was  the  advance  on  the  march  to  Port 
Gibson,  Raymond,  Champion  Hills  and  Big 
Black  River  Bridge.  After  the  capture  of  Vicks- 
burg  the  Regt.  was  sent  with  Gen.  Sherman  to 
Jackson,  Miss.,  and  afterwards  ordered  to  re 
port  to  Gen.  N.  P.  Banks,  at  New  Orleans,  and 
was  sent  with  the  command  to  Gen.  Franklin, 
and  participated  in  the  important  battles  of  that 
campaign. 

Captain  Carnahan  was  subsequently  made 
Chief  of  Pickets  for  the  I3th  A.  C.,  under  Gen. 
McClernand  in  Banks'  retreat,  and,  going  from 
New  Orleans  to  Memphis,  was  placed  in  com 
mand  of  that  post  at  Germantown.  From  this 
post  he  was  sent  to  General  Washburne  to  scout 
through  Western  Ky.,  and  reported  to  Gen. 
Payne,  commanding  at  Paducah. 

The  term  of  service  expiring,  the  non-veter 
ans  reported  at  Springfield,  and  were  mustered 
out.  Captain  Carnahan  was  then  commissioned 
Lieut. -Colonel,  and,  commanding  the  Regt.,  re 
ported  to  Major-General  Hatch  at  Memphis, 
marched  with  the  Div.  to  Florence,  then,  falling 
back  to  check  Hood's  advance,  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Lawrenceville,  Campbellville,  Spring 
Hill,  Franklin  and  Nashville;  and,  after  follow 
ing  Hood's  retreating  forces  to  the  Tenn.  River, 
went  into  camp  at  Eastport.  He  was  then 
commissioned  Brevet  Brigadier-General,  and 
sent  on  an  independent  Indian  expedition  with 
his  regiment  to  Fort  Snelling,  Minn.,  and,  re 
porting  to  Gen.  Sibley,  scouted  through  Da 
kota  to  Devil's  Lake,  Turtle  Mt.,  Fort  Bartholdi, 
and,  returning  to  Fort  Snelling  Oct.  10,  1865, 
was  mustered  out  on  that  date. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


639 


Gen  Carnahan,  with  his  Regt.  participated 
in  21  general  engagements,  and  the  list  would 
exceed  IOO,  if  important  skirmishes  were  con 
sidered.  Among  the  most  important  of  these 
battles  may  be  mentioned  Pea  Ridge,.  Sugar 
Creek,  Cotton  Plant,  Port  Gibson,  Raymond, 
Big  Black  River  Bridge,  Champion  Hills,  the 
assault  and  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Ope- 
lousas,  Pine  Woods,  Lawrenceville,  Spring  Hills, 
Franklin,  Nashville,  and  many  other  fights  in 
cluding  the  active  service  on  the  Indian  cam 
paign  in  the  wilds  of  the  Northwest,  making  al 
together  a  military  record  of  which  any  soldier 
may  be  justly  proud. 

General  Carnahan  entered  the  service  a 
Captain,  and  by  recognized  merit  alone  rose  to 
the  prominent  position  of  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.,  a 
rank  of  distinction  which  gallant  bravery  and 
faithful' service  on  many  a  bloody  field  and 
positions  of  importance  and  trust  justly  entitled 
him  to  hold.  He  is  also  a  gentleman  whose 
companionship  is  sought  on  account  of  his 
many  genial  qualities  and  true  worth  which  are 
hidden  under  a  modest  demeanor.  An  instance 
is  given  of  General  Carnahan  and  his  coolness 
in  the  presence  of  danger.  He  was  ordered  to 
dismount  his  men  and  feel  for  the  enemy  whose 
strength  and  location  were  not  fully  known.  He 
led  his  men  for  some  time  under  a  galling  fire 
of  musketry,  and  coming  to  an  open  space,  the 
rebels  fired  on  the  little  band  with  grape  and 
canister.  The  soldiers  halted,  feeling  that 
they  were  surrounded  and  overpowered,  and 
that  it  would  be  certain  death  to  advance.  With 
a  rare  presence  of  mind,  General  Carnahan  at 
this  moment  ordered  the  bugler  to  sound  the 
charge,  and  a  remnant  of  a  Regt.  springing 
forward  drove  out  an  entire  brigade  of  the 
enemy.  In  recounting  this  incident  the  General 
says  he  would  have  lost  more  men  in  endeavor 
ing  to  retreat  than  he  did  in  making  the  charge. 

General  Carnahan  was  born  in  Cumberland 
Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  21,  1823,  and  lived  the  greater 
part  of  his  earlier  years  on  a  farm  near  Attica, 
Ind.,  obtaining  his  education  in  the  public 
schools.  His  father,  William  Carnahan,  a 
native  of  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  was  of  a  family 
whose  ancestors,  of  Scotch  and  Irish  descent, 


came  to  America  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  in 
1740,  and  settled  on  the  Delaware  River.  The 
father's  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution 
ary  war,  and  an  uncle  of  the  father  served  as  a 
Colonel  under  Gen.  Washington,  and  a  brother 
accompanied  Aaron  Burr  on  his  trip  into  La. 
The  family  are  related  to  President  Carnahan, 
who  was  at  the  head  of  Princeton  College  in 
1830.  General  Carnahan's  father  married  Mary 
Houstin  (his  first  wife)  by  whom  he  had  two 
children — Robert  H.,  the  subject  of  this 
memoir;  Andrew  McDowell,  who  graduated  at 
Wabash  College,  became  a  lawyer  and  was 
elected  to  the  Indiana  Legislature,  but  died  in 
the  dawn  of  a  promising  career.  By  second 
marriage:  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Mr.  McGifford, 
who  resides  at  Hudson,  N.  Y. ;  Mary,  who  mar 
ried  Dr.  W.  C.  Cole,  and  resides  at  Attica,  Ind., 
and  Jane,  who  became  the  wife  of  Wm.  Vander- 
volgin,  resided  in  Newton,  Fountain  Co.,  Ind., 
and  died  in  1890.  The  mother  died  when 
Robert  H.,  was  two  years  old,  and  the  father 
lived  to  the  ripe  old  age  of  84.  General  R.  H. 
Carnahan  was  engaged  in  commission  and  mer 
cantile  business  at  Attica,  Ind.,  at  the  time  of 
the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion,  and  returning 
from  the  war  he  was  appointed  Assessor  of 
Internal  Revenue  for  the  I5th  District  of  111., 
and  continued  until  a  new  administration  made 
a  change  necessary.  He  became  engaged  in 
mining  in  Vermillion  Co.,  and  after  a  number 
of  years  went  to  Joliet  as  storekeeper,  and  in 
1888,  he  entered  the  111.  Soldier's  and  Sailor's 
Home  at  Quincy,  as  Quartermaster  and  Com 
missary,  when  the  institution  was  organized, 
and  has  retained  that  position  to  the  present 
time. 

General  Carnahan  was  married  in  Attica, 
Ind.,  Jan.  I,  1850,  to  Eliza  A.  Davis  of  Newark, 
Ohio,  and  has  two  children:  Clara,  the  wife  of 
Thomas  S.  Parks,  who  is  in  charge  of  a  divi 
sion  of  the  Treasury  Department  at  Washing 
ton,  in  which  he  has  charge  of  a  large  number 
of  clerks;  and  William  McDowell,  born  at  Dan 
ville,  111.,  in  1857,  and  married  to  a  lady  in 
Kansas  City,  Mo.,  who  is  of  French  extraction 
and  well  educated  in  that  language,  making 
teaching,  a  profession  until  married.  He  re- 


640 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


sides  in   Portland,    Ore.,    and  is   a  commercial 
traveler. 

General  Carnahan  is  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Masonic  order,  and  was  for  two  years 
Commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post;  in  politics  he 
is  a  Republican,  and  a  gentleman  actively  in 
terested  in  the  progressive  movements  of  the 
day,  and  benevolent  enterprises  that  are  prac 
tical  and  worthy  of  intelligent  consideration. 


CAPT.  EDWARD  BIGELOW,  enlisted  in  the 
Union  Army  Aug,  1862,  in  Co.  F,  i3Oth 
111.  Vol.  Inf.  His  Regt.  proceeded  to 
Memphis,  where  it  spent  most  of  the  winter, 
being  at  Fort  Pickering  for  a  time.  In  April, 
1863,  it  moved  to  Milliken's  Bend,  where  it 
was  assigned  to  the  I3th  A.  C.,  and  was  the 
first  of  the  troops  to  arrive  below  the  city  of 
Vicksburg.  It  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
battle  at  Port  Gibson,  then  at  Champion 
Hills,  and  the  following  day  at  Big  Black  River. 
It  then  assisted  in  the  assault  upon  the  Rebel 
works  at  Vicksburg,  on  May  22,  1864,  during 
which  the  men  suffered  severely  from  the  Rebel 
fire,  among  the  casualties  sustained  being  their 
Captain,  who  was  killed.  It  then  joined  in  the 
siege,  continuing  to  be  employed  in  the  trenches 
until  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  then  started 
for  Jackson,  which  place  they  besieged  for 
about  ten  days,  returning  to  Vicksburg  during 
the  month  of  Aug.  In  Oct.,  Capt.  Bigelow 
moved  with  the  Regt.  to  New  Orleans  and  from 
there  crossed  to  Berwick  Bay,  thence  up  Bayou 
Teche,  and  on  to  New  Siberia,  where  he  contin 
ued  until  about  Dec.  i.  There  our  subject  was 
transferred  to  the  93rd  111.  as  Captain  of  Co.  F, 
a  position  of  honor,  as  none  other  than  the  brave 
would  be  selected  to  fill  it.  At  Franklin,  La., 
his  Regt.  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  Quarter 
master's  stores,  his  being  the  only  Regt.  at  that 
place,  the  remainder  of  the  army  under  Banks 
having  gone  on  the  Red  River  expedition.  A 
few  days  after  the  main  army  had  left  all  com 
munication  was  cut  off  and  reports  came  in 
that  his  Regt.  would  be  attacked  by  Bailey 


Vincent,  a  great  guerrilla  leader.  In  Oct.,  1864, 
Capt.  Bigelow  was  appointed  Provost  Marshal 
in  a  Parish,  in  La.,  with  headquarters  at  Tibbe- 
deaux,  where  he  remained  for  9  months.  Hold 
ing  this  responsible  position,  it  became  his  duty 
to  see  that  all  colored  people  were  honorably 
dealt  with  by  their  employers,  and  to  make  all 
needed  repairs  to  the  levees  along  the  river 
protecting  the  plantations.  On  one  occasion 
he  called  upon  the  civil  authorities  to  make 
needed  repairs,  and  they  refusing,  he  had  the 
work  performed  and  a  levy  made  to  pay  the 
expenses  of  the  repairs.  The  Sheriff  of  the 
district  holding  an  execution  against  a  planter, 
levied  upon  the  defendant's  cotton,  but  as  the 
colored  help  working  upon  the  plantation  had 
not  been  paid  for  their  services,  Capt.  Bigelow 
prevented  the  sheriff  from  disposing  of  the 
goods.  He  was  arrested  for  contempt,  taken 
to  New  Orleans,  where  he  pleaded  his  own  case, 
and  was  acquitted.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  in 
June  at  Carrollton,  near  New  Orleans.  He 
was  subsequently  mustered  out  of  the  service 
July  29,  1865,  at  the  last  named  place. 

Capt.  Bigelow  was  born  at  Geneseo,  N.  Y,, 
May  14,  1837,  where  he  lived  until  18  years  of 
age,  then  attended  the  State  Normal  school  at 
Ypsilanti,  Mich.,  for  18  months,  graduating 
from  that  institution.  He  then  moved  to  111., 
locating  near  Belleville,  in  1858,  and  taught 
school  for  a  time,  afterwards  going  to  Leba 
non,  where  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  city 
schools.  Subsequently  he  taught  school  for 
several  terms  in  the  vicinity  of  Greenville,  and 
for  another  at  Pocahontas,  where  he  was  en 
gaged  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  Soon  after 
his  discharge  from  the  army  he  was  married  to 
Lucy  H.  Brown,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil 
dren,  namely:  George  F.,  Mary  C.  and  Charles 
A.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to  reside 
in  Greenville,  111.,  where  he  spent  several  years 
in  farming  and  fruit-raising.  He  was  after 
ward  appointed  Principal  of  Troy  schools,  of 
Madison  Co.,  111.,  then  removed  to  Austin, 
Minn.,  where  he  held  a  similar  position.  Leav 
ing  there,  he  returned  to  Troy,  where  he  resided 
seven  years,  during  two  of  which  he  was  prin 
cipal  of  the  McCreary  Drawing  Academy.  He 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


641 


was  then  appointed  Principal  of  the  High 
School  at  Champaign,  where  his  family  now  re 
side.  In  1890  he  was  appointed  U.  S.  Store 
keeper,  with  headquarters  at  Pekin.  When 
teaching  at  .Troy  the  Blackburn  University  of 
this  State  conferred  upon  Captain  Bigelow  the 
degree  of  A.  M. 

He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  146,  G.  A.  R., 
and  Odd  Fellows.  He  also  belongs  to  the  A. 
O.  U.  W.  society;  Knight's  of  Honor  of  Cham 
paign. 


DR.  IRA  B.  CURTIS,  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
Decatur,  111.,  was  born  in  Delaware  Co.? 
Ohio,  Oct.,  1823.  His  father,  whose 
name  was  Carlos,  was  a  native  of  Conn.,  and  a 
well-to-do  farmer.  The  family  of  Curtis  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent.  His  mother  was  May 
Sample,  a  native  of  Conn.,  of  Irish  descent. 
The  early  life  of  Ira  B.,  up  to  the  age  of  12,  was 
passed  at  his  birth  place  in  Ohio.  In  1835,  n^s 
father  removed  to  111.,  settling  in  Sangamon 
Co.,  after  two  years  locating  in  Coles  Co.  Ira 
B.  attended  school  at  Decatur,  in  1842,  being  in 
the  same  class  with  Gov.  Oglesby.  This  school 
was  a  private  establishment  conducted  by  Sam 
uel  Allen.  After  being  a  student  for  one  year 
he  returned  to  Coles  Co.  and  taught  a  school  at 
the  place  now  known  as  Oakland,  for  a  term  of 
nine  months.  In  the  fall  of  1844,  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine  in  Decatur,  reading  under 
Dr.  Joseph  King,  who  (1891)  is  still  living. 
After  1  8  months  of  this  preparation  he  entered 
the  State  Medical  College  at  St.  Louis,  and 
attended  lectures  during  1846-7,  returning  to 
Decatur  and  entering  into  an  equal  partnership 
with  Dr.  King,  his  former  preceptor.  He  sub 
sequently  returned  to  College  at  St.  Louis, 
graduating  in  March,  1849.  In  June  of  the  same 
year  he  located  at  Taylorsville,  Christian  Co., 
where  he  practiced  his  profession  until  April 
25,  1855,  when  he  returned  to  Decatur,  resum 
ing  practice  which  he  continued  until  the  spring 
of  1862,  with  lucrative  results.  In  Feb.,  1862, 


he  was  ordered  by  Gov.  Yates  to  go  to  Fort 
Donelson  to  afford  medical  and  surgical  atten 
tion  to  the  sick  and  wounded,  which  he  did 
with  consummate  tact  and  skill.  He  labored 
faithfully  at  his  post  and  in  the  removal  of  the 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers  to  Cairo,  sending  to 
their  homes  all  who  were  able  to  go,  the  others 
being  placed  in  the  hospitals  at  Cairo  and 
Mound  City.  After  this  he  sent  to  the  Gov.  a 
list  of  the  soldiers  from  111.  who  had  been  killed 
or  wounded,  giving  in  each  instance  the  nature 
of  the  wound  and  the  probable  results.  This 
compilation  required  much  time  and  careful 
research. 

Returning  to  Decatur  he  resumed  his  prac 
tice,  which  he  continued  until  ordered  by  the 
Gov.  in  person  to  proceed  to  Cairo,  thence  going 
on  as  far  as  Mound  City,  where  he  entered  into 
a  contract  for  duty  as  a  Surgeon  in  the  U.  S. 
service.  Soon  after  this  a  large  number  of 
wounded  was  brought  in  and  the  Doctor  estab 
lished  a  hospital  in  an  old  frame  slaughter 
house.  Some  of  these  wounded  men  had 
undergone  surgical  operations,  while  the  others 
were  yet  to  be  attended  to.  A  week  later,  the 
regular  Surgeon,  Dr.  Groom,  was  taken  sick 
and  sent  home.  The  hospital  was  now  placed 
in  charge  of  Dr.  Curtis,  who  was  invested  with 
the  care  of  996  wounded  men.  Owing  to  the 
fact  that  there  were  here  but  few  surgeons,  the 
Dr.  was  on  active  duty  for  22  hours  each  day 
for  ten  days.  Before  the  end  of  this  period  of 
arduous  and  unremitting  service  the  Doctor 
was  afflicted  with  an  irritation  of  the  spine, 
which  speedily  growing  worse,  soon  unfitted 
him  for  duty.  He  was  paralyzed  from  the 
middle  of  his  body  to  the  lower  extremities, 
and  has  since  never  been  able  to  walk.  He 
was  attended  by  the  most  eminent  physicians 
in  the  U.  S.,  including  Dr.  Brown  Sequard,  the 
noted  expert  in  nervous  disorders,  but  received 
no  permanent  relief.  He  had  sacrificed  one  of 
the  best  paying  practices  in  the  State,  and  gave 
up  health  and  comfort  for  the  cause  of  the 
Union.  He  came  home  May  10,  1862.  At  a 
council  of  five  eminent  physicians,  a  prescrip 
tion  was  prepared  for  him,  in  compounding 
which  the  druggist  made  a  mistake  and  gave 


40 


642 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


him  corrosive  sublimate,  instead  of  proto- 
iodide  of  mercury,  as  ordered  in  the  prescrip 
tion.  This  so  poisoned  his  system  as  to  nearly 
bring  on  his  death,  the  result  being  a  rapid 
decline,  during  which  he  grew  so  emaciated  as 
to  cause  his  physicians  to  despair  of  his  recov 
ery.  His  recovery  was  indeed  slow,  and  in 
Sept.,  1863,  he  was  able  to  sit  and  went 
in  his  own  private  carriage  to  Chicago,  where 
he  consulted  Drs.  N.  S.  Davis  and  Brainard, 
and  returned  home  to  Decatur.  In  the  fall 
of  1863,  he  was  a  candidate  for  County  Treas 
urer,  and  was  elected  by  a  handsome  majority, 
although  his  opponent  was  the  "wheel  horse  of 
the  Democracy."  He  filled  that  office  for  3 
consecutive  terms.  After  this  a  number  of 
years  he  made  the  treatment  of  the  diseases  of 
the  eye  and  ear  a  specialty,  in  which  he  was 
financially  successful.  He  was  elected  a  Jus 
tice  of  the  Peace  in  the  year  1877,  and  is  now 
serving  his  fourth  term,  which  expires  in  1893. 
Included  in  his  jurisdiction  is  also  the  office  of 
Police  Magistrate.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  Lodge,  No.  8,  of  Decatur,  111.,  and  is  a 
prominent  Republican. 

He  was  married  July  10,  1849,  a*  Decatur, 
to  Jane  Butler,  a  native  of  Ky.,  who  had  come 
to  111.  about  1835,  or  1836.  She  is  still  living, 
being  both  deaf  and  blind.  They  have  had 
five  children— Lemar  L.,  Otto  E.,  William,  Ida 
May,  and  Frank,  of  whom  only  Frank  and 
Otto  E.,  are  living,  now  leading  jewelers  of 
Decatur.  Dr.  Curtis  has  enjoyed  the  acquaint 
ance  and  esteem  of  many  distinguished  men, 
among  whom  was  the  martyr  President,  Abra 
ham  Lincoln.  Among  his  legacies  of  the  war, 
Dr.  Curtis  prizes  none  more  highly  than  the 
order  of  Gov.  Yates  for  his  services  in  attend 
ing  the  sick  and  wounded  of  111. 

To  Dr.  Curtis  has  been  vouchsafed  great 
talents,  which  he  has  well  and  wisely  employed, 
and  although  in  his  declining  years  resting 
heavily  under  affliction,  he  can  take  the  paliat- 
ing  consciousness  of  having  faithfully  and  fear 
lessly  met  and  discharged  his  responsibilities. 

Since  the  above  sketch  was  written,  Dr. 
Curtis  passed  quietly  away  to  that  home  be 
yond. 


WE  beg  to  introduce  to  the  observation 
of  the  reading  public  E.  M.  Helm, 
of  Sidney  Post,  No.  317,  G.  A.  R. 
Commander  Helm,  at  the  age  of  16  years,  be 
came  a  member  of  Co.  A,  I54th.  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  doubtless  he  would  have  been  in  the  Re 
bellion  at  an  earlier  period  if  he  had  been  big 
enough  to  carry  a  gun.  From  Camp  Butler  he 
accompanied  his  Regt.  to  Louisville  thence  to 
Nashville  and  Murfreesboro,  doing  much  hard 
marching,  and  suffering  severely,  from  over 
work  and  exposure  to  inclement  weather. 

During  this  period  his  resting  place  at  night 
was  generally  upon  the  cold  snow-covered 
ground,  with  his  musket  for  a  pillow,  and  the 
canopy  of  the  heavens  for  a  covering.  Whilst 
Commander  Helm  survived  those  hardships,  102 
men  of  his  Regt.,  in  the  short  space  of  2  weeks, 
had  "  fallen  by  the  way."  At  Murfreesboro,  his 
Regt.  was  placed  upon  guard  for  a  time,  then 
marched  across  the  country  to  Tullahoma  Sept. 
1 8th,  1865,  he  was  mustered  out,  and  discharged 
upon  the  29th  of  the  same  month.  Although  his 
Regt.  went  to  the  front  towards  the  close  of 
the  war,  it  did  much  valuable  service  pursuing 
the  Rebel  Hood,  and  his  forces,  from  place  to 
place,  through  Tenn.  and  Ala.  It  was  com 
posed  largely  of  men  who  had  seen  service  in 
other  organizations,  consequently,  they  soon 
became  proficient  in  drill,  commanded  by  the 
gallant  Col.  F.  M.  Wood,  of  Jacksonville.  111., 
who  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  July,  1865,  be 
ing  in  command  of  the  Post.  Mr.  Helm,  though 
sick  and  sore  from  hard  marching  and  ex 
posure,  persistently  refused  to  yield  to  his 
sickness,  preferring  to  stay  with  his  fellows 
and  share  in  the  glories  of  the  war.  He  was  not 
off  duty,  or  absent  from  his  Regt.,  during  his 
time  of  service  for  even  one  day.  Mr.  Helm 
had  2  brothers  in  the  same  service,  Benj.  F., 
Capt.  of  Co.  A.,  26th  111.,  who  served  for  over  3 
years,  and  J.  W.  Helm,  who  served  in  Co.  I, 
1 3th  Mo.  Cav.  Commander  Helm  was  born  in 
Incl.  in  1848 — a  son  of  James  M.,  and  Agnes 
(Carter)  Helm.  His  grandfather  served  in  the 
war  of  1812.  Our  subject  moved  West  with  his 
parents  in  1853,  settling  on  the  open  prairies  of 
111.,  in  Champaign  Co.  Young  Helm  spent  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


643 


early  days  on  his  father's  farm  and  in  attending 
the  common  school  of  the  place.  After  the 
war  he  attended  the  Bloomingdale  Academy, 
Ind.,  for  3  years,  from  which  he  graduated.  He 
then  taught  school  for  three  years,  then  followed 
farming,  but  for  the  past  12  years  he  has  been 
in  the  employ  of  the  Govt.  as  Mail  Agent,  run 
ning  the  greater  part  of  the  time  on  the  Wabash 
railroad.  He  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Sidney,  of  which  he  has 
been  commander  for  2  years,  having  pre 
viously  passed  through  several  of  the  subordi 
nate  offices.  In  1869,  Mr.  Helm  married 
Beulah  Stanley,  of  Park  Co.,  Ind.,  a  lady  of  cul 
ture  and  high  attainments,  and  10  children  have 
been  the  fruits  of  that  marriage.  He  received 
an  excellent  education,  which  he  has  suppli- 
mented  by  a  liberal  course  of  reading;  is  genial 
and  affable  in  his  manner,  deservedly  popular 
with  his  fellow  citizens  and  comrades,  and  re 
sides  in  his  pleasant  home  surrounded  by  his 
wife  and  interesting  family.  He  has  been  a 
life-long  Republican. 


HENRY  BATTERMAN,  of  Elgin,  111.,  is  a  native 
of  Hesse,  Germany,  was  born  May  4, 
1836.  He  became  a  soldier  at  the  open 
ing  of  the  late  rebellion,  enlisting  in  Co.  I,  52d 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Sept.  11,  i86i,at  Dundee,  and  was 
mustered  in  at  Geneva,  where  the  Regt.  re 
mained  for  two  months,  drilling  and  becoming 
acquainted  with  army  movements.  It  then  pro 
ceeded  to  St.  Louis,  thence  to  St.  Joseph,  Mo., 
then  on  to  Fort  Holt.  Soon  it  moved  to  Fort 
Donelson,  arriving  in  time  to  take  charge  of  the 
prisoners  there  captured,  and  was  detailed  to 
accompany  them  to  Springfield,  111.  Returning 
two  weeks  later  to  St.  Louis,  the  command  was 
again  united  and  proceeded  to  Paducah,  taking 
transports  forPittsburg  Landing, where  it  camped 
until  April  6.  Then  came  the  fearful  battle  of 
Shiloh,  lasting  two  days,  during  which  the  52d 
suffered  severely  in  killed  and  wounded.  The 
Regt.  was  in  Col.  Swreeney's  Brig,  (who  was 
several  times  wounded),  with  Gen.  Wallace  as 
Div.  Commander,  who  met  his  death  during 


this  bloody  conflct.  It  then  went  skirmishing 
after  the  enemy,  and  on  to  Corinth,  engaging 
him  at  Farmington,  and  Montreal,  then  went 
into  camp  at  Corinth  until  Sept.,  having  in  the 
meantime  several  heavy  skirmishes  in  the  vicin 
ity.  The  next  engagement  was  luka,  Sept.  19, 
then  closely  followed  that  of  Corinth.  Both 
were  bloody  encounters,  and  during  the 
latter  comrade  Batterman  was  badly  wounded 
in  the  right  forearm.  He  was  sent  to 
the  hospital  at  Mountain  City,  continued  there 
until  Dec.  4,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  and 
finally  discharged  at  Cairo.  Having  recovered, 
he  re-enlisted  Feb.  12,  1863,  at  Elgin,  in  Co.  K., 
52d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  went  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  then 
to  Nashville,  thence  to  Pulaski,  on  camp  duty 
until  about  April  of  the  same  year,  when  he 
was  detached  for  service  on  the  Div.  Ambulance 
Corps,  and  later  transferred  to  the  57th,  as  am 
bulance  driver  for  that  Regt.  He  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  in  the  following 
spring  participated  in  the  famous  Atlanta  cam 
paign,  and  was  in  nearly  all  the  leading  battles 
of  that  expedition,  of  which  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mt,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  At 
lanta,  and  Jonesboro  were  the  principal  ones. 
Subsequent  to  this  expedition  he  was  in  the 
battle  of  Allatoona  Pass,  and  was  present  when 
Gen.  Sherman  signaled  Gen.  Corse,  who  was 
about  to  surrender,  to  "  hold  the  fort."  Mr.  Bat 
terman  after  this  assisted  in  taking  the  sick  and 
wounded  to  the  general  hospital  at  Rome,  re 
turned  to  Atlanta,  and  moved  with  the  army  on 
the  march  to  the  sea,  partaking  in  all  the  hard 
ships  and  trials  of  that  long  and  tedious  march, 
resulting  in  the  capture  of  Fort  McAllister  and 
Savannah.  After  eating  his  Christmas  dinner 
at  Savannah,  he  started  upon  the  march  through 
the  Carolinas,  participating  in  the  battles  of 
Lawtonville,Averysboro,BentonvilleandGolds- 
boro,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  set  out 
for  Washington,  via  Richmond  and  Petersburg. 
On  arrival  he  camped  upon  Arlington  Heights, 
now  used  as  a  National  Cemetery,  and  as  a  final 
act  of  his  soldier  life,  joined  in  the  Grand 
Review. 

He  was  then  sent  to  Louisville,  where,  July 
6,  1865,  he  was   mustered   out  and  discharged. 


644 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


He  had  two  brothers  in  the  same  war,  one  being 
in  the  I4ist,  and  afterwards  in  the  I53d  111., 
until  the  war  closed. 

He  married  Henrietta  Schroeder,  and  by 
this  union  were  born  the  following  children — 
Emma  A.,  Mary  L.,  John  H.,  Etta  M.,  Laura 
D.,  Henry  W.,  and  Lea — the  third  and  fourth  of 
whom  are  dead. 

Comrade  Batterman  is  a  Republican  in  poli 
tics,  and  is  a  most  worthy  and  respected  citizen 
of  his  community. 


SERGEANT  HENRY  M.  AUSTIN,  the  Subject  of 
our  present  sketch,  was  born  in  Pa.,  July  16, 
1846.  When  but  4  years  of  age  he  re 
moved  with  his  parents,  T.  D.  and  Susan 
Austin  to  Ind.,  settling  in  Waveland.  When 
17  years  of  age  young  Austin  enlisted  May  6, 
1864,  as  a  private  in  Co.  G,  I33rd  Ind.  Vol. 
Inf.,  for  the  3  months'  service.  He  served  4 
months  and  was  discharged  Sept.  5.  His  Regt. 
continued  to  be  engaged  on  post  duty  at 
Bridgeport,  Ala.,  until  his  term  had  expired. 
He  immediately  re-enlisted  for  one  year  in  Co. 
B,  I42nd  Ind,  and  was  mustered  in  Oct.  29, 
1864,  then  proceeded  to  Nashville  and  as 
sisted  in  guarding  the  railroads  in  that  vicin 
ity.  This  was  very  hazardous  employment,  a^> 
that  section  of  the  country  was  infested  with 
guerrillas,  and  as  the  boys  were  compelled  to 
ride  usually  upon  the  tops  of  the  cars  many  of 
them  were  shot  and  wounded  without  knowing 
an  enemy  was  near  by.  At  the  time  Hood 
drove  Thomas  back  to  Nashville,  Mr.  Austin 
was  on  a  train  at  White  Bluffs.  The  Rebel 
Cav.  saw  the  train  and  made  a  dash  upon  it, 
killing  four  of  the  men  upon  the  train,  but  the 
engineer  put  on  full  steam  and  soon  was  be 
yond  their  reach.  The  Regt.  afterwards  re 
turned  to  Nashville,  where  it  continued  until 
July  14,  1865,  where  the  boys  were  mustered 
out  and  discharged.  Mr.  Austin's  Regt.  was 
composed  almost  entirely  of  young  boys,  who 
had  sought  an  entrance  into  the  ranks  and 
were  finally  accepted.  He  was  promoted  to 
Sergt.  Jan.  29,  1865. 


He  returned  to  Waveland  and  commenced 
clerking  for  Davis  &  Hannah,  dealers  in  gen 
eral  merchandise,  remaining  there  for  two  years. 
Leaving  there,  he  removed  to  Potomac,  111., 
where  he  followed  a  similar  business.  In  1873 
he  married  Sallie  A.  Rice,  daughter  of  Wood 
ward  Rice,  and  the  succeeding  year  moved  to 
Ottertail  Co.,  Minn.,  where  he  lived  for  two 
years,  returning  again  to  Potomac,  111.,  where 
he  continued  until  1887.  During  that  year  he 
was  elected  Tax  Collector  of  his  township  and 
has  been  elected  at  each  succeeding  election 
since  that  time.  In  Nov.,  1891,  he  was  ap 
pointed  to  the  office  of  U.  S.  Storekeeper  for 
8th  Dist.  of  111.,  with  the  headquarters  at  Pekin. 
He  has  six  children,  namely:  Izora  A.,  Harry 
M.,  Pearl,  Theo.  Woodard,  Grace,  and  John  B. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  No.  352,  of 
Potomac,  and  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is 
also  an  Odd  Fellow,  being  a  member  of  the 
Middlefork  Lodge,  No.  in,  of  Potomac,  as  well 
as  a  member  of  the  M.  W.  of  A.,  Artisan 
Camp,  No.  678,  of  Potomac.  Mr.  Austin  had 
two  brothers  in  the  Rebellion,  namely:  Theron, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  nth  Ind.  Inf.,  and 
Jerome,  a  younger  brother,  who  served  for  a 
time  in  the  I33i'd,  and  afterwards  in  the  I42nd 
Ind.  Mr.  Austin  is  recognized  as  a  gentleman 
entertaining  liberal  views  upon  all  questions, 
moral  and  political,  and  carries  with  him  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 


ROBERT  CLINE,  of  Camp  Point,  111.,  was 
born  in  Canton,  111.,  Dec.  23rd,  1834.  His 
parents  were  Jesse  and  Sarah  (Muier) 
Cline,  both  natives  of  Penn.  His  father  died 
in  this  State  when  our  subject  was  2  years  old, 
and  his  mother  when  he  was  10.  Being  thus 
rendered  an  orphan,  he  grew  to  manhood 
among  strangers.  After  his  mother's  death  he 
lived  4  years  with  an  uncle,  who  proved  to  be 
a  rather  hard  taskmaster.  He  followed  farm 
life  till  the  date  of  his  enlistment,  Aug.,  1862, 
in  Co.  I,  1 1 5th  111.  He  went  from  Springfield 
to  Cincinnati,  and  at  once  crossed  the  river  to 
Covington,  Ky.,  where  he  remained  a  month 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


645 


or  more.  From  here  he  went  to  Richmond, 
Ky.  At  this  place  suffered  intensely  from 
exposure  to  cold,  it  being  now  winter  and 
accommodations  not  being  the  best.  The  water 
was  also  very  bad,  and  many  men  incurred 
diseases  and  death  from  the  use  of  it.  At 
Danville,  Co.  I  was  detailed  to  guard  Dix 
River  Bridge,  about  8  miles  from  camp,  and 
our  subject  became  prostrated  with  bilious 
fever,  and  was  taken  to  a  private  house  and 
cared  for  by  a  family,  to  whom  he  feels  under 
lasting  obligations.  The  family  was  that  of 
J.  P.  Price.  He  was  attended  by  Dr.  Jones,  a 
rebel  physician,  from  Bryantsville,  who  asked 
him  if  he  was  not  afraid  to  take  his  medicine, 
and  he  answered:  "No,  I  have  but  once  to  die." 
He  took  the  medicine  and  recovered.  The 
Doctor  refused  recompense  for  his  valuable 
service.  The  Regt.  suffered  terribly  from 
measles  while  at  Danville.  Marched  from  Dan 
ville  to  Louisville,  then  to  Nashville,  on  which 
trip  Mr.  Cline  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  Hos 
pital  at  Nashville,  to  the  Zollicoffer  house — 
this  being  formerly  the  residence  of  the  rebel 
Gen.  of  that  name.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  at 
Franklin,  Tenn.,  in  the  spring  of  1863.  Here  a 
rebel  Col.  and  Adjutant  were  hung,  a  portion 
of  Co.  I,  1 1 5th,  being  at  "the  party."  Had  a 
battle  at  Shelbyville,  where  the  6th  Ky.  Cav. 
had  captured  about  200  rebels,  and  almost 
every  one  of  them  was  cut  on  the  head  with  a 
Yankee  sabre.  Mr.  Cline  started  on  the  Chicka- 
mauga  campaign  and  was  in  that  engagement. 
On  Thursday  Sept.  i/th  the  Ii5th  111.  and  40th 
Ohio  took  position  on  the  extreme  left  of  Rose- 
crans'  army,  at  McAffee  Church,  had  a  hard 
skirmish  here  on  Saturday,  next  day  took  up 
position  at  about  the  centre  of  the  army  in  the 
line  of  battle. 

The  Regt.  was  ordered  to  charge  to  the  top 
of  the  hill.  On  reaching  the  summit  they  were 
ordered  to  retire,  the  2ist  Mich,  relieving  them. 
This  Regt.  was  all  killed,  captured,  or  wounded, 
except  21  men  and  2  commissioned  officers. 
The  115th  rallied,  reformed,  and  charged  again 
to  the  top  of  the  hill,  a  position  which  they  held 
until  compelled  to  retire.  They  formed  again  at 
the  foot  of  the  hill  and  while  standing  there  Gen. 


Steadman,  the  Div.  Commander,  seized  the 
colors  of  the  1 1 5th  from  the  hands  of  the  Color 
Sergeant  and  dashed  to  the  front,  the  Regt. 
following  his  lead.  Arrived  near  the  top  of  the 
hill  where  the  Gen.  halted,  and  whilst  standing 
in  line  with  fixed  bayonets  and  empty  cartridge 
boxes,  a  piece  of  artillery  was  sent  to  the  res 
cue.  This  gun  took  position  at  the  centre  of 
the  1 1 5th,  and  was  charged  with  grape  and 
canister.  Our  subject  says  this  made  the 
sweetest  music  he  ever  heard. 

Gen.  Steadman  received  a  slight  wound 
while  leading  this  gallant  charge.  This  was 
the  turning  point  of  the  battle,  and  to  the  hero 
ism  of  this  gallant  officer  is  largely  due  the  fact 
that  this  position  was  held  against  such  fearful 
odds.  It  was  now  dark  and  the  battle  was  over, 
the  1 1 5th  being  among  the  last  troops  to  leave 
the  field.  They  next  moved  to  Mission 
Ridge,  where  they  lay  one  day;  the  next  night 
crossed  the  Tenn.,  went  into  camp  near  Brown's 
Ferry,  and  remained  there  about  6  weeks.  Here 
Bragg  succeeded  in  cutting  off  the  supplies,  and 
the  troops  suffered  intensely  from  want  of 
rations.  Artillery  horses  actually  starved  to 
death,  and  fell  over  while  attached  to  the  picket 
ropes.  During  his  three  years'  service,  Mr. 
Cline  never  suffered  as  much  from  hunger  as 
here.  On  being  relieved  by  Hooker's  troops, 
he  retired  to  Shell  Mound,  Tenn.,  where  he 
spent  the  winter  of  '63-4,  being  unfit  for  active 
service  by  reason  of  the  recent  experiences  at 
Brown's  Ferry.  In  the  spring  of '64,  he  marched 
to  Blue  Springs,  Tenn.,  then  went  on  a  recon- 
noissance  in  the  vicinity  of  Dalton  which  occu 
pied  about  a  week.  While  at  Blue  Springs  he 
was  shot  in  the  foot,  was  in  hospital  for  6  weeks 
and  off  duty  on  that  acccount  about  3  months, 
then  went  with  Sherman  on  his  Atlanta  cam 
paign,  as  far  as  Resaca,  Ga.,  participating  in 
the  battle  at  Sugar  Gap.  Here  the  Regt.  was 
detailed  to  guard  the  R.  R.  from  Resaca  to 
Nashville.  Hood  drove  them  away  from  Tun 
nel  Hill,  capturing  one  Co.  of  the  Regt.,  when 
they  retired  to  Nashville,  joining  the  extreme 
left  of  Thomas'  army  at  that  place.  He  was 
then  transferred  to  the  centre  of  the  army  near 
Fort  Negley  and  there  rejoined  the  old  brigade, 


646 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


from  whom  they  had  been  separated  at  Resaca, 
He  participated  in  the  battle  at  Nashville, 
where  he  received  an  injury  from  which  he  has 
never  recovered  and  which  prevented  his 
further  active  service.  From  Nashville  he  went 
to  Huntsville,  Ala.,  and  remained  in  camp  for 
some  time.  Went  from  Huntsville  to  Bull's 
Gap,  E.  Tenn.,  and  while  there,  news  of  Lin 
coln's  assassination  and  of  Lee's  surrender 
reached  the  army.  He  returned  to  Nashville 
and  remained  about  3  months,  came  to  Camp 
Butler,  and  was  discharged,  after  3  years  service. 
He  returned  to  his  family  in  111.,  where  he  had 
been  married  March  I5th,  1859,  to  Miss  Julia 
Courtney.  Four  sons  bless  this  Union,  2  living 
—William  Henry  and  Joseph  Edward.  Mr. 
Cline  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  excellent 
wife,  she  having  died  14  years  ago.  He  is  a 
member  of  J.  P.  Lasley  Post,  No.  542,  G.  A.  R., 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  a  pensioner 
by  reason  of  army  disability  to  engage  in  busi 
ness,  and  a  Prohibitionist  in  politics. 


M 


AJOR  GEORGE  SMITH  AVERY,  of  Galena, 
111.,  whose  genealogy  can  be  traced 
back  to  a  family  of  Norman  origin  that 
came  to  England  in  the  nth  century  with  Wil 
liam  the  Conqueror,  was  born  April  16,  1835, 
at  Avery,  Jo  Daviess  Co.,  111.  He  is  the  eldest 
son  of  William  and  Phcebe  (Reed)  Avery,  who 
were  early  pioneers  in  111.,  the  father  taking  an 
active  part  in  the  Black  Hawk  War,  and  in  all 
matters  that  pertained  to  the  advantage  and 
welfare  of  his  locality. 

George  Smith  Avery  was  born  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
early  days,  and  at  the  Seminary  at  Mt.  Morris, 
111.  In  the  spring  of  1861,  at  the  first  call  for 
volunteers,  he  left  the  field  where  he  was  sow 
ing  wheat  and  enlisted  in  the  first  company  that 
was  organized  in  Jo  Daviess  Co.,  and  was  made 
ist  Sergeant  of  Co.  F,  I2th  111.  Inf.,  forgo  days' 
service. 

Co.  F  was  recruited  and  organized  at  Galena 
and  sent  to  Springfield  to  be  mustered  in,  and 
soon  after  went  to  Casseyville,  near  St.  Louis, 


then  to  Cairo,  from  which  several  expeditions 
were  made,  one  into  Mo.  The  term  of  enlist 
ment  was  chiefly  spent  at  Cairo  in  camp  and 
garrison  duty.  Here  Sergeant  Avery  re-en 
listed,  and  went  home  on  furlough  and  assisted 
his  father  in  the  harvest  field.  When  ready  to 
return  he  met  his  company  at  Mendota,  111.., 
where  he  became  seriously  ill,  but  boarded  the 
train  for  Cairo,  going  at  once  to  the  hospital  on 
arrival,  he  remained  several  weeks  and  was  sent 
home  on  furlough.  When  he  had  recovered,  a 
Co.  of  Cav.  was  organized  in  which  his  brother 
and  many  neighbor  boys  had  enlisted,  so  he 
secured  a  discharge  and  joined  in  this  service. 
There  being  no  call  for  Cav.  in  111.  the  Co.  was 
sent  to  St.  Louis,  from  thence  to  Palmyra  in 
Dec.,  1861,  and  mustered  in  as  Co.  I,  3d  Cav., 
Mo.  Vol.,  U.  S.  A.  In  this  organization  Mr. 
Avery  was  soon  commissioned  ist  Lieut.  Re 
mained  in  this  State  until  March,  1862,  and  was 
ordered  from  St.  Louis  to  Rolla,  which  was 
made  headquarters  for  several  months,  and 
from  which  numerous  raids  and  expeditions 
\vere  made.  On  July  5,  1862,  Lieut.  Avery  was 
commissioned  Captain,  and  the  Regt.  was  after 
ward  divided,  the  portion  with  which  Captain 
Avery  was  connected  being  stationed  at  Hous 
ton,  Mo.,  for  a  time  until  ordered  to  reinforce 
the  Inf.  under  Col.  Merrill,  who  Jan.  10,  met 
and  defeated  a  body  of  rebels  about  8  miles 
south  of  Hartsville,  Mo.  Order  then  came  for 
a  march  to  Lebanon,  about  30  miles  distant. 
While  the  Battalion  was  stationed  at  Hartsville 
about  half  the  company  was  sent  to  Rolla  for 
supplies.  When  within  8  or  10  miles  of  Harts 
ville.  at  Beaver  creek,  this  returning  body  was 
captured,  and  when  the  news  of  the  fact  reached 
Captain  Avery  he  started  with  a  force  that 
night,  found  his  men  who  had  been  paroled  by 
the  enemy  and  took  them  back  with  him.  Ear 
ly  in  May  headquarters  were  removed  to  Pilot 
Knob,  and  soon  after  this  force  assisted  in  driv 
ing  Price  and  his  rebel  hordes  from  Southeast 
Mo.  On  this  expedition  the  cavalrymen  were 
in  the  saddle  for  eight  days  and  nights  without 
unsaddling  their  horses.  While  at  Pilot  Knob 
Captain  Avery  was  sent  as  a  witness  in  a  Court 
Martial  case  to  St.  Louis,  and  from  that  place 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


647 


made  a  visit  home  and  was  married,  but  soon 
returned  to  Pilot  Knob. 

Early  in  July  a  movement  was  made  to  join 
Gen.  Steele  at  Clarendon,  Ark.,  and  the  whole 
march  was  a  continual  skirmish.  Then  pro 
ceeded  toward  Little  Rock,  meeting  the  enemy 
at  Bayou  Meto,  where  a  severe  battle  was 
fought.  Little  Rock  surrendered  after  a  severe 
engagement  at  the  crossing  of  the  Arkansas 
river,  Sept.  23,  1863,  and  soon  after  the  Third 
Mo.  Cav.  made  an  extended  expedition  into 
Northern  Ark.,  spending  several  weeks  at  Jack- 
sonport,  from  which  a  raid  of  50  or  60  miles 
was  executed  into  the  mountains  of  Northern 
Ark.  During  this  trip  Capt.  Avery  was  accom 
panied  by  his  wife,  who  shared  his  lot  in  camp 
and  field  for  a  few  months  in  the  winter  of 
1863-4. 

Sept.  2,  1864,  Captain  Avery  was  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  Major.  In  Oct.,  1864,  he  was 
sent  out  with  about  500  men  to  Princeton,  Ark., 
where  he  defeated  1,200  or  1,500  rebels,  drove 
them  some  miles  further  south,  captured  about 
50  prisoners,  and  then  turning  toward  Little 
Rock,  met  no  opposition  until  within  20  miles 
of  Little  Rock.  At  Hurricane  Creek  he  was 
attacked  by  a  force  of  rebels  under  Col.  Logan, 
numbering  1,000,  which  was  routed,  after  hav 
ing  suffered  a  loss  of  four  killed  and  II 
wounded.  Major  Avery  then  went  home  in 
charge  of  the  remains  of  one  of  the  men 
killed. 

Previous  to  the  Princeton  expedition  the 
Regt.  accompanied  the  7th  Corps  on  the  Cam- 
den  raid,  on  which  it  was  absent  some  four 
weeks,  and  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of 
Jenkins'  Ferry  and  Marks'  Mill.  At  one  time 
during  the  stay  at  Little  Rock  Major  Avery 
was  sent  to  Mo.  on  recruiting  service  for  a  few 
weeks.  At  Little  Rock  he  was  discharged 

o 

with  his  Regt.  Mar.  18,  1865.  In  the  Western 
Army,  serving  in  the  7th  Corps,  Major  Avery 
participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  that 
command,  and  bears  honorable  wounds  received 
in  battles  fought  for  the  honor  of  his  country's 
flag,  and  during  his  three  years'  service  had 
three  horses  wounded  and  one  killed  under  him 
on  the  field.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  re 


turned  to  the  old  homestead  in  Jo  Daviess  Co., 
and  continued  his  occupation  of  farming  until 
1876,  then  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Circuit 
Court,  and  so  acceptable  were  his  services  that 
he  held  the  office  until  1888.  He  is  at  the 
present  time  Secretary  and  Manager  of  the 
Galena  Axle  Grease  Co.;  an  active  member  in 
the  E.  D.  Kiltoe  Post,  No.  502,  G.  A.  R.,  in 
which  he  has  served  two  terms  as  P.  C.,  and  is 
a  charter  member.  He  maintains  his  interest 
in  all  that  concerns  the  welfare  of  the  State  and 
Nation. 

Major  Avery  was  married  June  7,  1863,  at 
Big  Rock,  111.,  to  Elizabeth  Little,  a  lady  of 
Scotch  parentage,  and  the  children  born  are: 
Wm.  Cuyler,  who  was  married  to  Mary  Evans 
in  Sept.,  1890,  and  resides  in  Portland,  Ore., 
George  Wynne,  Agnes  Rae,  who  married  Benj. 
F.  Felt,  Jr.,  Oct.  27,  1887,  and  resides  near  Ev- 
erly,  Iowa;  Florence  Elizabeth,  Alexander  and 
Marie  lone. 

With  a  military  record  of  which  he  may 
well  be  proud,  and  the  prominent  and  long- 
continued  service  since  he  became  a  civilian, 
Major  Avery  has  good  reason  to  regard  the 
position  which  he  has  attained  with  satisfaction, 
as  it  evinces  rare  qualities  of  energy  and  abil 
ity,  together  with  a  high  character  for  honesty 
and  integrity. 


GW.  FENIMORE,  of  Sidney,  111.,  enlisted 
in  the  Union  Army,  in  Oct.,  1864,  and 
•  became  attached  to  Battery  A.,  4th 
Ind.  Light  Art.  He  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Nashville,  fought  Dec.  I5th  and  i6th,  1864, 
which  was  one  of  the  most  desperate  and 
bloody  conflicts  of  the  Rebellion.  After  this 
he  was  in  many  small  engagements  and  skirm 
ishes.  At  the  close  of  the  battle  of  Nashville, 
Mr.  Fenimore  was  detailed  to  assist  caring  for 
the  wounded  soldiers,  helping  the  Surgeon  in 
his  duties  of  amputating  limbs,  and  dressing 
the  wounds  of  his  comrades,  that  fell  in  that 
terrible  struggle.  The  remainder  of  his  serv 
ice  was  put  in  upon  detached  and  guard  duty, 


648 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


in  the  vicinity  of  Murfreesboro  until  the  close 
of  the  war. 

Mr.  Fenimore  had  five  cousins  in  the  same 
war,  one  of  whom  was  starved  to  death  in 
Libby  Prison;  whilst  another  was  shot  by  a 
guard  for  having  crawled  beyond  the  dead 
line;  two  others  were  killed  in  battle;  whilst 
the  fifth  died  of  disease  during  his  army  serv 
ice.  Our  subject  contracted  diabetes,  caused 
by  cold  and  exposure.  Night  after  night  he 
lay  upon  the  snow-covered  ground,  without 
covering,  except  the  garments  he  wore,  to  pro 
tect  him  from  snow  and  rain. 

Mr.  Fenimore  was  born  near  Richmond, 
Ind.,  Feb.  22,  1842,  son  of  P.  and  Eliza  (Turn 
er)  Fenimore.  The  father  was  a  contractor  on 
public  works,  and  Comrade  Fenimore  grew  up 
in  that  business  and  was  thus  engaged  up  to 
the  time  of  his  enlistment.  Soon  after  the 
first  call  for  troops  our  subject  tendered  his 
services,  but  owing  to  his  delicate  state  of  health, 
he  was  not  accepted.  He  subsequently  ap 
pealed  for  admission  to  the  ranks  and  was 
thrice  rejected  for  similar  reasons.  Having 
somewhat  improved  in  physical  appearances, 
he  was  mustered  in  upon  his  fourth  attempt  at 
enlistment.  He  was  mustered  out  and  dis 
charged  in  Aug.,  1865,  some  months  after  the 
war  had  closed. 

After  the  Rebellion,  Mr.  Fenimore  removed 
to  111.  and  engaged  in  farming,'  near  Sidney, 
which  he  operated  until  about  four  years  ago, 
when  he  moved  to  Sidney  and  embarked  in 
the  hotel  business,  which  he  has  since  con 
ducted.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Sidney,  and  one  of  its  first 
officers.  He  is  at  present  an  Alderman  of  his 
adopted  town.  Mr.  Fenimore  was  married  in 
1866,  to  Catherine  Morgan,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
and  seven  children  have  resulted  from  the 
marriage,  six  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Alice, 
May  and  Minnie  (twins),  Lizzie,  Anna,  Ottis, 
and  Charles.  His  maternal  grandfather  was 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Mr.  Fenimore  has 
by  his  industry  and  good  business  methods 
made  a  success  of  every  undertaking  in  which 
he  has  embarked,  and  commands  the  esteem 
of  his  fellow  citizens. 


OUR    present    subject,  Henry    Miller,    of 
Gifford,!!!.,  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1842, 
son  of   George  and  Mary    (McElroy) 
Miller,  the  former  a  native  of  Md.,  the  latter  of 
Pa.     He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  receiving  at  the 
same  time,  such   an  education  as  was  then  ob 
tainable  in    a    country  school.     In  1857  he  re 
moved  to  111.,  where  he  located  upon  a  farm  at 
Urbana,  where   he   continued  until  he  entered 
the  army.     He  enlisted  at  Urbana  on  June  ist, 

1861,  in  Co.  K,  25th  111.  Vol.  Inf.     He  proceed 
ed  first  to  St.    Louis,  thence   to  Jefferson  City, 
Mo.,  and    was  engaged  in  pursuit  of  the  rebel 
Price,  following  him  to  Sedalia,  Springfield  and 
Rolla,  where   his  Regt.  wintered.     In    March, 

1862,  he  proceeded  to  Pea  Ridge  where  he  par 
ticipated  in    the    desperate    battle  of  the  same 
name,    then    moved    across  the  Ozark  Mts.  to 
Batesville,  thence    to    Cape  Girardeau,  thence 
by  boat  to  Hamburg  Landing  and  there  disem 
barked  and  moved  to  Corinth.     He  assisted  in 
the  siege  of  that  rebel  stronghold  until  its  evac 
uation,  then    started    upon  a  long  and  tedious 
march  through  the  swamps,  finally  bringing  up 
at  luka,  Miss.,  where  the  Regt.  went  into  camp 
to  obtain   a    much-needed    rest.     It  continued 
here  about  2  months,  scouting  however  in  the 
meantime,  into  the  surrounding  country,  watch 
ing    the    enemy's      movements,    then    moved 
through  Ala.  to  Nashville,  where  after  a  delay 
of  one  month,  it  moved  to  Louisville,  Ky.    The 
Regt.    was    ordered   to    Perryville    but  did  not 
reach  that  place   in    time    to  participate  in  the 
battle  of  that  name.     It  returned  to  Nashville, 
and  later    moved  to    Murfreesboro,    and  there 
took    part   in  the  desperate    conflict  of   Stone 
River.     Here  Mr.    Miller  wras  severely  injured 
by  being  run  over  by  a  runaway  team,  leaving 
him  unconscious,    and  in    the  opinion    of    his 
comrades,  dead.     After   being  in  this  state  for 
a  few  hours,  he  regained  consciousness,  and  be 
sides  a  general  shaking  up  had  sustained  a  bone 
fracture  of  the   thigh.     He   was  placed    in  a 
hospital  where  he  was  compelled  to  remain  for 
3  months,  during  which  period  he  suffered  ex 
cruciating  pain,  and  for  a  time  was  not  expect 
ed  to  live.     When  permitted  to  leave  the  hos 
pital,  he  was  detailed  to  a  battery  at  Murfrees- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


649 


boro,  and  it  was  not  until  Feb.,  1864,  that  he 
was  sufficiently  recovered  to  take  his  place 
among  the  boys,  in  the  ranks  of  his  Regt, 
Leaving  Strawberry  Plains,  he  moved  to  Cleve 
land,  Tenn.,  where  his  Regt.  was  assigned  to 
the  4th  A.  C.,  then  at  Kingston,  Ga.,  and  with 
it  proceeded  upon  the  Atlanta  Campaign.  He 
was  engaged  in  many  of  the  battles  of  that  ex 
pedition,  among  the  number  being  Atlanta, 
during  which  he  was  struck  in  the  forehead 
with  a  rebel  bullet,  knocking  him  down  and 
causing  his  blood  to  flow  freely.  Its  force  was 
spent  however,  otherwise  comrade  Millerwould 
not  now  be  givinghis  army  experiences.  About 
this  time  his  period  of  enlistment  had  expired; 
therefore  he  was  ordered  to  Springfield,  where 
he  was  mustered  out  and  discharged  Sept.  5, 
1864,  after  a  faithful  service  of  over  3  years. 

He  has  been  a  prominent  figure  in  G.  A.  R. 
circles,  and  has  held  the  position  of  Chaplain, 
Jr.  Vice  Commander,  Sr.  Vice  Commander, 
and  is  at  the  present  time  Officer  of  the  Day,  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  Post  of  Gifford.  His  grandfather 
was  in  the  war  of  1812,  serving  his  country  with 
distinction,  and  his  brother  John  was  in  the 
late  Rebellion,  and  was  severely  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Nashville.  After  the  war  Mr. 
Miller  resumed  farming,  until  12  years  ago, 
when  he  located  in  Gifford,  where  he  has  since 
resided  and  been  engaged  in  the  teaming  and 
transfer  business. 

In  the  fall  of  1864,  he  married  Mary  A.  Cuth- 
bertson,  by  whom  he  had  7  children;  George 
William,  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Reuben  Pence,  Mag 
gie  May,  Jane  G.,  Rachel  E..  John  H.  and 
James  B.,  who  died  two  years  ago.  In  politics 
Mr.  Miller  is  a  strong  Republican. 


JOHN  M.  NEAL,  of  Dewey,   111.,  was  born  in 
Ohio  in  1845,  a  son  °f   Lemuel   and  Jane 
(Kenney)    Neal.      His    parents,    in    1852, 
removed  to  111.,  settled  on  a  farm  in  Livingston 
Co.,   where  John    grew   up  working   upon  the 
farm     and    attending    school.       His     studies, 
however,  abruptly  terminated  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  war,  as  young  Neal  became  too  anxious 


to  enter  the  army  to  devote  such  time  in  per 
fecting  his  education.  He  enlisted  for  the 
rebellion  Aug.  8,  1862  in  Co.  K,  io;th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  His  Regt.  soon  set  out  for  the  scenes  of 
war  and  became  employed  on  the  chase  of 
Morgan,  who  was  raiding  Ohio,  encountering 
him  at  Elizabethtown,  and  drove  him  out  of 
,the  state.  His  Regt.  continued  to  be  employed 
for  several  months  upon  guard  and  garrison 
duty,  and  in  the  spring  of  1863,  crossed  the 
Cumberland  Mts.  to  Loudon  in  pursuit  of  the 
rebel  leader  Buckner,  and  at  the  latter  point, 
engaged  Longstreeet's  forces  in  a  sanguinary 
battle.  The  victory  obtained  at  Loudon  was 
followed  up  by  the  pursuit  of  the  rebels  to 
Knoxville,  and  at  Connel's  Station  the  enemy 
was  again  engaged.  The  Regt.  was  subsequently 
besieged  at  Knoxville  for  2  weeks,  but  finally 
the  besieging  army  was  defeated  and  forced  to 
retreat  into  Va.,  where  it  was  pursued  as  far  as 
Blain's  Cross  Roads.  Mr.  Neal  spent  the  win 
ter  of  1864  at  Strawberry  Plains,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  a  few  weeks  when,  he  was  home  on 
veteran  furlough. 

In  the  following  spring  he  joined  Sherman's 
army  in  his  Atlanta  campaign,  and  was  under 
the  rebel  fire  in  all  the  important  battles  of  that 
expedition — Dallas,  Resaca,  New  Hope  Church, 
Kenesaw  Mt,  Lost  Mt.,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and 
Lovejoy  Station.  The  rebels,  now  under  Hood, 
started  northward,  and  Mr.  Neal's  Regt.  was 
one  of  those  sent  to  loeep  that  wily  rebel  in 
subjection.  He  was  pursued  through  Ga.,  Ala., 
and  on  to  Columbus,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  again 
defeated,  and  forced  to  seek  safety  in  Frank 
lin.  It  became  apparent  that  Gen.  Hood  in 
tended  to  make  a  determined  stand  at  Frank 
lin,  therefore  both  parties  prepared  for  a  bloody 
conflict.  It  soon  came,  and,  after  a  desperate 
struggle,  this  rebel  stronghold  was  yielded  up, 
after  the  lives  of  many  brave  soldiers  on  both 
sides  had  been  sacrificed.  Again  the  pursuit  of 
the  fleeing  army  was  the  order  of  the  day.  He 
had  moved  on  toward  Nashville,  whither  the 
pursuing  army  had  closely  followed,  and  there, 
on  Dec.  1 5th,  opened  one  of  the  most  sanguinary 
and  hotly-contested  battles  of  the  Rebellion, 
considering  the  number  engaged.  Here,  again, 


650 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Mr.  NeaFs  Regt.  displayed  that  courage  and 
those  good,  soldier-like  qualities  so  often  before 
exhibited  on  many  a  blood-stained  battlefield. 
Soon  after  this  the  zo/th  moved  to  Washington 
City,  thence  by  boat  to  Fort  Fisher,  then  on  to 
Fort  Saunders,  where  again  they  met  the  ene 
my  in  open  conflict,  and  formed  a  junction 
with  Sherman's  army  at  Goldsboro.  They  then 
moved  to  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  and  on  to  Greensboro, 
where  they  received  Johnston's  surrender,  and 
where  Mr.  Neal  remained  until  June  2ist,  1865, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  and  sent  to  Spring 
field  for  final  discharge,  after  a  service  of  3  years. 
Notwithstanding  Mr.  Neal's  many  marches, 
sieges,  raids,  skirmishes  and  battles,  he  returned 
without  having  received  a  mark  upon  his  body 
to  indicate  that  he  had  been  in  the  army. 

After  the  war  he  farmed  in  Livingston  Co. 
until  1869,  when  he  removed  to  Kan.,  where  his 
five  years'  experience  with  grasshoppers  in 
duced  him  to  abandon  that  State  and  return  to 
111.,  where  he  again  resumed  farming,  which  he 
has  continued  to  the  present  time.  Remarried, 
in  1870,  Josephine  Hall,  by  whom  he  had  3  chil 
dren — Lucian  D.  (deceased),  Daniel  A.  and 
Archibald  C.  Mr.  Neal  is  man  of  more  than 
ordinary  ability,  a  very  pleasant  gentleman,  and 
decidedly  Republican  when  he  talks  politics. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 


JOHN  F.  REYNOLDS.  This  gallant  soldier  was 
born  in  Pa.,  in  1820.  When  about  17  years 
of  age  he  was  appointed  a  cadet  to  the 
West  Point  military  academy  where  he  grad 
uated  in  1841.  He  received  the  appointment 
of  brevet  Second  Lieut,  in  the  3rd  Regt.  and 
was  assigned  to  garrison  duty  until  the  Mexican 
war.  During  this  war  he  served  with  General 
Taylor.  He  was  engaged  at  Fort  Brown  and 
participated*  in  the  battles  of  Monterey  and 
Buena  Vista,  where  he  distinguished  himself 
for  gallant  conduct  and  military  qualities,  and 
was  twice  promoted,  receiving  the  brevets  of 
Captain  and  Major.  Subsequently  he  was  en 
gaged  in  Utah  in  the  campaign  against  the 
Mormons.  When  the  Rebellion  broke  out  he 
was  appointed  Lieut.-Col.  in  the  infantry  ser 


vice.  The  following  August  he  was  made  a 
Brig.-Gen.  of  Volunteers  and  assigned  to  a 
Brig,  of  Pa.  Reserve  Corps,  which  he  com 
manded  in  the  Peninsula  campaign  of  Gen. 
McClellan.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Mechan- 
icsville,  Games'  Mills,  and  Glendale,  where  he 
was  taken  prisoner  and  sent  to  Libby  Prison. 
In  August  he  was  exchanged  in  time  to  take 
part  in  the  second  battle  cff  Bull  Run  where  he 
commanded  a  Div.  He  was  in  the  Md.  cam 
paign  and  actively  engaged  in  the  battles  of 
South  Mt.  and  Antietam.  In  Nov.,  1862  he 
was  made  a  Major  General,  and  placed  in  com 
mand  of  the  1st  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  His  first  heavy  action  was  at  Fred- 
ericksburg,  Dec.  I3th,  when  the  main  army 
under  Burnside  was  defeated.  At  the  battle  of 
Chancellorsville, which  opened  May  I,  1863,  his 
corps,  with  the  5th,  was  held  in  reserve,  very 
much  against  his  wishes.  His  next  great  move 
was  with  the  army  to  the  field  of  Gettysburg, 
which  was  destined  to  be  his  last  battle  in  this 
world.  This  battle  which  was  really  inaugurated 
at  Chancellorsville,  opened  on  the  1st  of  July, 
and  Gen.  Reynolds  was  then  at  the  head  of  the 
1st  A.  C.,  to  take  active  part  in  the  first  fight 
ing  under  Gen.  Meade  wrho  had  only  assumed 
command  of  the  Potomac  Army.  July  I,  1863, 
Gen.  Reynolds  had  disposed  of  his  troops  with 
military  skill  and  had  addressed  them  with  in 
spiring  words.  While  witnessing  their  suc 
cessful  charge  he  was  hit  by  a  rifle  ball  from 
which  he  died  almost  instantly.  His  untimely 
death  was  a  great  loss  to  the  Union  army,  not 
only  in  that  memorable  battle,  but  during  the 
remainder  of  the  war. 

Gen.  Reynolds  had  military  ability  of  the 
highest  order.  He  was  a  natural  leader  and 
was  loved  by  his  soldiers.  It  was  generally 
concluded  that  had  his  services  been  spared  to 
the  country  until  the  close  of  the  war,  he  would 
have  taken  front  rank  with  the  great  Com 
manders. 


C 


APT.  THOMAS  ALEXANDER  enlisted  in  the 
army  for  the  late  war  immediately  upon 
the  call  of  President  Lincoln  for  troops, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


651 


going  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  I.,  nth  111.  Vol.  Inf. 
His  term  of  enlistment  was  passed  doing  guard 
duty,  principally  at  Bird  Point,  Mo.,  where  he 
immediately  enlisted  for  the  three  years'  serv 
ice.  The  succeeding  months  were  passed  at 
field  and  garrison  duty  and  in  participating  in 
the  following  expeditions,  namely:  Expedition 
towards  New  Madrid;  to  Charleston,  Mo.;  to 
Bloomfield,  via  Commerce,  returning  via  Cape 
Gprardeau;  a  second  to  Charleston,  where  it 
skirmished  with  a  portion  of  Jeff  Davis'  com 
mand;  reconnoissance  to  Columbus,  Ky.;  under 
Gen.  Grant  to  Sikestown,  Mo.,  and  on  Feb.  2, 
1862,  he  embarked  on  transports  for  Fort 
Henry,  participating  in  the  campaign  against 
that  place.  In  the  investment  and  battle  of 
Fort  Donelson,  Mr.  Alexander's  Regt.  suffered 
very  severely.  It  was  engaged  five  hours  on  the 
last  day  of  that  battle  and  lost  329  men  killed, 
wounded  and  missing  out  of  500  engaged,  72  be 
ing  killed  and  182  being  wounded.  The  gallant 
nth  111.  was  in  the  advance,  and,  being  unable 
to  withstand  the  rebel  fire,  the  Union  army  fell 
back,  with  the  exception  of  the  nth  111.,  and 
before  the  regiment  became  aware  of  that  fact 
it  was  completely  surrounded  by  rebel  troops. 
Only  two  courses  were  open,  the  one  to  sur 
render,  the  other  that  desperate  expedient  of 
cutting  its  way  out.  Choosing  the  latter,  a  des 
perate  and  bloody  encounter  ensued,  resulting 
in  a  portion  of  the  regiment  escaping,  but  many 
suffered  the  terrible  penalty  of  being  killed, 
wounded  or  captured.  Out  of  Mr.  Alexander's 
Co.  only  three  men  escaped  being  wounded, 
killed  or  captured.  He  received  two  wounds, 
one  in  the  arm,  the  other  in  the  head.  The  fol 
lowing  day  74  of  his  brave  comrades  found  a 
common  grave  on  that  terrible  battle  field. 
March  5th  the  shattered  army  arrived  at  Savan 
nah,  there  taking  transports  for  Pittsburgh 
Landing,  where,  April  6th  and  7th,  it  was  an 
active  participant  on  the  bloody  field  of  Shiloh, 
where  again  it  lost  37  killed  and  wounded  out 
of  150  men  engaged.  During  this  engagement 
Mr.  Alexander  had  been  promoted  to  1st  Sergt. 
and  led  his  Co.  throughout  the  battle.  He 
started  upon  the  siege  of  Corinth,  but  became  too 
ill  to  accompany  his  Regt.,  therefore  was  sent 


home  on  furlough.  On  recovering  he  rejoined 
it,  accompanying  it  to  Paducah,  Ky.,  and  oper 
ated  against  the  rebels  up  the  river.  In  the 
meantime  Morgan  had  taken  Clarksville  and 
to  retake  it  the  nth  was  assigned  to  that  par 
ticular  duty,  which  they  accomplished  after  an 
artillery  fight,  driving  the  rebels  beyond  the 
borders,  then  returning  to  Paducah.  The  Regt. 
was  with  Grant  in  his  expedition  to  Oxford; 
then  guarded  the  railway,  and  subsequently 
Mr.  Alexander  was  detailed  with  40  men  on 
special  duty,  later  joining  his  Regt.  at  Milli- 
ken's  Bend.  It  assisted  on  the  Butler  canal 
and  in  all  the  operations  having  for  its  object 
the  capture  of  Vicksburg  until  the  consolida 
tion  of  the  lOQth  with  the  nth,  when  the  con 
solidated  Regt.  had  more  officers  than  neces 
sary.  Mr.  Alexander  resigned  and  came  home. 

He  was  born  near  Pekin,  Dec.  8,  1829,  and 
is  one  of  the  oldest  inhabitants  now  living  who 
was  born  in  that  county.  His  grandfather, 
John  Alexander,  a  resident  of  Md.  was  in  the 
Revolutionary  War,  he  died  in  Tazewell  Co.  at 
the  age  of  90  years,  he  and  his  son  James  having 
been  the  first  settlers  of  that  county.  During 
the  cholera  scourge  in  1834,  our  subject's 
grandfather,  aunt,  uncle  and  father,  all  fell 
victims  to  its  ravages  and  lay  dead  in  the 
house  at  one  time. 

Mr.  Alexander  married  Mary  Kinsey  in 
1858,  a  daughter  of  Nathan  Kinsey.  After  the 
war  he  returned  to  his  home  at  Washburn,  where 
he  continued  to  live  till  1871,  then  moved  to  La- 
con,  and  engaged  in  the  planing  mill  business, 
which  he  continued  there  and  at  Chillicothe  until 
the  year  1886,  when  he  moved  to  Kansas  City. 
Subsequently  he  returned  to  Pekin,  became  an 
employe  at  the  Hodges  Header  Works  as  pat 
tern  maker,  where  he  continued  to  be  employed. 
He  was  appointed  Govt.  Store-keeper  in  1890, 
for  the  8th  District  of  111.  and  still  discharges 
his  duties  at  that  office.  He  has  seven  children, 
namely,  Harriet  A.,  Nellie,  Carrie  the  wife  of 
Geo.  Hanson;  Phcebe,  Estella;  Sabin,  wife  of 
S.  B.  Wilmot,  of  Spirit  Lake,  la.  and  Ura  S. 
He  was  twice  elected  to  the  office  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace;  he  is  a  Republican,  a  Free  Mason,  a 
member  of  Peoria  Commandery,  also  of  Pekin 


652 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Chapter  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He 
is  also  prominent  in  the  Odd  Fellow's  order 
and  has  about  attained  to  its  highest  Degree,  and 
is  a  prominent  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
He  joined  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow's  orders 
in  the  year  1854  and  is  now  the  oldest  member 
of  the  former  society  in  his  county.  For  gal 
lant  and  meritorious  conduct  on  the  field,  Mr. 
Alexander  was  promoted  to  be  2nd  Lieut,  of 
his  Co.  Sep.  4th  1862. 


PETER  FINA,  a  native  of  Austria,  who  serv 
ed  in  the  Union    Army  during  the   Re 
bellion,    was    born  April    26,     1841,  and 
emigrated  with  his  parents  in  1853  to  the  U.  S. 
His   father  and  mother  were   Peter  and  Mary 
Fina,    who  had   3  children — Peter,  John,    and 
Dora,    of    whom  Peter    alone    survives.     The 
mother  also  died  at    Kankakee,  111.,  where  the 
family  located  on  coming  to  this  country. 

Mr.  Fina  enlisted  Dec.,  1861,  in  Co.  G,  20th 
111.  Inf.,  and  going  to  the  front  took  part  in 
the  battles  at  Fort  Henry,  Ft.  Donelson,  Shi- 
loh,  and  the  siege  of  Corinth.  Then  marched 
to  Jackson,  Tenn.,  making  a  number  of  expedi 
tions  and  continuing  to  Holly  Springs,  to  the 
Tallahatchie  River  and  Oxford.  For  3  days  at 
Tallahatchie  the  men  were  without  rations  and 
depended  upon  such  food  as  could  be  procured, 
which  was  neither  great  in  quantity  or  particu 
larly  good  in  quality.  The  Regt.  then  returned 
to  Oxford  and  was  on  duty  there  for  a  short 
time,  while  a  raid  was  made  by  another  portion 
of  the  command.  It  went  to  Memphis,  after 
further  service,  and  took  boats  tor  Milliken's 
Bend,  then  to  Young's  Point  to  assist  in  digging 
a  ditch,  and  moved  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg. 
At  the  battle  of  Raymond,  May  12,  1863,  Mr. 
Nelson,  a  comrade,  was  shot,  and  Mr.  Fina 
carried  him  from  the  field.  The  battle  of 
Champion  Hills  also  was  a  severe  one  for  his 
Regt.,  and  its  losses  were  heavy.  After  this 
battle  Mr.  Fina  was  taken  sick,  and  joined  the 
Regt.  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg.  From  Vicks 
burg  went  to  Black  River  Bridge,  where  the 
Regt.  performed  guard  duty,  then  moved  to 


Jackson  and  returned  to  Vicksburg.  Was  in 
the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mt.,  and  while  on  detail 
service,  Mr.  Fina  was  shot  through  both  legs. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Fina  returned  to  his 
home  in  Kankakee,  and  later  worked  three 
years  on  the  great  bridge  at  St.  Louis,  and 
while  working  here  one  day,  60  feet  above  the 
water,  a  cyclone  passed,  which  blew  the  men 
into  the  river  and  a  comrade  was  lost,  but  he 
escaped.  Since  his  return  to  Kankakee,  he  has 
taken  some  interest  in  politics,  in  which  he  is 
liberal,  casting  his  votes  where  he  thinks  best. 
He  has  held  the  office  of  constable  for  12  years, 
and  was  a  candidate  for  sheriff,  but  did  not  se 
cure  the  nomination  in  the  Convention. 

Mr.  Fina  was  married  in  Kankakee,  in  1873, 
to  Louisa  Seyforth,  a  native  of  Germany,  and 
has  three  children,  Minnie,  Peter  and  John. 
Peter  is  a  student  in  the  Commercial  College 
at  Kankakee,  John  is  at  home,  attending 
school.  Peter  Fina  is  a  gentleman  who  takes 
a  great  interest  in  the  improvement  of  his 
city,  and  has  done  much  in  many  ways  to 
secure  advantages  for  the  public  good.  By 
strict  attention  to  business,  and  a  reputation 
for  highest  integrity,  he  has  amassed  a  good 
property,  and  lives  in  comfortable  circum 
stances. 


CAPTAIN  KETCHAM  S.  CONKLIN,  of  Pekin, 
111.,  was  born  Oct.  22,  1841,  at  Green 
Point,  Long  Island,  a  son  of  Alekana 
and  Charity  Conklin,  the  latter  dying  when  the 
son  was  three  years  of  age,  and  the  former 
when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  90  years.  The 
Captain  when  3  years  of  age  went  to  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  to  live  and  continued  there  until  1858, 
when  he  removed  to  Champaign,  111.,  and  after 
wards  to  Pekin.  On  the  first  call  for  troops  he 
was  the  sixth  man  of  his  county  to  enroll  his 
name  in  response  to  the  President's  proclama 
tion,  and  was  accordingly  mustered  into  the 
service,  April  25,  1861.  Subsequently  he  re-en 
listed  for  the  three  years'  service  and  was 
appointed  4th  Sergeant  in  Co.  F,  8th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  He  "was  one  of  the  gallant  squad  that 
assisted  in  the  capture  of  a  Rebel  flag  at  Colum- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


653 


bus,  one  of  the  first  captured  during  the  war. 
The  Regt.'s  first  heavy  march  was  from  Cape 
Girardeau  to  Bloomfield,  and  afterward  at 
Norfolk,  Co.  F.  was  on  picket  duty,  and  Mr. 
Conklin  with  14  others  were  attacked  on  their 
post  and  had  a  heavy  skirmish;  but  one  of  his 
party  was  wounded,  while  4  of  the  rebels  were 
killed. 

They  then  moved  to  the  rear  of  Columbus, 
thence  to  Fort  Henry  and  on  to  Fort  Donelson, 
and  were  on  the  right  when  the  Rebels  attempted 
to  cut  through  the  lines  at  that  point.  This 
attempt  on  the  enemy's  part  was  made  at  mid 
night,  when  the  snow  was  falling  heavily,  and 
amidst  universal  discomfort  to  those  who  were 
exposed  to  the  inclement  weather.  The  regi 
ment  bravely  resisted  the  attack  until  morning 
when  the  ammunition  gave  out  and  the  "boys" 
were  obliged  to  fall  back.  Co.  F  suffered  the 
terrible  loss  of  about  one-half  of  their  number, 
including  the  Captain,  2nd  Lieut,  and  4  Sergts., 
who  were  killed.  Shortly  after  this  they  moved 
onward,  having  Pittsburg  Landing  as  the  objec 
tive  point,  and  later,  \vere  there  engaged  in 
that  ever-memorable  and  sanguinary  battle  of 
Shiloh.  After  this  engagement  Mr.  Conklin 
was  promoted  to  be  Orderly  Sergeant.  After 
wards  we  find  him  at  the  siege  of  Corinth,  then 
on  to  Jackson,  Tenn.,  subsequently  joining  an 
expedition  to  Oxford. 

The  regiment  next  participated  in  the  oper 
ations  against  Vicksburg,  taking  active  part  in 
a  continual  round  of  skirmishes  and  heavy  bat 
tles  in  the  rear  ot  that  Rebel  stronghold,  among 
the  number  being  Port  Gibson,  Clinton,  Jack 
son,  Champion  Hills,  Baker  Creek,  and  Big 
Black  River.  On  the  day  following  the  last 
mentioned  battle  the  Regt.  took  its  place  in 
the  lines  around  Vicksburg  in  front  of  Fort 
Hill,  and  there  participated  in  the  bloody  as 
saults  upon  that  city  on  the  igth  and  22nd  days 
of  May,  respectively.  They  then  joined  in  the 
long  and  memorable  siege,  continuing  in  the 
trenches  until  its  final  surrender,  and  were 
among  the  first  troops  to  march  into  Vicksburg 
on  the  morning  of  July  4th.  A  few  days  be 
fore  the  surrender,  Mr.  Conklin,  in  recognition 
of  his  gallant  and  meritorious  services  was  ap 


pointed  2nd  Lieut.,  to  date  from  April  18,  1863. 
Aug.  ist,  1864.  he  was  mustered  out  of  service, 
returned  to  Pekin  and  resumed  his  trade  as  a 
sash,  door,  and  blind  maker.  Whilst  in  the 
army  he  was  always  actively  engaged,  never 
shrunk  from  duty,  was  in  every  fight  of  his 
Regt.,  never  absent  from  duty,  and  never  on  an 
ambulance  or  in  a  hospital  during  his  term  of 
service. 

Since  the  war  he  has  become  the  senior 
partner  in  that  well  and  most  favorably  known 
firm  of  Conklin,  Schurman  &  Hippen,  lumber 
dealers,  Sash  and  Door  Manufacturers,  Builders 
and  Contractors, — it  having  the  largest  and 
most  extensive  trade  of  any  firm  in  the  county. 
Mr.  Conklin  was  married  April,  1864,  to  Martha 
Doolittle,  one  of  the  daughters  of  that  flourish 
ing  town  of  Pekin.  They  have  five  children, 
namely:  Henry,  Charley,  Eugene,  Edgar  and 
Mary.  Mr.  Conklin  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  whilst  he  does  not  seek  political  honor,  he 
was  by  his  party  selected  as  Chairman  of  the 
County  Republican  Central  Committee.  He  is 
a  Free  Mason  and  a  member  of  Jo  Hanna 
Post,  G.  A.  R.  The  worldly  success  attending 
Mr.  Conklin's  business  transactions  and  the 
large  business  which  he  now  controls  testify 
louder  than  words  can  express  the  universal 
esteem  which  is  entertained  for  him  by  the  en 
tire  community  in  which  he  lives. 


JOHN  G.  COLLEPS,  of  Minooka,  111.,  is  a  na 
tive  of  N.  Y.  State,  having  been  born  in 
Buffalo,  March  16,  1848.  His  parents 
were,  respectively,  John  and  Margaret  (Schro 
der)  Calleps,  and  were  of  German  descent.  In 
1855,  they  removed  to  the  West  and  located  in 
Minooka,  where  young  Colleps  enjoyed  the 
benefits  of  the  common  school  system  of  edu 
cation  until  he  entered  the  army.  He  had  had 
patriotic  aspirations  for  some  time  to  do  some 
thing  for  his  country  in  her  struggle  to  preserve 
the  unity  of  States,  but  was  unable  on  account 
of  his  age  to  render  any  physical  aid  until  1864. 
At  this  period  his  efforts  were  rewarded,  and 
in  April,  he  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service 


654 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Co.  G.,  64th  111.  Inf.,  which  was  widely  known 
as  "Yate's  Sharp  Shooters,"  joining  the  Regt.  at 
Decatur,  Ala.  Mr.  Colleps  had  hardly  became 
initiated  into  military  life  when  an  order  was 
received  for  a  move  to  Chattanooga,  where  the 
command  arrived  May  4th,  and  joined  Sher 
man's  army.  His  first  experience  in  battle  was 
at  Buzzard's  Roost.  Our  young  hero  had 
selected  a  very  opportune  time,  if  to  fight  hard 
and  all  the  time  for  his  country  was  his  ambi 
tion.  No  sooner  was  one  battle  fought  than 
another  in  portentous  aspect  loomed  up  before 
him.  He  fought  next  at  Resaca,  then  in  the 
series  of  operations  known  as  the  battle  of 
Dallas.  Then  followed  the  battles  at  various 
points  known  under  the  name  of  Kenesaw  Mt., 
in  which  Mr.  Colleps,  with  his  Regt.,  took  an 
active  part.  During  one  of  these  actions  the 
troops  were  so  far  above  the  clouds  that  they 
did  not  feel  the  heavy  thunder  storm  that  was 
going  on  below  them.  The  Regt.  moved  for 
ward  with  the  army  toward  Atlanta,  crossing 
the  Chattahoochie,  having  several  slight  ac 
tions  on  the  way.  July  22,  the  64th  took  an 
active  part  in  the  battle  of  Atlanta.  It  marched 
to  the  support  of  the  i;th  A.  C.,  and  was  heavily 
engaged,  charging  the  enemy  three  times,  cap 
turing  quite  a  number  of  prisoners,  one  battle 
flag,  and  recaptured  the  field  glass  and  papers 
of  Gen.  McPherson,  soon  after  he  was  killed. 
The  loss  of  the  64th  in  this  fight  was  severe. 

On  the  march  to  Atlanta  his  command  was 
fired  upon  by  a  masked  battery.  The  men  were 
ordered  to  fall,  then  rise,  and  with  fixed  bayo 
nets  charge  the  battery.  As  they  rose  to  make 
the  charge,  a  comrade  of  Mr.  Colleps,  Robt. 
Watson,  immediately  on  his  left,  was  struck 
with  a  piece  of  shell,  blowing  off  the  upper 
part  of  his  head.  The  rebels  fell  back  and 
made  their  e.scape. 

During  one  of  the  last  charges  of  the  com 
mand,  the  rebels  made  a  sudden  flank  move 
ment,  capturing  a  good  many  men,  among 
whom  was  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mr. 
Colleps,  with  the  other  prisoners,  was  taken 
through  Atlanta  to  East  Point.  They  were 
then  loaded  into  cars  and  taken  to  Anderson- 
ville,  where  they  were  held  until  the  spring  of 


1865.  Mr.  Collep's  prison  life,  though  terrible 
to  endure,  had  its  exciting  and  interesting 
features.  Many  efforts  were  made  to  escape. 
One  time  they  sunk  a  shaft  and  then  run  a 
a  tunnel  out  to  the  open  air.  Their  tools  for 
digging  were  an  old  knife  and  a  piece  of  an 
old  canteen.  The  soil  there  was  soft  and  mud 
dy  and  they  could  dig  easily.  The  dirt  they 
would  hoist  up  in  a  sack  made  of  rags,  which 
would  be  concealed  through  the  day  under  a 
tent  cover,  and  at  night  they  would  carry  it 
out  and  dump  it  in  the  slough.  Just  about  the 
time  they  were  ready  to  connect  their  little 
tunnel  with  the  outer  world  and  secure  their 
liberty,  one  of  their  comrades  gave  them  away, 
and  their  hope  of  escape  from  that  infamous 
den  must  needs  be  abandoned.  The  water 
they  had  to  drink  came  from  a  run  which 
passed  through  their  camp  and  sinks. 

Mr.  Colleps  was  present  at  one  time  when 
a  prisoner  asked  Wirtz,  the  keeper  of  the  pris 
on,  for  a  drink  of  water.  This  fiend,  in  human 
shape,  knocked  down  and  kicked  this  soldier, 
remarking  as  he  exercised  his  brutality,  "That 
is  the  kind  of  water  I'll  give  you."  On  another 
occasion  Wirtz  shot  to  death  a  prisoner  for 
making  a  similar  request.  He  was  so  brutal 
that  the  Union  soldiers  made  up  their  minds 
that  they  would  kill  him  the  first  opportunity 
offered,  even  at  the  expense  of  their  ovvn  lives. 
It  was  determined  among  them  that  when  he 
entered  the  stockade  again  they  would  attack 
him.  Soon  after  he  was  seen  to  enter,  but  the 
poor  soldiers  were  overanxious  and  made  their 
attack  too  early,  and  Wirtz  made  his  escape. 
For  this  attempt,  however,  the  whole  camp 
had  even  the  miserable  rations  they  had  been 
getting  cut  off  for  three  days.  The  guards 
were  composed  of  old  men  and  boys  from  10 
years  up.  The  old  men  were  inclined  to 
be  humane  and  fair,  the  boys  were  ever  on  the 
alert  to  kill  a  "Yankee"  whenever  the  slight 
est  opportunity  occurred.  A  reward  of  a  30  days' 
furlough  was  offered  them  by  some  of  the 
authorities  to  the  guards  for  every  Yankee 
prisoner  they  shot.  The  boy  guards  would 
throw  loaves  of  bread  out  within  a  few  feet  of 
the  "dead  line,"  and  when  the  poor,  starving 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


655 


prisoners  would  stagger  out  to  get  the  bread, 
the  guards  would  fire  at  them.  One  of  the  old 
guards  told  Mr.  Colleps  that  one  of  the  boy- 
guards  received  a  furlough  of  60  days  for  kill 
ing  two  of  the  prisoners. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  with  some  other 
prisoners,  made  their  escape  through  a  tunnel 
which  they  had  dug,  each  one  taking  a  differ 
ent  course.  Mr.  Colleps  was  in  the  swamp  three 
weeks,  traveling  by  night,  guided  by  the  North 
star,  and  resting  through  the  day,  assisted 
along  in  his  flight  by  friendly  negroes.  He 
was  finally  betrayed  by  a  negro,  and  when 
within  10  miles  of  the  Union  lines  the  blood 
hounds  brought  him  to  bay,  and  he  was  taken 
back  and  once  more  incarcerated  within  the 
dungeons  of  Andersonville,  where  he  remained 
until  the  spring  (March)  of  1865. 

One  hot  afternoon  a  black  cloud  suddenly 
came  up,  and  soon  after  a  heavy  rain  and  thun 
derstorm  opened.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and 
washed  the  pen  out,  carrying  away  a  part  of  the 
stockade.  After  the  storm  was  over  a  beautiful 
spring  was  discovered  by  the  prisoners,  which 
they  at  once  called  "  Providence  Spring."  It 
was  a  great  gift  to  them  from  Nature,  and  they 
might  well  think  the  hand  of  Providence  had 
something  to  do  with  sending  them  this 
blessing. 

Its  capacity  was  sufficient  to  furnish  30,000 
prisoners  with  drinking  and  cooking  water.  It 
continued  to  dispense  its  pure  waters  up  to  the 
time  Mr.  Colleps  was  exchanged.  In  March  he 
was  taken  to  Black  Run  Bridge,  near  Vicks- 
burg,  where  he  was  when  the  Confederacy  col 
lapsed.  From  there  he  was  sent  to  Jefferson 
Barracks,  Mo.,  where,  about  the  middle  of  May, 
1865,  he  was  discharged. 

At  the  time  he  was  taken  prisoner  a  shell 
burst  within  a  short  distance,  a  fragment  of 
which  struck  the  pupil  of  his  left  eye,  destroy 
ing  its  sight,  and  not  having  it  properly  treated, 
it  affected  the  other  eye.  After  leaving  the 
army  he  had  the  injured  eye  treated  by  a  sur 
geon  in  Chicago,  which  saved  his  right  eye. 

Returning  home,  he  resumed  his  studies  for 
awhile  at  the  public  school,  and  then  went  to 
Chicago,  where  he  took  a  course  in  Bryant  & 


Stratton's  Commercial  College,  and  graduated 
from  that  institute,  in  1867.  He  returned  to 
Minooka  and  secured  a  position  as  book-keeper 
which  he  filled  for  some  time  to  the  satisfac 
tion  of  his  employer.  He  then  opened  busi 
ness  for  himself  in  the  hardware  line,  forming 
a  partnership  with  W.  A.  Worthing  under  the 
firm  name  of  Worthing  &  Colleps.  This  part 
nership  continued  for  three  years,  when  Mr. 
Colleps  sold  out  to  his  partner  and  returned  to 
his  former  employer,  Mr.  Smith.  Subsequently 
he  formed  a  partnership  under  the  name  of 
Smith  &  Colleps  and  carried  on  the  grocery 
business.  Later  he  sold  out  his  interest  and 
was  employed  by  his  successor  as  a  clerk.  He 
has  been  for  many  years  the  trusted  accountant 
of  A.  K.  Knapp,  who  is  a  grain  and  coal  dealer, 
and  also  engaged  in  the  banking,  exchange 
and  insurance  business. 

Mr.  Colleps  was  married  in  Sept.,  1869,  to 
Rachel  J.,  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Van 
Home,  of  N.  J.  By  this  union  four  children 
have  been  born — Edward;  Mattie  D.,  George 
W.,  and  Bessie,  the  baby.  Edward  is  dead. 

Mr.  Colleps  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  and  a  Knight 
Templar.  He  was  among  the  youngest  of  the 
soldiers  who  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  in  the 
defense  of  his  country,  and  although  his  time 
of  service  was  short,  it  was  active  and  it  was 
hard.  He  suffered  much  for  the  cause  he  had 
espoused.  Any  one  who  endured  the  untold 
horrors  of  Andersonville  the  length  of  time  he 
did  ought  to  be  forever  afterward  placed  in  a 
position  where  he  would  at  least  be  freed 
from  the  care  and  struggles  of  life;  he  should 
have  a  competence  by  which  he  could  take 
as  much  comfort  and  enjoyment  of  this  world 
as  possible. 

Mr.  Colleps  is  an  excellent  man  of  busi 
ness,  takes  an  active  part  in  all  public  matters, 
and  has  the  confidence  of  the  people  with 
whom  he  has  been  so  long  associated.  He 
has  filled  the  office  of  Collector,  and  for  many 
years  past  has  held  the  position  of  Treasurer  of 
his  village.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Darvean 
Post  of  Morris,  No.  329  G.  A.  R. 


656 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


DANIEL  FLETCHER  HITT.  There  are  few 
men  in  La  Salle  Co.,  better  or  more 
favorably  known  than  the  man  whose 
name  heads  this  sketch.  He  was  born  in 
Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  June  13,  1810,  and  is  the  son 
of  Martin  and  Margaret  (Smith)  Hitt,  who 
were  married  Feb.  2,  1794.  Martin  Hitt  was  a 
native  of  Loudoun  Co.,  Va.,  where  he  was  born 
»Dec.  29,  1763.  Margaret,  his  wife,  was  a  native 
of  Washington  Co.,  Md.,  near  Antietam  River, 
just  above  the  battlefield  of  that  name.  Mr. 
Hitt's  maternal  grandfather,  Robert  Smith, 
served  all  through  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
His  father  and  two  of  his  father's  brothers 
were  ministers  of  the  Methodist  Church,  which 
Col.  Hitt  believes  has  something  to  do  with  his 
extreme  piety.  Martin  and  Margaret  Hitt 
were  the  parents  of  9  children:  Elizabeth, 
born  March  2,  1796;  Thomas  and  Sarah  (twins) 
were  born  Feb.  14,  1797;  Samuel  Merit,  born 
Jan.  22,  1795;  Willis  W.,  Feb.  11,  1801;  John 
W.,  March  8,  1803;  Caleb,  May  23,  1805;  Maria, 
Nov.  19,  1807,  and  Daniel  F.  Parents  are  dead. 
Maria,  now  in  IIT  84th  year,  is  a  missionary  of 
the  M.  E.  Church  in  South  America,  and  is  the 
wife  of  a  Methodist  minister.  Caleb  was  mor 
tally  wounded  in  a  fight  with  the  Indians  and 
was  brought  home  just  before  he  died.  The 
family  removed  from  Ky.  in  the  fall  of  1814 
and  settled  among  the  Shawnee  Indians  in 
Champaign  Co.,  Ohio.  It  was  there  among 
these  wild,  rural  scenes,  with  the  children  of 
the  native  American  as  his  companions  and 
playmates,  that  young  Daniel  was  raised;  nor 
was  he  adverse  to  their  society,  for  he  would 
often  stroll  away  from  home  that  he  might 
have  a  gala  day  with  these  children  of  the 
forest.  He  looks  back  to  those  days  now  with 
sweet  remembrances.  When  he  was  of  suffi 
cient  age,  he  was  sent  to  the  Oxford  University, 
Ohio,  where  he  studied  mathematics,  geography, 
astronomy,  English  grammar  and  Latin.  Sub 
sequently  he  attended  Patridge's  Military 
school.  In  1830,  he  secured  a  position  with 
the  Govt.  Engineers,  and  subsequently  with  the 
Govt.  surveyors,  in  both  of  which  he  served 
with  credit  to  himself.  He  left  the  latter  posi 
tion  to  take  a  hand  in  the  Black  Hawk  war. 


That  over,  he  rejoined  the  Govt.  surveying 
party,  and  was  employed  in  surveying  land  for 
nearly  20  years,  most  of  which  time  was  spent 
in  camp. 

When  the  Rebellion  broke  out,  it  was  not  to 
be  expected  Colonel  Hitt,  with  his  love  of 
country,  his  spirit  of  adventure,  and  his 
acquaintance  with  military  matters,  would 
remain  at  home  or  inactive.  He  was  active  in 
raising  volunteers,  and  especially  for  the  53rd 
111.  Inf.,  in  which  he  enlisted  Sept.  23,  1861, 
and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service  Nov. 
11,  1 86 1.  The  Regt.  was  organized  at  Ottawa, 
by  the  election  of  Wm.  H.  W.  Cushman  as 
Colonel,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  as  Lieut. 
Colonel,  and  T.  C.  Gibson  as  Major.  Feb.  27, 
1862,  it  was  ordered  to  Chicago  to  complete  its 
organization,  .and  to  assist  in  guarding  the 
prisoners  captured  at  Fort  Donelson.  It  had 
besides  its  Inf.  one  Co.  of  Art.  and  one  of  Cav. 
It  was  ordered  to  the  front  via  St.  Louis,  March 
23,  and  from  there  to  Savannah,  Tenn.  April  6, 
it  was  ordered  to  the  field'  of  Shiloh,  but  owing 
to  insufficiency  of  transportation,  it  did  not  move 
until  the  afternoon  of  the  7th.  It  was  assigned 
to  the  1st  Brig.,  4th  Div.,  in  which  it  remained 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  The  Div.  was  com 
manded  by  that  brave  and  gallant  officer, 
Stephen  A.  Hurlbut. 

The  next  engagement  was  the  siege  of  Cor 
inth,  where  the  Regt.  was  distinguished  for  its 
efficiency  in  the  skirmish  line,  and  was  re 
warded  with  new  Springfield  rifles.  Col.  Hitt, 
with  his  command  was  put  through  a  series  of 
very  hard  marches  to  Grand  Junction,  La 
Grange,  Holly  Springs,  and  Memphis,  where, 
after  much  suffering  from  heat  and  scarcity  of 
water,  the  footsore  troops  arrived  July  21,  1862. 
During  the  latter  part  of  this  march  Col.  Hitt's 
horse  fell  down  a  steep  embankment,  injuring 
him  very  seriously  in  the  spine.  He  received 
a  furlough  until  he  was  able  to  rejoin  his  Regt., 
Sept.  3rd.  Col.  Cushman  having  resigned, 
Lieut. -Col.  Hitt  was  promoted  to  the  Colonelcy 
of  the  Regt.  The  next  move  was  to  Bolivar, 
Tenn.,  where  it  arrived  Sept.  13;  from  there  the 
command  was  ordered  to  La  Grange.  On  the 
way,  meeting  the  enemy  in  force,  it  returned 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


657 


to  Bolivar.  Oct.  4,  the  Regt.  moved  toward 
Hatchie  River,  and  while  marching  on  the  5th 
they  engaged  four  times  their  number  of  the 
enemy,  who  were  retreating  from  Corinth. 
The  next  important  action  of  the  53rd,  was  at 
Davis'  Bridge  on  the  "  Hatchie,"  where  it  was 
hotly  engaged  with  the  enemy  for  over  two 
hours,  and  until  reinforcements  came  up.  The 
Regt.  lost  in  this  engagement,  16  killed  and  49 
wounded,  and  was  complimented  by  Gen. 
Hurlbut  for  its  efficient  service.  After  this 
fight  the  command  moved  back  to  Bolivar, 
and  later  on  to  La  Grange.  In  the  latter  part 
of  Nov.  the  Div.  joined  Grant's  army  and 
moved  to  Holly  Springs,  thence  to  Oxford. 
From  there  they  moved  to  Yocona  Creek,  and 
on  Dec.  22,  the  army  commenced  its  march 
northward  to  Tallahatchie  River.  Jan.  I,  1863, 
the  Regt.  was  placed  in  the  1st  Brig.,  4th  Div., 
1 7th  A.  C.  Jan.  4,  Col.  Hitt  feeling  that  he 
was  not  physically  able  to  continue  longer  in 
command  of  the  Regt.,  tendered  his  resigna 
tion,  which  being  accepted,  he  returned  to  his 
home  and  family  at  Ottawa,  111. 

After  he  returned  from  the  war,  he  en 
gaged  in  his  old  profession,  which  he  under 
stood  so  well,  and  which  he  has  since  been  en 
gaged.  He  is  at  present  County  Surveyor  and 
has  held  this  position  for  many  years.  He  has 
held  during  his  long  period  of  public  life, 
many  other  important  positions,  among  which 
may  be  mentioned  that  of  City  Engineer,  Su 
pervisor,  member  of  the  City  Council,  School 
Trustee,  President  of  the  Academy  of  Natural 
Science,  and  President  of  the  County  Associa 
tion;  yet,  notwithstanding  he  has  discharged 
these  several  trusts  in  such  a  manner  as  to  re 
flect  credit  upon  himself,  Col.  Hitt  says  that  if 
he  had  his  life  to  live  over  again  he  would 
never  accept  office.  He  has  taken  an  active 
and  prominent  part  as  a  member  of  the  Ma 
sonic  fraternity,  and  holds  the  32d  degree, 
Before  the  Rebellion  he  was  a  Democrat,  but 
since  the  war  he  has  supported  the  Republican 
party.  Colonel  Hitt  was  united  in  marriage  at 
Peoria,  111.,  May  i,  1848,  to  Phcebe,  daughter 
of  James  and  Nancy  (Burrows)  Smith,  who 
were  natives  of  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.  Their 

41 


children  are — Andrew  Jackson,  born  Jan.  31, 
1849;  Houghton  H.,  born  March  26,  1850;  Ella, 
born  Sept.  12,  1854;  Rector  Cass,  born  Aug.  14, 
1856. 


LIEUT.  W.  C.  CUSTER,  of   Homer,  111.,  was 
born  near  Washington  Court  House,  Ohio, 
Jan.  8,  1841,  a  son  of  Jacob  M.  and  Eliza 
beth  (Ocheltree)  Custer,  natives   of   Va.     The* 
family  can  be  traced  to  old  Colonial  days,  and 
although  the  connection  has   never  been  fol 
lowed  there  is  little  doubt  but  the   father,  and 
the  great  and  gallant  Gen.    Custer,  who   sacri 
ficed  his  life  in  the    service    of    his    country, 
sprang  from  the  same  ancestors.     In   1843,  ^ne 
parents  removed  to  111.,  settling  upon  a  farm  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  present  town  of  Ho 
mer,  where  they   became    heavily   engaged  in 
farming  and  stock  raising  until  1856,  when  they 
removed  to  Homer  and  engaged  in  the  hotel 
business,  but  soon  again  returned  to  the  farm, 
where  the  father  died  in  1865.     Upon  the  farm 
the  early  life  of  Lieut.  Custer  was  passed,  where 
he  received  a  liberal  school   education  in  the 
district  school  as  also  in  those  of  Homer.     His 
studies  however  were  suddenly  ended,  almost 
simultaneously  with  the  outbreak  of  the  war. 
He  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861,  in   Co.   F,   26th  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  upon  its  organization, and  became  one 
of  the  non-commissioned  officers,  receiving  pro 
motion  from  time  to  time  until  Oct.,  1864,  when 
he  was  appointed  2nd  Lieut,  and  subsequently 
commissioned  as  such. 

With  his  Regt.  he  proceeded  to  Quincy, 
where  he  drilled,  and  in  Oct.  moved  to  Hanni 
bal,  Mo. ;  went  into  winter  quarters  and  guarded 
the  Miss.  River.  In  Feb.,  1862,  was  transferred 
to  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  thence  to  St.  Charles,  St. 
Louis,  and  by  transport  to  Cape  Girardeau, 
where  the  Regt.  was  assigned  to  the  command 
of  Gen.  Pope,  and  marched  across  the  country 
to  New  Madrid,  where  after  a  ten  days'  rest,  it 
proceeded  to  Point  Pleasant  and  was  there  en 
gaged  guarding  the  river.  It  continued  there 
until  after  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson,  when  it 
returned  to  New  Madrid,  thence  to  near  Fort 
Pillow,  and  thence  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  where 


658 


it  arrived  just  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  The 
military  record  of  Lieut.  Custer  and  his  Regt. 
is  an  illustrious  one,  he  having  fought  in  many 
of  the  great  and  bloody  battles  of  the  late  re 
bellion,  and  was  only  absent  from  duty  during 
the  engagement  of  Corinth,  on  account  of  sore 
eyes.  He  participated  in  the  memorable  At 
lanta  campaign,  the  March  to  the  Sea,  the  ex 
pedition  through  the  Carolinas,  and  was  ever 
'present  upon  duty  rendering  his  country  good 
service,  and  exerted  a  potent  influence  in  sav 
ing  the  Republic  from  disintegration. 

He  marched,  during  the  service,  6,931  miles, 
and  as  the  closing  act  of  a  brilliant  war  record 
participated  in  the  grand  review  at  Washing 
ton.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville,  and 
discharged  at  Springfield,  June  28,  1865,  after  a 
continuous  service  of  a  little  over  four  years. 
He  fought  in  many  of  the  great  battles  of  the 
war,  made  many  of  the  severest  marches  known 
to  military  men,  and  returned  to  his  home  in 
comparatively  good  health  and  without  a  scar 
from  a  rebel  hand  or  weapon.  He  was  once  in 
hospital,  detained  with  measles.  Whilst  in  the 
ranks,  however,  he  suffered  considerable  pain, 
and  endured  great  inconveniences  from  his  eyes, 
being  frequently  almost  blind.  It  is  related  of 
him  that  on  one  occasion,  upon  a  long  and 
heavy  march,  he  became,  by  loss  of  sight,  un 
able  to  pick  his  steps,  as  he  moved  along  with 
his  comrades,  as  a  guide  he  seized  the  tail  of 
Col.  Tinkham's  horse,  who  then  kindly  assisted 
him.  Many  times  his  friends  and  comrades 
desired  him  to  go  into  hospital,  but  Lieut. 
Custer  was  composed  of  sterner  stuff,  and 
could  not  consider  the  proposition  of  laying 
down  his  arms  until  the  last  Southern  Rebel 
had  sued  for  peace,  and  the  Republic  and  the 
flag  which  waved  over  him  were  sate. 

In  the  composition  of  our  subject  there  is  a 
vein  of  hum-or,  always  present,  which  tends  to 
keep  his  associates,  even  in  the  face  of  hard 
ships  and  danger,  in  good  cheer.  This 
characteristic,  he  had  ample  opportunity  to 
cultivate  during  his  army  life,  and  which  pro 
duced  such  satisfactory  results  when  judiciously 
applied  to  his  comrades  around  him.  He  was 
always,  when  off  duty,  the  central  figure  of  a 


group,  cheering  his  auditors  and  inspiring  them 
to  deeds  of  daring.  On  entering  Savannah  he 
captured  a  small  mule,  upon  which  he  rode 
into  the  vanquished  city,  with  a  portly  comrade 
also  sitting  on  behind,  causing  more  merriment 
and  cheering  by  the  soldiers  and  citizens,  as 
they  trudged  along,  than  has  been  seen  there 
since.  There  is  a  certain  book  which  gives  the 
details  of  an  individual  riding  into  Jerusalem 
upon  an  Ass,  but  it  remains  for  this  book  to 
proclaim  that  Lieut.  Custer  did  likewise,  after 
the  capture  of  the  rebel  city  of  Savannah.  On 
the  march  to  the  sea,  Lieut.  Custer  observed  a 
bright-eyed  youth,  unquestionably  a  son  of 
Africa,  in  whom  he  became  interested  and 
took  him  along  as  his  servant.  This  boy  be 
came  a  faithful  servant  and  accompanied  the 
Lieut,  home  where  the  latter  educated  him. 
His  name  is  Wiley  Jones,  and  now  resides  at 
Homer,  having  married  one  of  his  own  race, 
and  has  a  good,  comfortable  home.  Our  subject 
veteranized  at  Scottsboro,  Ala.,  Jan.  I.,  1864.  His 
brother  James  F.  went  to  enlist,  but  was  taken 
sick  and  died.  And  his  brother,  John  M.  enlist 
ed,  but  served  only  a  short  time  as  he  was  taken 
sick  and  compelled  to  take  his  discharge. 

Lieut.  Custer  is  a  prominent  G.  A.  R.  figure, 
one  of  the  charter  members  of  Homer  Post,  and 
for  five  years  its  Commander,  and  has  been 
Inspector  of  Post  for  Champaign  Co.,  and 
evinces  much  interest  in  all  organizations 
growing  out  of  the  war.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  very  much  a 
Republican  in  politics.  He  was  married  in 
1870,  to  Maria  L.  Noble.  He  is  Aid-de-Camp 
in  the  staff  of  the  Department  Commander. 
Brave  and  courageous  as  a  soldier,  liberal  and 
enterprising  as  a  business  man,  and  affable  as  a 
gentleman,  we  have  few  men  in  the  State  of  111., 
better  known  or  more  universally  respected 
than  Lieut.  Custer. 


JOHN  F.  MAYBACK,  of  Quincy,  111.,  was  born 
at    Williamsburgh,    N.    Y.,  Jan.   26,    1844. 
He  was  a  son  of  Michael  and  Magdalena 
(Hoffman)  Mayback,  who  were   both   of  Ger- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


659 


man  ancestry.  Our  subject,  John  F.  Mayback, 
being  their  only  child.  He  grew  to  manhood 
at  his  own  native  place,  receiving  as  he  grew 
up,  a  good,  liberal  education.  Immediately 
when  the  war  broke  out  young  Mayback's  dar 
ing  and  adventurous  spirit  began  to  show  man 
ifestations  of  unrest;  therefore  the  stirring 
and  exciting  scenes  of  actual  warfare,  he  deter 
mined  to  see.  His  young  mind  fired  with 
patriotism,  he  enlisted  in  May,  1861,  at  Staten 
Island,  N  Y.,  for  two  years,  and  became  a 
member  of  Co.  E,  32nd  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.  Besides 
many  hard  marches  and  desperate  skirmishes, 
Mr.  Mayback  participated  in  the  following  bat 
tles,  viz.:  The  first  Bull  Run,  Fairfax,  York- 
town,  White  Oak  Swamp,  Fair  Oaks,  Malvern 
Hill,  2tl  Bull  Run,  South  Mt.,  Chickahominy 
Swamp,  Antietam  and  Fredericksburg.  He 
entered  the  army  as  a  private — was  soon  pro 
moted  to  Corporal,  then  a  Duty  Sergeant,  and 
finally  an  Orderly  Sergeant,  and  was  mustered 
out  as  such  at  N.  Y.  City,  May  i6th,  1863,  at 
the  completion  of  his  full  term  of  service.  At 
the  battle  of  Antietam,  which  was  certainly  one 
of  the  most  sanguinary  engagements  of  the 
war,  .Mr.  Mayback  was  slightly  wounded,  but 
with  consummate  courage  fought  through  the 
battle  and  did  not  seek  a  respite  from  his  haz 
ardous  occupation  by  allowing  himself  to  be 
placed  in  a  hospital. 

Subsequent  to  his  discharge  he  removed  to 
Quincy,  111.,  which  city  he  has  adopted  as  his 
home,  growing  up  with  it,  and  where  now  all 
his  financial  and  other  interests  are  centered. 
He  embarked  in  the  grocery  business  at  Quincy, 
in  which  he  was  prosperous  and  successful,  but 
subsequently  engaged  in  the  transfer  business, 
which  has  steadily  grown  and  been  extended 
by  him,  necessitating  the  employment  of  five 
teams  continuously  and  being  one  of  the  prin 
cipal  and  most  popular  lines  in  the  city.  On 
Oct.  II,  1864,  he  married  Nannie  E.  Conyers, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Matilda  Conyers,  and 
five  children  now  living,  have  resulted  from 
that  union,  namely,  Maggie,  Lillie,  Rosa,  Addie 
and  Arthur.  Mrs.  Maynard  is  now  deceased. 
Mr.  Maynard  is  a  member  of  John  Wood 
Post,  No.  96,  G.  A.  R.,  in  which  he  has  held  the 


offices  of  Adjt.  and  Q.  M.  Sergeant.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  Robt.  Brooker  Lodge,  No.  406, 
I.  O.  O.  F.;  Red  Cross  Lodge,  No.  44,  K.  of  P. 
and  Shawnee  Tribe,  No.  6,  I.  O.  R.  M.  He  is 
a  P.  G.  in  his  Odd  Fellows  Lodge;  Past  Chan 
cellor  in  the  K.  of  P.,  and  is  Captain  of  the 
Uniform  Rank  in  Quincy,  and  also  Past  Lt.- 
Col.  of  the  Uniform  Rank  in  111.  In  politics 
Mr.  Maynard  is  a  Republican. 


WM.  H.  WAGENSELLER,  of  Pekin,  111.,  one 
of  that  town's  most  popular  and  in 
dependent  merchants,  was  born  there 
Feb.  i,  1845.  His  father  was  Joshua  Wagen- 
seller,  who  was  a  native  of  Holland,  emigrating 
to  the  U.  S.  many  years  ago,  and  settled  in  Pa. 
William  received  a  good  common  school  edu 
cation,  fitting  him  for  the  practical  business 
transactions  of  life.  In  his  young  days  he  was 
of  a  delicate  constitution,  and  subject  to  an  af 
fection  of  the  throat  which  proved  very  trouble 
some  with  the  slightest  exposure. 

After  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  his 
elder  brother  enlisted  and  served  in  the  Union 
army,  consequently  when  young  William  pro 
posed  also  to  enter  the  service,  his  parents  pos 
itively  refused  his  doing  so,  on  account  of  ill- 
health.  After  some  parley,  however,  he  broke 
through  all  restraints  and  enlisted,  May  4,  1864, 
in  Co.  C,  1 39th  111.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  at 
Peoria.  Soon  after,  he  moved  with  his  Regt. 
to  St.  Louis,  thence  to  Cairo,  where  he  was  en 
gaged  upon  guard  duty.  The  Regt.  was  only 
enlisted  for  100  days'  service  and  before  the  men 
had  an  opportunity  of  engaging  in  active  bat 
tle,  their  term  had  expired.  They  returned  to 
Peoria,  and  were  about  to  be  discharged,  when 
President  Lincoln  telegraphed  the  Colonel  that 
Price  was  threatening'St.  Louis  and  asked  the 
assistance  of  the  Regt.  for  its  protection.  Mr. 
Wagehseller,  as  did  all  his  comrades,  volun 
teered  to  return  to  St.  Lonis.  They  went  thither 
by  train,  then  marched  to  the  Merrimac  River, 
and  there  boarded  a  train  for  Franklin  where 
it  was  expected  Price  would  be  encountered. 
The  Rebel  General  had  precipitantly  fled, 


66o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


abandoning  the  town  after  destroying  the  rail 
road  and  depot  as  also  considerable  other  prop 
erty.  Price,  having  abandoned  his  movement 
against  St.  Louis,  the  Regt.  again  returned  to 
Peoria,  where  Mr.  Wagenseller  was  mustered 
out  and  discharged  after  a  service  of  three 
months  beyond  the  term  of  enlistment. 

He  returned  to  Pekin,  and  in  1865  engaged 
in  the  bus  business  with  his  father,  the  firm 
being  known  as  J.  Wagenseller  &  Son,  which 
continued  until  the  old  gentleman's  death,  in 
the  year  1882.  He  then  associated  his  brother 
and  continued  the  same  business  until  1887, 
when  they  dissolved  partnership.  Our  subject 
then  commenced  business  for  himself  in  the 
same  line,  which  he  has  since  followed,  having 
built  up  a  large  and  prosperous  trade.  He  is 
also  interested  in  the  book  business  in  Peoria. 

He  was  married  in  1866,  to  Ophelia  McKin- 
nie,  daughter  of  Louis  McKinnie,  and  by  whom 
he  has  five  children,  viz.:  Fatuna,  wife  of  Louis 
Toel;  Fannie,  Joshua  Eugene,  Wm.  Henry,  and 
George  Raymond.  He  is  the  commander  elect 
of  the  Joe  Hanna  Post  (called  by  that  name 
after  the  first  soldier  from  Pekin  killed  in  the 
Rebellion).  He  was  previously  Adjutant  of  the 
same  post  for  five  years,  and  previously  held 
the  orifice  of  Junior  Vice.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican. 


LE.  IJAMS,  a  veteran  of  the  Union  army, 
was  born  in  Hopewell  Township,  Mus- 
•  kingum  Co.  O.,  Nov.  21,  1841.  His  fath 
er,  Lewis  I  jams,  born  in  Md.  in  1797,  of  Welsh 
descent,  was  a  Quartermaster  and  Colonel  in 
the  Ohio  Militia,  who  moved  to  111.  in  185 1,  and 
became  an  extensive  stockraiser  near  Bloom- 
ington.  The  mother's  family  name  was  Eliza 
Rodman,  a  native  of  Pa.,  descended  from  old 
Quaker  ancestry,  in  Ireland.  The  family  of 
Lewis  and  Eliza  Ijams  consisted  of  II  children, 
two  of  whom  were  soldiers  in  the  war  against 
secession.  One  son,  Rodman,  serving  in  the 
94th  111.  Inf.,  and  L.  E.,  whose  army  history 
will  be  given  more  fully. 

The  early  life    of  L.  E.  Ijams,  after  the  9th 
year,  was  spent  on  an  111.    farm  with  such  edu 


cational  advantages  as  the  public  schools  af 
forded  until  he  began  a  course  in  the  Wesleyan 
University,  which  was  terminated  by  his  enlist 
ment  at  Bloomington;  about  May  10,  1862,  jn 
Co.  F,  68th  111.  Inf.,  for  3  months'  service.  The 
Regt.  was  mustered  in  at  Camp  Butler,  at 
Springfield,  and  after  receiving  equipment  and 
instruction,  was  ordered  to  Alexandria,  Va., 
for  provost  duty  until  the  expiration  of  its  en 
listment,  when  it  returned  to  Springfield  to  be 
musteredout,  Oct.,  1862.  Returning  to  Bloom 
ington,  Mr.  Ijams,  after  a  short  time,  enlisted 
about  April  i,  1863,  in  Co.  M,  i6th  111.  Cav., 
and  again  spent  some  time  in  Camp  Butler  in 
drill  and  camp  duty,  but  was  soon  sent  by  cars 
to  Cincinnati  to  march  to  Nashville,  Cumber 
land  Gap,  and  Knoxville,  where,  until  Jan.  3, 
1864,  its  time  was  spent  in  skirmishing  with 
Longstreet's  Cav.  On  the  above  date  a  move 
ment  was  made  to  Jonesville  where  a  regular 
battle  ensued  with  Longstreet's  Cav.,  which 
was  the  first  real  fighting  the  new  soldiers  had 
experienced.  In  this  battle  Mr.  Ijams  was  an 
Orderly  Sergt.,  was  in  command  of  his  compa 
ny  in  repulsing  a  charge  in  a  hand-to-hand  en 
counter,  and  met  with  heavy  loss. 

The  Co.  was  supporting  a  battery  which  the 
enemy  made  a  strong  effort  to  take,  and  the 
fight  was  sharp  and  decisive,  but  the  result  was 
the  capture  of  the  entire  command  in  the 
evening  by  the  rebels.  In  this  battle  Sergt. 
Ijams,  in  addition  to  being  made  a  prisoner, 
received  a  very  serious  wound  from  a  bullet, 
which  entered  the  abdomen  near  the  navel, 
passed  through  the  body  and  emerged  through 
the  hip  bone  near  the  spine.  The  hip  bone  was 
shattered,  and  from  this  wound  20  or  30  pieces 
of  bone  were  extracted  by  the  surgeon,  and  all 
the  contents  of  the  bowels  for  more  than  four 
weeks  were  discharged  through  the  opening 
made  by  the  bullet  in  the  hip.  The  battle 
field  was  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Milburn,  and  the 
field  hospital  was  located  in  his  house.  Here 
all  the  captured  wounded  were  gathered  by  the 
rebels  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  Union  sur 
geons,  who  were  also  prisoners  of  war.  and  all 
under  guard.  Sergt.  Ijams  remained  in  this 
house  as  prisoner  and  invalid  about  three 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


661 


months,  with  his  comrades,  the  supplies  for 
whom  were  furnished  by  Mr.  Milburn,  who, 
professing  neutrality,  was  discovered  to  be  a 
strong  Unionist.  At  the  expiration  of  three 
months,  although  crippled  and  going  on 
crutches,  Sergt.  Ijams  escaped  at  night  with 
six  comrades,  by  watching  the  guard  and  walk 
ing  out  when  he  had  stepped  inside.  They  had 
a  colored  man  for  a  guide,  who  conducted  them 
to  the  foot  of  the  mountains.  The  men  marched 
that  night  in  a  snow  storm  until  about  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  they  rested  for  a 
time,  without  blankets,  overcoats  or  provisions. 
Mr.  Milburn  had  provided  them  with  directions 
for  their  guidance,  and  names  of  people  on 
whom  they  could  safely  call  for  assistance. 
This  march  continued  for  70  miles,  and  Sergt. 
Ijams  could  not  touch  his  foot,  on  the  wounded 
side,  to  the  ground  during  all  this  long  march 
on  crutches,  which  required  about  eight  days 
and  nights.  At  last  they  came  to  the  Union 
lines  at  Cumberland  Gap,  and  he  reported  to 
the  hospital,  remaining  there  a  short  time,  when 
he  was  allowed  to  report  to  his  Regt.,  as  there 
was  not  sufficient  provision  at  Cumberland  Gap. 
To  reach  the  Regt.,  which  was  at  Mount  Ster 
ling,  Ky.,  he  secured  an  old  worn-out  horse, 
and  in  company  with  a  citizen  rode  over  the 
roughest  and  muddiest  roads  that  can  be 
imagined.  His  wound  was  still  suppurating, 
and  while  riding  the  pus  would  pass  down  his 
leg  into  his  shoe.  On  this  journey  he  removed 
some  pieces  of  bone  from  his  wound  with  his 
own  hands,  as  he  also  did  on  subsequent  occa 
sions. 

A  few  days  after  reaching  his  Regt.  he  was 
granted  a  furlough  for  30  days,  and  started  for 
home,  and  at  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  re 
turned  to  the  Regt.  at  Nicholasville,  Ky.,  where 
he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  Post  mail,  re 
maining  in  this  duty  until  the  Regt.  returned 
from  the  Atlanta  campaign,  when  he  went  with 
it  to  Florence,  Miss.,  and  was  with  the  Union 
army  that  fought  Gen.  Hood,  as  he  forced  the 
Union  army  back  to  Nashville,  participating  in 
the  battles  of  Columbia,  Duck  River  and 
Franklin.  At  Duck  River,  where  there  was  an 
engagement  lasting  five  or  six  hours,  part  of 


the  Brigade  in  which  Sergt.  Ijams  was,  was  sur~ 
rounded  and  cut  off  from  the  main  body,  but 
instead  of  surrendering,  it  made  a  night  charge 
and  cut  its  way  through  the  enemy's  lines.  The 
Div.  was  then  commanded  by  Gen.  Johnson, 
and  the  Corps  by  Gen.  J.  H.  Wilson,  under 
whom  a  march  was  made  to  Spring  Hill,  where 
the  cavalry  was  on  the  skirmish  line  only;  then 
to  Franklin,  where  it  was  held  in  reserve,  al 
though  at  first  on  the  skirmish  line,  and  assisted 
in  opening  the  battle.  During  a  part  of  the 
time  Sergt.  Ijams  was  in  command  of  his  Co. 
and  also  the  battalion,  although  not  a  commis 
sioned  officer.  At  Nashville,  where  the  next 
battle  was  fought,  he  was  in  the  line  of  battle 
two  days,  a  part  of  this  time  in  a  severe  storm, 
and  the  exposure  made  it  necessary  for  him  to 
go  to  the  hospital.  When  sufficiently  recovered 
he  went  with  the  Regiment  to  Mount  Pulaski 
and  Cortland,  returning  to  Nashville  to  make  up 
the  muster  rolls,  preparatory  to  mustering  out. 
At  the  end  of  his  service  Sergt.  Ijams  was  dis 
charged  at  Chicago,  Oct.  II,  1865,  receiving  a 
commission  as  Captain, and  drawing  one  month's 
pay  as  a  commissioned  officer,  although  he  had 
been  practically  in  command  of  the  Co.  for  a 
year.  This  Co.,  L,  lost  33  men  in  Anderson- 
ville  and  other  Southern  prisons.  Capt.  Ijams 
returned  to  Bloomington,  and  engaged  in  mer 
cantile  pursuits,  serving  as  a  clerk  for  about  five 
years,  when  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer, 
serving  two  years,  and  then  entered  the  real 
estate  business,  until  he  was  appointed  transfer 
clerk  in  the  mail  department  at  the  depot  in 
Bloomington,  which  position  he  held  for  two 
years.  In  1886,  he  was  again  elected  County 
Treasurer,  and  served  four  years,  and  for  the 
past  yearhad  acted  as  deputy  County  Treasurer. 
Capt..  Ijams  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of 
W.  T.  Sherman  Post,  No.  146,  G.  A.  R.,  and  a 
gentleman  who  bears  an  honorable  record 
among  his  fellow  men. 


M 


AJOR  GEN.  JOHN  SEDGWICK  was  born  at 
Cornwall,  Conn.,  Sept.  13,  1813;  ed 
ucated  at  West  Point,  and  graduated  in 


662 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


1837.  Entered    military  service  as  2nd   Lieu 
tenant  in  2nd  Regt.,  U.  S.  Art.   Served  in  Florida 
against   the  Seminole  Indians  in   1837    and  in 

1838.  Was  promoted  to  ist  Lieut,  in    1837;  to 
Captain  in   1839;  to    Major    in    1855;    to    Brig. 
Gen.  Aug.  31,  1861;  and  to  Major  Gen.  July  4, 
1862. 

Served  in  the  Florida  and  Mexican  wars, 
and  in  all  the  campaigns  of  the  great  Army  of 
the  Potomac.  Participated  in  the  battles  of 
Antietam,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg  and 
Wilderness.  Commanded  the  6th  A.  C.  at 
Gettysburg,  on  the  left  wing  of  the  Union 
army,  where  some  of  the  most  terrible  fighting 
was  done;  on  that  memorable  and  bloody  field 
Sedgwick's  corps  was  a  tower  of  strength,  ever 
in  the  front,  and  by  noble  deeds  it  carved  out 
a  record  imperishable  in  the  annals  of  war. 
In  last  campaign  against  Richmond,  while 
making  a  personal  reconnoissance  and  placing 
a  battery,  he  was  shot  and  killed  by  a  Rebel 
sharpshooter  on  May  9,  1864,  at  Spotsylvania, 
Va.  Among  the  noblest  among  the  leaders  of 
the  Union  army,  Gen.  Sedgwick  died  at  his 
post  loved,  honored,  and  regretted.  He  died 
May  6,  1864. 


WARREN  A.  HALL,  of  Rock  Falls,  111., 
was  born  at  Natchez,  Miss.,  Aug.  16, 
1840,  and  is  the  son  of  Chaunceyand 
Minerva  (Plant)  Hall.  His  father,  a  native  of 
N.  Y.,  was  descended  from  English  progeni 
tors,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  in  the 
American  Colonies,  and  his  mother,  a  native  of 
Litchfield,  Conn.,  belonged  to  one  of  the  old 
notable  New  England  families.  Chauncey 
Hall  died  in  Cattaraugus  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  15, 
1888.  His  widow  still  survives,  in  her  76th 
year,  and  is 'residing  at  Griffin,  Ga.  He  was  by 
profession  a  millwright.  Warren  A.  Hall,  the 
subject  of  this  memoir,  was  their  only  child, 
and  was  kept  at  home  until  his  I4th  year,  when 
his  parents  removing  to  the  South,  he  was  sent 
to  live  with  his  grandfather  in  Wyoming  Co., 
N.  Y.,  where  he  still  was  when  the  war  came 
on.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  F,  5th  N. 


Y.  Cav.,  Sept.  9,  1861,  at  Sheldon,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  mustered  in  in  N.  Y.  City.  This  Co.  was 
known  as  the  "  Ira  Harris  Guards."  The  Regt. 
was  encamped  primarily  at  Staten  Island,  after 
which  they  removed  to  Baltimore,  where  they 
were  uniformed  and  mounted. 

They  were  for  two  months  at  Annapolis, 
where  they  were  armed  and  fully  equipped  for 
field  service,  and  ordered  to  Harper's  Ferry, 
where  they  had  their  first  skirmish  with  Ashby's 
Cav.,  in  which  they  drove  them  across  the 
river,  through  Harper's  Ferry  and  as  far  as 
Bolivar  Heights.  The  next  day,  pushing  on, 
they  captured  Halltown  and  the  supplies  stored 
there.  In  this  engagement  Mr.  Hall  was 
slightly  wounded  in  the  shoulder.  They  moved 
forward  to  Charlestown,  Va.  where  they  encount 
ered  Ashby's  guerrillas  and  a  detachment  of 
Inf.  In  the  skirmish  which  followed,  they  were 
driven  back,  Mr.  Hall  being  wounded  in  the 
right  leg  just  below  the  knee  joint,  from  which 
he  suffered  much  pain,  but  did  not  for  a  moment 
relinquish  his  duties.  The  command  retired  to 
Harper's  Ferry,  where  they  remained  in  camp 
for  about  a  week,  when  they  were  relieved  by 
the  28th  N.  Y.,  3rd  Wis.  and  the  5th  Conn.  Inf. 
The  5th  N.  Y.  led  the  advance  to  Mt.  Jack 
son,  where  they  met  the  enemy  and  drove  him 
back.  It  was  there  that  a  Vt.  Cavelryman 
riding  up  to  the  bridge  which  a  rebel  was  pre 
paring  to  set  on  fire,  evidently  forgetting  his 
possession  of  sabre  and  pistol,  dismounted  and 
engaged  in  a  regular  fisticuff  with  the  man,  to 
whom  he  gave  a  good  whipping  and  led  into 
camp  a  prisoner.  The  bridge  was  saved,  the 
enemy  routed,  and  about  300  prisoners  cap 
tured. 

The  command  moved  on  the  next  day  to 
Winchester,  where  they  were  again  in  action, 
compelling  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  and  cap 
turing  about  IOO  prisoners.  Here  the  Regt. 
went  into  Camp,  Co.  F  acting  as  patrol  guard. 
Their  colors  were  displayed  over  the  sidewalk, 
and  they  noticed  that  the  aristocratic  people 
of  the  town  would  walk  around,  even  to  the 
extent  of  going  through  the  mud,  to  avoid 
passing  under  the  U.  S.  flag.  Orders  were  is 
sued  to  shoot  any  one  refusing  to  walk  under 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


663 


the  flag.  One  day  there  came  along  a  man 
who  attempted  to  avoid  passing  under  the  flag 
by  going  around  it,  when  he  was  halted  and 
peremptorily  ordered  to  walk  under  it  or  be 
shot.  He  concluded  to  adopt  the  former  alter 
native  and  complied  with  the  order.  From 
Winchester  they  moved  to  Middletown,  where 
they  were  engaged  in  a  fierce  cavalry  charge 
against  Stuart,  in  which  Mr.  Hall  was  captured 
and  placed  in  charge  of  two  men  back  in  the 
timber.  He  told  them  that  there  was  another 
man  in  a  certain  direction  which  he  gave  them, 
and  one  of  his  guards  hastened  to  find  him, 
when  he  turned  upon  the  remaining  guard, 
siezed  his  carbine,  knocked  him  down  and  es 
caped,  rejoining  his  command  within  two  hours 
from  the  time  of  his  capture.  The  Regt.  was 
again  in  action  on  the  following  day  at  Straus- 
burg.  It  was  here  that  Mr.  Hall  took  his  first 
prisoner,  whom  he  was  conducting  to  the  rear, 
when  he  observed  another  rebel  in  the  act  of 
escaping.  He  called  upon  him  to  surrender, 
but  was  answered  by  six  shots,  which  the  man 
fired  at  him  in  rapid  succession.  Spurring  on 
their  horses  they  came  to  a  contest  with  their 
sabres.  The  rebel  was  a  heavier  man  than  his 
opponent,  and  was  getting  the  advantage,  but 
just  as  Hall  was  about  to  surrender,  the  rebel 
fell  from  his  horse,  having  been  shot  dead  by 
Hall's  comrade,  who  had  come  up  during  the 
encounter.  Moving  on  to  New  Market,  he 
participated  in  a  battle  in  which  were  captured 
several  prisoners.  Among  the  arms  falling 
into  their  possession  here,  was  an  old  Kentucky 
rifle.  The  men  were  examining  this  curious, 
old  firearm  to  ascertain  if  it  was  loaded;  they 
decided  it  was  not,  and  Mr.  McDonald  taking 
it  up,  asked  one  of  the  corporals  if  he  should 
shoot  his  horse.  The  reply  was,  "  The  gun  is 
not  loaded.  You  can  shoot  nothing.  Shoot 
at  me,"  he  said  finally.  McDonald  turning  to 
one  of  the  men  near  him  asked  for  a  cap,  ad 
justed  it,  and  fired  at  the  man,  shooting  him 
dead.  As  an  expiation  for  this  sad  accident 
they  secured  a  casket  for  the  remains,  which 
were  .sent  to  the  soldier's  home. 

The  command  remained  at  New   Market  to 
recruit  for  about  three  weeks,  and  then  moved 


on  to  Harrisonburg,  where  they  engaged  the 
1st  Va.  Cav.  The  order  was  received  in  the 
morning  and  Major  Yokes  remarked  that  he 
would  lead  in  a  charge  against  the  enemy,  and 
called  upon  the  men  to  follow  him,  but  at  the 
very  outset  of  the  charge,  the  Major  became 
demoralized  and  abandoned  his  command  to 
seek  a  retreat  where  he  could  be  in  safety. 
Lieutenant  Curtis  of  Co.  F.,  seized  this  oppor 
tunity  to  lead  them  to  a  splendid  victory. 
Learning  from  their  scouts  that  the  enemy  was 
advancing  with  a  strong  force,  they  fell  back 
upon  Winchester,  where  they  were  reinforced 
by  the  8th  and  gth  N.  Y.  and  8th  111.  Cav. 
After  two  days  at  Winchester,  an  advance  was 
ordered  on  Fisher's  Hill,  which  was  led  by  the 
5th  N.  Y.,  and  in  which  they  met  and  easily 
dispersed  a  small  force  of  the  enemy.  Going 
on  to  New  Market,  they  there  went  into  camp 
for  about  a  week. 

The  weather  was  very  hot  and  they  were 
short  ot  rations.  Mr.  Hall  while  lying  in  his 
tent  was  surprised  to  see  Col.  De  Forrest,  who 
peeped  in,  said  he  was  hungry,  and  asked  him 
if  he  couldn't  get  something  to  eat  by  going  on 
a  foraging  expedition.  Mr.  Hall  was  anxious 
to  try,  and  choosing  five  men  started  out. 
After  proceeding  about  nine  miles  without  at 
taining  their  object  they  changed  their  course, 
and  coming  out  into  a  turnpike,  ran  across  an 
old  planter  guarding  his  sheep,  which  num 
bered  about  forty.  They  inquired  if  he  would 
sell  any  of  them,  and  his  reply  was,  "No,  I  will 
sell  nothing  to  Yankees."  They  hastened  to 
secure  tour  of  the  sheep  and  with  them  started 
for  camp.  As  they  were  proceeding  briskly 
along  the  road  they  observed  a  cloud  of  dust 
their  rear,  and  soon  knew  that  they  were  pur 
sued  by  Mosby  and  his  gang  of  guerrillas. 
They  spurred  up  their  horses  and  succeeded  in 
reaching  camp  with  their  booty.  The  next 
day  they  received  an  order  not  to  molest  a  cer 
tain  planter  in  that  vicinity.  But  this  did  not 
deter  Hall  from  again  going  on  foraging  ex 
pedition.  He  secured  a  pass  from  the  Col.  and 
proceeded,  accompanied  by  several  of  his- com 
rades  to  the  house  of  the  old  farmer,  where 
they  obtained  some  geese  and  a  fat  pig.  Re- 


664 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


turning  to  camp  they  passed  by  the  tent  of  the 
Col.,  who  pretended  not  to  see  them  and 
turned  his  back.  The  old  farmer  came  into 
the  camp  in  quest  of  his  property,  and  Hall 
was  called  up  and  asked  if  he  had  been  out. 
His  reply  was  that  he  had  been  resting,  and  the 
Col.  verified  his  statement.  The  pig  and  geese 
had  been  concealed,  and  after  the  old  farmer's 
departure,  were  cooked.  Of  course  the  Col. 
came  in  for  a  goodly  share  of  these  palatable 
provisions.  Hall's  next  venture  was  to  find 
some  hams,  which  he  succeeded  in  doing  at 
the  house  of  an  Irish  woman.  Having  nothing 
in  which  to  carry  them,  he  spied  hanging  on  a 
clothesline  with  other  female  garments  the 
woman's  chemise  which  he  converted  into  a 
receptacle  for  the  hams  by  tieing  it  up  at  one 
end.  This  was  the  occasion  of  a  joke  on  Hall, 
much  enjoyed  by  his  comrades.  Breaking  camp, 
the  command  moved  on  to  Harrisonburg, 
where  they  had  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  in 
which  Mr.  Hall  was  shot  in  the  head,  the  ball 
entering  the  skin  and  passing  around  and  out. 
For  the  moment  he  was  stupefied,  but  managed 
to  keep  his  seat  in  the  saddle,  and  was  soon 
able  to  move  on. 

They  went  into  camp  at  Fisher's  Hill  with 
the  1st  Vt.  Cav.  and  a  battery  of  Art.  Here 
they  remained  about  a  week.  They  were  cut 
off  at  Strausberg  by  Jackson's  army,  but  man 
aged  to  get  around  it  and  proceeded  to  Mid- 
dletown,  where  they  encountered  the  enemy  in 
considerable  force.  Mr.  Hall's  Co.  was  in  the 
advance.  The  enemy  opened  on  them  with 
artillery,  and  Gen.  Hatch  ordered  his  men  to 
charge,  a  movement  by  which  they  succeeded 
in  reaching  the  timber  and  escaping.  Co.  M. 
of  the  5th  did  not  hear  the  order  to  charge, 
and  in  the  clouds  of  dust  arising,  did  not  see 
the  movement.  The  consequence  was  that 
they  rode  right  into  the  enemy,  with  the  loss 
in  killed  and  captured  of  all  but  nine  of  their 
number.  The  5th  now  moved  around,  suc 
ceeded  in  joining  the  main  force,  and  was  then 
ordered  to  guard  the  rear.  The  night  which 
followed  was  very  dark,  and  the  rebels,  who 
were  in  front,  threw  out  some  rockets,  when 
the  5th  began  firing,  bringing  on  a  sharp  fight, 


in  which  Co.  F  lost  29  men.  A  general  battle 
now  took  place.  Mr.  Hall  had  his  horse  shot 
from  under  him  and  was  taken  prisoner,  but 
making  some  sign  (he  never  knew  what)  one 
of  the  rebels  came  up,  told  his  captor  to  let 
him  go,  and  set  him  free.  He  did  not  find  his 
command  that  night,  but  rejoined  it  in  the 
morning,  and  later  on  rejoined  his  Co.  at  Win 
chester.  In  the  battle  at  Winchester  his  horse 
was  shot  in  the  neck  and  fell  backward  upon 
him.  He  wras  released  in  an  unconscious  con 
dition  and  taken  to  a  private  house  at  Harper's 
Ferry,  where  he  received  attention  from  a  resi 
dent  physician.  It  was  discovered  he  had  sustain 
ed  serious  injuries  to  his  hip,  kidneys  and  spine. 
Remaining  at  Harper's  Ferry  for  over  a 
month,  he  was  sent  to  Baltimore  where  he  was 
discharged  on  account  of  physical  disability, 
July  3,  1863.  For  a  long  time  he  was  incapa 
ble  of  walking.  Having  partially  recovered, 
he  went  to  Camp  Curtin,  Pa.,  to  drill  recruits, 
a  service  which  engaged  him  for  a  month. 
Subsequently  disposing  of  his  property  in 
N.  Y.,  he  came  to  Sterling,  111.,  where  he  ac 
quired  the  trade  of  a  machinist,  being  employed 
in  that  capacity  by  the  Empire  Co.  for  9  years, 
five  of  which  he  served  as  foreman.  After  this 
he  was  connected  with  the  Sterling  Mfg.  Co. 
for  three  years,  and  then  became  associated 
with  the  Keystone  Co.  as  a  machinist,  a  relation 
he  still  holds. 

He  was  married  Feb.  17,  1858,  in  Wyoming 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  to  Helen  R.,  daughter  of  David  and 
Ellen  Scott,  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  They  have 
had  /  children,  of  whom  all  but  one  are  living: 
Minnie  (Mrs.  Charles  Rockwell),  Mary  (Mrs. 
Warren  Rock,  dead),  George  S.,  Alice  (Mrs. 
George  La  Salle,  of  Chicago),  Nettie  (Mrs. 
Frank  Reigle,  of  Sterling),  Warren  G.,  and 
Guy,  the  youngest,  aged  17  years.  Mr.  Hall 
is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  No.  3,  of  Ster 
ling;  No.  12,  A.  P.  A.,  of  Rock  Falls,  and  the 
Will  Robinson  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Sterling.  He 
is  in  politics  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of 
the  M.  E.  church.  He  was  a  brave  and  faith 
ful  soldier,  and  as  a  citizen,  has  no  less  merited 
the  high  position  he  holds  in  the  estimation  of 
all  who  know  him, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


665 


M 


ATTHEW  BUSEY,  of  Sidney,  III.,  enlisted 
in  the  Union  army,  July  28,  1862,  and 
became  a  member  of  Co.  F,  /ist  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  serving  until  the  28th  Oct.,  1862. 
when  his  term  of  enlistment  expired.  He  was 
stationed  principally  at  Cairo,  and  had  many 
sharp  skirmishes  and  did  much  raiding  during 
that  short  period.  He  re-enlisted  Jan  5,  1864, 
for  3  years  in  Co.  I;  loth  111.  Cav.,  going  in  as  a 
private.  He  went  with  his  command  to  Nash 
ville,  thence  to  Little  Rock,  where  he  was  em 
ployed  skirmishing  and  scouting  during  the 
winter.  The  following  spring  he  moved  to 
New  Orleans,  and  was  there  when  the  rebel 
Ram  "Webb"  ran  the  blockade,  being  down  at 
the  river,  watering  his  horse  as  she  passed. 
Little  did  the  troops  know  regarding  this  craft, 
as  they  assumed  she  was  a  Union  ship,  observ 
ing  her  fly  the  Union  Colors.  She  swept  up 
the  river  with  almost  the  speed  of  an  engine, 
and  had -her  "Nationality"  been  known,  would 
have  been  blown  into  kindling  wood  by  the 
Union  boats,  lying  at  the  time  in  the  river,  but  the 
Rebels  succeeded  in  destroying  the  telegraph 
lines  along  the  river,  so  that  those  above  who 
recognized  it  as  a  rebel  boat  were  unable  to 
speedily  communicate  with  the  gun  boats,  and 
forces  at  New  Orleans.  The  naval  officers,  how 
ever,  became  suspicious,  and  sent  their  fastest 
ship  in  pursuit,  which  was  finally  overtaken, 
and  by  a  well-aimed  shot  struck  the  ram  about 
the  wheel-house,  disabling  her.  The  Rebels 
headed  the  ship  up  the  banks,  set  fire  to  the 
hull  and  made  good  their  escape. 

Mr.  Busey  remained  at  New  Orleans  for 
some  time  then  moved  to  Mobile,  but  the  place 
had  been  surrendered  before  his  arrival.  After 
a  stay  there  of  a  few  weeks  he  marched  across 
the  country  to  Baton  Rouge,  La,,  with  Gen. 
Bailey  in  command,  carrying  a  pontoon  bridge 
to  cross  the  rivers  upon,  which  required  100 
men  to  draw  and  take  up.  He  was  encamped 
at  Baton  Rouge  for  about  three  weeks,  then  re 
turned  to  New  Orleans  by  boat,  afterwards  up 
the  river  to  the  Red  River,  going  up  the  latter 
to  Shreveport,  and  there  went  into  camp,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  scouting  and  detached  duty 
until  July  8,  1865,  when  he  started  across  the 


country  to  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  a  distance  of  50° 
miles,  arriving  there  Aug.  3rd.  On  arrival  the 
Regt.  was  divided  into  small  squads  and  placed 
upon  detached  duty  through  that  part  of  the 
country,  at  which  Mr.  Busey  remained  em 
ployed  until  Nov.  22,  1865,  when  he  was  mus 
tered  out,  placed  en  toute  for  Springfield  and 
there  discharged  and  paid  off  Jan.  6,  1866,  after 
a  service  of  two  years  and  three  months. 

Mr.  Busey  was  born  in  Champaign  Co.,  111., 
8  miles  west  of  the  City  of  Champaign,  Oct.  12, 
1842,  a  son  of  E.  J.  and  Maria  (Shephard) 
Busey,  and  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  ten 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  still  living.  His 
family  were  among  the  very  early  settlers  of 
Champaign  Co.,  and  the  family  name  has  al 
ways  been  identified  and  interchangeably  woven 
with  the  history  of  the  Co.,  and  it  certainly 
represents  its  full  share  of  the  wealth  and 
material  prosperity  of  the  county.  Many  of 
the  family  have  attained  to  prominence  in  pol 
itics  and  military  matters,  of  the  number 
being  Col.  Busey,  of  Urbana,  a  prominent 
banker  and  present  member  of  Congress,  who 
is  a  cousin  of  our  subject.  When  an  infant  Mr. 
Busey's  parents  moved  to  a  farm  near  Sidney, 
where  he  was  brought  up,  getting  his  education 
in  the  public  school.  He  adopted  farming  as 
his  life  work,  which  he  continued  until  about 
three  years  ago,  when  he  retired  from  active 
work  and  removed  to  the  town  of  Sidney  where 
he  is  leading  a  retired  life  with  his  only  daugh 
ter,  who  is  being  educated. 

Mr.  Busey  is  the  owner  of  much  valuable 
property,  but  has  never  sought  or  accepted  a 
public  position,  prefering  to  rely  upon  his  own 
exertions.  He  is  one  of  the  charter  members 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Sidney,  No.  317,  and  as 
the  family  have  always  been  Democrats,  he  is  no 
exception  to  the  rule.  Mr.  Busey  was  married 
in  Dec.,  1869,  to  Jennie  Bowman,  also  a  native 
of  the  State  of  111.,  and  a  most  estimable  and 
cultured  lady. — She  died  in  1890,  leaving  her 
suviving  husband  and  one  child,  Carrie,  a  bright 
and  sprightly  young  girl  of  14,  now  entering 
upon  the  higher  branches  of  her  education. 

Mature  in  judgment,  and  rich  in  resources, 
Mr.  Busey  has  made  a  success  of  his  life,  an 


666 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS, 


succeeded  in  accumulating  around  him  ample 
property  and  means  to  enable  him  to  spend 
the  evening  of  his  days  in  comparative  ease 
and  leisure.  He  has  always  been  admired  for 
'his  gentle,  amiable  manners  and  universally 
respected  for  his  sterling  worth  as  well  as  by- 
reason  of  the  family  name  he  bears. 


HERMAN  F.  A.  ROEDELL,  of  Pekill,  111., 
was  born  in  Saxe-Weimar,  Germany* 
Dec.  n,  1837,  where  his  parents  died 
when  he  was  quite  young,  he  being  the  young 
est  of  ten  children.  With  his  brother  and  two 
sisters  he  immigrated  to  America  in  May, 
1852,  settling  for  a  short  time  in  Detroit,  Mich., 
but  soon  proceeded  West,  remaining  in  Cin 
cinnati,  O.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  printing- 
business.  He  was  there  when  the  Rebellion 
broke  out,  and  on  the  first  call  for  troops, 
enlisted  in  the  army  in  Co.  A,  6th  Ohio  Vol. 
Inf.,  on  April  i/th,  1861.  His  Regt.  remained 
at  Camp  Dennison,  and  in  June  he  was  mus 
tered  in  for  3  year's  service  in  the  same  Co.  and 
Regt.  The  Regt.  moved  to  West  Va.,  where 
it  was  employed  until  Dec.,  then  to  Louisville 
and  Camp  W7ickliffe,  Ky.,  where  Mr.  Roedell 
while  standing  on  guard  over  provisions  under 
a  heavy  rain  and  sleet,  which  froze  as  it  struck 
his  body,  contracted  a  cold  which  settled  upon 
his  lungs.  He  continued  at  his  post  until  un 
able  to  walk,  was  then  placed  in  a  field  hos 
pital,  and  later  in  a  convalescent  camp  at 
Nelson's  Furnace,  Ky.  He  recovered  and  re 
joined  his  Regt.  then  under  Halleck,  in  the 
advance  upon  Corinth,  where  he  was  actively 
engaged  under  the  rebel's  fire,  during  the  siege 
of  said  stronghold.  After  the  evacuation  of 
Corinth  his  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Murfrees- 
boro,  Tenti.,  with  part  of  Gen.  Nelson's 
Div.  He  became  too  ill  to  longer  continue, 
consequently  was  sent  to  Nashville  and  after  a 
time  was  attached  to  the  1st  Tenn.,  which  was 
chosen  as  guard  for  Gov.  A.  Johnson.  Our 
comrade  continued  thus  engaged  until  he  was 
sent  to  the  Zollicoffer  House,  where  he  took 
charge  as  Captain  of  a  company  of  convales 


cents.  In  Feb.,  1863,  he  was  discharged  by 
reason  of  his  continued  disability.  He  was 
then  sent  to  Louisville,  then  on  to  Cincinnati, 
where  he  remained  a  short  time.  He  continued 
ill,  but  having  an  opportunity  of  joining  a  Ger 
man  colony  in  Mich.,  at  Wild  Fowl  Bay,  he 
did  so,  thinking  that  a  change  might  be  bene 
ficial  to  his  health.  He  remained  there  until 
1864,  when  his  name  was  drawn,  and  although 
not  liable,  he  having  already  served,  he  gal 
lantly  returned  to  the  army.  At  the  muster,  how 
ever,  he  was  rejected,  owing  to  disability.  He 
returned  to  the  colony  in  the  spring  of  1865, 
was  sent  as  an  agent  to  Cincinnati,  and  while 
there  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  I95th  Ohio,  as  ist 
Corporal.  His  Regt.  moved  to  the  Shenandoah 
Valley,  as  a  reinforcement  to  Gen.  Sheridan. 
Lee  having  soon  surrendered,  it  was  sent  to 
Alexandria  as  city  guard,  and  continued  there 
until  Dec.  23,  1865.  Here  Mr.  Roedell  acted 
as  Ordnance  Sergeant  for  the  regiment,  and  then 
was  detailed  as  Clerk  in  Gen.  Augur's  Head 
quarters  at  Washington,  and  later,  was  mus 
tered  out  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  Dec.  19,  1865. 

He  then  returned  to  the  Colony  in  Mich., 
and  was  appointed  Postmaster  and  Secretary 
for  the  colony.  The  following  spring  he  mar 
ried  Miss  Amelia  E.  Froebe.  They  removed 
to  East  Saginaw,  Mich.,  where  he  clerked  fora 
time,  and  then  went  to  Chelsea,  where  the  next 
spring  he  purchased  one  section  of  land  near 
the  colony  and  there  remained  for  nine  years, 
teaching  in  a  District  School  for  several  terms, 
and  holding  office  as  Commissioner  and  Tax 
Collector  for  the  township  for  several  years. 
His  next  change  was  to  Logan  Co.,  111.,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  farmingfor  five  years,  which 
he  was  forced  to  abandon,  his  wife  having  be 
come  paralyzed,  and  removed  to  Pekin.  They 
had  seven  children  of  whom  are  living  Edwin, 
William,  Henry,  Carrie,  Mary,  and  Joseph. 
Francis,  the  oldest  son,  died  in  Pekin  at  the 
age  of  16  years,  March  2Oth,  1881.  On  remov 
ing  to  Pekin,  Mr.  Roedell  engaged  with  the 
Pekin  plow  works,  but  failling  health  com 
pelled  him  to  abandon  that  calling,  therefore, 
he  left  his  family  at  Pekin,  and  in  1881,  went  to 
Cal.  He  soon  met  with  an  accident  and  whilst 


F.  A.   FREER. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


667 


on  his  bed  was  offered  the  position  as  Book 
keeper  with  the  Pekin  Plow  Co.,  which  he  ac 
cepted,  remaining  in  their  employ  for  four 
years.  He  was  afterward  employed  in  the 
printing  office  of  the  Methodist  Book  Concern 
at  Cincinnati,  O.,  where  he  had  learned  his 
trade,  until  1889,  when  he  was  appointed  De 
puty  Collector  of  the  Stamp  Department  of  the 
3rd  Div.,  8th  Dist.  of  111.,  with  the  headquar 
ters  at  Pekin,  and  which  office  he  still  holds. 

He  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Ger 
man  M.  E.  Church,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
in  which  he  has  served  for  three  years  as  Ad 
jutant,  and  holds  this  office  at  present,  and  of 
the  Knights  of  Honor,  and  Mutual  Protection 
for  Insurance.  A  true  and  loyal  soldier,  he  is 
likewise  a  respected  and  most  worthy  citizen. 


FRANCIS  A.  FREER,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  was 
born  in  Butler  Co.,  Pa.,  April  6,  1843.  His 
parents  were  Abram  and  Mary  Freer. 
His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Michael  McKim- 
mons,  who  descended  from  North  Ireland  an 
cestry.  Abram  Freer,  the  father  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  the  son  of  William,  who  was 
descended  from  a  Hugenot  family  seeking  re 
ligious  tolerance  in  America  after  the  edict  of 
Nantes  and  settling  in  this  country  during  its 
Colonial  period.  They  served  as  soldiers  in  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  arid  Michael,  a  brother, 
of  Abram,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Mexican  War, 
meeting  his  death  at  the  battle  of  Palo  Alto. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Francis  A.  Freer, 
came  with  his  parents  to  Kllisville,  Fulton  Co., 
111.,  April  6,  1857.  It  was  here  that  he  was  pre 
pared  by  home  training  and  a  common  school 
education  for  the  encounter  of  life.  Although 
but  a  slender  youth  and  unable  to  endure  the 
varied  privations  of  a  soldier's  life  in  the  field, 
his  great  desire  to  serve  his  country  could  not 
be  suppressed,  so  he  went  to  Peoria  to  enlist  in 
Co.  A,  47th  111.  Inf.,  but  after  reaching  there 
the  mustering  officer,  on  account  of  delicate  ap 
pearance,  refused  to  take  him,  and  sent  him 
back  to  his  home.  In  1862,  he  again  offered  to 
enlist  in  Co.  D,  7Oth  111.  Inf.,  and  went  with  the 


Regt.  as  fas  as  Spririgfield,  but  the  State  quota 
having  been  filled  before  they  entered  the  field, 
they  were  after  five  months  discharged  and  the 
patriotism  of  young  Freer  again  subdued.  He 
remained  at  home  until  the  spring  of  1 864,  when 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  I37th  111.  Inf.,  under  the 
command  of  Cap.  J.  B.  Johnson,  of  Topeka, 
Kan.,  and  this,  the  third  attempt  to  enter  the 
army  was  successful.  After  going  to  Quincy,  111., 
for  their  equipment,  they  were  sent  on  to  join 
the  Regt.  at  Memphis.  Here  they  were  as 
signed  to  the  duty  of  moving  and  guarding 
trains  from  that  point  to  La  Grange  and  Holly 
Springs,  Miss.  This  was  placing  them  under 
very  trying  circumstances,  as  the  country 
through  which  these  trains  passed  swarmed 
with  guerrillas  who  were  continually  firing  into 
them  and  a  day  seldom  passed  that  several  of 
the  soldiers  were  not  either  thus  killed  or 
wounded. 

Gen.  Washburne  after  some  time  took  com 
mand,  and  by  his  orders  compelling  prominent 
citizens  of  Memphis  to  travel  by  each  tram, 
and  thus  the  infamous  practice  of  the  guerrillas 
was  effectually  stopped.  Subsequently  the 
Regt.  was  in  camp  4  miles  from  Memphis  on 
the  Hernardo  road,  when  Forrest  made  his  raid 
on  that  city.  Mr.  Freer  was  at  the  time  of  the 
attack  upon  the  camp  asleep,  having  but  a  short 
time  before  come  off  of  picket  duty.  The  rebels 
had  captured  the  outpost  and  riding  up  close 
to  the  camp  opened  fire  on  it.  The  night,  was 
very  dark  and  the  situation  one  of  great  peril 
to  the  men  attacked.  Mr.  Freer's  first  intima 
tion  of  danger  was  given  by  his  comrade,  who 
was  in  the  tent  with  him,  crying  out  that  he 
was  shot.  Mr.  Freer's  idea  was  that  the  firing 
had  proceeded  from  Gen.  Smith's  men  return 
ing  from  the  picket  line.  The  man,  Henry 
Hull  by  name,  who  had  said  he  was  shot,  told 
Mr.  Freer  to  put  his  hand  on  his  thigh  when  he 
discovered  that  a  ball  had  passed  entirely 
through  it.  Hastily  leaving  his  tent  he  found 
the  whole  camp  in  confusion;  then  returning 
he  got  Hull  out  and  they  fell  into  the  ranks 
which  were  being  formed  by  Major  Payne. 
Hull  remained  with  him  throughout  the  fight, 
which  lasted  until  9  o'clock  in  the  morning, 


668 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


when  from  loss  of  blood  he  was  obliged  to  go 
to  the  hospital,  but  still  holding  on  to  his  gun 
and  carrying  it  away  with  him.  The  rebels 
brought  up  a  piece  of  artillery  during  the  ac 
tion  and  poured  into  the  camp  round  after 
round  of  grape  shot,  resulting  in  the  killing  of 
107  of  the  Regt.  and  the  wounding  of  a  great 
many. 

The  3rd  111.  Cav.,  whose  term  had  expired, 
but  who  were  still  in  the  camp,  though  having 
given  up  their  arms,  nobly  fell  in  with  the 
troops,  and,  whenever  a  man  was  shot  down, 
took  his  place  and  gun,  and  rendered  gallant 
and  effective  service.  Soon  after  the  Regt.  was 
formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  while  it  was  still 
dark,  a  squad  of  Cav.  rode  up  to  them,  and  an 
officer  called  out,  "  Colonel,  part  of  my  com 
mand  are  cut  off,  and  I  wish  you  to  go  to  their 
relief."  Major  Payne  called  upon  his  men  to 
fire  upon  them,  as  they  were  d  d  rebels,  and 
they  rode  off  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  Regt. 

About  daylight,  as  Mr.  Freer  and  Corporal 
Tunnehill  were  moving  along,  they  observed, 
at  a  little  distance,  two  rebels  riding  away  on  a 
mule — one  holding  the  other  in  front  of  him. 
Tunnehill  remarked  to  Freer  that  they  shoot 
the  mule.  They  fired,  and  the  mule  came  to 
the  ground,  one  of  the  riders  lying  still,  the 
other  escaping.  Going  up  to  the  fallen  foe,  they 
discovered  him  to  be  a  rebel  Col.,  who  had 
been  wounded.  Seeing  them  approach,  he  be 
sought  them  not  to  permit  the  negroes  to  get  hold 
of  him,  it  being  then  soon  after  the'terrible  mas 
sacre  at  Fort  Pillow.  The  answer  of  Tunnehill 
was,  "We  have  a  good  notion  to  turn  you  over 
to  them."  The  rebel  Col.  lay  partially  under 
the  dead  mule,  and  when  they  extricated  him 
from  his  perious  position  he  was  very  grateful, 
making  them  presents  of  his  revolvers  and  fine 
felt  hat.  He  was  taken  to  headquarters  and 
delivered  into  custody. 

James  Tunnehill  is  now  living  at  Walnut 
Grove,  McDonough  Co.,  111.  They  continued 
to  perform  duty  around  Memphis  being  occa 
sionally  called  out  to  repel  guerrillas  until  Dec. 
Their  term'of  service  having  now  expired,  they 
were  mustered  out,  and  returned  to  111.  They 
were  not  paid  off,  as  they  had  expected,  at 


Memphis,  and,  going  to  Springfield,  111.,  with 
out  their  pay,  had  to  depend  upon  the  kindness 
of  the  citizens  for  accommodation,  which  they 
fully  met  when  they  finally receivedtheirmoney. 

Returning  home,  Mr.  Freer  again  resumed 
his  studies;  attended  school  for  one  year,  after 
wards  working  at  carpentering  for  a  time.  He 
then  taught  school  for  about  two  years,  and  in 
1867,  entered  Hedding  College,  at  Abingdon, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  honors  of 
his  class,  in  1871.  He  continued  to  teach  up  to 
1889,  being  principal  of  schools  in  Wautauga 
and  Henderson,  when  he  removed  to  Galesburg. 
Subsequently  he  was  engaged  with  A.S.Barnes 
in  the  sale  of  schoolbooks. 

April  i,  1889,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster 
at  Galesburg,  which  position  he  now  creditably 
fills.  In  1871  he  married  Jennie  K.  Christie,  of 
Toulon,  111.,  daughter  of  Alex.  Christie.  Five 
children  have  blessed  their  union  Lizzie  Irene, 
Howard  A.,  Charles  F,  Mary  A.  and  Morton 
Christy,  Lizzie  Irene  and  Howard  A.  are  students 
at  Knox  College.  Mr.  Freer  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  Post,  No.  45,  and  was  chosen  Com 
mander  in  1890.  In  1891  he  was  appointed  by 
Department  Commander  Distin  on  his  staff, 
with  the  rank  of  Major.  He  is  a  Mason,  and  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  a  Republican, 
and  a  prominent  and  zealous  worker  for  the  in 
terests  of  that  party. 

At  the  time  of  the  memorable  canvass  of 
Gen.  John  A.Logan  for  the  U.S.  Senate,  in  1885, 
Mr.  Freer  was  Sergeant-at-Arms  of  theT  11.  State 
Senate,  and  became  well  acquainted  with  the 
great  military  hero  and  statesman,  whom  he 
ardently  supported  in  that  memorable  contest. 
Mr.  Freer  has  displayed  in  his  career,  both  as 
a  soldier  and  citizen,  many  eminent  qualities, 
which  have  placed  him  high  in  the  estimation 
of  his  countrymen,  and  by  his  happy,  social 
clispostionhe  has  endeared  to  him  an  extensive 
circle  of  friends. 


A 


NDREVV  H.  HERSHEY,  Mayor  of  Sterling, 
111.,  is  the  son  of  Dr.  Andrew  and  Fannie 
(Nase)  Hershey,  and  was  born  at  Mari 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM, 


'669 


etta,  Pa.,  Jan.  3,  1840.  Both  of  the  parents  of 
Andrew  H.  Hershey  were  born  at  Marietta,  Pa., 
the  father  Jan.  15,  1802,  and  the  mother  in  Nov. 
1814.  The  progenitors  of  the  Hershey  family 
in  America  were  from  Switzerland.  The  Nase 
family  is  of  German  ancestry,  its  representa 
tives  in  this  country  having  come  over  at  an 
early  period.  The  father  of  Andrew  H.  Her 
shey  was  a  physician,  and  practiced  his  pro 
fession  at  Marietta,  where  he  died  Dec.  30, 
1839,  his  widow  surviving  him  until  Feb.  1883, 
when  she  died  at  Savannah,  111.  There  were 
but  two  children  born  to  this  union — one  dying 
in  infancy,  the  other  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 
Young  Hershey  passed  his  early  years  with 
his  parents.  Some  years  after  his  father's 
death  his  mother  married  Mr.  William  Macken, 
and  the  family  came  West,  locating  at  Free, 
port,  and  finally  at  Savannah,  111.  After  a  rudi 
mentary  education  in  the  common  schools, 
young  Hershey  entered  the  Mt.  Carroll  Semi 
nary,  where  he  continued  his  attendance  for 
four  terms.  He  enlisted  at  Savannah,  111.. 
Sept.  12,  1861,  in  Co.  K,  I5th  111.  Inf.,  joining 
the  Regt.  at  Rolla,  Mo.  After  remaining  here 
for  some  weeks  he  went  forward  to  Tipton, 
and  thence  to  Springfield.  Returning  to  Tip- 
ton,  the  regiment  moved  on  to  Otterville,  and 
then  to  Lamine  River,  where  they  went  into 
winter  quarters.  After  performing  efficient 
service  in  various  directions,  the  Regt.  finally 
formed  a  part  of  the  grand  contingent  that  ac 
companied  Grant's  victorious  army  in  the 
Southern  campaigns.  At  the  reorganization 
the  1 5th  was  placed  in  the  2d  Brig.,  4th  Div., 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  Hurlbut.  This 
was  the  first  Div.  to  arrive  at  Pittsburg  Land 
ing,  Tenn.  In  the  battle  which  ensued  the 
Regt.  and  Co.  K  suffered  heavily,  all  the  field 
officers  being  killed,  the  Capt.  of  Co.  K  taken 
prisoner,  and  seven  men  killed — the  total  casu 
alties  numbering  49.  In  this  engagement  Mr. 
Hershey  received  a  ball  under  the  ear,  which 
he  carries,  where  it  lodged,  to  this  day.  After 
the  siege  of  Corinth  the  regiment  moved  for 
ward  to  Grand  Junction,  Tenn.,  thence  to  Hol 
ly  Springs,  and  on  to  La  Grange,  Tenn.,  and 
to  Memphis,  arriving  at  that  place  July  22d 


Here  they  remained  during  the  summer,  occa 
sionally  making  a  reconnoisance,  and  other 
wise  protecting  the  positions  around  them. 

Sept.  6,  they  removed  to  Bolivar,  Tenn.,  and 
some  time  in  Oct.,  the  Div.  was  ordered  to  Cor 
inth,  and  coming  up  with  the  retreating  enemy 
at  Hatchie  River,  brought  them  to  battle  and 
discomfiture,  taking  about  800  prisoners,  and 
five  pieces  of  artillery.  This  brilliant  achieve 
ment  was  due  to  the  genius  and  gallantry  of 
Gen.  Hurlbut  and  the  inflexible  courage  of  this 
splendid  soldiery.  Returning  to  Bolivar  and 
La  Grange,  and  accompanying  Grant  through 
Miss,  to  Oxford,  the  I5th  was  cut  off  at  Holly 
Springs  and  ordered  back  to  La  Grange,  and 
subsequently  to  Lafayette,  where  they  per 
formed  duty  in  guarding  the  Memphis  and 
Charleston  R.  R.  About  the  beginning  of 
March  they  reported  at  Memphis,  serving  until 
May  i,  when  the  division  was  ordered  to  rein 
force  Grant's  army,  then  just  about  to  begin  the 
campaign  leading  to  the  surrender  of  Vicks- 
burg.  The  Regt.  landed  at  Young's  Point  and 
was  thence  transported  to  Haynes'  Bluff,  finally 
taking  its  position  on  the  extreme  left  of 
Grant's  line,  and  serving  with  becoming  zeal 
and  gallantry  throughout  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg.  The  Div.  was  finally  ordered  to  Natchez 
and  then  back  to  Vicksburg.  July  20,  1864, 
the  1 5th  and  I4th  111.  Regts.  were  consolidated 
and  thenceforward  known  as  the  Veteran  Bat 
talion  of  the  I4th  and  I5th  111.  Inf.  Mr. 
Hershey,  as  Sergt. -Major  and  acting  Adjutant, 
was  mustered  out  at  Atlanta,  Oct.  3,  1864.  He 
arrived  at  his  home  during  the  latter  part  of 
October,  and  in  Dec.  was  commisioned  Adju 
tant  of  the  Veteran  Battalion  to  date  from  July 
20,  1864.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  in  Feb.,  1865, 
going  via  New  York  and  Savannah.  Feb.  22, 
1865,  he  was  duly  mustered  in  as  Adjutant  of 
the  Veteran  Battalion  of  the  I4th  and  I5th  111. 
Proceeding  to  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  where  the  I4th 
and  1 5th  111.  were  reorganized,  he  was  by  gen 
eral  order  transferred  as  Adjutant  to  the  i$th 
Regt.,  being  in  the  2nd  Brig.,  4th  Div.,  i;th 
A.  C.  Adjutant  Hershey  accompanied  Sher 
man's  Army  through  Petersburg  and  Richmond 
to  Washington,  taking  part  in  the  magnificent 


6;o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


review  and  military  parade  on  May  24,  1865. 
Having  been  ordered  on  duty  at  the  West,  he 
went  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  where  he  re 
ceived  promotion  as  Captain  of  Co.  C.  He  was 
for  some  time  stationed  at  Fort  Kearney,  but 
was  ordered  to  report  at  Fort  Leavenworth  to 
be  sent  home  to  be  discharged  with  his  Regt., 
which  was  done  at  Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  15, 
1865.  Returning  to  his  home  at  Savannah, 
111.,  he  became  interested  in  the  lumber,  grain 
and  mercantile  business  up  to  1873,  when  he  was 
appointed  a  Deputy  Collector  of  Internal 
Revenue  for  the  3rd  District  of  111.,  retaining 
that  position  until  Oct.  I,  1885.  During  his 
occupancy  of  this  office  he  had  removed  to 
Sterling.  In  the  fall  of  1886,  as  the  Republican 
candidate,  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer, 
serving  in  that  relation  until  Dec.,  1890.  He 
was  elected  Mayor  of  Sterling  in  April,  1891, 
and  is  the  present  incumbent  of  that  office.  He 
was  an  Alderman  from  1884  to  1885. 

He  married,  March  25,  1868,  Hattie  E., 
daughter  of  Luther  and  Elizabeth  D.  (Cham 
berlain)  Bowen  Her  father  was  the  founder 
of  Savannah.  They  have  three  bright  and  in 
teresting  children.  Mayor  Hershey  is  a  mem 
ber  of  No.  274  G.  A.  R.;  the  Masonic  Fra 
ternity,  and  the  Sterling  Commandery.  He  is 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  firm  and  true 
disciple  of  unswerving  allegiance  to  whatever 
constitues  man's  highest  and  noblest  estate. 


HARRISON  H.  HAKES,  of  Belvidere,  111.,  is  a 
son  of  Chauncey  J.and  MaryC.  (Crosby) 
Hakes.  The  father,  a  native  of  Vt.,  was 
of  English  descent,  while  the  mother  was  of 
German  ancestry.  He  was  born  in  Cotton  Co., 
N.  Y.,  Feb.  2,  1841,  was  reared  upon  a  farm, 
attending  district  school,  and  when  13  years  of 
age  removed  with  his  parents  to  Waupaca  Co., 
Wis.,  where  he  again  attended  school,  and 
received  a  good  business  education.  He  con 
tinued  there  for  two  years,  then  removed  to 
Belvidere,  April  I,  1857,  where  he  was  employed 
at  farming  for  3  years,  then  went  to  Texas,  but 
returning  early  the  following  spring,  resumed 


farming  until  Aug.  27,  1861,  when  he  concluded 
to  join  the  army.  He  enlisted  at  Sycamore, 
and  was  mustered  in  at  St.  Charles,  111.,  as  a 
private  in  Co.  B,  8th  111.  Cav.,  Sept.  18,  1861. 

Oct.  1 3th  the  Regt.  moved  to  Washington, 
D.  C.,  where  it  remained  two  months,  then  pro 
ceeded  to  Alexandria,Va.  The  following  March 
it  joined  the  general  advance  upon  Manassas, 
remaining  at  Wrarrenton  until  the  middle  of 
April;  in  the  meantime  having  driven  the 
enemy  over  the  Rappahanock,  on  four  different 
occasions.  In  the  early  days  of  May  it  pro 
ceeded  to  Williamsburg,  and  was  in  the  battle 
at  that  place,  as  also  all  those  which  took  place 
during  the  Peninsular  campaign. 

June  26,  1862,  it  met  the  advancing  enemy, 
under  Jackson,  at  Mechanicsville,  and  did 
important  duty  in  the  change  of  base  which 
followed  the  action  at  Games'  Mill,  Dispatch 
Station,  and  Malvern  Hill,  covering  the  extreme 
rear  of  the  army,  and  continually  skirmishing 
with  the  enemy's  Cav.  It  led  the  advance  to 
the  second  occupation  of  Malvern  Hill,  bearing 
the  brunt  of  the  fight,  afterwards  passed  on  its 
way  to  the  front  through  Yorktown,  and  Alex 
andria,  crossed  into  Md.,  engaged  the  rebels  at 
Poolsville,  and  at  Monocacy  Church,  captured 
their  colors.  Again  at  Barnesville  it  captured 
several  prisoners,  was  engaged  at  Sugar  Loaf 
Mt.,  Middleton,  South  Mt.,  and  Boonsboro, 
where  it  captured  two  guns,  killing  and  wound 
ing  67,  and  taking  200  prisoners.  Previous  to 
this  Mr.  Hakes,  as  a  reward  for  gallant  conduct, 
had  been  appointed  Corporal.  He  was  next 
engaged  with  his  Regt.  in  the  battle  of  Antie- 
tam,  and  again  as  it  reconnoitered  Martinsburg. 
It  then  moved  in  advance  of  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  was  engaged  with  the  enemy's 
Cav.  at  Philemonte,  Uniontown,  Upperville, 
Barbee's  Cross  Roads,  Little  Washington,  and 
Ametsville,  arriving  at  Falmouth  Nov.  23.  The 
8th,  continued  on  the  left  flank  of  the  army, 
across  the  Peninsula,  and  up  the  Rappahanock 
to  Port  Conway,  where  it  was  removed  to  the 
right  flank,  near  Dumfries.  In  the  engagement 
at  Barbee's  Cross  Roads  Mr.Hakes  was  wounded 
by  a  grape  shot,  taking  effect  in  his  arm,  and 
by  a  pistol  ball  in  the  chin  and  shoulder,  neither 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


671 


of  them  however  incapacitated  him  from  serv 
ice  for  any  length  of  time.  Starting  out  in  the 
spring  of  1863,  Mr.  Hakes'  Regt.  was  always  on 
the  move,  and  besides  many  heavy  skirmishes, 
marches  and  raids,  participated  during  that 
year  in  the  following  engagements:  April  14, 
Sulphur  Springs;  near  Warrington,  April  17; 
Rapidan  Station,  May  i ;  Northern  Neck,.  May 
14;  Beverly  Ford,  June  9;  Upperville,  June  21; 
Farville,  Penn.,  June  29;  Gettysburg,  July  1-3; 
Williamsburg,  Md.,  July  6;  Boonsboro,  July  8; 
Funktown,  July  10;  Falling  Water,  July  14,  and 
Chester  Gap,  July  21. 

In  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  he  was  near 
Gen.  Reynolds  when  he  was  shot,  and  saw  him 
fall  from  his  horse.  About  the  time  of  the 
Chester  Gap  engagement,  Mr.  Hakes  was  taken 
very  ill,  and  sent  to  Lincoln  Hospital,  Wash 
ington,  but  on  the  same  day  his  illness  was 
somewhat  soothed  by  his  being  appointed  1st 
Sergt.  Having  recovered  from  his  illness  he 
rejoined  his  Regt.  as  ist  Sergt.  at  Culpeper,  and 
remained  in  camp  there  for  a  time,  and  in  Nov. 
the  Regt.  veteranized  and  the  men  were  granted 
a  furlough.  He  then  returned  home,  remain 
ing  until  about  March  i,  then  proceeded  to 
Washington,  where  he  continued  until  about 
July  4,  was  then  ordered  to  Frederick  City, 
afterwards  to  Monocacy  Junction,  then  to 
Baltimore,  next  to  Muddy  Branch,  and  then  to 
Fairfax  Court  house,  where  the  regiment  went 
into  winter  quarters.  Whilst  at  Muddy  Branch, 
our  subject  was  appointed  ist  Lieut,  as  a  recog 
nition  for  gallant  conduct.  He  continued  in 
winter  quarters  until  after  the  close  of  the  war, 
then  returned  to  Washington  June  25,  1865, 
thence  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  mustered 
out  July  17,  and  subsequently  received  his  pay 
and  discharge  at  Chicago.  Mr.  Hakes  returned 
to  Belvidere  and  engaged  in  farming,  follow 
ing  that  occupation  until  the  year  1882,  when 
he  started  a  confectionary  store  in  Belvidere, 
which  he  continued  until  1887,  when  he  sold 
out  and  was  elected  to  a  position  in  the  de 
partment  of  Justice,  for  his  county,  which 
office  he  still  holds. 

He  married  Jan.  16.  1866,  Ann  Davis, 
daughter  of  Joel  and  Eleanor  Davis.  She  died 


Oct.  22,  1882,  leaving  three  children,  viz.: 
Eleanor  L.,  Mary  L.,  and  George  H.  He  mar 
ried  a  second  time  Aug.  11,  1886,  Elizabeth 
Pratt,  and  by  her  had  two  children,  Florence  E., 
and  Francis;  the  latter  of  whom  died  He  is  a 
member  of  Post  No.  164,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the 
Kights  of  Pythias,  and  is  a  most  worthy  citizen. 


JOHN  EDWARDS,  engineer  of  the  Electric 
Light  Works,  Galena,  111.,  was  born  in  that 
city  in  1843.  His  parents  were  James  and 
Elizabeth  (McAlwaine)  Edwards,  natives  of 
Australia  and  the  North  of  Ireland.  The 
father  was  the  son  of  a  British  officer  serving 
in  Australia,  and  was  born  in  1811.  Marrying 
in  Ireland  in  1832,  the  father  of  John,  came 
alone  to  the  U.  S.,  and  later  returned  for  his 
family,  with  whom  he  again  crossed  the  sea, 
and  settled  at  Galena,  where  he  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life.  He  was  by  trade  a  wood  turner  and 
died  in  1881.  He  enlisted  in  1862,  as  a  private 
in  Co.  I,  96th  111.  Inf.,  and  served  for  about  two 
years  in  the  Army  of  the  Tenn.,  when  he  was 
discharged  for  physical  disability,  Dec.  1864. 
He  was  on  the  police  force  of  Galena.  He 
was  twice  married,  his  first  wife,  by  whom  ha 
had  eight  children,  dying  in  1845,  aiu^  hi-s 
second  wife,  by  whom  he  had  five  children, 
dying  in  1856.  His  elder  brother,  James  served 
in  the  navy  during  the  Rebellion  for  about  two 
years.  He  was  drowned  in  the  Ohio  River  in 
1883.  John  Edwards  received  his  early  educa 
tion  at  Galena,  later  began  to  labor  in  the  mines, 
being  thus  employed  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  War,  when  he  enlisted  Sept.  3,  1861,  in  Co. 
D,  45th  111.  Inf.  The  Regt.  was  encamped  at 
Galena,  later  ordered  to  camp  Douglas,  Chi 
cago,  and  in  Jan.  to  Cairo,  from  there  going 
with  Grant  to  Fort  Henry  and  Donelson.  He 
was  engaged  with  his  command  at  Shiloh, 
where  Capt.  T.  D.  Connors  was  killed,  with 
other  losses  in  killed  and  wounded. 

After  participating  in  the  siege    of  Corinth, 
the  next  move  was   to  Jackson,  Tenn.     While 


672 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


here  the  Regt.  was  divided,  four  companies 
being  sent  to  Meadow  Station,  where  they  en 
gaged  in  a  severe  encounter.  Mr.  Edwards  es 
caped  capture  from  a  mounted  rebel  by  taking 
a  road  along  which,  being  barefooted,  he  could 
proceed,  but  which  was  impassable  to  the  horse 
of  his  pursuer.  During  this  chase  he  was  re 
peatedly  fired  at  by  the  rebel,  but  was  not 
struck.  In  the  ensuing  fall  the  command  fig 
ured  conspicuously  in  the  Tullahoma  cam 
paign.  At  Holly  Springs  the  Regt.  was 
detailed  for  duty  at  the  front  and  held  the  ad 
vance  until  their  arrival  at  Yockna,  when  they 
fell  back  toward  Memphis,  arriving  there  in 
January.  In  Feb.  they  moved  down  the  river 
to  Lake  Providence,  La.,  where  they  cut  the 
levee  to  flood  the  country  in  order  to  float 
transports  below  Vicksburg.  Failing  to  ac 
complish  their  purpose  in  this,  they  moved  to 
Milliken's  Bend  and  thence  across  the  Louis 
iana  bottoms  to  a  point  below  Vicksburg,  and 
going  on  double  quick  to  take  part  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Port  Gibson.  From  here  they  went  to 
Raymond  to  guard  prisoners,  the  rest  of 
the  command  moving  on  and  capturing  Jack 
son,  after  which  they  again  united  and  par 
ticipated  in  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills. 
Soon  after  the  command  came  up  to  within 
100  yards  of  the  enemy's  lines  at  Vicks 
burg,  ajid  were  subsequently  engaged  there 
throughout  that  memorable  siege.  The  45th 
111.  was  the  first  company  to  enter  Vicksburg 
and  display  the  stars  and  stripes  from  the 
court  house  building.  Remaining  here  some 
months  on  provost  duty,  they  advanced  on 
Canton,  Miss.,  and  thence  returned  to  Black 
River,  there  going  into  camp. 

In  Jan.,  1864,  the  Regt.  re-enlisted  and  Mr. 
Edwards  went  home  for  six  weeks  on  furlough. 
He  rejoined  his  command  at  Black  River  and 
then  joined  the  march  for  Cairo.  In  view  of 
an  anticipated  attack  by  Forrest  upon  Belmont, 
they  remained  at  that  point  for  about  two 
weeks,  rejoining  the  command  at  Cairo,  thence 
up  the  Tennessee  River  to  Clifton,  and  from 
there  uniting  with  Sherman's  army.  Reaching 
Ga.,  they  were  left  to  guard  the  bridge  at 
Etowah  until  after  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mt 


Moving  on  with  Sherman's  army  they  were 
detailed  again  for  provost  duty  at  Henrietta 
for  over  a  month,  after  which  they  returned  to 
Marietta  to  assist  in  repelling  Hood's  advance. 
Going  on  to  Atlanta  and  Savannah,  and  thence 
by  sea  to  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  the  45th  engaged  in 
a  severe  battle  in  that  vicinity.  The  next 
move  was  to  Orangeburg,  and  the  last  battle  in 
which  they  were  engaged  was  at  Bentonville. 
Then  began  the  most  arduous  march  of  the  war 
to  Washington,  where  they  took  part  in  the 
grand  review,  May  24,  1865.  Remaining  in 
camp  for  a  few  days  at  Georgetown,  they  pro 
ceeded  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  they  were 
mustered  out,  after  nearly  four  years  of  active 
service.  During  the  whole  period  of  his  mili 
tary  service,  Mr.  Edwards  was  neither  wounded, 
taken  prisoner,  nor  in  a  hospital.  He  never 
missed  a  roll  call  and  never  rode  in  an  ambu 
lance.  Nineteen  of  the  original  members  of 
his  Co.  veteranized,  and  five  of  them  went 
through  their  whole  term  of  service  under  as 
fortunate  conditions  as  Mr.  Edwards. 

Returning  home  to  Galena  after  being  mus 
tered  out,  Mr.  Edwards,  for  the  ensuing  six 
years  was  engaged  in  mining,  and  for  13  years 
subsequently  was  an  engineer  on  the  Chicago 
and  Northwestern  Railway.  His  health  failing, 
he  was  for  some  time  employed  at  the  round 
house,  and  since  then  has  been  connected  with 
the  Galena  Electric  Light  Company,  of  which 
he  is  the  incumbent  engineer. 

He  was  married  in  1867,  to  Carrie,  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Roxanna  Potts,  natives  of  Pa., 
and  early  settlers  at  Galena.  They  have  one 
son,  Charles,  a  gentlemanly  young  man.  Mr. 
Edwards  is  a  charter  member  of  E.  D.  Kittoe 
Post,  G.  A.  R.,  having  been  Officer  of  the  Day 
and  Junior  Vice  Commander;  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  of  Division  No.  72  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers.  In 
the  many  years  of  an  eventful  existence,  Mr. 
Edwards  has  shown  his  remarkable  adhesion 
to  duty,  which  he  has  ever  well  and  faithfully 
performed,  and  which  is  the  noblest  tribute 
history  can  pay  him. 


BIOGRAPHCIAL  ALBUM. 


673 


A  LEY  GEORGE  WELLS,  Sergeant  of  Cottage 
No.  4, — the  "receiving  cottage,"  of  the 
111.  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quincy,  111.,  hails 
from  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was 
born  Dec.  25,  1841,  the  son  of  Ransom  and 
Almeda  (Gates)  Wells.  Mr.  Wells  never  en 
joyed  the  counsel  of  a  loving  mother  and  a 
tender  father.  The  former  died  when  Alby 
was  but  an  infant,  and  the  latter  departed  to 
the  other  shore  5  years  later.  Alby  attended 
the  district  school  of  his  native  county  and 
made  his  home  with  a  family  named  Blossom, 
whose  memory  he  reveres,  with  the  kindliest 
recollections.  He  commenced  life  as  a  sailor 
on  the  Great  Lakes.  Subsequently  he  was  en 
gaged  in  the  hotel  business  in  Illinois,  and 
finally  as  extra  conductor  on  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R. 
R.  He  was  so  employed  when  he  rallied  to  the 
support  of  the  grand  "old  flag,"  enlisting  Apr. 
i,  1861,  at  Burlington,  la. — Co. — ,  1st  Iowa  Art. 
For  4  months  he  was  thoroughly  drilled  by 
Capt.  Fletcher,  a  West  Point  cadet,  who  had 
spent  3  years  in  educating  himself  to  meanness 
and  baseness.  Aug  17,  1861,  the  "boys" 
moved  to  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  thence  to 
Rolla,  and  then  onward  to  Springfield,  Mo., 
where  comrade  Wells  was  initiated  under  the 
enemy's  fire.  After  this  conflict  they  followed 
the  rebels  under  Price  into  Ark.,  and  later  went 
into  winter  quarters  at  Cross  Hollows.  During 
this  time  Capt.  Fletcher,  who  was  a  most 
severe  disciplinarian,  was  dismissed  and  suc 
ceeded  by  J.  A.  Jones.  March  6-8,  1862,  the 
command  participated  in  the  bloody  battle  of 
Pea  Ridge.  A  half  day's  duty  in  this  conflict 
satisfied  the  new  captain.  He  was  wounded  by 
a  "spent"  cannon-ball,  showed  the  "white 
feather,"  left  the  battery  and  never  returned. 
Capt.  H.  H.  Griffith  then  took  charge,  and 
proved  himself  a  valiant  officer  and  a  brave 
soldier. 

During  this  engagement  Sergt.  Wells  was 
severely  injured  by  the  horses  running  away 
with  a  caisson.  He  was  knocked  off  and  a 
wheel  evidently  run  over  his  right  leg,  bruising 
it  severely,  which  has  since  caused  varicose 
veins.  This  runaway  team  ran  against  the  gun 
wagon,  on  which  our  subject  was  riding,  and 

42 


from  there  directly  toward  the  rebel  lines. 
When  uncomfortably  close  to  the  enemy,  the 
team  was  stopped  and  the  infantry  "boys"  un 
screwed  the  lids,  fired  the  blankets,  and  thus 
blew  up  the  caisson.  The  enemy  was  deceived 
by  this  and  directed  their  fire  toward  the  smoke, 
thus  the  Union  forces  were  saved  from  the 
galling  fire.  Sergt.  Wells  thinks  this  explosion 
was  the  real  cause  of  the  victory.  He  remained 
with  his  command  throughout  the  battle,  and 
went  with  it  to  Helena,  Ark.,  where  he  had  to 
leave  the  "boys."  He  was  furloughed  from  the 
hospital  boat  and  discharged  at  Carondelet, 
Sept.  4,  1862,  on  account  of  disability.  He  re 
turned  to  Springfield,  111.,  and  June,  1863,  en 
gaged  as  freight  conductor  on  the  Wabash,  a 
position  he  held  for  6  years,  was  with  the  Chi 
cago  &  Alton  one  year,  and  then  engaged  as 
passenger  conductor  with  the  Jacksonville  & 
South  Eastern.  This  entrusted  position  he 
held  for  17  years.  Failing  health  compelled 
his  retirement.  He  was  confined  to  one  room 
for  two  and  a  half  years,  and  the  only  wonder 
is  that  he  did  not  leave  it  as  a  corpse.  In  1888 
he  resumed  his  former  position,  but  his  disabil 
ities  were  too  much — he  had  to  "surrender"  and 
finally  came  to  the  "Home"  in  Feb.,  1890.  He 
has  not  been  a  steady  inmate  since,  but  makes 
this  his  home.  Sergt.  Wells  was  married  in 
1864  to  to  Anna  Bingham,  who  died  3  years 
later.  He  is  Sr.  V.  C.  elect  of  the  Col.  Shep 
herd  Post,  No.  628,  located  at  the  Home,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Republican,  with  decidedly  pro 
hibition  inclinations.  A  true  soldier  and  a 
genial  and  whole-souled  citizen,  he  is  popular 
with  all  who  know  him. 


M 


AJ.-GEN.  E.  O.  C.  ORD,  was  born  at  Cum 
berland,  Md.,  in  1819.  Educated  at 
West  Point  Military  Academy,  where 
he  graduated  in  1839.  Entered  military  service 
as  Second  Lieut,  of  3d  U.  S.  Art.,  July  I,  1839. 
Served  in  the  Florida  and  Mexican  wars,  in 
the  Indian  wars  in  California,  Oregon,  and 
Washington  Territories.  Continued  in  the  reg 
ular  army  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  late 


674 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


rebellion,  when  he  was  placed  in  command  of 
volunteers,  and  on  the  2nd  of  March,  1862,  was 
made  a  General,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
till  the  close  of  the  war.  Participated  in  the 
battles  of  luka  and  Jackson, Miss.,  siege  and 
capture  of  Vicksburg,  accompanied  Gen.  Grant 
in  his  last  great  campaign  against  Richmond, 
commanded  at  the  capture  of  Fort  Hudson, 
Va.,  and  attacked  Lee  previous  to  the  final  sur 
render  of  the  Rebel  army.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  was  placed  in  command  of  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  James,  headquarters  at  Richmond, 
Va. 

In  person,  Gen.  Ord  was  tall  and  slender, 
dark  complexion,  hair  and  eyes  black.  Spoke 
quickly,  moved  rapidly,  and  had  the  military 
appearance  of  a  regularly-trained  professional 
soldier.  Wore  his  hair  short,  whiskers  closely 
trimmed,  and  a  heavy  black  moustache.  He 
died  Jan.  22,  1883. 


AAGUSTUS  N.  ROLOFSON,  of  Pekin,  111.,  was 
born  at  Freemont  in  the  same  State. 
April  3,  1846.  With  his  parents  he  re 
moved  to  DeWitt  Co.,  where  he  was  engaged 
upon  the  farm  until  the  year  1860,  when  he  re 
turned  to  Tazewell  Co.  W7hen  17  years  of  age 
he  enlisted  for  the  army  in  Co.  E,  7th  111.  Inf., 
joining  his  Regt.  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  where  it 
was  almost  daily  engaged  in  marching  and 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy.  Nov.  I7th  and 
iQth,  it  scouted  to  and  beyond  Lawrenceburg, 
capturing  30  prisoners.  On  the  2 1st  it  moved 
towards  Corinth,  and  on  this  occasion  captured 
25  prisoners  and  then  returned  to  Pulaski.  In 
the  early  days  of  Dec.  it  went  on  a  scouting 
expedition  to  Shrieve  Creek  and  Florence, 
Ala.  Dec.  22d,  the  7th  re-enlisted  as  veterans 
and  started'for  111.,  to  receive  their  3O-day  fur 
lough.  The  Regt.  re-assembled  at  Pulaski  on 
Feb.  27,  1864,  where  the  men  were  mounted 
and  started  for  Florence,  Ala.,  90  miles  distant 
to  patrol  the  Tenn.  River,  and  watch  Forrest's 
command,  who  was  then  started  on  the  memor 
able  raid  upon  Paducah  and  Fort  Pillow.  The 
Regt.  was  engaged  at  Florence,  where  it  was 


obliged  to  retire,  having  been  attacked  by  in 
finitely  superior  numbers.  It  was  then  engag 
ed  in  patroling  the  Tenn.  River,  until  June  14, 
when  it  was  dismounted  and  proceeded  to 
Rome,  Ga.  It  then  guarded  the  railroad  from 
Dalton  to  Resaca  which  was  being  threatened 
by  the  Rebel  Cav.,  then  returned  to  Rome, 
where  it  went  into  camp.  Oct.  3,  1864,  the  4th 
Div.,  1 5th  A.  C.,  to  which  the  7th  was  attached 
commanded  by  Gen.  Corse,  was  ordered  to 
Allatoona,  Pass  to  assist  in  its  defence,  then 
threatened  by  Hood's  army.  The  3rd  Brig, 
consisting  of  the  7th,  5Oth,  and  57th  111.,  and 
39th  la.,  reached  the  Pass  on  the  morning  of 
Oct.  4.  The  railroad  being  destroyed  after  the 
passage  of  this  Brig.,  the  rest  of  the  Div.  failed 
to  reach  its  destination. 

Oct.  5th,  the  Pass  was  attacked  by  a  Rebel 
division  of  6,OOO  men.  Mr.  Rolofson's  Regt. 
did  gallant  and  fearful  work,  successfully  repel 
ling  four  separate  charges  made  by  the  desperate 
and  hungry  enemy,  and  its  torn  and  bleeding 
ranks  tol'd  at  what  a  fearful  cost.  Before  this 
assault  Co.  E  was  sent  out  to  occupy  the  skir 
mish  line,  and  whilst  there  the  attack  was 
commenced,  and,  being  pressed  sorely  on  all 
sides,  was  compelled  to  cut  its  way  through  the 
Rebel  ranks  in  order  to  rejoin  the  Regt.  Mr. 
Rolofson,  as  a  protection,  dodged  behind  a 
stump  where  a  Rebel  with  gun  in  hand  and  ten 
paces  distant  called  upon  him  to  surrender. 
Instead  of  doing  so,  however,  he  emptied  his 
gun  into  his  body  where  it  lay  until  the  next 
day.  Co.  E  sustained  more  losses  than  any 
other  engaged.  It  entered  the  conflict  with 
63  men,  of  whom  16  were  killed  and  21  severely 
wounded,  many  of  whom  died  from  their  in 
juries.  In  this  engagement  the  enemy  lost 
600  men  killed  besides  a  proportionate  number 
wounded.  Just  at  the  close  of  the  battle  Mr. 
Rolofson  and  his  chum  were  standing  near  each 
other  when  a  stray  Rebel  bullet  pierced  the 
latter's  neck  causing  his  death  that  same  night. 
He  was  buried  close  to  the  stump  which  had 
shielded  our  subject  at  an  earlier  part  of  the 
day.  Gen.  Sherman  afterwards,  in  speaking  of 
the  gallant  defense  made  by  this  brave  band, 
said,  "For  the  numbers  engaged,  they  stood 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


675 


upon  the  bloodiest  battle  field  ever  known 
upon  the  American  Continent."  The  Regt. 
was  subsequently  mounted,  some  on  mules, 
others  on  horses,  and  joined  Sherman  in  his 
march  to  the  sea.  The  7th  111.  always  occupied 
a  position  in  front  of  the  Div.  and  became 
known  as  Logan's  pets.  Skirmishes  were  of 
daily  occurence,  but  soon  the  Rebels  concluded 
it  was  dangerous  to  come  within  range  of  those 
gallant  leaders.  It  continued  with  Sherman's 
army  until  after  the  capture  of  Savannah,  then 
turned  northward,  participated  in  the  cam 
paign  through  the  Carolinas  and  took  part  in 
the  battles  of  Salkahatchie  Swamp,  Benton- 
ville  and  Columbia.  After  the  surrender  of 
Johnston  it  started  for  Richmond,  arriving  at 
Washington  and  took  part  in  the  grand  review, 
then  was  ordered  to  Louisville,  where  the  men 
were  mustered  out  July  gth,  and  set  out  for 
Springfield,  where  they  were  paid  off  and  dis 
charged.  Mr.  Rolofson  returned  to  Hopedale, 
111.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  until 
1873,  then  began  to  learn  the  telegraphing  busi 
ness,  at  which  he  continued  to  be  employed 
until  the  year,  1883,  when  his  failing  health 
compelled  him  to  resign.  Recovering  his 
health  he  was  similarly  employed  at  Gordon 
for  two  years,  then  removed  to  Pekin  and  en 
tered  the  employment  of  the  Big  Four  Rail 
road  as  Operator  and  Bill  Clerk,  which  he 
resigned  some  time  ago  to  enter  the  employ  of 
J.  and  G.  Hugett  as  Superintendent  of  their 
property  at  Pekin. 

He  was  married  in  1874  to  Sarah  E.  Myers, 
by  whom  he  has  four  boys,  namely:  Charles, 
Augustus,  Robert  and  Eddie.  He  is  a  Repub 
lican,  and  upon  that  ticke  twas  elected  Town 
Trustee.  He  is  a  Free  Mason,  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  as  also  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 


SAMUEL    MARSH,   of    Elgin,  111.,  enlisted  in 
the  Union  Army  for  the  War  of  the  Re 
bellion,  at  Batavia,  111.,  Aug.  I,  1861,  and 
was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  I,  42nd  111. 
Vol.  Inf.   This  Regt.  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Corinth,  Kene- 


saw  Mt.,  Dalton,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Atlanta; 
in  the  march  through  Mo.  in  1861;  at  the  bom 
bardment  of  Island  No.  10,  and  at  the  battle  of 
Lookout  Mt.     In  the  spring  of  1862  his  Regt. 
proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  and  then  to  Shiloh.and 
on    to   Corinth  ;    from    here    they   proceeded 
through  Atlanta,  after  which  they  repaired  to 
Chattanooga.     At  the  battle  of  Stone  River  he 
was  Wagon   Master,  and  was  repeatedly  fired 
upon  by  the  rebels.     As  the  wagon  train  was 
almost  surrounded  by  rebels,  and  to  avoid  be 
ing  captured,  he  was  ordered  back  to  Murfrees- 
boro  Pike.     While  awaiting  orders  he  rode  to 
ward   the   army  into  a  clump  of  bushes,  to  ob 
serve  the  movement  of  the  troops,  and,  while 
quietly  resting  on  his  horse,  he  heard  the  foot 
steps  of  horses  approaching  him,  whereupon  he 
put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  rode  back  within  a  few 
rods  of  reaching  the  wagon  train,  with  the  rebels 
in  hot   pursuit,  and,  coming  to  a  stream  about 
twelve  feet  wide  and  ten  feet  deep,  urged  for 
ward   his  horse,  which   responded,  clearing  it 
with  a   desperate  bound.     He  was  discharged 
Dec.  31, 1863,  at  Chickamauga,  and  immediately 
re-enlisted   the   same    day.     He   continued  as 
Wagon  Master,  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  An 
derson's  Cross  Roads,  Sequeschey  Valley,  Tenn., 
and,  after  being  marched  with  the  enemy  for 
two  days  and  nights,  was   paroled  in  the  Cum 
berland  Mts.     He  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Chatta 
nooga,  having  been  absent  about  three  weeks. 
Subsequently  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
long  and  memorable   Atlanta  campaign,  and, 
after  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  returned  to  Chattanoo 
ga,  where  he  was  transferred  to  the  1st  U.  S.  En 
gineer  Corps,  in  which   he  served  until  he  was 
finally  mustered   out,  Sept.  27,  1865,  at  Nash 
ville,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  paid  off,  and  imme 
diately  returned  home  to  111. 

Mr.  Marsh  was  born  in  Wyoming  Co.,  N.Y., 
April  11,  1836,  and  is  a  sjn  of  Oliver  and  Har 
riet  Marsh.  He  married  Elizabeth  R.  Elmore, 
at  St.  Charles,  111.,  March  23,  1864,  she  being 
the  daughter  of  Rev.  David  W.  and  Mary  El- 
more.  They  have  two  children — Eugene  S.  and 
Gracie.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  49,  G.A. 
R.,at  Elgin,  and  in  politics  is  a  staunch  Repub 
lican. 


6;6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


EM.  WHITZELL,  of  St.  Joseph,  Champaign 
Co.,  111.,  was  born  April   3Oth,   1832,  in 
•   Ohio,    a    son    of    Thomas     and    Effie 
(Drake)  Whitzell,  who  were  both  of  Pa.  Dutch 
ancestry,  they  having  been   among   the    early 
settlers  in  the  State  of  Ohio.     Our  subject  was 
brought  up    to  farm    life,  but  received  a  good 
education,  which  he  completed  at  the  Sandusky 
High  School,  qualifying  him  for  a  teacher.     In 
1857,  he  removed  to  111.,  settling   upon  a   farm 
near  St.   Joseph,   where   he  was   employed  in 
farming  during  the  summer  months,  and  teach 
ing  school  in  the  winter  season.     In  the    early 
days  of  the  late  Rebellion  he  concluded  to  as 
sist  the  Govt.  in    its  suppression,  therefore  en 
listed  in  the  army  June  28th,  1862,  as  Sergt.  of 
Co.  B,  5ist  111.  Vol.    Inf.     He  joined  his  Regt. 
at    Nashville,    where    he    continued    some    3 
months  on    provost    duty,  then    proceeded  to 
Murfreesboro, where  he  engaged  in  the  desper 
ately    fought  battle  of  Stone  River,  receiving 
therein  his  first  baptism  of  fire.     In  the  midst 
thereof  young  Whitzell  had  his  cartridge   box 
shot    off   by  a   grape  shot,   at   the  same  time 
knocking  him  down.     At  the  time  of  this  oc 
currence  his    Regt.  was    falling    back,    conse 
quently  was   passed  over  by  the  rebel  troops 
who  were  in  pursuit.     The  tables  however  were 
soon  turned,  and  the  Union  soldiers  forced  the 
enemy  back,  and  as  they  were  passing  over  the 
first  battle  ground,  Sergt.  Whitzell  showed  signs 
of  returning  consciousness.     His  injuries  were 
slight,   hence  he  was  soon  in   the  ranks  again. 
In  March,    1863,   with    his    Regt.,  he  went  by 
forced  marches  to  Spring  Hill  to  reinforce  the 
Union  troops   at  that  point,  but  soon  retraced 
their  steps  by  similar  marches  to  Murfreesboro. 
This  heavy  marching  and  exposure  completely 
prostrated  our  subject,  hence  he  was  sent  to  the 
hospital,  where  he  lay  for  3  weeks,  when  he  re 
joined  his  command  and  started  upon  that  long 
wearisome  tramp  toTullahoma.     This  however 
exhausted    his    strength;    he   was   taken    sick 
and  returned  to    Murfreesboro,  where  he  con 
tinued  some  2  months.    Recovering,  he  went  to 
Bridgeport,  where  he  remained  until  Sept.  I5th, 
when  he  moved    to    Rome,  Ga.,  and  thence  to 
the  Chickamauga  battle  field,  where  he  partici 


pated  in  the  first  day's  fight.  Sickness  again 
compelled  him  to  go  to  Bridgeport  for  a  time, 
and  from  thence  he  was  sent  to  a  hospital  at 
Nashville,  where  he  continued  until  June,  1864. 
Having  somewhat  improved,  he,  with  200  oth 
ers,  was  detailed  to  guard  a  drove  of  cattle  from 
Nashville  to  the  Chattahoochee  River,  and  on 
arrival  joined  his  Regt.  in  the  battle  of  Peach 
Tree  Creek.  He  next  participated  in  the  siege 
and  battles  of  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  and  Love- 
joy's  Station. 

He  rested  in  the  vicinity  of  Atlanta  for  about 
one  month,  then  moved  to  Chattanooga  and 
Athens,  in  pursuit  of  Hood,  whom  they  fol 
lowed  to  Spring  Hill,  where  was  fought  the  des 
perate  battle  of  that  name.  Hood  being  de 
feated,  Sergt.  Whitzell  joined  in  his  pursuit  to 
Franklin,  thence  to  Nashville,  at  both  of  which 
places  were  fought  two  of  the  most  hotly-con 
tested  and  deadly  struggles  of  the  late  war  ;  at 
the  latter  of  which  Hood's  forces  were  com 
pletely  cut  to  pieces  and  disastrously  defeated. 
After  pursuing  the  surviving  rebels  to  the  Tenn. 
River,  Sergt.  Whitzell  went  to  Decatur,  Ala., 
remained  there  until  March,  when  he  moved  to 
Ball's  Gap,  E.  Tenn.,  and  after  Lee's  surrender 
he  marched  to  Nashville,  where  he  was  mus 
tered  out,  July  16,  1865.  Of  his  53  comrades, 
who  entered  the  5ist  Regt.  from  St.  Joseph, 
only  1 1  remained  to  be  mustered  out,  all  the 
others  having  "fallen  by  the  way."  With  the 
exception  of  a  slight  wound,  caused  by  the 
bursting  of  a  shell  at  the  battle  of  Stone  River, 
Sergt.  Whitzell  passed  his  army  life  without 
any  serious  casualty,  but  much  broken  in  health, 
from  hard  marching,  exposure  and  hunger. 

Sergt.  Whitzell  returned  to  St.  Joseph, 
where  he  resumed  teaching  and  farming,  which 
he  continued  for  several  years,  but  for  the  past 
seven  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  lumber 
trade  at  St.  Joseph.  He  was  married  in  1866 
to  Mary  J.  Cross,  by  whom  he  had  5  children, 
4  of  whom  are  living — Effie,  Jennie  E.,  Mattie 
and  Thomas  Elmer.  Mr.  Whitzell  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  220,  at  St. 
Joseph,  of  which  he  was  for  3  years  its  Com 
mander  ;  two  terms  as  Quartermaster  and  is 
now  serving  his  2d  term  as  Adjutant. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


677 


RB.  HAYES  was  born  in  Delaware,  Ohio, 
Oct.  4,  1822,  graduated  from  Kenyon 
.  College  in  1842  and  the  Law  School  of 
Harvard  University  in  1845.  He  opened  a  law 
office  at  Fremont,  and  subsequently  moved  to 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  practiced  his  pro 
fession.  He  entered  the  military  service  of  the 
Union  army  in  June,  1861,  was  appointed  Major 
of  the  23rd  Ohio,  Rosecrans'  Regt.  and  served 
in  the  campaign  of  West  Va.  In  Oct.  he  was 
promoted  to  Lieut.  Colonel.  From  the  cam 
paign  in  Va.  his  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Washing 
ton,  arriving  there  Aug.  24.  1862.  A  few  days 
later,  he  was  with  McClellan's  forces,  after  the 
invading  enemy  in  Maryland.  He  was  in  the 
fight  of  South  Mt.  where  he  was  wounded, 
when  he  was  compelled  to  quit.  Nov.  15,1862, 
he  was  appointed  Colonel,  subsequently  he 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  first  Brigade  of 
the  Kanawha  divisions,  where  he  served  until 
Sept.,  1864,  when  he  succeeded  to  the  command 
of  the  division,  having  previously  been  brevet 
ed  Major  General.  In  the  summer  of  1863,  he 
was  in  pursuit  of  Morgan,  who  had  invaded 
Ohio.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  was  with  Gen. 
Crook  in  his  raid  on  the  Va.  and  Tenn.  railroad. 
He  participated  also  in  the  campaign  of  the 
Shenandoah  Valley.  After  the  battle  of  Cedar 
Creek  he  received  intelligence  that  he  had 
been  elected  by  the  Republicans  to  represent 
the  2Oth  District  of  Ohio  in  Congress.  He 
resigned  from  the  army  in  June,  1865,  and  in 
Dec.  he  took  his  seat  in  Congress.  In  1866  he 
was  re-elected,  but  resigned  to  accept  the  gub 
ernatorial  chair  in  1867,  to  which  he  had  been 
elected  in  1866.  He  was  re-elected  in  1869. 
In  1872,  he  ran  for  Congress  and  was  defeated. 
In  1875,  he  became  a  candidate  again  for  gov 
ernor  and  was  elected.  At  the  National  Con 
vention  which  convened  in  Cincinnati,  June  10, 
1876,  Mr. Hayes  was  brought  out  by  his  State  as 
a  candidate  for  the  Presidential  nomination,  and 
after  a  severe  and  protracted  contest  among  the 
leading  candidates,  he  was  chosen  as  a  compro 
mise  on  the  seventh  ballot.  The  election  was 
a  very  exciting  and  close  one,  the  electorial 
votes  of  the  States  of  South  Carolina,  Florida, 
Louisiana,  and  one  elector  from  Oregon  being 


claimed  by  both  parties.  To  settle  the  ques 
tion  as  to  which  of  the  candidates,  Hayes  or 
Tilden,  had  received  the  majority  of  the  elec 
toral  votes  cast,  a  commission  was  formed 
called  the  Presidential  Electoral  Commission, 
which  after  a  protracted  sitting  and  reviewing 
all  the  evidence  presented,  declared  that  Hayes 
had  received  the  majority  of  votes,  and  was 
duly  elected  President.  He  was  inaugurated 
March  4,  1877.  His  administration  was  une 
ventful,  and  marked  by  no  special  feature  that 
will  make  it  memorable  in  history. 


JOSEPH  CONN,  the  chief  cook  at  the  111.  S. 
and  S.  Home,  Quincy,  111., "was  born  in  the 
historic  city  of  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  June  17, 
1844,  the  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Walker) 
Conn.  His  father,  who  died  before  the  war, 
was  a  native  of  Alsace,  France,  and  his  mother 
was  born  in  the  old  Dominion  State.  When 
Joseph  was  but  a  child  his  parents  removed  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  where  he  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  and  learned  to  revere  the  grand 
old  flag  from  the  lips  of  his  teachers.  To  this 
fact  he  greatly  attributes  his  Union  sentiments, 
which  were  strong  indeed,  for  when  only  17 
years  of  age,  he  enlisted  on  the  gunboat  "Lex 
ington."  Here  he  served  as  a  powder  boy  for 
some  time,  but  was  soon  promoted  to  a  full 
fledged  seaman,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
for  three  years  and  3  months.  He  participated 
in  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Henry,  Shiloh, 
Island  No.  10,  Vicksburg,  Arkansas  Post,  and 
in  the  taking  of  Fort  St.  Charles.  Was  actively 
engaged  in  the  expeditions  up  the  Red  River 
under  General  Banks,  and  up  the  Yazoo  River 
to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg.  While  on  the  Red 
River  expedition  the  "Lexington,"  a  wooden 
vessel,  was  struck  63  times,  and  while  they  were 
up,  the  water  receded  so  much  that  it  became 
necessary  to  dam  the  river  in  order  to  float  the 
heavy  draught  vessels,  the  "Lexington"  being 
the  first  to  pass  over  the  dam.  Relative  to  the 
capture  of  Fort  Henry,  comrade  Conn  feels 
disposed  to  contradict  the  historic  statement 
that  General  Grant  took  the  place.  He  says 


6;8 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


that  Commodore  Foote  had  taken  the  fort  be 
fore  any  portion  of  Grant's  army  reached  there. 
Also  that  the  navy  on  two  other  occasions 
saved  Grant's  army  either  from  disastrous  de 
feat  or  capture.  At  Belmont  the  army  under 
Grant  was  completely  surprised  and  retreated 
to  the  river  bank,  and  must  needs  have  been  an 
nihilated  but  for  the  timely  aid  of  the  gun 
boats.  At  Shiloh,  he  says,  Gen.  Grant  was  ten 
miles  below  the  scene  of  the  battle,  and  was 
brought  up  on  the  little  transport  "Rob  Roy." 
His  army  was  again  surprised  and  com 
pletely  defeated  in  the  first  day's  battle,  and 
but  for  the  arrival  of  the  squadron  must  have 
suffered  an  ignominious  defeat.  When  Com 
modore  Foote  was  succeeded  by  Admiral  Por 
ter,  the  "Lexington"  still  remained  \vith  squad 
ron.  During  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  we 
frequently  found  our  soldier  boy  on  the  peril 
ous  voyages  when  men  were  detailed  from  the 
gun  boats  to  man  the  mortar-boats,  which  were 
fitted  out  with  heavy  mortar  guns  and  ammuni 
tion,  and  were  floated  up  under  the  bank  of  the 
river  where  they  continued  throwing  shells 
into  the  besieged  city.  The  Iron  clad  Cincin 
nati  was  sunk  near  the  shore,  and  afterwards 
details  from  the  other  gunboats  were  sent  down 
there  nights  to  stand  guard  to  prevent  the 
rebels  boarding  her  and  spiking  her  guns. 
Not  only  was  this  a  most  perilous  task,  but 
frequently  in  passing  up  and  down,  comrade 
Conn  and  his  comrades  had  to  go  in  small  boats 
right  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  guns,  both 
large  and  small,  and  remove  the  torpedoes 
planted  in  the  stream  to  blow  up  the  recreant 
gunboats.  At  Arkansas  Post  the  commandant 
refused  to  surrender  to  the  army.  They  said 
there  were  not  enough  Yankees  to  capture  the 
fort,  but  said  they  could  not  withstand  the 
naval  attack,  and  so  surrendered  to  the  navy. 
One  particularly  sad  experience  of  our  subject 
is  the  fact  that  he  left  his  mother  on  his  enlist 
ment,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  has  never 
heard  from  her  since,  though  he  has  made 
every  effort  possible.  No  tidings  whether  she 
is  living  or  dead,  has  ever  reached  him.  Mr. 
Conn  is  a  Cook  by  trade,  and  after  his  dis 
charge  from  service,  in  Sept.,  1864,  he  traveled 


extensively  through  the  South  on  a  double 
mission — seeking  employment  and  seeking 
tidings  of  his  missing  mother,  the  only  near 
relative  he  had  in  the  world,  and  she  was  lost 
to  him  forever.  The  tragic  scenes  of  the  war 
still  linger  in  the  memory  of  comrade  Conn, 
and  he  says  he  cannot  grasp  the  hand  of  an 
ex-confederate  without  thinking,  "We  were 
deadly  enemies." 

Mr.  Conn  was  married  in  Chicago  to  Nellie 
O'Brien,  who  bore  him  one  child,  which  died 
in  infancy.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
and  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Foresters,  a 
benevolent  association.  He  came  to  the  I.  S. 
and  S.  H.  as  cook  June,  17,  1891.  He  has  a 
good  position  with  a  good  salary,  and  is  a  true 
soldier  and  a  good  citizen. 


EDWIN  V.  SUMNKK  was  born  in  Mass.,  Jan., 
1796.  He  was  educated  at  the  West 
Point  Military  Academy,  graduating  in 
1815.  He  entered  service  immediately  with  the 
rank  of  3d  Lieut.,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  in 
the  Infantry  Regt.  In  1826  he  was  promoted 
to  ist  Lieut.,  Captain  in  1833,  and  Major  in 
1840.  He  served  in  the  Mexican  war  with 
marked  military  skill  and  bravery.  He  led  the 
charge  at  Cerro  Gordo,  where  he  was  severely 
wounded,  and  where  for  gallant  conduct  he  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieut.  Col.  At  the 
battle  of  Molino  del  Rey  he  commanded  the 
cavalry,  which  he  made  very  effective  against 
the  enemy,  and  for  which  he  received  the  brevet 
of  Colonel.  In  1851  he  was  appointed  Gover 
nor  of  New  Mexico,  which  he  held  until  1853. 
During  the  troubles  in  the  Territory  of  Kan., 
in  1856,  he  was  sent  out  in  command  of  the 
cavalry,  troops,  to  protect  the  citizens  in  that 
land  of  rapine  and  murder.  By  judicious  man 
agement  of  all  the  conflicting  and  turbulent 
elements,  he  avoided  a  collision,  and  finally 
succeeded  in  suppressing  the  disturbances  and 
restoring  order.  For  able  discharge  of  his  duties 
there  he  won  the  approbation  of  all  law-abiding 
citizens  of  the  country.  He  remained  in  the 
West  until  about  the  time  of  the  inauguration 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


679 


of  Abraham  Lincoln,  when  he  was  appointed 
one  of  the  military  escorts  to  conduct  the 
President-elect  from  Springfield  to  Washington. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  he  was 
made  a  Brig.  Gen.,  serving  first  under  Gen.  Mc 
Dowell.  He  commanded  the  ist  Corps  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  the  Virginia  campaign 
of  1862,  and  was  twice  wounded.  July  11,  1862, 
he  was  appointed  Maj.  Gen.  of  Volunteers,  and 
placed  in  command  of  the  2d  Corps.  He  was 
with  Burnside  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg, 
was  inaugurated  Dec.  13,  and  where,  after  a 
successful  attack,  the  Union  troops  withdrew 
across  the  Rappahannock.  June  25,  1863,  he 
made  a  request  to  be  relieved  from  his  Eastern 
command,  which  was  granted,  and  he  was  as 
signed  to  the  Department  of  Mo.  Before 
reaching  his  command  he  was  taken  ill  and  died 
at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  March  21,  1863,  having  been 
in  the  service  of  his  country  nearly  half  a 
century. 

Though  not  so  brilliant  as  some  of  the  gen 
erals  that  were  in  the  late  Rebellion,  yet  he 
could  always  be  relied  on  for  his  devotion  to 
the  flag,  and  for  the  fruitful  and  able  discharge 
of  all  military  duties  imposed  upon  him. 


OUR  present  subject,  John  H.  Bristol,  of 
Peoria,  111.,  was  born  in  the  County  in 
which  he  now  resides,  Feb.  17,  1846. 
With  his  parents,  Morton  and  Elizabeth  (Mar 
tin).  Bristol,  he  removed  to  Henry  Co.,  111.,  in 
the  year  1854.  His  father's  people  immigrated 
from  England  in  the  early  days  of  the  last 
century.  His  father  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
late  war  in  the  2nd  Col.  Cav.  for  a  period  of 
four  years,  and  died  shortly  after  its  close,  leav 
ing  a  wife  and  six  children  surviving,  of  whom 
our  subject  was  the  eldest  child.  He  was 
brought  up  upon  the  farm  in  Henry  Co.,  and  in 
1865  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  gth  111.  Cav.,  joining 
his  Regt.  at  Eastport,  Miss.,  where  Forrest  sur 
rendered  his  army.  In  May  he  was  sent  to 
Ala.  and  kept  on  provost  duty  all  summer. 
Later,  his  Regt.  started  upon  the  march,  visited 
Corinth,  luka,  Decatur,  Selma  and  Demopolis, 
Ala. 


From  the  time  he  joined  the  army  up  to  his 
discharge,  he  had  marched  upwards  of  3,000 
miles,  and  had  many  skirmishes  with  the  enemy. 
On  several  occasions  he  was  detailed  for  special 
service  in  the  capture  of  rebels,  and  on  one  of 
those  expeditions  his  position  was  both  danger 
ous  and  exciting.  With  others  of  the  command 
he  was  sent  to  capture  fifteen  rebels  who  were 
intrenched  behind  cotton  bales  and  refused  to 
surrender.  Fire  was  opened  upon  both  sides, 
but  seeing  resistance  was  useless,  the  rebels 
surrendered.  At  another  time  Mr.  Bristol  was 
detailed  in  charge  of  two  men  to  go  to  Utah, 
about  35  miles  distant,  where  he  remained  about 
three  weeks.  Returning  to  Gainsville,  he  found 
the  Regt.  gone,  thereupon  he  returned  for  his 
men  and  reported  to  the  Provost  Marshal  at 
Livingston.  Whilst  at  Utah  he  was  in  charge 
of  $100,000  worth  of  cotton,  which  he  might 
have  sold  and  put  the  money  in  his  pocket,  but 
this  he  refrained  from  doing. 

He  was  mustered  out  at  Selma,  Oct.  27,  1865, 
then  returned  to  Springfield,  where  he  was  dis 
charged,  and  set  out  for  home. 

In  1868,  he  married  Sarah  J.  Cady,  of  Mun- 
son,  Henry  Co.,  then  settled  upon  a  farm  near 
Geneseo,  where  he  lived  until  1882,  when  he 
rented  his  farm  and  moved  to  Peoria  in  order 
that  his  children  might  obtain  the  benefits  of  a 
good  education.  He  had  learned  the  carpenter 
trade  in  his  young  days,  and  this  he  follows  in 
Peoria.  In  1888  he  built  a  comfortable  home 
at  the  foot  of  the  bluff,  on  Saratoga  and  7th 
Sts.,  where  he  now  lives  with*  his  family.  He 
has  four  children,  Ralph  W.,  John  W.,  Charles 
M.,  and  Lyman  T. 

Mr.  Bristol  takes  an  active  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  working  men,  and  has  filled,  for  some 
time,  the  position  of  Secretary  of  the  Carpen 
ter's  Union,  No.  245,.  of  Peoria.  He  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics . 


D 


W. 


R.    GEORGE    W.    THOMPSON,    D.    D.   S., 
Quincy,  111.,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in 
Athens  Co.,  Oct.   14,  1842,  son  of  John 
and    Nancy  A  (Sheilds)  Thompson.     The 


68o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


family  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  The  father 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  to  whom  two  sons 
and  four  daughters  were  born,  and  of  whom 
our  subject  was  the  eldest  son  and  fourth 
child.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm  and 
in  attendance  at  the  district  school,  coming 
to  Quincy  when  the  country  was  new,  he 
entered  Quincy  College  prior  to  the  war,  and 
afterwards  taught  school  in  Hancock  Co., 
111.,  during  the  winter  of  1860-1.  On  the 
5th  of  August  he  volunteered  his  service  to  his 
country  and  became  a  member  of  Co.  G,  Sgth 
Vol.  Inf.,  having  enlisted  in  a  Camp  Point 
company,  being  appointed  a  Corporal.  He  was 
mustered  into  the  service  at  Quincy,  where  the 
regiment  remained  and  drilled  until  late  in 
Sept.,  then  went  to  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  and 
from  there  to  Ky.,  and  guarded  the  Louisville 
and  Nashville  Ry.,  during  the  winter  of  1862-3. 
In  Feb.  following,  the  regiment  embarked  on 
transport  at  Louisville  and  went  to  Nashville, 
where  it  was  assigned  to  the  2nd  Brig.,  3rd 
Div.,  1 4th  A.  C.,  entering  field  service  under 
command  of  Gen.  Jeff  C.  Davis.  The  Regt- 
took  an  active  part  in  all  the  principal  battles 
in  which  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  was 
engaged.  Our  subject  accompanied  his  Regt. 
as  far  as  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  and  here  he  was  re 
turned  to  Nashville  and  assigned  to  detached 
duty,  in  consequence  of  poor  health.  At  Nash 
ville  he  had  charge  of  the  Commissary  Depart 
ment,  remaining  there  until  the  end  of  the  war, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  at  that  place,  June 
30.  1865. 

He  returned  to  Quincy  and  spent  a  portion 
of  the  first  year  recuperating  his  health  and  as 
sisting  on  his  father's  farm.  Following  this,  he 
received  the  appointment  of  Assistant  P.  M.,at 
Hannibal,  Mo.,  where  he  remained  about  four 
years.  Leaving  the  P.  O.  he  began  the  study 
of  dentistry, 'continued  his  studies  three  years; 
he  went  to  Chicago  in  1873  where  he  remained 
about  a  year,  going  from  there  to  Barry,  111., 
where  h*  practiced  eight  years,  and  in  1882 
removed  to  Quincy.  There  he  has  a  fine  suite 
of  rooms  and  an  excellent  practice  in  his  chosen 
profession.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  unassuming 
manners,  having  the  confidence  and  esteem  of 


all  who  know  him,  both   in  a  professional   and 
social  sense. 

On  Sept.  6th,  1871,  he  was  united  in  mar 
riage  with  Belle  Edminster,  a  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Minerva  (Clark)  Edminster,  of 
Hamilton,  Mo.  She  received  her  education  in 
Grand  Rapids,  Wis.,  and  is  an  acomplished  and 
educated  lady.  To  this  union  six  children  have 
been  born,  only  two  of  whom  are  living. 
Rollie,  the  eldest  of  the  living  children  is  now 
15  years  of  age,  a  bright  and  intelligent  lad 
now  attending  school.  Carrie  is  the  pride  of 
affectionate  and  loving  parents,  and  attends 
the  city  schools.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  are 
worthy  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  The 
Dr.  is  a  member  of  the  A.  U.  O.  W.  and  M.  W. 
of  A.,  beneficial  or  insurance  orders,  and  of 
John  Wood  Post,  No.  96,  G.  A.  R.  He  has 
represented  both  the  former  orders  in  their 
respective  Grand  Lodges.  He  is  also  a  mem 
ber  of  the  I.  O.  C).  E.  and  is  now  the  second 
officer  in  his  lodge,  in  which  he  has  also  served 
two  terms  as  Treasurer.  Politically  the  Doctor  is 
a  Democrat,  although  he  cast  his  first  Presiden 
tial  vote  for  General  Grant,  not  having  pre 
viously  taken  sufficient  interest  in  politics  to 
attend  the  elections. 


JAMES  HOOK  SANDS,  of  Tolono,  111.,  was  born 
at  Green  Castle,  Ind.,  July23,  1835.  and  was 
asonof  Col.  Louis  H.  and  Julia  M.  ( Lucas) 
Sands.  His  father,  Col. Sands,  was  a  representa 
tive  of  an  old  Me.  family,  which  he  was  able  to 
trace  back  to  a  period  anterior  to  the  Revolu 
tionary  war.  The  father,  many  years  ago,  moved 
to  Ky.,  and  soon  after  to  Ind.,  where  he  con 
ducted  a  trading  business  on  the  Indian  front 
ier,  now  the  site  of  the  town  of  Green  Castle. 
His  customers  were  principally  the  Indians, 
and  also  the  few  white  settlers  who  had  jmi- 
grated  to  that  lonely  region  about  the  same 
time  as  himself.  He  was  soon  after  appointed 
by  the  Govt.  as  Indian  agent  and  subsequently 
assisted  it  in  removing  the  Indians  from  Ind., 
to  their  new  reservation  on  the  banks  of  the 
Miss.  Being  a  well  educated  and  representa- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


68 1 


tive  business  man,  he  was  in  1834,  elected  to 
the  Legislature,  of  his  adopted  State,  and  be 
came  a  close  and  intimate  friend  of  Gen.  Lew. 
Wallace  and  Col.  Dick  Thompson.  At  the 
outbreak  of  the  late  civil  war,  Col.  Sands  was 
called  to  Indianopolis  by  Gov.  Morton,  and 
commissioned  to  enlist  and  drill  soldiers  for 
service  at  the  front.  He  had  only  been  en 
gaged  in  this  laudable  undertaking  for  a  few 
days,  when  he  wras  smitten  with  a  deadly  sick 
ness,  cutting  short  a  useful  and  prominent  life, 
on  May  6,  1861.  His  brother,  Benj.  F.  Sands, 
was  a  commodore  in  the  U.  S.  Navy,  and  did 
splendid  service  for  his  country  throughout  the 
war,  having  subsequently  been  commissioned 
as  Admiral,  remaining  in  active  service  until 
1885,  when  he  was  retired  upon  half  pay,  and 
died  in  1888.  His  son  James  H.  followed  in 
the  footsteps  of  his  father,  and  is  now  com 
mander  of  the  U.  S.  war  ship  Monongahelaand 
is  a  son-in-law  of  Commodore  Meatle,  also  of 
theU.  S.  Navy,  who  wasa  brother  of  the  late  Gen. 
Geo.  G.  Meade  and  father  of  Capt.  Richard 
Meade,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy.  George  H.  Sands, 
another  son  of  Admiral  Sands,  is  a  Lieut,  in  the 
6th  U.  S.  Cav.  regiment.  The  wife  of  Admiral 
Sands  is  a  sister  of  Gen.  Wm.  H.  French,  who 
commanded  a  Div.  in  the  Rebellion.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  a  daughter  of  Maj. 
Joshua  Lucas,  a  woman  of  liberal  education 
and  a  typical  American  patriot.  After  the 
death  of  her  husband,  she  did  much  to  assist  in 
the  Union  cause;  threw  the  doors  of  her  beau 
tiful  home  open  to  the  sick  and  wounded  sol 
diers,  many  of  whom  received  a  motherly  care 
by  her  sympathetic  hands.  This  noble  woman 
after  a  useful  and  exemplary  life  passed  peace 
fully  away  at  Neosha,  Mo.,  in  1875.  Although 
Col.  Sands  was  compelled  to  lay  down  his 
weapons,  he  left  behind  him  four  brave  and 
courageous  sons,  each  of  whom  efficiently  sus 
tained  the  family  name  and  reputation.  Lloyd 
A.  served  in  a  Cal.  Regt.  during  the  war;  Henry 
also  served  as  a  private  for  3  years  in  the  43d 
Ind.,  then  re-enlisted  in  the  6th  Ind.  Cav., 
serving  until  the  close  of  the  war;  William 
served  in  Co.  C,  6th  Ind.  Cav.,  and  was  wounded 
in  the  Stoneman  raid  near  Macon,  Ga. 


Capt.  Sands,  our  subject,  at  the  age  of  13 
received  an  appointment  as  midshipman  in  the 
U.  S.  Navy,  went  before  the  examining  board 
at  Annapolis,  Md.,  for  examination,  when,  after 
a  rigid  examination  an  enlargement  of  one  of 
the  blood  vessels  in  the  left  leg  was  discov 
ered,  and  after  a  long  debate  by  the  members 
of  the  board,  he  was  finally  rejected.  This  was 
the  greatest  disappointment  in  Capt.  Sands' 
life.  Disconsolate  he  returned  home,  helped 
his  father  in  his  store  and  prosecuted  his  studies 
at  Asbury  University,  Green  Castle. 

On  June  2Oth,  1862,  he  entered  the  ranks  of 
the  Army  as  a  private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Ind.  Cav., 
and  promotions  came  thick  and  fast,  until  he 
became  Capt.  of  his  Co.  This  Co.  was  com 
posed  of  splendid  material  and  embraced  such 
honorable  names  as  Col.  C.  C.  Mattson,  who 
subsequently  was  a  candidate  for  Gov.  of  Ind. 
It  rendezvoused  at  camp  Dick  Thompson  and 
was  then  sent  to  the  front,  encountering  the 
enemy  for  the  first  time  at  Richmond,  Ky. 
After  a  fierce  struggle,  he  with  his  Regt.  was 
taken  prisoner,  by  Gen.  Kirby  Smith,  but  was 
immediately  paroled  and  returned  to  Indian 
apolis,  where  the  men  were  soon  exchanged 
and  the  Regt.  again  took  the  field.  He  joined 
in  the  campaign  through  East  Tenn.,  and  at  the 
siege  of-  Knoxville,  where  he  was  upon  detached 
duty.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  led  his  com 
pany  throughout  the  Atlanta  campaign  and 
participated  in  all  the  battles  of  that  bloody 
yet  successful  military  expedition.  After  the 
fall  of  Atlanta  he  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  Gen. 
Hood's  forces,  and  subsequently  he  was  in  the 
action  at  Muldroy's  Hill,  Ky.,  where  he  was 
again  taken  prisoner  by  the  Rebel,  John  Mor 
gan,  together  with  many  others  of  his  regiment. 
As  he  was  ranking  officer  at  the  time  of  his 
capture,  the  Rebel  leader  came  to  his  tent  door 
and  asked  for  the  officer  in  command,  when 
Capt.  Sands  intimated  that  he  was  in  command. 
Morgan  then  said  that  his  supplies  were  in  the 
rear  and  if  the  Capt.  had  no  objections  he 
would  take  supper  in  his  tent.  As  our  subject 
was  a  prisoner  no  other  course  was  open,  even 
if  he  had  felt  adversely  disposed,  but  to  con 
sent.  The  two  commanders  sat  down  and  par- 


682 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS, 


took  of  their  evening  meal  together.  Soon 
after  this  he  was  paroled  and  exchanged  and 
again  joined  his  command  in  the  pursuit  of 
Hood  and  participated  in  the  terrible  battle  of 
Nashville,  which  occurred  on  Dec.  15  and  i6th, 
1864,  it  being  the  last  heavy  battle  he  took  part 
in.  He  was  also  actively  engaged  at  Pulaski, 
Tenn.,  where  he  continued  to  be  employed 
until  June  20th,  1865,  when  he  was  mustered 
out  of  the  Vol.  service. 

In  the  following  Sept.  he  received  a  com 
mission  as  Lieut,  in  the  6th  U.  S.  Cav.,  and  was 
assigned  to  duty  in  the  department  of  Texas. 
Being  placed  in  command  of  a  post  in  East 
Texas,  he  established  authority  in  that  locality, 
as  also  at  a  post  at  Pilot  Grove,  for  the  purpose 
of  capturing  the  noted  outlaw,  Bob  Lee,  who, 
with  a  band  of  raiders,  was  keeping  that  sec 
tion  of  the  country  in  constant  terror  and  ex 
citement.  This  desperado  was  finally  killed  by 
Capt.  Sand's  men.  At  Sulphur  Springs,  Capt. 
Tolman  was  left  in  command  of  the  Post  with 
his  Co.  Capt.  Sands  being  60  miles  distant  re 
ceived  news  that  Tolman  was  being  besieged 
by  some  200  desperadoes,  and  without  a 
moment's  delay  he  set  out  in  the  evening  for 
the  former's  relief.  Galloping  across  the  country 
he  reached  his  destination  early  in  the  morning, 
just  in  time  to  save  the  lives  of  Capt.  Tolman 
and  his  little  band.  Shortly  after  this  he  was 
assigned  to  Waco,  Texas,  and  appointed  dis 
bursing  quartermaster,  under  Col.  John  John 
son,  who  was  authori/ed  to  offer  a  reward  of 
Si.ooo  for  the  head  of  the  outlaw  Bigerstaff. 
Later  on,  he  was  in  the  northwestern  part  of 
Texas,  keeping  the  then  hostile  Indians  in  sub 
jection.  Whilst  there,  the  town  marshal  sought 
his  assistance  in  the  arrest  of  some  outlaws. 
He  and  five  of  his  men  mounted  and  started  in 
pursuit  of  the  two  men  who  were  wanted.  His 
men  preceded  him,  and  before  knowing  it,  the 
two  outlaws  had  fired  upon  them,  wounding 
two  of  his  men.  Capt.  Sands  ordered  his  men 
to  charge  among  the  timber,  where  the  fugitives 
were  concealed,  and  after  some  sharp  firing  the 
two  men  fell  dead,  pierced  by  Capt.  Sands'  bul 
lets.  That  portion  of  the  country  contained 
many  desperate  characters,  and  all  the  settlers 


were  opposed  to  military  rule.  They  summoned 
a  grand  jury,  who,  without  the  testimony  of 
Capt.  Sands,  or  any  of  his  men,  and  in  fact  with 
out  his  knowledge,  found  he  and  his  men  guilt)7 
of  murder.  Col.  .Johnson,  however,  received 
instructions  to  suppress  all  civil  proceedings 
and  establish  martial  law.  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  the  Government  exonerated  Capt.  Sands 
and  his  men  from  all  wrongdoing,  at  the  same 
time  commending  them  for  their  gallant  and 
heroic  conduct.  In  1871,  he  was  ordered  to  the 
plains  of  Kansas  and  stationed  at  Fort  Hayes, 
where  three  years  later  he  was  appointed  Adj. 
of  the  6th  Cav.,  and  from  187 1  until  1879,  was 
in  the  department  of  Arizona. 

Having  served  his  country  long  and  faith 
fully,  and  being  a  great  sufferer  by  reason  of 
the  hardships  endured,  without  the  physical 
powers  longer  to  continue  therein,  he  asked  to 
be  relieved,  which  request  was  granted,  at  the 
same  time  he  was  placed  upon  the  retired  list 
with  a  pension  of  $140  per  month  for  life.  Thus 
it  can  be  seen  that  the  brave  Col.  Sands  left 
behind  him  a  brother,  son,  grandsons,  who  have 
built  a  monument  to  the  name  of  Sands  that 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten  and  that  time  will 
not  destroy.  Since  the  Capt.'s  retirement  he 
has  resided  in  Tolono,  111.,  where  he  had  pre 
viously  made  many  investments,  and  where  his 
daughter  was  being  educated.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R..  Post  No.  334,  of  which  he  has 
been  commander;  he  is  also  Aid-de-Camp  on 
the  staff  of  Department  Commander  Horace  S. 
Clark.  In  politics  is  a  Republican. 

Capt.  Sands  was  married  June  20th,  1861,  to 
Sibel  R.  Gillmore,  who  is  of  old  Virginian 
ancestry^  and  whose  family  for  many  genera 
tions  have  been  prominent  in  the  social,  politi 
cal  and  military  history  of  the  country.  Mrs. 
Sands  is  a  lady  of  education  and  refinement, 
and  presides  with  becoming  grace  and  womanly 
affection  over  the  household  of  Capt.  Sands, 
within  which  there  is  every  indication  of  abso 
lute  harmony  and  much  felicity. 

Capt.  Sands  has  four  children — Nina,  the 
eldest,  is  a  young  lady  who  has  finished  her 
education;  Frank  G.,  a  bright  and  promising 
young  man,  holding  a  responsible  government 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


683 


position;  Alice,  and  Lloyd.  Capt.  Sands  has 
by  his  good  business  methods  succeeded  in 
accumulating  a  modest  fortune,  and  now  holds 
an  enviable  position  among  the  society  of  his 
adopted  home. 


WE  FIND  among  the  prominent  enter 
prising  and  successful  business  men 
of  Quincy,  111.,  GEO.  W.  WARD,  a  most 
respected  resident  and  native  of  that  city.  He 
was  born  in  Fanquier  Co.,  Va.,  April  19,  1829, 
and  owes  his  parentage  to  Thomas  and  Maria 
(Whittaker)  Ward,  the  former  born  in  about 
1796,  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  the  latter 
in  1802  in  Virginia.  The  father  was  of  English 
ancestry,  whilst  the  mother  was  a  true  repre 
sentative  of  that  gem  of  the  British  Isles 
known  among  Irishmen  as  "Erin."  There  was 
in  his  parents'  family  besides  our  subject,  the 
following  brothers  and  sisters:  Jane,  Thos.  W., 
Mary  Elizabeth.  Jas.  E.,  Lewis  Bushrod  and 
Anna  Maria.  The  father  died  Jan.  1st,  1861, 
and  the  mother  in  Quincy,  111.,  in  1878.  Lewis 
Bushrod  our  subject's  brother,  served  in  the 
late  war  in  Co.  C.  loth  111.,  from  Aug.,  1861, 
until  the  close  of  the  Rebellion.  He  was  dis 
charged  July  4th,  1863. 

Immediately  after  the  issuing  of  President 
Lincoln's  proclamation  calling  for  75,000  troops, 
young  Ward,  inspired  by  a  feeling  of  patriot 
ism,  determined  to  respond  to  his  country's 
call  and  assist  in  suppressing  a  rebellion  which 
at  one  time  threatened  the  autonomy  of  this 
Republic.  He  therefore,  on  the  20th  of  April, 
1861,  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  Army, 
and  became  a  member  of  Co.  D,  loth  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  with  Jas.  D.  Morgan  as  Col.  of  the  Regt., 
at  Cairo,  111.  He  started  with  his  regiment  for 
the  scene  of  active  operations.  He  assisted  in 
capturing  the  steamboat  Hillman,  on  the  Miss. 
river,  which  was  laden  with  supplies  intended 
for  the  rebels.  His  enlistment  was  for  a  term 
of  three  months,  and  about  the  time  it  expired 
met  with  an  accident  resulting  in  a  physical 
disability  and  unfitting  him  for  further  service 
in  the  army.  Hence  he  was  necessarily  mus 


tered  out  at  Cairo,  111.,  July  2Oth,  1861.  Upon 
being  discharged,  Mr.  Ward  returned  to  his 
home  at  Quincy,  where  he  has  since  resided, 
having,  when  quite  a  child,  removed  to  that 
city,  with  his  parents,  and  of  which  town  he  has 
been  a  resident  for  56  years.  In  early  life,  Mr. 
Ward  learned  the  plastering  business,  which  he 
has  followed,  and  in  which  calling  he  has 
achieved  financial  success,  thus  testifying 
to  his  energy,  business  ability  and  general  fair 
dealing.  He  was  married  May  23,  1855,  at 
Warsaw,  111.,  to  A.  S.  Wilson,  a  daughter  of 
Valentine  and  Adeline  S.  Wilson.  Her  father 
was  of  Scotch  descent  and  her  mother  of 
English,  the  latter  living  to  the  extraordinary 
old  age  of  91  years.  Among  the  fruits  of  Mr. 
Wards' marriage  has  been  two  children — Lizzie 
Bella,  and  Thaddeus  W.,  the  former  of  whom 
was  snatched  from  the  loving  embrace  of  her 
parents,  and  whose  spirit  has  gone  to  swell  the 
ever  increasing  multitude  of'  those  who  have 
crossed  the  vale,  and  who  are  happily  freed 
from  further  suffering  and  sorrow  of  this  life. 
Thaddeus  W.  is  a  resident  of  Quincy  and 
engaged  in  the  news  and  stationery  business. 

Mr.  Ward  has  never  identified  himself  or 
become  a  member  of  any  secret  organization, 
and  in  matters  of  politics  he  maintains  a  like 
position,  never  having  allied  himself  with  any 
party,  but  votes  as  occasion  demands,  inde 
pendently,  as  his  fancy  and  conscience  dictates. 
He  is  a  true  representative  of  our  American 
manhood,  honest  and  straightforward  in  his 
dealings,  living  with  becoming  respect  to  his 
comfortable  surroundings  and  always  at  peace 
with  his  countrymen  and  acquaintances. 


EDWARD   M.  WILCOX,  the   subject   of    this 
sketch,  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and 
a  resident  of  Rock  Island,  111.,  was  born 
June  28,  1839,  at  Postville,  Cattaraugus  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  a  son  of  Edward  and    Christiana    (Boyer) 
Wilcox.     His   mother   was  born   Oct.    I,    1813, 
was  of  German  descent,  and  at  present  is  living 
with  her   daughter,    Mrs.    Ira  .Peek,   of    Rock 
Island.      The  Wilcox    family    in   this  country 


684 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


traces  their  origin  back  to  Randolph  Wilcox, 
who  was  born  on  the  Island  of  Santa  Cruz,  and 
among  whose  descendants  we  find  sea  captains, 
generals  in  the  late  rebellion,  noted  politicians, 
professors  of  colleges  and  physicians.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  born  at  Philadelphia, 
May  20,  1800.  He  enlisted  in  the  regular  army 
when  not  19  years  old,  being  discharged  after 
ten  years  of  service.  Subsequently  he  estab 
lished  himself  as  a  merchant  tailor,  which  call 
ing  he  followed  successfully  both  at  Hinsdale, 
N.  Y.,  and  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio.  At  the  latter 
place  the  Hon.  William  Windom,  late  Secretary 
of  Treasury,  was  in  his  employ  up  to  the  time 
he  took  up  the  study  cf  law.  Mr.  Wilcox  was 
a  member  of  the  old-line  Whig  party,  taking 
very  active  interest  in  politics  and  being  an 
orator  of  some  repute.  When  the  news  of  se 
cession  came,  his  patriotic  blood  rose  high,  and 
notwithstanding  he  was 62  years  old,  he  enlisted 
in  the  great  arm}',  serving  in  the  I25th  Ohio 
Inf.,  taking  active  part  in  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign,  during  which  he  contracted  the  disease 
of  chronic  diarrhoea,  from  the  effects  of  which 
he  died,  May  20,  1863,  while  still  in  the  service 
of  his  country.  Such  a  patriotic  father  would 
naturally  beget  a  patriotic  offspring.  Thus  it 
was  that  George  L.  and  Jonathan  J.  D.,  brothers 
of  our  subject,  both  enlisted.  The  former 
faithfully  served  three  years  by  the  side  of  Ed 
ward,  and  was  wounded  at  Gettysburg.  The 
latter  served  in  the  45th  Ohio,  and  died  from 
the  effects  of  a  wound  received  in  the  war. 
Edward,  our  subject,  was  the  second  of  a  fam 
ily  of  eleven  children.  When  7  years  old  he 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio. 
There  he  attended  school — a  schoolmate  of  the 
Hon.  Frank  Hurd,  Hon.  W.  F.  Sapp,  and  other 
noted  men.  W7hen  the  bombardment  of  Fort 
Sumter  threatened  the  destruction  of  the  stars 
and  stripes,"  we  find  Mr.  Wilcox  clerking  in  a 
clothing  store  at  Lima,  Ohio.  Forward  he  went 
in  response  to  the  very  first  call,  and  enlisted 
April  18,  1861,  at  Mount  Vernon,  Ohio,  Co.  B, 
Capt.  H.  B.  Banning,  it  being  the  first  to  be  ac 
cepted  by  the  Governor. 

At  Columbus  they  were  organized  into   the 
4th  Ohio  Volunteers,   under  Col.  Lorain    An 


drews.  After  remaining  5  weeks  at  Camp 
Dennison,  they  re-enlisted,  June  4,  1861,  for 
three  years  under  the  same  organization. 
Shortly,  they  went  to  the  front  under  Gen. 
McClellan,  and  soon  were  put  under  fire  at 
Buchanan.  They  next  proceeded  to  Rich  Mt., 
W.  Va.,  where,  July  n,  1861,  they  encountered 
the  enemy  early  in  the  morning,  in  a  very 
spirited  battle,  which  resulted  in  the  defeat  of 
the  enemy,  Col.  Pegram,  the  rebel  commander, 
being  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  together 
with  about  1,400  of  his  men.  After  the  battle, 
commenced  the  digging  of  a  hole  about  six  by 
sixty  feet,  in  which  were  deposited  in  one  solid 
mass,  the  remains  of  about  sixty  dead  rebels, 
and  thus  the  "boys"  designated  the  conflict  the 
"battle  of  Death  Shades."  Following  the  re 
treating  enemy,  they  captured  the  entire  com 
mand  at  Beverly.  After  building  Fort  Pendle- 
ton,  Md.,  and  participating  in  frequent  skir 
mishes,  they  had  a  bloody  battle  at  Romney, 
W.  Va.,  Wilcox's  Co.  losing  12  in  killed  and 
wounded.  The  next  active  engagement  was 
near  Winchester,  where,  March  23,  1862,  they 
gallantly  fought  and  conquered  Stonewall 
Jackson,  who  now  for  the  first  time  was  de 
feated.  Many  prisoners  were  captured,  with  a 
total  loss  on  both  sides  of  about  800.  After 
constant  marching  and  countermarching  they 
had  another  engagement  at  Luray,  thence 
moved  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  encount 
ering  almost  constant  skirmishes,  and  when 
they  reached  Port  Republic  fought  one  of  the 
bloodiest  and  most  stubbornly  fought  battles 
in  the  history  of  the  war,  heroically  attempting 
to  hold  the  bridge  with  a  force  of  only  4,500, 
against  the  enemy  about  20,000  strong.  Finally 
the  gallant  "boys"  had  to  retreat,  losing  their 
entire  artillery  and  an  immense  number  in 
killed  and  wounded. 

Two  days'  rest,  and  we  find  them  on  a  forced 
march  to  Manassas  Junction,  from  whence  they 
proceeded  to  Harrison's  Landing  to  reinforce 
McClellan.  On  arrival  Wilcox's  command  was 
immediately  assigned  to  the  outposts,  and  July 
4,  1862,  succeeded  in  establishing  their  line  in 
a  hard-fought  battle.  After  spending  weeks  in 
burying  the  dead  who  died  from  diarrhoea  con- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


685 


tracted  through  poisoned  water,  they  tramped 
onward  and  participated  in  the  2nd  battle  of 
Games'  Mill.  Thence  forward  to  reinforce 
Pope  at  Centerville,  and  here  it  was  that  Fitz 
John  Porter  refused  to  obey  the  command  of 
Gen.  Pope,  and  lay  back  with  his  entire  army 
of  70,000,  while  Pope's  army  was  being  defeated 
only  thirty  miles  off,  at  the  second  battle  of 
Bull  Run.  Subsequently  our  subject  was  act 
ively  engaged  in  four  of  the  bloodiest  battles 
of  the  war,  namely:  Antietam,  Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville.  and  Gettysburg.  An  idea  of 
the  magnitude  of  these  four  battles  can  be  bet 
ter  formed  when  we  realize  that  the  Union 
forces  alone  suffered  a  loss  of  65,351  in  killed, 
wounded  and  missing.  In  the  last  named  battle 
comrade  Wilcox  was  engaged  in  the  famous 
Hancock's  Corps,  being  right  in  the  front,  fac 
ing  volley  upon  volley  of  the  enemy's  hot  fire. 
But,  ah  !  the  gallant  "boys"  truly  had  the  love 
of  the  grand  "old  flag"  at  heart,  and  onward 
they  pressed,  the  regiment  loosing  180  in  killed 
and  wounded.  During  the  engagement  both 
our  subject  and  his  brother  were  wounded,  and 
his  immediate  comrade,  poor  John  Diebald,  had 
his  head  cut  entirely  off  by  a  cannon  ball,  the 
brains  spattering  all  over  our  subject's  clothes. 
After  the  battle  comrade  Wilcox  received  a 
furlough,  to  return  home  on  account  of  general 
disability.  Returning  after  a  stay  of  about  60 
days  he  met  his  former  Col.  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
who  insisted  that  our  subject  was  not  fit  for 
field  service.  Accordingly  he  was  made  order 
ly  for  Gen.  Heintzleman,  and  on  June  4,  1864, 
the  regiment  of  whom  there  sadly  remained 
but  290  out  of  an  original  total  of  1800,  was 
mustered  out.  Thus  after  three  years  of  loyal, 
gallant  service,  Mr.  Wilcox  returned  home. 

May  8,  1867,  he  located  at  Rock  Island,  re 
suming  the  merchant  tailoring  business,  which 
he  successfully  continued  for  five  years,  and 
then  accepted  the  position  of  railway  postal 
clerk,  which  he  still  holds,  having  been  removed 
only  at  the  time  of  President  Cleveland's  ad 
ministration. 

By  Mr.  Wilcox's  first  marriage  there  is  liv 
ing  but  one  child,  Homer.  Jan.  8,  1871,  he  was 
united  a  second  time  in  the  holy  bonds  of  mat 


rimony.  This  time  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Thomp 
son,  the  amiable  and  ladylike  daughter  of  James 
and  E.  Thompson.  To  them  were  born  seven 
bright  and  loving  children  of  whom  are  living, 
Luella,  Gertrude,  Grace,  Bessie,  Cora  and  Flo 
rence.  Mr.  Wilcox  is  a  member  of  the  Good 
Templars,  and  in  politics  is  an  uncompromising 
Republican,  having  an  extensive  acquaintance 
among  leading  politicians  in  the  State  and  U.  S. 
The  family  are  all  members  of  the  First  M.  E. 
Church,  and  as  for  comrade  Wilcox,  he  is  a 
popular  fellowlike  and  excellent  citizen. 


SOON  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebel 
lion,  our  present  subject,  Josiah  Miller 
inspired  with  a  spirit  of  patriotism,  con 
cluded  to  aid  in  the  suppression  of  a  war.  He 
enlisted  in  the  army,  Aug.  12,  1862,  Co.  F, 
1 25th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  as  a  private.  With  his  Regt. 
he  went  to  Covington,  Ky.,  then  on  to  Louis 
ville,  where  it  remained  three  weeks,  then 
joined  in  the  Nashville  campaign.  The  Regt. 
participated  in  the  bloody  battle  of  .Perryville 
where  the  men  had  the  first  opportunity  of 
hearing  a  whistle  of  a  minie  ball  and  the 
fierce  shriek  of  shot  and  shell.  Marched  to 
Nashville,  thence  to  Mill  Creek,  then  returning 
to  Nashville,  where  it  remained  as  part  of  the 
post  forces  until  Aug.,  1863,  doing  the  various 
duties  incident  to  post  service.  The  service  at 
Nashville  had  afforded  an  opportunity  to  the 
men  of  becoming  thoroughly  conversant  with 
drill  and  military  tactics,  and  realizing  their 
strength,  felt  anxious  to  be  in  pursuit  of  the 
rebels.  They  moved  to  Murfreesboro,  re 
mained  there  two  months,  then  started  upon 
the  Chattanooga  campaign,  their  route  taking 
them  through  Franklin,  Columbia,  Athens, 
Huntsville,  Bridgeport  and  over  Lookout  Mt. 
to  the  battle  field  of  Chickamauga,  where,  on 
the  morning  of  Sept.  19,  the  whole  brigade 
came  near  being  drawn  in  an  ambush  and  sur 
rounded  at  Reed's  Bridge.  On  the  2Oth  the 
Regt.  supporting  Thomas'  left  was  under  fire 
all  Sunday  afternoon  and  also  on  Monday  at 
Rossville  Gap.  Crossing  the  Tenn.  on  Sher- 


686 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


man's  pontoon,  Nov.  24,  it  engaged  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Mission  Ridge,  fought  on  the  two 
following  days,  then  pursued  the  enemy  as  far 
as  Ringgold  Station.  Gen.  Burnside,  at  this 
time,  was  being  besieged  at  Knoxville,  and  for 
his  relief  the  I25th  was  ordered  thither,  but 
before  arrival  Burnside  received  relief ;  there 
fore  the  regiment,  after  a  long  and  tiresome 
march,  with  many  of  the  men  without  foot  wear 
and  otherwise  scantily  clothed ,  returned  to 
Chattanooga. 

On  Feb.  24,  1864,  Mr.  Miller  went  with  his 
Regt.  on  the  reconnoissance  to  Buzzard's 
Roost  Gap,  and  returning  camped  at  Gordon's 
Mills,  May  3,  making  preparations  for  the 
Atlantic  campaign.  Sherman  put  the  Union 
forces  in  motion  on  May  3,  and  the  enemy's 
resistance  began  at  once.  Mr.  Miller  partici 
pated  in  the  battles  of  Dalton,  Rome,  Dallas, 
Kenesaw  Mt.,  where  he  had  the  closest  call  of 
his  long  service,  having  had  his  cartridge  box 
shot  off  by  a  rebel  bullet.  The  loss  to  the 
Regt.  in  the  last  named  battle  was  120  killed 
and  wounded  in  the  short  space  of  20  minutes. 
He  was  also  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Marietta, 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro, 
which  practically  terminated  the  campaign 
and  threw  the  city  of  Atlanta  into  the  posses 
sion  of  the  Union  forces.  After  a  short  rest  at 
Atlanta  the  regiment  made  a  long  and  labori 
ous  raid  as  far  as  Florence  in  pursuit  of  For 
rest's  Cav.,  and  returning,  started  Nov.  16,  with 
Sherman's  army  on  its  famous  march  to  the 
sea,  in  which  it  did  its  full  share  of  duty,  and 
procured  and  consumed  its  full  share  of  sub 
sistence.  Another  short  rest  at  Savannah,  and 
Sherman's  avenging  hosts  were  turned  loose 
on  the  sacred  soil  of  S.  Ca.,  and  in  subjugating 
that  State,  the  I25th  was  behind  no  other  Regt. 
March  16,  1865,  its  progress  was  checked  at 
Averysboro,  where  a  sharp,  hot  contest  took 
place,  which  was  quickly  followed  by  the  bat 
tle  of  Bentonville,  fought  on  the  igth,  2oth 
and  2ist  days  of  March.  The  fighting  at  the 
latter  place  was  very  severe,  a  full  share  of 
which  fell  on  the  regiment,  when  it  not  only 
sustained  its  past  reputation  for  courage ,  but 
justly  added  new  laurels  to  its  victorious 


crown.  After  leaving  Savannah,  Mr.  Miller 
was  detached  from  his  regiment,  and  with  about 
400  other  men,  was  sent  upon  a  scouting  expe 
dition,  their  instructions  being  to  save  Win 
chester  from  being  burned  by  the  rebel  forces. 
They  were  drawn  into  ambush,  suddenly  at 
tacked  and  40  of  their  number  taken  prisoners. 
Following  close  upon  this  came  the  surrender 
of  the  rebel  army  and  the  close  of  the  war, 
whereupon,  the  Regt.  set  out  for  Washington, 
where  it  took  part  in  the  grand  review.  The 
men  were  mustered  out  at  Washington,  June  9, 
1865,  and  immediately  started  for  Chicago, 
where  they  were  paid  off  and  discharged.  Mr. 
Miller's  brother  Alfred,  was  also  a  soldier  at 
the  same  period,  having  also  served  in  the 
1 25th.  His  grandfather,  John  Miller,  was  in 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  his  maternal  grand 
father,  Richard  Warefield,  fought  in  the  war  of 
1812. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Mercer  Co.,  Ohio, 
March  9,  1840,  where  he  was  reared  upon  a 
farm.  In  1859  he  removed  to  111.,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
war.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
the  same  calling,  but  fifteen  years  ago  was 
compelled  to  giveupthat  occupation  by  reason 
of  declining  health,  resulting  from  his  many 
hardships  and  privations  during  his  army  life. 
For  the  last  few  years  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  barber  business  at  Fisher  and  Rantoul. 
Mr.  Miller  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Fisher,  111.,  as  also  one  of 
its  officers.  He  married  in  1885,  Fannie  Harper, 
a  native  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  In  politics  he  is 
decidedly  a  Democrat. 


BENNETT  OSBORN,  of  Sidney,  111.,  enlisted 
for  service  in  the  late  rebellion,  Feb.  15, 
1862,  in  Co.    D,    63d   Ind.  Vol.   Inf.,  at 
Reynolds,  Ind.     With  his  Regt.  he  first  moved 
to  Washington,  thence  to  Alexandria,  where  he 
was  on   parole  duty   until   Gen.   McClellan  re 
turned    from    his    unsuccessful    demonstration 
against    Richmond,  when  he   was  sent  to  the 
front  and   into  the  battle  of  second  Bull   Run, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


687 


Aug.  30,  1862.  Here  he  was  wounded,  by  being 
struck  with  a  bullet  in  the  left  hand,  whilst  in 
the  act  of  loading  his  gun.  The  ball  first  struck 
his  gun,  and  glancing  off,  lodged  in  his  hand, 
shattering  the  bones  and  necessitating  the 
amputation  of  his  fore  finger.  He  was  then 
sent  to  the  hospital  at  Washington,  where  he 
remained  for  about  one  month,  and  then  was 
placed  in  a  similar  situation  at  Indianapolis 
where  he  continued  until  Nov.  18,  1862,  when 
under  an  order  of  the  President  he  was  dis 
charged.  His  wound  finally  healed,  and  as  it 
did  a  feeling  of  revenge  appeared  and  gained 
in  strength  as  the  weeks  passed  by,  strongly 
stimulating  him  to  again  enter  the  service  on 
behalf  of  his  threatened  country.  He  accord 
ingly  re-enlisted  Dec.  5,  1863,  in  Co.  F,  I28th 
Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  which  he  was  mustered  in  as 
Sergeant  and  was  at  once  sent  to  the  front  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.  He  next'  moved  to  Chatta 
nooga  and  on  to  Ringgold,  where  his  Regt.  was 
attached  to  the  23d  A.  C. 

After  a  winter  of  much  suffering  from  hun 
ger  and  exposure  in  the  vicinity  of  Chatta 
nooga,  he  set  out  in  the  spring,  upon  the  At 
lanta  campaign,  and  participated  in  all  the 
heavy  battles  of  that  expedition,  until  the  city 
of  his  destination  had  been  captured.  Among 
the  heavy  battles  in  which  he  was  engaged  may 
be  mentioned,  Dalton,  Rocky  Face  Ridge» 
Resaca,  New  Hope  Church,  Adairsville,  Dallas, 
Marietta,  Big  Shanty,  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and  Lovejoy's  Sta 
tion.  He  then  went  with  his  command  in  pur 
suit  of  the  rebel  Hood  and  his  forces  and  en 
gaged  them  at  Decatur,  Franklin,  and  again  at 
Nashville,  where  one  of  the  most  determined 
and  destructive  battles  of  the  war  was  fought, 
considering  the  number  of  men  engaged,  but 
resulted  in  a  complete  overthrow  of,  and  break 
ing  up  of  Hood's  army.  Of  the  horrors  of  war 
his  next  experience  was  at  Fort  Fisher,  and  fol 
lowing  it,  that  at  Kingston,  soon  after  which 
the  rebel  armies  surrendered,  and  he  was  pres 
ent  at  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Johnston. 

For  several  months  Mr.  Osborn  was  almost 
continually  exposed  to  the  rebel  fire,  and  never 
beyond  the  reach  of  rebel  bullets.  He  was 


made  to  endure  much  suffering  during  the  fall 
of  1864,  being  kept  constantly  upon  the  move, 
and  upon  long  and  heavy  marches,  resting  by 
times  at  night  upon  the  snow-clad  ground, 
without  covering,  and  which  was  much  prefera 
ble  to  the  wet  ground  upon  which  he  was  com 
pelled  many  a  night  to  make  his  bed,  and  that 
under  a  drenching  rain.  He  contracted  a  ter 
rible  cough,  which  has  clung  to  him  ever  since. 
After  the  surrender  of  Johnston  he  was  kept 
engaged  looking  after  the  ordnance  until  mus 
tered  out,  Sept.  15,  1865,  when  he  was  discharged 
and  paid  off.  Mr.  Osborn  served  his  country  for 
33  months,  surrounded  by  great  dangers,  and 
was  always  recognized  for  his  brave  and  gallant 
conduct.  The  greater  part  of  his  service  was 
in  the  ist  Brig.,  1st  Div.,  23d  A.  C.  Following 
the  fall  of  Atlanta,  he  was  overtaken  with  ill 
ness,  sent  to  the  hospital,  and  afterwards  ob 
tained  a  furlough,  and  returned  home  to  vote 
for  President  Lincoln,  but  rejoined  his  com 
mand  during  the  battle  at  Columbia,  and  took 
part  in  that  action. 

Mr.  Osborn  was  born  in  Owen  Co.,  Ky.,  June 
25,  1832,  a  son  of  Bartholomew  and  Frances 
(Woodruth)  Osborn.  His  ancestors  settled  in 
S.  C.  anterior  to  the  Revolution.  His  two  un 
cles  were  in  the  army  during  the  war  of  1812, 
assisting  their  country  agaist  the  British  foe. 
In  1850  Mr.  Osborn  moved  to  Ind.,  and  in 
1874,  to  111.,  locating  at  Hoopestown,  where  he 
was  employed  in  the  milling  business,  a  trade 
which  he  had  previously  learned. 

Subsequently  he  moved  to  Uurbana,  and  to 
Sidney  in  1885,  where  he  has  lived  a  compara 
tively  quiet  and  retired  life  surrounded  by  ev 
ery  luxury  that  a  gentleman  of  modest  aspira 
tions  and  honorable  ways  desires.  He  has  been 
identified  with  the  G.  A.  R.  for  many  years  and  is 
at  present  a  member  of  Sidney  Post;  a  truly 
consistent  and  exemplary  member  of  the  Chris 
tian  Church,  as  is  also  his  estimable  wife,  to 
whom  he  was  married  Aug.  5,  1851,  her  maiden 
name  being  Baldwin.  Eight  children  have 
been  born  to  them, four  of  whom  are  dead,  viz.: 
Carrie,  Quincy,  Alfred  and  Albert — the  last 
two  being  twins.  Those  living  are,  Charles, 
now  of  Chicago;  Alice,  the  wife  of  William 


688 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Fleming,  of  Chicago;  Pollard,  of  Hoopeston; 
and  Susan,  wife  of  H.  C.  Green.  Mrs.  Osborn 
also  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  her  country  as 
her  grandfather  Baldwin  was  one  of  those  who 
served  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  hazarded 
his  life  to  build  up  a  new  Nation,  and  her  father 
inherited  the  soldier  spirit  and  imitated  his  an 
cestors  by  becoming  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Osborn  is  still  living 
in  Ind.  and  is  one  of  the  surviving  pensioners  of 
the  war  of  1812. 

Mr.  Osborn  had  two  brothers  in  the  late  war 
— Aaron  was  in  the  /th  Ind.  Inf.,  taken  prisoner 
at  Port  Republic,  and  confined  in  rebel  prisons 
in  Belle  Island  for  7  months.  Later  he  served 
in  the  nth  Ind.  Cav.  until  the  war  closed,  and 
died  Dec.  31,  1891.  His  brother  Hiram  served 
in  the  igth  Ind.  and  i6th  Ky  until  the  Rebel 
lion  faded  out.  His  brother-in-law  James  Ha- 
mens  was  in  the  Rebel  army,  and  whilst  on  a 
scouting  expedition  went  home  to  visit  his  fam 
ily,  when  he  was  captured  by  Union  forces,  who 
mistook  him  for  the  famous  rebel  guerrilla  of 
the  same  name  and  notwithstanding  his  pro 
testations,  was  sentenced  to  death  and  shot. 

Retiring  and  unassuming  in  his  manners, 
kind  and  genial  in  his  temperament,  honorable 
to  a  fault  in  all  his  dealings  and  intercourse 
with  his  fellows,  we  have  in  Mr.  Osborn  all  the 
characteristics  which  go  to  make  up  an  ideal 
character  and  worthy  Christian  gentleman. 


LEWIS  D.  SIMMONDS,  who  is  now  employed 
in  the  Postoffice  at  Quincy,  111.,  is  a  native 
of  Ohio,  born  Nov.  21,  1838,  the  only 
child  born  to  William  M.  and  Mahala  (Dickin 
son)  Simmonds.  The  father  had  been  previously 
married,  by  which  union  he  had  five  children, 
two  of  whom  were  in  the  Rebellion,  one  was 
the  Captain  of  the  Simmonds  Battery.  Lewis' 
mother  died  when  he  was  six  weeks  old.  The 
father  then  removed  to  Cleveland,  O.,  and  en 
gaged  as  a  commercial  traveler.  Our  subject 
was  denied  the  love  and  counsel  of  a  mother, 
and  grew  to  manhood  among  strangers.  He 
attended  school  in  Cleveland,  then  Herron's 


Seminary,  Cincinnati.  In  1852  he  went  to  Wis., 
and  lived  with  his  half-brother,  George,  for 
about  4  years.  There  he  commenced  the  car 
penter  trade,  which  he  completed  in  Chicago, 
and  followed  that  business  principally  as  a 
theatrical  and  stage  carpenter.  He  was  married 
in  Sept.,  1861,  to  Harriet  N.  Dixon,  daughter 
of  John  and  Harriet  N.  Dixon,  of  Indianapolis. 

He  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  nth  Ind.  Vol.  Inf., 
Gen.  Lew.  .Wallace's  old  Regt.,  on  April  16, 
1861,  for  the  3  months'  service.  He  served 
under  Gen.  Patterson,  who  so  successfully  kept 
his  army  out  of  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  He  did 
duty  principally  at  Cumberland,  Md.,  and  was 
discharged  from  the  service  Aug.  6,  1861,  at 
Indianapolis.  On  March  30,  1862,  he  again 
enrolled  his  name  in  the  defense  of  the  old  flag, 
and  became  a  member  of  the  Simmonds  1st  Ky. 
Battery,  serving  as  Serg.  and  Ordnance  Serg., 
until  his  transfer  'to  the  navy.  Whilst  in  the 
battery  he  participated  in  the  battle  of  Camp 
Flat  Top  Mt.,  in  Western  Va.  This  was  a  sharp, 
decisive  little  fight,  the  only  thing  remarkable 
about  it  being  that  the  battery  "  double  quicked" 
fifteen  miles  to  reach  it,  and  in  getting  into 
line  ran  directly  through  the  enemy's  line  of 
battle.  His  next  engagement  was  at  Newbern 
Station,  and  New  River  Bridge,  W.  Va.  This 
was  a  point  of  great  importance  to  the  enemy, 
the  railroad  bridge  over  New  River  being  of 
vast  importance  to  them.  They  made  a  stub 
born  resistance  from  behind  their  fortifications, 
the  batteries  occupied  a  position  in  front  with 
the  object  of  drawing  the  enemy's  fire  while  the 
Inf.  operated  on  the  flanks.  The  enemy  was 
flanked  out  of  his  fortifications,  therefor  it 
became  necessary  for  the  battery  to  change 
position.  In  doing  so  guns  No.  I  and  6  became 
detached  and  ran  into  an  ambush.  A  regiment 
of  raw  recruits  was  sent  out  to  protect  these 
guns  on  the  advanced  position,  and  fired  one 
volley  and  "skeedaddled"  for  the  rear.  Gen. 
Crook's  old  regiment,  the  36th  Ohio,  pushed 
forward  to  protect  the  guns. 

Gen.  Crook  said,  "Boys,  give  it  to  them,  but 
don't  let  them  capture  those  guns."  Our  sub 
ject  had  command  of  gun  No.  6,  and  the  Gun 
ner  of  Gun  No.  i,  had  six  bullet  holes  through 


BIOGRAPHCIAL  ALBUM. 


689 


his  clothing,  but  not  a  scratch.  The  second 
day's  fighting  was  at  New  River  Bridge.  The 
defeat  of  the  Rebels  on  the  first  day  was  so 
complete  that  they  had  not  time  to  destroy 
their  stores,  therefore  they  fell  into  our  hands. 
In  this  day's  battle  the  battery  was  ordered  to 
the  extreme  right,  a  position  that  was  suffering 
terribly  from  the  enemy's  gun's.  General  Crook 
sent  orders  to  silence  a  certain  gun.  The  can 
noneer  took  his  bearings  and  elevations,  and 
gave  the  "time"  of  fuse  required,  Sergt.  Sim- 
monds  cut  it  to  his  orders.  The  gun  was  fired 
and  the  axle  to  the  rebel  gun  carriage  was 
struck,  thus  most  effectually  silencing  it. 
Another  rebel  gun  was  doing  terrible  execu 
tion  in  defending  the  bridge  below  and  pre 
venting  the  crossing  of  the  U.  S.  Inf.  Gen. 
Crook  again  gave  orders  to  silence  it.  This 
time  planting  a  shell  squarely  in  the  muzzle, 
faithfully  carrying  out  his  superior's  orders. 
The  battle  resulted  in  the  capture  and  destruc 
tion  of  the  railroad  bridge,  thus  crippling  the 
enemy's  line  of  communication.  Some  time 
previous  to  this,  Mr.  Simmonds  had  re-enlisted 
as  a  veteran.  He  continued  with  his  battery 
until  Aug.,  1864,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
the  navy  upon  the  gunboat  Victory,  where  he 
served  as  an  ordinary  seaman  and  gunner's 
mate,  filling  these  various  positions  to  the  sat 
isfaction  of  those  in  authority.  Subsequently 
he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  Yeoman, 
and  afterwards  as  Master's  Mate,  a  position 
equivalent  in  rank  to  that  of  2nd  Lieut.  He 
was  then  ordered  onboard  the  "Gen.  Thomas," 
on  the  upper  Tenn.,  where  he  did  patrol  duty 
from  Decatur,  Ala.,  to  Chattanooga,  Tenn.  He 
was  in  conflict  with  Hood  in  his  attempt  to 
cross  the  river  at  Decatur,  and  ran  past  23 
pieces  of  Art.  stationed  at  different  points  to 
prevent  the  "Gen.  Thomas"  from  coming  down 
the  river  to  Gen.  Granger's  assistance.  His 
conflict  with  Hood's  land  forces  and  batteries 
was  one  of  the  most  desperate  contests  in 
which  the  navy  was  engaged.  On  the  same 
occasion  as  the  "Gen.  Thomas"  passed  down 
the  river,  she  blew  up  a  Rebel  caisson,  wound 
ing  and  killing  50  Rebels.  The  Boat  arrived 
at  Decatur  in  time  to  view  the  contending 

43 


armies  engaged  at  that  place,  but  her  men  and 
ammunition  were  almost  exhausted,  therefore, 
the  rebel  commander  did  not  consider  it  pru 
dent  to  risk  another  encounter,  and  the  same 
night  the  rebels  withdrew,  and  made  a  cross 
ing  some  fifteen  miles  further  down  the  river. 
After  the  close  of  the  war,  or  in  1869,  Mr. 
Simmonds  came  to  Quincy,  and  subsequently 
received  an  appointment  in  the  Post-office  de 
partment,  which  he  held  until  President  Cleve 
land  was  elected,  when  he  resigned.  He  was 
re-appointed,  however,  in  1889,  and  still  holds 
the  position.  He  has  five  children,  namely: 
Lewis  Herbert,  Norman  Rutherford,  Jessie 
Pearl,  John  William,  and  Edmond  Percival. 
Mr.  Simmonds  is  a  member  of  the  Gem  City 
Lode,  No.  357,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Allen  Encampment, 
M.  W.  of  A.,  and  John  Wood  Post,  No.  96,  G. 
A.  R.,  and  has  filled  various  official  positions 
in  all  of  them.  He  was  miraculously  fortunate 
in  escaping  bodily  injury,  having  participated 
in  many  hard-fought  battles.  His  service  was 
continuous,  having  no  intervals  of  absence  ex 
cept  about  two  months — hospital  and  on  recruit 
ing  service — and  it  is  to  such  as  he  that  we  are 
indebted  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union 
He  is  a  modest  unassuming  man,  and  makes 
no  parade  of  his  achievements  as  a  soldier,  but 
relates  the  facts  as  simply  a  duty  which  he 
owes  to  those  who  are  uninformed. 


LIEUT  WILLIAM  FRANKS,  the  subject  of  our 
present  sketch,  was  born  in  Ky.,  Jan.  14, 
1830,  and  four  years  later  with  his  parents 
removed  to  111.,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Tazewell 
Co.  His  father,  grandfather  and  great  grand 
father's  name  was  also  William.  The  last 
named  emigrated  from  England  in  the  early 
days  of  the  I7th  century.  The  father  was  a 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  Immediately  on 
the  outbreak  of  the  late  war,  young  Franks 
enlisted  for  3  months'  service,  and  assisted  in 
the  capture  of  the  first  Rebel  flag  at  Columbus, 
a  piece  of  which  he  has  now  in  his  possession. 
Having  served  his  term,  he  returned  home  and 
in  August  of  the  following  year  enlisted  as 


690 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ist  Sergeant  Co.  B.,  io8th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  but  was 
soon  assigned  to  the  duties  of  Orderly  Sergt. 
He  was  soon  promoted  to  2nd  Lieut,  and  dur 
ing  the  siege  of  Vicksburgto  that  of  ist  Lieut., 
having  almost  from  the  start,  command  of  his 
Co.  After  the  organization  of  the  Co.  it  pro 
ceeded  to  Covington,  thence  to  Memphis,  and 
from  there  accompanied  Gen.  Sherman  and  was 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Chickasaw  Bayou. 
The  io8th  was  on  the  right  in  this  engagement, 
and  was  the  last  to  leave  the  field,  covering  the 
retreat  of  the  army  and  assisting  it  safely  upon 
the  boats.  Mr.  Franks  next  joined  in  the 
movement  against  Arkansas  Post,  Jan.  II,  1863, 
when  he  commanded  the  Co.,  which,  after  a 
stormy  battle,  he  assisted  in  capturing.  In  the 
winter  of  1863  he  assisted  upon  the  famous 
canal,  which  was  afterwards  abandoned,  and 
in  all  the  operations  leading  up  to  and  in 
clusive  of  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  bore  his 
full  share  of  the  dangers  and  responsibilities. 
He  assisted  in  the  command  of  "his  company  in 
the  battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Raymond,  and 
Champion  Hills,  at  the  latter  of  which  the  io8th 
took  part  in  the  capture  of  many  Rebel  prison 
ers.  The  Regt.,  with  two  other  Regts.  was  de 
tailed  to  take  prisoners  to  Memphis,  which  it 
did,  and  returned  to  Vicksburg,  stopping  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  At  that  point 
Lieut.  Franks  was  sent  with  30  men  to  hold 
the  point  just  opposite  the  city,  where  they 
were  under  the  fire  from  the  Rebel  batteries  for 
two  days. 

After  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  the  Lieut, 
accompanied  his  Regt.  to  La  Grange,  Tenn., 
remaining  there  until  Nov.,  then  moved  to 
Pocahontas  and  in  Dec.  to  Corinth,  and  later  to 
Memphis.  In  May,  1864,  he  participated  under 
Gen.  Sturgis  in  his  disastrous  raid  to  Guntown. 
In  retreating  upon  this  expedition  he  marched 
as  far  as  40«miles  in  one  day,  sorely  pressed  all 
the  time  by  the  enemy.  The  following  day  the 
Rebels  made  a  determined  rush  upon  the  io8th 
and  succeeded  in  dividing  it,  but  they  all  suc 
ceeded  in  reaching  Memphis.  At  that  point 
Lieut.  Franks  was  in  command  of  75  men  de 
tailed  for  the  protection  of  colored  men  cut 
ting  wood  for  the  steamboats.  Feb.  28,  1865, 


the  Regt.  broke  camp,  embarked  on  a  steamer 
for  New  Orleans,  thence  proceeded  to  Dauph- 
ine  Island,  arriving  March  i6th.  On  the  2ist, 
embarked  and  moved  up  Mobile  Bay  and  Fish 
River  to  Danley's  Mills,  and  four  days  later 
marched  towards  Mobile.  March  27th,  they 
met  the  enemy  and  drove  him  within  his  works 
at  Spanish  Fort.  Heavy  fighting  was  kept  up 
all  day,  and  during  the  night  the  siege  works 
were  begun.  After  a  siege  of  13  days,  the  io8th 
participated  in  the  assault  upon  the  Rebel  works, 
which  finally  yielded.  On  the  following  day, 
April  8th,  Mr.  Frank's  Regt.  moved  for  Mont 
gomery,  Ala.,  190  miles  distant,  where  it  ar 
rived  on  the  25th  of  the  same  month.  On  the 
march  they  heard  of  the  surrender  of  Lee,  and  on 
arrival  of  the  assassination  of  Lincoln.  Here 
the  men  were  employed  upon  provost  duty 
until  July  i8th,  when  they  started  for  Vicks 
burg.  At  Vicksburg  they  were  mustered  out; 
then  proceeded  to  Chicago,  where  they  were 
finally  paid  off  and  discharged,  Aug.  11,  1865. 
Lieut.  Frank  arrived  at  Peoria  on  the  third  an 
niversary  of  his  leaving  there  with  the  Regt. 
While  at  Memphis  in  1864,  he  was  detailed  in 
charge  of  about  250  refugees,  principally  women 
and  children,  from  Tenn.,  assisted  in  delivering 
them  to  Cairo.  When  home  on  detached  duty, 
Feb.,  1864,  he  married  Lydia  Ann  Williamson, 
of  Pekin,  by  whom  he  has  six  children  living, 
namely:  Ida  Bella;  Mary,  wife  of  Lee  Caster- 
line,  of  Hornalsville,  N.  Y.;  Elizabeth  Ada; 
William  Younger;  Jessie  Sophia  and  Eugene 
Butler.  After  the  war  he  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  in  Pekin,  which  he  followed 
for  1 8  years,  and  since  that  has  been  in  the 
machine  shops.  He  was  elected  as  Assessor  of 
Pekin  township,  in  the  year  1884,  but  has  since 
refused  to  run  for  any  other  office.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
being  a  charter  member  of  the  Joe  Hanna 
Post.  He  is  a  man  of  steady  and  industrious 
habits,  favorably  known  and  highly  respected. 


C 


APTAIN  THOMAS  G.  DRENNING,  a  retired 
steamboat  pilot  of  Galena,  111.,  was  born 
at  Homer  City,  Pa.,  Jan.  25,  1831.  His 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


691 


father  was  William  Drenning,  of  Scotch  descent, 
born  in  Bedford  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1791,  where  he  re 
ceived  a  liberal  education.  He  removed  to  In 
diana  Co.,  Pa.,  engaged  in  farming,  and  died 
there  in  1869.  The  mother,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Esther  Hendrickson,  of  German  an 
cestry,  was  born  in  Hagerstown,  Md.,  1793,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  91.  The  parents  married  in 
Bedford  Co.,  Pa.,  and  had  II  children,  four  of 
whom  were  soldiers  in  the  war  against  seces 
sion.  These  were  John,  who  was  employed  in 
steamboating  some  years  before  the  war,  and 
during  the  war  served  as  a  pilot  on  the  Tenn. 
River,  and  was  never  heard  from  after  that  time. 
Simon,  now  a  resident  of  Homer  City,  Pa.,  was 
a  member  of  a  Pa.  Regt.  and  the  army  in  Va. 
Frank,  at  present  County  Judge  of  Doniphan 
Co.,  Kan.,  belonged  to  a  Mo.  Regt.,  and  was  on 
Gen.  Lyon's  body  guard  when  that  officer  was 
killed.  He  went  up  through  the  different  ranks 
to  Captain,  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and 
afterward  was  Collector  of  Revenue  for  many 
years. 

Thomas  G.  Drenning  was  reared  with  such 
educational  advantages  as  were  offered  in  the 
district  school.  The  book-knowledge  he  ob 
tained  was  secured  by  studying  evenings,  after 
his  hard  and  long  day's  work.  At  the  age  of 
16  he  began  to  support  himself,  learning  the 
trade  of  boat-building  at  Pittsburg,  and  found 
employment  in  this  business  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  of  two  years 
in  the  pilot-house  on  the  UpperMiss. River  steam 
boats,  to  prepare  himself  for  the  duties  of  a 
pilot.  Later,  he  was  pilot  on  the  river  between 
St.  Louis  and  St.  Paul,  until  the  war  was  de 
clared,  and  then  was  engaged  by  the  Govt.  to 
superintend  the  transportation  of  coal  from 
Cincinnati  to  New  Orleans,  and  up  the  Red 
River.  At  one  time  there  was  a  pressing  de 
mand  for  pilots  to  navigate  the  gunboats,  and 
Captain  Drenning  and  a  companion,  Steven 
Claycomb,  were  transferred  from  the  coal  fleet 
at  Alexandia,  on  the  Red  River,  April  20, 
1862,  and  placed  in  charge  as  pilots  of  the  war 
steamer  "  Cricket,"  one  of  Admiral  Porter's  flag 
ships.  Six  days  later  he  successfully  passed 
the  batteries  at  Kane  River,  under  the  enemy's 


hot  and  terrible  fire.  In  regard  to  this  important 
service  Admiral  Porter  speaks  as  follows,  in  an 
article  written  and  printed  some  years  after 
ward  :  "The  moment  the  'Cricket'  received  the 
first  volley  of  artillery  I  went  on  deck  to  the 
pilot-house,  saluted  by  a  volley  of  musketry  as 
I  passed  along,  and,  as  I  opened  the  pilot-house, 
I  saw  that  the  pilot,  Mr.  Thomas  G.  Drenning, 
had  his  head  cut  open  by  a  piece  of  shell,  and 
the  blood  was  streaming  down  his  cheek.  He 
still  held  on  to  the  wheel.  '  I  am  all  right,  sir,' 
he  said;  '  I  won't  give  up  the  wheel.'  " 

In  a  letter  from  the  Admiral,  which,  in  ex 
planation,  he  gives  a  more  detailed  account  of 
the  disaster,  Admiral  Porter  thus  writes: 

"SPRING  LAKE,  N.  J.,  Aug.  20,  1884." 
"Vice   Admiral    Rowan,  Pres.  of  the  Lighthouse 
Board,  Treasury  Dept.,  Washington,  D.  C. 
"Sir:  I  beg  leave  to  draw  your  attention  to  the 
case  of  Thos.  G.  Drenning.    The  person  served 
with  me  on  the  Red   River,    1864,  and  piloted 
the  Cricket,  which  was  my  temporary  flag  ship, 
up  the  Red  River,  through  all  the  hardships  and 
dangers,  and  exposed  to  the  enemy's  constant 
firing  from    the   time    we  started   until  we  re 
turned.     He  was  piloting  the  vessel  at  a  place 
called  Kane  River,  when  we  passed  a  battery  of 
19  guns,  which  put  38  bursting   shells  into  us, 
in  four  minutes,  killing  and  wounding  more  than 
half  our  crew  of  50.   Mr.  Drenning  had  his  head 
cut  open  with  a  shell,  but  never   relinquished 
his   wheel   and    stood  at  his  post  like  a  man, 
though   almost   fainting    from   loss   of   blood. 
Such  men  should  not  be  forgotten  by  the  Gov 
ernment,  and  I  am  quite  sure  that  the  Govern 
ment  will  appreciate  the  bravery  displayed  by 
this  man  alluded  to.     I  remember  many  acts  of 
heroism  which  were  performed  by  the  Missis 
sippi  pilots,  very  few  of  whom  have  ever  been 
rewarded  for  their  services,  but  I  know  of  no 
one  who  performed  more  heroic   service  than 
Mr.  Drenning.     I  would  recommend   him   for 
an   appointment  to  assist  locating  the  beacon 
lights,  on  the  upper  Mississippi,  or  any  part  of 
the  Mississippi.     He  is   most  admirably  quali 
fied  for  this  duty.     There  are  persons  holding 
these  positions  who  have  no   claims    whatever 
on  the  country,  and  I  think  these  old    Missis- 


692 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


sippi  pilots,  who  were  in  the  front  of  danger, 
who  risked  their  lives  fearlessly,  and  often  in 
sured  success,  should  be  taken  care  of  by  the 
Government.  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

"Very  respectfully, 
[Signed!  "DAVID  D.  PORTER, 

"Admiral." 

After  this  exploit  at  Kane  River,  Captain 
Drenning  was  sent  to  Alexandria,  La.,  and 
while  there  saw  the  steamboat,  Fort  Hindman, 
which  was  barricaded  with  bales  of  cotton,  start 
out  on  an  expedition  up  the  river.  On  the  way 
the  cotton  becoming  ignited,  the  bales  were 
thrown  overboard,  and  some  of  them,  it  is 
stated,  floated  down  the  river  for  50  miles, 
while  in  flames. 

From  Alexandria  he  piloted  a  boat,  bearing 
Gen.  Franklin,  who  was  wounded,  and  Gen. 
Hunter,  Inspector  Gen.,  to  New  Orleans,  then 
up  the  Miss.,  to  the  wrecked  vessel  "Indian- 
ola."  After  guarding  this  for  a  time  Capt. 
Drenning  was  taken  to  the  hospital  at  Mound 
City,  where  his  sickness  detained  him  about  a 
month.  From  this  place  he  went  home  and 
was  sick  about  a  year  from  disease  contracted 
in  the  service.  This  ended  his  war  record,  but 
on  his  recovery  he  resumed  his  business,  and  for 
30  years  was  a  pilot  on  the  Miss.  River,  be 
tween  St.  Louis  and  St.  Paul. 

In  1858,  Capt  Drenning  married  Adell 
Chetlain,  a  daughter  of  Louis  and  Julia  Chet- . 
lain,  natives  of  Neufchatel,  Switzerland.  Mr. 
Chetlain  was  born  in  1794,  and  married  in  1820, 
the  next  year  emigrated  with  about  200  of  his 
countrymen  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Country,  in 
British  America,  where  he  farmed  until  1823, 
when  owing  to  crop  failure,  he  moved  to  Fort 
Snelling,  then  in  the  heart  of  the  Indian  coun 
try.  Soon  after  this  he  constructed  a  barge 
and  floated  down  the  Miss,  to  St.  Louis,  and  in 
1826,  came  to  111.,  locating  on  a  farm  at  Gratiot 
Grove,  near  the  present  site  of  Galena.  Here 
he  lived  many  years  and  died.  He  also  served 
three  months  in  the  Union  army,  although 
nearly  70  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Drenning  was 
born  near  Galena,  111.,  and  is  the  mother  of  six 
children— Edward  L.,  who  is  now  connected 
with  the  Chicago  Post;  Clara  A.,  Celia,  Julia, 


Frederick  C.,  who  has  just  completed  his 
course  at  the  Chicago  Medical  College,  and  C. 
Augustus,  residing  at  Helena,  Mont. 

Captain  Drenning  is  a  charter  member  of 
E.  D.  Kitoe  Post,  No.  502,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Galena, 
111.,  and  of  the  Miner  Lodge,  No  273,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.  This  gentleman  has  retired  from  active 
business  and  is  in  comfortable  circumstances, 
prepared  to  pass  the  closing  years  of  his  active 
life,  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  peace  he  has  so 
justly  earned. 


M 


AJOR  GENERAL  FRANK  P.  BLAIR,  was  born 
at  Lexington,  Ky.,  Feb.  19,  1821.  Set 
tled  in  the  profession  of  law  in  the  city 
of  St.  Louis  in  1844.  In  1846  he  made  a  tour 
among  the  Rocky  Mts.,  during  which  he  en 
listed  as  a  private  soldier,  and  served  through 
the  entire  Mexican  war.  The  beginning  of  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion  found  him  a  member  of 
Congress.  The  quiet  honors  and  peaceful 
labors  in  the  councils  of  the  Nation  were 
quickly  exchanged  for  the  more  exciting 
scenes  of  the  camp  and  the  field. 

Entering  service  as  Colonel,  in  1861,  he  was 
soon  promoted  to  Brig.  Gen.,  and  on  the  29th 
of  Nov.,  1862,  was  made  a  Maj.  Gen.  of  Volun 
teers.  Commanded  a  division  under  Gen. 
Grant  in  the  Vicksburg  campaign,  and  an  Army 
Corps  in  Sherman's  expedition  against  Atlanta. 
He  took  a  leading  part  with  Sherman  in  his 
march  to  the  sea  and  last  campaign  through 
the  Carolinas.  Always  in  front,  Gen.  Blair 
won  honors  on  every  field,  and  was  distinguished 
as  one  of  the  finest  officers  in  the  Volunteer 
service. 

After  the  close  of  the  civil  war,  Gen.  Blair 
was  appointed  Collector  of  the  Port  of  St. 
Louis,  and  afterwards  elected  U.  S.  Senator  from 
Mo.  He  ran  for  Vice-President  on  the  Demo 
cratic  ticket  in  1868,  and  died  at  St.  Louis  in 

1875- 


A 


LBERT  S.  KINSLOE,  of  Sycamore,  Clerk 
of  De  Kalb  Co.,  111.,  was  born  in  Hunt- 
ington  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1840.  His  parents 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


693 


were  Dr.  Lemuel  and  Isabella  (Thompson) 
Kinsloe,  natives  of  Pa.,  where  they  resided 
until  1854,  when  they  removed  to  De  Kalb  Co., 
111.,  and  in  1859  to  Earlville,  LaSalle  Co.,  where 
they  died,  the  father  in  1870,  and  the  mother 
in  1872. 

Dr.  Kinsloe  was  a  graduate  of  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  and  prac 
ticed  his  profession  from  1839  until  his 
death,  with  success.  He  was  of  Scotch  parent 
age,  and  the  father  of  four  children,  three  sons 
and  one  daughter,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
being  the  eldest.  Albert  S.  Kinsloe  passed  his 
earlier  life  at  home  attending  the  public 
schools,  subsequently  spending  two  winters  in 
the  prosecution  of  his  studies  at  Paw  Paw  High 
School.  He  enlisted  April  26,  1861,  in  Co.  D, 
23d  111.  Inf.,  and  was  for  a  short  time  in  camp 
at  Chicago,  thence  going  to  Quincy,  St.  Louis 
and  Jefferson  City,  Mo.  At  the  latter  place  he 
was  taken  sick  and  left  behind,  his  Regt.  going 
to  Lexington,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Mul 
ligan,  where  they  were  captured  by  the  army  of 
Gen.  Price.  Having  been  paroled,  they  were 
sent  to  St.  Lo.uis,  where  he  rejoined  the  Regt. 
and  was  discharged  with  it  Oct.  8,  1861. 

Soon  after  a  new  Co.  was  organized,  com 
posed  largely  of  members  of  the  old  Co.,  in 
which  he  was  enrolled.  This  was  mustered  in 
as  Co.  D,  53rd  111.  Inf.,  Nov.  26,  1861,  at  Ottawa, 
111.,  there  going  into  camp  and  remaining  until 
Jan. ,1862,  and  then  for  a  few  weeks  resting  at 
Camp  Douglas,  Chicago.  While  at  Ottawa,  Jan. 
I,  Mr.  Kinsloe  was  commissioned  2nd  Lieut., 
being  afterwards  promoted  to  1st  Lieut,  and 
Captain. 

In  the  spring  of  1862  the  command  was  or 
dered  to  Cairo,  thence  to  Paducah  and  Savan 
nah,  Tenn.,  arriving  at  Shiloh  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  second  day's  battle,  and  just  as  the 
enemy  were  retreating.  His  command  was  en 
gaged  in  the  pursuit  of  the  dispersed  rebels, 
following  them  to  Corinth,  which  was  placed 
in  a  condition  of  siege.  Here  the  Co.  lost  sev 
eral  men  from  sickness.  May  4,  Capt.  Hudson 
of  Co.  D,  and  Lieut.  Kinsloe  were  both  taken 
sick,  and  were  incapacitated  for  active  duty 
until  late  in  June,  but  remained  with  the  Co. 


the  entire  time,  except  in  the  last  advance  upon 
Corinth,  when  they  were  removed  to  a  private 
residence  for  a  few  days,  but  soon  rejoined  the 
command.  They  next  went  to  Memphis,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1862,  formed  a  part  of  Grant's 
Tallahatchie  expedition  in  Miss.,  passing 
through  Holly  Springs,  Oxford,  Waterford, 
Coffeeville  and  other  places.  They  were  for  a 
time  stationed  at  Bolivar,  Tenn.,  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Hurlbut,  thence  making  an 
advance  and  meeting  and  giving  battle  to  Price, 
Oct.  5,  1862,  who  had  been  driven  out  of  Cor 
inth,  their  objective  point.  In  this  engagement 
Price  was  repulsed  and  driven  back  upon  Cor 
inth,  the  Union  forces  returning  to  Bolivar. 
The  command  spent  the  winter  of  1862-3  at 
Memphis,  thence  in  the  following  spring  pro 
ceeding  to  Young's  Point,  La.,  at  the  time  of 
Grant's  assault  upon  Vicksburg,  May  22,  soon 
after,  going  up  the  Yazoo  to  Snyder's  Bluffs, 
and  there  uniting  with  the  left  wing  of  the  army 
and  participating  in  the  siege  until  the  fall  of 
the  city,  being  almost  constantly  under  fire. 

After  this  Lieut.  Kinsloe  accompanied  his 
command  in  pursuit  of  Johnston,  engaging  him 
in  battle  at  Champion  Hills,  and  again  at  Jack 
son,  where  with  212  men  of  the  53rd,  they 
made  a-  charge  July  12,  1863,  and  after  a  few 
minutes  of  severe  fighting,  were  forced  to  retire 
having  lost  134  men;  the  other  Regts.  in  this 
charge  were  3rd  la.  and  4ist  and  28th  111.  The 
command  now  returned  to  Vicksburg,  soon 
after  uniting  with  Sherman  on  his  expedition 
to  Meridian. 

In  the  early  part  of  1864,  they  were  fur- 
loughed  for  30  days,  going  home  and  rejoining 
the  command  by  way  of  Cairo,  proceeding 
thence  by  boat  to  Clifton,  on  the  Tenn.  River, 
thence  marching  to  Huntsville,  Kingston  and 
Allatoona,  where  they  built  works.  They  were 
engaged  July  20,  at  Atlanta,  losing  several 
men.  They  made  a  charge  on  the  2ist,  but 
without  any  effective  result,  and  were  engaged 
on  the  22nd  when  Gen.McPherson  fell.  After  the 
fall  of  Atlanta,  Lieut.  Kinsloe  was  detailed  as 
A.  A.  G.  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  B.  F.  Potts,  the 
Brig,  commander,  and  was  continued  in  that 
service  until  the  command  reached  Goldsboro, 


694 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


N.  C.,  where  Mar.  31,  1865,  he  was  mustered 
out  and  went  home.  He  was  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Earlville  until  1868, 
when  he  removed  to  Malta,  where  for  the  en 
suing  four  years  he  conducted  a  produce  busi 
ness.  From  that  time  he  was  the  Posmaster  of 
Malta,  and  in  the  jewelry  and  fancy  grocery 
business  until  1886,  when  he  was  elected  Treas 
urer  of  De  Kalb  Co.,  for  four  years,  and  in 
1890,  elected  Clerk  of  that  County  for  four 
years. 

He  was  married  in  Dec.,  1865,  to  Carrie  W., 
daughter  of  Nelson  Cook,  a  native  of  Conn., 
but  had  removed  to  Peoria  Co.,  and  subse 
quently  to  La  Salle  Co.,  where  Mrs.  Cook  died. 
Mr.  Cook  afterward  removed  to  Bureau  Co., 
111.  Mr.  Kinsloe  has  but  one  child,  a  daughter. 
He  is  a  charter  member  of  Edward  Bridge  Post, 
No.  124,  of  Malta,  and  has  been  its  commander 
and  adjutant;  a  member  of  Creston  Lodge,  No. 
320,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  of  Malta  Lodge,  No.  606, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  DeKalb  Lodge,  No.  215,  K.  of 
P.  Mr.  Kinsloe  has  been  a  valuable  citizen  to 
his  community,  and  enjoys  the  satisfaction 
which  proceeds  from  the  faithful  observance 
of  confided  trusts  and  the  appropriation  of  his 
fellow-citizens. 


DAVID  M.  BELT,  of  Quincy,  111.,  is  a  native 
of  Philadelphia,  born  June  10,  1843,  and 
a  son  of  Edward  L.  Belt  and  Margaret 
B.  (Metcalf)  Belt.  A  peculiar  incident  con 
nected  with  the  name  is  the  following:  Edward 
L.  Belt  the  brother,  was  a  mechanic  in  Phila 
delphia,  and  started  a  boot  and  shoe  factory. 
He  employed  a  sign  painter  to  paint  a  window 
sign,  but  the  latter  was  unable  to  write  all  the 
entire  name  upon  the  allotted  space,  and  so  in 
timated  the  fact  to  Mr.  Belt.  "Just  drop  the 
Broad,"  said  Mr.  Belt — the  name  having  up  to 
that  time  been  Broadbelt — which  was  so  re 
produced  upon  the  sign,  and  from  that  time 
hence  the  name  was  reduced  to  "Belt."  After 
the  father's  death,  which  occurred  in  1850,  our 
subject  went  to  reside  in  New  Jersey,  where  he 
enlisted  for  the  late  Rebellion,  on  May  3ist, 
1861,  and  became  a  private  in  Co.  I,  3d  N.  J. 


Inf.  He  was  an  active  participant  in  the. first 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  was  in  the  Brigade  com 
manded  by  Gen.  Kearney. 

The  Brig,  became  a  part  of  Gen.  Franklin's 
Div.,  and  went  as  a  reinforcement  to  Gen.  Mc- 
Clellan,  during  his  Peninsular  campaign.  The 
regiment  was  in  the  battle  of  West  Point,  then 
joined  the  army  of  the  Potomac  on  the  battle 
field  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  and  on  the  27th,  June, 
1862,  in  the  engagement  at  Games'  Mills,  Mr. 
Belt  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  and  con 
veyed  to  Libby  Prison  where  he  was  incarcer 
ated  on  July  4th.  Shortly  after  he  was  removed 
to  Belle  Island  and  was  exchanged  in  Sept.  fol 
lowing.  He  then  went  in  search  of  his  regi 
ment,  passed  through  Annapolis  and  Antietam, 
rejoined  it  at  White  Plains,  Va.  His  wounds 
were  very  severe,  having  been  injured  in  both 
arms  as  also  in  the  head,  resulting  in  the  with 
ering  and  loss  of  his  right  arm.  He  was  dis 
charged  at  Stafford  Court  House,  Va.,  Nov.  28, 
1862,  on  account  of  disability  caused  by  wounds 
sustained  in  battle. 

He  then  proceeded  by  boat  to  Washington 
to  report  for  pay  and  to  be  placed  upon  the 
pension  roll.  The  clerk  in  the  Department  on 
looking  up  his  record,  astounded  him  by  an 
nouncing  that  the  applicant  was  dead,  having 
been  killed  in  the  battle  of  Gaines'  Mills.  He 
protested  against  being  entered  as  dead  and 
after  considerable  discussion  convinced  the 
Department  of  the  truth  of  his  assertion  and 
succeeded  in  having  the  required  correction 
made  and  was  placed  upon  the  pension  roll. 
By  reason  of  maltreatment  in  the  Rebel  prison 
his  left  arm  was  also  in  a  bad  condition;  the 
muscles  were  contracted  until  the  member  was 
useless.  Two  days  after  the  battle  in  which  he 
was  wounded  he  was  placed  upon  a  board  at 
Howe's  farm  to  have  his  arm  amputated.  While 
the  surgeons  were  preparing  for  the  operation 
he  rolled  off  the  board  and  took  refuge  in  the 
Chickahominy  swamp,  thus  avoiding  being 
butchered  by  the  Rebel  surgeons.  After  his 
discharge  he  returned  to  N.  J.  and  nursed  him 
self  back  to  health. 

He  was  married  in  N.  J.,  Dec.  16,  1866,  to 
Sarah  J.  Whitaker,  also  of  N.  J.,  born  Dec.  2, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


695 


1845,  where  they  lived  for  one  year.  In  the 
spring  of  1867  he  moved  West  to  Ohio,  and  in 
the  following  year  to  Quincy,  111.,  in  which  city 
he  has  ever  since  continued  to  be  a  resident. 
There  he  was  appointed  letter  carrier,  which 
position  he  followed  for  7  years,  but  upon 
Cleveland's  elevation  to  the  throne  he  was  in 
vited  to  step  down.  Mr.  Belt's  energy  and 
thrift  had  enabled  him  to  lay  by  some  money, 
which  he  invested  in  a  farm  just  outside  Quincy, 
where  he  engaged  in  fruit  culture,  which  was 
abundantly  successful.  In  Aug.,  1891,  he  was 
chosen  manager  of  the  farm  stock  and  roads  at 
the  I.  S.  &  S.  H.  at  Quincy,  a  position  of  trust 
and  responsibility.  As  the  result  of  Mr.  Belt's 
marriage,  9  children  have  been  born,  only  4  of 
whom  are  now  living,  viz.:  Maggie,  now  Mrs. 
W.  G.  Griffin;  Frank,  David  A.  and  Robert. 
Mr.  Belt  is  a  member  of  John  Wood  Post,  No. 
96,  of  which  he  was  Quartermaster  for  five 
years;  is  also  a  member  of  Red  Cross  Lodge, 
No.  44.,  K.  of  P.  Politically  Mr.  Belt  is  a  staunch 
Republican,  and  has  been  several  times  honored 
with  nominations  for  important  offices  and  has 
been  well  supported  by  his  party,  which  ap 
pears  to  be  in  the  hopeless  minority  in  Quincy. 
He  served  as  Deputy  Sheriff  of  Adams  Co. 
for  4  years,  ending  1890.  His  brother  Edward 
Belt  was  also  in  the  late  war  and  was  a  prisoner 
for  13  months  at  Andersonville.  After  the  war 
he  went  West  and  has  not  since  been  heard  of. 


ANDREW  L.  ANDERSON,  of  Cambridge, 
Henry  Co. ,111.,  was  born  Oct.  26th,  1841, 
in  Skolfeneds  Parish,  Westergotland,  in 
the  Kingdom  of  Sweden,  and  was  a  son  of 
Louis  and  Mary  (Bengeston)  Anderson,  also 
of  S\veden,  both  of  whom  died  in  that  country; 
the  father  in  1842,  and  the  mother  Nov.  5th, 
1848.  Andrew  was  the  only  child  of  his  parents,, 
and  being  left  an  orphan  when  of  tender  years, 
was  compelled  to  rely  upon  his  own  exertions 
to  provide  for  his  ordinary  wants.  He  worked 
upon  a  farm  in  his  native  country,  and  being 
thrifty  and  provident,  had  by  the  time  he  had 
attained  his  igih  year,  saved  sufficient  from  his 


earnings  to  pay  his  transportation  to  this  coun 
try,  where  he  arrived  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
year  1860.  He  located  first  at  Geneseo,  111., 
where  he  engaged  in  farm  work  for  the 
summer  season,  and  attended  school  in  the 
winter.  President  Lincoln,  having  in  the  fall 
of  1861,  called  for  300,000  volunteers  for  serv 
ice  in  the  army.  Young  Anderson  re 
sponded,  and  in  Feb.  following  offered  him 
self  for  enlistment;  was  accepted  and  mustered 
into  the  Union  army  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago, 
as  a  private  in  Battery  H,  1st  111.  Light  Art. 
with  Axel  Silversparre  as  Captain  of  the  bat 
tery.  He  proceeded  by  rail  to  Benton  Barracks, 
St.  Louis,  where  he  was  drilled  and  made  fa 
miliar  with  ordinary  army  movements  and  war 
tactics,  and  then  ordered  to  the  front,  where 
he  was  destined  soon  to  be  engaged  in  one  of 
the  most  deadly  conflicts  which  has  taken 
place  either  in  ancient  or  modern  warfare.  On 
the  second  day  of  April,  1862,  he  with  his  Co. 
was  ordered  to  Pittsburg  Landing  where,  on 
arrival,  was  assigned  to  Gen.  C.  F.  Smith's  2nd 
Brig.,  Sherman's  Div.,  with  Gen.  McArthur 
commanding.  It  was  growing  evident  from 
the  maneuvering  of  the  rebel  troops  who  were 
being  concentrated  in  the  vicinity  of  Corinth 
that  an  attack  was  soon  to  be  made  by  them 
under  Gen.  Longstreet  upon  the  Union  forces 
then  stationed  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg 
Landing.  Consequently  additional  Govt.  troops 
were  ordered  thither  to  meet  and  repel  force 
with  force  in  the  event  of  an  attack  being 
made. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  April  6th, 
1862,  when  the  all-seeing  Providence  was  dis 
pelling  the  dews  of  Heaven  with  a  bright  and 
gorgeous  sunshine,  and  causing  the  rising  sun 
to  shine  upon  the  just  as  well  as  the  unjust,  the 
Confederate  army,  with  determined  and  mur 
derous  intent,  were  approaching  the  Union 
position,  and  in  a  few  moments  later  a  deadly 
struggle  was  being  waged  all  along  the  lines — 
thus  opened  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  Mr.  Ander 
son's  battery  occupied  a  conspicuous  position 
during  the  whole  day  and  kept  up  a  well-di 
rected  fire  throughout  the  engagement,  causing 
many  a  brave  but  ill-advised  Confederate  sol- 


696 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


dier  "to  bite  the  dust"  before  its  guns  were  laid 
aside  for  the  day.  Although  his  battery  did 
splendid  work,  it  must  not  be  supposed  that, 
holding  the  important  and  advanced  position 
it  did,  under  a  well-directed  fire  from  a  brave 
and  courageous  enemy,  that  its  own  men  did 
not  suffer  in  return.  On  the  contrary,  the  rebel 
bullets  fell  like  hail  in  its  midst,  scattering 
death  and  destruction  in  their  wake,  and  as  the 
evening  shadows  flickered  over  the  uneven 
ground  of  Shiloh's  battlefield,  many  a  pale  and 
upturned  face,  whose  spirit  had  taken  its  flight 
to  the  God  who  gave  it,  told  the  story  too 
plainly  that  an  enemy  had  lately  visited  that 
locality.  The  effects  of  the  day's  great  battle 
were  visible  upon  every  hand,  and  as  if  to  add 
to  the  discomfort  and  confusion,  and  to  con 
tinue  through  the  night  a  parody  of  the  day, 
the  elements  broke  forth  in  terrific  peals  of 
thunder,  lighting  up  the  ghastly  scene  with 
lurid  flashes  of  lightning  and  poured  floods  of 
rain  upon  the  unprotected  armies,  falling  alike 
upon  dead,  dying  and  wounded  who  still  lay 
upon  the  field  where  they  fell.  Next  day  hos 
tilities  were  renewed,  and  followed  up  with  the 
same  desperation  as  was  shown  on  the  previous 
day.  But  the  commanding  Gens,  had  time 
during  the  cessation  to  properly  dispose  of 
their  forces,  so  as  to  operate  with  greater  cer 
tainty  and  precision  than  they  were  enabled  to 
do  on  the  opening  of  the  engagement. 

The  disposition  of  the  troops  soon  after  the 
battle  commenced,  justified  the  expectation  of 
their  Commanders,  and  from  the  commanding 
positions  occupied  by  the  Union  forces,  they, 
by  a  well-directed  fire,  opened  gaps  in  the 
rebel  ranks  which  grew  so  large  they  remained 
unfilled,  and  on  the  advance  of  the  Union  army 
the  enemy's  lines  wavered  and  finally  broke, 
the  men  retreating  in  confusion,  thus  leaving 
the  field  in  possession  of  the  Govt.  After  rest 
ing  during  the  remainder  of  the  month,  near 
Pittsburg  Landing,  Mr.  Anderson,  with  his 
Regt.,  participated  in  the  general  advance  upon 
Corinth,  which  commenced  about  the  last  of 
April,  and  took  an  active  part,  and  shared  in 
the  toil,  exposure  and  dangers  incident  to  that 
expedition  culminating  in  the  evacuation  of 


that  city  on  May  3Oth.  His  next  active  con 
flict  was  at  luka,  on  Sept.  igth,  when  his  bat 
tery  was  again  heavily  engaged.  Proceeding 
from  here  his  battery  went  toward  Arkansas 
Post,  where  an  engagement  was  precipitated 
on  Jan.  nth,  1863,  in  which  himself  and  com 
rades  played  an  important  part.  Having  passed 
the  winter  at  Memphis,  a  movement  upon  Vicks- 
burg  was  ordered,  and  Mr.  Anderson,  arriving 
in  the  swamps  near  Vicksburg,  waked  up  one 
night  to  find  their  ground  overflowed  with 
water.  A  movement  was  ordered  at  once  and 
the  men  were  obliged  to  wade  through  water  a 
long  distance,  and  some  places  to  the  neck 
before  terra  firma  was  again  reached — a  night 
bath,  taken  with  disgust  and  universal  discom 
fort.  He  returned  to  Vicksburg  and  joined  in 
the  assaults  upon  that  city  upon  the  igth  and 
22nd  days  of  May,  and  afterwards  in  the  siege 
of  the  same  place. 

Before  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  how 
ever,  our  subject  was  attacked  with  camp  fever 
and  diarrhoea,  necessitating  his  being  removed 
to  the  hospital  at  Quincy,  111.,  where  his  mala 
dies,  instead  of  yielding  to  treatment,  continued. 
Consequently,  at  the  end  of  three  months  was 
discharged  and  mustered  out  on  Sept.  25th, 
1863,  owing  to  disability.  He  returned  to  Gen- 
eseo,and  being  unable  for  physical  toil,  attended 
school,  the  advantages  of  which  he  had  been 
deprived  of  in  his  native  country,  but  now  real 
izing  the  importance  of  some  schooling,  lost 
no  opportunity  of  becoming  possessed  of  a 
common  school  education.  His  health  having 
improved,  he  engaged  with  P.  P.  Allen  to  herd 
sheep,  at  which  lie  was  employed  for  two  years, 
which  gave  him  an  opportunity  of  recuperating 
in  health  and  at  the  same  time  to  pursue  his 
reading,  writing  and  other  studies.  Proving 
faithful  and  industrious,  Mr.  Allen  made  him 
overseer  of  his  large  stock  and  premises,  a 
position  he  filled  for  six  years  to  the  complete 
satisfaction  of  his  employer,  which  fact  testifies 
louder  than  language  can  express  the  mutual 
confidence  and  respect  which  existed  between 
the  employer  and  the  employed.  Having 
passed  so  far  a  life  of  single  blessedness,  if 
there  be  such  a  thing,  until  he  attained  the  age 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


697 


ot  29  years,  concluded  it  was  not  well  for  a  man 
to  be  alone,  consequently  he  selected  Miss 
Amanda  Wallin  as  a  helpmate,  whom  he  led  to 
the  altar  on  the  i6th  day  of  March,  1871,  and 
as  a  result  of  that  marriage  seven  intelligent 
children  adorn  and  brighten  the  homestead  ot 
comrade  Anderson.  Their  names  are:  Hilda 
M.,  Albert  J.,  Eugenie  L.,  James  E.,  Andrew  W., 
George  A.,  and  Conrad  H.  Having  laid  aside 
some  funds  whilst  in  Mr.  Allen's  employ,  after 
marriage  he  engaged  in  farming  upon  his  own 
account,  and  by  his  diligence  and  energy  was 
soon  enabled  to  purchase  a  property  which  he 
has  since  year  by  year  improved,  until  the 
present  time  he  owns  one  of  the  finest  farms 
(160  acres)  in  the  county  in  which  he  resides. 
Mr.  Anderson  has  been  elected  to  and  filled 
nearly  every  office  in  the  gift  of  his  township, 
except  that  of  Supervisor.  In  the  fall  of  1890 
he  was  placed  in  nomination  by  his  friends  for 
the  position  of  Co.  Treasurer,  and  was  elected 
by  an  overwhelming  majority  over  his  opponent 
—  a  majority  larger  than  any  other  candidate 
on  the  Co.  ticket. 

Mr.  Anderson,  although  prominent  in  the 
field  of  battle  as  also  in  politics,  has  not  over 
looked  his  obligation  to  his  church — the  Luth 
eran — of  which  he  and  his  estimable  wife  are 
members  and  liberal  contributors  toward  its 
support.  The  unfaltering  energy  displayed  by 
him  in  every  other  walk  or  engagement  of 
life,  exhibited  itself  brilliantly  in  his  exertion 
to  become  possessed  of  an  education,  and  being 
endowed  with  a  full  share  of  ability,  his  exer 
tions  were  rewarded  with  abundant  success. 
Soon  our  subject  had  few  if  any  peers  in  the 
surrounding  country,  and  being  a  discreet  man, 
possessed  of  a  clear,  well  balanced  mind,  with 
excellent  judgment,  when  he  takes  sides  and 
discusses  a  subject,  political,  social,  scientific 
or  moral,  it  may  be  concluded  he  is,  in  the 
large  majority  of  instances  right.  A  soldier,  a 
citizen,  a  successful  farmer  and  now  a  promin 
ent  officer  of  his  county — as  also  important 
church  official — a  man  who,  unfortunately  (?) 
was  left  in  infancy  an  orphan  without  support 
or  prestige  which  money  gives,  without  edu 
cation,  and  literally  speaking  poor,  to  find  him 


now  with  a  splendid  education  supplemented 
by  a  fine  stock  of  general  information;  an 
independent  farmer;  holding  one  of  the  most 
important  offices  of  the  county,  universally 
respected  and  admired  as  a  man  of  integrity 
and  the  soul  of  honor,  we  are  induced  to  say 
that  in  Mr.  Anderson  truly  we  have  a  rare 
combination. 


JOHN  M.  BROWN,  of  Quincy,  111.,  was  born  in 
N.  J.,  July  29,  1832.  His  parents  were 
James  and  Charlotte  (McCracken)  Brown. 
After  their  marriage  they  removed  to  Canada, 
and  afterward  to  Ionia,  Mich.,  where  the  father 
now  resides.  The  mother  died  July  5,  1888. 
Five  sons  and  four  daughters  were  born  to 
them.  Theodore  served  in  a  Kansas  Regt.  dur 
ing  the  war;  Harriet  Morton,  wife  of  Maj.  John 
Morton,  resides  at  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.;  Peter 
died  in  early  manhood;  James  was  a  military 
telegraph  operator  under  Gen.  Rosecrans,  and 
later  with  Gen.  Thomas,  with  whom  he  served 
till  the  end  of  the  war;  Mary  resides  at  Ionia, 
wife  of  Enoch  Huntley,  now  deceased;  Joseph 
ine  married  Robt.  Letherby,  and  resides  at 
Staunton,  Mich.;  Annie  married  Mr.  Green  and 
resides  at  Ionia,  Mich.,  and  Oscar  lives  at 
Staunton,  Mich. — a  mechanic.  Our  subject  en 
listed  at  Ionia,  Mich.,  in  Co.  E.,  ist  Mich.  En 
gineers  and  Mechanics,  Dec.  20,  1862,  as  a  re 
cruit  in  a  Regt.,  already  in  the  field,  and  joined 
his  command  at  Bridge  Port,  Ala.  He  went 
with  Sherman's  expedition  and  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Resaca,  Tunnel  Hill,  Buzzard's 
Roost  and  Atlanta.  He  went  on  the  march  to 
the  sea  and  up  through  the  Carolinas  to  Wash 
ington  and  was  present  at  the  grand  review. 
The  service  of  his  Regt.,  was  largely  that  of 
constructing  bridges,  building  roads  or  tearing 
them  up,  laying  pontoons,  often  under  fire  of 
the  enemy,  and  doing  such  other  exposed  duty 
as  was  required  of  them.  He  was  frequently 
exposed  to  the  enemy's  bullets,  when  the  army 
was  at  rest,  and  following  out  the  directions  of 
commanding  officers  who  assumed  control  of 
the  engineering  department  of  the  army.  He 


698 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS, 


was  discharged  from  service  at  Jackson,  Mich., 
in  Sept.,  1865,  long  after  the  close  of  the  war. 
Mr.  Brown  has  been  twice  married;  his  first 
wife,  Elizabeth  Davis,  died  soon  after  her  hus 
band's  return  from  the  army,  leaving  four  chil 
dren,  all  living— Ross,  Elmer,  Alice  and  Sallie. 
He  was  married  on  the  last  occasion  in  Quincy, 
111.,  Oct.,  1880,  to  Julia  Atkinson,  a  native  of 
111.,  born  Feb.  12,  1850.  Three  children  were 
born  to  this  union — Harvey,  Eddie  and  Clar 
ence,  all  living.  Our  subject  learned  the  paint 
er's  trade  prior  to  the  war,  and  has  followed  that 
business  ever  since.  He  works  at  painting  in 
Quincy  during  the  season.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Politically 
he  has  never  voted  any  other  than  the  Repub 
lican  ticket. 


ANDREW  J.  ROCK,  of  Sadorus,  111.,  was 
born  in  Ind.,  March  21,  1832,  a  son  of 
William  and  Nancy  (Beaver)  Rock. 
His  father  was  a  native  of  Md.,  and  his  pater 
nal  grandfather  emigrated  from  Germany  in 
colonial  days.  In  1835,  whenoursubject  was buta 
child  of  3  years  his  parents,  with  a  view  of  bet 
tering  their  circumstances,  wended  their  way 
West  locating  upon  111.  prairies  four  miles  south 
of  the  present  town  of  Sadorus,  who  with  the 
Sadorus  family  were  the  only  settlers  for  many 
miles  around.  There  young  Andrew  grew  up 
in  the  noble  calling  of  tilling  the  farm,  attend 
ing  school,  and  assisting  his  father  year  by 
year  to  add  to  his  broad  possessions.  Some  of 
the  lumber  in  the  barn  upon  the  homestead 
was  hauled  by  our  subject  from  Chicago,  by  ox 
team.  There  his  mother  died  when  he  was 
14  years  of  age,  and  his  father,  the  old  pion 
eer,  lived  to  see  his  85th  birthday,  and  died 
upon  the  farm  he  had  occupied  for  57  years. 
At  this  comfortable  homestead  the  writer 
found  the  old  veteran  scout,  Andrew  J.  Rock, 
and  from  pioneer  days  the  old  homestead  has 
grown  until  now  600  acres  of  magnificent  soil 
is  comprehended  within  its  capacious  limits. 
Whilst  there  Mr.  Rock  pointed  out  a  field  now 
sown  with  wheat  and  said,  "that  now  sown  would 


be  the  57th  crop  grown  upon  that  same  prop 
erty."  In  1859,  Mr.  Rock  removed  to  Jasper, 
Mo.,  where  he  engaged  in  extensive  farm  and 
stock  operations,  and  there  the  first  tocsin  of 
warreachedhis  ears.  Herehe  wasupon  rebelsoil 
and  his  outspoken  denunciation  of  secession 
resulted  in  the  confiscation  of  his  stock.  Boil 
ing  with  indignation,  he  determined  to  seek 
revenge,  joining  a  local  military  Co.,  and  on 
July  5,  1861,  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Carthage,  Mo.,  and  on  Aug.  1st,  his  name  was 
found  enrolled  with  the  other  members  with 
the  6th  Kan.  Cav.,  stationed  at  Fort  Scott, 
Kan.  His  daring  acts  and  unsurpassed  brav 
ery  soon  attracted  the  attention  of  his  superior 
officers,  hence  "  Andy  Rock,"  as  he  was  and  is 
familiarly  known,  was  selected  as  a  scout,  one 
of  the  most  dangerous  positions  in  army  serv 
ice,  who  took  chances  upon  being  caught,  and 
only  one  judgment  was  meted  out  to  a  scout, 
namely,  death.  With  a  full  knowledgeof  hishaz- 
ardous  work,  our  hero  entered  upon  his  duties 
of  carrying  dispatches.  When  the  troops  were 
sent  to  the  Choctaw  Nation  for  the  purpose  of 
enlisting  Indians,  Mr.  Rock  moved  in  advance, 
which  was  dangerous  work,  as  many  of  the 
tribe  had  already  declared  in  favor  of  seces 
sion.  The  trip,  however,  was  a  success  and 
4,000  Indian  recruits  were  mustered  into  the 
service. 

In  the  fall  of  1862  he  accompanied  Gen. 
Blunt  into  Ark.,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Cane  Hill.  On  the  morning  of  that  battle  with 
a  squad  of  men,  he  started  to  locate  the  rebel 
artillery,  which  was  constantly  belching  forth 
their  destroying  missiles  into  the  Union  ranks. 
He  rode  within  100  yards  of  the  guns,  locating 
them,  reported  to  GeA.  Blunt,  who  sent  the  6th 
Cav.,  who  drove  the  rebels  out  of  their  hiding 
place  and  into  the  valley,  protected  by  high 
banks.  Mr.  Rock,  with  40  men  after  him, 
rushed  into  the  valley,  and  were  instantly  sur 
rounded  by  concealed  rebels,  who  shot  many 
of  them  down,  and  within  a  few  moments  all 
were  killed  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Rock  and 
five  of  his  followers,  who,  by  a  desperate  effort, 
had  escaped  that  fate.  Rebel  bullets  flew  past 
him  like  hail  stones,  and  he  has  often  wondered 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


699 


since  how  he  escaped.  The  rebels  hung  out  a 
flag  of  truce,  whereupon  Gen.  Blunt  and  Mr. 
Rock  met  the  rebel  officers,  to  make  terms  for 
taking  over  the  dead  and  wounded.  During  the 
night  the  rebels  "folded  their  tents,  like  the 
Arabs,  and  silently  stole  away." 

The  following  morning  Mr.  Rock  located 
the  enemy  20  miles  distant,  and  whilst  out  in 
search  of  a  foraging  party,  was  attacked  by 
bushwhackers,  wounded  in  the  left  knee,  and 
carries  the  ball  imbedded  in  his  limb  to  this  day. 
This  accident  compelled  him  to  seek  a  hospital 
at  Fayetteville,  Ark.,  where  he  suffered  untold 
pain,  and  continued  until  March,  1863  ;  was 
then  sent  to  Ft.  Scott,  and  not  until  June  was 
he  able  to  enter  upon  his  dangerous  duties  again. 
After  joining,  he  was  sent  on  an  expedition 
through  Mo.  and  Ark.,  to  the  Choctaw  Nation, 
traveling  much  of  the  time  through  the  rebel 
country,  usually  alone,  and  never  with  more 
than  one  companion.  In  Oct.,  1863,  while 
scouting  for  the  main  train  crossing  Ozark 
Mountains  in  Ark.,  one  day  about  4  P.  M.,  and 
in  company  with  Thomas  Whiteside,  James 
McLaughlin  and  six  citizens,  left  the  train  and 
started  for  Ft.  Scott,  stopping  the  same  evening 
at  a  farm  house  to  procure  some  supper,  and 
whilst  it  was  being  prepared,  was  fired  upon 
by  rebels.  They  promptly  returned  the  fire, 
killing  two  of  the  enemy  and  dispersing  the 
others,  after  which  they  returned  to  enjoy  their 
meal,  then  made  good  their  escape  before  re- 
enforcements  could  arrive.  They  traveled  all 
night,  and  in  the  morning  entered  a  farm  house 
to  obtain  breakfast, and  there  discovered  9  rebels 
enjoying  their  repast,  and  before  preparations 
could  be  made  for  their  capture,  they  succeeded 
in  escaping. 

Mr.  Rock,  being  suspicious  of  the  locality, 
concluded  other  Rebels  were  in  the  vicinity, 
hence  started  in  haste  towards  Ft.  Scott  and 
was  immediately  pursued  by  some  90  Rebels. 
Within  a  mile  one  of  the  citizens  of  the  party 
was  captured,  and  another,  half  a  mile  further 
along,  both  of  whom  were  shot  on  the  spot  as 
spies.  At  the  end  of  another  2  miles,  two  more 
of  the  citizens'  horses  gave  out,  and  as  they 
were  some  distance  in  the  lead,  Mr.  Rock  hasti 


ly  hid  the  men  in  a  clump  of  bushes,  and  again 
resumed  his  mad  flight.  This  came  near  costing 
him  his  life,  for  the  Rebel  horses  being  fresh  they 
had  succeeded  in  closing  the  distance  between 
them.  Mr.  Rock,  however,  to  protect  his  com 
rades  continued  in  the  rear,  exposing  himself 
to  the  enemy's  bullets  as  they  whizzed  thick 
and  fast  around  him.  Two  of  the  balls  took 
effect  in  the  horses,  but  not  being  serious 
wounds  they  carried  their  riders  in  safety  be 
yond  the  Rebels'  reach.  One  of  his  men  was 
wounded  in  the  thigh,  but  succeeded  in  keep 
ing  his  place  in  the  saddle.  Just  then  two  of 
the  Rebels  dashed  onto  Rock,  but  as  they  did 
so,  their  horses  fell  dead,  pierced  by  the  bullets 
from  our  hero's  carbine.  The  Rebels  then 
started  for  a  ford  across  the  north  fork  of 
Spring  River  but  a  mile  distant,  and  as  Mr.  Rock 
was  about  to  dash  across,  the  Rebels  closed  in 
upon  the  ford  and  cut  him  off.  He  however 
had  no  desire  to  become  a  prisoner,  quickly 
turned  his  faithful  mare  down  the  stream  and 
dashed  under  the  low  hanging  limbs  of  the 
large  trees,  struck  the  river  some  distance 
below,  where  the  banks  were  high.  As  it  was 
a  question  of  life  or  death,  he  plunged  over 
that  steep  bank  and  his  faithful  charger  carried 
him  safely  to  the  other  side  of  the  stream,  fol- 
by  the  devilish  yells  and  merciless  bullets  of 
the  disappointed  Rebels.  He  joined  his  com 
mand  to  find  that  another  of  his  comrades  had 
been  lost,  leaving  him  with  three  men,  namely 
the  other  two  scouts  and  one  of  the  citizens. 
Mr.  Rock  is  convinced  his  pursuers  desired  to 
take  him  alive,  that  they  might  enjoy  the 
pleasure  of  shooting  him  as  a  spy,  as  on  sever 
al  occasions  during  the  flight  they  could  have 
shot  him.  Knowing  this  he  determined  to  sell 
his  life  as  dearly  as  possible  or  die  in  the 
attempt. 

In  Aug.,  1864,  with  his  trusted  friend  and 
companion  Whiteside,  he  started  out  a  distance 
of  some  40  miles  from  Ft.  Scott  to  locate  the 
Rebels,  and  the  second  morning  out  observed  a 
woman  moving  on  horseback  at  full  speed.  For 
agers  were  in  that  vicinity  from  the  Union 
army,  and  Mr.  Rock  knew  that  the  place  was 
literally  swarming  with  guerrillas  who  were  li- 


7oo 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


able  to  swoop  down  upon  the  foragers  at  any 
moment,  therefore  halted  the  woman  who 
claimed  that  she  was  going  in  haste  to  see  a 
sick  friend.  Mr.  Rock  was  confident  she 
was  lying,  and  accused  her  of  being  a  Union 
spy  about  to  notify  the  Union  Camp  of 
their  presence  in  that  vicinity.  The  diplomacy 
of  our  subject  bore  fruit,  she  intimating  that 
she  was  on  her  way  to  the  Rebel  camp  to  in 
form  them  of  the  presence  of  the  Union  for 
agers.  Thus  besides  being  enabled  to  notify 
the  foragers  he  was  also  informed  as  to  the  pos- 
tion  of  the  Rebels,  which  was  the  object  of  his 
mission.  On  the  following  morning  our  dash 
ing  scouts,  Rock  and  Whiteside  called  at  a 
woman's  house,  supposed  to  be  in  sympathy 
with  the  Rebel  cause,  to  obtain  breakfast,  at 
the  same  time  intimating  that  they  were  South 
ern  men.  While  sitting  on  their  horses  engag 
ing  the  woman  in  conversation,  three  rebels 
dashed  from  the  ravine  and  in  an  instant  had 
our  subject  and  his  comrade  covered  with  their 
carbines.  Mr.  Rock,  as  cool  as  the  grass  which 
grew  beneath  h>s  feet,  showed  no  alarm,  bade 
the  men  good  morning,  stating  that  their  host 
had  informed  them  that  they  were  Southern 
men. 

Therefore,  they  grew  calm,  their  guns 
dropped  by  their  side,  whereupon,  in  the 
twinkling  of  an  eye.  Rock's  two  loaded  revolv 
ers,  as  also  that  of  his  assistant,  were  levelled 
upon  the  intruders.  The  men  were  disarmed 
of  their  guns  and  other  weapons,  marched  to 
headquarters  and  entered  there  as  prisoners. 
This  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  efforts  of 
Mr.  Rock's  scouting  life,  and  as  a  reward 
showers  of  encomiums  and  praise  were  ren 
dered  to  our  gallant  troopers  for  their  mag 
nificent  dash  for  liberty,  and  the  successful 
capture  of  three  of  the  most  daring  of  South 
ern  outlaws.  Even  the  newspapers  com 
mented  upon  this  daringand successful  capture. 
As  a  small  token  of  reward  the  Gen.  in  com 
mand  presented  Whiteside,  and  Mr.  Rock  with 
the  horses  and  arms  captured  from  the  prison 
ers,  the  later  of  which  he  still  retains  and  will 
always  preserve  as  mementoes  of  that  daring 
encounter. 


There  are  scores  of  other  instances  where 
Mr.  Rock  took  desperate  chances  and  encoun 
tered  hairbreadth  escapes,  but  to  give  them 
all  in  detail,  or  to  illustrate  or  to  protray  his 
dangers,  would  fill  a  volume,  hence  from  the 
instances  given  above,  we  must  leave  the  reader 
to  judge  as  to  the  hazardous  occupation  in 
which  he  was  for  several  years  engaged.  His 
whole  army  life  was  full  of  successful  and  bril 
liant  achievements,  performed  under  difficul 
ties  which  would  deter  the  great  majority  of 
men,  which  drew  from  his  superior  officers 
strong  expressions  of  commendation  and  praise. 
Carrying  a  rebel  bullet  in  his  limb,  and  shat 
tered  in  health  from  his  dangerous  and  exposed 
occupation,  he  was  compelled  to  retire  from 
the  army  Dec.  I,  1864,  leaving  behind  him  a 
record  for  fast  and  long  riding,  never  equalled 
by  any  other  man.  For  instance  he  rode  350 
miles  in  four  days;  100  miles  in  24  hours,  and 
85  miles  between  sunrise  and  sunset. 

After  his  retirement,  he  returned  to  his  for 
mer  home  near  Sadorus,  where  he  has  since 
lived,  with  the  exception  of  a  short  time  when 
he  sojourned  in  Kansas.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Sadorus;  a  Knight  Tem 
plar;  a  life  long  Democrat,  and  has  held  many 
offices  of  trust  in  his  county.  Mr.  Rock  has 
been  four  times  married,  the  first  occasion  be 
ing  in  1853,  and  the  last  in  1883,  when  he  was 
united  in  matrimony  to  Elizabeth  Griffin.  He 
is  the  father  of  8  children,  one  of  whom  is  by 
his  last  wife.  Mr.  Rock  is  a  noble  representa 
tive  of  a  race  whose  impulses  arc  all  opposed 
to  bondage  and  oppression,  and  whose  warmest 
sympathies  were  enlisted  for  the  national 
cause.  He  will  be  ever  held  in  grateful  re 
membrance  and  honored  by  his  many  friends 
when  the  throne  of  tyranny  shall  have  crumbled 
to  dust,  the  proudest  dynasties  forgotten,  and 
slavery  and  slave  confederacies  laid  among 
the  relics  of  a  barbarous  age. 


S 


AMUEL  M.  MANN,  a  resident  of  Quincy,  111., 
and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  was  born 
in  Marion  Co.,  Mo.,  July  9,  1845,  a  son  °f 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


701 


Harvey  J.  and  Emily  J.  (Eldis)  Mann,  who 
were  both  Kentuckians  by  birth.  The  former 
was  born  March  18,  1815,  and  the  latter  Feb.  4, 
1814.  The  father  has  been  an  Elder  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  since  the  earliest  recollec 
tion  of  our  subject,  and  is  regarded  as  an  up 
right  and  exemplary  Christian  gentlemen.  He 
went  to  Mo.  in  1835,  and  m  1847,  settled  on  the 
farm  on  which  he  now  lives.  Samuel  was  reared 
to  farm  life  and  attained  a  good  common-school 
education.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  the 
family  promptly  allied  themselves  with  the 
cause  of  the  Union.  To  be  a  Union  man  in 
Mo.  in  those  days,  meant  estrangement  from 
former  friends,  persecutions  and  dangers  which 
people  located  within  the  borders  of  the  Union 
States  knew  nothing  of.  The  family  was  fre 
quently  threatened  with  persecution,  and  on 
one  occasion  the  father  was  taken  out  of  his 
house  at  midnight,  arrested  and  taken  to  a 
rebel  camp  some  ten  miles  off.  Here  they 
compelled  him  to  sign  an  agreement  not  to 
divulge  the  movements  of  the  rebel  army  to 
their  enemies,  and  a  copy  of  this  document  he 
has  preserved,  making  such  changes  in  the 
wording  as  to  render  its  tenor  less  objectiona 
ble.  Upon  his  signing  this,  he  was  permitted 
to  return  home,  and  was  never  rearrested, 
though  constantly  warned  of  the  consequences 
which  would  follow  unfaithfulness  to  his  parole. 
His  premises  were  stripped  of  everything  mov 
able  which  would  be  of  any  value  to  the  Con 
federacy,  including  all  his  horses  excepting  one 
two-year-old  colt.  An  incident  worthy  of  note 
is  the  following:  Prior  to  the  war,  in  1860,  a 
Presbyterian  minister,  named  Rev.  Jones,  came 
from  Vt.  and  was  employed  as  pastor  of  the 
church  in  which  Father  Mann  was  an  Elder. 
With  this  minister  came  his  wife's  brother  and 
sisters  whose  names  were  Murdock.  In  the 
neighborhood  was  a  family  named  Hicks,  par- 
ishoners  of  Rev.  Jones.  The  Hicks  family 
were  rabid  rebels,  while  Mr.  Jones  and  the 
Murdocks  were  strong  in  the  advocacy  of  the 
Union  cause.  A  tender  alliance  was  formed 
between  Miss  Hicks  and  Arthur  Murdock,  and 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  the  Hickses  joined 
the  rebel  army  and  young  Murdock  enlisted  in 


the  2nd  111.  Cav.  These  circumstances  at  once 
caused  an  estrangement,  and  Miss  Hicks  was 
forbidden  to  have  anything  further  to  do  with 
Murdock.  But  true  to  her  womanly  instincts, 
she  set  about  secretly  to  devise  means  of  per 
petuating  the  acquaintance  of  young  Murdock, 
and  Mrs.  Mann,  a  stepmother  of  our  subject, 
became  the  medium  of  communication  between 
the  young  lovers.  Miss  Hicks  would  bring  her 
letters  to  the  Mann  home,  and  Mrs.  Mann 
would  mail  them,  receiving  in  return  the  loving 
epistles  of  young  Murdock  in  her  own  name, 
and  promptly  delivering  them  to  his  affianced. 
In  this  way  a  correspondence  was  kept  up  for 
nearly  two  years;  but  the  sad  sequel  to  it  all- 
young  Murdock  was  killed  in  battle  at  Island 
No.  10. 

Following  the  death  of  the  young  patriot, 
Miss  Hicks  still  remained  loyal  to  the  Union, 
and  especially  to  the  Mann  family.  In  1863  a 
delegation  of  rebels  had  passed  sentence  of 
death,  by  hanging,  upon  four  of  the  prominent 
Union  men  in  the  neighborhood.  Miss  Hicks 
secretly  communicated  the  startling  news  to 
Father  Mann,  who  at  once  informed  the  parties, 
who  were  still  at  liberty.  The  result  was,  the 
men's  lives  were  saved,  and  to  the  loyalty  and 
goodness  of  heart  of  Miss  Hicks  they  owe  their 
lives.  Our  heroine  married  after  the  war,  but  is 
now  a  widow,  residing  in  California.  In  the 
year  1862  young  Samuel  picked  up  his  heels 
and  ran  away  from  home,  going  to  Quincy  for 
the  purpose  of  enlisting.  But,  on  the  impor 
tunities  of  friends,  in  view  of  his  youth,  and  be 
ing  the  only  child,  returned  home,  and  remained 
until  the  following  year,  when,  Aug.  10,  1863, 
he  enlisted  as  private  in  Co.  L,  nth  Mo.  Cav. 
Here,  again,  is  evidence  of  the  cost  of  being  a 
Union  man.  His  childhood  playmates  and 
school  companions  were  mostly  in  the  rebel 
army,  and  it  certainly  required  almost  super 
natural  power  to  induce  a  young  man  to  enlist 
to  meet  them  in  deadly  combat,  but  love  of 
country  was  strong  in  this  young  and  vigorous 
heart,  and  he  cast  his  fortunes  with  the  side 
which  he  believed  to  be  right.  He  was  drilled 
and  equipped  at  Benton  Barracks.  Shortly  he 
went  to- the  front,  and  was  actively  engaged  in 


702 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


scouting  and  escort  duty  in  Mo.  and  Ark.,  be 
ing  in  constant  contact  with  marauding  bands  of 
guerrillas  and  bushwhackers.  In  Feb.,  1864, 
we  find  him  under  fire  in  the  battle  of  Spring 
River,  Ark.,  and  in  May  he  fought  the  enemy 
at  Jackson  Post,  Ark.  Subsequently  the  Regt. 
moved  to  Duvall's  Bluff,  where  the  boys  suf 
fered  much  from  malaria,  and  a  large  number 
of  them  succumbed  to  the  intense  heat.  The 
water,  too,  was  very  bad,  and  contributed  much 
to  aid  the  ravages  of  the  disease.  While  here 
a  detachment,  our  subject  being  one  of  them, 
was  detailed  on  special  service  at  Lake  Bluff, 
where  they  had  charge  of  the  recuperating  sta 
bles  of  the  Union,  and  remained  until  Sept., 
1864,  when  they  moved  to  Hay  Station,  where 
the  Govt.  had  a  large  force  of  men  engaged  in 
hay-making.  Here  they  were  engaged  in  con 
stant  skirmishes,  and  several  battles,  occasioned 
by  the  persistent  harassing  of  the  rebels.  The 
next  move  was  to  Brownsville,  Ark.,  and  sub 
sequently  they  went  into  winter  quarters  at 
Little  Rock,  Ark.,  remaining  until  June  27, 1865, 
when  they  rece:ved  orders  to  report  to  Gen. 
Canby,  at  New  Orleans,  where  our  soldier  boy 
was  mustered  out  July  27,  1865,  as  Orderly  Ser 
geant  of  his  Co. 

Returning  to  his  home  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching  for  some  time.  During  the  war  the 
Elder  Mann  was  elected  County  Judge,  and  at 
the  first  election  after  the  disbanded  soldiers 
had  returned,  the  disfranchised  rebels  showed 
how  severely  they  felt  the  disgrace  of  disfran- 
chisement.  Our  subject  was  employed  as  clerk 
of  the  election  in  his  precinct,  and  sat  all  day 
with  a  pen  in  his  right  hand,  his  left  grasping 
the  handle  of  a  six  shooter.  The  rebels  pub 
licly  announced  that  no  Republican  should 
vote  at  their  election.  A  number  of  personal 
contests  occurred,  principally  with  fists,  but  oc 
casionally  a  revolver  or  knife  was  brought  into 
use.  For  six  or  seven  years  comrade  Mann 
farmed  during  the  sumers,  and  continued  teach 
ing  during  the  winters.  In  1881,  he  began  the 
prosecution  of  Govt.  Claims,  which,  in  connec 
tion  with  insurance,  real  estate,  loans,  etc.,  has 
been  his  business  since,  he  being  now  the  senior 
member  of  the  firm  of  Mann  &  Thrush,  who 


have  been  very  successful  in  the  prosecution  of 
Government  claims.  Feb.  28,  1867,  Mr.  Mann 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Mattie  M.  Wiseman, 
who  was  born  in  Scotland  Co.,  Mo.,  Aug.  28, 
1845,  the  daughter  of  Josiah  S.  and  Rebecca 
(Johnston)  Wiseman.  Her  father  was  a  resi 
dent  of  Lewis  Co.,  Mo.,  during  the  war,  and 
suffered  many  persecutions  for  his  Union  sen 
timents.  His  house  was  three  times  surrounded 
by  rebels,  the  purpose  being  understood  to  be 
his  murder ;  but  he  was  a  man  of  powerful 
frame  and  nerve,  and  each  time  succeeded  in 
evading  them,  and  shortly,  joined  the  Mo.  Mili 
tia.  On  one  occasion  when  Mr.  Wiseman's 
house  was  surrounded  by  the  foe  in  the  night, 
his  wife  answered  their  call  from  an  upstairs 
window,  and  received  in  response  a  volley  of 
fire,  one  ball  making  a  severe  wound  in  her  left 
breast.  Mr.  Wiseman  was  in  the  house  at  the 
time  and  made  his  escape  by  going  down  cel 
lar  and  passing  out  under  the  house,  as  he  sup 
posed,  on  the  opposite  side  from  his  would-be 
captors.  Unfortunately  a  squad  was  watching 
his  outcome  and  greeted  him  with  a  volley  of 
fire,  but  he  escaped  very  miraculously.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Mann  two  sons  have  been  born.  Har 
vey  J.  and  John  C.  M.,  both  married  and  living 
at  St.  Joe,  Mo.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Mr.  Mann  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  A.  O. 
U.  W.  societies.  The  boys  are  active  workers 
in  the  Sons  of  Veterans. 


SAMUEL  VAN  BRUNT,  of  the  enterprising 
and  public  spirited  business  men  of  Sid 
ney,  111.,  we  have  selected  for  our  present 
subject.  He  enlisted  in  the  late  Rebellion 
Sept.  23,  1861,  in  Co.  I.,  loth  111.  Cav.  He 
moved  to  Camp  Butler,  thence  to  Quincy,  from 
there  to  St.  Louis  and  then  was  ordered  to  the 
battle  ground  of  Pea  Ridge;  but  at  Spring 
field,  Mo.,  he  was  detained  and  stationed  with 
his  Regt.  guarding  army  supplies  for  6  months. 
Whilst  there  Mr.  Van  Brunt  was  detailed  for 
service  in  the  Quartermaster's  Dept.;at  Marsh- 
field,  his  duties  being  to  take  charge  of  a  squad 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


703 


of  men  and  locate  provisions  for  man  and  beast, 
for  use  in  the  army  and  report  the  result  at 
headquarters.  He  continued  in  this  depart 
ment  until  the  following  spring,  then  with  his 
Regt.  he  moved  to  Pilot  Knob,  thence  to  Cape 
Girardeau  to  intercept  the  rebel  Gen.  Marma- 
cluke  at  Jackson,  Mo.,  and  there  engaged  him 
in  a  heavy  battle.  For  meritorious  conduct 
our  subject  was  promoted  to  be  a  Corporal  and 
placed  upon  guard  duty.  Previous  to  the  last 
named  battle  he  was  three  days  and  nights  in 
the  saddle,  and  as  a  brave  and  courageous  man 
was  required  for  service  during  the  night  of  the 
battle,  he  was  the  one  selected.  He  stood  at 
his  post  throughout  the  night  under  a  drench 
ing  rain  and  towards  morning  went  out  to 
relieve  the  guards,  when  he  found  one  of  them 
sleeping  peacefully,  his  body  in  a  slight  hollow 
and  his  head  upon  the  bank,  and,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  his  head,  completely  submerged  in 
water.  The  following  day  his  Regt.  again 
started  in  pursuit  of  Marmaduke,  with  whom 
they  had  another  conflict  at  Poplar  Bluff,  cap 
turing  many  of  his  men,  taking  them  back  to 
Bloomfield.  Returning  to  Pilot  Knob,  they 
fitted  up  for  a  trip  to  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  their 
movements  being  contested  by  a  heavy  skir 
mishing  with  the  rebels.  They  remained  at 
Brownsville,  Ark.,  for  a  short  rest,  which  was 
broken  in  upon  by  expeditions  in  different 
directions.  Near  Bayou  Meta  they  fought  and 
defeated  the  rebels  under  Price,  Hinman  and 
Marmaduke. 

A  year  afterwards  while  Mr.  Van  Brunt  was 
on  picket  duty  a  rebel  approached  him  under 
a  flag  of  truce  and  in  the  conversation  which  en 
sued  inquired  if  our  subject  was  not  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Bayou  Meta  at  the  same  time,  inform 
ing  him  that  his  command  was  more  hotly 
pressed  and  sustained  more  injuries  than  in 
any  other  battle  up  to  that  time. 

His  Regt.  next  moved  to  Little  Rock, 
crossed  the  river  and  had  a  sharp,  warm  con 
flict  with  the  enemy,  who  retired  with  some 
loss  within  his  fortifications,  which  were  also 
stormed  and  taken,  causing  the  defenders  to 
seek  safety  in  retreat.  Following  up  the  vic 
tory  of  the  previous  day,  Mr.  Van  Brunt  and 


his  Regt.  pursued  the  fleeing  enemy,  whom 
they  followed  for  two  days;  a  constant  heavy 
skirmish  was  kept  up  throughout  the  chase, 
and  when  abandoned  they  returned  to  Little 
Rock,  where  they  were  stationed  until  the  win 
ter.  Here  our  subject  veteranized  and  returned 
home  on  veteran  furlough.  After  reassembling 
they  went  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  thence  to  Little 
Rock,  where  the  Regt.  was  re-organized,  and 
was  engaged  in  holding  in  check  the  rebels  un 
der  Shelby  and  Marmaduke,  who  were  raiding 
that  section  of  the  country.  Whilst  here  they 
had  constant  skirmishes  and  small  engage 
ments,  and  followed  Price  from  place  to  place, 
on  the  last  occasion  of  his  movement  into  Mo. 
On  one  occasion  in  the  line  of  his  duty  Mr 
Van  Brunt  forded  the  Ark.  River  when  the 
water  came  above  his  horse's  back,  and  withont 
a  change  of  clothing,  and  during  a  cold  night, 
he  rode  a  distance  of  24  miles.  At  Browns 
ville  those  of  the  Regt.  that  had  not  veteran 
ized  were  mustered  out  and  the  I5th  111.  Cav. 
was  consolidated  with  his  Regt.,  remained 
there  until  Feb.,  when  they  went  to  New  Or 
leans  and  soon  thereafter  to  Mobile,  arriving 
there  shortly  after  that  city  was  evacuated. 
They  next  marched  overland  through  the  great 
pine  forests  of  the  South  to  Baton  Rouge, 
then  to  New  Orleans,  where  they  received 
their  pay,  and  thence  by  boat  to  Shreveport. 
After  a  short  delay  they  started  upon  that 
long  and  tedious  march  over  the  country  to 
San  Antonio,  Tex.,  where  they  were  employed 
upon  guard  duty  until  Nov.  22,  1865,  when 
they  were  mustered  out  and  placed  en  route 
for  home. 

Jan.  6,  1866,  he  was  finally  discharged  at 
Camp  Butler,  after  a  service  of  4  years  and  3 
months,  enduring  great  hardships  and  priva 
tions  on  behalf  of  his  threatened  country,  and 
rejoicing  in  the  reflection  that  he  had  not  a 
mark  upon  his  body  to  indicate  that  he  had 
been  in  battle.  By  reason  of  chronic  disease 
and  sore  eyes  he  was  placed  in  a  hospital  at 
Cassville,  Mo.,  and  the  Surgeon  refusing  to  dis 
charge  him,  when  he  desired  to  go,  he  stole  out 
of  the  hospital  and  succeeding  in  joining  his 
command.  Our  hero's  brother  Hendrick  when 


704 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


16  years  of  age  served  in  the   loth  Iowa  Inf. 
He  was  seriously  wounded  in  the  breast  at  the 
battle  of  Lookout  Mt.,  taken  prisoner,  cast  into 
the  rebel  prison,  first  at  Libby,  then  at  Ander- 
sonville,  where,  after  a  prison  life  of  13  months 
he  died  a  most  horrible  death  upon  the   very 
day  he  was   to  have   been  paroled  and  set  at 
Liberty.     His  body,   with  thousands  of  other 
brave  patriotic  soldiers,  found  in  Southern  soil, 
an   unknown  resting  place.     Our  subject,  Mr. 
Van    Brunt,    is    a    native    of   Ohio,    born    near 
Greenville,  Sept.  I,  1841,  and  is  a  son  of  Sam 
uel  and  Malvina  (Brown)  Van   Brunt,   whose 
families  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  that 
State.     Samuel's  parents  moved  to  Ind,  when 
he  was  a  boy  4  years  of  age;  later  his  mother 
died,  and  his  father  being  an  invalid,  much  care 
and  responsibility  was  thrown  upon  our  sub 
ject,  whose  personal  labors  largely  contributed 
to  the  support  of  the  family.  His  opportunities 
to  obtain   an  education   were   decidedly  poor, 
yet  occasionally  he  attended  what  was  known 
as  the    "Bedbug"  school  house,  near    Sidney. 
In  1854,  with  a  broken  family  circle,  he  moved 
to  111.,  settling  upon  a  farm  near  Sidney.     He 
has  continued  to  live  in  the  same  county  since 
that  time.     He   is  engaged  in    farming,   stock 
raising,  and  in  the  grain  and  mercantile  busi 
ness,  and  without  any  attempt  at  flattery,  it  can 
be  said  of  him  that  owing  to  his  business  ability 
and  well  applied  energy,  he  has  succeeded  in 
accumulating  a  respectable  fortune,  which  he 
can  now  enjoy  during  his  declining  years.     Al 
though   he   is  a  prominent  Republican,  he  has 
never  sought  or  permitted  his  name  to  be  used 
in  connection  with  any  office.     He  is  a  charter 
member   of   the   G.  A.  R.    Post  at   Sidney,   of 
which  he  has  been   for  many  years  its  trusted 
Quartermaster,    and    the    financial    prosperity 
attending  that  institution  is  largely  attributable 
to  Mr.  Van   Brunt's  business  ability  and  labor 
on  its  behalf.     He  is  also  a  Free  Mason. 

March  19,  1866,  he  married  Belle  Sampson, 
to  which  marriage  8  children  have  been  born- 
Marcus  G.,  who  was  killed  in  a  R.  R.  accident; 
Raymond  B.,  Gertrude  R.,  Earl  Irving,  Edgar 
C.,  Myrtle  S.,  Chester  S.,  and  Clyde,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  two  years. 


The  success,  and  happiness  attending  Mr. 
Van  Brunt's  life  again  proclaim  the  truth  of 
the  assertion  that  patriotism,  business  honor 
and  uncompromising  energy  will  always  bring 
their  reward. 


JACOB  EISELE,  a  leading  tailor  of  Sterling, 
111.,  was  born  Nov.  II,  1840,  at  Baden, 
Germany.  His  parents  were  Jacob  and 
Barbara  (Kiest)  Eisele.  His  father  belonged 
to  one  of  the  old  and  distinguished  families  of 
Germany,  and  was  brought  up  to  the  life  of  a 
farmer.  He  came  to  the  U.  S.  in  1852,  with  his 
parents  and  a  number  of  kinsfolk,  landing  at 
New  Orleans,  and  going  by  river  to  New  Albany, 
Ind.,  the  trip  occupying  17  days,  the  boat  being 
heavily  laden  with  railroad  rails.  Cholera  broke 
out  on  the  boat  from  New  Orleans  to  New  Al 
bany,  of  which  all  his  relatives,  except  two 
cousins  and  his  parents,  brothers  and  sisters, 
were  victims.  Locating  at  New  Albany,  he  for 
the  first  year  worked  on  a  farm,  subsequently 
removing  to  the  town. 

He  was  one  of  five  children — Christian, 
Jacob,  Louis,  Fred  and  Mina,  the  last  named  of 
whom  married  John  Uhlmer.  His  father  con 
tinued  to  reside  in  Indiana  until  his  death,  in 
Feb.,  1869,  his  widow  surviving  him  until  Sept., 
1878.  Jacob  for  some  years  assisted  his  father 
in  farm  work,  but  after  an  attack  of  fever, 
which  rendered  him  unfit  for  such  employment, 
he  applied  himself  to  acquire  the  trade  of  a 
tailor.  His  preliminary  education  had  been 
received  in  Germany,  and  after  settling  in  this 
country,  he  continued  to  prosecute  his  studies 
at  night  and  at  Sunday  schools. 

He  enlisted  in  the  military  service  at  New 
Albany,  Ind.,  in  July,  1861,  and  was  mustered 
in  as  a  private  of  Co.  H,  32d  Ind.  Inf.,  Aug 
24th.  The  organization  of  the  Regt.  was  com 
pleted  at  Camp  Morton,  Ind.,  Sept.  24,  at  which 
time  it  entered  field  service,  going  to  Louis 
ville,  and  thence  to  New  Haven,  remaining  at 
the  latter  place  about  one  month.  Then  the 
Regt.  was  ordered  to  Camp  Nevin,  Ky.,  where 
the  32d  was  assigned  to  the  2d  Brig,  of  the  2d 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


705 


Div.,  and  went  into  camp  until  the  army  moved 
on  to  Green  River.  The  young  soldier  was  for 
the  first  time  in  battle  Dec.  17,  at  Green  River, 
with  Terry's  Texas  Rangers,  but  two  days  be 
fore  it  had  been  engaged  in  a  skirmish,  in  which 
two  of  his  company  were  wounded. 

Moving  on  to  Bowling  Green,  Nashville, 
and  Columbia,  where  they  constructed  a  bridge 
over  the  Duck  River,  they  continued  their 
march  by  way  of  Savannah  to  Shiloh,  where 
they  were  again  in  action  on  that  memorable 
field.  The  regimental  loss  in  this  battle  was 
heavy,  and  the  honors  of  the  fight  were  dearly 
bought,  but  no  sacrifice  seemed  too  great  for 
those  heroic  soldiers  pledged  to  the  noble  cause 
of  their  country.  The  Regt.  was  at  the  siege  of 
Corinth  and  constantly  engaged  in  action  until 
the  evacuation.  The  command  now  moved  on 
to  luka,  and  thence  to  Florence,  Huntsville, 
Bellefontaine,  and  going  on  to  Stephenson, 
and  Battle  Creek  where  they  encamped.  From 
Battle  Creek,  Mr.  Eisele  was  detailed  to  the 
recruiting  service,  and  returned  to  Indianapolis; 
then  to  New  Albany  in  Aug.  Here  on  Sept. 
30,  1862,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Francis  Starck, 
of  New  Albany.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  at 
Nashville  in  Dec.,  and  took  part  in  the  battle 
of  Stone  River.  At  Stone  River  they  went  into 
camp  until  the  following  June.  Their  next  en 
gagement  was  at  Liberty  Gap,  from  there  they 
moved  to  Tullahoma,  then  crossed  the  Tenn. 
River  to  Chickamauga,  where  Sept.  i9and2Oth 
they  were  engaged  in  that  sanguinary  battle,, 
and  then  fell  back  to  Rossville,  covering  the 
rear.  From  there  they  fell  back  to  Chatta 
nooga,  wherethey  built  breastworks,  and  where 
they  were  besieged  by  the  enemy  for  two 
months.  Next  they  participated  in  the  open 
ing  of  the  battle  of  Orchard  Knob,  and  in  the 
taking  of  Mission  Ridge,  Nov.  25,  1863.  At 
Mission  Ridge  the  Federal  troops  behaved 
with  most  conspicuous  and  splendid  gallantry. 
The  command  was  next  ordered  to  East  Tenn. 
to  relieve  Burnside,  at  Knoxville,  and  there 
marched  and  countermarched,  during  the  win 
ter  of  1863-64,  suffering  intensely  from  want  of 
clothing,  and  other  privations  and  hardships, 
until  the  spring  of  '64,  when  they  were  ordered 

44 


to  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  and  there  joined  Sherman's 
army  when  it  moved  on  to  Dalton,  Ga.,  and 
forward  on  the  Atlanta  campaign. 

The  Regt.  re-enlisted  at  Strawberry  Plains, 
but  on  account  of  the  spring  campaign  coming 
on,  were  unable  to  get  a  furlough;  and  fought 
through  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  the  numer 
ous  battles  that  followed,  always  with  distin 
guished  gallantry.  May  27,  they  suffered  their 
heaviest  loss  at  Allatoona  Hills.  From  Alla- 
toona  Hills  they  moved  to  Marietta,  Ga.,  thence 
on  to  Atlanta,  participating  in  all  the  many 
skirmishes,  battles,  and  hardships  of  that  mem 
orable  campaign.  After  the  fall  of  Atlanta  the 
Regt.  was  ordered  to  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  where 
it  was  mustered  out  Sept.  6,  1864,  and  returning 
to  his  home  at  New  Albany,  Mr.  Eisele  resumed 
his  trade  as  a  tailor.  He  remained  here  until 
1873,  when  he  removed  to  Sterling,  111.,  where 
he  established  his  business  Aug.  24  of  that 
year,  in  which  he  has  since  achieved  a  notable 
success  and  a  distinctively  leading  position. 

Mr.  Eisele  is  a  member  o.f  the  Masonic 
Lodge,  No.  612,  of  Rock  River,  111.;  Sterling 
Chapter,  57;  Knights  Templar,  the  Sterling 
Commandery,  57;  also  a  member  of  Will  Rob 
inson  Post,  No.  274,  G.  A.  R.  He  is  a  Repub 
lican  and  a  worthy  citizen,  imbued  with  the 
principles  which  constitute  integrity  and  in 
corruptible  honor. 

Mrs.  Eisele  died  June  3,  1885,  leaving  8 
children,  two  having  died.  The  names  of  the 
living  are — Francis,  now  Mrs.  Henry  Crouse,  of 
Sterling,  111.;  Jacob, engaged  in  his  father's  bus 
iness;  Charles,  now  in  Chicago;  Emma,  now 
Mrs.  Gactz,  of  Sterling,  111.;  William,  a  jewel 
er  in  Sterling;  and  Edward,  Robert  and  George, 
now  being  educated  in  the  schools  at  Sterling. 


DAVID  HUNTER  was  born    July   20,    1802, 
at   Washington,    D.    C.      He    entered 
West  Point   in   1818  and  was  graduated 
from  that  institution  in  1822.     He   entered  the 
military  service    as   2nd  Lieut.,  5th  U.   S.   Inf., 
July   i    following.     In    1828  he  was   promoted 
to  1st   Lieut.,    to   Captain  of  1st  Dragoons  in 


706 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


1833,  and  to  Paymaster  to  rank  as  Major,  in 
1842,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  twenty 
years.  When  the  rebellion  broke  out  he  was 
commissioned  Col.  of  the  6th  U.  S.  Cav.,  dating 
from  May  14,  1861.  In  August  following  he 
received  the  full  rank  of  Maj.  Gen.  of  Volun 
teers.  His  military  life  prior  to  this  was  on  the 
frontier.  He  served  in  Oregon  and  in  all  the 
territories.  He  resigned  his  position  as  Pay 
master  went  to  Washington  and  tendered  his 
services  to  the  President.  His  first  action  was 
in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861.  In 
this  unfortunate  engagement  Gen.  Hunter  took 
his  command  two  miles  up  the  river  and  cross 
ing  at  Sudley's  Ford,  attacked  the  enemy  from 
the  north  in  conjunction  with  a  division  under 
Gen.  Heintzelman.  By  traitors  who  had  the 
confidence  of  the  Govt.,  and  in  the  possession 
of,  its  military  plans,  this  movement  was  given 
to  the  enemy  as  soon  as  it  was  determined  upon. 
This  treason  caused  Hunter's  flank  movement 
to  be  anticipated  and  successfully  met  by  the 
rebels.  When  the  Union  troops  reached  the 
crossing  they  found  it  strongly  defended  by  the 
enemy  with  numerous  troops  and  masked  bat 
teries  of  artillery.  In  the  face  of  all  opposi 
tion  Hunter's  Div.  crossed  the  stream,  charged 
the  rebels  in  their  hidden  recesses  and  actually 
drove  them  two  miles  before  the  order  for  re 
treat  was  received.  The  battle  was  a  National 
disaster,  yet  two  Divisions  of  the  Union  army, 
Hunter's  and  Heintzelman's,  fought  with  an 
energy  and  courage  that  would  be  creditable  to 
the  best  army  in  the  world.  During  this  battle 
Gen.  Hunter  received  from  a  minie  ball  a 
severe  wound  in  the  neck,  from  which  he  was  a 
long  time  recovering.  Subsequently  he  was 
ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Fremont,  whose  head 
quarters  was  then  at  St.  Louis. 

After  the  first  Missouri  campaign,  in  the  fall 
of  1862,  he  succeeded  Fremont  in  the  command 
of  the  Department  of  the  West.  Not  long  after 
he  was  succeeded  by  General  Halleck,  and 
transferred  to  the  Department  of  Kansas,  with 
headquarters  at  Leavenworth.  The  spring  fol 
lowing  ( 1863)  he  was  transferred  to  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  South.  It  was  while  in  this  cam 
paign  that  he  issued  his  famous  proclamation 


freeing  all  the  slaves  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia 
and  Florida,  by  virtue  of  declaration  of  martial 
law.  This  manifesto  of  the  General  created 
quite  a  stir  in  political  circles,  and  brought 
upon  the  administration  of  President  Lincoln 
a  storm  of  abuse.  It  raised  the  issue  again  that 
the  war  was  only  for  the  freedom  of  the  slaves. 
The  President  countermanded  and  Gen.  Hunter 
was  much  censured  for  impolitic  and  unauthor 
ized  order.  He  was  only  a  little  in  advance  of 
the  issue,  which  was  surely  following.  Having 
been  recalled  from  the  Department  of  the  South, 
the  Gen.  was  next  called  upon  to  preside  over 
the  court  martial  convened  for  the  trial  of  Fitz- 
John  Porter.  In  the  fall  of  1863  Gen.  Hunter 
was  appointed  Inspector-General  of  the  Union 
forces  in  the  Southwest,  which  position  he  held 
until  May,  1864,  when  he  was  transferred  to  the 
command  of  Va.  In  the  fall  of  of  1865  he  was 
relieved  by  Gen.  Sheridan. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  Gen.  Hunter 
presided  over  the  military  commission  held  for 
the  trial  of  the  conspirators  charged  with  being 
accessory  to  the  assassination  of  President  Lin 
coln.  He  was  retired  from  active  service  in 
1866. 

He  died  Feby.  2,  1886.  Few  commanding 
officers  of  the  army  had  a  more  extended 
experience  in  military  service  than  Gen.  Hunter. 
He  was  constantly  in  the  service  nearly  half  a 
century,  serving  in  almost  all  the  departments 
and  in  nearly  every  capacity,  always  with  credit 
to  himself  and  honor  to  his  country.  In  person 
he  was  tall,  commanding,  with  a  strong  military 
bearing,  eyes  dark,  with  dark  complexion  and 
black  hair,  which  was  straight  and  worn  long, 
giving  him  much  the  appearance  of  the  native 
American. 


WILLIAM  MURRAY,  book-keeper,  a  native 
of     111.,    was     born    July     16,     1841. 
His  parents  were  William  and  Grace 
(Cribbes)    Murray,  who   were  natives  of  Scot 
land.     His  father  was  born  at  Glasgow,   1793, 
and   his  mother  at  Edinburgh   in  1800.     They 
came  to    111.    in    1837,   located   in    Morgan   Co., 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


707 


then  removed   to  Cass  Co.,    where  they  spent 
their    lives.      Our   subject    was    the  7th   child 
of   the  family  of  9,  only    5  of   whom  are  now 
living,  namely:     Henry,  resides  in  Virginia,  111., 
hotelkeeper;  Mrs.  Ann  Neely,  resides  in  Mo.; 
Agnes,    wife    of   Charles  L.    Olds,    of   Seattle, 
and   Eliza  who  married  Robinson  Jacobs  and 
resides  upon   the  old    homestead  in  Cass    Co. 
William's   early   life  was  spent  in  the  town  of 
Virginia,  where  he  attended  school  and  was  in 
attendance  at  Union  College  at  the  outbreak  of 
the    war,  when  his    course  of   study    was    sum 
marily  interrupted.     He  enlisted  Aug.  I,  1861, 
as  a  private  in  Co.  K,  33d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  service  at  Springfield,  Sept. 
2d.     The  Regt.  went  to  Mo.,  drew  arms  at  the 
arsenal  at  St.  Louis,  and  engaged    in   guarding 
railroads.     Two    companies    were  attacked    by 
the  rebel  Jeff  Thompson  and  was  engaged  in  a 
hand-to-hand  encounter  with   greatly  superior 
numbers.     Co.    E   was  distant   about    3    miles 
from  Co.  K,  and  on  hearing  the  firing  they  went 
to  the  relief  and  were   ambushed.     Co.    E  was 
on  the    north  side    of    Big  River   and    K  was 
on  the  south    side,  hence  they  were    unable    to 
make  a    junction.     Co.  E    after    desperate    re 
sistance  was  captured  and  13  members    of    Co. 
K.  were  wounded   and  captured.     The  Co.  re 
joined  the    Regt.  at   Arcadia,   Mo.     The  next 
expedition  was  against  Jeff  Thompson  at  Fred- 
erickstown,  where  he  was  utterly  defeated.  The 
winter  of  1861-2  was  spent    in   Arcadia,  where 
the  Regt.  was  engaged  in  the  construction  of  a 
large  fort,  and  continued  there  until  March  2d, 
when  it  started  South    under  Gen.    Steele    and 
joined  Gen.  Curtis'  forces  on  White  River,  Ark. 
There  was  little  fighting,  but  an  immense  deal 
of  exhausting  marching  and  fatigue  duty  until 
July, when  Curtis'  forces  started  toward  the  Miss. 
July  7th,  occurred  the  battle  of  Cache  River 
and  Cotton  Plant,  which  was  fought  by  about 
10,000  rebels  against  2,000  Union  soldiers  under 
Gen.  Curtis,  at  which  the  enemy  were  complete 
ly  routed  with  great  loss.     On  the  same  expe 
dition  this  little  army  marched  from  Clarendon 
to  Helena,  a  distance  of  65   miles  in  24  hours. 
This  feat  was  rendered  necessary  by  reason  of 
exhausted  supplies  and  none  nearer  obtainable. 


The  summer  of  1862  was  spent  in  guerrilla  war 
fare  and   in  patroling  the   Miss.  River.     In  the 
fall  of   1862,   our  subject  was  detailed  for  re 
cruiting  service,  at  which  he  was  engaged  until 
March,     1863,  then  rejoined  his   Co.,  at    Pilot 
Knob,  and  shortly  after  started  upon  the  Vicks- 
burg  campaign.     The    Regt.  was  assigned   to 
Benton's  Brig.,  in  Carrs'   Div.,  in  the  I3th  A. 
C.,  Gen.  McClernand  being  Corps  commander. 
Before  crossing  the  river  into  Miss.,  a  detail  of 
one  Co.   from  each  Regt.  was  organized  into  a 
skirmish  Brig.,  commanded  by  Gen. T.J.  Brody. 
Co.  K,  33d  111.,  was  the  first  to  arrive  on  the 
Miss,  side  and  led  the  advance  until  the  invest 
ment    of    Vicksburg,    and  participated  in  the 
battle   of    Fort   Gibson,  the  first    advance    on 
Jackson,    battle  of   Champion    Hills,  and  the 
battle  of  Black  River  Bridge.     The  position  of 
the    33rd  is    described  by  Gen.  Grant  in    his 
Memoirs,  being  the  only  Regt.  mentioned  by 
him.     It     bore  a  prominent  part  in  the  cam 
paign  against  Vicksburg,  where  it  was  in  the 
front  and  dug   its  way  up  to  the  rebel  works 
and  were  there  from  beginning  to  end  of  the 
siege.     After  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  they  were 
a  part  of  Gen.  Sherman's  army,  at  the  siege  and 
capture  of  Jackson,  and  aided  in  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  railroad   leading  south  from  Jack 
son.  It  returned  to  Vicksburg,  and  in  the  latter 
part  of  August  embarked  for  New  Orleans,  and 
thence  went  on  an  expedition  into  West  La., 
which  lasted  about  two  months,  reaching  as  far 
west  as  Opelousas.  It  returned  to  New  Orleans 
and  embarked  for  Texas,  arriving  at  Arkansas 
Pass,  after  a  stormy  passage.    Thence  marched 
up  the  coast  to  St.  Joseph  Island  and  crossed 
to  Matagorda  Island   where  they  besieged  and 
captured  Fort  Esperenza.     They  then  crossed 
to  the  mainland  and  spent  the  winter  of  i863-'4 
in   Indianola,  Texas.      On    Jan.    I,    the  Regt. 
re-enlisted  with  the  exception   of  our  subject, 
who,  with  other  non-veterans,  was  transferred 
to  the  99th  111.,  when  he  was  detailed  as  Chief 
Clerk  of  the   Post  Q.   M.,  Capt.  M.  D.  Massie. 
He  remained  in  Texas  until  June,   1864.  when 
he  rejoined  his  old  Regt.,  the  33rd,  at  Breasher 
City,  La.,  in  July.     He  continued  with  his  Co., 
until    Sept.,  then  proceeded  to  New  Orleans, 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


where  he  embarked  for  N.  Y.  on  board  a  ship, 
carrying  300  rebel  prisoners.  He  was  mustered 
odt  at  Springfield,  Oct.  11,  1864,  and  received 
his  final  pay  and  discharge  on  the  i8th — having 
been  mustered  out  as  Sergeant. 

The  original  muster  roll  of  Co.  K,  Sept., 
1861,  contained  the  names  of  3  commissioned 
officers  and  99  enlisted  men.  During  the  war 
there  were  added  to  the  Co.  75  by  recruits,  and 
by  transfer  from  the /2nd  and  ii;th  Regt.,  30, 
making  a  total  of  207  names  on  the  company 
rolls.  Of  this  number  16  were  killed  or  died 
from  wounds,  88  were  discharged  on  account 
of  disability,  30  discharged  on  account  of 
wounds,  and  one  deserted.  The  Co.  had  5 
Captains,  4  ist  Lieuts.,  and  3  2nd  Lieuts. 
Three  of  the  Captains  and  2  of  the  Lieuts.  were 
from  the  ranks. 

Co.  K  marched  thousands  of  miles,  fought 
in  many  battles  and  campaigned  in  Mo.,  Ark., 
Miss.,  La.,  Texas  and  Ala.,  and  won  a  record 
that  will  live  for  ages.  In  the  mountains  of 
Mo.,  the  swamps  of  Ark.,  on  the  banks  of  the 
Great  River,  and  where  the  wacers  of  the  Gulf 
in  their  ceaseless  surges  break  upon  the  shores 
of  Texas,  its  comrades  are  sleeping  the  dream 
less  sleep  of  the  dead.  "After  life's  fitful 
fever"  they  are  at  rest. 

Mr.  Murray  returned  to  his  parental  home 
and  engaged  in  teaching  for  the  succeeding  1 1 
years.  He  was  married  Dec.  24,  1868,  to  Mary 
F.  McClure,  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Harriet 
McClure,  a  native  of  111.  Her  father  was  born 
in  Natchez,  Miss.,  and  her  mother  in  Rocking- 
ham  Co.,  Va.  To  this  union  five  children  have 
been  born,  namely:  Mabel,  Edwin,  Anna  J., 
Roscoe  C.,  and  Edward  W.,  who  died  in  in 
fancy.  Mr.  Murray  was  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  and  insurance  business  in  Va.  for  several 
years,  came  to  Quincy  in  March,  1887,  at  the 
opening  of  the  Soldier's  Home.  Here  he  has 
charge  of  all  the  books  of  the  institution  and 
all  the  issues  of  every  kind.  He  is  a  staunch 
Republican,a  member  of  John  Wood  Post,  No. 
96,  G.  A.  R.,  having  joined  the  order  in  Va.  in 
1868.  He  has  filled  the  offices  of  Commander, 
Officer  of  the  Day,  and  Adjutant.  Mrs.  Murray 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 


JO.  HARVEY,  of  the  enterprising  and  pub 
lic  spirited  men  of  Sidney,  111.,  our  pres- 
•  ent  subject,  occupies  a  promising  and 
leading  place.  He  was  born  in  Ind.,  Feb.  i, 
1837,  a  son  of  John  E.  and  Nancy  (Miller) 
Harvey,  the  former  born  in  1800  in  Va.,  and  a 
descendant  on  his  great  great  grandmother's 
side,  of  the  Madison  family,  of  which  President 
James  Madison  was  a  typical  representative. 
Henry  Harvey,  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
fought  in  the  army  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  The  parents  about  1827,  settled  in  Ind., 
being  among  the  early  settlers  of  that  State, 
where  was  born  our  subject.  The  father  was  a 
merchant  and  stock  dealer  and  continued  in 
that  business  until  1853,  when  he  removed  to 
Douglas  Co.,  111.,  where  he  selected  a  large 
tract  of  land  with  the  view  of  enlarging  his 
stock  interests.  Young  Harvey  received  the 
advantages  accorded  young  boys  brought  up 
in  the  country  at  that  period.  He  continued 
with  his  parents  until  the  late  Rebellion,  when 
he  enlisted  Aug.  u,  1862,  in  Co.  E,  79  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  soon  after  went  to  the  front  at  Louis 
ville,  where  his  Regt.  was  placed  in  Gen.  Sill's 
Div.  At  Frankfort,  Ky.,  his  Regt.  was  with  the 
Div.,  but  not  actively  engaged.  It  joined  the 
main  army  at  Chaplin  Hills,  soon  after  the  en 
counter  at  that  place.  The  command  then 
moved  to  Crab  Orchard  and  Danville,  Ky.  On 
the  route  he  was  taken  sick  and  left  at  Dan 
ville,  then  sent  to  Louisville,  where  he  endured 
intense  suffering  from  camp  fever  and  a  severe 
cough  brought  on  by  exposure,  hard  marching 
and  poor  water.  After  leaving  the  hospital,  be 
ing  still  unable  to  enter  the  ranks,  he  was 
placed  on  detached  duty  at  Bowling  Green, 
afterwards  joining  his  Regt.  at  Murfreesboro, 
where  it  was  detailed  to  build  fortifications  to 
serve  as  a  base  of  supplies. 

June  24,  1863  his  command  moved  via  Lib 
erty  Gap,  at  which  place  his  Co.  was  detached 
as  skirmishers  throughout  the  engagement, 
then  marched  to  Winchester  and  Tullahoma. 
About  the  middle  of  Aug.  he  joined  in  the  Chat 
tanooga  campaign,  crossing  the  mountains,  and 
into  Chickamauga,  where  the  combined  armies 
of  Longstreet,  Bragg  and  Johnston  were  encoun- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


709 


tered,  and  a  bloody  and  desperate  battle,  lasting 
two  days,  was  fought.  On  the  morning  of  Sept. 
igth  Mr.  Harvey's  Regt.  moved  to  the  center  of 
the  main  army,  a  distance  of  12  miles,  by  forced 
march,  to  support  Gen.  McCook.  The  Regt- 
charged  the  Rebel  lines,  and  simultaneously  the 
latter  broke  through  the  Union  lines  to  its  left, 
and  got  in  the  rear  of  the  79th,  and  finally  sur 
rounded  it,  when  Mr.  Harvey  and  about  80  of 
his  comrades  were  taken  prisoners.  They  were 
taken  over  the  river,  where  they  found  about 
2,500  of  their  comrades,  also  victims,  on  their 
way  to  rebel  prisons.  They  were  taken  to  Dal- 
on,  Ga.,  thence  to  Atlanta,  where  they  were 
placed  in  a  stockade  north  of  the  city,  with 
barely  enough  to  eat  and  keep  them  alive.  On 
arrival  he  had  been  two  days  without  food,  was 
placed  in  the  open  courtyard,  without  shelter, 
and  when  another  two-days  rations  were  served 
him  he  was  compelled  to  eat  immediately,  and 
still  his  appetite  was  unappeased.  Finally  they 
reached  Richmond,  and  the  doors  of  Libby 
Prison  were  unfolded  to  receive  the  now  dis 
consolate,  unhappy  and  hungry  victims.  After 
a  few  days  Mr.  Harvey  was  transferred  to  "Cas 
tle  Thunder,"  after  being  stripped  of  all  his  val 
uables  and  some  concealed  money,  and  shortly 
after  placed  on  the  second  floor  of  what  was 
known  as  the  Pemberton  building,  on  the 
first  floor  of  which  was  found  stored  a  lot  of 
sugar  and  salt  belonging  to  a  Jew,  who  refused 
to  sell  it  to  the  Confederate  Govt.  at  a  fair  price, 
and  even  when  it  became  known  to  the  guards 
that  the  boys  were  stealing  it  they  made  no  se 
rious  objections.  The  boys  had  of  these  com 
modities  all  they  wanted,  having  stolen  in  the 
night  about  7  hogsheads  of  sugar  and  about  2,- 
500  Ibs.  of  salt,  of  which  Mr.  Harvey  obtained 
his  full  share,  which  was  all  they  had  to  eat  for 
several  days.  On  Nov.  14,  1863,  being  very  sick, 
he  and  another  were  placed  in  the  hospital, 
where  the  latter  died  of  starvation.  On  show 
ing  signs  of  improvement,  Mr.  Harvey  was  again 
returned  to  prison,  and  found  his  comrades  cap 
tured  with  him  had  been  exchanged  and  re 
placed  by  others  from  the  army  of  the  Poto 
mac. 

While    he    was  in    the  hospital   he    saw  65 


prisoners  brought  there  from  Belle  Isle,  all  of 
whom  with  the  exception  of  five  were  permitted 
to  die  either  from  starvation  or  want  of  atten 
tion.  The  suffering  he  endured  during  the 
days  and  nights  before  and  after  the  "cold  New 
Years"  of  that  year,  from  cold  and  hunger, 
beggars  description,  and  our  subject  is  of  the 
firm  belief  that  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  good 
offices  of  the  society  of  "Christian  Relief"  all 
the  prisoners  would  have  perished.  On  Jan. 
10,  1864,  he  was  transferred  to  Belle  Isle,  a 
physical  wreck,  unable  to  stand  from  sheer 
starvation,  yet  in  this  condition  he  was  placed 
upon  the  open  field  of  the  Island,  exposed  to 
the  cold  withering  winds,  with  no  resting  place 
but  the  cold,  wet  earth,  and  frequently  the 
opening  clouds  as  his  only  covering.  To  give 
all  the  incidents  and  horrors  of  the  prison  life 
would  fill  a  volume,  but  suffice  it  to  say,  that 
Mr.  Harvey  now  looks  back  upon  those  long 
and  weary  seven  months  of  terrible  suffering 
and  privation,  with  absolute  horror,  and  won 
ders  how  it  was  possible  under  the  circumstan 
ces  to  have  sustained  life  and  survived  the 
fearful  experiences.  After  reaching  Belle  Isle 
he  was  84  hours  without  drawing  any  rations. 
On  one  occasion  his  desperation  drove  him  to 
cross  the  "dead-line,"  to  plead  with  the  com 
mander  for  something  to  eat,  but  the  leveled 
rifle  of  a  guard,  induced  him  to  run  back,  just 
in  time  to  avoid  death,  which  he  feared  would 
overtake  him  in  another  form.  While  on  the 
Island,  unable  longer  to  bear  up  and  keep  him 
self  warm,  his  feet  finally  became  frozen  so 
badly  he  could  not  stand,  and  he  was  assigned 
to  the  hospital,  where  he  fared  little  better,  being 
kept  almost  without  food.  His  own  suffering 
was  severe,  but  no  worse  than  many  around  him. 
Comrade  Christopher  Saul,  who  lay  upon  a  cot 
by  his  side,  after  enduring  terrible  agony,  ex 
claimed  to  Mr.  Harvey,  that  he  could  stand  it 
no  longer  and  that  he  must  die.  Our  subject, 
an  exemplary  Christian,  asked  if  was  pre 
pared,  and  with  some  hesitation  the  dying 
man  replied,  no,  but  soon  began  to  pray.  He 
gave  Mr.  Harvey  his  mother's  name  and 
address,  and  requested  him  to  write  her  intima 
ting  the  facts,  as  also  that  he  died  a  Christian. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


This  our  soldier  faithfully  communicated  to  the 
bereaved  mother. 

On  April  16,  1864,  Mr.  Harvey  was  finally 
paroled,  and  more  dead  than  alive,  got 
within  the  Union  lines,  broken  in  health  and 
reduced  in  weight  from  150  to  60  Ibs.  His 
feelings  of  joy  as  he  passed  down  the  James 
River,  and  sighted  the  stars  and  stripes  upon 
the  Delaware  City,  the  ship  that  was  to  re 
ceive  him,  can  not  be  described  with  becoming 
accuracy.  So  near  was  he  to  death's  door  at 
the  time,  that  he  could  not  raise  his  voice 
above  a  whisper,  and  many  of  his  comrades 
died  with  their  first  Union  bread  in  their 
hands.  Immediately  after  being  exchanged, 
Mr.  Harvey  was  sent  to  Fortress  Monroe, 
where  Gen.  Butler  was  in  command;  thence  to 
Patterson  Park  hospital,  where  for  weeks  it  was 
a  question  whether  he  would  survive.  On 
showing  signs  of  returning  strength,  he  was 
sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.  There  he  was  granted 
a  furlough,  and  placed  en  route  for  home,  with 
out  even  a  cent  of  money.  On  reaching  home 
his  parents  and  friends  failed  to  recognize  him. 
He  remained  home  60  days,  and  partially  re 
covering  his  health,  returned  to  his  Regt.,  re 
porting  at  Annapolis,  Md.  He  was  sent  to 
Chattanooga  to  join  the  "  boys,"  and  not  be 
ing  fit  for  the  field  service,  was  sent  to  the  con 
valescent  camp,  but  soon  after  took  his  place 
in  the  ranks  and  fought  with  great  credit  at 
the  battles  of  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Spring  Hill, 
Franklin  and  Nashville,  at  which  place,  after  a 
long  march,  he  was  taken  sick  and  was  sent  to 
the  hospital  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  then  to 
Joe  Holt  hospital  where  he  remained  until  June 
23,  1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out,  after  a 
service  of  34  months. 

Since  the  war  Mr.  Harvey  has  spent  the 
greater  part  of  his  time  in  or  near  Sidney,  but 
passed  five  years  in  Iowa,  where  he  improved 
a  c'arm  which  he  still  owns,  as  also  valuable 
property  in  and  about  Sidney.  For  many  years 
he  has  not  worked,  himself,  but  devoted  his 
time  looking  after  hi«  business  interests,  lead 
ing  a  quiet  and  retired  life.  He  has  been  ident 
ified  with  the  G.  A.  R.  work  for  upwards  of  20 
yeart;  is  a  member  of  Sidney  Post,  a.  Republi 


can  and  an  admirable  type  of  a  good,  honest 
Christian,  living  an  exemplary  life,  honored 
alike  for  his  record  as  a  soldier  as  for  his  up 
right  bearing  and  Christian  character.  Mr. 
Harvey  has  never  married,  but  has  a  pleasant 
home,  and  enjoys  the  company  of  his  now 
aged  mother  and  a  sister. 


ARTHUR  A.  HARDING,  of  Kewanee,  111.,  who 
came  of  martial  ancestry,  is  a  native  of 
Ills.,  born  at  Como,  Whiteside  Co.,  June 
15,  1846,  and  was  raised  upon  a  farm  in  that 
neighborhood.  His  father  was  Josiah  B. 
Harding,  a  son  of  Alpheus  Harding,  who  was 
a  native  of  Mass. 

The  Harding  family  date  back  in  this  coun 
try  to  a  time  previous  to  the  Revolutionary 
War.  The  maiden  name  of  Arthur  A.  Hard- 
ing's  mother  was  Martha  Proctor,  and  her 
grandfather  was  Robert  Proctor,  who  com 
manded  a  Co.  at  Bunker  Hill,  and  is  buried  at 
Warwick,  Mass. 

About  20  days  before  he  was  16  years  of 
age,  Arthur  A.  Harding  enlisted,  May  21,  1862, 
in  Co.  I,  65th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  went  to  Mar- 
^tinsburg,  Va.,  from  Chicago.  The  Regt.  lay  in 
Va.  during  the  summer,  and  at  Harper's  Ferry 
in  Sept.  was  captured  by  the  rebels  under 
"Stonewall  "  Jackson,  and  being  paroled  was 
sent  to  Chicago.  Mr.  Harding  says  it  is  the 
conviction  of  many  that  the  Union  forces  were 
"sold  out "  by  Col.  Miles.  He  held  afloat  a 
white  flag  in  token  of  surrender,  and  while  in 
that  act  was  shot  by  one  of  his  own  men,  so 
that  he  died  before  he  was  removed  from  the 
field.  It  was  stated  that  he  was  to*  receive 
from  the  rebels  $18  for  every  man  surrendered. 
The  Union  soldiers  numbering  13,000,  all  in 
good  spirits,  well  armed  and  eager  for  the 
fight,  were  paroled  on  the  field  after  the  sur 
render,  as  Jackson  had  not  sufficient  force  to 
remove  such  a  body  of  men.  The  men  were 
exchanged  the  following  April,  and  sent  into 
Eastern  Ky.  along  the  Big  Sandy  River. 

They  were  pitted  against  Ben  Cordell's 
guerrilla,  regiment  and  finally  captured  all  the 


WM.  WALTHER. 


FRYAR   JOBLING. 


TRUMAN    CULVER. 


H.   MAHANNAH. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


711 


officers  and  60  men  of  this  band  at  Gladesville, 
W.  Va.  They  then  went  to  Lexington,  Ky., 
and  into  East  Tenn.  with  Gen.  Burnside,  and 
went  into  winter  quarters  at  Concord,  but  soon 
moved  with  Burnside  to  Knoxville,  where  they 
were  besieged  for  27  days,  and  had  only  three 
days'  rations  when  Gen.  Grant  came  to  their 
relief.  They  followed  Longstreet  to  Dan- 
dridge,  and  then  to  Strawberry  Plains,  and  went 
into  winter  quarters  near  Knoxville,  where  they 
camped  the  remainder  of  the  winter. 

Jan.  i,  1864,  the  men  were  on  the  march, 
and  when  they  reached  the  Holston  River  to 
wade  it  the  ice  was  so  thick  that  the  men  used 
the  butts  of  their  muskets  to  break  it,  and  then 
had  to  march  12  miles  before  they  could  stop 
to  dry  their  clothing.  The  water  was  so  deep 
that  Mr.  Harding,  who  is  a  short  man,  was 
compelled  to  turn  his  head  back  to  prevent  the 
water  from  covering  his  face.  The  men  had 
gone  out  in  light  marching  order  from  camp  at 
Nicholasville,  Ky.,  leaving  blankets  and  extra 
clothing  behind,  so  they  had  only  a  light 
blouse,  one  shirt,  a  pair  of  trowsers,  shoes  and 
socks.  With  this  outfit  they  passed  the  entire 
severe  winter  of  1863  and  1864. 

In  the  spring  of  1864  the  Regt.  enlisted  for 
3  years  more,  and  the  men  went  home  for  30 
days  on  a  furlough.  The  newly  reorganized 
Regt.  was  sent  to  Gen.  Sherman,  at  Ringgold, 
Ga.,  and  went  him  into  the  fight  at  Big  Shanty, 
June  15,  when  the  Regt.  had  a  close  encounter 
with  the  rebel  Cav.  Was  surrounded,  and 
would  have  been  captured,  but  for  the  timely 
arrival  of  a  brigade  of  the  20th  A.  C.  Mr. 
Harding  remembers  this  fight  well,  as  it  occurred 
on  his  birthday,  and  two  men  in  his  company 
were  killed  quite  near  him,  and  a  number 
wounded. 

The  65th  continued  with  Gen.  Sherman 
until  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  when  it  was  sent  in 
pursuit  of  Hood,  soon  capturing  and  destroying 
80  car  loads  of  ammunition.  It  opened  against 
Hood  and  fought  him  at  Columbia,  and  gave 
him  battle  at  Franklin,  which  was  one  of  the 
hottest  and  most  resolutely  contested  engage 
ments  of  the  war.  After  this  fight  the  Union 
army  fell  back  to  Nashville.  Here  this  Regt, 


was  in  the  two  days'  fight,  and  assisted  in  driv 
ing  the  rebels  across  the  State  to  Clifton. 

During  the  fight  at  Nashville  Mr:  Harding 
was  on  the  skirmish  line,  and  here  witnessed 
the  charge  of  the  colored  brigade,  which  fought 
nobly  that  day.  At  Clifton  the  men  took  boats 
on  the  Tenn.  River  to  Paducah,  and  were  trans 
ferred  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  taking  a  train  there 
for  Washington,  D.  C.,  were  forwarded  to  Wil 
mington,  N.  C.,  to  operate  under  Gen.  Sherman, 
whom  they  joined  at  Goldsboro,  and  went  with 
him  to  Raleigh,  and  were  present  at  Johnston's 
surrender.  They  were  then  sent  to  Beaufort, 
N.  C.,  and  took  a  steamer  for  Baltimore,  and 
from  that  point  came  to  Chicago  to  be  mustered 
out. 

Mr.  Harding  returned  to  Kewanee,  where 
he  first  enlisted,  and  where  he  is  at  present  re 
siding.  After  the  war  he  spent  one  year  in 
Canada,  and  was  eight  years  in  the  oil  regions, 
near  Titusville,  Pa.  In  1870  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Ella  J.  Webster,  a  daughter  of  O. 
J.  Webster,  of  Kewanee,  111.  Mrs.  Harding 
is  a  lady  who  takes  great  interest  in 
all  matters  that  concern  the  old  soldiers.  She 
visited  Boston  with  her  husband  to  attend  the 
National  Encampment,  and  has  attended  many 
other  such  gatherings  in  different  parts  of  the 
country.  Was  also  at  the  unveiling  of  Grant's 
monument  in  Chicago.  She  is  now  President 
of  W.  R.  C.,  of  Kewanee. 

This  patriotic  husband  and  wife  have  5  chil 
dren  --  Charles  A.,  born  1871,  isamemberof  Gen. 
John  H.  Howe  Camp,  S.  of  V.  ;  Lottie  C.,  ayoung 
lady,  at  home,  1873  ;  Nellie  A.,  1877  ;  George  W., 
1881,  and  Bertha  L.,  1883.  Mr.  Harding  is  a 
Republican,  is  Commander  of  Julius  A.  Pratt 
Post,  No.  143,  and  member  of  I.  O.  O.  F.  He 
is  foreman  is  the  Pipe  Mill  of  the  Western  Tube 
Co.'s  Works,  a  large  concern. 

While  in  Pa.  Mr.  Harding  was  in  the  oil 
business,  and  afterwards  was  engaged  in  a  store 
for  13  years.  His  family  incline  to  the  Baptist 
faith.  He  had  two  brothers  in  the  army,  Geo. 
W.,  serving  one  year  in  the  2ist  Mass.  Regt.;  3 
years  in  the  34th  Mass.  Regt.,  and  Alpheus, 
who  was  in  Co.  E,  I34th  111. 

The  genealogy  of  the  family  is  thus  given  :  A 


/I2 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


A.  Harding,  son  of  Josiah  B.,  who  was  son  of 
Alpheus,  born  in  Barre,  son  of  Abijah,  born  at 
Barre,  Worcester  Co.,  Mass. 


W  FRANK  BAILEY,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  a 
soldier  in  the  army  of  the  Union, 
•  was  born  in  Circleville,  Ohio,  June 
14,  1844,  and  moved  to  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  and 
soon  after  to  Wellsboro,  when  five  years  of  age. 
His  early  years  were  passed  at  the  latter  place, 
where  his  education  began  in  the  common 
schools,  and  was  afterwards  more  thoroughly 
improved  at  the  Wellsboro  Academy,  until  the 
call  for  soldiers  for  the  Nation's  defence  kindled 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  youth  of  16,  and  he  en 
listed  April  22,  1861,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  in  Co.  A,  6th  Pa.  Reserves,  for  three  months' 
service.  When  the  regiment  reached  camp  the 
quota  of  the  State  was  full,  and  it  was  mustered 
into  the  U.  S.  service  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  for 
three  years,  July  24,  receiving  the  name,  by  or 
der  of  Gov.  Curtin,  as  the  Pa.  Reserves,  forming 
one  Corps,  ana  this  name  was  retained  for 
three  years. 

The  Pa.  Reserves  reached  the  front  at 
Georgetown,  just  after  the  famous,  disastrous 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  was  soon  merged  into 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  At  Dranesville,  Va., 
Dec.  20,  1861,  came  the  first  experience  of  act 
ual  conflict  with  the  enemy,  where  5  Regts.  out 
on  a  foraging  expedition,  encountered  Stewart's 
Brig,  and  the  Louisiana  Tigers,  making  an 
equal  number  of  men,  but  the  advantage  was 
with  the  rebels,  as  they  had  a  6-gun  battery,  and 
the  Union  force  one  of  four  guns;  the  result 
was  the  dispersing  of  the  enemy,  and  the 
return  of  the  proud  boys  in  blue,  loaded  with 
forage.  In  March,  1862,  this  command  moved 
with  Gen.  McDowell,  under  Gen.  McClellan, 
and,  while  the  6th  Regt.  was  cut  off  from  the 
Div.  at  White  House  Landing,  and  during  the 
7  days'  battle,  Stonewall  Jackson,  with  his  en 
tire  force,  passed  within  gunshot,  intent  upon 
capturing  the  immense  store  of  supplies  held 
there,  and  the  only  means  of  preventing  them 
from  falling  into  his  hands  was  to  destroy  them ; 


so  500  barrels  of  whisky  were  poured  into  a 
large  pile  of  goods,  and  all  destroyed  by  fire. 
Large  pieces  of  ordnance  were  also  thrown  into 
the  Pamunky  River,  making  a  very  heavy  loss. 
Here,  the  Regt.  being  alone,  boarded  transports, 
and  was  transferred  to  Harrison's  Landing,  on 
the  James  River.  It  was  subsequently  trans 
ferred  to  Pope's  army.  The  next  contest  was 
the  second  fight  at  Bull  Run,  Aug.  30,  1862,  fol 
lowed  by  South  Mt.  and  Antietam.  At  the  lat 
ter  place  24  men  of  Co.  H  went  into  the  fight, 
and  7  came  out,  leaving  6  dead  on  the  field, 
which  was  a  fearful  loss.  The  cause  of  this,  se 
rious  depletion  was  an  order  to  make  a  charge 
in  which  it  was  necessary  to  climb  a  fence,  and 
while  doing  this  the  rebels,  in  a  cornfield, 
slaughtered  about  half  of  the  men  making  the 
charge,  and  held  their  position.  The  battle  of 
Fredericksburg  was  fought  Dec.  13,  1862,  and 
the  company  lost  more  than  half  of  its  men,  and 
Mr.  Bailey  received  a  shot  through  his  right 
shoulder,  under  the  following  circumstances  : 
On  account  of  ill  health,  he  was  not  on  duty, 
and,  as  he  was  with  his  company,  marching  to 
the  fight,  he  was  left,  without  a  gun,  to  guard 
the  knapsacks.  He  being  anxious  to  partici 
pate  in  the  battle,  soon  found  a  man  who  was 
willing  to  give  up  his  gun  and  take  the  place  as 
guard ;  so  Mr.  Bailey  ran  and  overtook  his 
comrades,  and  went  with  them  in  a  charge  upon 
the  rebels,  driving  them  back,  when,  discover 
ing  a  Johnny  in  front  of  him,  hiding  behind  a 
tree,  he  determined  to  capture  a  prisoner;  so, 
waiting  until  the  man  had  fired,  Mr.  Bailey 
rushed  forward,  and,  at  the  point  of  the  bayo 
net,  ordered  him  to  "come  along."  Mr.  Bailey 
being  a  slight  youth,  the  man  hesitated,  but  a 
prod  of  the  bayonet  decided  the  question,  and 
the  captor,  with  his  prisoner,  started  toward 
the  Union  lines.  At  that  moment  a  shot  came, 
striking  the  right  shoulder  of  Mr.  Bailey,  pass 
ing  through  it;  but  he  did  not  flinch  nor  re 
lease  his  hold  upon  the  prisoner,  but,  grasping 
him  with  the  left  hand,  went  on,  carrying  his 
gun  in  the  right.  Looking  around,  a  rebel  bat 
tery  was  seen  trained  upon  him,  and  a  man  just 
ready  to  pull  the  lanyard.  Mr.  Bailey  instantly 
jumped  into  the  ditch,  and  a  grape-shot  from 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


the  battery  passed  through  the  abdomen  of  the 
prisoner,  making  a  mortal  wound.  Leaving  his 
canteen  with  the  dying  man,  Mr.  Bailey  made 
his  way  to  his  Co.,  falling,  utterly  exhausted, 
at  the  Captain's  feet,  and  it  was  4  months  before 
he  was  discharged  from  the  hospital,  able  to 
rejoin  his  regiment,  which  he  found  at  Fairfax 
Station. 

June,  1863,  the  6th  Regt.  was  assigned  to 
the  5th  Corps  under  Gen.  Sykes  and  subse 
quently  participated  in  the  battle  of  Gettys 
burg.  On  the  second  day  the  men  marched  all 
night  with  bleeding  feet,  when  they  came  to 
Round  Top  just  as  the  Div.  of  Regulars  were 
falling  back,  and  charging  down  the  hill,  saved 
a  battery  that  the  rebels  already  had  in  posses 
sion.  Then,  deploying  as  skirmishers,  acted  as 
such  throughout  the  fight,  making  on  the  3d 
day  a  charge  upon  a  rebel  battery  which  Co.  H 
captured  and  was  given  the  honor  of  guarding 
that  night.  The  rebels  withdrew  during  the 
night  and  the  battle  was  ended. 

Succeeding  this  contest  came  the  fight  at 
Mannassas  Gap,  Brandy  and  Bristoe  Stations, 
and  the  service  on  the  Rappahanock  River, 
which  was  to  prevent  the  movement  of  Lee  on 
Washington,  and  he  was  also  in  the  action  at 
Mine  Run.  The  winter  was  spent  by  the  Regt. 
in  guarding  the  railroad  and  fighting  Mosby 
and  his  guerrillas.  In  the  spring,  under  Gen. 
Grant,  a  campaign  was  inaugurated  in  which 
almost  every  day  the  men  were  under  fire.  On 
May  5,  in  the  Wilderness,  the  division  was  sent 
out  to  Arker's  Store  to  find  the  rebel  force,  and 
found  itself  surrounded,  but  cut  its  way  out,  with 
the  loss  of  almost  an  entire  regiment.  The  next 
day  there  was  a  desperate  fight  in  the  thick 
woods,  and  many  men  were  lost.  At  night  a 
flank  movement  would  be  made  followed  by  a 
fight  by  day  as  Grant  fought  his  way  slowly 
but  surely  to  Richmond,  which  was  the  object 
ive  point.  Men  were  pushed  forward  nibbling 
as  they  marched  because  there  was  not  time 
to  stop  to  eat.  The  stern  and  comprehensive 
will  of  the  "silent  man"  in  its  majestic  strength 
concentrated  the  vast  forces  at  his  command 
to  the  accomplishment  of  one  purpose  at  what 
ever  cost;  for  in  his  judgment  the  life  of  the 


Nation  was  more  important  than  the  lives  of 
ten  thousand  or  a  hundred  thousand  of  its  brave 
defenders,  because  the  result  reached  beyond 
the  present  in  its  influence  and  touched  the 
mighty  future  with  its  generations  yet  unborn. 

Thus  the  movement  went  on,  with  battles  at 
Chancellorsville  and  Bethesda  Church,  and 
raids  and  skirmishes  to  mark  the  path  of  vic 
tory  with  blood.  At  Bethesda  Church  a  force 
of  i, 200  men  on  the  picket  line,  were  flanked 
by  Swell's  Corps,  and  Mr.  Bailey  was  struck  in 
the  foot  with  a  minie  ball  and  taken  prisoner 
May  30.  On  this  day  7  bullets  pierced  his 
clothing.  He  was  taken  to  Richmond,  stripped 
of  everything,  paraded  through  the  streets  and 
put  into  Libby  Prison.  His  term  of  enlistment 
expired  that  day  and  his  regiment  was  relieved 
that  night  and  sent  home.  After  a  short  stay 
in  Libby  Prison  he  was  taken  to  Andersonville, 
where  he  was  confined  from  June  16,  1864,  to 
Sept.  I4th.  While  here  he  was  present  at  the 
trial  and  hanging  of  6  men,  who  had  robbed 
their  comrades.  It  was  during  his  stay  here 
that  the  Providence  Spring  burst  out,  after  a 
heavy  storm,  and  supplied  the  famishing  thous 
ands  with  water,  that  before  had  been  supplied 
from  a  small  and  terribly  filthy  stream.  Mr. 
Bailey  says  this  stream  was  less  than  an  inch 
in  diameter,  and  if  the  water  could  have  been 
stored,  would  have  been  sufficient  to  have  sup 
plied  the  entire  camp  with  drinking  water. 
Sept.  14,  he  went  to  Florence,  where  the  prison 
was  no  improvement  on  the  other,  and  Dec.  6, 
was  sent  to  parole  camp  at  Annapolis,  arriving 
on-  the  gth  with  just  sufficient  strength  to  reach 
the  camp,  such  was  the  result  of  imprisonment. 

Sent  home  on  parole,  he  was  exchanged 
about  April  I,  1865,  and  as  he  had  re-enlisted 
before  his  capture,  returned  to,  and  rejoined 
the  army,  near  Appomattox  on  the  day  that  Lee 
surrendered,  but  in  a  few  days,  April  27,  was 
discharged.  He  passed  through  15  battles  and 
many  other  eventful  experiences  of  military 
service.  Just  before  his  capture  he  was  ap 
pointed  ist  Lieut.,  but  as  he  was  reported  dead, 
the  position  was  given  to  another.  Mr.  Bailey, 
after  the  war,  resided  in  Pa.  until  1868,  when 
removing  to  N.  Y.,  was  married  in  Brooklyn, 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS, 


Dec.  3rd,  to  Henrietta  Graves,  a  daughter  of 
Major  Graves,  of  the  93rd  Highlanders,  a 
famous  English  Regt.  After  the  war  he 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  first  at 
Williamsport,  Pa.,  then  at  Rebersburg.  From 
the  latter  place  he  moved  to  Bellefonte,  where 
he  published  for  one  year  the  Center  Herald. 
In  1878  he  moved  to  Galesburg,  111.,  and  engaged 
in  merchandising,  which  he  has  continuously 
followed  since,  being  now  at  the  head  of  one  of 
the  largest  dry  goods  houses  in  the  city. 

Mr.  Bailey  has  always  taken  a  prominent 
part  in  politics  and  bears  a  high  reputation  as 
a  writer  and  speaker  on  questions  of  party  and 
public  interest.  He  is  an  active  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  and  interested  in  all  movements 
that  affect  the  progress  and  prosperity  of  the 
Nation. 

Mr.  Bailey,  who  has  one  daughter,  Henri 
etta  Marcella,  is  a  son  of  Wm.  Devoe  Bailey,  a 
resident  of  Bellfonte,  Pa.,  who  is  recognized  as 
one  of  the  ablest  editors  in  the  State — having 
been  a  printer  and  editor  50  years — a  man  of 
great  ability,  who  used  his  pen  with  telling 
effect  against  slavery,  the  great  curse  of 
humanity  and  the  cause  of  the  Nation's  fearful 
struggle. 

Mr.  Bailey  inherited  much  of  his  father's 
talent,  and  is  a  forcible,  original  thinker  and 
writer.  His  description  of  his  experience  in 
Andersonville  and  other  rebel  prisons  is  said  to 
be  one  of  the  finest  descriptive  articles  that  has 
been  published  on  that  subject.  His  published 
views  on  finance,  political  economy  and  other 
topics  show  much  ability,  and  a  comprehen 
sive,  analytical  method  of  treatment  and  pre 
sentation. 


DA.  HOLT,  of  Moline,  111.,  was  born  in 
the  State  of  Vt,  June   i8th,  1834,  and 
•   was  a  son   of  Arnold    and   Ruey  Ann 
(Austin)  Holt,  natives  of  the  same  State.     The 
father  distinguished  himself  in  the  war  of  1812, 
in  which    he  rose  to  the  position  of  Captain, 
and    led  his  Co.  in  the   battle  of    Plattsburg, 


serving  his  country  during  that  war  without 
pay — this  is  patriotism.  Our  subject  spent  his 
boyhood  days  in  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
attended  school  and  stored  up  a  good,  practical 
business  education,  which  has  naturally  light 
ened  and  been  the  means  of  cheering  him,  as 
he  passed  along  his  smooth  and  modest  path 
of  life.  He  visited  Rock  Island  to  see  a  brother 
in  the  year  1849,  and  liking  the  locality,  settled 
there  permanently  in  the  year  1850.  He  re 
turned  to  his  old  home  in  New  York  in  the  fall 
of  1860,  upon  a  visit,  and  on  April  I3th  follow 
ing  President  Lincoln's  first  call  for  troops  was 
issued.  The  following  day  young  Holt  tendered 
his  services  as  one  of  the  74th  State  of  N.  Y. 
militia,  but  the  Governor  declined  to  accept 
them  as  such.  On  the  I7th  the  Regt.  reorgan 
ized,  the  men  re-enlisted,  were  accepted,  and  on 
the  succeeding  day  were  mustered  in  as  the 
2 1st  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.,  for  two  years  or  during 
the  war,  our  subject  being  assigned  to  Co.  F 
therein.  The  Regt.  rendezvoused  at  Elmyra, 
where  the  men  were  drilled,  put  in  training, 
and  subsequently  ordered  to  the  front,  passing 
through  Baltimore  the  day  following  the  riot 
at  that  place,  instituted  to  prevent  the  passage 
of  the  6th  of  New  York.  The  Regt.  proceeded 
to  Washington,  and  were  assigned  to  the  2nd 
Brig.,  commanded  by  Gen.  Wadsworth.  Dur 
ing  the  latter  part  of  May  Fort  Runyon  was 
built,  and  the  2 1st  was  stationed  within  the  for 
tifications,  which  it  manned,  and  continued  there 
until  July  of  the  same  year.  Col.  Ellsworth 
having  been  shot  and  killed  for  having  torn 
down  the  rebel  flag  at  Alexandria,  Mr.  Holt's 
Regt.  was  immediately  ordered  out  to  the  front 
and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
wherein  it  held  a  position  in  the  line  known 
among  the  soldiers  as  the  "  slaughter  pen,"  ncar 
the  school  house,  for  three  hours.  In  this  posi 
tion  it  was  repeatedly  charged  by  the  enemy, 
and  finally  was  compelled,  confronted  by  a 
superior  force,  to  give  way,  but  not  till  160  men 
of  the  regiment  had  been  killed  or  wounded. 
It  fell  back  to  Fort  Runyon,  where  Mr.  Holt, 
in  dismounting  a  siege  gun,  sustained  a  severe 
accident,  causing  him  hernia,  as  also  rendering 
him  blind  for  about  two  weeks, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


He  was  subsequently  detailed  and  assisted 
the  surgeons  in  the  careofthesickand  wounded 
in  the  hospital.  Then  followed  the  battles  of 
Bull  Run  and  Manassas,  in  which  he  again 
participated,  as  also  in  that  of  first  Fredericks- 
burg,  in  which  it  supported  the  Harris  Cavalry 
at  Falmouth,  opposite  Fredericksburg.  Mr. 
Holt  then  crossed  the  river  and  was  taken  sick 
with  typhoid  fever,  and  when  able  to  travel 
proceeded  to  Buffalo  in  the  recruiting  service, 
and  subsequently  joined  in  that  terrible  strug 
gle  of  Fredericksburg,  at  which  his  Regt.  crossed 
the  bridge,  crept  up  a  hill,  driving  the  John 
nies  before  them  into  the  woods.  Subsequently 
charged  the  enemy  by  regiments,  and  forced 
the  rebel  line,  but  not  before  16  of  the  men  had 
been  killed.  There  fell  W.  B.  Jewell,  our  sub 
ject's  close  and  intimate  friend,  whom  he  picked 
up  and  carried  off  the  field.  As  a  criterion  by 
which  to  show  how  thickly  the  rebel  bullets 
were  showered  upon  his  regiment,  as  also  to 
illustrate  an  Irishman's  wit,  Mr.  Holt  says  after 
passing  the  ditch,  as  also  the  rebel  embank 
ment,  an  Irishman  of  his  regiment  called  out  to 
his  comrades  to  "look  out  as  the  devils  were 
throwing  bullets  with  scoopshovels."  The 
brave  and  courageous  speaker  did  not  profit  by 
his  recognized  danger,  as  almost  immediately 
on  announcing  the  warning,  he  was  shot  and 
instantly  killed.  The  Regt.  went  into  winter 
quarters  at  Upton  Hill,  and  from  that  point 
made  several  expeditions  into  the  surrounding 
country,  and  had  many  skirmishes  with  the 
rebels,  the  most  severe  being  with  the  Black 
Horse  Cav.  On  Oct.  I4th,  1863,  the  Regt.  par 
ticipated  in  the  engagement  of  Bristoe  Station, 
Va.,  and  afterwards  in  that  of  Hell's  Kitchen, 
at  which  latter  place  it  held  for  an  hour  Stone 
wall  Jackson's  whole  brigade  at  bay,  and  until 
support  arrived,  when  the  rebels  were  driven  off 
in  confusion. 

In  this  engagement  the  La.  Tiger  and  the 
Texas  Ranger  regiments  were  destroyed  as 
an  organization.  On  one  occasion  volunteers 
were  called  for  specially  hazardous  service, 
whereupon,  Mr.  Holt  responded,  to  assist  the 
pioneer  corps  build  bridges.  Whilst  thus  en 
gaged,  the  -man  assisting  him  was  killed,  and 


our  subject  was  struck  in  the  breast  with  a 
bullet,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  has  been  a 
constant  sufferer.  Mr.  Holt  was  also  engaged 
in  the  2d  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  in  which  the 
Regt.  lost  350  men  in  killed  and  wounded.  The 
severe  work  in  the  army,  coupled  with  the  in 
juries  received,  as  above  stated,  undermined  his 
health,  rendering  him  absolutely  unfit  to  fol 
low  with  his  Regt.,  and  was  therefore  compelled 
to  go  into  Carver  Hospital,  Washington,  where 
he  was  mustered  out  and  discharged  Oct.  10th, 
1863,  after  being  six  weeks  under  treatment. 
He  started  for  home,  but  at  Williamsport,  he 
was  taken  exceedingly  ill  and  fell  into  the  hands 
of  Mrs.  Susan  Johnson,  who  certainly  acted 
the  part  of  the  Good  Samaritan  to  him,  and 
even  more,  as  after  keeping  him  at  her  house 
for  four  weeks,  she  accompanied  her  patient  to 
Buffalo  as  he  proceeded  homeward.  He  im 
proved  somewhat  in  health  and  subsequently 
went  to  Chicago,  then  returned  to  Rock  Island, 
where  he  was  appointed  foreman  in  charge  of 
a  number  of  men  in  the  erection  of  prisons  for 
prisoners,  on  the  island  near  Rock  Island,  and 
was  so  engaged  until  Jan.  28,  1865.  He  issued 
the  first  rations  issued  on  the  Island  and  became 
chief  issuing  clerk,  receiving  his  orders  from 
Capt.  Potter,  who  was  engaged  at  Chicago. 

Jan.  28,  1863,  he  was  ordered  to  Camp  Doug 
las,  Chicago,  where  he  continued  in  the  same 
position.  About  3  months  later  he  was  sent  to 
Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  then  to  Cairo,  thence 
to  Paducah,  then  to  Nashville,  where  he  re 
mained  until  after  the  siege  of  that  place,  when 
he- was  ordered  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  with  the  5th 
Div.  of  Cav.,  thence  to  Bull's  Gap  and  back 
to  Nashville.  During  all  this  time  Mr.  Holt 
faithfully  continued  to  hold  the  same  position, 
until  finally  mustered  out  and  discharged  at 
Nashville,  July  12,  1865. 

Returning  home,  he  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  at  Moline,  which  he  followed  until 
1877,  when  he  \vent  out  of  business,  and  has  not 
since  been  permanently  employed.  He  mar 
ried  Miss  Maggie  S.  Jackson  June  30,  1867,  and 
three  children  have  blessed  the  union,  viz.: 
Rose  S.  Pierce,  Fred  D.,  and  Gertrude. 

On  Decoration   day  Mr.  Holt,  voicing  the 


716 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


sentiment  of  the  balance  of  the  committee, 
who  were  all  of  the  same  opinion,  suggested  to 
his  old  comrades,  L.  E.  Hemenway,  Amos 
Altemus,  M.  A.  Gould,  M.  C.  Follet  and  S.  B. 
Knox,  the  propriety  of  having  erected  in  the 
Moline  Cemetery  a  "  Soldier's  Monument,"  in 
memory  of  and  to  perpetuate  the  names  of 
their  brave  and  patriotic  countrymen  and  com 
rades  who  sacrificed  their  lives  in  the  late  re 
bellion  for  the  preservation  of  their  country. 
An  organization  was  immediately  formed  and 
Mr.  Holt's  laudable  scheme  was  successfully 
launched,  and  the  subscription  list  headed  by  a 
subscription  from  Alva  Manson  of  $100.  Mr. 
Holt  took  the  business  end  of  the  project  and 
clung  unceasingly  to  the  enterprise  until  the 
money  was  all  subscribed  and  collected,  and 
the  monument,  which  cost,  with  etceteras, 
$4,000,  was  erected  and  paid  for — constituting, 
as  this  does,  not  only  a  monument  to  the  men 
who  lost  their  lives,  but  also  to  the  energy  and 
perseverance  of  comrade  Holt  and  the  other 
members  of  the  committee.  No  small  amount 
of  credit  is  due  to  the  Hon.  John  Deer,  who 
contributed  liberally  to  it. 

Mr.  Holt  is  a  member  of  the  R.  H.  Graham 
Post,  No.  312,  G.  A.  R.;  of  the  Masonic  order, 
and  of  the  Society  of  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons 
of  America,  Moline  Lodge,  No.  8.  Few  men 
in  the  district  in  which  he  resides  are  better 
known  than  Comrade  Holt,  who  always  has 
enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being  an  honest  and 
upright  man,  and  one  universally  admired  and 
respected. 


CAPTAIN  DAVID  W.  BRADSHAW,  of  Gales- 
burg,  111.,  was  born  Dec.  26,  1836,  in 
Montgomery  Co.,  Ky.,  and  lived  there 
with  his  parents  until  17  years  of  age,  when  he 
came  with  his  mother,  then  a  widow,  to  Farm- 
ington,  111.  Here  he  learned  the  carriage  ma 
ker's  trade.  In  1855  they  removed  to  Abing- 
don,  where  he  established  business  on  his  own 
account,  subsequently  locating  on  a  farm  in 
that  vicinity.  He  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861,  in 
Co.  D,  7th  111.  Cav.,  the  company  having  been 


organized  in  Knox  county.  They  left  Knox- 
ville,  Sept.  2,  for  Camp  Butler,  where  they  re 
ported  104  men,  and  were  mustered  in  Sept.  7, 
Mr.  Bradshaw  as  1st  Sergt.  They  were  at  first 
armed  with  musketoons  and  horse  pistols.  In 
Nov.  they  were  ordered  to  join  Grant's  forces 
at  Cairo,  crossing  to  Mo.  on  Christmas  day, 
1861.  Here  for  some  time  they  were  engaged 
in  scouting  around  Bird's  Point,  thence  in  Jan., 
going  to  Cape  Girardeau,  where  the  regiment 
under  the  command  of  William  Pitt  Kellogg 
was  sent  to  relieve  Gen.  Ross.  The  7th  111.  was 
an  independent  cavalry  organization  and  fur 
nished  their  own  horses,  for  which  they  were 
allowed  4Oc  per  day.  While  at  Bird's  Point 
they  had  four  men  killed  during  a  scouting  ex 
pedition,  and  several  killed  and  wounded  at 
Cape  Girardeau.  Subsequently  they  succeeded 
in  driving  the  rebels  from  the  country. 

In  the  spring  of  1862  they  went  to  New- 
Madrid  engaging  battle  with  Jeff  Thompson  on 
the  way  and  repulsing  him,  driving  his  forces 
through  the  town  of  Saxton,  with  the  assistance 
of  the  infantry  brought  them  to  battle  and  de 
feat,  forcing  them  back  upon  New  Madrid  over 
corduroy  road  and  capturing  three  pieces  of 
artillery — two  of  iron  and  one  of  brass — the 
latter  piece  being  afterward  presented  to  Ser 
geant  Bradshaw's  Co.  They  also  secured  a 
large  number  of  prisoners.  The  command  after 
the  evacuation  of  N.  Madrid,  then  proceeded 
in  the  direction  of  Fort  Pillow,  and  were  thence 
ordered  to  Shiloh  and  joined  Halleck's  army 
on  the  march  to  Corinth. 

At  Farmington  they  were  engaged  in  a 
charge  upon  a  rebel  battery  to  relieve  Gen. 
Payne's  command,  which  they  succeeded  in 
capturing,  but  with  considerable  loss.  After 
the  evacuation  they  pursued  the  enemy  for 
some  distance.  Sergt.  Bradshaw  had  been 
promoted  to  Lieut,  and  commanded  his  Co.  in 
the  action  at  Farmington.  During  the  morning 
of  the  battle  he  was  stationed  at  an  old  saw 
mill,  where  two  young  ladies  told  him  the 
Yankees  would  never  take  Corinth  while  Gen. 
Beauregard  was  alive,  but  it  fell  the  same  day. 

July  8,  1862,  Lieut.  Bradshaw  was  given 
charge  of  a  squad  of  six  men  to  go  to  the  North 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


717 


for  recruits.  At  Abingdon  he  enlisted  87  men, 
who  furnished  their  own  horses,  and  mustered 
them  in  at  Springfield.  They  wished  to  join 
Lieut.  Bradshaw's  Co.,  but  it  could  only  take  a 
portion  of  them,  the  rest  were  assigned  to  com 
panies  K  and  L.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  at 
Corinth  on  the  second  day  of  the  battle.  From 
Corinth  they  accompanied  Grant  to  Coffeeville 
and  Holly  Springs,  and  during  the  winter  of 
1862-3  they  were  employed  in  scouting,  etc., 
around  Oxford.  Miss. 

In  Jan.  they  returned  to  La  Grange,  Tenn., 
where  they  guarded  the  Memphis  &  Charleston 
R.  R.,  and  were  engaged  in  some  sharp  fighting 
around  Somerville  with  the  forces  of  Richard 
son  and  Forrest.  The  6th  111.  Cav.,  which 
formed  a  part  of  the  command,  were  during 
this  time  surprised  while  in  their  beds  in  anight 
attack  by  the  rebels,  who  killed  a  number  of 
them  but  the  7th  111.  came  to  their  assistance 
and  routed  the  enemy.  Going  into  Somerville, 
which  was  regarded  as  a  place  of  rendezvous 
by  the  rebels,  they  were  preparing  to  burn  it, 
but  through  the  entreaties  of  a  Mason  it  was 
spared.  They  were  in  the  action  at  Moscow, 
where  Gen.  Hatch  was  badly  wounded,  Lieut. 
Bradshaw  being  within  three  feet  of  him  when 
he  fell. 

April  17,  1863,  Lieut.  Bradshaw,  command 
ing  his  Co.,  returned  to  La  Grange  with  the  6th 
and  7th  Cav.  under  Col.  Grierson,  thence 
moving  South  and  passing  near  Columbus, 
Miss.,  where  Gen.  Hatch  with  the  2nd  Iowa 
diverted  the  attention  of  the  enemy  from  the 
main  line  of  the  expedition.  The  two  Regts. 
proceeded  as  rapidly  as  possible,  doing  but 
little  fighting,  and  struck  the  Southern  R.  R.,  at 
Newton's  Station,  30  miles  from  Jackson,  where 
they  captured  three  trains,  one  of  which  was 
loaded  with  ammunition,  the  other  with  sup 
plies.  They  destroyed  five  miles  of  trestle 
work.  After  paroling  the  passengers  on  the 
train,  they  ditched  the  locomotive,  and  went 
on  to  seize  some  hospital  stores,  capturing  the 
Major  in  command,  after  which  they  took  up  the 
march,  and  by  tramping  night  and  day  quickly 
reached  the  Pearl  River,  where  they  captured 
a  ferry  boat,  which  enabled  them  to  cross  at  a 


point  within  30  miles  of  Jackson.  Stopping 
for  food  for  themselves  and  horses,  Col.  Prince 
of  the  7th  with  a  portion  of  the  Regt.  pushed 
on  to  Hazelhurst  and  set  fire  to  a  train  load  of 
ammunition.  The  bursting  of  the  shells  caused 
some  of  the  men  to  think  they  were  being  hard 
pressed,  and  they  mounted  their  horses  and 
rode  in  a  gallop  of  ten  miles  to  the  town.  A 
train  on  which  were  Gen.  Pemberton  and  the 
rebel  paymaster  was  coming  in,  but  the  engi 
neer  sighting  a  blue  coat  put  back  and  escaped. 
A  fire  was  started  in  a  drug  store,  but  by  order 
of  their  commander  the  men  brought  water  and 
quickly  extinguished  it,  thus,  saving  the  town 
from  destruction.  Here  they  captured  a  32- 
pound  howitzer  12  feet  long,  on  the  way  to 
Port  Gibson  on  an  ox  wagon,  which  was  spiked 
and  left  lying  by  the  wayside.  Several  days 
after  they  met  the  enemy  in  force  and  charged 
them  across  the  bridge.  Lieut. -Col.' Black 
burn  of  the  7th,  who  was  in  command  was  mor 
tally  wounded  and  ten  of  the  men  killed  out 
right.  They  drove  back  the  rebels  with  their 
sabres.  At  this  point  they  were  within  80 
miles  of  the  Amite  River,  which  they  crossed 
the  next  morning  at  about  4  o'clock,  capturing 
a  camp  of  musicians,  the  soldiers  having  gone 
as  reinforcements  to  the  army  around  Jackson. 
They  reached  within  eight  miles  of  Baton 
Rouge,  and  on  approaching  the  Comite  River 
they  ascertained  from  their  scouts  that  a  Co.  of 
rebel  Cav.  was  on  picket  in  the  rear  of  Port 
Hudson.  Capt.  Bradshaw  was  ordered  to  de 
ploy  his  men  to  the  right,  but  the  ground  was 
rough  and  uneven,  and  the  Captain  obtained 
permission  to  lead  a  charge  directly  upon  the 
rebel  pickets.  He  captured  52  out  of  54  of  the 
rebels,  taking  them  completely  by  surprise. 
The  prisoners  were  residents  of  Baton  Rouge, 
then  in  the  possession  of  the  Union  forces,  and 
were  given  in  charge  of  Captain  Bradshaw. 

The  Union  forces  at  Baton  Rouge  were 
much  rejoiced  at  the  entry  of  the  expedition, 
of  which  they  had  had  no  intelligence.  The 
road  leading  into  town  was  lined  on  both  sides 
with  troops,  and  negroes  almost  beside  them 
selves  with  wonder.  The  expedition  had  been 
on  a  move  for  16  days  and  nights  and  had  trav- 


7i8 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


eled  880  miles,  after  the  first  three  days  never 
going  into  camp  and  only  halting  long  enough 
to  eat  and  feed  their  horses,  sleeping  in  the 
saddle.  Horses  were  seized  whenever  possible 
to  supply  the  place  of  those  broken  down  and 
unfit  for  future  travel.  On  one  occasion  they 
rode  across  a  bottom  through  water  for  five 
miles,  dragging  after  them  the  two  pieces  of 
artillery,  which  they  carried  all  the  way  with 
them.  In  June  they  made  an  advance  on  Port 
Hudson,  engaging  the  enemy  at  Plain's  Store, 
the  loss  on  both  sides  being  very  heavy.  While 
near  Port  Hudson  Captain  Bradshaw  was  or 
dered  to  take  his  Co.  and  bring  in  some  cotton 
reported  to  be  in  that  vicinity.  He  found  250 
bales  and  a  large  quantity  of  loose  cotton.  A 
large  number  of  hogsheads  were  filled  with  cotton 
androlled  in  front  of  themenas  they  charged  the 
works.  After  the  fall  of  Port  Hudson  they  went 
to  Mem'phis  to  guard  the  Memphis  and  Charles 
ton  R.  R.,  having  frequent  encounters  with 
Forrest,  and  coming  to  regular  battle  with  him 
Dec.  24,  1863,  on  the  Tallahatchie  River.  They 
met  him  again  at  Sommerville  and  held  him  to 
battle  for  three  hours.  Here  Capt.  Bradshaw 
received  a  slight  flesh  wound,  the  ball  just  pen 
etrating  the  skin  of  his  left  shoulder.  Here  the 
Regt.  had  opposed  to  them  about  7,000  of  the 
enemy,  but  were  forced  to  retire,  falling  back 
to  La  Grange.  The  next  day  receiving  re-in- 
forcements  the  command  moved  on  the  enemy 
and  drove  them  across  the  Tallahatchie.  The 
next  engagement  occurred  at  Moscow,  Tenn., 
after  which  they  returned  to  Memphis,  where 
Capt.  Bradshaw  was  hurt  by  his  horse  and  was 
granted  leave  of  absence  for  ten  days',  rejoining 
his  regiment  at  Nashville.  He  was  now  placed 
in  command  of  the  1st  Battalion,  holding  that 
position  during  the  whole  ten  days  fighting. 
Their  .Brig,  captured  the  first  two  forts  on 
Granny  WHite  Pike,  and  during  the  battle  on 
the  second  day  captured  a -line  of  the  works, 
after  having  been  repulsed  with  heavy  loss. 

The  brigade  kept  the  advance  of  the  main 
line  of  the  army,  taking  many  prisoners  and 
capturing  some  artillery.  The  last  day's  battle 
was  on  Christmas  day,  1864.  They  went  into 
winter  quarters  at  Gravelly  Springs,  and  while 


there  Captain  Bradshaw  was  detailed  to  go 
to  111.  for  recruits,  reporting  a  large  number  on 
his  return  to  his  command  at  East  Port.  His 
next  move  was  to  Oakalona,  Miss.,  and  he  was 
there  detailed  to  go  with  his  Co.  to  Aberdeen, 
Miss.,  to  relieve  the  Cav.  there  stationed,  and 
was  made  commandant  of  that  post,  where 
after  the  war  he  received  mules  and  commis 
sary  stores  from  the  rebel  quartermaster,  and 
among  other  things  $10,000  in  Confederate 
money.  He  was  here  until  July,  thence  going  to 
luka  and  to  Decatur,  Ala.,  where  he  remained 
until  ordered  to  Nashville  to  be  mustered  out, 
being  finally  discharged  at  Camp  Butler,  Nov. 
17,  1865. 

In  1864,  the  7th  111.  re-enlisted  at  German- 
town,  where  Capt.  Bradshaw  acted  as  quarter 
master  of  Gen.  Sooy  Smith's  expedition  to 
West  Point,  Miss.,  where  they  had  a  desperate 
engagement  with  Forrest,  who  drove  them 
back.  On  the  return  he  was  elected  and  com 
missioned  Captain  of  his  Co.,  and  was  fur- 
loughed  home.  The  boys  presented  him  with 
a  fine  sabre  at  a  reception  given  on  their  return 
home,  as  a  mark  of  their  high  regard,  a  pre 
sentation  address  being  delivered  by  Clark  E. 
Carr. 

He  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Knox  Co.  in  1866, 
and  removed  to  Knoxville,  where  he  married 
May  29,  1868,  Ella,  daughter  of  Judge  Zicates 
and  Julia  Hanks  Cooley,  now  of  Galesburg 
They  have  two  children  living:  Cooley,  a 
youth  of  19,  and  Vera,  a  young  miss,  at  school. 
He  is  a  prominent  Republican,  although 
brought  up  under  Democratic  persuasion,  and 
having  two  brothers  who  are  Democrats,  one 
of  whom  served  as  a  Captain  in  the  rebel  army. 
Captain  Bradshaw  is  a  charter  member  and 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  Post  45,  G.  A.  R. 
He  is  a  good  citizen  and  a  useful  member  of 
his  community. 


WILLIAM  F.  DUNN  was  born  in  Brown  Co., 
Ohio,  in  the  year  1828,  and  was  a  son 
of  Ferrell  and  Lydia  ( Fleming)  Dunn, 
who  moved  to  Hennepin,  111.,   in    1834,  shortly 
thereafter  settling  at  Tiskilwa,  being  among  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


719 


first  settlers.  Mr.  Dunn,  Sr.,  was  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war.  Our  subject  was  raised  upon  a  farm 
and  continued  farm  work  until  the  late  rebellion, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  in  June, 
1862,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  Aug  15. 
in  Co.  E,  93rd  111.  Vol.  Inf.  The  Regt.  pro 
ceeded  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  moved  with 
Gen.  Grant's  army,  in  the  Northern  Miss,  cam 
paign,  to  Yocona  Creek  and  thence  via  Lump- 
kin's  Mills  to  Memphis,  arriving  Dec.  30th. 
Almost  immediately  it  set  out  again  to  La- 
Fayette,  Tenn.,  then  returned  to  Ridgeway, 
where  it  remained  during  Jan.  and  Feb.,  1863. 
In  the  early  days  of  March  the  Regt.  went  to 
Lake  Providence,  thence  to  Helena,  and  from 
there  moved  down  the  river  on  the  Yazoo  Pass 
expedition;  and  after  its  conclusion,  partici 
pated  in  the  Vicksburg  campaign,  and  on  the 
way  thither  passed  through  Bruinsburg,  Port 
Gibson,  Raymond,  and  Clinton,  arriving  at 
Jackson  May  14,  and  was  the  same  day  under 
rebel  fire  for  the  first  time — the  Regt.  losing  3 
killed  and  4  wounded.  On  the  I5th  it  moved 
toward  Vicksburg,  and  on  the  following  day 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills. 
During  this  battle  the  3rd  was  in  the  93rd  Brig., 
and  after  20  minutes'  fighting  it  was  flanked  on 
the  left  and  retiring  steadily  changed  front  to 
the  left,  and  being  flanked,  retired  and  in  this 
position  held  its  ground  against  a  most  furious 
attack,  after  which  the  enemy  retreated  to 
Black  River  Bridge. 

The  regimental  loss  on  this  occasion  was 
one  officer  and  37  men  killed  and  six  officers 
and  107  men  wounded  and  one  officer  and  10 
men  missing.  During  May  19,  it  moved  to 
ward  Vicksburg  and  at  midday  came  upon  the 
enemy's  lines  3  miles  from  that  city;  and  on 
the  22nd  made  an  assault  upon  the  rebel  works, 
and  again  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day, 
charged  the  enemy  near  the  railroads  and  on 
this  occasion  also  suffered  heavily,  having  6 
killed  and  49  wounded.  July  13,  the  Regt.  set 
out  for  Jackson,  Miss.,  returning,  however,  to 
Vicksburg  on  the  25th.  Subsequently  it  pro 
ceeded  to  Helena,  Ark.,  thence  to  Memphis, 
and  afterwards  visited  Glendale,  Burnside, 
luka,  Florence,  Ala.,  and  Winchester,  arriving 


at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  Nov.  19.  It  then  crossed  the 
Tennessee  River,  and  on  the  25th  participated  in 
the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  losing  88  men  in 
killed,  wounded  and  missing.  After  this  bat 
tle  the  Regt.  pursued  the  enemy  to  Grayson, 
then  returned  to  Chattanooga,  afterwards 
moved  to  Huntsville  by  way  of  Bridgeport  and 
Larkinsville,  where  it  remained  until  the  spring 
of  1864.  It  continued  during  the  spring  and 
summer  to  be  engaged  in  such  duties  as  were 
assigned  it,  without,  however,  being  engaged 
in  such  conflicts  as  is  had  experienced  during 
the  preceding  year.  Oct.  25,  whilst  at  Alla- 
toona  and  forming  a  part  of  a  force  of  2,100 
men,  protecting  over  a  million  dollars  worth  of 
stores  as  a  basis  of  supply  for  Gen.  Sherman's 
army,  was  attacked  by  a  rebel  force  of  over 
8,OOO  men.  Shortly  after  midnight  the  picket 
firing  commenced  and  by  daylight  the  batteries 
of  both  parties  were  doing  their  most  deadly 
work.  Although  the  contest  was  an  unequal 
one,  from  the  point  of  numbers,  each  member 
of  that  brave,  gallant  band  held  himself,  as  it 
were,  responsible  for  the  consequences  that 
might  follow  the  result  of  the  engagement,  and 
therefore  all  fought  with  judgment  and  des 
peration  never  surpassed  in  the  history  of  war; 
and  although  they  were  pressed  back  from 
their  outer  works  with  gaps  in  their  ranks  ever 
widening,  yet  their  well-directed  and  repeated 
fire  was  telling  a  terrible  tale  in  the  ranks  of 
the  enemy,  which,  notwithstanding  the  despera 
tion  of  the  rebels,  they  could  not  longer  face 
the  withering  fire  from  the  Union  forces  and 
were  finally  compelled  to  withdraw,  leaving  as 
a  monument  of  their  folly  231  of  their  number 
dead  on  the  field,  500  wounded,  with  an  addi 
tional  411  missing.  The  Union  force  lost 
about  800  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  but 
the  brave  survivors  had  safely  protected  the 
only  available  Union  stores  in  that  Southern 
country.  During  this  battle  Mr.  Dunn  was 
wounded  in  the  left  leg,  necessitating  its  ampu 
tation.  He  was  removed  to  the  hospital  at 
Rome,  Ga.,  from  there  to  Nashville,  then  to 
Louisville,  and  then  to  Keokuk,  Iowa,  where 
he  was  discharged  June  14,  1865.  While  at 
Keokuk  he  was  home  on  a  furlough.  Returned 


720 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


home  after  his  discharge,  and  soon  after  was 
appointed  Assistant  Postmaster,  and  4  years 
later  was  appointed  Postmaster,  of  the  town, 
which  he  continues  to  hold  up  to  the  present 
time  with  the  full  consent  of  his  Democratic 
opponents,  as  also  his  Republican  friends.  In 
speaking,  however,  of  his  "  opponents,"  we  re 
fer  to  those  who  differ  politically  with  our 
genial  Postmaster,  because  of  opponents  and 
enemies  in  the  ordinary  sense,  he  has  none. 

His  first  wife  having  died  when  he  was  in 
the  army  unable  to  return  home,  he  married 
again,  June  28,  1863,  Julia  Houghton,  of  Ot- 
segro,  Mich.,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Harold 

O      "'  J 

H.,  a  bright,  intelligent  boy.  Mr.  Dunn  be 
longs  to  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  660,  of  which 
he  was  a  charter  member.  Mrs.  Dunn  is  a 
member  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  and  holds 
the  position  of  Treasurer.  Mr.  Dunn  was  se 
lected  by  his  many  friends  as  a  candidate  for 
the  Treasurership  of  his  county  in  1871,  and  to 
publicly  introduce  him  to  the  elections,  they 
prepared  and  published  the  following  address, 
which,  coming  from  those  who  knew  him  well 
and  appreciated  his  worth,  speaks  in  a  more 
forcible  way  than  can  be  done  by  those  who 
have  not  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance: 

"WILLIAM  F.  DUNN. 
"To  the  Editor  of  the  Buda  Enterprise. 

"DEAR  SIR:-  Having  noticed  in  your  issue  of 
the  1 2th  inst.  a  sketch  of  Mr.  Page,  who  is  a 
candidate  for  the  office  of  County  Treasurer, 
the  undersigned,  friends  of  Mr.  William  F. 
Dunn,  of  Tiskilwa,  who  is  a  candidate  for  the 
same  office,  beg  leave  to  submit  to  your  read 
ers  through  the  same  medium,  a  sketch  of  his 
military  and  other  record;  and  if  we  state  any 
thing  too  strongly,  there  are  five  hundred 
soldiers  in  Bureau  County,  who  served  with 
him  in  the  army,  to  correct  us. 

"In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Dunn  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  E,  93rd  Illinois  Infantry, 
leaving  behind  him  a  wife  and  four  children,  as 
also  his  aged  father  and  mother,  whom  he  had 
supported  for  several  years.  In  Nov.,  1862,  he 
went,  with  his  Co.  into  active  service,  and  from 
that  time  until  the  5th  day  of  October,  1864, 
was  constantly  in  the  field.  In  the  campaign 


in  Northern  Mississippi,  in  November  and  De 
cember,  1862,  the  first  battle  of  Jackson,  Miss., 
May  14,  1863,  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills, 
Miss.,  May  i6th,  1863;  the  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
Miss.,  from  May  iQth  to  July  4th,  1863;  the 
battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  November  25th,  1863, 
and  the  battle  of  Allatoona,  Georgia,  October 
5th,  1864,  and  all  the  long  and  tedious  marches 
intervening,  no  man  of  his  regiment  behaved 
with  more  gallantry,  or  showed  more  fortitude 
or  more  devotion  to  his  country,  than  William 
F.  Dunn.  In  the  last  named  battle,  when  the 
fate  of  Sherman's  whole  army  in  front  of  At 
lanta  was  in  the  balance,  when  one-third  of  a 
command  only  2,100  strong  was  sacrificed  to 
the  achievement  of  a  victory  over  nearly  8,000 
of  the  enemy,  when  each  soldier  in  the  ranks 
of  necessity  became  his  own  commander,  Wil 
liam  F.  Dunn,  while  fighting  in  the  ranks,  re 
ceived  a  wound  which  shattered  one  of  his  legs, 
rendering  its  amputation  necessary  to  save  his 
life.  Nor  is  this  all.  While  in  the  army,  and 
unable  to  return  home,  his  wife  and  one  child 
were  buried  by  the  friends  who  now  would 
honor  and  reward  him  who  served  his  country 
then. 

"Nor  can  his  political  record  be  impeached. 
As  he  was  true  to  his  colors  in  the  field,  he  has 
been  true  to  his  party  at  home,  always  voting 
the  straight  Republican  ticket,  his  fidelity  to 
principle  is  doubly  established,  by  his  ballot 
and  by  his  wooden  leg.  And  so,  we  think  his 
measure  of  duty  to  the  country  has  been  per 
formed.  If  political  cliques  and  rings  (in  case 
there  are  such)  or  individual  politicians,  sup 
pose  the"y  have  a  right  to  ask  pledges  of  any 
kind,  we  say  to  them,  remember  yours  of  1861 
and  1862;  remember  that  William  F.  Dunn 
made  his  then,  and  that  he  has  even  more  than 
fulfilled  them.  He  has  made  no  others  and 
has  no  others  to  make,  save  this,  that  in  the 
future,  as  he  has  been  in  the  past,  he  is  under 
pledge  to  the  best  interests  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  so,  to  the  country. 

"Honest,  capable  and  true  ;  a  poor  man,  with 
his  aged  mother  and  three  motherless  children 
dependent  on  him  for  support  and  education, 
and  already  at  the  turning  point  of  life,  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


721 


friends  have  presented  his  name,  in  the  usual 
manner,  as  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  County 
Treasurer.  And  were  his  residence  in  the  largest 
town  or  smallest  hamlet  of  Bureau  county 
nothing  would  thereby  be  added  to  or  taken 
from  his  merits  as  a  man,  a  soldier  from  the 
ranks,  or  a  Republican.  And  while  we  say 
nothing  to  detract  from  the  merits  of  any  other 
candidate,  we  feel  that  both  the  party  and  the 
county  would  be,  not  only  honored,  but  well 
served,  by  the  nomination  and  election  of  Mr. 
Dunn  to  the  office  named. 


HORACE  HOME, 
J.  W.  BAKER, 
DAVID  REIGLE, 
A.  B.  PAULEY, 
S.  D.  CROCKER, 
S.  N.  BARLOW, 
JNO.  J.  WILKINS, 
GEO.  E.  TOWNSEND, 

E.  S.  JOHNSON, 
C.  H.  S.  POWERS, 
N.  D.  BORT, 

G.  E.  DORR, 
J.  H.  MORE, 
J.  R.  MILLS, 
J.  R.  MILLS,  SR., 

F.  F.  LE FAVOUR, 
W.  H.  SIMPSON, 
E.  JOHNSON, 
GEO.  W.  BLISS, 
JAMES  MAGEE, 
EDWIN  SHERRY, 
JOHN  WOOD,  JR., 
J.  F.  LEFEVRE, 

'Tiskilwa,  III.,  Aug.  77, 


W.  G.  GUDGEL, 
JOHN  COLE, 
JOHN  GUDGEL, 
C.  A.  DEAN, 

WM.   KlRKPATRICK, 

T.  E.  HOPKINS, 
C.  B.  INGALS, 
WM.  W.  CARPENTER, 
O.  W.  BATTEY, 

C.  J.  COLBY, 
WM.  C.  HOBLIT, 
S.  F.  DURFEE, 

J.  H.  DANA, 

J.  D.  EDMINSTER, 

ELLIOT  DRAPER, 

D.  D.  ROBBINS, 
C.  W.  TOWNER, 
WM.  J.  BRADLEY, 
FRANK  T.  BROWN, 
A.  H.  HEPPERLY, 

E.  KNOX, 
A.  COOK, 
HENRY  TOWNER, 

1871." 


CAPT.  WM.   K.    HASELWOOD,   City  Health 
Officer,  Quincy,  111.,  is  a  native  of  Wil- 
liamstown,  Ky.,  born  Feb.  10,  1840,  eld 
est  child  in  a  family  of  twelve  born  to  Thomas 
A.  and  Francis  A.   (Dance)    Haselwood.     His 
father    was    a  farmer    and  stockraiser   in   Ky. 
Our  subject   grew    to    manhood    in   his    native 


town,  attended  the  old-style  Ky.  subscription 
schools,  and  when  17  years  of  age,  went  to 
Quincy,  engaged  in  farming  in  the  neighbor 
hood,  continuing  till  Aug.  19,  1860,  when  he 
was  married  at  Payson,  to  Martha  A.  Seehorn, 
a  native  of  Adams  Co.,  111.,  born  Feb.  23,  1842, 
a  daughter  of  Eli  and  Margaret  (Hoggens) 
Seehorn.  Our  subject  enlisted  Aug.  19,  1861, 
in  Co.  D,  5Oth  111.  Inf.,  as  2nd  Lieut.  Remained 
in  camp  at  Quincy  until  Oct.,  when  he  went  to 
Hanibal,  Mo.,  from  thence  to  Chillicothe,  and 
from  there  to  St.  Joseph.  Here  he  did  provost 
duty  and  fought  bush  whackers,  guarded  R.  Rs., 
etc.,  during  the  winter.  Subject  was  detailed 
as  Chief  of  the  Provost  Guard,  continuing  un 
til  Jan.  following.  He  next  went  to  Smithland, 
Ky.,  where  he  remained  until  the  Fort  Henry 
affair.  From  there  he  went  to  Fort  Donelson, 
and  there  he  commanded  his  Co.  in  that  battle. 
Here  the  5Oth  111.,  supported  the  2nd  Iowa,  on 
the  left  when  charging  the  enemy's  works — his- 
tory  to  the  contrary,  notwithstanding.  Went 
to  Clarksville,  thence  to  Nashville,  and  then 
back  to  Clarksville,  and  finally  to  Pittsburg 
Landing,  taking  part  in  that  great  battle.  Here 
our  subject  again  commanded  his  Co.  in  the 
battle,  after  Capt.  T.  W.  Gainestook  command 
of  the  Reg.  The  Col.  and  Lieut.  Col.  were 
wounded,  and  the  Maj.  had  business  at  the 
rear;  hence  the  command  of  the  Regt.  fell  up 
on  one  of  the  line  officers.  Here  our  subject 
was  honored  with  promotion  to  1st  Lieut., 
his  commission,  bearing  this  inscription,  "Pro 
moted  for  meritorious  conduct  rendered  at 
Pittsburg  Landing."  Lieut.  Haselwood  was 
wounded  in  the  right  arm,  but  remained  with 
his  Co.  till  the  battle  was  over.  The  Regt.  suf 
fered  severely  in  this  great  battle.  Went  on 
the  campaign  against  Corinth,  participated  in 
all  the  battles  and  sieges  of  that  place.  While 
at  Corinth,  Oct.,  1862,  he  was  promoted  to  Capt. 
of  his  Co.  Capt.  Haselwood's  health  was  poor, 
and  he  felt  obliged  to  leave  the  service,  there 
fore  he  tendered  his  resignation  as  1st  Lieut., 
on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  and  the 
same  was  accepted.  Previous  to  leaving,  how 
ever,  the  boys  petitioned  him  to  accept  the 
captaincy,  and  pending  the  red  tape  proceed- 


722 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ings  preliminary  to  commission,  his  health  had 
somewhat  improved,  accepted  the  proposition, 
and  was  soon  after  detailed  as  Chief  of  Grand 
Guard  on  Gen.  G.  M.  Dodge's  Staff,  a  position 
he  held  several  months. 

One  strange  feature  of  the  proceeding  was 
the  fact,  that  the  War  Department's  ironclad 
rules  prevented  his  muster,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  he  had  once  resigned  a  commission  in  the 
U.  S.  Army.  This  injustice  was  remedied  by  a 
special  order  of  the  war  department  in  1873, 
and  he  was  mustered  and  paid  as  Capt.  for  the 
period  served  as  such.  On  account  of  this  he 
left  the  service  by  permission,  and  came  to 
Adams  Co.,  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1874, 
then  went  on  the  road  as  a  collecting  agent  for 
Howe  Sewing  Machine  Co.  for  3  years.  Then 
went  to  Memphis,  Mo.,  and  worked  at  farming 
and  carpentering  till  1878,  and  then  went 
to  Kansas  and  engaged  in  farming  and 
freighting  till  1880.  Then  went  to  New  Mex 
ico,  and  engaged  in  railroading  as  foreman 
in  the  building  department.  In  the  fall  of  1880 
came  back  to  Quincy  and  followed  carpentering 
for  1 8  months.  Failing  health  compelled  him 
to  seek  lighter  employment,  and  he  again  went 
on  the  road.  In  the  fall  of  1882  went  to  Dakota, 
and  engaged  in  contracting  and  building.  Re 
turned  to  Quincy  in  Dec.,  1886,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1887  went  on  the  Police  force,  serving 
three  and  a  half  years  in  that  capacity.  Was 
then  appointed  health  officer,  and  again  re- 
appointed  on  expiration  of  term,  and  is  still 
in  that  position.  By  virtue  of  this  office  he  is 
also  Secy,  of  the  Board  of  Health.  Capt.  Hasel- 
wood  and  wife  have  two  children,  both  mar 
ried—Thomas  W.  and  Annie  M.  The  former 
married  Miss  Annie  Griggs,  of  Adams  Co.,  and 
is  now  a  resident  of  Washington,  a  mechanic 
by  occupation.  The  daughter  married  Geo.  C. 
Lawrence,  and  resides  in  the  city.  Capt.  Hasel- 
wood  is  a  member  of  John  Wood  Post,  No.  96, 
G.  A.  R.,  a  member  of  Pysons'  Lodge,  No.  379, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  a  Republican  and  a  pensioner. 
Mrs.  Haselwood  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  Capt.  Haselwood  is  a  genial,  whole.- 
souled  gentleman,  whose  companionable  dis 
position  makes  all  who  know  him  his  friends. 


WILLIAM  McKKE,  of  Ncponset,  111.,  was 
born  in  Belfast,  Ireland,  July  4,  1844, 
and  was  reared  there  until  he  was 
near  16  years  old,  when  in  company  with  a 
younger  sister,  he  'immigrated  to  America  and 
joined  his  brothers,  James  and  John,  who  were 
at  Biggsville,  Henderson  Co.,  111.  William 
remained  at  this  place  for  a  time,  and  early  in 
1861,  he  went  to  Peoria  to  work.  Here  he 
enlisted  under  Col.  "Bob"  Ingersoll.  Ingersoll 
hearing  McKee  play  the  cornet,  called  upon 
him  and  gave  him  an  invitation  to  join  the 
regimental  band,  which  was  accepted.  This 
position  he  filled  until  the  following  spring, 
when  under  a  general  order  all  bands  were 
mustered  out,  and  he  received  his  discharge. 
He  immediately  re-enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co. 
H,  of  the  same  Regt.-  the  nth  111.  Cav.- 
which  was  at  the  time  in  St.  Louis,  having 
marched  from  Peoria.  At  St.  Louis,  the  Regt. 
boarded  steamers  for  Pittsburg  Landing,  where 
on  the  morning  of  the  battle  Mr.  McKee  was 
detailed  as  orderly  and  ordered  to  report  to 
Gen.  Prentiss,  with  whom  he  served  the  first 
day  and  until  Prentiss  was  captured  on  the 
second  day  of  the  fight.  Just  at  this  time 
Orderly  McKee  was  delivering  orders  in 
another  part  of  the  field  and  thus  escaped  cap 
ture.  During  this  engagement,  Gen.  Sherman 
commanded  the  corps  and  McKee  was  kept 
busy  between  Sherman,  Hurlbut  and  others. 
At  one  point  in  the  progress  of  the  battle  the 
steamers  War  Eagle,  Tigress,  City  of  Madison 
and  Dunleith  were  waiting  to  take  the  troops 
across  the  river,  when  Gen.  Buell  came  up. 
Orderly  McKee  heard  Gen.  Grant  give  to  a 
soldier  verbal  order  from  Gen.  Grant  to  Gen. 
Smith,  to  hold  his  line  at  all  hazards  as  Buell 
was  coming.  At  this  time  Gen.  Nelson  was 
crossing  with  his  Brig,  and  McKee  saw  Nelson 
when  he  rode  from  the  steamer  on  his  horse 
and  started  on  a  trot  up  the  hill  swearing  like 
a  trooper,  and  when  he  was  about  half  way  up 
one  of  his  pistols  in  the  holster  was  discharged 
by  accident.  This  was  on  the  night  of  the  6th 
day.  This  night  it  rained  hard  and  McKee 
found  a  couple  of  rails  and  laid  down  on  them, 
but  they  were  gone  in  the  morning  and  he  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


723 


in  the  water.  After  this  fight  McKee  was  sent 
to  Savannah  to  care  for  the  wounded  and  while 
there  he  assisted  in  the  burial  of  James  Walker 
of  the  nth  and  put  up  a  board  with  the  same 
Co.  and  Regt.  He  then  returned  to  his  Regt. 
and  proceeded  to  Corinth  under  Gen.  Halleck 
where  it  was  in  active  service.  Here  McKee 
was  detailed  to  go  to  Peoria  as  recruiting  offi 
cer,  and  after  duty  in  this  line  about  one  month 
he  rejoined  his  Regt.  at  Corinth,  and  was 
ordered  on  detailed  service  at  Gen.  McArthur's 
headquarters,  with  whom  he  was  at  the  battle 
of  luka  and  of  Corinth  on  Oct.  3d  and  4th. 
While  here  he  assisted  in  carrying  Gen. 
Oglesby  up  the  steps  of  the  Tishamingo  house 
when  he  was  wounded,  and  while  so  engaged  a 
shot  from  a  rebel  battery  struck  the  stairs  a  few 
feet  distant.  McKee  stood  at  this  hotel  and 
saw  the  rebel  Gen.  Rogers  lead  his  troops  to 
the  breastworks  at  Fort  Robinet  and  mount 
them  where  he  was  shot,  after  planting  the  flag 
on  the  works  at  the  cost  of  his  life.  He  was 
also  an  eyewitness  to  the  stampede  of  the 
mule  teams  caused  by  a  rebel  battery  opening 
upon  them.  This  battery  the  Union  men 
charged  in  the  darkness  of  the  night  and  cap 
tured. 

The  Regt.  was  under  Gen.  Grant,  on  the 
inarch  to  Oxford,  and  was  in  the  forced  march 
back  to  Holly  Springs,  where  the  boys  had  a 
dance  in  one  of  the  churches,  McKee  playing 
the  cornet,  and  another  man  the  violin.  The 
ladies  of  the  city  were  invited  to  participate, 
and  some  were  present.  The  line  of  march  was 
then  to  Memphis  and  Lake  Providence,  above 
Vicksburg.  He  retired  to  obtain  permission  to 
run  the  blockade  of  the  city,  and  was  piloting  a 
boat  with  that  object  in  view,  but  he  was  con 
sidered  too  young  for  such  an  undertaking. 
Going  forward  with  the  army,  crossing  at  Grand 
Gulf,  he  went  on  to  Jackson,  Champion  Hills 
and  Vicksburg,  carrying  dispatches  between  the 
Generals.  At  Vicksburg  he  was  attached  to 
McArthur's  staff.  McKee  staid  for  some  weeks, 
employing  his  time  by  making  occasional  ex 
cursions  into  the  country,  playing  the  cornet  in 
the  post  band  and  in  the  theater.  On  one  of 
these  raids  there  was  a  severe  fight  at  or  near 


Clinton,  and  Captain  Moffitt  was  killed.     The 
next  move  was  to  Natchez,  and  while  here  Mc 
Kee  became  well  acquainted  with  Grant's  chil 
dren — Nellie  and  Fred,  who  visited  their  father 
here.  A  stay  of  three  months  was  made  at  Nat 
chez,  and,  returning  to  Vicksburg,  McKee  re 
mained   until   his   term  of  enlistment   expired, 
when  he  reported  to  his  regiment  at  Memphis, 
and  was  mustered  out.     Reaching  his  home  in 
Peoria,  he  joined  Spencer's  Light  Guard  Band, 
an    organization    that    became  well  known  all 
over  the  U.  S.     While  at  Vicksburg  he  messed 
with  a  telegraph  operator,  and  learned  to  ope 
rate  as  a   pastime,  and,   perfecting   himself  in 
the  business  after  he  returned  home,  he  took  a 
position  in  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Ry.  office  at  Mon- 
mouth,  111.,  and  has  ever  since  been  in  the  em 
ploy  of   this    company.     He  has  purchased  a 
home  in  the  village  of  Neponset,  and  has  been 
most  of  his  time  located  here  as  telegraph  op 
erator  and  station  agent.     In  Oct.,  1866,  he  and 
Miss  Orena  Young  were    united    in    marriage. 
Miss  Young  was  a   daughter  of  C.  W.  Young, 
who  was  a  soldier  in  the  I24th  111.  Regt.,  resid 
ing  in  Kewanee,  but  afterwards  a  citizen  of  Ne 
ponset.     Mr.  McKee's  family  consists  of  him 
self,  wife  and  one  daughter,  a  young  lady  who 
is  a  fine  violinist,  and  it  may  be  stated  that  ex 
cellent  music  by  violin  and  cornet  is  frequently 
heard  at  the  home  of  this  cultured  family.    Mr. 
McKee  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  as  Tax 
Collector.    His  brother  James  is  a  Republican, 
and  served  as  Sergeant  Major  in  the  I  ith  Cav. — 
serving  in  the  army  more  than  four  years.  The 
other  brother,  John,  is  also  a  Republican.    The 
mother  is  still  living,  at  the  age  of  76  years,  in  the 
village  of  Biggsville,   111.,  with  two  daughters. 
Eliza,  the  sister  who  came  to  this  country  over 
the  ocean  with  William,  married  Lieut.  Hugh 
Allen,  who  served  three  years  in  the  nth  Iowa 
Inf.,  and  received  four  wounds,  but  is  now  liv 
ing  near  Yates  City,  111. 


WILLIAM  GODFREY,  a  resident  of  Gene- 
seo,  111.,  was  born  in  Kent,  England, 
.Feb.   11,     1842.      His    parents    were 
Richard   and    Ann    (Amos)    Godfrey,  both  of 


724 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


whom  died  in  England.  After  the  death  of  his 
mother,  who  survived  the  father,  William  made 
his  home,  with  an  uncle  and  emigrated  with  him 
to  America  when  ten  years  of  age.  He  con 
tinued  to  live  with  his  uncle  until  20  years  old, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  ii2th  111.  Inf.,  at 
Galva  and  was  mustered  in  March  30,  1864,  un 
der  command  of  Lieut.  George  W.  Lawrence. 
The  first  movement  of  the  new  recruits  was  to 
join  the  Regt.  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  it  re 
mained  about  one  week  and  embarked  by  rail 
road  to  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  after  a  short  stay 
here  was  sent  back  to  Louisville,  then  on  to 
Nashville.  Here  Co.  1,  which  was  detached, 
and  consisted  of  40  men,  was  detailed  to  drive 
about  700  head  of  cattle  to  Chattanooga,  a  dis 
tance  of  about  200  miles.  The  journey  re 
quired  some  14  days  and  of  the  40  men  engaged 
in  this  duty,  only  17  reached  the  destination 
with  the  cattle.  The  men  were  mostly  new  re 
cruits  and  some  became  sick  and  were  left  at 
the  hospitals,  others  were  exhausted,  and  sitting 
down  on  the  railroad  tracks,  fell  asleep  and 
were  killed  by  the.  trains,  and  others  strayed 
away  and  were  lost.  The  climate  was  new  and 
warm,  and  the  men  were  wholly  unaccustomed 
to  marching.  They  were  also  heavily  encum 
bered  with  guns,  5  days'  rations,  and  40  rounds 
of  cartridges.  In  crossing  the  Cumberland 
Mts.  the  guards  marching  at.  the  side  of  the 
drove  of  cattle  could  not  carry  their  guns  and 
get  through  the  brush,  so  the  others  had  the 
guns  of  their  comrades  to  carry.  Mr.  Godfrey 
in  this  march,  if  it  may  be  so  called,  walked  in 
the  road  and  carried  8  guns  across  the  Cumber 
land  Mts.  When  the  men  had  crossed  the 
mountains  and  reached  the  foot,  their  boots 
were  worn  from  their  feet  and  the  remaining 
part  of  the  journey  was  made  barefooted.  On 
reaching  Chattanooga  this  little  company  of 
men,  performing  a  necessary  but  not  very  ro 
mantic  duty,  and  suffering  more  than  in  some 
brilliant  expeditions,  were  glad  to  remain  in 
camp  for  a  few  weeks  to  recruit  their  wasted 
energies. 

The  Regt.  was  joined  near  Resaca,  and  the 
next  day  Co.  I  was  put  on  the  skirmish  line 
where  late  in  the  evening  it  ran  into  a  rebel 


battery,  which  opened  fire  upon  it  with  grape 
and  canister.  In  the  first  charge  Mr.  Godfrey 
was  knocked  down  by  a  shell  that  passed  so 
near  that  the  concussion  prostrated  him.  Orders 
were  given  to  the  men  to  save  themselves  as 
they  could,  so  they  hastily  sought  the  shelter 
of  stumps  and  trees.  When  Mr.  Godfrey  re 
covered  consciousness  he  attempted  to  follow 
the  example  of  his  comrades,  but  before  he 
reached  the  stump  he  had  in  view  another  shell 
burst  in  front  of  him  and  blinded  him  for  a 
short  time,  so  that  he  could  not  proceed.  This 
is  the  introduction  that  the  new  men  in  Co.  1 
received  in  the  theory  and  practice  of  war.  At 
Utoy  Creek  the  II  2th  took  an  active  part,  and 
lost  7.5  men.  It  lay  in  front  of  Atlanta  for 
some  time  but  was  continually  fighting  and 
skirmishing,  so  it  was  by  no  means  an  inactive 
siege.  Advanced  breastworks  were  built  every 
night  and  the  rebels  steadily  crowded  in  until 
the  city  surrendered.  Before  the  fall  of  Atlanta 
the  supplies  of  the  Federal  army  were  for  a 
time  cut  off  from  the  rear  and  the  men  were  re 
duced  to  three-fifths  rations  for  about  a  month. 
During  this  strait,  the  boys  resorted  to  forag 
ing  to  improve  their  larder.  By  this  time  Co.  1 
had  been,  by  losses,  reduced  to  16  men,  and 
one  day  Mr.  Godfrey,  with  a  comrade  named 
Charles  Gass,  who  had  just  come  from  Ander- 
sonville  prison,  after  13  months' confinement, 
were  sent  out  to  forage  for  the  company.  On 
this  expedition,  when  about  7  miles  from  camp, 
and  just  as  they  were  entering  a  house,  dis 
covered  six  horses  standing  in  front.  Im 
mediately  concluding  that  there  were  rebels 
in  the  house,  they  watched  until  they  saw  the 
rebels  leave  by  the  front  door,  then  Mr.  God 
frey  and  his  companion  stole  in  at  the  back 
door  and  crawled  under  the  bed,  requesting  the 
woman  of  the  house  to  keep  quiet,  which  she 
did.  In  the  scramble  in  getting  under  the  bed 
the  men  discovered  a  sack  of  corn  meal,  which 
they  took  charge  of;  they  also  captured  two 
sides  of  bacon,  which  had  been  hidden  in  a 
straw  stack,  and  a  gallon  of  strained  honey, 
secreted  under  the  tomato  vines  in  the  garden. 
They  also  gathered  about  200  ears  of  corn,  and 
50  leaves  of  tobacco,  and  started  for  camp  with 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


725 


the  provisions  all  tied  up  in  a  tent  cloth,  which 
they  carried  on  their  guns  across  their 
shoulders.  On  the  way  to  camp  these  success 
ful  foragers  were  offered  50  cents  a  leaf  for 
their  tobacco  and  the  same  price  for  an  ear  of 
corn.  After  reaching  camp  prices  advanced, 
and  one  dollar  was  offered  for  an  ear  of  corn 
by  the  famishing  men,  which  shows  the  des 
perate  condition  -they  were  in,  but  none  was 
sold  and  at  last  this  welcome  supply  was  fairly 
divided  and  issued  as  rations  to  the  soldiers. 

After  the  capture  of  Atlanta  the  command 
went  into  camp  for  about  four  weeks  at  Deca- 
tur.  Hood,  meanwhile,  had  been  pushing  to 
ward  Nashville  with  the  rebel  forces,  and  when 
the  Federal  army  was  ordered  back  it  encoun 
tered  Hood  at  Columbia,  Tenn.,  where  a  fight, 
lasting  several  days,  ensued,  until  the  Federal 
troops,  in  the  face  of  a  superior  force,  fell  back- 
to  Franklin.  During  this  time  Mr.  Godfrey 
was  severely  afflicted  with  the  scurvy,  and  in 
consequence  was  compelled  to  march  bare 
footed,  as  he  could  notwrear  shoes.  At  Frank 
lin  there  was  a  hard  battle,  which  resulted  in 
the  Union  forces  falling  back  to  Nashville  after 
the  fight.  In  the  battle  at  Franklin  Mr.  God 
frey  was  struck  in  the  instep  by  a  ball,  and  as 
he  was  in  poor  condition  on  account  of  the  at 
tack  of  scurvy,  was  sent  to  the  hospital  for 
treatment.  After  confinement  for  about  one 
month,  although  by  no  means  cured,  he  started 
to  meet  his  regiment,  which  was  at  Wilming-: 
ton,  N.  C.  To  do  this  he  traveled  through  the 
States  of  Tenn.,  Ky.,  Ind.,  Ohio,  Penn.,  and- 
sailed  from  Alexandria  to  Wilmington.  After 
Mr.  Godfrey  reached  the  Regt.  it  marched  to 
Raleigh  and  Goldsboro,  where  it  met  Gen.  Sher 
man  on  his  return  from  the  sea. 

Soon  after  Johnston's  surrender  the  time  of 
many  men  in  the  ii2th  regiment  expired,  and 
the  later  recruits  were  transferred  to  the*  65th 
111.  When  this  transfer  took  place  Mr.  God 
frey  was  made  Orderly  Sergeant  of  Co.  F,  in 
the  65th  regiment,  and  after  serving  one  month 
was  promoted  to  2nd  Lieut.  About  this  time 
it  was  evident  that  the  war  was  rapidly  drawing 
to  a  close  and  the  dim  outlines  of  the  bow  of 
peace  began  to  be  visible  in  the  darkened  sky, 


so  with  his  men  Lieut.  Godfrey  was  ordered  to 
Chicago  and  receiving  an  honorable  discharge 
July  13,  1865,  returned  to  his  home  at  Geneseo, 
111.,  and  engaged  in  business  as  a  butcher  and 
shipper  of  stock,  in  which  he  is  at  present 
employed. 

Mr.  Godfrey  has  justly  won  the  reputation 
of  being  a  successful  business  man,  and  is  re 
cognized  as  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of 
his  town.  He  is  a  member  of  F.  J.  Jenkins 
Post,  No.  452,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is  Com 
mander.  Politically  he  is  a  Prohibitionist,  al 
though  formerly  a  Republican,  but  is  not  so 
much  interested  in  office  for  himself  as  for 
principles  and  good  men  in  office  everywhere. 

Mr.  Godfrey  was  married  to  Myra  J.  Good 
man,  of  Geneseo,  Sept.  10,  1868,  and  has  six 
children,  whose  names  are  Charles  M.,  Lula  M., 
Harry  M.,  Arthur  M.,  Helen  M.,  and  Bessie  M. 
Mrs.  Godfrey  is  a  daughter  of  John  S.  and 
Sarah  (Larndis)  Goodman,  both  natives  of  Lu- 
zerne  Co.,  Pa.,  descending  from  German  parent 
age,  but  now  residents  of  Merrick  Co.,  Neb., 
where  the  father  is  engaged  in  farming.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Goodman  have  three  children  -Myra, 
the  wife  of  Mr.  Godfrey  ;  Amanda,  and  Daniel, 
both  residents  of  Nebraska.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Godfrey  are  members  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  are  are  well  known  in  Geneseo  and 
the  surrounding  country,  and  held  in  the  high 
est  esteem;  on  account  of  their  genial  hospi 
tality  and  kindly  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to 
the  good  of  humanity.  Mr.  Godfrey  had  a 
brother  who  served  in  the  Crimean  war,  and 
died  during  its  progress,  so  that  now  he  is  the  sole 
survivor  of  his  family.  A  gentleman  of  kindly 
yet  positive  nature,  Mr.  Godfrey  makes  and 
keeps  friends.  He  impresses  those  he  meets 
with  confidence  in  his  sincerity  and  integrity, 
and  holds  the  love  and  respect  of  a  wide  circle 
of  friends  and  acquaintances  in  the  locality 
where  he  is  best  known. 


WILLIAM.  A.  NORKIS,  City  Weighmaster 
of    Rock    Island,    111.,    was    born    in 
Crawford  Co.,  Pa.,  June  30,  1838,  and 
is  the  son  of  James  M.    and    Mary  (Lawrence) 


726 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Norris.  His  father  was  born  -in  1810,  in 
Chenago  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  son  of 
William  Norris,  a  native  of  Vt.,  of  English 
descent. 

William  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians 
against  whom  he  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  and 
was  doubtless  killed  by  them,  as  he  was  after  his 
capture  never  again  heard  of.  The  father  of 
William  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  by 
trade  a  cabinet-maker.  He  removed  with  his 
family  to  Rock  Island,  111.,  in  the  fall  of  1853, 
where  he  gave  his  attention  principally  to  his 
trade.  His  wife  dying  in  1884,  he  returned  to 
Ellington,  N.  Y.,  where  he  is  at  present  resid 
ing.  He  was  the  father  of  three  children, 
James  M.,  William  A.  and  Wilbur  F. 

William.  A.,  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  was 
brought  up  at  home  and  received  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  the  period.  He  was  appren 
ticed  after  coming  to  Rock  Island,  to  learn  the 
molder's  trade,  but  never  followed  it.  He  was 
in  Iowa  running  a  drilling  machine  when  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion  began,  and  he  enlisted  at 
Mt.  Vernon,  Iowa,  in  Sept.,  1861,  in  Co.  A,  I3th 
Iowa  Inf.  The  Co.  was  soon  after  mustered  in 
and  went  to  Camp  McClellan,  at  Davenport, 
Iowa,  the  place  of  rendezvous,  Subsequently 
going  to  St.  Louis,  where  they  were  armed  and 
uniformed,  and  then  proceeded  to  Jefferson 
City,  Mo.  Returning  to  St.  Louis  the  command 
thence  proceeded  to  Paducah,  and  there  re 
ceived  orders  to  go  to  Pittsburg  landing.  Here 
the  1 3th  Iowa  was  engaged  from  early  morn 
ing  until  late  at  night,  Mr.  Norris  being 
wounded  by  a  minie  ball  in  the  hip,  between 
noon  and  one  o'clock.  He  was  removed  to  a 
transport,  which  served  as  a  hospital,  and 
placed  upon  some  sacks  of  corn,  where  he  lay 
until  the  corn  had  sprouted  and  grown  to  a 
heighth  of  four  inches. 

For  two  weeks  he  was  detained  at  this  im 
provised  hospital,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
Mt.  Vernon,  Ind.  Remaining  here  until  Sept.,  he 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  in  1862. 
The  Regt.  was  now  a  part  of  the  I3th  Corps. 
The  command  again  moved  forward,  arrrving  at 
luka  after  the  battle.  They  were  on  the  march 
to  Bolivar,  but  returned  after  a  reconnoissance. 


to  Corinth  and  bore  an  important  part  in  that 
battle,  occupying  a  position  to  the  right  of 
Fort  Robert.  The  Co.  had  several  wounded. 

After  this  battle,  Mr.  Norris,  being  incapa 
citated  for  active  service,  on  account  of  his 
former  wound,  was  discharged  and  returned  to 
Rock  Island.  In  front  of  Fort  Robert,  Mr. 
Norris  represents  that  the  dead  soldiers  lay 
thickly  piled  upon  each  other,  showing  the 
fearful  carnage  of  this  most  desperate  and  san 
guinary  engagement.  Mr.  Norris  remained  at 
his  old  home  but  a  short  time,  being  unable  to 
continue  passive  while  he  could  render  any 
service  to  his  country.  He  enlisted  a  second 
time  in  Company  I,  I26th  111.  Inf.,  in  the  fall 
1863,  and  proceeded  with  the  command  to 
Duval's  Bluff,  Ark.,  where  he  was  detailed  on 
special  service,  remaining  at  that  point  until  a 
short  time  before  he  was  mustered  out. 

He  accompanied  an  expedition  to  White 
River,  where  he  was  in  camp  for  a  few  days, 
after  which  he  was  ordered  to  Cairo  and  there, 
in  1865,  mustered  out  and  finally  discharged. 
Returning  home,  he  procured  employment  as  a 
clerk  in  a  grocery  store,  and  for  two  years  subse 
quently  was  a  storekeeper  in  the  Internal  Reve- 
uueservice.  Hethen  undertook  business  on  his 
own  account  in  South  Rock  Island,  which  he 
prosecuted  for  three  years.  Then  selling  out,  he 
removed  to  Kan.,  and  for  some  years  cultivated 
a  farm  in  Hodgman  Co.  After  again  returning 
to  Rock  Island,  and  going  to  Kan.  to  recuper 
ate  his  failing  health,  he  finally  settled  down 
at  Rock  Island,  devoting  his  time  to  various 
employments,  the  flour  and  feed  business  and 
to  service  as  clerk,  etc.  He  was  appointed 
Weighmaster  of  Rock  Island  May  9,  1891. 

He  was  married  in  1867,  at  Rock  Island,  to 
Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Hale  and  Martha  Tenny, 
who  were  among  the  first  settlers  at  Rock- 
Island.  They  are  both  deceased.  Mr.  Norris 
is  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  his  father 
being  in  what  was  known  as  the  Grey  Beard 
Regiment;  a  member  of  the  A.  P.  A.,  and  of 
the  John  Buford  Post,  No.  242,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
the  incumbent  Senior  Vice  Commander.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  worthy  citizen 
of  his  age  and  generation. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


727 


AMONG  the  prominent  business  men  of 
Quincy,  111.,  we  find  Captain  Matthew 
Janscn.  He  is  a  aative  of  Norden,  Han 
over,  Germany,  born  Jan.  26,  1839,  a  son  of  H. 
K.  and  Hilka  (Mattesen)  Jansen,  also  natives 
of  Hanover.  The  parents  immigrated  to  America 
in  1848,  locating  first  in  Quincy,  111.,  then  upon 
a  farm  8  miles  distant.  The  Capt.  is  one  of  a 
family  of  five  sons,  and  one  daughter,  all  of 
whom  are  living  at  the  present  time.  In 
spired  with  patriotism  and  devotion  to  his 
adopted  country,  our  subject  was  one  of 
the  first  to  respond  to  the  President's  call 
for  troops,  for  that  then  approaching  military 
storm,  which  has  happily  passed  and  become 
known  in  history  as  the  Great  Civil  War.  He 
enlisted  in  Co.  E.  loth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  for  3  months' 
service,  and  was  engaged  with  his  Regt.  in  the 
vicinity  of  Cairo  and  Columbus,  Ky.,  but  the 
term  of  enlistment  had  expired  before  the 
scenes  of  active  warfare  had  been  reached. 
After  tearing  down  some  Rebel  flags  in  the 
vicinity  of  Columbus,  Ky.,  it  was  mustered  out 
in  July,  1861.  Capt.  Jansen  re-enlisted  Aug.  20, 
1861,  as  a  private  in  Co.  A,  27th  111.  Vol.  Inf. 
He  was  armed  and  equipped  at  Cairo,  and  was 
soon  after  confronted  by  a  brave  and  dashing 
enemy  in  the  battle  of  Belmont,  Mo.,  fought 
Nov.  7,  1 86 1.  Previously  he  was  appointed 
Orderly  Sergeant,  and  at  the  battle  of  Belmont 
the  Capt.  of  Co.  A  was  wounded,  the  first  Lieut, 
killed,  and  a  second  Lieut,  was  sent  to  the  rear 
with  prisoners,  consequently  the  command  of 
the  company  fell  upon  Mr.  Jansen.  During  the 
battle,  when  every  nerve  of  the  boys  was  severe 
ly  taxed  and  appearances  pointed  to  a  defeat, 
our  heroic  Capt.  Jansen  rallied  a  squad  of  men 
from  his  own  and  other  companies,  took  position 
behind  a  fallen  tree,  and  poured  a  well-directed 
and  withering  fire  into  the  ranks  of  the  ap 
proaching  rebel  hosts,  checking  their  advance. 
This  act  of  heroism  had  not  escaped  notice. 
Gen.  Grant  rode  up  and  inquired  who  was  in 
charge  of  that  company.  Sergeant  Jansen  re 
plied  that  he  was  left  in  command  in  conse 
quence  of  the  wounding  of  the  Capt.,  death  of 
the  ist  Lieut.,  and  absence  of  the  2nd  Lieut. 
The  Gen.  recognized  the  service  rendered  by 


our  subject  and  his  brave  band,  and  fearing  they 
might  be  annihilated  by  Rebel  batteries  that 
were  being  placed  in  position  on  the  Columbus 
side  of  the  river,  directed  their  further  move 
ments,  at  the  same  time  informing  Mr.  Jansen 
that  if  they  both  escaped  he  would  receive  a 
Lieutenant's  commission.  Having  both  escaped 
and  true  to  his  word,  Gen.  Grant  recommended 
the  promotion,  hence  a  Lieut. 's  commission 
issued  to  Mr.  Jansen  dating  from  the  battle  of 
Belmont. 

Soon  after  this  Col.  N.  B.  Bufort  of  the  Regt. 
called  for  20  volunteers  for  a  daring  and  dan 
gerous  exploit,  though  the  object  was  not  then 
stated.  Lieut.  Jansen  was  among  the  first  to 
volunteer.  The  object  being  to  board  a  Gun 
boat  and  run  past  the  batteries  of  Island  No.  10 
during  the  night  of  April  6,  1862-  -a  terrible 
hail  storm  was  probably  the  friendly  Providential 
interference  from  destruction.  Eighty-four 
shots  were  fired  at  the  vessel  from  the  heavy 
guns  in  the  Fort,  while  the  Inf.  also  kept  up  a 
continuous  fire.  They  succeeded  in  this  daring 
enterprise,  the  object  being  to  attack  the  Fort 
from  the  rear  where  its  construction  was  com 
paratively  weak.  The  attack  was  successful, 
resulting  in  the  capture  of  6,000  prisoners,  2 
gunboats  and  a  number  of  other  boats  and  all 
the  supplies.  He  then  rejoined  his  Regt.  and 
participated  in  the  siege  of  Corinth.  About 
this  time  a  Staff  officer  requested  of  Col.  Her- 
rington  his  best  Co.  for  active  service.  Lieut. 
Jansen  and  his  Co.  were  detailed  to  accompany 
the  officer,  who  led  them  through  the  pickets 
and  up  to  the  enemy's  skirmishers.  Here  Lieut. 
Jansen  began  to  enquire  into  matters,  stating 
that  if  they  were  required  to  fight,  he  must  de 
ploy  his  men,  and  then  discovered  the  true  con 
dition  of  a  self-imposed  leader,  who  was  labor 
ing  under  the  delusion  that  60  brave  men  could 
take  Corinth.  Not  however  until  after  he  had 
twice  fired  his  revolver  in  the  Lieut's,  face  was 
he  dismounted  and  disarmed.  The  service  of  the 
Regt.  continued  until  discharged,  participating 
in  the  battles  and  doing  their  full  share  of  the 
duty.  Capt.  Jansen  participated  in  the  follow- 
•  ing  engagements  during  his  term  of  service, 
viz.:  Belmont,  Mo.,  asSergt.  Nov.  7,  1861 ;  Union 


728 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


City,  Ky.,  2d  Lieut.,  Mar  31,  1862;  Running 
Blockade,  Island  No.  10,  2d  Lieut.,  Apr.  6, 
1862;  siege  of  Corinth,  May  28,  1862; 
Lavergne,  Tenn.,  Capt.,  Oct.  13,  1862; 
Stone  River,  Tenn.,  Capt.,  Dec.  31  to  Jan.  2, 
1862-63;  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  Capt.,  Sept.  19  and 
20,  1863;  Mission  Ridge,  Capt.,  Nov.  25,  1863; 
Rocky  Face,  Ga.,  Capt.,  May  10,  1864;  Resaca, 
Ga.,  Capt.,  May  14,  1864;  Adairsville,  Ga.,  Actg. 
Maj.,  May  17,  1864;  Dallas,  Ga.,  Actg.  Maj., 
June  8,  1864;  Mud  Creek,  Ga.,  Actg.  Maj., 
June  1 8,  1864;  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Actg.  Maj.,  June 
27,  1864;  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20,  1864;  At 
lanta,  July  22,  1864. 

The  Captain  never  missed  a  day's  duty,  from 
any  cause,  and  never  asked  for  a  furlough. 
The  last  batttle  in  which  Capt.  Jansen  partici 
pated  was  Atlanta,  when  he,  acting  as  Col.,  led 
his  Regt.  and  was  near  Gen.  McPherson  when 
he  fell  a  victim  to  a  Rebel  bullet. 

Capt.  Jansen  and  Gen.  Sheridan  had  a  foot 
race  up  the  mountain  during  the  battle  at 
Mission  Ridge,  after  the  general's  horse  had 
been  killed  from  under  him.  The  ground  was 
very  rough  and  oroken,  consequently  the  Gen. 
fell,  Capt.  Jansen  believing  he  was  wounded 
asked  him  if  he  was  hurt,  Gen.  Sheridan  an 
swered,  "No,  do  not  mind  me."  Soon  however 
the  Capt.  fell,  and  the  Gen.  enquired  if  he  was 
wounded.  He  replied  "No,  never  mind  me," 
and  the  Gen.  passed  him  while  he  was  getting 
up  and  mounted  the  enemy's  works,  placing 
himself  upon  the  cannon  "Lady  Polk"  which 
was  so  hot  from  use  that  he  could  not  sit  there 
on.  From  Mission  Ridge  they  followed  the 
enemy  for  3  months  going  across  Tenn.  into 
N.  C.,  crossing  the  French  Broad  River,  living 
entirely  off  the  country,  often  upon  nothing 
but  corn,  and  frequently  even  little  of  that. 
The  Capt.  is  a  man  of  powerful  physique,  being 
6  feet  2^  in.,  and  well  proportioned.  He  and 
his  Regt.  were  mustered  out  of  the  service  at 
Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  20,  1864. 

A  peculiar  history  surrounds  the  Captain's 
courtship  and  marriage.  While  at  Cleveland, 
Tenn.,  where  the  Regt.  had  returned  after  a 
3  months'  trip  to  N.  C.,  permission  was  given 
them  to  send  home  for  a  small  package,  he- 


sent  home  for  a  pair  of  boots,  requesting  his 
mother  to  fill  one  with  potatoes,  and  the  other 
with  onions,  as  that  was  the  best  remedy  for 
scurvy,  with  which  nearly  all  of  the  comrades 
were  suffering.  In  due  time  they  arrived  filled 
as  directed,  and  also  contained  the  photograph 
of  a  beautiful  young  lady  whom  he  did  not 
know,  the  photo  having  been  sent  without  the 
young  lady's  knowledge.  On  returning  home, 
the  Co.  was  given  a  banquet  in  Quincy,  the 
original  of  the  picture  was  present  and  was 
recognized  by  Capt.  Jansen.  An  introduction 
followed,  and  six  months  later  he  led  her  to  the 
altar,  the  happy  one  being,  Miss  Rosa  Ruff,  of 
Quincy,  daughter  of  Casper  Ruff.  Six  chil 
dren  have  brightened  and  enlivened  the  home 
of  the  devoted  couple,  viz.:  M.  Rosa,  now 
National  Secretary  of  the  Daughters  of  Vete 
rans,  George,  Albert,  Carl,  William  and  Arthur. 
Capt.  Jansen  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W., 
Select  Knights,  Mutual  Aid  of-  111.,  and  John 
Wood  Post,  No.  96,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  has 
been  Jr.  Vice  Commander.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics.  For  the  past  five  years  he  has  been 
associated  with  his  brother  Richard,  in  Fire, 
Life,  and  Accident  Insurance  business,  at 
Quincy.  Previously  he  was  engaged  in  mer 
chandizing.  It  seldom  falls  to  the  lot  of  men 
to  be  more  widely  known  and  more.universally 
respected  than  is  comrade  Capt.  Jansen. 


CAPT.  JOHN  M.  MILLS,  of  Tiskilwa,  enlisted 
in  the  Union  army  Apr.  igth,  1861,  im 
mediately  on  the  first  call  for  troops 
being  made  by  President  Lincoln,  and  was 
mustered  in  as  2nd  Lieut,  in  Co.  H,  I2th  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  and  by  the  time  the  men  were  drilled 
the  term  of  enlistment  had  expired,  conse 
quently  he  was  mustered  out  Aug.  1st,  1861. 
Aug.  4th,  however,  he  re-enlisted  and  was 
mustered  into  the  same  Co.  and  Regt.  as  1st 
Lieut.,  going  in  this  time  for  three  years.  The 
Regt.  remained  at  Cairo  until  Sept.  5,  when 
with  the  9th  111.  it  moved  up  to  and  occupied 
Paducah— being  the  first  Union  troops  there- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


729 


where  it  remained  until  it  was  engaged  on  a 
reconnoissance  towards  Fort  Donelson,  Tenn. 
On  Feb.  5,  it  embarked  for  Fort  Henry  and  oc 
cupied  Fort  Heineman,  remainingthere  until  the 
1 2th, when  it  moved  to  Fort  Donelson,  and  there 
endured  the  cold  and  snow  amidst  untold  suf 
fering  from  hunger,  and  under  such  adverse 
circumstances  engaged  in  the  storming  of  the 
place  on  the  1 5th,  of  the  same  month,  and  out  of 
612  effective  men  lost  in  that  engagement  of 
its  number  19  killed  and  62  wounded.  Leav 
ing  Fort  Donelson,  the  regiment  proceeded  to 
Fort  Sevier  and  on  the  the  following  day  to 
Nashville,  returning  to  Clarkville,  March  the 
1st,  embarked  on  the  6th,  for  Pittsburg  Landing 
and  on  the  igth  went  into  camp.  It  took  part 
in  that  terrible  conflict,  Shiloh,  and  was  en 
gaged  upon  both  days  and  suffered  severely, 
having  lost  109  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 
During  this  battle  Captain  Swain  was  killed, 
whereupon  Mr.  Mills  was  appointed  Captain 
and  afterward  commanded  his  Co.  The  Regt. 
then  moved  with  the  army  to  Corinth  and  was 
engaged  in  its  siege,  doing  its  full  share  of 
all  the  trying  work  performed  at  that  place, 
and  on  its  evacuation  went  in  pursuit  of  the 
enemy,  returning  after  a  few  days'  absence  to 
Corinth.  During  this  siege  and  battle  it  lost 
94  men  in  killed  and  wounded.  Mr.  Mills  re 
mained  at  Corinth  with  his  Regt.  until  Sept.  3, 
when  he  was  compelled  to  resign  and  returned 
home.  In  the  early  days  of  Feb.,  1865,  he  as 
sisted  in  the  raising  of  the  I48th  111.  Regt., 
which  was  mustered  in  at  Quincy  Feb.  21,  1865. 
in  which  he  was  selected  as  Captain  of  Co.  K. 
On  the  following  day  it  left  for  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  arriving  there  on  the  25th,  and  on  the  first 
day  of  March,  moved  to  Tullahoma,  where  it 
remained  until  the  i8th  day  of  June  engaged 
on  guard  duty.  It  then  went  to  Elk  River 
Bridge,  and  again  resumed  guard  duty  until 
Sept.  5,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Nashville  and 
there  mustered  out,  subsequently  proceeding 
to  Springfield,  111.,  and  was  there  finally  paid  off 
and  discharged  Sept.  9,  1865. 

Capt.  Mills  had  two  brothers  in  the  same 
war  -James  M.,  and  William  M.,  the  former  a 
Lieut. 


Our  subject  was  born  Jan.  8,  1834,  in  Lud- 
ington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  moved  with  his  parents 
first  to  Pa.,  then  to  Ohio;  then,  in  1852,  to 
Peoria,  111.,  and  three  years  later  to  Tiskilwa, 
where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  In  early  life 
he  learned  the  shoemaking  trade,  and  followed 
that  occupation  until  he  entered  the  army. 
Since  the  close  of  the  rebellion,  he  has  been 
engaged  in  different  branches  of  business,  and 
has  always  displayed  ability  and  judgment  in 
any  calling  which  he  might  for  the  time  pur 
sue,  thus  enabling  him,  although  comparatively 
a  young  man,  to  retire  from  active  business, 
having  secured  by  honest,  straightforward  bus 
iness  methods  a  fair  share  of  this  world's 
benefits.  On  political  subjects,  he  may 
certainly  be  classed  as  a  Democrat.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  of  Tiskilwa,  and 
its  present  commander. 


CAPT.  WM.  H.  GEER,  of  Kewanee,  111.,  wras 
born  in  N.  Y.  City,  Jan.  16,  1838,  where 
he  resided  until  1848.  He  then  went  to 
Conn.,  then  returned  to  N.  Y.,  and  Dec.  1856, 
with  parents  started  for  Kewanee.  His  father's 
name  was  John  Owen  Geer,  a  son  of  John  and 
Jane  (Owen)  Geer,  who  were  of  English  de 
scent.  The  mother  of  Wm.  H.  Geer,  before  her 
marriage,  was  Harriet  Bennett, whose  father  was 
a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle.  She 
was  born  in  Conn.,  of  Scotch  descent.  The 
Geer  family  have  a  genealogy  which  reaches 
back  to  an  early  date  and  to  a  large  ancient 
estate  in  England. 

In  1856,  Mr.  Geer  arrived  in  Kewanee,  111., 
with  his  parents  and  became  a  carriage  painter. 
Aug.  gth,  1861,  enlisting  in  Co.  A,  42nd  111.  Inf., 
as  a  private,  he  went  to  Chicago  and  then  to 
Mo.,  to  take  part  in  the  campaign  under  Gen. 
Fremont.  At  Island  No.  10  Mr.  Geer  was  one 
of  the  men  who,  under  Col.  Roberts,  volunteer 
ed  with  Lieut.  Church,  to  undertake  a  hazard 
ous  expedition  to  spike  a  certain  rebel  battery, 
which  held  a  commanding  position.  Col. 
Roberts,  the  day  before,  had  made  a  reconnois 
sance  by  taking  a  yawl  well  manned  and  mak- 


730 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ing  a  detour  of  the  rebel  works.  Observing 
that  the  water  had  risen  so  that  the  main  army 
of  the  rebels  was  compelled  to  camp  at  some 
distance  from  the  fort,  decided  that  the  battery 
could  be  spiked  at  night.  Lieut.  Church  was 
detailed  with  his  Co.,  to  perform  this  duty  and 
boats  manned  by  marines  from  the  gun  boats 
were  provided.  The  darkness  and  a  terrible 
storm  aided  the  enterprise  and  at  the  same  time 
rendered  its  accomplishment  more  difficult. 
The  men  were  landed  and  the  six  large  guns 
were  soon  spiked  and  rendered  useless.  This 
important  work  was  accomplished  without  the 
loss  of  a  single  man,  although  the  rebel  sentries 
fired  upon  the  boats  as  they  approached  in  the 
darkness. 

The  42nd  Regt.,  after  service  at  Island  No. 
10  and  New  Madrid,  received  orders  to  move 
to  Fort  Pillow,  thence  to  Shiloh,  and  reached 
that  place  just  as  the  fight  was  ended.  It  was 
in  active  duty  at  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  was 
the  first  Regt.  to  enter  the  city.  Was  then 
sent  to  Courtland,  Ala.,  to  guard  bridges,  and 
while  in  this  locality  had  many  skirmishes  with 
the  guerrillas.  In  Sept.,  1862,  a  move  was 
made  to  Nashville,  and  an  active  part  taken  in 
the  skirmishes  around  there.  Their  next  bat 
tle  was  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  and  Jan.  i,  and  2, 
1863.  The  Tullahoma  campaign  followed;  then 
the  march  to  Bridgeport  and  Alpine  Valley, 
and  thence  to  Chickamauga,  taking  part  in  that 
battle.  After  the  fiercely-contested  fight  at 
Chickamauga  a  backward  movement  was  made 
to  Chattanooga,  followed  by  the  engagement 
at  Mission  Ridge,  in  which  the  42  was  fore 
most  in  the  desperate  charge,  where  it  was  first 
on  the  ridge  and  planted  the  flag  on  the  rebel 
works.  It  had  been  ordered  to  take  the  rifle 
pits,  which  it  did,  and  finding  the  rebels  were 
unable  to  depress  their  cannon,  decided  to  go 
on  and  capture  the  whole  ridge.  The  night 
after  this  severe  battle  the  force  was  started  on 
a  forced  march  to  relieve  Gen.  Burnside  at 
Knoxville,  80  miles  distant.  After  a  chase 
after  Longstreet,  a  camp  was  made  at  Stone 
Mills,  where  the  men  re-enlisted  as  veterans 
and  were  given  furloughs  for  30  days. 

Returning  from  the  furlough,  the  men  were 


reorganized  at  Nashville.  Tenn.,  marched 
across  the  country  to  Chattanooga  and  joined 
the  main  army  in  its  movement  to  start  on  the 
Atlanta  campaign.  After  the  battle  of  Resaca 
there  was  continual  skirmishing  to  New  Hope 
Church,  where  a  heavy  battle  was  fought,  fol 
lowed  by  Kenesaw  Mt.  and  Peach  Tree  Creek. 
Here  Gen.  Hood  took  command  of  the  rebels 
and  attempted  to  make  a  stand,  but  the  attack 
ing  position  was  maintained  only  a  few  hours, 
when  the  rebels  again  began  to  retreat,  which 
added  to  the  siege  and  surrender  of  Atlanta. 
At  this  siege  Mr.  Geer  received  a  commission 
as  ist  Lieut.,  having  served  in  every  rank  up  to 
that  position. 

When  Atlanta  fell,  the  battle  of  Jonesboro 
came  and  the  rebels  were  pursued  to  Lovejoy 
Station  until  the  army  turned  toward  Chatta 
nooga  and  Bridgeport  to  reach  Pulaski,  and 
went  back  to  Columbia.  Here  Hood  appeared 
with  a  greatly  superior  force,  and  the  Union 
men  marched  in  double-quick  time  for  four 
miles  to  reach  the  shelter  of  the  fort.  They 
continued  to  fall  back  to  Spring  Hill,  and  here 
fought  Cheatham's  Corps.  Soon  Gen.  Schofield 
arrived  with  his  men  and  marched  through  the 
rebel  army  to  reinforce  the  Union  forces.  With 
this  assistance  a  desperate  stand  was  made  at 
Franklin  against  the  aggressive  rebels,  and  a 
decisive  victory  won.  Very  few  battles  have 
been  so  stubbornly  contested  or  witnessed 
greater  bravery  than  was  displayed  here  by 
men  in  both  armies.  The  brigade  to  which 
Lieut.  Geer  was  attached  \vas  posted  outside 
the  lines  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check.  The 
rebels  made  a  charge,  and  many  of  them  got 
inside  the  works  and  were  captured.  They 
made  17  assaults,  and  were  repulsed  each  time 
after  they  were  inside  the  small  breastworks 
that  had  been  hastily  erected  the  night  before, 
and  the  ditches  were  full  of  the  rebel  dead. 
The  2nd  Div.  of  the  4th  Corps  captured  27  flags. 
At  Nashville  the  42nd  took  part  in  the  battle 
and  followed  the  retreating  rebel  forces  to  the 
Tenn.  River,  and  on  its  return  going  to  Decatur, 
and  from  there  to  Knoxville  and  Blue  Springs, 
where  it  was  engaged  in  building  a  railroad. 
Here  the  news  came  of  Lee's  surrender  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


the  assassination  of  Lincoln,  and  the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  Nashville,  where  Lieut.  Geer 
was  made  Captain  of  the  Co.  he  had  been  with 
from  the  first  enlistment  through  the  war.  At 
Nashville  the  Regt.  was  sent  to  New  Orleans 
and  then  to  Texas  and  Indianola,  landing  at 
Port  Lavaca.  While  here  it  had  one  of  the 
hardest  marches  of  the  whole  service,  as  the 
men  were  without  water,  and  many  so  near 
the  end  of  the  conflict  and  their  release,  fell  by 
the  way.  On  the  march  they  finally  reached  a 
creek  into  which  the  men  eagerly  plunged  to 
slake  their  thirst.  Here  at  Lavaca  the  Regt. 
was  assigned  to  guard  duty  and  remained  until 
sent  home.  Captain  Geer  was  Provost  Officer 
of  the  City. 

The  42nd  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield, 
111.,  Jan.  10,  1866,  and  Capt.  Geer  resumed  his 
business  at  Kewanee  in  which  he  continued 
until  he  recently  accepted  the  position  of  Night 
Time  Keeper  in  the  works  of  the  Western  Tube 
Company's  Works. 

He  was  married  in  1867,  to  Mary  Wilsey, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Martha  Wilsey,  and 
has  four  children  Albert  M.,  Flora,  Susie,  and 
Roscoe  C.,  all  living  at  home. 

Captain  Geer,  although  raised  a  Democrat 
and  a  Democrat  U'hcn  he  enlisted  in  the  army, 
says  that  Democracy  was  all  shot  out  of  him 
and  he  came  out  a  Republican.  He  is  an  active 
G.  A.  R.  man,  and  takes  a  prominent  interest 
in  all  that  concerns  the  welfare  of  the  country 
he  so  nobly  fought  and  suffered  to  maintain. 


REV.  JOHN  M.  HYMAN,  Chaplain  of  the  Sol- 
diers's  and  Sailor's  Home,  Quincy,  111., 
is  a  native  of  Paisley.  Scotland,  and  was 
born  June  10,  1844.  His  parents  were  John  and 
Jane(Lockie)  Hyman,  also  Scotch  people,  the 
father.a  merchant, dying  there  when  John  was  one 
year  old.  The  following  year  his  mother  immi 
grated  to  the  New  Wrorld,  taking  her  five  chil 
dren  with  her,  our  subject  being  the  youngest. 
John  received  his  education  in  the  city  of 
Quincy,  where  his  mother  had  located  on  ar 
riving  here  ;  and  at  the  age  of  16  was  appren 


ticed  to  the  engineering  business,  which  he  con 
tinued  to  follow  until  the  late  Rebellion.  On 
Jan.  3,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  engineer's  corps 
of  the  U.  S.  Navy.  Singular  to  say,  all  the 
steamboat  men  at  that  time  were  secessionists, 
consequently  on  his  enlistment  he  was  "  black 
listed"  by  the  boat  owners,  and  told  that  no  fur 
ther  employment  would  ever  be  given  him.  He 
was  given  the  rank  of  2d  Assistant  Engineer 
in  the  U.  S.  Navy,  and  assigned  to  duty  on  the 
ironclad  Baron  De  Kalb,  and  went  into  ser 
vice  on  the  Miss,  flotilla,  under  command  of 
Commodore  Foote.  In  Feb.  following,  he  par 
ticipated  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Henry,  Gen. 
Tilghman  announcing  on  its  surrender  that  he 
wanted  it  distinctly  understood  that  he  surren 
dered  to  the  U.  S.  Navy.  The  fleet  then  passed 
down  the  Tenn.  River,  on  its  way  to  Fort  Don- 
elson,  where  it  suffered  severely,  Commodore 
Foote  being  among  the  wounded.  Island  No. 
IO  was  next  visited,  where  the  fleet  continued 
on  duty  until  the  fall  of  that  place.  Next  came 
a  brush  with  the  rebel  fleet  at  Fort  Pillow,  and 
later  was  engaged  at  Memphis.  The  Navy  en 
gaged  and  captured  the  rebel  fleet,  capturing 
four  of  their  vessels  and  sinking  three  others. 
At  Vicksburg,  Mr.  Hyman  was  transferred  to 
the  ironclad  ram  La  Fayette,  a  new  ship  which 
had  joined  the  fleet  on  its  movements  to  Vicks 
burg,  it  also  assisted  in  the  movement  up  the 
Yazoo  River,  with  a  view  to  capture  Haines' 
Bluff,  in  order  that  the  army  might  get  a  foot 
ing  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg.  This  project, 
however,  failed,  as  Gen.  Grant,  who  was  to  have 
joined  in  the  movement,  was  unable  to  reach 
the  point  of  attack.  After  the  capture  of 
Vicksburg,  the  fleet  did  parol  duty  on  the 
river  to  prevent  the  rebels  crossing  and  recross- 
ing,  until  the  organization  of  the  Red  River 
expedition,  when  it  assisted  Gen.  Banks  in  that 
movement.  Fort  DeRussy  was  attacked  from 
the  river  front  by  gunboats,  and  by  Gen.  Smith's 
command  in  the  rear,  resulting  in  the  capture 
of  the  place  attacked.  At  Alexandria,  our 
subject  was  again  transferred  to  the  ironclad 
Chillicothe,  and  engaged  the  enemy  at  a  place 
called  Campti.  The  expedition,  so  far  as  the 
navy  was  concerned,  was  a  series  of  skirmishes, 


732 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  eneni)  keeping  batteries  and  detachments 
of  troops  along  the  shore.  James  P.  Couthway, 
commander  of  the  Chillicothe,  was  killed  by  a 
shot  from  a  rebel  sharpshooter.  At  Atchafalya 
Hay  the  fleet  was  formed  into  a  pontoon  bridge 
on  which  the  army  passed  over  the  river.  The 
ships  then  returned  to  patrol  duty  on  the  Miss., 
and  so  continued  until  the  surrender  of  Lee's 
army  and  the  end  of  the  war. 

The  vessel  upon  which  Mr.  Hyman  was 
serving  was  ordered  to  Cairo,  where  he  was  mus 
tered  out  of  the  service,  when  he  immediately 
returned  home  and  resumed  his  duties  as  an 
engineer  on  the  Miss.  Soon  after,  however,  a 
Co.  was  organized  to  construct  a  railway  bridge 
across  the  Miss,  at  Ouincy,  and  of  which  he 
was  chosen  Superintendent.  This  was  in  the 
year  1868,  and  he  has  continued  in  that  capaci 
ty  until  the  present  date,  a  period  of  a  quarter 
of  a  century.  In  connection  with  this  duty  he 
has  also  served  as  Chaplain  to  the  I.  S.  and  S.  H. 
for  the  past  two  years.  Weekly  prayer-meetings 
are  conducted  at  the  home,  besides  pastorial 
duties  required  in  connection  with  the  sick  and 
dying.  Sept.  5,  1866,  Mr.  Hyman  was  married 
to  Linora  J.  Wood,  a  native  of  Wilmington, 
Del.  Her  parents  are  R.  R.  and  Elizabeth  J. 
Wood,  who  now  reside  in  Ouincy.  To  this 
union  six  children  were  born,  three  of  whom 
have  crossed  to  the  eternal  shore.  Lillie,  born 
Aug.  14,  1867,  married  B.  L.  Finley,  of  Kansas 
City,  Mo.,  and  was  an  invalid  most  of  her  wed 
ded  life,  died  Jan.  3, 1892;  John,  born  March  17, 
1870,  and  died  in  infancy;  Edith  Neva,  born 
Nov.  15,  1872;  Effie,  born  Aug.  18,  1875;  Grade 
May,  born  Aug.  26,  1879;  Bessie  A.,  born  Feb. 
15,  1881,  and  died  June  18,  1881.  The  three 
living  children  have  enjoyed  the  advantages  of 
the  very  excellent  schools  of  the  city.  Miss 
Edith  is  a  talented  and  accomplished  young 
lady  and  musician  of  more  than  ordinary  at 
tainments.  Her  voice  is  heard  in  all  the  old 
soldiers'  gatherings  where  she  is  a  universal 
favorite,  because  of  her  gentleness  and  amiabil 
ity.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Hyman  are  members  of  the 
Vermont  Street  Baptist  Church,  as  are  the  two 
eldest  living  daughters.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  John  Wood  Post,  No.  96,  of  which  he  has 


been  Chaplain,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order,  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  K.  of 
P.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 


JAMES  W.  LAKABEE  was  born  Dec.  5,  1838,  in 
Grafton,  N.  Y.  His  father  was  Millet 
Larabee,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  his 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Mary  Wood,  born 
in  N.  Y.,  of  Scotch  and  German  ancestors.  He 
was  the  youngest  of  four  children  and  at  the 
age  of  17  came  to  Mendota,  111.  In  April, 
1861,  he  enlisted  for  three  months  in  Co.  II, 
I2th  Reg.  111.  Vols.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  at 
Springfield,  111.  Moved  to  Cairo,  the  regiment 
was  employed  in  guard  duty  principally,  mak 
ing  a  movement  into  Mo.  on  a  scouting  ex 
pedition  and  returning  in  Aug.  to  Cairo,  to  be 
paid  off  at  the  end  of  3  months'  service  and  sent 
home.  Mr.  Larabee  soon  enlisted  in  Co.  I, 
55th  Reg.  Ills.  Vol.,  which  was  organized  in 
Chicago  and  sent  to  St.  Louis,  where  it  lay 
from  Dec.  to  the  middle  of  Feb.  Went  then 
to  Cairo  and  on  to  Paducah,  where  it  was 
stranded  on  a  sand  bank  for  3  or  4  days. 
Moved  then  up  the  Tenn.  River,  to  the  vicinity 
of  Shiloh,  and  lay  there  on  the  extreme  left 
two  weeks  before  the  battle.  At  the  battle  of 
Shiloh,  Mr.  Larabee  was  wounded  in  the  right 
arm  and  received  a  furlough  to  go  home.  On 
his  recovery  he  returned  to  the  regiment  at 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  it  experienced  some 
hard  service.  Marched  from  Memphis  to  Her- 
nando,  in  the  Tallahatchie  campaign,  and  back 
again  to  Memphis,  then  forward  to  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  where  there  was  a  considerable  of  what 
might  be  very  appropriately  called  swamp  ser 
vice.  From  duty  in  this  busy  locality  the  regi 
ment  continued  on,  and  had  a  place  in  the  battle 
of  Arkansas  Post,  proceeding  then  to  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg  where  it  remained  until  spring. 
After  making  a  feint  up  the  Yazoo  River,  it  re 
turned  to  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  operated 
there  until  the  surrender  of  that  place.  Mr. 
Larabee  serving  in  the  forlorn  hope  in  one  of 
the  important  incidents  in  this  eventful  contest, 
received  a  wound.  He  was  the  only  man  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


733 


his  company  who  responded  to  the  call  for  60 
men  for  a  particularly  hazardous  service.  He 
went  into  the  hospital  on  Melicans'  Creek,  and 
remained  there  until  some  time  after  the  battle 
of  Jackson,  when  he  joined  his  regiment  on  the 
Black  River  in  August.  After  breaking  camp 
at  Black  River,  the  command  moved  up  the 
Mississippi  to  Memphis,  then  to  luka,  making 
several  raids  after  Wheeler's  cavalry  and  reach 
ing  Chattanooga  about  Aug.  I5th.  After 
operating  for  a  time  in  this  vicinity,  crossed 
the  Tenn.  River  on  pontoon  boats  and  went 
down  the  Chickamauga  River,  until  a  union  was 
formed  with  Gen.  Sherman's  army,  and  the  next 
day  the  movement  began  under  this  leader,  when 
the  55th  was  placed  in  the  left  center,  and 
maintained  that  position  through  the  entire 
campaign.  From  Chattanooga  to  Knoxville, 
Bridgeport  to  Lasher's  Mills,  where  it  remained 
until  veteranized,  the  regiment  was  in  active 
service. 

In  the  spring  of  1864  the  men  received  fur 
loughs  for  30  days,  at  the  expiration  of  which 
they  returned  to  the  army  at  Big  Shanty,  Ga. 
The  next  day  after  the  return,  one  of  the  com 
rades  of  Mr.  Larabee  was  killed  by  a  shell  near 
Kenesaw  Mountain.  From  this  point  the  regi 
ment  went  through  the  Atlanta  campaign  with 
but  little  rest  from  the  constant  marching 
and  fighting  which  was  a  feature  of  that  mem 
orable  expedition.  After  the  Atlanta  movement 
these  men  followed  Gen.  Sherman  in  all  his 
marching  until  he  reached  the  sea.  They  were 
at  Fort  McAllister  and  took  part  in  that  severe 
struggle,  the  men  subsisting  on  half  rations 
during  that  time.  They  embarked"  then  in 
coasters  and  landed  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.  In  going 
to  Columbia,  as  the  rebels  had  burned  the 
bridges,  it  was  necessary  to  rebuild  them  to 
continue  the  pursuit.  When  Goldsboro  was 
entered,  Gen.  Johnston's  surrender  to  Sherman 
practically  ended  the  war  in  this  section  and 
the  55th  regiment,  with  other  troops,  was  sent 
to  Washington,  participated  in  the  Grand  Re 
view,  was  then  moved  to  Parkersburg  in  box 
cars  and  sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  boats.  Af 
ter  camping  here  about  4  weeks,  Gen  Oliver 
took  command  and  ordered  the  regiment  to 


Little  Rock,  Ark.,  to  perform  guard  duty,  where 
it  was  mustered  out  in  Aug.,  1865,  and  trans 
ferred  to  Chicago  for  payment  and  discharge. 

Mr.  Larabee,  while  in  the  service,  was 
wounded  twice,  furloughed  twice  and  in  hos 
pital  twice.  He  was  married  Nov.  8th  1865,  to 
Mary  Elizabeth  Haight,  whose  parents  were  na 
tives  of  N.  Y.  and  Penn.  The  children  of  this 
family  are  Samuel  H.,  now  24  years  of  age,  is  in 
Washington  and  intends  to  enter  the  regular 
army;  James  W.,  Jr.;  Willie  Ralph,  Louis  Ben 
jamin,  Mary  E.  and  Charles  D. 

Mr.  Larrabee  votes  the  Prohibition  ticket, 
is  a  member  of  Post  475,  G.  A.  R.,  and  lives 
upon  a  fine  farm  of  240  acres,  6  miles  from 
Earlville,  111. 

HENRY  C.  HARRIS,  the  subject  of  our 
sketch,  is  a  resident  of  Rock  Island, 
born  at  South  Bend,  Indiana,  in  the  year 
1844,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Finley) 
Harris — the  former  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  the 
latter  of  Penn.  The  father  died  upon  the 
plains  in  the  year  1860,  and  was  buried  in 
Omaha,  Neb.  The  farm  upon  which  Henry 
was  born  continued  to  be  his  home  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  he  having,  however, 
attended  school  in  the  meantime  as  opportunity 
presented,  but  at  best  his  advantages  and  op 
portunities  for  an  education  were  exceedingly 
limited.  In  June,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army  for  the  Rebellion  and  was,  mustered  in  as 
a  private  in  Co.  K,  8/th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  im 
mediately  after  organization  his  Regt.  pro 
ceeded  to  the  front  and  was  assigned,  on  the 
reconstruction  of  the  army,  to  the  3rd  Brig., 
3rd  D,iv.,  I4th  A.  C.,  shortly  before  Rosecrans 
superseded  Gen.  Buell.  Gen.  Steadman  was 
in  command  of  his  Brig,  and  Gen.  Thomas  of 
the  Div.  His  active  services  commenced  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  and  he  followed  the  fortunes 
of  that  army  on  its  march  to  Crab  Orchard,  as 
also  at  the  battle  of  Perryville,  which  was 
fought  Oct.  8,  1862.  This  engagement  was  his 
first  experience  under  fire,  and  although  he  saw 
and  took  part  in  many  of  the  bloody  battles  of 


734 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


the  war,  more  men  were  slaughtered,  consider 
ing  the  length  of  time  and  the  number  engaged, 
than  in  any  other  conflict  during  the  war. 
From  Crab  Orchard  the  army  continued  to 
Bowling  Green,  and  in  the  battle  which  ensued 
at  that  place  his  Div.  was  not  actively  engaged. 
The  fall  and  winter  of  i862-*3  was  occupied  by 
marching  and  counter-marching,  part  of  the 
time  being  spent  at  Gallatin  and  an  other  por 
tion  in  the  vicinity  of  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 
Our  subject  participated  in  the  engagement  at 
Gallatin,  and  subsequently  in  the  terrible  battle 
of  Stone  River,  in  which  he  acted  upon  de 
tached  duty,  and  was  surrendered  to  the 
enemy,  but  was  afterwards  released  by  the 
gallantry  of  Gen.  Sheridan  and  his  courageous 
troops.  During  the  battle  Mr.  Harris  was  in 
the  thickest  of  the  fight  and  although  not  in 
jured,  a  ball  passed  through  his  clothing  graz 
ing  his  body.  His  next  active  operations  were 
at  Tullahoma,  where  his  Regt.  bore  its  share  of 
the  terrors  and  dangers  of  war,  and  was  a  sharp, 
hot  contest.  Subsequently  his  Div.  was  di 
vided—part  goirg  to  Chattanooga  via.  Hunts- 
ville,  whilst  his  portion  proceeded  by  another 
route  for  the  same  objective  point,  and  when 
both  had  arrived  they  again  became  united. 
Whilst  in  this  vicinity  Mr.  Harris  and  his  Regt. 
participated  in  several  sanguinary  engagements, 
among  the  most  notable  being  those  of  Look 
out  Mt.  and  Mission  Ridge,  wherein  his  Div. 
occupied  a  most  prominent  place,  having  at 
the  latter  charged  in  the  face  of  the  enemy's 
batteries  on  sixteen  successive  occasions,  which 
was  necessarily  done  up  a  steep,  rugged  hill, 
under  a  terrible  and  withering  fire  from  the 
enemy. 

The  last  occasion,  however,  although  the 
number  of  his  comrades  had  been  materially 
reduced,  was  made  with  increased  deter 
mination  that  the  death  of  their  brother  sol 
diers  should  beavenged;  the  batteries  captured, 
and  onward  and  upward  the  Division  passed, 
and  with  a  steady  and  determined  charge 
forced  the  rebel  lines,  and  captured  their  guns, 
which  they  turned  upon  the  now  retreating  en 
emy  with  terrible  effect.  For  three  days  this 
work  of  slaughter  was  continued  with  unabated 


fury,  during  which  Mr.  H.'s  Regt.  lost  heavily, 
in  killed  and  wounded,  fully  half  its  number 
having  fallen  in  the  harvest  of  death  which 
reigned  everywhere  in  that  neighborhood. 
Again  our  subject  had  a  narrow  escape,  a  ball 
having  passed  through  his  cap.  Soon  after  this 
he  was  taken  ill  and  was  sent  to  Chattanooga, 
afterwards  to  Nashville,  where  he  was  dis 
charged  by  reason  of  disability.  This  was  in 
the  fall  of  1863,  about  the  close  of  the  season's 
operations. 

He  returned  to  his  home  and  quickly  re 
gained  his  health,  therefore  to  the  war  our 
young  hero  must  return,  and  accordingly  he 
re-enlisted  in  Co.  H,  I38th  Incl.  Vol.  Inf.  for 
three  months'  service.  His  Regt.  was  detailed 
upon  guard  duty  in  Tenn.  and  Ky.  to  forts,  for 
tifications,  and  railroads,  but  the  time  soon 
passed  and  that  without  any  particular  incident. 
At  the  expiration  of  his  term  he  was  mustered 
out  and  proceeded  to  Rock  Island,  where  he 
again  re-enlisted,  on  this  occasion  in  the  month 
of  Jan.,  1865,  in  Co.  B.  I26th  111.,  for  one  year. 
The  Regt.  proceeded  to  the  front  and  the  men 
were  engaged  at  St.  Charles,  at  the  mouth  of 
the  White  River,  and  Pine  Bluff  on  the  Ark. 
River,  upon  guard  and  provost  duty  in  connec 
tion  with  the  posts  at  these  places,  but  were 
relieved  on  the  12th  day  of  Aug.,  1865,  and  dis 
charged.  Mr.  Harris  was  one  of  those  who 
offered  his  services  on  the  first  call  for  troops 
in  April,  1861,  and  was  regularly  enlisted  and 
mustered  into  Co.  A,  gth  111.  Cav.  at  Chicago, 
but  on  account  of  his  youth  the  officer  in  com 
mand  informed  him  he  was  unfit  for  service  and 
to  go  home,  which  was  the  only  discharge  he 
had  from  that  Regt.,  therefore,  in  law  we  sup- 
'pose  he  has  a  right  to  belong  to  that  organiza 
tion  still,  and  if  so  he  doubtless  constitutes  all 
the  officers  as  well  as  the  subordinates  of  the 
Regt. 

Mr.  Harris  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss  Ma- 
linda  J.  Hunt,  by  whom  he  has  six  living  chil 
dren,  viz.:  Charles  G.,  Frank  Z.,  Fred  C.,  Dea 
con  H.  H.,  Walter  B.,  and  Lula  May  Bertie 
Vera.  He  resided  for  one  year  after  his  mar 
riage  in  Indiana,  then  for  two  years  in  Mont 
gomery  Co.,  Iowa,  then  locating  in  Rock  Island. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


735 


In  political  office,  he  has  held  the  position 
of  Commissioner  of  Streets.  He  is  a  member 
of  Burford  Post,  No.  243,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he 
is  a  Past  Commander;  a  member  of  the  Amer 
ican  Order  of  United  Workmen;  Island  City 
Lodge,  No.  4;  Modern  Woodmen,  Camp  1550, 
and  also  a  member  in  the  O-Kan-See  Tribe  of 
Red  Men. 


JOHN  C.  JOHNSON,  a  native  of  Sweden,  was 
born  in  Ovenshoehe  Lane  of  Jestricken, 
Mar.  24,  1838,  and  came  to  America  with 
his  parents  when  a  boy  9  years  old.  The  par 
ents,  John  and  Christiana  Johnson,  came  to 
Henry  Co.,  111.,  and  joined  the  Bishop  Hill 
Colony  in  1847.  Here  the  young  man  lived 
until  he  moved  to  the  neighboring  city  of 
Galesburg,  where  he  enlisted  in  the  spring  of 
1 86 1  in  Co.  E,  i/th  111.  Inf.,  going  the  round 
jf  preparatory  camps  at  Peoria,  St.  Louis  and 
other  points,  and  doing  duty  in  Mo.,  guarding 
railroads  and  camps.  The  first  battle  was  at 
Fredericksburg,  Mo.,  from  which  the  regiment 
returned  to  Cape  Girardeau,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1 862,  took  the  transport  fleet  to  Ft.  Henry,  where 
camp  equipage  was  stored  preparatory  to  the 
march  to  Ft.  Donelson.  Mr.  Kilpatrick  of  the 
company,  who  had  been  married  at  Cape 
Girardeau  and  was  accompanied  by  his  wife, 
left  her  in  the  camp.  The  men  felt  that  they 
were  going  into  a  hard  fight,  and  three  of  them 
left  messages  with  Mrs.  Kilpatrick  to  be  sent 
to  their  friends  in  case  of  death,  and  these 
three  men  were  killed  in  the  battle,  the  only 
men  killed  in  the  company.  The  battle  at  Ft. 
Dcnelson  was  considered  by  the  i/th  regiment 
one  of  its  severest  engagements,  as  its  position 
was  in  the  center  and  was  sent  up  a  steep  hill 
covered  with  brush  to  attack  the  enemy. 
When  about  half  way  up  it  was  ordered  to  halt 
for  a  time  under  fire.  The  cartridges  here 
issued  were  slightly  large  for  the  guns,  and  in 
forcing  one  into  his  gun,  Mr.  Johnson  injured 
his  hand  with  the  ramrod  so  that  he  was  crip 
pled  for  a  time.  That  night  the  men  in  line 


were  compelled  to  remain  there  in  a  severe 
snow  storm,  and  as  they  were  without  blankets 
or  overcoats,  there  was  much  suffering.  Here, 
in  addition  to  his  wound,  Mr.  Johnson  was 
made  sick  by  exposure,  as  he  had  only  light 
clothing  and  no  overcoat.  The  first  night 
when  in  the  works  he  got  a  gate  from  a  fence 
and  lay  it  down  for  a  bed,  but  awaking  in  the 
night,  found  the  water  from  a  heavy  rain  storm 
was  rising  and  covering  him.  His  hand  being 
very  sore,  he  was  sent  to  Mound  City  and  then 
home  on  a  furlough.  In  April,  on  the  day  of 
the  battle  at  Shiloh,  he  returned  to  his  regi 
ment  and  learned  that  it  had  lost  heavily  in 
that  fight.  His  next  experience  was  at  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  followed  by  battles  at  Jack- 
*son  and  Bolivar,  then  went  with  Gen.  Grant  to 
Holly  Springs,  returned  to  La  Grange  and 
moved  to  Memphis.  At  La  Grange  some  of 
the  boys  discovered  a  car  loaded  with  whisky, 
and  procuring  pails  and  long  augers,  went 
under  the  car,  bored  up  through  the  floor  into 
the  barrels  and  filled  the  pails.  Reaching 
camp  with  the  booty,  it  may  well  be  imagined 
that  the  night  was  a  loud  one.  The  provost 
guard  sent  to  quell  the  disorder,  surrendered 
to  the  pails  of  whisky  and  assisted  in  "  making 
the  night  hideous." 

At  Memphis  boats  were  boarded  for  Vicks- 
burg,  making  a  stop  at  Milliken's  Bend.  The 
1 7th  regiment  was  now  in  McPherson's  corps 
in  John  A.  Logan's  brigade  and  at  Vicksburg 
was  given  a  position  in  the  center,  and  also  as 
signed  to  dig  the  ditch  and  tunnel  to  under 
mine  Ft.  Hill,  holding  the  line  when  the  fort 
was  blown  up.  When  the  city  fell,  this  regi 
ment  occupied  the  place  for  a  time,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1864,  participated  in  the  expedition 
,to  Meridian  on  the  Alabama  line  and  several 
other  marches,  which  concluded  its  service, 
and  it  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield  in  1864. 

Mr.  Johnson,  at  the  expiration  of  his  serv 
ice  in  the  army  commenced  farming,  but  sell 
ing  out,  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in 
Galva,  1888,  which  he  still  continues.  He 
married  Hannah  Nordstrom,  a  daughter  of  Dr. 
Olaf  Nordstrom  of  Bishop  Hill,  and  has  two 
children,  Wm.  A.,  a  young  man  in  the  printing 


736 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


business  at  Galva;and  Olive  V.,  a  young  lady,  at 
home. 

Mr.  Johnson  votes  the  Republican  ticket 
and  was  elected  Supervisor  of  the  township  in 
1890.  Is  a  working  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,in 
which  he  has  filled  most  of  the  offices  in  his 
post,  and  was  elected  delegate  to  the  State 
Convention.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  A.  O.  U.  W., 
in  all  of  which  his  active  energy  and  influence 
are  felt,  as  well  as  in  social  and  business  rela 
tions  with  his  fellow  citizens. 


ISAAC  N.  KIRKPATRICK  was  born  in  Rock" 
Island  Co.,  111.,  Nov.  30,  1843.  He  was 
reared  in  the  city,  where  he  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools,  until  he  en 
tered  the  office  of  the  Rock  Island  Argus 
newspaper  then  under  the  management  of  J. 
B.  Danforth.  That  gentleman  took  a  special 
liking  to  young  Kirkpatrick.whom  he  promoted 
from  one  position  to  another  until  he  had 
filled  every  situation  in  the  Mechanical  depart 
ment  of  that  office.  In  1863,  he  abandoned 
newspaper  work  to  enlist  in  the  Army,  and  be 
came  a  member  of  Co.  K,  58th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He 
joined  the  Regt.  at  White  River,  and  was  placed 
on  detached  service  as  clerk  and  printer.  His 
Regt.  became  part  of  the  i6th  Army  Corps,  un 
der  Gen.  Smith  went  up  the  Red  River,  was  in 
the  battle  of  Pleasant  Hills,  and  for  the  two  fol 
lowing  months  was  almost  daily  exposed  to  the 
rebel  fire.  At  the  conclusion  of  that  expedi 
tion  the  regiment  remained  in  Miss,  for  some 
time,  then  moved  to  New  Orleans  and  later 
moved  for  the  capture  of  Mobile.  He  took  part 
in  the  engagement  at  Eort  Morgan  as  also  in 
the  siege  and  assault  on  Eort  Blakely,  which 
was  the  last  battle  of  the  war.  His  was  one  of 
the  three  companies  which  went  to  Meridian 
and  received  the  surrender  of  the  rebel  Dick 
Taylor.  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  was  detached  to  re 
ceive  the  stores,  and  it  fell  to  his  duty  to  invoice 
all  the  captured  stores  and  munitions  of  war. 
The  rebel  army  comprised  about  15,000  men, 


and  it  appeared  at  one  time  as  if  trouble  would 
ensue,  as  the  rebel  officers  refused  to  turn  over 
their  horses  and  other  property,  but  finally 
consented.  Later  our  subject  was  sent  to 
Montgomery,  where  he  was  detailed  to  grind 
corn  in  the  mill  for  the  army,  then  being  with 
out  other  provisions.  Up  to  this  time  he  has 
never  been  sick,  but  whilst  engaged  in  this  mill 
he  was  smitten  with  diarrhoea,  and  was  sent 
home  on  furlough.  Subsequently  the  surgeon 
who  attended  him  gave  him  an  order  for  his 
discharge.  He  then  reported  to  Camp  McClel- 
lan,  Iowa,  and  being  a  non-commissioned  officer, 
was  put  in  charge  of  some  Illinois  men  to  ac 
company  them  to  Camp  Butler.  There  he  was 
discharged  on  the  3d  anniversary  of  his  enter 
ing  the  service.  He  returned  to  Rock  Island, 
but  for  several  months  he  was  unable  to  do  any 
thing.  His  old  friend  Dauforth  obtained  for 
him  a  position  as  assistant  postmaster,  which 
gave  him  charge  of  that  department,  as  the 
postmaster  appointed  under  Prest.  Johnson  was 
not  confirmed.  After  leaving  the  P.  O.,  he  went 
to  Northern  N.  Y.,  where  he  married  Miss  So 
phia  Sargent,  daughter  of  John  Sargent, of  Rock 
Island.  He  then  entered  the  newspaper  busi 
ness  as  foreman  of  the  news  room  of  the  R.  I. 
Union,  and  afterwards  as  foreman  of  the  press 
room  on  the  same  paper.  Later  he  removed  to 
Burlington  and  took  a  similar  position  upon  the 
Hazvk  Eye  newspaper.  He  was  next  in  Quincy, 
then  at  Lincoln,  Neb.,  where  he  was  in  charge 
of  the  press  room  of  the  State  Journal.  He  next 
went  to  the  Black  Hills,  having  a  printer's  out 
fit  with  him,  but  he  became  discouraged  with 
the  prospects  at  that  place  and  returned  to 
Rock  Island  and  soon  after  to  Peoria,  where  he 
worked  in  the  Peoria  National  Democrat.  He  next 
embarked  in  the  job  printing  business,  which  he 
afterwards  sold,  and  entered  the  office  of  the 
German  Democrat  as  foreman  of  the  press  room 
and  superintendent  of  the  English  Department, 
where  he  will  probably  remain  until  mustered 
out. 

He  is  a  member  of  Central  City  Post  G.  A. 
R.  and  at  the  present  time  Quartermaster  and 
acting  Adjt.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  and  Knights  of  the  Maccabees.  In 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


737 


politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  at  one  time  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  town  clerk  of  Rock 
Island.  He  has  four  children,  William  J.,  Mary 
Stewart,  Bessie  and  Helen. 


M 


OTT  V.  EAMES,  of  Sandwich,  111.,  was 
born  at  Springfield,  Ala.,  March  10, 
1838,  and  while  a  boy  removed  with  his 
parents  to  New  Hampshire,  where  he  attended 
school  until  licensed  as  a  teacher.  He  fol 
lowed  his  profession  in  this  State  for  two  years, 
then  went  to  Elgin,  111.,  where  his  parents  had 
settled  about  two  years  previous.  In  the  fall 
of  1859,  he  left  for  Sandwich,  111.,  where  he  was 
engaged  up  to  the  time  of  his  enlistment  in  the 
army,  which  occurred  August  13,  1862,  and  he 
was  mustered  into  service  in  September  follow 
ing,  as  a  private  in  Co.  H,  I05th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  was  assigned  to  the  first  Brig.,  3rd  Div., 
2Oth  A.  C.,  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  W.  T. 
Ward.  After  the  organization  of  the  Regt.  was 
completed,  it  moved  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chi 
cago,  was  there  armed  and  uniformed,  and  on 
Sept.  30,  was  ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where 
it  arrived  Oct.  2,  and  immediately  proceeded 
to  Frankfort,  arriving  there  on  the  Qth,  after  a 
severe  march.  While  there  it  was  engaged  on 
guard  and  picket  duty,  as  also  in  an  occasional 
skirmish  with  the  rebels.  From  this  point  the 
Regt.  joined  in  a  raid  to  Lawrenceburg,  and 
afterward  returning  with  the  corps  to  Bowling 
Green,  and  then  on  to  Scottsville,  where  it 
arrived  about  the  middle  of  Nov.,  1862.  The 
Regt.  passed  the  winter  of  1862-3  at  Gallatin, 
Tenn.,  South  Tunnel,  and  Lavergne,  respect 
ively.  During  the  march  from  Bowling  Green 
to  Frankfort,  Mr.  Eames  became  very  ill  and 
was  obliged  to  go  to  the  hospital  for  several 
weeks,  but  was  sufficiently  recovered  to  join 
the  regiment  at  South  Tunnel.  Leaving 
Lavergne  in  the  month  of  June,  his  Regt. 
moved  to  Murfreesboro,  afterward  returning  to 
the  former  place,  arriving  about  July  I,  and 
after  resting  there  about  three  weeks,  marched 
to  Nashville.  It  reached  there  Aug.  19,  and 
was  occupied  in  guard  duty  for  several  months. 

46 


While  at  Nashville  the  men  were  supplied  with 
Springfield  rifles,  which  were  substituted  for 
muskets  used  up  to  that  time.  Toward  the 
latter  end  of  Feb.,  1864,  Mr.  Eames,  with  his 
regiment,  joined  in  the  march  toward  Chatta 
nooga,  and  continuing,  reached  Wauhatchie, 
in  March,  where  it  remained  until  May  2,  when 
the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Gordon's  Mills, 
then  to  Resaca,  Ga.,  passing  through  Leet's 
Farm,  Taylor's  Bridge,  Snake  Creek  Gap  and 
Sugar  Valley,  and  was  engaged  in  skirmishing 
with  the  enemy  on  May  13  and  14,  near  Resaca. 
On  the  following  day  it  joined  the  assault  upon 
the  enemy's  works  at  the  last  mentioned  place, 
in  which  his  Regt.  took  a  prominent  part,  and 
sustained  the  loss  of  several  men  killed  and 
wounded. 

The  iO5th  was  ordered  to  pursue  the  re 
treating  enemy,  arriving  at  Calhoun  on  the  I7th, 
and  on  the  following  day  it  moved  to  Cassville. 
The  pursuit  was  continued  on  the  igth,  and  the 
iO5th  being  in  the  advance,  overtook  and  skir 
mished  with  the  enemy's  rear  guard  and  drove 
them  in  all  along  the  line.  On  the  25th,  while 
on  the  march  to  Dallas,  it  had  another  encount 
er  with  the  rebels,  lasting  until  night,  and  leav 
ing  them  minus  15  men  in  killed  and  wounded, 
two  of  the  number  being  officers.  At  this  en 
gagement,  Mr.  Eames  was  severely  wounded 
and  taken  to  the  field  hospital,  then  to  Chatta 
nooga,  and  afterward  to  Nashville,  where  he 
remained  until  Aug.  4,  when  he  was  sufficiently 
recovered  to  move  about  with  the  assistance  of 
a  cane.  He  accepted  a  furlough  and  returned 
to  his  home  in  111.  He  rejoined  his  Regt.  at 
Nashville  about  the  time  the  Atlanta  campaign 
received  its  crowning  victory  in  the  surrender 
of  Atlanta.  He  continued  at  Nashville  until 
again  furloughed,  when  he  again  returned  to 
his  home  to  vote  at  the  Presidential  election  in 
Nov.  1864.  At  the  expiration  of  his  furlough 
he  again  went  to  Nashville,  but  was  not  permit 
ted  to  join  his  Regt.,  owing  to  the  injuries  be 
fore  referred  to,  but  was  engaged  about  camp 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  then  mus 
tered  out  and  discharged  May  30,  1865.  He 
immediately  returned  to  Sandwich  and  engaged 
with  the  Sandwich  Manufacturing  Co.  as  su- 


738 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


perintendent  of  the  work,  and  has  continued  in 
its  employ  ever  since. 

He  married  Miss  Catherine  J.  Walker,  Sep 
tember  19,  1857,  and  six  children  have  blessed 
their  union — Gay  L.,  George,  Hermione,  Luel- 
la,  Leona  and  May.  Mr.  Eames  is  a  Republi 
can,  a  Free  Mason,  and  a  member  of  Post  No. 
510,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Sandwich.  Besides  being  a 
brave  soldier,  he  is  a  capable  and  reliable  me 
chanic,  as  evidenced  by  the  lengthened  period 
he  has  occupied  his  present  responsible  posi 
tion. 


JOHN  H.  SADLER,  of  Peoria,  111.,  was  born  in 
the  same  State,  July  23,  1825,  a  son  of 
Geo.  W.  Sadler.  He  had  five  brothers, 
all  of  whom  were  in  the  service  except  one; 
who  doubtless  would  also  have  been  there,  had 
he  been  old  enough.  John  being  unable  to  ob 
tain  his  father's  consent,  ran  away  to  Quincy, 
where  he  became  a  member  of  Co.  I,  iigth  111. 
Vol.  Inf.  His  Regt.  went  to  Columbus  where 
it  was  guarding  the  Mobile  &  Ohio  R.  R.,  then 
went  to  Memphis,  remaining  until  the  fall  of 
Vicksburg,  when  it  moved  there,  and  joined 
Sherman's  Army  on  his  Meridian  Campaign, 
during  which  they  had  many  skirmishes  with 
the  enemy.  His  Rcgt.  with  the  58th  III.,  28th 
Mo.,  Sgth  Ind.,  and  gth  Ohio  Battery  formed 
the  4th  Brig., which  was  assigned  to  the  5th  Div., 
i6th  A.  C.  Our  subject  was  a  cousin  of  A.  J. 
Wade,  who  was  in  the  same  Co.  They  were 
bosom  friends  and  always  found  side  by  side, 
whether  it  was  fighting  the  rebels  or  foraging 
for  hogs  and  chickens.  For  these  luxuries  they 
had  a  peculiar  fondness, which  always  increased 
as  hunger  threatened  them.  He  went  with  his 
Regt.  on  the  Red  River  Expedition  and  took 
part  in  all  the  numerous  battles  of  that  terrible 
movement.  The  night  before  the  conflict  of 
Yellow  Bayou,  Capt.  John  J.  May  of  Co.  I, 
stated  that  he  had  a  premonition  that  the  next 
battle  would  prove  disastrous  to  him  this 
was  literally  fulfilled,  as  whilst  leading  his  men 
he  was  struck  by  a  bullet  about  the  heart  and 
almost  instantly  killed.  Mr.  Sadler  and  two  of 


his  comrades  bore  the  brave  officer  from  the 
field,  and  later  sent  his  body  home  for  burial. 
Our  subject  with  his  Regt.  next  moved  to  Lake 
Chicot,  where  Marmaduke's  forces  were  en 
countered  and  a  desperate  battle  followed.  In 
fact  it  was  a  constant  fight  for  over  40  days, 
whilst  the  campaign  lasted.  After  passing 
through  Vicksburg  and  Memphis,  he  was  an 
active  participant  in  the  fight  at  Tupello,  in 
which  the  rebels  under  Forrest  made  seven 
different  and  determined  charges  upon  the 
Regt.,  but  as  often  were  repulsed  with  great 
slaughter,  as  also  the  loss  of  their  flag,  wliich 
was  triumphantly  borne  off  the  field  by  the 
i  igth.  Afterwards  he  went  to  St.  Louis  in  pur 
suit  of  Price,  having  a  mid-winter  march  of  700 
miles  over  the  prairies,  then  by  boat  to  Nash 
ville,  where  he  was  in  that  bloody  battle,  fought 
Dec.  1 5th  and  16,  1864,  at  which  Hood's  Army 
was  completely  cut  to  pieces.  Returning  to 
Nashville  with  captured  horses,  he  started  on 
foot  to  his  Regt.,  then  on  to  Dauphin  Island, 
and  from  there  to  Fort  Blakely,  where  he  took 
part  in  the  siege  and  assault  upon  that  town, 
which  was  captured.  The  Regt.  lost  several 
men.  This  was  the  last  fight  in  which  he  was 
engaged.  He  marched  to  Montgomery,  500 
miles,  then  returned  to  Mobile,  where  he  was 
mustered  out,  and  from  where  he  proceeded 
home. 

In  the  fall  of  1865,  Mr.  Sadler  entered  the 
employ  of  the  C.,  B.  &  O.  R.  R.  as  engineer,  and 
was  thus  employed  for  seventeen  years,  when,  in 
the  fall  of  1888,  he  being  a'  member  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers,  and  a 
strike  having  occurred,  he  never  resumed  that 
business.  In  1890  he  removed  to  Peoria  as  Store 
keeper  in  the  service  of  the  Gov. 

Mr.  Sadler  married  Jessie  Amick  in  1869. 
She  has  always  been  a  prominent  member  in 
the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  became  a  Charter 
Member  of  the  organization  at  Galesburg,  and  is 
now  a  member  of  the  Peoria  Corps,  Bryner,  No. 
1 2, taking  an  active  part  in  the  proceedings.  They 
have  five  children,  Anna  and  Flora,  graduates 
of  the  Galesburg  High  School  and  Brown's 
Business  College;  Lena,  Bertha  and  Wilburn 
Amick.  Mr.  Sadler  is  a  Republican,  a  member 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


739 


of  Post  No.  45  of  Galesburg,  of  the  Odd  Fel 
lows,  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  societies,  and  also  of  the 
Locomotive  Brotherhood  of  the  Engineers. 
His  brothers  were  in  the  respective  Regts.  be 
low  named:  Samuel,  Co.  E,  8gth  111.;  Hiram, 
Co.  H,  I48th  111.;  Edward,  Co.  I,  iigth  111. 
His  brother  William  died  while  in  the  service 
at  Chattanooga. 


PHILIP  KEARNEY.  The  life  of  this  eminent 
soldier  was  one  of  adventure  and  ro 
mance.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  June  2O,  iSi^-  His  love  for  military  life 
was  developed  early.  So  irresistible  was  this 
spirit  that  it  was  determined  to  give  the  young 
boy  a  military  education,  and,  accordingly,  he 
was  sent  to  the  West  Point  Academy.  After 
his  graduation  he  was  made  Lieut,  in  the  regu 
lar  army.  Having  acquired  great  proficiency 
in  military  matters,  and  especially  in  the  man- 


horse,  and,  clashing  forward  alone,  he  cried 
aloud  to  follow.  His  command  became  inspired 
with  his  heroism,  the  fierce  conflict  was  re 
sumed,  and  the  battery  was  taken.  In  the  last 
struggle  at  the  San  Antonio  Gate,  he  received 
a  wound  which  caused  the  loss  of  his  arm. 

After  the  close  of  the  Mexican  war,  or  in 
1848,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major  in 
the  regular  army,  and  was  ordered  to  Oregon 
in  command  of  a  battalion,  to  defend  the  new 
settlements  against  the  hostile  Indians.  In 
1850,  he  resigned  his  position,  and  returned  to 
Europe,  to  continue  his  studies  in  military 
science.  During  his  sojourn  in  Europe  he  took 
part  in  the  Italian  campaign,  and  was  on  the  staff 
of.  Gen.  Maurier,  commanding  the  French 
forces.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Ma 
genta  and  Solferino,  where  he  distinguished 
himself  for  his  bravery  and  military  knowledge, 
for  which  he  was  for  the  second  time  decorated, 
receiving  the  Cross  of  the  Legion  of  Honor. 
Upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  he  was 
commissioned  at  once  Brigadier  General,  and 


ualof  arms,  the  government  determined  to  give  ^assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  com- 


him  a  commission  to  Europe,  for  the  purpose 
of  examining  into  and  reporting  on  the  cavalry 
tactics  of  the  French  army.  He  attended  the 
Polytechnic  school  at  Saumar  for  some  time, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  Chasseurs,  and  made  a 
full  campaign  as  a  French  soldier  in  Algiers,  in 
which  service  he  won  the  Cross  of  Legion  of 
Honor.  On  his  return  home  he  was  placed  on 
the  staff  of  General  Scott.  When  the  Mexican 
war  came  on  he  followed  the  flag  of  his  coun 
try  at  the  head  of  a  company  of  dragoons  into 
Mexico.  He  served  with  great  gallantry  in 
that  war,  for  which  he  was  promoted.  During 
the  assault  on  the  City  of  Mexico  Gen.  Kearney 
was  ordered  to  capture  a  battery  of  the  enemy. 
Under  a  thrilling  order  from  him  the  troops 
moved  on  to  the  attack  with  great  enthusiasm. 
They  were  soon  met  by  a  withering  fire  of  grape 
and  canister  at  short  range;  the  line  wavered 
tor  a  few  minutes,  and  then  fell  back  in  confu 
sion.  The  undaunted  Kearney  was  only  stimu 
lated  to  greater  efforts  by  this  repulse;  his 
spirits  rose  only  the  higher,  and,  waving  his 
sword  high  over  his  head,  he  set  spurs  to  his 


mand  of  a  Brigade  composed  of  N.  J.  regiments. 
He  was  with  McClellan  in  all  the  terrible  vicis 
situdes  of  the  Peninsula  campaign.  He  fought 
in  all  its  battles,  and  everywhere,  on  every  field, 
he  was  the  same  indomitable,  noble  Kearney, 
displaying  at  all  times  the  greatest  bravery,  and 
military  ability  of  the  highest  order. 

At  one  time  he  was  in  command  of  a  Div., 
and  at  Williamsburg  and  Fair  Oaks  he  espe 
cially  distinguished  himself  as  a  soldier.  Later 
on,  or  at  Harrison's  Landing,  for  his  gallant 
service,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major 
General,  his  commission  dating  from  July  4, 
1862.  His  untimely  death  sent  him  off  in  the 
bud  of  his  military  renown.  Rigid  in  discipline, 
indomitable  in  battle,  brave  almost  to  a  fault, 
Gen.  Kearney  was  a  universal  favorite  in  the 
army.  He  was  a  model  commander  and  an 
ideal  soldier.  True  to  the  flag  of  his  coun 
try,  Phil.  Kearney  followed  its  fortunes  and 
gave  up  his  noble  life  fighting  for  its  defense  in 
the  hottest  of  the  conflict  in  the  battle  of  Chan- 
tilly,  Sept.  ist,  1862.  He  died  on  the  field,  by 
the  army  loved,  by  the  nation  mourned. 


740 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


JOHN  S.  LEE.  Among  the  prominent  and 
worthy  veterans  of  the  late  civil  war  is 
John  S.  Lee,  the  subject  of  this  memoir, 
who,  after  the  great  conflict,  settled  down  to 
peaceful  pursuits  at  Lemont,  111.  He  was  born 
in  Parkersburg,  now  W.  Va.,  July  n,  1845,  an(l 
is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Julia  (Hayne)  Lee. 
The  elder  Lee  was  a  native  of  Manchester, 
England,  and  came  to  the  U.  S.  when  about 
ten  years  of  age,  locating  at  first  in  Philadel 
phia."  Later  he  went  to  Harve  De  Grace,  Md., 
where  he  met  and  married  Julia  Hayne,  and 
finally  located  in  Virginia,  where  he  followed 
the  occupation  of  farming.  They  were  the 
parents  of  four  children  —  Sarah  E.,  John  S., 
Edward,  and  Andrew,  all  dead  but  John.  He 
was  raised  at  home  where  he  secured  the  ben 
efits  of  a  common  school  education,  which  was 
suplemented  with  a  commercial  course  at  Cin 
cinnati,  O.  When  the  rebellion  broke  out,  and 
a  call  was  made  by  the  President  for  troops  to 
preserve  the  Union,  young  Lee,  though  only 
about  sixteen  years  of  age,  was  full  of  patriotic 
zeal  to  aid  his  country  and  quickly  responded. 
He  enlisted  in  April,  for  the  three  months'  ser 
vice,  in  a  company  known  as  the  "  Home 
Guards,"  which  was  sent  to  guard  the  Marietta 
&  Cincinnati  R.  R.  on  the  Y,  where  it  remained 
during  its  term  of  service,  and  then  was  dis 
banded,  and  young  Lee  returned  to  his  studies 
at  the  Commercial  college  at  Cincinnati.  He 
had  been  there  but  a  little  while,  before  the 
war  spirit  again  took  possession  of  him,  and  he 
again  enlisted,  this  time  forthree  years.  He  was 
mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  D,  39th,  Ohio 
Inf.  at  Camp  Coleriane,  in  July,  1861.  Erom 
there  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Camp  Den- 
nison,  where  the  men  were  armed  and  drilled. 
St.  Louis  was  the  next  camp,  and  from  there 
the  regiment  was  ordered  up  the  river  to  St. 
Charles,  disembarked,  and  marched  under  Gen. 
Sturges,  to  Mexico,  and  thence  across  the 
country  to  the  relief  of  Mulligan,  at  Lexington. 
When  within  about  six  miles  of  Lexington, 
news  was  received  that  Mulligan  was  surround 
ed  by  the  rebels,  and  it  being  impossible  for  the 
command  to  cross  the  river  so  as  to  render  him 
any  aid,  the  command  marched  up  the  river  to 


Richmond,  from  there  took  transports  for  Kan 
sas  City.  After  service  there  for  a  time,  the 
troops  marched  across  to  Springfield,  but 
arriving  there  too  late  to  take  part  in  the  bat- 
t\e  at  that  place. 

The  regiment  was  next  ordered  to  Sedalia, 
Mo.,  where  it  made  winter  quarters  and  was  en 
gaged  in  guarding  the  railroads.  From  Sedalia 
the  39th  moved  to  St.  Louis,  where  it  embarked 
for  Cape  Girardeau,  joined  Gen.  Pope's  army, 
and  was  placed  in  Stanley's  Div.,  1st  Brig.,  and 
took  part  in  the  action  against  New  Madrid. 
The  next  move  of  the  regiment  wastoTippton- 
ville,  thence  marched  up  in  the  rear  of  Island 
No.  10,  took  part  in  the  investment  of  that  strong 
hold,  and  was  actively  engaged  there  until  its 
surrender.  It  then  moved  to  Pittsburg  Land 
ing,  arriving  there  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 
It  was  then  placed  in  the  ist  Brig.,  2nd  Div., 
1 6th  A.  C.  This  assignment  gave  Mr.  Lee  the 
pleasure  of  taking  part  in  the  Siege  of  Corinth, 
which  gave  him  all  the  active  fighting  he 
desired  until  the  evacuation.  His  regiment 
had  the  honor  of  being  the  first  (Inf.)  to  enter 
Corinth,  and  its  flag  was  the  first  to  float  over 
the  Courthouse.  After  following  the  enemy  as 
far  as  Booneville,  the  Regt.  returned  to  Corinth 
and  performed  garrison  duty  during  the  sum 
mer.  In  the  fall  it  became  part  of  the  com 
mand  sent  to  luka  against  Price  and  Van 
Dorn,  where  Mr.  Lee  fought  in  one  of  the 
hottest  battles  during  the  war.  His  regiment 
participated  in  the  second  battle  of  Corinth, 
Miss.,  being  in  support  of  Fort  Robinette. 
After  returning  to  Corinth,  the  command  was 
ordered  to  join  Gen.  Grant  in  his  first  move 
ment  against  Vicksburg,  which  was  untimely 
broken  off  by  the  loss  of  the  army  supplies  at 
Holly  Springs.  The  regiment  then  moved  by 
rail  to  Jackson,  Miss.,  where  it  remained  for 
awhile,  then  was  ordered  against  Forrest,  meet 
ing  him  at  Parker's  Cross  Roads,  in  time  to  pre 
vent  him  from  capturing  Dunham's  Brig.,  which 
he  had  surrounded.  His  command  defeated 
Forrest,  captured  two  hundred  prisoners,  five 
hundred  horses  and  six  pieces  of  artillery 
They  came  up  in  Forrests  rear,  completely  tak 
ing  him  by  surprise.  They  followed  him  to  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


74i 


Tennessee  and  then  returned  to  Corinth,  and 
later  were  ordered  to  Memphis,  where  the  sub 
ject  of  this  sketch  was  detailed  as  recorder  for 
a  Military  Commission,  in  which  capacity  he 
served  until  Feb.,  1864,  when  he  joined  his  regi 
ment,  which  had  veteranized  and  was  then  at 
Cincinnati.  He  then  moved  with  his  regiment 
to  Athens,  Ala.,  where  he  was  detailed  in 
the  Adjt.  Gen's  office  and  sent  to  Decatur, 
Ala. 

He  was  in  this  detail  until  the  Atlanta  Cam 
paign  opened,  when  he  rejoined  his  regiment 
in  time  to  take  part  in  the  battle  of  Resaca, 
and  was  then  with  it  in  all  its  battles,  skir 
mishes  and  marches  until  after  the  battle  of 
Atlanta,  when  his  term  of  enlistment  having 
expired,  he  was  mustered  out  Aug.  12,  1864. 

Having  discharged  his  duty  to  his  country, 
he  returned  home  and  took  up  once  more 
peaceful  pursuits.  After  an  engagement  of 
some  years  in  a  mercantile  house  at  Lemont, 
111.,  he  accepted  from  President  Arthur  the 
postmastership  of  that  town,  which  he  held 
until  the  Democratic  administration  came  into 
power.  Subsequently  he  made  a  trip  to  the 
Pacific  slope  to  regain  his  health,  then  much 
impaired.  Upon  his  return  he  took  a  position 
in  a  drug  store,  having  previously  qualified  him 
self  as  a  pharmacist. 

This  position  he  now  holds,  together  with 
that  of  Deputy  Postmaster,  filling  both  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  the  people. 

Mr.  Lee  was  united  in  marriage  at  Lemont, 
March  21,  1871,  to  Lucinda  E.,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  and  Lucinda  (Smith)  Clough,  by 
whom  he  had  five  children,  viz.:  Harry  J., 
Ada  M.,  Ethel  M.,  Alice  E.  and  Ralph  A.,  all 
living  but  Harry  and  Ada.  Mrs.  Lee  died  July 
21,  1888.  Mr.  Lee  was  married  the  second 
time,  Dec.  9,  1891,  to  Helena,  daughter  of 
Christopher  and  Evelyn  Johnson.  In  politics 
comrade  Lee  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  man 
who  by  his  probity,  studious  habits,  acquired  a 
good  education  and  an  honorable  and  useful 
profession,  and  by  his  integrity  and  devotion 
to  business  has  won  for  himself  the  confi 
dence  and  esteem  of  those  with  whom  he  cast 
his  lot. 


TF.  M.  KAY,  U.  S.  Pension  Claim  Agent, 
and  a  notary  public  of  Quincy,  111., 
•  first  saw  the  light  of  day  Dec.  25,  1846, 
at  Marion  Co.,  Mo.  He  was  reared  under  the 
chains  of  slavery,  his  master  and  owner  being 
John  Hurs,  and  while  a  youth  he  learned  to 
read  and  spell.  By  virtue  of  President  Lin 
coln's  Emancipation  Proclamation,  which  bless 
ing  came  as  a  God-send  to  thousands  of 
slaves,  he  of  course,  obtained  his  freedom. 
True  to  the  grand  old  flag,  he  lost  no  time  rally 
ing  forth  for  its  preservation.  Though  only  a 
youth  of  not  yet  seventeen,  he  enlisted  for 
three  years,  Nov.  15,  1863,  at  Quincy,  111.,  as  a 
musician  in  Co.  A.,  2gth  U.  S.  Colored  Troops. 
The  Regt.  which  was  made  up  mostly  from 
Colored  Missouri  slaves,  went  into  camp  at 
Quincy,  where  it  was  drilled  until  April  24, 

1864,  when  it  was  mustered  in  and  moved  on  to 
Washington,  where  it    went    into    quarters    on 
Arlington   Heights,    opposite  Georgetown,    D. 
C.     Here  our  young    patriot    was    armed    and 
drilled  in  the  manual  of  arms,  but   was    taken 
sick  at  Camp  Casey  arid  left  at  the  hospital  of 
Alexandria.     This  was  indeed    a  most   severe 
blow   to  our   young  enthusiast,    and    he    wept 
bitterly  because  of  this,  to  him,    so  great  a  ca 
lamity.     He  had  contracted  a  very  severe  cold 
which  settled  on  his  lungs  and  which  still  ren 
ders  him  an  invalid  at  the  present  day.     After 
his  partial  recovery  his  service  was  mostly  put 
in  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  where  he  was  discharged 
May  27,  1865,  by  reason  of  a  telegram  from  the 
Adjutant  General  of  the    corps  dated  May  3, 

1865.  Comrade    Kay    was    discharged    from 
L'Ouverture  general  hospital,  at  Alexandria,  re 
turned   to    Chicago,    and    shortly    moved    to 
Quincy,  111.,  where  has  resided  ever  since.    Mr. 
Kay  was   the    first    colored    person    appointed 
Notary  Public  in  the  State  of  111.     In   1870    he 
was  a  delegate  to  the   first  colored  convention 
at  Springfield,  111.,  and  was  made  its  secretary. 
The  term  of  office  was  four  years,  and  Mr.  Kay 
was  re-elected  in  1874.    In  1870,  he  commenced 
to  read  law  in  the  office   of  Thos.  J.    Mitchell, 
County  Judge,   and  was  admitted    to    practice 
before    the    various    departments    of     United 
States,  in  the  prosecution  of  claims,  during  the 


742 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


same  year.  In  this  work  he  has  been  very  suc 
cessful  and  has  secured  the  allowance  of  a 
large  number  of  claims  for  bounty,  pensions, 
back  pay,  etc.  Mr.  Kay  has  attained  consider 
able  renown  as  a  public-spirited  and  energetic 
worker  for  the  Republican  party.  He  has  been 
and  is  still  prominently  known  throughout  the 
State  as  a  leading  politician  among  his  people. 
Very  few,  indeed,  of  the  colored  people  of  the 
country  have  a  wider  or  more  favorable  ac- 
quintance  throughout  the  State  of  Illinois. 
March  20,  1878,  Mr.  Kay  was  married  to  Eliza 
Campbell,  a  native  of  Pike  Co.,  Mo.,  and  by 
this  happy  union,  one  child,  Rosa  Lillie,  was 
born.  She  is  now  8  years  old,  and  is  a  remark 
ably  bright  child,  who  has  accumulated  much 
useful  knowledge.  Mrs.  Kay  died  from  the  ef 
fects  of  an  ancident,  Jan.  3,  1886. 

Mr.  Kay  was  always,  from  his  youth,  looking 
forward  to  a  brighter  day.  He  was  sent  as  repre 
sentative  to  Springfield,  111.,  to  retain  counsel 
in  the  well-known  case  in  Freeman's  Reports, 
Vol.  101,  page  308.  Eiled. 

THE  PEOPLE,  ex  rel.  JOHN  LONGREST 

v. 

THE  SCHOOL  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION 
OF  THE  CITY  OF  QUINCV. 

Filed  at  Springfield,  111. 

Mr.  Kay  left  his  home  and  sick  wife,  and 
went  to  Springfield,  111.,  and  retained  the  Hon. 
John  M.  Palmer,  who  successfully  brought  the 
colored  people  of  the  State  to  the  front.  He 
did  all  the  preliminary  work  in  the  case,  under 
the  direction  of  John  M.  Palmer. 

One  of  the  most  striking  things  in  our  young 
enthusiast's  life  was  at  the  first  colored  conven 
tion,  while  in  session  at  the  Capital,  Springfield, 
111. 

Early  one  morning,  before  the  frost-burnt, 
withered  leaves  had  melted,  comes  the  Supreme 
Court's  edict  that  the  Civil  Rights  Bill  is  uncon 
stitutional.  This  was  indeed  a  sad  and  a  severe 
shock  to  our  young  enthusiast,  whom  they  at 
once  appointed  on  committee  on  resolutions. 
Here  our  young  enthusiast  was  one  of  the 
committee,  with  F.  L.  Barnett  and  C.  A.  Warren. 


RESOLUTION. 

Resolved,  That,  whereas,  we  are  assembled 
in  the  State  Capital,  supposed  to  be  clothed 
with  all  the  rights  of  other  citizens. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  colored  people  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  are  true  to  the  Republican 
party,  but  we  want  no  more  laws  that  can  make 
a  citizen  and  cannot  protect  him. 

Resolved,  Thanks  be  to  to  God  that  our  votes 
have  a  voice  that  can  make  the  Supreme  Court 
hear.  F.  L.  BARNETT, 

C.  A.  WARREN, 
T.  F.  M.  KAY. 

Committee. 

Mr.  Kay  is  a  member  and  clerk  of  the  8th 
and  Elm  St.  Baptist  Church  at  Quincy.  He 
has  been  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School 
for  many  years,  and  has  thrice  been  elected 
President  of  the  County  S.  S.  Convention.  He 
is  the  present  Adjutant  of  Colonel  Shaw  Post, 
No.  233,  G.  A.  R.;  is  a  member  of  the  "  Order 
of  Twelve,"  of  which  he  was  National  Deputy 
Grand  Mentor  for  several  years,  and  at  present 
is  State  Deputy  and  P.  G.  M.  This  is  a  mili 
tary  and  social  order  which  excels  all  others  in 
members  and  interest  among  the  colored  peo 
ple.  A  leader  among  his  people,  Mr.  Kay  is  a 
kind  father  and  a  worthy  citizen. 


THE  prominent  features  in  the  life  of  the 
Rev.  Hiram  H.  Ashmore,  of  Peoria,  111., 
are  the  subject  of  this  present  writing. 
He  was  born  in  Ind.,  April  10,  1829,  son  of  the 
Rev.  James  Ashmore,  a  noted  Presbyterian 
minister,  who  founded  ten  churches  in  one 
county  in  Illinois  between  the  years  1830  and 
1850.  The  father  married  Miss  Catharine  Arm 
strong,  by  whom  he  had  six  boys  and  three 
girls.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  common 
school,  supplemented  at  the  Grandview  Acad 
emy  and  completed  at  Georgetown  Seminary. 
Upon  him  the  mantle  of  his  illustrious  father 
had  fallen  and  he  bore  it  with  becoming  grace 
and  dignity,  devoting  his  life  to  church  work, 
in  which  he  was  licensed  in  1853.  He  engaged 
in  teaching  and  preaching  for  a  time  in  Ark., 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


743 


where  he  considered  himself  a  pro-slavery 
Democrat.  He,  however,  was  soon  led  to 
change  his  views,  and  became  an  ardent  Aboli 
tionist.  In  1861  he  attended  a  meeting  having 
for  its  object  the  enlistment  of  men  for  the 
army.  Mr.  Ashmore's  prominence  among  the 
"boys"  led  them  to  call  upon  him  for  a  speech, 
when  he  informed  them  of  his  intention  to  or 
ganize  a  Co.  of  Cav.  a  little  later;  the  boys 
rejoined  stating  that  if  Mr.  Ashmore  would  go, 
they  would  then  enlist.  His  answer  was  char 
acteristic  of  him,  when  he  said,  "  I  never  back 
out  in  a  good  cause,"  and  accordingly  enlisted 
in  the  25th  111.  He  was  soon  after  promoted  to 
be  Commissary  Sergeant  and  afterwards  Chap 
lain  of  the  Regt.  From  the  time  of  his  enlist 
ment  he  followed  the  fortunes  of  his  Regt.  in 
its  tieavy  marches,  long  sieges,  privations,  and 
disastrous  battles,  always  brave  and  heroic  and 
buoyed  up  with  the  knowledge  that  he  was 
fighting  in  an  honest  cause,  for  his  God  and  his 
country,  according  to  his  ability  and  the  light 
that  was  in  him.  He  took  part  in  the  battles 
of  Pea  Ridge,  the  siege  of  Corinth,  Stone  River, 
Perryville,  Liberty  Gap,  march  to  Chattanooga, 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  and 
Mission  Ridge.  When  near  Winchester,  in 
1863,  single-handed,  he  captured  three  rebels; 
two  of  them  coming  up  first,  he  made  them,  at 
the  point  of  his  revolver,  lay  down  their  arms, 
and  the  third,  when  he  approached,  was  made 
do  likewise. 

In  the  spring  of  1864  he  participated  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign  and  was  actively  engaged  in 
the  battles  of  Dalton,  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Pump 
kin  Vine  Creek,  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  siege  and  battle  of  Atlanta.  At  the 
battle  of  Pumkin  Vine  Creek,  whilst  kneeling 
by  a  dying  comrade  who  had  been  mortally 
wounded  in  battle,  he  was  struck  in  the  hip  and 
severely  hurt, 

At  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain  our  sub 
ject  was  the  first  Union  soldier  to  ascend  its 
rugged  sides  and  reach  its  top.  He  was  dis- 
cfiarged  at  Camp  Butler,  Sept.  5,  1864,  then  re 
turned  to  Vermilion  and  resumed  his  profession 
as  a  minister.  The  congregation  being  poor, 
he  in  its  interest,  became  involved  in  debt,  and 


being  tendered  a  position  in  the  Mail  Service, 
he  accepted  it  in  1878,  and  continued  until  re 
moved  from  service.  He  moved  to  Peoria  a 
few  years  ago,  where  he  still  acts  with  the  Y. 
M.  C.  A.  He  was  married  in  1856,  to  Miss  Car 
oline  Shook,  by  whom  he  has  two  sons,  Bruce 
and  Harry,  and  a  daughter,  Mrs.  Lulu  May 
Link. 

He  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.,  and  a  Master  Mason.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Ash- 
more  is  an  extensive  reader,  is  possessed  of  lib 
eral  attainments,  and  has  a  peculiar  way  of  re 
lating  his  war  reminiscences.  To  give  those 
that  are  interesting,  would  in  itself  fill  a  volume, 
and,  having  heard  him  relate  many  of  them,  we 
in  a  crude  way  reproduce  the  following:  While 
in  camp  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  one  Sunday  he 
selected  as  his  text  the  I2th  verse  of  the  8th 
chapter  of  Isaiah,  to-wit:  "Say  ye  not  a  Con 
federacy  to  all  them  to  whom  this  people  shall 
say  a  Confederacy,  neither  fear  ye  them  nor  be 
afraid."  Immediately  after  dismissing  the  men 
Dr.  Hawley,  the  Brigade  Surgeon,  advanced 
and  said:  "Chaplain,  how  would  you  like  to 
preach  that  sermon  to  Jeff .  Davis?"  The  Chap 
lain  said:  "Doctor,  I  shall  never  be  satisfied 
until  I  preach  that  sermon  in  Richmond."  Dur 
ing  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  fol 
lowing,  after  collecting  a  large  portion  of  the 
officers  and  men  that  were  wounded  at  Crawfish 
Springs,  and  Dr.  Hawley  being  in  charge  of 
Field  Hospital  at  the  Springs,  the  Confederates 
led  by  Col.  Miller,  and  the  I  ith  Texas  mounted 
Inf.  captured  the  hospital  and  its  attendants. 
Dr.  Hawley  asked  the  Chaplain  to  answer  the 
call  as  he  was  amputating  a  leg;  several  acres 
of  ground  were  covered  with  the  dead  and 
wounded.  The  citizen's  conscripting  officer, 
Gen.  Terry,  with  an  arm  in  a  sling  was  in  the 
advance  urging  the  Confederates  forward 
and  mistaking  the  cross  on  the  Chaplain  s 
shoulder  straps,  yelled  out,  "Boys, 
there's  a  General.  Save  him!"  When 
asked,  "What  General  are  you?"  the  Chaplain 
said,  "I  am  not  a  General."  When  Terry  rode 
his  horse  upon  him, saying,  "Who  are  you  then  ?" 
and  pressing  an  answer,  Mr.  Ashmore  replied, 
"In  our  army  I  am  called  a  preacher  or  chap- 


744 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


lain."  Terry  replied,  "The  hell  you  are!  You 
are  a  d — d  abolitionist  then.  If  I  had  my  way 
I  would  hang  you  on  the  first  limb  I  could  get 
you  to."  He  and  others,  including  Surgeon 
Hawley,  were  taken  to  Libby  Prison,  and  while 
there  Mr.  Ashmore  preached  every  other  night, 
as  his  health  would  permit.  The  last  sermon  he 
preached  in  the  prison  at  the  request  of  Dr. 
Hawley,  was  the  anti-Confederacy  sermon. 
Some  of  the  prisoners  feared  he  would  be  pun 
ished  for  his  position  in  the  sermon,  but  noth 
ing  of  the  kind  occurred.  Weighing  only  about 
100  pounds,  he  arrived  at  Washington,  D.  C., 
Nov.  nth,  1864,  after  having  fulfilled  his  wish 
to  preach  that  sermon  in  Richmond,  the  Con 
federate  capital. 


CAPTAIN  ROBERT  G.  WELSH,  of  Camp 
Point,  111.,  is  the  subject  of  our  present 
sketch.  Enthused  with  patriotism,  he 
enlisted  in  the  Union  Army  July  15,  1861,  as  a 
private  in  Co.  L,  2nd  111.  Cav.  He  rendez 
voused  at  Quinc^ ,  where  he  was  mustered  into 
the  service  Aug.  nth  of  the  same  year,  and  his 
Regt.  was  commanded  by  Gen.  Prentiss.  His 
command  was  known  as  the  S.  E.  Missouri  De 
partment.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  the  bat 
tle  of  Belmont,  the  siege  of  Fort  Madrid  and 
Island  No.  10,  battle  of  Holly  Springs  and 
several  small  engagements  in  the  vicinity  of 
Fort  Pillow,  fighting  guerrillas.  He  also  took 
part  in  a  raid  into  Miss.,  but  meeting  over 
whelming  numbers  of  rebels,  they  were  com 
pelled  to  right  about,  and  were  pursued  until 
within  50  miles  of  Memphis.  Whilst  the  most 
of  his  Regt.  were  sent  upon  the  Red  River  ex 
pedition,  Capt.  Welsh  was  detached  and  as 
signed  to  scouting  duty  in  the  vicinity  of  Baton 
Rouge.  During  this  scouting  service  he  en 
dured  many  hardships,  encountered  many  dan 
gers  from  death  and  capture.  He  was  also, 
owing  to  the  many  acts  of  heroism  displayed 
by  him,  placed  upon  the  detective  staff,  and  in 
filling  that  occupation  captured  a  whisky  still, 
400  oz.  of  quinine,  4  doz.  Smith  &  Wesson 
revolvers,  a  span  of  mules  and  considerable 


other  property.  This  valuable  capture  was 
brought  about  by  Capt.  Welsh  joining  a  rebel 
in  a  glass  of  whisky  in  traveling  from  Paducah 
to  Metroplis.  In  1863,  the  Capt.  was  accident 
ally  injured  by  a  horse  and  compelled  to  go  to 
a  hospital  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  where  he  was  ne 
cessarily  detained  for  upwards  of  six  weeks. 
He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  Aug.  26, 
1864.  He  was  again  reenlisted  as  a  private  in 
Co.  G,  I48th  111.,  and  on  the  i6th  of  the  follow 
ing  month  was  elected  Capt.  of  his  Co.  Six 
days  later  he  started  with  his  Co.  for  Nashville, 
where  he  was  assigned  to  duty  along  the  Nash 
ville  &  Chattanooga  R.  R.,  at  Stephenson,  Ala. 
After  the  war  was  over  he  continued  there 
gathering  up  Government  property,  which  he 
shipped  to  Nashville.  Whilst  at  Camp  Pren 
tiss  he  was  in  charge  of  upwards  of  3OCr  men 
and  in  command  of  the  Post.  He  continued  in 
the  service  till  Sept.  5,  1865,  when  he  was  mus 
tered  out. 

Capt.  Welsh  was  born  in  111.,  Oct.  23rd, 
1835,  a  son  of  James  G.  and  Sarah  (Booth) 
Welsh,  the  former  born  June  25th,  1811  and 
the  latter  Sept.  16,  1816,  both  of  whom  are  now 
living  having  many  years  ago  passed  man's 
allotted  span  of  life.  Our  subject  attained  a 
good  education  in  the  common  schools  re 
moving  in  1859  to  Mo.,  there  seeing  the  open 
ing  scenes  of  the  war.  He  was  at  that  time  an 
unwilling  witness  of  a  M.  E.  minister  being 
ridden  on  a  rail  for  having  acknowledged  that 
he  voted  for  Lincoln.  This  occurred  immedi 
ately  after  the  secession  of  S.  C.  The  Capt. 
immediately  returned  home,  organized  a  Co. 
for  three  months'  service,  of  which  he  was  elect 
ed  2nd  Lieut.,  but  his  Co.  was  not  accepted, 
the  call  having  been  filled.  For  ten  years  suc 
ceeding  the  war  he  embarked  in  buying  and 
shipping  grain  from  Adams  County,  then 
farmed  his  father's  farm  for  five  years,  at  the 
expiration  of  which  he  moved  to  Camp  Point, 
where,  owing  to  his  physical  disabilities  incur 
red  during  his  army  experiences,  he  is  leading 
a  retired  and  comparatively  inactive  life.  He 
has  filled  many  responsible  positions,  among 
the  number  having  been  President  of  the  school 
board  in  Golden  for  two  years,  and  in  his  pres- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


745 


ent  town  has  served  as  township  clerk,  assessor 
and  street  commissioner.  He  was  married 
Feb.  21,  1865,  to  Miss  Martha  H.  Mosher,  a 
native  of  Canada  East. 

Capt.  Walsh  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Masonic  Order,  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 
He  was  mustered  into  the  G.  A.  R.,in  1867  and 
was  Commander  of  Post  No.  185  under  the  old 
organization,  and  is  Commander  of  the  existing 
Post.  Mrs.  Welsh  is  an  active  worker  in  the 
W.  R.  C.;  assisted  in  its  organization,  and  is  a 
worthy  member  of  the  order  of  Eastern  Star 
and  also  of  the  Christian  Church. 


FRANK  M.  ANDRUS,  of  Peoria,  111.,  was  born 
in  Ohio,  May  22,  1845.  He  worked  fora 
time  upon  a  farm,  then  learned  the  mill 
wright  business.  He  enlisted  in  the  Union  army 
Aug.  19,  1864,  in  Co.  A,  iy/th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf., 
as  drummer  of  the  Company.  He  went  to 
Nashville,  then  on  the  Tullahoma  expedition, 
and  afterwards  was  sent  to  Murfreesboro,  sim 
ultaneously  with  Hood's  appearance  at  Nash 
ville.  Whilst  at  Murfreesboro  his  Regt.  was  at 
tacked  by  Gen.  Wheeler's  cavalry  on  the  old 
battle  ground  of  Stone  River,  and  after  a  vigor 
ous  fight,  lasting  from  3  P.  M.  until  dark.  The  ene 
my  was  again  encountered  a  few  days  later  and 
a  sharp  conflict  ensued,  when  Mr.  Andrus  nar 
rowly  escaped  being  taken  a  prisoner.  His 
Regt.  joined  the  23d  Corps,  and  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Spring  Hill,  then  followed  Hood 
on  his  retreat  to  Clifton.  His  command  took 
boats  to  Cincinnati,  where  the  men  were  placed 
in  box  cars  for  Washington.  On  this  trip  the 
men  suffered  terribly  from  cold,  as  there  was 
no  fire  in  the  cars,  and  one  of  the  men  froze  to 
death  before  reaching  their  destination.  After 
a  few  days'  delay  they  moved  to  Annapolis, 
Md.,  there  took  boat  for  Fort  Fisher,  and  for 
the  following  six  '  days  braved  the  attendant 
discomfitures  of  a  stormy  passage,  herded 
together  like  cattle.  They  landed  at  Fort  Fisher, 
and  after  several  days  crossed  Cape  Fear  river 
to  Smithtown,  and  from  there  marched  up  to 


Fort  Anderson,  and  surrounded  the  fort,  which 
the  rebels  abandoned,  burning  the  bridge  over 
the  river  after  crossing  it.  The  commanding 
Gen.  enlisted  the  assistance  of  a  darky  in  en 
abling  them  to  cross  the  river.  He  took  them 
to  where  there  was  a  flat  boat  and  a  canoe,  and 
by  stretching  ropes  across  the  river  this  prim 
itive  means  of  crossing  enabled  them  to  trans 
fer  their  whole  brigade  in  a  short  time,  and  they 
were  soon  in  the  rebel's  rear,  and  there  captured 
300  prisoners  and  three  large  guns.  The  Regt. 
proceeded  to  Wilmington,  which  town  was  de 
stroyed  by  the  rebels,  as  also  the  railroad  station, 
upon  the  approach  of  the  Union  troops.  The 
following  day  our  subject  entered  Wilmington, 
then  set  out  for  Goldsborp,  where  he  arrived  in 
advance  of  Sherman.  There  he  heard  the  ex 
ploding  guns  on  the  distant  field  of  Bentonville. 
He  then  moved  with  Sherman's  army  to 
Raleigh,  and  after  Johnston's  surrender  went  to 
Greensboro,  where  he  continued  until  June  27. 
1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out.  He  next 
proceeded  to  Baltimore,  arriving  at  Cleveland, 
July  5th,  after  covering  a  distance  of  6000  miles 
during  his  term  of  service.  During  his  stay  at 
Murfreesboro  for  five  days  he  subsisted  on  a 
single  ear  of  corn. 

After  his  discharge  he  entered  into  a  part 
nership  with  his  brother  at  Newburgh,  in  the 
manufacture  of  organs,  which  business  he  con 
tinued  upwards  of  a  year,  when  he  was  ap 
pointed  assistant  postmaster,  in  the  postoffice 
department.  Subsequently,  he  embarked  in 
the  furniture  business,  but  in  1874,  removed  to 
Chicago,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  elevators  until  June,  1881,  when  he  moved 
to  Moline,  where  he  engaged  in  the  same  occu 
pation.  In  1890  he  sold  out  his  business  and 
removed  to  Peoria,  and  there  started  the  "Peo 
ria  Elevator  &  Machine  Works,"  which  is  one 
of  the  thriving  factories  of  that  city.  Mr.  An 
drus'  place  of  business  is  207  Water  Street, 
where  all  kinds  of  elevators  and  hoisting 
machines  are  made.  In  1866,  he  married  Miss 
Edith  Payne,  by  whom  he  has  two  boys,  Fred 
R.,  and  Harold  G. 

He  is  a  Republican,  but  not  an  office-seeker, 
a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  of  the  Odd  Fellows, 


746 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


a  Free  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  in  which  he  is  Past  Chancellor  of 
the  Lodge.  He  is  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Universalist  Church. 


OB.  SAWDEY,  of  Gifford,  111.,  enlisted  in 
the  late  war,  Aug.  25,  1862,  at  New- 
•  ton,  Jasper  Co.,  Iowa,  in  an  la.  Vol. 
Int.  Regt.,  and  was  mustered  in  as  fourth  Ser 
geant.  The  Regt.  went  to  Davenport,  thence 
to  St.  Louis,  where  the  men  were  equipped  and 
started  by  rail  for  Rolla,  where  they  were 
engaged  guarding  the  army  supplies,  R.  Rs.,  and 
escorting  supplies  to  the  front.  They  joined 
the  army  commanded  by  Gen.  Davidson,  at 
West  Plains,  after  a  5  days'  march,  reaching 
their  destination  Jan.  27,  1863,  where  the  Regt. 
was  brigaded  with  the  2 1st  and  23rd  la.,  and 
designated  1st  Brigade,  1st  Div.,  army  of 
S.  E.  Mo.  Remained  there  until  the  arrival  of 
a  supply  train,  and  on  Feb.  took  up  its  line  of 
march  toward  Pilot  Knob  and  Iron  Mountain, 
but  owing  to  impassable  roads  considerable 
delay  was  experienced  in  moving,  and,  supplies 
being  exhausted,  the  Regt.  was  twice  compelled 
to  halt  and  grind  corn  to  subsist  upon.  This 
long  march  through  the  mountains  at  that 
season  of  the  year,  was  a  severe  one  upon- 
the  raw  recruits,  but  they  endured  the  hard 
ships  and  privations  without  a  murmur.  They 
continued  at  Iron  Mountain  until  March  9, 
u  hen  they  moved  to  take  part  in  the  opera 
tions  against  Vicksburg,  joining  Gen.  Grant's 
forces  at  Milliken's  Bend,  where  his  forces  were 
being  concentrated.  Mr.  Sawdey's  Regt.  was 
assigned  to  the  I3th  A.  C.,  under  Gen.  McCler- 
nand,  and  engaged  with  the  2ist,  22nd  and 
23rd  Iowa,  and  nth  Wis.,  with  Col.  Harris 
commanding.  Proceeding  from  here  to  Rich 
mond,  La.,  then  to  Jenkins'  Landing  and  down 
the  river,  landing  at  Hard  Times,  opposite  the 
mouth  of  Black  River,  where  they  were  engaged 
holding  the  attention  of  the  Rebel  batteries 
and  bombarding  its  forts,  but  this  was  soon 
abandoned.  They  next  moved  to  Grand  Gulf, 
then  on  to  Port  Gibson,  where  on  May  I,  1863, 


they  had  a  desperate  encounter  with  the  enemy, 
driving  him  in  confusion  from  the  field,  cap 
turing  many  prisoners  and  many  pieces  of 
artillery. 

Mr.  Sawdey  was  next  engaged  in  the  battle 
of  Champion  Hills,  being  for  a  time  held  in 
reserve,  headed  for  Black  River  where  the  en 
emy  was  strongly  fortified.  His  brigade  was 
ordered  to  charge  the  works  and  drive  them 
out.  It  gallantly  responded,  carried  the  works 
and  rushed  across  the  bayou  and  into  the  tim 
ber,  where  it  captured  all  those  who  sought  and 
retreated  there.  His  Regt.  was  detailed  to 
gather  up  the  arms  and  supplies  left  behind  by 
the  fleeing  rebels,  and  also  to  bury  the  dead. 
He  then  moved  on  to  Vicksburg  and  during  the 
bloody  assault  on  May  22nd  his  Regt.  lost  24 
men.  It  then  took  part  in  the  siege  47  days, 
holding  an  important  and  exposed  position  in 
the  front.  The  day  following  the  surrender  of 
Vicksburg,  the  command  started  for  Jackson. 
They  then  returned  to  Vicksburg,  passing  over 
the  old  battlefields  of  Black  River  and  Cham 
pion  Hills,  and  after  a  short  stay  at  Vicksburg, 
took  transports  for  New  Orleans,  going  into 
Camp  Carlton.  Mr.  Sawdey  next  moved  to 
Algiers,  La.,  where  his  Regt.  was  assigned  to 
the  2nd  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  igth  A.  C.,  with  Gen. 
Grover  commanding.  He  took  part  in  Banks' 
Red  River  campaign,  then  moved  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  then  up  the  James  river  to  Bermuda 
Hundred  Landing;  joined  the  forces  of  Gen. 
Butler  and  then  moved  to  Washington,  where 
his  Regt.  was  temporarily  attached  to  Gen. 
Terry's  Div.,  and  assigned  to  duty  in  the 
trenches  extending  across  the  peninsula  from 
the  James  to  the  Appomattox  Rivers.  It  was 
soon  after  ordered  to  report  at  Washington 
City,  there  going  into  camp  on  the  Heights  of 
Georgetown  overlooking  the  city.  Subsequently 
his  Regt.  moved  to  join  Gen.  Sheridan  on  his 
expedition  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  passing 
through  Snicker's  Gap  and  wading  the  Shenan 
doah  River;  met  Sheridan's  command  at  Bcrry- 
ville  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Opequan  or 
Winchester,  then  marched  to  Fipper's  Hill  and 
fought  another  battle,  again  defeating  him,  then 
moved  on  to  Harrisonburg,  where  they  remained 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


747 


for  a  short  time,  and  then  on  to  Cedar  Creek. 
Leaving  here,  they  moved  to  Fisher's  Hill,  when 
they  were  under  the  fire  of  the  rebel  sharp 
shooters,  captured  the  place,  then  marched 
through  Edinburg,  Mount  Jackson,  New  Mar 
ket,  Harrisburg  and  Mount  Crawford,  then 
returning  to  Harrisburg,  where  they  encamped 
until  Oct.  19,  1864,  when  the  victorious  Sheri 
dan,  having  driven  his  vanquished  foes  from 
the  Shenandoah  Valley,  accomplishing  the  ob 
ject  of  the  campaign,  returned  to  Cedar  Creek. 
There  they  built  fortifications,  but  being  attacked 
by  the  enemy  fell  back,  gradually  for  three 
miles  in  the  direction  of  Winchester,  contesting 
every  foot  of  ground  over  which  they  were  re- 
retreating.  Sheridan  who  had  been  absent  in 
Washington,  on  arriving  at  the  nearest  R.  R. 
station,  heard  the  distant  thundering  of  artil 
lery,  and  realizing  that  he  was  wanted,  mounted 
his  horse  and  galloped  in  haste  in  the  direction 
of  his  command,  and  after  a  most  vigorous  ride 
met  his  men  fleeing  in  confusion  before  the 
enemy.  He  immediately  grasped  his  situation, 
ordered  a  stand,  pledging  his  word  that  he 
would  lead  them  back  and  ''lick  h — 1  out  of 
them."  Sheridan's  men  had  unbounded  confi 
dence  in  him,  readily  responded  to  his  sugges 
tion,  returned  and  met  the  foe,  assaulted  him 
vigorously  and  in  a  short  time  had  him  fleeing 
in  confusion  with  great  slaughter.  In  this  en 
gagement  Mr.  Sawdey's  Regt.  took  a  prominent 
part,  and  assisted  in  the  capture  of  upwards 
of  2,000  prisoners  and  considerable  war  ma 
terial.  He  next  received  orders  to  report 
at  Baltimore,  where  he  went  into  barracks. 
After  a  short  delay  he  proceeded  by  transport 
to  Savannah,  Ga.,  where  he  expected  to  remain 
during  the  remainder  of  his  term,  but  on  March 
8,  1865,  proceeded  to  Moorhead,  N.  C.,  thence 
by  rail  to  Newboro,  but  on  arrival  was  ordered 
back  to  Moorhead,  where  his  Regt.  was  detailed 
to  the  Quartermaster's  Division,  until  April 
2nd,  when  he  again  returned  to  Savannah  and 
in  the  early  part  of  the  following  month  went 
to  Augusta,  Ga.,  distant  130  miles.  He  re 
turned  afterwards  to  Savannah,  when  on  Aug. 
25th,  Mr.  Sawdey  was  mustered  out  and  subse 
quently  paid  off  and  discharged,  at  Davenport, 


Iowa,  after  a  service  of  three  years,  in  which  time 
he  helped  to  fight  many  heavy  battles  of  the 
great  Rebellion,  and  was  ever  found  in  the  ranks, 
came  home  without  a  scratch  and  did  not  suffer 
the  indignity  of  being  captured.  After  the  war 
was  over  and  before  his  discharge  he  was  off 
for  a  short  time,  which  was  his  only  absence 
from  duty. 

He  had  four  brothers  in  the  army — Francis 
served  in  the  nth  Wis.,  Elijah  in  I3th  Wis., 
James  in  the  3rd  Wis.,  being  wounded  in  the 
battle  of  Winchester,  and  Jeremiah  was  a  mem 
ber  of  the  1 2th  111.  Cav.  In  fact,  all  the  boys 
of  his  family  were  in  the  service,  and  the  father, 
although  bending  under  his  years,  sought  en 
listment,  but  was  rejected.  He,  however,  con 
soled  himself  on  reflecting,  that  he  had  five 
sons  in  the  army  who  were  fired  with  patriotism 
and  devotion  to  their  country. 

Mr.  Sawdey  was  born  in  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y., 
in  1830,  son  of  Elijah  and  Catharine  (Briggs) 
Sawdey.  He  was  reared  upon  the  farm,  re 
ceived  a  common  school  education  and  then 
went  at  the  shoe-making  trade.  In  1848  he 
started  West,  locating  near  Freeport,  111.,  and 
six  years  after  moved  to  Jasper  Co.,  la.,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  harness  business.  After  the 
war  he  settled  in  Peoria  Co.,  111.,  until  1869; 
then  went  to  Champaign  Co.  for  a  time  and 
finally,  in  1879,  removed  to  Gifford,  where  he 
resumed  his  trade  of  harness-maker.  He  is 
one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post  at  Gifford,  and  was  its  first  commander;  he 
is  an  Odd  Fellow;  a  member  of  the  board  of 
education,  and  a  staunch  Republican.  He 
married  Sept.  13,  1855,  Margaret  Smith  of 
Ohio,  and  had  three  children — Arietta,  Eliza 
beth  and  Scymanthia,  only  the  first  named  now 
living. 

An  excellent  mechanic  and  an  industrious, 
honorable  business  man,  a  brave  and  courage 
ous  soldier,  Mr.  Sawdey  conducts  a  large  and 
prosperous  business,  lives  in  peace  and  com 
fort  with  his  devoted  wife  and  family,  beloved 
by  them  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  those  who 
enjoy  his  acquaintance.  He  has  always  voted 
the  Republican  ticket,  for  Lincoln  in  i860,  and 
for  every  Republican  President  since. 


748 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS 


CAPTAIN  FRANCIS  FULLER,  of  G&lesburg, 
111.  There  are  few  men  in  the  State 
more  widely  or  favorably  known  in 
financial  circles,  and  fewer  still  who  are  more 
loved  and  admired  for  their  strict  integrity  and 
genial,  social  qualities,  than  the  man  whose 
name  heads  this  memoir,  the  time-honored 
President  of  the  First  National  Bank. 

He  was  born  in  Rutland,  Vt.,  May  20,  1815, 
and  is  the  son  of  Frederick  A.  and  Rachael 
(Gordon)  Fuller.  The  elder  Fuller  was  a 
native  of  Conn.,  and  a  direct  descendant  of  Dr. 
Samuel  Fuller,  who  came  over  in  the  May 
Flower.  The  Gordons  were  descended  from  a 
distinguished  Scotch  family,  a  member  of  whom 
immigrated  to  this  country  at  an  early  period  in 
its  history.  Frederick  Fuller  left  Connecticut 
at  an  early  day,  about  the  year  of  1800,  locating 
at  Rutland,  Vt.,  and  became  one  of  the  first 
and  leading  merchants  of  that  town.  He  and 
his  good  wife  Rachael,  were  the  parents  of  five 
children  -Samuel  G., Frederick  A. .Francis,  Dud 
ley  B.,  and  Mary  Ann;  of  whom  only  Frederick 
and  the  subject  of  this  biography  are  living. 

Francis  was  brought  up  beneath  the  parent 
al  roof,  where  he  was  carefully  trained  and  ed 
ucated,  finishing  his  course  of  school  studies  at 
the  Rutland  Academy.  During  this  time  he 
assisted  his  father  in  his  mercantile  pursuits, 
securing  thereby  a  good  business  education, 
which  in  subsequent  years  was  of  great  advan 
tage  to  him. 

Finding  that  he  would  like  a  newer  and 
larger  field  to  operate  in,  one  more  commen 
surate  with  his  ambition,  in  Dec.,  1839,  young 
Francis  left  his  home  and  the  companions  of  his 
youth,  and  directing  his  course  toward  the  great 
West,  located  after  a  time  in  Grayville,  White 
County,  111.,  where  he  began  his  career  as  a 
merchant.  After  remaining  there  three  years, 
he  closed  Up  his  business  and  removed  to  Mt. 
Carmel  and  engaged  in  hotel  keeping,  and  at 
the  same  time  edited  a  Newspaper,  known  as 
the  Mt.  Carmel  Register,  which  was  devoted  to 
the  advancement  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Whig 
party. 

Mr.  Fuller  disposed  of  his  interests  at  Mt. 
Carmel,  and  in  1848,  removed  to  Newton,  Jas 


per  Co.,  111.,  where  he  once  more  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business.  He  was  eminently 
successful  there  and  had  an  extensive  trade, 
operating  until  1856,  when  he  commenced  to 
wind  up  business  with  the  aid  of  W.  C.  Harris, 
a  young  man  of  fine  character,  whom  he  had 
raised  and  taken  in  as  a  partner,  and  for  whom 
he  had  a  great  liking.  Before  his  business 
matters  were  closed  up,  however,  the  war  came 
on,  and  the  first  he  knew  young  Harris  had 
gathered  up  about  a  hundred  of  the  boys  of 
the  county  and  had  enlisted.  This  did  not 
suit  Mr.  Fuller,  as  he  wanted  the  valuable  as 
sistance  of  Harris  in  closing  up  his  business. 
He  expostulated  with  him,  and  offered  him  a 
thousand  dollars  to  remain.  This  Harris  then 
felt  he  could  not  honorably  do  without  break 
ing  faith  with  the  company  he  had  raised  and 
who  had  chosen  him  as  their  Captain. 

His  company  was  mustered  into  the  38th 
111.  Inf.,  at  Springfield,  and  was  commanded  by 
Col.  W.  P.  Carlin.  Mr.  Fuller's  patriotic  im 
pulses  could  not  be  suppressed,  even  at  the  de 
mand  of  financial  interests,  and  he  was  soon  at 
Springfield  offering  his  services  to  his  country. 
There  he  found  his  old  friends,  Gov.  Yates, 
Jessie  DuBois  and  others,  who  were  anxious  to 
give  him  a  regimental  appointment,  but  he 
wanted  to  serve  with  his  young  friend  Harris. 

It  was  finally  arranged  to  give  him  the 
Lieut.  Colonelcy  of  the  38th.  This  responsi 
bility  he  did  not  want  to  assume,  and  told  the 
Governor  that  there  were  enough  ambitious 
persons  unacquainted  with  military  affairs  that 
were  willing  to  take  such  positions  at  the 
risk  of  slaughtering  men  without  his  assistance; 
but  that  he  thought  that  he  could  make  a  very 
fair  Quartermaster.  Upon  this  hint  the  Gov 
ernor  acted,  and  Mr.  Fuller  became  Quarter 
master  of  the  38th  111.,  with  the  rank  of  1st 
Lieut.,  his  commission  bearing  date  Sept  16, 
1 86 1,  and  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  Captain 
April  21,  1863. 

After  the  regiment  was  organized  and 
equipped  it  was  ordered  to  Pilot  Knob,  where 
it  made  its  winter  headquarters  and  base  of 
operations.  During  this  time  it  had  quite  a 
sharp  action  at  Frederickstown. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


749 


Early  in  the  Spring  of  1862,  the  forces  at 
Pilot  Knob,  some  15,000  strong,  were  ordered 
out  on  an  expedition  to  Jacksonport,  Ark.,  under 
command  of  Col.  Carlin.  While  at  Black 
River,  where  they  were  detained  some  time 
collecting  supplies,  Gen.  Steele  came  to  assume 
command  and  relieve  Col.  Carlin,  and  not  hav 
ing  a  Quartermaster,  Capt.  Fuller  was  assigned 
to  his  staff  as  such.  He  remained  in  this  com 
mand  during  the  balance  of  his  service.  This 
force  was  then  known  as  the  Army  of  South- 
East  Missouri.  Soon  after  their  arrival  at 
White  River,  Gen.  Curtis  came  up  to  Batesville 
with  his  army,  and  he  being  the  ranking  officer, 
Steele's  command  was  ordered  to  join  him, 
where  the  forces  remained  some  weeks  getting 
ready  for  the  campaign.  They  then  marched 
down  the  river  to  Clarendon,  with  some  skir 
mishing  on  the  way,  and  crossed  the  river  at 
Helena,  arriving  there  July  5th.  Here  the 
forces  remained  until  late  in  the  fall,  when  Gen. 
Sherman  came  down  and  assumed  command  and 
the  army,  started  by  water  for  Vicksburg,  mak 
ing  a  landing  at  Young''s  Point.  Subsequent 
ly  an  assault  was  made  on  Chickasaw  Bayou, 
and  later  Sherman  was  relieved  by  McClernand, 
and  the  army  moved  to  Arkansas  Post,  where 
it  had  a  battle,  assisted  by  the  gunboats,  cap 
turing  the  entire  Rebel  command.  After  this 
engagement  the  forces  moved  to  Vicksburg  for 
the  final  siege.  Up  to  the  time  of  the  invest 
ment,  Capt.  Fuller  had  the  command  of  a  steam 
boat  for  his  headquarters.  Here  he  had  his 
wife  with  him,  and  was  quite  pleasantly  situated. 
After  the  investment,  he  moved  his  quarters 
into  tents. 

He  had  then  secured  his  commission  with 
the  rank  of  Captain,  his  appointment  being  in 
the  ist  Div.,  I5th  Corps.  When  Vicksburg 
raised  the  white  flag,  Capt.  Fuller  accompanied 
his  commander,  Gen.  Steele,  who  with  his  staff 
went  in  to  receive  the  surrender.  About  two 
months  after  the  surrender,  Gen.  Steele  was 
ordered  to  Little  Rock,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Gen.  Osterhaus,  temporarily,  and  with  him 
early  in  the  fall,  Capt.  Fuller  started  for  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala.,  where  he  remained  part  of  the  win 
ter  following,  Gen.  Logan  being  in  command. 


From  there  the  forces  moved  to  Stephenson, 
on  the  Tennessee,  where  they  remained  for  a 
time,  and  then  moved  on  to  Chattanooga,  leav 
ing  Capt.  Fuller  in  charge  of  matters  relating 
to  his  official  duties.  He  rejoined  his  com 
mand  later,  and  was  with  it  in  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign.  Capt.  Fuller's  health  had  long  been 
failing,  and  when  the  army  reached  Big 
Shanty,  he  became  unable  to  discharge  his 
duties.  Still  he  was  loth  to  surrender,  though 
Gen.  Logan  and  many  others  had  advised  his 
retirement.  Seeing  his  obstinacy,  Gen.  Logan, 
who  was  his  warm  friend,  brought  the  Medical 
Director  of  the  army  to  examine  the  Captain, 
who  after  a  careful  diagnosis  of  his  case,  in 
sisted  on  his  resignation.  Accordingly  he  ten 
dered  his  resignation,  which  was  accepted.  He 
was  furnished  with  a  special  car  to  Chatta 
nooga,  with  liberal  attendance,  and  with  all 
conveniences  obtainable  in  camp  life.  As  his 
car  was  about  to  start,  Gen.  Carlin  peeped  in. 
He  was  in  trouble  in  not  being  able  to  get 
transportation  for  himself  and  staff  North,  and 
Capt.  Fuller  invited  him  to  take  part  of  his 
car.  He  had  a  comfortable  trip  to  Chatta 
nooga,  where  he  met  his  young  friend  Harris, 
at  the  hospital,  who  was  suffering  from  a  wound 
in  his  leg.  Later  gangrene  set  in,  and  he  sud 
denly  died. 

From  Chattanooga,  Capt.  Fuller  was  able 
to  take  a  hospital  car  to  Nashville,  and  after 
some  delay  there  was  able  to  take  a  passenger 
car  for  home,  which  was  then  in  Galesburg,  he 
having  previously  purchased  a  residence  there, 
and  located  his  family.  He  arrived  at  Gales- 
burg,  after  about  three  years  of  army  service. 

Capt.  Fuller  has  a  high  estimation  of  Gen. 
Steele,  as  a  soldier  and  as  a  man,  and  relates 
many  interesting  incidents  connected  with 
him,  illustrating  his  high  character.  They  were 
much  attached  to  each  other.  Capt.  Fuller  has 
the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  best  Quar 
termasters  of  the  late  war.  The  soldiers  in 
his  command  never  went  hungry,  if  it  was  in 
his  power  to  prevent  it.  He  always  made  it  a 
rule  to  pay  cash  for  all  supplies,  obtained  on 
foraging  expeditions  from  loyal  citizens,  and 
where  there  was  a  question  of  doubt,  he  issued 


750 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


vouchers  payable  when  such  persons  had  es 
tablished  their  loyalty.  He  selected  his  clerks 
from  the  ranks,  and  as  they  only  were  allowed 
soldier's  pay,  he  divided  his  compensation  with 
them,  as  he  said  he  did  not  enter  the  service 
for  gain. 

Soon  after  his  return  from  the  army,  Presi 
dent  Mathews,  of  the  First  National  Bank  re 
signed,  and  Capt.  Fuller  was  selected  to  accept 
the  position.  He  declined  at  first,  saying  he 
knew  nothing  about  banking  business.  After 
further  urging  from  the  directors  and  stock 
holders,  he  finally  accepted  the  Presidency, 
which  he  has  continuously  held  since.  It  was 
not  long  before  he  clearly  demonstrated  that  if 
he  was  unacquainted  with  banking  at  the  time 
oi  his  acceptance  of  the  position,  he  soon  mas 
tered  its  science.  His  success  in  this  depart 
ment  of  finance  is  evidenced  by  his  being  con 
tinued  so  long  in  the  service. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  at  Richmond, 
Vt.,  Dec.  26,  1838,  to  Adelia  A.,  daughter  of 
William  Rhodes,  who  was  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Winoosky  Valley,  Vt.  Seven  child 
ren  blessed  this  union, — Francis  Gordon,  Mary 
EM  William  R.,  Francis  W.,  Chas  N.,  Dudley 
R.,  and  Ellen  A.  All  died  but  Francis  W., 
now  a  citizen  of  Galesburg.  He  was  married 
Aug.  30,  1869,  to  Jennie  E.  Hull.  They  have 
one  child,  Frederick  H.  F. 

Captain  Fuller  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post  of  Galesburg.  He  is  devoted  to 
the  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  but  has 
never  sought  office.  He  has  been  a  man  of 
temperate  habits,  and  although  he  passed 
through  the  late  war  and  is  well  along  in  years, 
he  is  in  fair  health  and  strength.  He  has  been 
one  of  the  prominent  factors  in  the  growth  and 
development  of  the  City,  ever  ready  to  move  in 
the  advancement  of  enterprises  and  institutions 
that  would  JDC  advantageous.  He  is  a  devoted 
husband,  an  affectionate  father,  a  benevolent 
and  charitable  citizen  and  a  genial  companion. 
In  the  autumn  of  life,  surrounded  by  a  host  of 
friends,  he  can  take  a  retrospective  view  of  his 
life  and  have  that  sweet  enjoyment  that  comes 
to  those  who  have  discharged  faithfully  and 
well  the  duties  placed  before  them,  and  who 


have  lived  not  solely  for  themselves,  but  to 
make  others  happy.  Such  men  become  per 
petual  benefactors.  The  memory  of  their  noble 
lives  continues  on,  ennobling  and  blessing 
others  from  generation  to  generation. 


TJ.  LOVE,  of  Peoria,  111.,  was  born  in  Penn. 
May  26,  1832,  son  of  John  A.  Love,  who 
•  was  a  great  grandson  of  John  Love 
who  settled  on  Octataro  Creek,  Pa.,  in  1/25,  on 
land  granted  to  him  by  the  immortal  William 
Penn.  Upon  this  land  generation  after  gener 
ation  of  the  family  grew  up  and  passed  away, 
and  there  also  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was 
born.  He  worked  in  a  paper  mill  until  the  age 
of  23,  when  he  removed  with  his  father  to  Ful 
ton  Co.,  111.,  and  was  employed  upon  a  farm  for 
some  years.  Later  for  a  time  he  was  employed 
in  a  sawmill,  and  was  there  at  the  outbreak  of 
the  war.  He  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862,  in  Co.  I, 
86th  111.  Inf.  He  went  to  Louisville  and  was 
with  Gen.  Buell  on  his  grand  march  in  pursuit 
of  Bragg,  during  which  the  suffering  of  the  men 
from  heat  and  dust  is  beyond  description.  On 
Oct.  8,  of  the  same  year,  he  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Perryville,  and  having  contracted 
pneumonia,  he  was  sent  to  New  Albany,  Ind., 
where  he  remained  until  Jan.  7,  1863.  Having 
recovered  he  was  placed  on  provost  guard  in 
New  Albany  until  March,  then  reported  to  his 
Regt.  at  Nashville,  after  having  made  repeated 
applications  for  that  purpose.  He  joined  in 
the  Chattanooga  campaign  and  reached  Chick- 
amauga  the  evening  before  that  terrific  battle 
opened.  On  the  morning  of  that  great  conflict, 
Gen.  Granger  finding  himself  nearly  surrounded 
by  rebels,  sent  a  despatch  to  Gen.  McCook 
asking  him  to  move  to  his  assistance.  Gen. 
McCook  selected  three  regiments  (the  86th 
being  one),  placed  them  on  skirmish  line  with 
instructions  to  hold  the  rebels  as  long  as  pos 
sible  and  then  to  fall  back  to  the  brigade.  After 
desperate  fighting  the  enemy's  pickets  were 
driven  in,  but  before  his  solid  columns  the  gal 
lant  Regt.,  seeing  further  resistance  would 
be  useless,  fell  back  to  find  their  brigade  gone, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


hut  after  a  good  vigorous  run  they  made  their 
escape  and  joined  their  regiment.  They  next 
moved  to  Rossville  Gap,  and  the  next  morning 
formed  a  hollow  square  with  a  battery  in  the 
center,  continued  in  arms  during  the  day,  and 
in  the  evening  were  called  in  action  doing 
splendid  work  with  the  battery,  forcing  the 
enemy  back  and  holding  their  line  until  dark 
ness  closed  the  day's  proceedings.  Mr.  Love's 
brigade  bears  the  honor  of  having  opened  that 
desperate  battle  and  of  being  the  last  to  leave 
its  bloodstained  fields. 

They  continued  that  night  and  the  follow 
ing  morning  guarding  the  gap,  then  retired  to 
Chattanooga,  remained  there  three  days  and 
then  moved  toward  Mission  Ridge.  He  took 
part  in  the  battle  at  that  point,  then  went  on 
that  long  and  weary  march  for  the  relief  of 
Burnsidc,  and  returned.  During  this  time  the 
men  suffered  great  hardships  from  cold  and 
hunger.  Mr.  Love  wintered  at  McAffie 
Church  during  the  winter  of  1863-4,  and  in  the 
spring  joined  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  par 
ticipated  in  all  the  important  battles  which  led 
up  to  the  fall  of  that  city.  Among  the  num 
ber  may  be  mentioned  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro.  At  the 
battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  with  the  regiment, 
our  subject  charged  up  the  mountain  side  and 
reached  the  rebel  ditches,  and  finding  his  gun 
of  no  service,  threw  stones  over  the  walls. 
Before  he  was  aware,  his  comrades  had  fallen 
back,  and  soon  a  stone  from  a  rebel  felled  him* 
to  the  ground,  but  he  escaped.  A  little  later 
he  sought  refuge  behind  a  tree,  but  there 
a  rebel  bullet  grazed  the  top  of  his  head,  taking 
the  hair  with  it.  He  followed  the  fortunes  of 
his  brigade  to  Pulaski  and  Florence,  Ala.,  then 
to  Rome,  Ga.  He  next  participated  in  Sher 
man's  march  to  the  sea;  then  with  him  turned 
northward  up  through  the  Carolinas,  taking 
part  in  the  battles  of  Lawtonville,  Averysboro 
and  Bentonville,  at  the  latter  of  which  he  was 
severely  wounded.  He  had  his  gun  raised  to 
his  shoulder  in  the  act  of  firing,  when  a  bullet 
struck  him  just  above  the  mouth,  carrying 
away  six  upper  teeth  as  well  as  the  roof 
of  his  mouth.  He  fell  forward  to  the  ground 


insensible,  with  his  face  in  the  crown  of  his 
hat,  which  soon  filled  with  blood  and  came  near 
suffocating  him.  He  regained  consciousness, 
and  with  the  assistance  of  a  comrade  got  back 
to  the  hospital,  where  the  ball  was  extracted 
and  the  wound  dressed.  He  returned  home,  and 
after  recovering,  reported  at  Springfield  and 
was  discharged  at  Chicago,  July  25,  1865,  35 
months  after  his  enlistment. 

Mr.  Love  was  married  in  1857,  to  Miss 
Adeline  McCullough,  by  whom  he  has  one  son, 
Elmer,  who  is  now  married.  In  1867,  Mr. 
Love  entered  the  employ  of  the  C.,  B.  &  O.  R. 
R.  Co.,  and  has  been  an  officer  of  that  gigantic 
corporation  ever  since.  He  has  improved  his 
opportunities  and  gathered  around  him  suffi 
cient  of  this  world's  goods  to  satisfy  the  wants 
of  a  modest  man.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub 
lican. 


DAVID  R.  MAGILL,  one  of  the  prominent 
merchants  and  business  men  of  Sidney, 
111.,  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  In 
response  to  the  President's  first  call  for  troops, 
in  April,  1861,  impelled  by  patriotic  pride,  and 
fearful  for  the  wellfare  of  his  country,  he  en 
listed  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  Army,  but  his 
Co.  was  not  accepted,  as  the  complement  of 
men  from  that  section  had  already  been  mus 
tered  in.  He  had  not  long,  however,  to  wait,  as 
a  second  call  was  issued  a  few  months  later,  to 
which  he  again  responded,  enlisting  Nov,  19, 
1861,  in  Co.  E,  57th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  under  Capt. 
D.  D.  Adams,  who  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Shiloh.  Mr.  Magill  was  mustered  in  at  Chica 
go,  sent  to  Cairo,  where  he  remained  for  a  few 
weeks,  then  proceeded  by  boat  to  Fort  Henry, 
where  he  was  first  exposed  to  the  rebel  fire, 
then  on  to  Ft.  Donelson,  and  there  participated 
in  the  vigorously-fought  battle  at  that  place. 
Closely  following  this,  he  participated  in  the 
terrible  encounter  on  the  blood-stained  field  of 
Shiloh,  where  his  Capt.,  among  others  of  the 
Regt.,  fell  victims  to  Southern  bullets.  He  then 
assisted  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and,  even  after 
its  evacuation,  continued  in  the  vicinity  of  that 


752 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


rebel  stronghold,  guarding  railroads  and  army 
supplies.  Leaving  here,  he  participated  in  two 
heavy  battles  and  several  skirmishes,  before  the 
battle  of  Corinth.  On  Oct.  3,  1862,  with  his 
Regt..  he  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Corinth,  and, 
while  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight,  making  an  at 
tack  on  Ft.  Robert,  he  fell,  struck  with  a  bul 
let,  which  pierced  his  right  hip  and  shattered 
the  bone.  He  was  conveyed  to  hospital  at  Jef 
ferson  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  where  he  suffered 
terrible  agony  formany  weeks,  but  in  Jan.,  1863, 
he  had  recovered  somewhat,  and  desired  again 
to  risk  his  life  in  the  company  of  his  comrades. 
He  found  his  command  in  winter  quarters  at 
Corinth,  and  early  in  the  spring  started  on  the 
campaign  through  Tenn.,  having  many  small 
engagements  and  skirmishes  with  the  enemy. 
Subsequently  he  moved  on  the  expedition  hav 
ing  for  its  object  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  and 
participated  in  all  the  battles,  marches  and  skir 
mishes  of  that  campaign  until  the  object  of  the 
movement  was  crowned  with  success  and  the  city 
of  Atlanta  had  acknowledged  the  Republican 
supremacy.  In  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek 
he  was  again  wounded  in  the  right  leg,  below 
the  knee,  and  had  the  bone  shattered.  He  re 
fused,  however,  to  go  to  hospital,  but,  enduring 
excruciating  pain,  he  trudged  along  with  his 
command. 

He  was  wounded  on  two  of  the  occasions, 
once  on  the  right  side  of  the  head,  the  other  on 
the  right  knee  with  a  spent  bullet.  Neither  of 
these  wounds  however  were  serious,  although 
his  blood  flowed  freely  on  each  occasion.  Af 
ter  having  them  dressed  he  returned  to  the 
ranks  and  accompanied  his  Regt.  Thus  com 
rade  Magill  was  four  times  wounded,  and  it  is  a 
peculiar  fact  that  on  each  occasion  it  was  upon 
the  right  side  of  his  person.  He  participated 
in  the  grand  march  to  the  sea  expedition, 
reaching  S.avannah  after  a  series  of  heavy 
marches  and  skirmishes,  and  on  arrival  was 
almost  exhausted  from  excessive  work,  but 
there  he  obtained  a  much-needed  rest.  He 
then  moved  with  the  army  on  its  northward 
march  through  the  Carolinas  fighting  for  the 
last  time  in  the  battle  of  Bentonville,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  war  moved  on  to  Washington, 


where  he  took  part  in  the  grand  review.  Leav 
ing  here  he  went  to  Louisville,  lay  there  in 
camp  until  Aug.  25,  1865,  when  he  was  mus 
tered  out,  having  spent  nearly  four  of  the  best 
years  of  his  life  in  defending  his  country.  The 
only  occasion  of  his  absence  from  duty  during 
this  long  service,  was  when  furloughed  for  30 
days  upon  re-enlistment,  and  when  in  hospital 
suffering  from  a  wound  in  the  hip.  He  was 
engaged  in  many  of  the  great  and  desperate 
battles  of  the  war,  some  22  in  number,  besides 
many  ha/ardous  and  exciting  skirmishes.  Our 
hero  descended  from  fighting  stock,  his  grand 
father  Magill  having  fought  in  the  Revolution 
ary  war,  whilst  his  father,  Capt.  Jas.  Magill, 
was  a  Capt.  in  the  Mexican  war,  having  won 
that  position  by  reason  of  his  many  acts  of 
bravery  and  heroism  displayed  in  sanguinary 
conflicts.  He  was  wounded  in  the  side,  is  still 
living  at  an  advanced  age,  and  still  carrying  the 
ball  embedded  in  his  body,  has  a  constant  re 
minder  of  his  army  experiences.  He  again  be 
came  a  conspicuous  figure  at  the  last  war  and 
displayed  the  same  courage  and  skill  that  he 
did  in  his  former  service. 

William  and  James  Magill,  brothers  of  our 
subject,  were  also  in  the  army.  The  former 
serving  in  Arizona  and  the  latter  in  Hancock's 
Reserve,  in  which  he  was  a  1st  Lieut,  serving 
for  four  years. 

Mr.  Magill  has  declared  his  patriotism  upon 
the  field,  and  in  a  quiet  way  continues  to  pro 
claim  it  by  his  active  and  untiring  interest  in 
the  cause  of  those  institutions  growing  out  of 
the  war,  being  prominently  identified  with  all 
G.  A.  R.  work.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
Sidney  Post,  and  was  its  second  Commander. 
He  was  born  in  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  15,  1843, 
of  old  Revolutionary  stock  who  had  settled  in 
the  new  world,  coming  from  Ireland  in  the  early 
history  of  America.  He  moved  with  his  par 
ents,  when  3  years  old,  to  Coshocton  Co.,  where 
he  remained  until  the  age  of  1 1,  obtained  an 
ordinary  school  education,  and  in  1854,  went 
West,  settling  upon  the  then  unbroken  prairies 
of  Champaign  Co.,  111.  Here  he  was  brought 
up  upon  a  farm  until  his  enlistment. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Magill  engaged  in  farm- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


753 


ing,  but  his  physical  injuries  received  during 
the  war  incapacitated  him  for  farm  work,  hence 
he  moved  to  Sidney,  where  he  was  clerking 
until  he  purchased  the  business  in  which  he  had 
so  long  been  acting  as  clerk,  and  since  then  it 
has  been  with  him  an  unbroken  line  of  business 
success.  He  has  filled  many  positions  of  trust, 
having  been  Alderman  of  the  town  and  member 
of  the  Board  of  Education.  He  was  married  in 
1869  to  Marilla  Caster,  a  very  estimable  woman 
and  devoted  wife.  Mr.  Magill  adheres  to  the 
Republican  faith. 


AMONG  the  large  and  prominent  gentlemen 
and  farmers  of  the  State  of  111.,  none  de 
serves  a  more  extended  notice  than  does 
Captain  D.  C.  Hanna.  He  was  born  a  little 
distance  southwest  of  Little  York  in  Warren 
Co.,  111.,  June  8,  1836,  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Crawford)  Hanna,  who  removed  from  the 
State  of  Ind.  The  father  was  of  Scotch 
descent,  whilst  the  mother  was  of  old  Virginia 
ancestry.  Captain  Hanna  was  born  and  con 
tinued  his  younger  days  upon  his  father's  farm, 
receiving  his  education  at  the  district  school  of 
Pleasant  Green.  In  1859  he  traveled  West  to 
Colorado,  returned  and  then  made  a  second 
trip  thither  in  the  following  year,  taking  two 
teams  with  him,  and  proceeded  as  far  as 
Boulder  and  Denver.  That  same  fall  with 
others  he  went  as  far  south  as  Santa  Fe,  N.  M., 
in  a  vain  hunt  for  gold,  which  always  disap 
peared  upon  his  approach.  He  returned  to 
Denver,  where  he  continued  until  the  fall  of 
1861,  then  returned  to  111.,  and  in  the  follow 
ing  spring  assisted  in  organizing  a  company  of 
volunteers  for  the  war,  which  subsequently  be 
came  a  part  of  the  83rd  111.  Regt.  He  enlisted 
as  a  private,  but  at  muster  was  elected  ist 
Lieut,  of  Co.  C,  9ist  111.  Vol.  Inf.  The  Regt. 
left  Camp  Butler  and  moved  to  Louisville, 
thence  to  Shepardsville,  where  it  was  engaged 
for  several  weeks,  then  went  to  Nolansville, 
where  Captain  Hanna's  Co.  was  employed  in 
guarding  the  railroad,  the  other  portion  of  the 
Regt.  being  at  different  points  between  Eliza- 

47 


beth  and  Louisville.  About  four  weeks  there 
after  rebel  John  Morgan  with  a  heavy  force 
appeared  and  captured  the  whole  Regt.  They 
were  detained  by  him  one  night,  then  paroled 
and  returned  to  Louisville,  The  Regt.  then 
proceeded  to  Benton  Barracks  until  exchanged 
the  following  June,  when  it  reassembled  and 
moved  to  Vicksburg,  and  a  little  Jater  went  to 
New  Orleans.  It  was  present  when  Gen.  Grant 
held  his  review  at  that  point,  which  was  the 
only  occasion  Captain  Hanna  ever  saw  the 
future  President.  His  Regt.  was  then  sent  to 
operate  against  the  rebel,  Dick  Taylor,  at  Mor- 
ganzia  Bend,  and  on  Sept.  /th  had  an  engage 
ment  with  the  rebels,  but  as  he  had  superior 
numbers,  the  Union  forces  fell  back.  On  the 
following  day  the  gist  advanced  and  attacked 
the  rebels,  driving  them  across  the  Atchafalaya 
River,  killing  a  large  number  and  capturing 
about  20O  prisoners.  The  Regt.  then  fell  back 
to  Morganzia,  taking  possession  of  that  town 
on  Sept.  10,  and  remained  there  until  Oct.  10, 
when  they  moved  to  New  Orleans  and  were 
assigned  to  the  ist  Brig.,  2nd  Div.,  I3th  A.  C., 
Gen.  Vandever  commanding. 

On  Oct.  23,  the  gist  with  its.Div.,  started  for 
Texas  and  skirmished  all  the  way  from  Point 
Isabella,  Texas,  to  Brownville,  arriving  at  the 
last  named  place  Nov.  9,  when  it  went  into 
winter  quarters.  Leaving  Brownville,  it  made 
a  raid  on  Salt  Lake,  90  miles  distant,  captured 
a  lake  of  salt  two  miles  square,  a  few  hundred 
horses,  mules  and  cattle  which  were  promptly 
confiscated  for  the  good  of  the  command. 
The  lake,  however,  was  left  behind  for  the 
advantage  of  future  generations.  While  at 
Brownville  the  Captain  witnessed  a  battle  upon 
the  Mexican  frontier,  between  the  Maximilian 
and  Mexican  troops.  The  Regt.  did  frontier 
duty  until  July  28,  1864,  when  it  moved  to 
Brazos  de  Santiago,  Texas,  where  it  was  again 
employed  at  similar  duty.  It  engaged  the 
enemy  at  Bagdad,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  drove  the  rebels  over  the  historic 
battle  ground  of  Palo.  Alto  where  the  enemy 
suffered  severely  in  killed  and  wounded.  On 
Dec.  24,  the  gist  broke  camp,  took  transports 
for  New  •  Orleans,  and  on  arrival  did  provost 


754 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


duty  until  Feb.,  1865.  While  there  the  men 
were  obliged  to  draw  water  for  upwards  of  five 
miles,  for  cooking  and  drinking  purposes. 
The  rebels  would  lay  in  ambush  for  the  water 
trains,  and  shot  and  killed  many  of  the  drivers 
and  guards,  and  to  prevent  further  casualties, 
the  authorities  had  salt  water  distilled. 

During  the  stay  here  the  Captain   had   sev 
eral   skirmishes   with  the    enemy  which  were 
about  the  only  means  of  relieving  the  monot 
ony  of  his  stay  at  that  point.     The  men  became 
terribly    afflicted   with    scurvy,  which    proved 
fatal  in  many  cases.     On  Feb.  21,  the  9ist  and 
another  Regt.  were  placed  on  board  the  trans 
port  "Katie  Dale"  and  started  for  Mobile  Point. 
The  weather  became  stormy  and  all  became 
deathly  sea  sick,  and  being  crowded  together 
like    sheep,  they  suffered  terribly    during  the 
twelve   days'  passage.     Several  of   the   trans 
ports,    owing     to    the    heavy    weather,    were 
wrecked,  but  after  much  suffering  and  expos 
ure   the   men   were   all   safely   landed.     They 
joined  in  the  advance  against  Mobile,  traveling 
through    swamps,   many  miles  of   which  they 
were  compelled  to  curdoroy,  wade  creeks   and 
swim  streams,  coming  up  with   the   enemy  on 
the  2;th  of  March,  the  gist  in  advance;  went' 
to  the  attack   upon  the  double  quick,  but  the 
enemy    retreated    within    Spanish     Fort    and 
Blakely,   the   key   to    Mobile.     Spanish     Fort 
was    then  besieged  and    surrendered    14    days 
later,   whereupon  the  91  st  moved  to  Blakely, 
engaged  the  enemy  and  assisted  in  capturing 
the  place  -  the  same  day  Mobile  surrendered. 
Gen.    Hardee    was    in    command    of    the    rear 
guard  of  the  retreating  rebel  forces  and  delayed 
to  carry  off  his  stores,  but  was  attacked  by  the 
gist,  near  Whistler,  on  Eight    Mile  Creek,  and 
routed.     This  was  the  last  engagement  east  of 
the  Miss.  River.     In  August,  1863,  Captain  Mc- 
Kinney  resigned,  whereupon,  Captain   Hanna 
was  chosen  to  the   command   of  his  company, 
and    commissioned    Captain.     The   gist    con 
tinued  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  until  it  reached 
the  Tombigbee   River  near  Nanahubba  Bluff, 
where  it  went  into  quarters  and  began  building 
Fort  Granger  until  May  9,  when  news  of  Dick- 
Taylor's    surrender     reached    them.     It    took 


transports  and  proceeded  down  the  river  to 
Mobile,  where  it  lay  until  Feb.  12,  1865,  when 
it  was  mustered  out.  While  at  Mobile  the 
arsenal  was  blown  up.  The  Captain  at  the 
time  was  asleep,  but  afterwards  examined  the 
ruins — it  was  one  of  the  heaviest  explosions  of 
modern  or  ancient  times. 

After  being  mustered  out  Captain  Hanna 
proceeded  to  Springfield,  111.,  where  he  was 
paid  off  and  discharged,  then  returned  home, 
his  father  having  died  whilst  the  son  was  in  the 
army.  He  was  elected  County  Clerk  for  Hen 
derson  County  in  1869,  and  moved  to  Oquaka, 
where  he  served  two  terms,  attending  at  the 
same  time  to  his  farming  operations.  He  was 
married  Oct.  17,  1866,  to  Miss  Mattie  Heaton, 
daughter  of  Jas.  and  Nancy  Heaton,  who  came 
from  Ohio.  Mr.  Heaton  was  a  second  cousin 
to  Patrick  Henry,  who  figured  prominently  in 
the  war  of  the  Revolution.  His  father,  James 
Heaton,  was  a  son  of  Jona  Heaton,  who  made 
the  first  gun  manufactured  in  the  State  of  Ken 
tucky.  The  Captain  has  nine  children,  viz.: 
Catherine,  George  F.,  Louis  H.,  Edward  E., 
Mabel  E.,  Mattie  E.,  Seppie  L.,  Quinta  and 
John,  the  baby.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.  Post  at  Monmouth,  a  Free  Mason,  and  has 
always  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics  and 
is  always  looked  upon  by  his  party  as  one  of 
the  leading  men,  when  work  requiring  good 
judgment  is  required  to  be  done  in  the  interest 
of  the  party.  Although  he  resides  in  the  city, 
he  still  continues  to  operate  his  farm  and  is 
always  looked  upon  as  a  reliable  and  thrifty 
man,  and  upon  all  matters  pertaining  to  farm 
ing  and  stock  raising  he  is  considered  an 
authority,  being  one  of  the  most  extensive 
farmers  in  the  State  of  Illinois. 


DOCTOR  SAMUEL  E.  ADAMS,  Proprietor  and 
Consulting    Physician    of    the    Spring 
Hill  Sanitarium  of  Peoria,  111.,  was  born 
in  N.  Y.  State,  Aug.  15,  1827,  where  he  received 
his    education,   qualifying    him   for  a  teacher. 
He  then  moved  to  Ohio,  engaged  in  that   pro- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


755 


fession  and  was  found  there  when  the  late  Re 
bellion    burst    upon    the   country.     His  was  a 
patriotism,    characterized  by   his    acts,  whilst 
thousands  of  others  only    exhibited  theirs  by 
empty  talk  and  wild  articulations.     Three  days 
after  the   President's    first  call   for  troops  our 
young  pedagogue  abandoned  his  school,  raised 
a  Co.,  of  which  he  was  selected  as  1st  Lieuten 
ant,  and  which   became   part  of  the   2Oth  Ohio 
Vol.    Inf.      Soon    he    was    on    the    campaign 
through  Western  Va.,  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Laurel    Hill,   under  Gen.  Rosecrans,  and  sev 
eral  other  engagements  during  the  four  months' 
trip,  after  which  he  was  mustered  out,  his  term 
having  expired.     He  re-enlisted  the  same  day 
and    helped    recruit  a  Regt.  of  sharpshooters 
under  Gen.  Fremont,  known  as  the  8ist  Ohio, 
of    which  Adams    was   Quartermaster.       His 
Regt.  operated  in   Northern    Mo.  during    the 
winter  i86i-'2,and  in  the  spring  participated  in 
the    famous    battle    of  Shiloh,  as  part  of  2nd 
Brig.,  2nd  Div.,  i6th  A.  C.,  then  moved  on  to 
the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  later  took  part  in  the 
battle  at  that  point  on  the  3rd  and  4th  of  Oct., 
1862.      Dr.   Adams    was    standing    near   Gen. 
Oglesby    when  the    latter  was   wounded,  and 
saw  that  gallant  commander  as  he  fell  from  his 
horse.     Soon   after  this    our  subject  was  pro 
moted  to  be  Quartermaster    of  his   Brig.,  and 
for  the  following  months  they  were  continually 
raiding   and   harassing  the   enemy  in  Ala.  and 
Miss.,  while  Grant  was  successfully  operating 
against  Vicksburg.      During  the  winter  i862-'3 
his  Brig,  was  sent  upon  a  very  heavy    expedi 
tion  to  repair  and   protect  the  R.  R.  to   enable 
Grant's   army  to  be  moved  thereon.     This  oc 
curred  in  mid-winter,  and  to  add  to  Dr.  Adams, 
onerous    duties,  he    was    appointed    as    Div. 
Quartermaster  on    the  staff  of  Gen.  Sweeney, 
having  charge  of  the  supply  trains.     To  keep 
up  with  his  work,  he  worked  day  and  night  in 
the  saddle,  with  the  enemy,  with   whom    they 
had  constant  skirmishes,  always  near  by.     The 
Regt.,  by  reason  of  sickness  and  death,  became 
small    numerically,  hence    the  Dr.  was    com 
missioned  to  proceed  to  Ohio  for  recruits.    Be 
fore  going,  however,  he  had  the  several   com 
panies  consolidated  into  four  companies,  then 


was  empowered  to  enlist  whom  he  pleased 
and  make  his  own  selection  of  officers.  He 
raised  six  companies  in  a  short  time,  in  all  687 
men  and  officers,  expending  from  his  own 
pocket  $900,  which  has  never  been  refunded  to 
him,  on  the  peculiar  excuse  that  he  has  no 
vouchers  to  show  for  it,  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  on  returning  to  the  front  he  was 
called  hastily  into  action,  his  quarters  being 
captured  by  Gen.  Hood,  who  destroyed  all  the 
papers.  He  assisted  to  build  the  R.  R.  from 
Columbia,  Tenn.,  to  Decatur,  Ala. 

The  winter  of  i863-'4  was  passed  without 
any  peculiar  incident  beyond  the  hardships  usu 
ally  attendant  upon  the  army,  aggravated,  in 
this  instance,  by  a  terrific  shortage  of  rations, 
reduced,  at  times,  to  a  cracker  per  day.  In  the 
battle  of  Buzzards'  Roost,  in  the  campaign 
against  Atlanta,  we  also  find  our  gallant  young 
soldier  doing  his  whole  duty,  regardless  of  his 
surrounding  danger,  and  participating  in  all  the 
important  battles  of  that  expedition.  Owing  to 
exposure  and  hardship  the  previous  winter,  Dr. 
Adams'  health  was  completely  shattered,  and 
his  life  was  threatened,  but  he  stood  by  his  com 
mand  until  his  term  had  expired,  when  he  was 
mustered  out,  Sept.,  1864.  He  has  never  recov 
ered  from  his  dreadful  experiences  in  the  army, 
and  at  the  present  time  he  is  confined  to  his 
bed  in  consequence  of  the  constitutional  ail 
ments  thus  contracted. 

After  leaving  the  army  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine,  as  his  health  permitted ; 
graduated  from  a  medical  school  at  Cleve 
land,  Ohio,  and  immediately  commenced  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Troy,  O.,  and 
later  at  Springfield,  where  he  continued  for 
many  years.  He  then  established  the  Elec- 
tro-Pathic  Institute,  which  grew  and  flour 
ished  under  his  able  supervision.  He  next 
moved  to  Peoria,  and  then  became  proprietor 
of  the  Spring  Hill  Sanitarium,  which  has  devel 
oped  into  a  large  and  favorably-known  institu 
tion,  in  which  the  Dr.  is  assisted  by  an  able  staff 
of  assistants.  The  edifice  is  beautifully  situated 
at  the  foot  of  the  bluff,  and  waters  flow  by 
gravitation  from  the  Sulphur  Springs  upon  the 
adjoining  hillside.  Here  hundreds  of  patients 


756 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


afflicted  with  chronic  diseases  arc  annually 
treated,  and  many  restored  to  health. 

Dr.  Adams  married,  before  the  war,  Miss  Ada 
L.  Ayers,  and,  after  the  Rebellion,  she  studied 
medicine  with  him,  and  graduated  from  the 
same  institution  and  at  the  sam.e  time  with  her 
distinguished  husband.  She  was  a  woman  of 
rare  accomplishments,  and  a  prominent  lady 
physician,  rendering  her  spouse  valuable  aid. 
Mrs.  Adams  died  soon  after  the  birth  of  her 
last  child.  The  names  of  the  children  are  Frank 
S.,  a  practicing  physician  at  Marion,  Ohio;  Pearl 
(who  was  so  fearfully  injured  in  the  Chattsworth 
R.  R.  disaster),  wife  of  W.  Spaulding;  and 
Ada  L. 

Few  men  were  more  devoted  to  their  coun 
try  or  underwent  more  hardships  for  its  pre 
servation  than  did  Dr.  Adams.  He  has  since 
the  war  devoted  the  same  zeal  in  the  pursuit  of 
his  high  calling,  and  the  benefit  he  has  conferred 
will  live  as  a  monument  to  his  memory  after  his 
mortal  dust  shall  have  mingled  with  the  "Clods 
of  the  Valley." 


QUINCY  A.  GILMOKE.  In  commencing  the 
biography  of  so  distinguished  an  officer 
as  Gen.  Gilmore,  the  one  regret  of  the 
author  is  the  want  of  space  to  do  the 
subject  justice.  He  was  born  in  the  State  that 
produced  so  many  great  soldiers  during  the 
war — Ohio,  and  at  Black  River,  Loraine  Co., 
Feb.  28,  1825.  He  was  of  Scotch-Irish  and 
German  extraction.  His  father,  Quartus  Gil- 
more,  was  a  farmer  in  Mass.,  where  he  was  born 
the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century.  When 
about  71  years  of  age  he  emigrated  to  Ohio, 
locating  in  what  has  been  widely  known  as  the 
Western  Reserve.  It  was  here  that  young 
Quincy  was  reared,  securing  all  the  invigorating 
benefits  of  pitmeer  life.  He  remained  at  home 
until  he  was  eighteen,  working  on  a  farm  sum 
mers,  and  securing  his  Quaker  schooling  in  the 
winter.  With  a  few  years  of  schooling  at  an 
academy  and  a  high  school,  interrupted  with 
teaching,  and  we  find  young  Gilmore  on  his 
way  to  West  Point,  from  which  he  was  gradu 
ated  at  the  head  of  his  class  in  1849. 


He  entered  the  regular  army  as  brevet  sec 
ond  Lieutenant  of  the  Engineer  Corps,  and 
served  three  years  as  assistant  in  the  defences 
of  the  Hampton  Roads,  Va.  In  1852  he  was 
ordered  to  West  Point,  where  he  became 
instructor  of  military  engineering.  In  1850  he 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  First  Lieut.,  and 
sent  to  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  placed  in  charge 
of  the  Engineering  Agency.  It  was  here  he 
acquired  that  sound  practical  knowledge  of  the 
power  of  projectiles  and  the  strength  of  forts, 
and  the  resistance  of  masonry,  that  in  after 
years  became  so  useful  to  him  in  the  defence 
of  his  country  against  internal  foes.  While  here 
he  made  a  special  study  of  limes,  hydraulic 
cements  and  mortars,  and  contributed  several 
articles  for  publication  on  these  and  other 
scientific  subjects  of  like  nature. 

Soon  after  the  war  broke  out  he  applied  for 
active  field  duty.  This  was  granted,  and  he 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Captain,  and 
assigned  as  Chief  Engineer  to  the  command  of 
Brig.  Gen.  T.  W.  Sherman,  who  was  then  organ 
izing  an  expedition,  in  conjunction  with  Ad 
miral  Dupont,  to  make  descent  upon  the  coast 
of  N.  and  S.  Carolina.  He  was  present  when 
the  charge  was  made  by  the  troops  at  Hilton 
Head,  and  later  he  was  engaged  in  construct 
ing  fortifications  to  hold  the  positions  taken. 
Fort  Pulaski  was  troubling  the  Government, 
and  Gen.  Gilmore  was  sent  out  to  make  a  thor 
ough  reconnoissance  to  ascertain  if  its  reduction 
was  practicable.  He  made  a  favorable  report, 
recommending  that  batteries  of  mortars  and 
rifle  guns  be  established  on  Tybee  Island,  which 
was  about  one  mile  distant  from  the  fort,  and 
also  suggested  an  armament  for  the  undertak 
ing.  This  confounded  many  of  the  older 
officers,  and  subjected  the  young  officer  to 
severe  criticism.  In  no  war  heretofore  waged 
had  the  reduction  of  a  hostile  fort  been 
attempted  by  means  of  batteries  at  a  distance 
greater  than  a  thousand  yards.  His  proposition 
was  accepted,  and  he  was  at  once  placed  in 
command.  Selecting  his  mortar  batteries  and 
rifle  guns,  General  Gilmore  began  his  prepara 
tions  for  the  investment  of  the  fort. 

The  ground  all  about  was  of  a  very  uncer- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


757 


tain  nature;  there  was  scarcely  anything  but 
muddy  marshes  covered  with  ruts  and  tall 
grass;  over  this  oozy  soil  sand-beds  had  to  be 
made  to  haul  his  pieces,  which  by  many  was 
looked  upon  as  almost  impossible.  After  about 
two  months  of  hard  and  incessant  labor  Fort 
Pulaski  was  finally  invested.  These  operations 
had  been  conducted  under  the  eye  of  Gen- 
Sherman  (Port  Royal  Sherman),  but  he  de 
termined  that  his  favorite  young  engineer 
should  have  all  the  glory  of  success,  or  the 
censure  of  defeat,  and  he  was  placed  in  com 
mand  of  all  the  troops,  acting  as  Brig.  Gen. 

On  the  evening  of  the  Qth  of  April,  1862, 
he  issued  his  order  for  the  bombardment.  The 
day  following,  the  fort  having  refused  to  sur 
render,  the  order  for  action  was  given.  So  per 
fect  had  been  all  the  arrangements,  and  effec 
tive  the  use  of  the  mortars  and  rifle  guns  that 
on  the  nth  of  April  the  white  flag  was  seen 
up,  and  in  the  afternoon  the  surrender  was 
made. 

The  loss  to  the  Union  troops  was  one  man 
killed.  With  the  surrender  of  Fort  Pulaski 
were  300  prisoners.  The  young  commander  in 
those  few  hours  of  bombardment  had  con 
founded  the  old  traditions,  unsettled  all  the  old 
theories  regarding  the  construction  of  forts,  not 
only  in  this  country,  but  in  Europe,  and  laid 
the  basis  for  a  new  system  of  fort  defences. 

After  the  surrender  he  was  taken  down  with 
a  malarial  fever,  which  unfitted  him  for  active 
duty  for  several  weeks,  during  which  time  he 
had  received  the  appointment  of  Brig.  Gen.  of 
Volunteers,  and  sent  to  assist  the  Governor  of 
New  York  in  equipping  and  forwarding  to  the 
front  recruits.  In  Sept.  Gen.  Gilmore  was  as 
signed  to  the  command  of  a  division  of  troops 
that  were  to  operate  in'Ky.  against  Gen.  Bragg 
and  Kirby  Smith,  who  were  invading  that  State. 
The  invasion  of  Ky.  was  abandoned,  and  he 
was  sent  to  reorganize  the  troops  after  the  de 
feat  in  Kanawha  Valley.  In  Oct.  he  was  or 
dered  to  take  command  of  the  post  of  Lexing 
ton,  and  in  January  following  he  was  placed  in 
command  of  the  central  district  of  Ky.,  where 
he  had  an  engagement  at  Somerset  with  Gen. 
Pegram,  in  which  the  latter  was  routed.  In 


June  he  was  called  to  the  command  of  the  De 
partment  of  the  South,  and  a  month  later  the 
loth  A.  C.  While  in  this  command  he  con 
ducted  the  operation  against  Charleston,  which 
consisted  of  the  reduction  of  Fort  Wagner  and 
a  descent  on  Morris  Island,  and  the  destruction 
of  Fort  Sumter.  These  forts  resisted  with 
great  tenacity,  and  a  long,  tedious  siege  was 
held.  The  bombardment  continued  with  vary 
ing  results,  assisted  by  the  navy,  until  the  2nd 
of  August,  when  great  gaps  were  seen  in  the 
walls  of  the  stubborn  fortress,  its  casemates 
were  shattered,  and  it  began  to  look  more  like 
a  mass  of  ruins  than  a  formidable  fort. 

At  this  time  Gen.  Gilmore  sent  a  messenger 
to  Beauregard  who  was  in  command,  demand 
ing  the  surrender,  and  stating  that  in  the  event 
of  refusal,  he  should  open  fire  on  the  city  of 
Charleston  within  four  hours.  This  he  proposed 
to  do  with  his  batteries  which  had  been  placed 
within  easy  range  of  the  heart  of  the  city. 
Beauregard  appeared  to  ignore  this  message, 
and  something  after  midnight  the  aristocratic 
dwellers  of  Charleston  were  suddenly  aroused 
by  the  bursting  of  shells  within  their  midst, 
The  landing  of  these  shells  were  a  great  sur 
prise  to  the  enemy.  They  were  at  a  loss  to 
know  where  they  came  from.  Beauregard  was 
unaware  that  during  the  fierce  artillery  combat 
which  Gen.  Gilmore  had  been  carrying  on  on 
Morris  Island,  he  had  also  been  making  a  sand- 
bed  far  off  to  the  left  in  the  almost  bottomless, 
oozy  marsh  of  the  Island  to  transport  and  place 
one  of  his  big  guns  to  cannonade  Charleston. 
It  was  little  wonder  that  the  people  were 
shocked  when  the  "Swamp  Angel"  spoke  to 
them  from  its  huge  throat.  Beauregard  com 
plained  of  the  bombardment  of  Charleston  as 
being  unprecedented  in  the  history  of  warfare, 
and  that  he  had  not  been  properly  notified. 
Only  thirty-six  shots  were  fired  from  the  big 
gun,  when  it  burst  and  there  was  no  more  firing 
on  the  city  till  after  the  fall  of  the  forts  Wag 
ner  and  Gregg.  The  occupation  of  the  city 
was  delayed  by  the  want  of  action  on  the  part 
Admiral  Dahlgren,  and  Gen.  Gilmore  was  great 
ly  embarrassed  by  the  vacillation  of  that  offi 
cer.  What  might  have  been  a  glorious  con- 


758 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


quest  of  this  the  chief  conspiring  city  against 
the  government,  proved  in  the  end  but  a  tame 
occupation  of  it,  and  the  country  was  disap 
pointed.  On  Sept.  9,  when  he  determined  to 
make  an  assault  on  Wagner  he  found  it  evacu 
ated,  and  met  with  no  resistance.  They  occu 
pied  the  north  of  the  Island,  and  their  batteries 
were  placed  to  command  Fort  Sumter  and 
the  city. 

He   prepared    to    take    Sumter   then  by    a 
storming  party,  but   Dalghren  had  determined 
on  the  same  plan,  so  Gilmore  withdrew.     Dal 
ghren  failed  in  his  plans.     The   action   of  the 
navy  greatly  amazed  Gen.    Gilmore.     He    felt 
that  he  could  be  of  no  special  service  in  the 
investment  of  Charleston,   and  he  asked  to  be 
transferred,  and   was  assigned   to   the  Fourth 
Corps.     He  was  ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  But 
ler,    at    Fortress    Monroe.       He    arrived   there 
May  4,  1864,  with  his  corps,  and  the  day  fol 
lowing  moved  up  the  James  River,  and    disem 
barked  at  Bermuda    Island,  joining  Gen.  W.  F. 
Smith's  corps  to  operate  against  Richmond  and 
Petersburg.     Grant  was  now  at  the  head  of  the 
army,  and  this  movement  was   intended  to  co 
operate  with  him  in  his  advance  South  through 
the  Wilderness.     They  moved  forward  to  Swift 
Creek,   having  a    slight    engagement   with  the 
enemy.     Finding  they  could  not  keep  their  po 
sition  there,  they  moved  back  to  the  entrench 
ments  at  Bermuda  Island.    The  demonstrations 
against  Richmond  were  finally  met  by  the  en 
emy.     May  16,   his  corps   was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Drury's    Bluff.     This    movement  was 
not  as  successful  as  it  was  expected  to  be,  and 
Butler  ordered  a  retreat.     There  was  a  want  of 
harmony  between  the   two    Generals   from  the 
first.     Neither  from  temperment  or  experience 
was  Gen.  Butler  suited  to  command  an  officer 
like  Gilmore.     His  military  methods  were  en 
tirely  different  from  those  of  his   superior   in 
command,  yet  true  to  his  country  and  his  mili- 
itary    training,  he  did  what  he   could  to    carry 
out  his  orders.     But  Gen.   Butler  not  being  sat 
isfied,  he   ordered    him    to    report  to    Fortress 
Monroe.     When  this  reached  the  ears  of  Gen. 
Grant  he  took   Gilmore  out   of  Butler's  com 
mand,  and  sent   him    to   Washington.     About 


this  time  Gen.  Early  made  his  movement  on 
Washington  through  Maryland,  and  Gen.  Gil- 
more  was  placed  in  command  of  two  divisions 
of  the  Nineteenth  Army  Corps.  While  at  the 
head  of  this  command,  and  in  pursuit  of  Early, 
he  received  injuries  from  the  fall  of  his  horse. 
While  convalescing  President  Lincoln,  knowing 
of  Gen.  Gilmore's  great  experience  with  rifled 
guns,  appointed  him  President  of  a  Board  to 
examine  and  report  on  some  heavy  guns  that 
had  been  sent  to  the  War  and  Navy  Depart 
ment.  He  was  in  this  service  until  about  Dec. 
1st,  when  he  was  appointed  Acting  Inspector 
Gen.  of  fortifications  for  the  Military  Divisions 
of  the  West  Mississippi.  Two  months  more 
occupied  with  this  inspection,  when  the  gov 
ernment  ordered  him  back  to  the  field  where 
he  had  won  his  military  renown,  and  scattered 
to  the  winds  the  old  theories  of  coast  and  fort 
defences. 

Feb.  9,  1865,  he  assumed  command  of  the 
expedition  to  Charleston,  and  a  few  days  later 
he  left  the  squadron  at  the  outer  bar  and  em 
barking  on  board  of  a  transport,  and  passing 
safely  over  those  obstructions  that  had  been 
held  so  formidable,  and  had  so  long  held  the 
Union  forces  at  bay,  he  unmolested,  quietly 
steamed  up  to  the  southern  wharfs  of  that  hot 
bed  of  secession,  and  took  possession.  It  was 
a  fitting  tribute  to  the  hero  who  had  in  the 
earlier  part  of  the  war,  through  his  energy  and 
genius  demolished  this  city's  fortifications, 
and  left  it  at  the  mercy  of  a  well-directed  at 
tack. 

He  remained  in  this  command  until  after 
the  readjustment  of  the  department,  when  he 
was  assigned  to  the  department  of  South  Car 
olina.  The  war  was  over,  and  though  the  Gen 
eral's  administration  of  the  offices  in  his  de 
partment  were  entirely  satisfactory,  yet  the 
duties  were  not  to  his  liking,  and  he  asked  to 
be  returned.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  vol 
unteer  service,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Engin 
eers'  Corps  with  the  rank  of  Major,  and  by 
brevet,  Major-General. 

Gen.  Gilmore's  standing  as  a  commander 
may  be  pretty  well  determined  by  his  career. 
As  a  leader  in  the  field,  or  a  corps  commander 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


759 


he  was  not  especially  gifted,  although  he  was 
never  reckless  or  imprudent.  His  special  mili 
tary  excellence  was  as  an  artillerist  and  an 
engineer,  and  in  these  he  had  few  equals.  In 
person  he  was  a  large  man,  standing  full  six 
feet  high,  with  fair  complexion,  blue  eyes, 
blonde  hair  and  whiskers,  with  a  fine,  generous, 
open  face.  He  was  always  courteous,  and  in 
conversation  easy  and  communicative.  He 
was  a  strict  disciplinarian  and  accomplished 
engineer,  and  a  finished  scholar,  and  it  may 
well  be  said,  a  commander  of  first-class  abil 
ities. 


COLONEL  DICKSON  McCujRE,  of  Peoria. 
111.,  is  a  native  of  Pa.,  born  there  upon 
his  parents'  homestead,  Nov.  4,  1835, 
He  is  a  son  of  Josiah  E.  and  Jane  (Dickson) 
McClure,  who  were  typical  representatives  of 
a  race  of  Scotch-Irish  immigrants,  who  sought 
America's  hospitable  shores  about  the  year  1735. 

When  10  years  of  age,  our  subject  went  to 
reside  with  his  uncle,  a  step  that  was  necessi 
tated  by  the  death  of  his  mother,  4  years 
previous,  and  when  14  years  of  age,  he  removed 
to  Peoria,  where  his  father  had  removed  some 
short  time  before,  and  where  the  latter  resided 
until  he  attained  the  patriarchal  age  of  92 
years  -dying  in  1889. 

John  D.  acquired  a  fair  common  school  edu 
cation,  and  upon  arrival  in  Peoria,  was  sent  to 
Knox  College,  and  after  completing  his  course 
there,  assisted  in  his  father's  store.  His  father 
later  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Greir  & 
McClure,  in  which  again  our  subject  assisted 
until  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  At  that  time  he 
was  a  member  of  the  "Peoria  National  Blues," 
and  enlisted  immediately  on  the  first  call  for 
troops  in  Dennison's  Co.,  in  which  he  was  elect 
ed  orderly,  but  having  been  suddenly  afflicted 
was  unable  to  accompany  his  command  to  the 
field.  Recovering,  he  joined  Co.  C,  47th  111. 
and  on  the  promotion  of  Col.  Thrush,  Mr. 
McClure  succeeded  him  as  Captain.  He  led 
his  company  to  Benton  Barracks,  Jefferson 
City,  and  then  on  to  Otterville,  where  the 


winter  was  passed,  his  men  being  employed 
guarding  the  Osage  Bridge.  In  March,  1862, 
he  proceeded  to  St.  Charles,  thence  by  steamer 
to  Cairo,  111.,  then  back  to  Commerce,  then 
marched  to  New  Madrid.  This  was  one  of  the 
heaviest  pieces  of  work  performed  by  his  com 
pany  during  the  war,  his  having  been  detailed 
to  assist  in  drawing  a  battery  of  guns  over  the 
soft  and  muddy  roads  and  many  times  the 
work  was  more  in  the  nature  of  that  usually 
performed  by  mules  than  men.  He  assisted  in 
the  operations  against  New  Madrid,  which  re 
sulted  in  its  capture,  then  moved  to  Pittsburg 
Landing. 

He  marched  to  the  siege  of  Corinth  and 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Farmington,  luka 
and  Corinth, — during  the  first  named  his  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  was  killed.  Preceding  the  last 
named  battle,  his  brigade  was  marched  to  the 
Hatchie  River,  then  swinging  around  to  within 
14  miles  of  Corinth.  About  noon  the  follow 
ing  day  he  was  ordered  to  Corinth  on  the 
double  quick,  and  the  last  3  miles  the  men 
were  upon  the  full  run.  On  the  ist  charge  of 
the  enemy  Col.  Thrush,  who  commanded  the 
47th,  was  killed,  and  the  command  fell  to  Capt. 
Andrews,  who  also  fell,  badly  wounded.  The 
leadership  of  the  regiment  then  devolved  upon 
Col.  McClure,  who  displayed  the  same  courage 
and  bravery  in  leading  his  men  that  charac 
terized  his  fallen  predecessors.  The  battle 
was  renewed  next  day,  and  charge  after  charge 
by  the  enemy  was  successfully  repulsed,  and 
they  were  finally  compelled  to  retreat.  Soon 
after  this,  our  subject  was  promoted  to  be 
Major  to  rank  from  Oct.  31,  1862.  He  went 
with  Grant  to  Oxford,  then  returned  to  Ger 
man  Town,  and  then  joined  in  the  operations 
against  Vicksburg.  He  assisted  for  a  time  on 
the  famous  Canal,  then  moved  to  the  rear  of 
Vicksburg.  At  Milliken's  Bend  he  was  detailed 
by  Gen.  Tuttle,  then  in  command  of  the  ist 
Div.,  1 7th  A.  C.,  and  was  chief  of  his  staff. 
Whilst  serving  with  that  General,  he  was  in  the 
battles  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  and.  the  assault  upon 
Vicksburg  on  May  22.  On  the  morning  of  that 
day  Gen.  Tuttle,  whilst  sitting  near  his  com 
mand,  was  joined  by  Gen.  Sherman,  and  soon 


/6o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


after  by  Gen.  Grant.  Whilst  the  group  were 
discussing  army  matters,  an  orderly  rode  up 
and  informed  Gen.  Grant  that  Gen.  McCler- 
nand  had  closed  in  on  the  left  and  thought  that 
if  a  charge  would  be  made,  the  works  could  be 
taken.  Grant,  turning  to  Sherman,  inquired  if 
the  latter  had  a  brigade  that  could  take  that 
fort.  The  reply  was,  that  he  had  if  it  could  be 
captured. 

Sherman  then  sent  for  that  dashing  general 
J.  A.  Mower,  who  commanded  Maj.  McClure's 
Brigade,  and  asked  him  if  he  could  take  those 
works.  Mower  shook  his  head,  significantly 
saying:  "I  can  try."  Therepon  the  order  was 
given  for  him  to  make  the  attempt,  which  he 
did,  his  Brigade  being  composed  of  the  nth 
Mo.,  47th  111.,  8th  Wis.,  and  5th  Minn.  His 
nth  Mo.  and  4/th  111.,  led  with  a  rush,  and  al 
most  as  soon  as  they  confronted  the  enemy's 
works  were  literally  mowed  down.  Sherman, 
who  watched  the  movement,  turned  to  Tuttle, 
saying:  "Recall  the  Brigade,  as  it  is  only 
murder  to  persist  in  such  an  unequal  conflict!" 
Through  a  terrible  storm  of  bullets,  Col.  Mc- 
Clure  made  his  vay  to  the  Brigade,  and  halted 
the  8th  Wis.,  before  it  was  called  into  action. 
The  two  regiments  engaged,  suffered  terribly. 

On  June  I2th,  Major  McClure  was  instructed 
by  Gen.  Sherman  to  place  his  pickets  close  up 
to  the  Rebel  works  so  as  to  cover  a  working 
party  who  were  to  erect  rifle  pits  on  a  point 
within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  Rebel  work. 
Under  the  cover  of  darkness  he  attempted  to 
push  his  men  forward  to  cover  the  points  de 
signated  by  the  Gen.  The  rebels  had  antici 
pated  the  movement  and  had  a  force  on  the 
point.  When  his  force  was  up  within  20  feet 
of  the  enemy,  they  rose  up  and  fired,  killing 
twelve  and  wounding  fifteen,  among  whom 
was  Maj.  McClure,  who  was  shot  through  the 
right  lung,  the  bullet  lodging  in  his  body,  and 
is  carried  by  the  Colonel  to  this  day. 

The  same  day  Mr.  McClure  was  wounded, 
his  Regt.  elected  him  Col.  over  the  Lieut.  Col., 
adopting  among  themselves  the  following  re 
solutions: 

"We  have  elected  Major  McClure  for  the 
position  of  Colonel  of  this  Regiment  because 


our  long  association  with  him,  during  which 
time  he  has  shared  with  us  the  privations, 
hardships  and  dangers  of  the  camp,  the  march 
and  the  field  of  battle  with  true  soldierly  de 
termination,  has  enabled  us  to  see  in  him 
those  qualifications,  natural  and  acquired,  with 
which  as  our  Colonel,  he  could  command  not 
only  the  Regt.  with  marked  ability,  but  also 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  under  him." 

Although  it  was  supposed  that  the  Col.  was 
mortally  wounded,  time  proved  the  contrary 
and  3  weeks  later,  he  went  in  an  ambulance 
with  his  command  to  Jackson,  Miss. 

On  this  trip  Gen.  Mower  handed  him  his 
Commission  as  Colonel  of  the  Regt.,  which  was 
the  first  intimation  he  had  of  his  promotion. 
He  took  command  of  his  Regt.,  at  Black  River 
Bridge,  then  proceeded  to  LaGrange,  follow 
ing  Forrest  from  place  to  place,  and  in  Feb., 
returned  to  Vicksburg.  He  participated  in  the 
Red  River  expedition  and  in  the  battles  of 
Fort  De  Russey,  Pleasant  Hill,  in  fact  was 
under  the  rebel  fire  for  several  weeks.  On  one 
occasion  his  Div.  landed  from  the  transports 
to  chastise  Gen.  Marmaduke  for  having  fired 
into  the  steamers;  an  engagement  ensued 
which  was  known  as  the  battle  of  Lake  Chicot, 
Ark.  His  Regt.,  which  bore  the  brunt  of  the 
battle,  lost  heavily,  and  Col.  McClure  had  his 
horse  shot  from  under  him.  Proceeding  then  to 
Memphis,  which  was  reached  soon  after  Gen. 
Sturgiss'  defeat,  Col.  McClure's  command 
moved  against  the  forces  under  Gen.  Forrest 
which  was  engaged  at  the  battle  of  Tupello, 
Miss.,  lasting  for  three  days.  The  Brig.  Com 
mander  was  killed  in  battle,  hence  Col.  Mc 
Clure  assumed  command,  which  he  maintained 
until  they  returned  to  Memphis.  His  term  of 
service  having  expired,  he  was  mustered  out 
at  Springfield  Oct.  11,  1864. 

The  Col.  then  went  to  Elmwood,  111.,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  grain  business,  and  in  Nov., 
1865,  was  elected  Co.  Clerk  for  Peoria  Co.,  a 
position  he  filled  with  credit  to  himself,  dignity 
to  the  position,  and  to  the  perfect  satisfaction 
of  his  constituents.  In  1882,  he  embarked  in 
the  hardware  business,  which  he  continued  for 
several  years,  then  engaged  in  that  of  real  estate 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


761 


and  loaning.  He  has  for  years  filled  the  office 
of  Supervisor  of  Richwood  Township,  has  been 
a  director  of  the  Merchants'  National  Bank,  of 
which  he  has  also  been  Vice-Prest. 

Whilst  home  on  furlough  on  Sept.  3,  1863, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie  C.  Cunningham, 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  P.  Cunning 
ham,  of  Peoria,  and  four  children  have  been  the 
fruits  of  that  happy  marriage,  viz.:  Mattie  H., 
Jenny  D.,  William  C.  and  George  Nathaniel. 
Whilst  Col.  McClure  has  won  laurels  upon  the 
field  and  a  title  as  a  soldier,  his  accomplished 
wife  has  also  won  distinction  and  a  place  in 
history  as  a  compiler  of  an  exceedingly  useful 
and  popular  cook  book.  Colonel  McClure  has 
always  been  a  conspicuous  Republican  and  an 
effective  party  worker,  holding  the  position  of 
Chairman  of  the  Co.  Central  Republican  Com 
mittee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  of  the 
Leigon  of  Honor  and  also  of  the  Masonic  fra 
ternity,  and  is  a  gentleman,  universally  es 
teemed  and  respected  for  his  noble  qualities,  as 
a  brave  and  devoted  soldier  to  the  Republic,  as 
an  honest  and  upright  citizen,  and  as  an  inflex 
ible  exemplar  of  right  and  duty. 


CAPTAIN  IRA  BEDEL  was  born  in  Bath,  N. 
H.,  June  4,  1836.  He  res'ided  there 
until  17  years  of  age,  when  he  passed 
an  examination  entitling  him  to  enter  college; 
but  about  this  time  his  parents  moved  West, 
settling  in  Peoria,  hence  Mr.  Bedel  did  not  re 
ceive  the  benefits  of  a  collegiate  education. 
Immediately  after  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he 
became  a  member  of  Company  E,  8th  111.  Inf., 
at  Peoria,  which,  however,  was  not  his  first  at 
tempt  to  enter  the  service.  His  regiment  was 
first  employed  chasing  Thompson  through  Ken 
tucky,  but  the  first  battle  was  at  Fort  Henry, 
which  was  closely  followed  by  the  more  disas 
trous  conflict,  Fort  Donelson.  On  the  march 
to  the  scene  of  the  latter  contest  his  brigade, 
at  night,  encountered  one  of  its  own  regiments, 
and,  each  mistaking  the  other  for  the  enemy, 


opened  fire,  and  several  men  were  killed  before 
the  error  was  discovered.  Mr.  Bedel,  before  the 
battle,  lay  upon  his  arms,  upon  the  ground  cover 
ed  with  snow,  within  sight  of  the  enemy's  works. 
The  atmosphere  was  cold,  and,  to  keep  from 
freezing,  it  was  necessary  for  the  men  at  times 
to  travel  round  in  a  circle.  They  crawled  up  to 
the  rebel  works,  where  they  fought  for  two  suc 
cessive  days,  and  the  rebels,  in  their  attempt  to 
break  the  Union  lines,  charged  Mr.  Bedel's  reg 
iment  on  several  occasions,  but,  for  ovcf  three 
hours,  it  held  its  ground  against  tremendods 
odds,  repulsing  the  enemy  as  frequently  as  their 
position  was  assaulted.  Ammunition,  however, 
ran  out,  when  they  retired  for  a  fresh  supply. 
They  were  pursued  by  the  enemy,  who  was  again 
attacked,  first  with  bullets,  and  finally  with  bay 
onets,  and  who  sought  refuge  behind  their 
works.  He  was  next  in  the  great  battle  of  Shi- 
loh,  after  which  he  was  attacked  by  an  enemy 
which  has  left  more  victims  than  even  war — 
small-pox.  He  was  placed  in  field  hospital,  and 
two  months  later  joined  his  regiment  near  Cor 
inth,  and  subsequently  went  with  Sherman  to 
Vicksburg,  Lake  Providence  and  Milliken's 
Bend.  Here  a  colored  regiment  was  raised,  of 
which  our  subject  was  chosen  Captain  of 
Company  F,  the  regiment  being  the  5th  U.  S. 
Colored  regiment,  stationed  at  that  point  as  a 
garrison,  comprising  in  all  some  800  men  and 
officers.  The  men  were  recently  from  the  planta 
tions,  had  never  seen  or  handled  a  gun  in  their 
lives,  hence  the  rebels  supposed  the  place  could 
easily  be  taken.  The  garrison  was  attacked  by 
two  full  brigades  of  Texas  Rangers,  and  there 
ensued  one  of  the  most  desperately-contested 
conflicts  of  the  Rebellion.  Raw  and  undrillcd 
as  the  colored  men  were,  they  fought  with  great 
bravery,  realizing  not  so  much  that  they  were 
fighting  for  their  country,  but,  to  them,  the  more 
important  reality --  they  were  fighting  for  their 
lives.  The  Union  gunboats  came  to  the  garri 
son's  assistance,  and  did  splendid  work.  It  grew 
to  be  a  hand-to-hand  conflict,  and  white,  as  well 
as  colored,  men  became  pinioned  to  the  ground 
with  his  antagonist's  bayonet.  The  rebels  were 
finally  driven  off  about  4  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon.  After  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  Captain  Be- 


762 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


del  was  changed  to  the  5th  Heavy  Artillery, 
stationed  at  Vicksburg,  where  he  was  employed 
until  mustered  out  of  the  service. 

Whilst  in  the  service  Captain  Bedel  met 
Mrs.  Anna  Agnew,  who  visited  the  battlefield 
near  Vicksburg,  rendering  assistance  to  the 
wounded  and  dying.  They  were  married  Jan. 
4,  1864.  Mrs.  Agnew  was  the  widow  of  a  sol 
dier  killed  whilst  fighting  in  the  rebel  army. 
Captain  was  ordered  to  go  to  Jackson,  and  in 
April,-  1865,  was  stationed  at  Winona,  Miss., 
where  he  remained  until  Lee's  surrender,  then 
returned  to  Vicksburg,  where  he  continued  in 
the  service  until  1866. 

Succeeding  his  discharge  he  returned  to 
Peoria,  where  he  resumed  his  trade  as  a  blind 
and  sash  maker,  following  that  calling  until 
1889,  when  he  was  appointed  Government 
Store-keeper.  Captain  Bedel  has  three  children 
living,  John  S.,  Julia  E.  and  Harry.  In  early- 
life  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  is  now  a  demon 
strative  Republican.  He  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  a  Universalist. 
His  grandfather  Moody  was  a  general  in  the 
United  States  army,  during  the  war  of  1812, 
and  commanded  an  army  at  the  celebrated 
battle  of  Lake  Champlain. 


DK.  OWEX  J.  ALDRICH,  of  Galesburg,  111., 
enlisted  in  the  army  as  a  private  Sept. 
5th,  1861,  in  Co.  C,  1st  111.  Light  Artil 
lery,  which  became  attached  to  Gen.  Bradley's 
Brigade,  Gen.  Sheridan's  Division,  I4th  Army 
Corps,  under  Gen.  McCook.    Subsequently  the 
Regt.   was   in   Jeff.  C.  Davis'  Div.,  2Oth  A.  C., 
commanded   by  Gen'ls  Palmer  and  Thomas  in 
succession. 

Dr.  Aldrich,  with  his  Co.,  rendezvoused  at 
Bird's  Point,  Mo.  He  was  in  detail  duty  dur 
ing  the  first  1  8  months  of  his  service,  and  after 
being  relieved  therefrom,  joined  in  the  Chat 
tanooga  campaign,  meeting  the  enemy  for  the 
first  time  in  the  disastrous  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga.  Our  subject  fought  with  great  courage 
and  determination  throughout  the  two  days  in 


which  the  conflict  raged,  and  doubtless  would 
have  been  taken  prisoner  had  it  not  been  that 
he  was  supplied  with  an  active  pair  of  limbs. 

During  the  battle  he  received  a  slight  wound, 
from  which  he  soon  recovered.  He  then  moved 
on  towards  Chattanooga,  and  there  took  part 
for  several  days  in  the  succession  of  heavy 
battles  fought  in  the  neighborhood  of  that  place, 
notably  those  of  Lookout  Mountain  and  Chat 
tanooga.  The  winter  of  i863-'4  was  spent  amid 
cold  and  hunger  at  Chattanooga,  and  in  the 
spring  the  command  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Buzzards'  Roost,  and  then  moved  with  Sher 
man's  army  on  the  celebrated  Atlanta  cam 
paign. 

The  Dr.  sustained  his  reputation  for  bravery 
in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Chattahoochie  River,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  At 
lanta  and  Jonesboro.  After  the  capture  of 
Atlanta  the  Dr.'s  period  of  service  had  expired, 
hence  he  proceeded  to  Springfield,  111.,  where 
he  was  discharged  Sept.  26,  1864.  For  three 
long  years  our  subject  stood  by  his  Regt.,  gal 
lantly  performing  all  the  duties  assigned  to  him. 
Besides  the  battles,  he  was  in  many  heavy 
skirmishes  where  the  surrounding  clangers  were 
equally  as  great  as  if  he  had  been  in  actual 
battles.  Among  the  heavy  skirmishes  in  which 
he  joined  may  be  mentioned,  those  of  Franklin 
Pike,  Spring  Hill,  Kingston,  Hoover's  Gap, 
Duck  River  and  Burnt  Hickory. 

A  few  months  after  entering  the  army  he 
was  assigned  for  duty  in  Mound  City  General 
Hospital  by  Gen.  Grant,  at  which  place  he  was 
employed  until  Dec.,  1862. 

Dr.  Aldrich  was  born  in  Penn.,  June  13,  1840, 
and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Ann  (  Bassett ) 
Aldrich,  the  former  a  native  of  Delaware,  of 
English  descent,  and  the  latter,  a  representative 
of  an  old  Connecticut  family.  His  grand 
mother,  Bassett,  died  at  the  age  of  98,  and  dis 
tinctly  remembered  of  having  seen  the  immor 
tal  George  Washington.  Our  subject's  early 
days  were  passed  upon  a  farm  with  his  parents 
for  a  time  at  Whiteside  County,  then  in  Knox 
Co.,  near  Galesburg.  He  attended  the  district 
schools,  acquiring  a  fair  education,  then  stud 
ied  medicine  at  the  Iowa  University.  After  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


763 


stay  of  two  years  in  Iowa,  he  returned  to  Knox 
Co.,  111.,  where  in  connection  with  his  brother, 
he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
which  he  followed  for  several  years.  His  taste 
however  ran  in  the  direction  of  farming,  to 
which  he  has  drifted  almost  exclusively  the 
last  few  years  of  his  life.  He  has  always  taken 
an  active  part  in  politics  was  induced  in  1888; 
to  accept  the  nomination  for  Circuit  Clerk,  but 
the  formation  of  a  strong  combination  against 
him  brought  about  his  defeat.  Two  years  later 
however,  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  of 
his  County. 

He  was  married  Sept.,  1886,  to  Florence  B. 
Brazen,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Anna 
and  William,  the  latter  of  whom  died,  as  did 
also  the  mother. 

He  is  a  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.,  Post  No.  45,  of  Galesburg.  He  married 
again  March  4,  1876,  Nancy  A.  Pearce.  By 
this  marriage  they  have  five  children — Julia, 
Alice,  Clarence,  Ella  and  Louisa.  He  had  6 
brothers,  one  D.  W.  Aldrich,  now  a  physician, 
was  in  the  army  during  the  last  year  of  the 
Rebellion. 


ANDREW  BLADEL,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  a  resident  of  Rock  Island,  was  born 
in    Erie,    Pa.,   July    u,    1844,    a    son    of 
Philip    J.   and    Appelonia    Bladel,    who    were 
natives   of    Germany,  immigrating  to  America 
and  locating    in    Penn.  in   1840.     About    1863, 
they  moved  to    Rock   Island,  111.,  where  they 
resided    up    to    the    time    of   their    death,    the 
father  dying  at  the  age  of  72,  his  wife  having 
preceded  him  by  about  eight  years. 

Andrew  spent  his  boyhood  days  and 
attended  school  at  his  native  town,  coming 
west  with  his  parents  and  living  at  Rock 
Island  up  to  the  time  he  caught  the  "war  fever." 
Only  a  few  days  after  the  anniversary  of  his 
eighteenth  birthday,  Aug.  9,  1862,  he  enlisted 
at  Coal  Valley,  111.,  Co.  H,  I26th  111.  Inf.  The 
Co.  went  into  camp,  first  at  Dixon  111.,  then 
marched  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  where  it 


was  drilled;  and  here  our  soldier  received  his 
first  gun,  an  old  Harper's  Ferry  musket, 
which  killed  at  both  ends,  and  he  continued 
guarding  prisoners  of  war  until  they  proceeded 
to  Alton,  where  they  guarded  prisoners  of  war, 
and  were  now  ready  for  any  duty  that  might 
devolve  upon  them.  Nov.  20,  they  moved  off 
for  Dixie's  Land,  by  way  of  Columbus,  Ky.,  to 
Bolivar,  Tenn.  The  first  actual  marching  was 
to  La  Grange,  Tenn.  While  there  Grant's  sup 
plies  at  Holly  Springs  were  captured,  and  six 
Cos.,  including  Co.  H,  were  ordered  to  Jackson, 
which  had  been  attacked  by  the  rebels  under 
Forrest.  Arriving  in  the  dead  of  night,  breast 
works  were  at  once  thrown  up  by  their  willing 
hands,  and  here  it  was  that  they  heard  the  first 
shots  of  the  enemy.  Ordered  to  Trenton,  they 
encountered  the  enemy  at  Forkadeer  River. 
A  spirited  engagement  ensued,  in  which  the 
rebels  greatly  outnumbered  our  "  boys."  Later, 
meeting  the  enemy  at  the  dead  of  midnight  at 
Humboldt,  they  utterly  routed  him,  capturing 
many  horses  and  some  prisoners.  Here,  lodged 
in  the  fort,  they  were  soon  surrounded  by  the 
enemy,  who  had  been  reinforced,  and  thus 
being  cut  off  of  all  supplies,  the  "boys  in  blue" 
had  to  subsist  on  what  little  food  they  could 
forage  in  the  immediate  neighborhood,  con 
sisting  almost  exclusively  of  corn,  which  was 
grated  with  tin  pans  and  cooked  into  mush. 

Thus  the  "boys"  were  forced  to  remain  in 
the  fort  for  several  weeks,  and  having  left  the 
army  without  overcoats  or  blankets  the  suffer 
ing  from  cold  in  the  blustering  month  of  Janu 
ary  was  intense.  Fortunately  the  enemy,  whose 
forces  were  much  the  greater,  misjudged  the 
number  of  Union  men,  otherwise  they  would 
certainly  have  attacked  and  annihilated  them. 
Subsequently  they  moved  to  Jackson,  Tenni, 
and  were  constantly  engaged  guarding  the  rail 
roads,  up  to  the  time  they  moved  to  Memphis, 
and  embarked  for  Vicksburg  Landing.  Here 
they  were  actively  employed  on  picket  duty 
and  digging  ditches.  During  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  Bladel's  Regt.  was  in  the  2nd  Brig., 
3d  Div.,  1 6th  A.  C.,  and  was  stationed  in  the 
rear  to  check  off  the  enemy  under  Johnston, 
and  frequently  in  case  of  sudden  danger  it  was 


764 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


despatched  to  the  front  during  the  middle  of 
the  night.  During  the  long  siege  the  "boys" 
were  exposed  to  the  pestilential  atmoshpere  of 
the  swamps,  the  regiment  losing  heavily 
through  disease.  Our  subject,  who  was  also 
taken  severely  sick,  preferred  to  remain  on 
duty,  although  totally  unfit,  in  preference  to 
being  assigned  to  the  horrible  scenes  of  a  hos 
pital.  The  next  move  (July  24,  '63,)  was  to 
Helena,  Ark.  They  drove  the  rebels  under 
Price  from  the  Miss,  to  the  Capital,  under  Gen. 
Steele,  and  participated  in  the  capture  of  that 
city.  Aug.  13,  the  command  moved  out,  and 
half  of  Mr.  Bladel's  company  were  left  behind 
on  account  of  sickness.  They  now  experienced 
some  hard  marching,  reaching  Duvall's  Bluff. 
Sept.  i,  they  left  the  latter  place.  The  heat 
was  terrible  and  our  subject  was  overcome  with 
heat.  Sept.  2,  the  rebels  and  the  advance  guard 
fought.  They  camped  at  Brown's  Villa  until 
Sept.  6,  when  the  march  continued.  In  the  af 
ternoon  a  lively  engagement,  in  which  Bladel's 
Regt.  lost  40  to  50  in  killed  and  wounded,  en 
sued.  Sept.  8,  a  spy  was  caught.  He  with  two 
bushwhackers  were  ordered  outside  the  lines, 
and  shot  by  order  of  Court  Martial.  Sept.  10, 
they  were  in  line  at  daybreak  and  ordered  in 
double  quick  to  the  Ark.  River,  3  miles  off,  the 
1 26th  having  the  honor,  as  the  Irishman  said: 
"Be  jabers,  to  be  the  first  man  on  the  ground." 
A  skirmish  line  was  formed  and  the  battle 
opened  about  8  a.  m.,  the  pontoon  bridges  being 
the  target  for  the  rebel  artillery.  In  the  en 
gagements  Co.  H  carried  the  colors  of  the  Regt. 
The  enemy  was  well  fortified,  but  unprepared 
for  a  flank  movement,  and  novv,  Little  Rock, 
together  with  3,000  prisoners,  a  quantity  of 
small  arms,  and  thousands  of  spears,  surrendered 
to  our  gallant  Union  "boys,"  who  camped  in  the 
rebel  works  that  night.  Oct.  24,  1863,  the  com 
mand  was  ordered  to  Duvall's  Bluff,  an  import 
ant  place,  it  being  the  base  of  supplies  and 
terminus  of  the  R.  R.,  from  Little  Rock  to 
White  River.  Here  with  the  assistance  of  gun 
boats  they  kept  open  the  mouth  of  the  White 
River.  On  June  24,  1864,  Gen.  Shelby  of  Price's 
army,  with  4,000  to  5,000  men,  blockaded  the 
White  River.  On  June  26,  1864,  Mr.  Bladel  again 


participated  in  the  severe  engagement  at  Claren 
don,  Ark.,  in  which  two  of  his  Co.  were  wounded. 
Subsequently  our  loyal  soldier  was  constantly 
engaged  in  skirmishes  and  in  guard  and  fatigue 
duty,  and  one  time  he  was  detailed  as  post 
baker,  and  during  this  time  bravely  volunteered 
to  go  out  with  others  and  intercept  the  enemy, 
meeting  and  routing  them  in  a  hot  and  lively 
conflict  at  Clarendon,  Ark.  On  another  oc 
casion  about  50  of  the  "boys,"  among  whom 
again  was  our  subject,  were  ordered  out  early 
in  the  evening,  marched  all  the  long  night  and 
returned  with  several  prisoners  and  all  the  pro 
visions  they  could  carry,  having  burned  all  the 
Confederate  supply  stores  located  in  the  vicin 
ity.  Subsequently  they  were  sent  out  on  a 
forced  march,  retracing  their  steps,  and  re 
maining  at  Pine  Bluffs,  up  to  the  time  they 
were  mustered  out,  July  12,  1865.  The  total 
loss  of  the  Regt.  by  disease  and  wounded  was 
nearly  30  per  cent.  The  few  that  remained, 
many  having  died  from  exposure  and  priva 
tions,  now  marched  across  the  country.  Being 
obliged  to  swim  several  streams,  two  of  their 
comrades  met  their  death  by  drowning.  Thus 
after  nearly  three  years  of  constant  and  faithful 
service  beneath  the  folds  of  the  stars  and 
stripes,  comrade  Bladel  returned  to  Rock 
Island.  He  successfully  followed  carpentering, 
later  established  himself  in  the  building  and 
contracting  business,  and  for  the  past  seven 
years  has  diligently  filled  the  entrusted  and  re 
sponsible  position  of  Superintendent  of  the 
lath  and  shingle  department,  and  mill-wright 
of  the  Mammoth  mill  "A"  of  the  Rock  Island 
Lumber  Company. 

Mr.  Bladel  was  joined  in  matrimony  at 
Rock  Island,  April  23,  1867,  to  Miss  Johanna 
Westphal,  the  estimable  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Lena  Westphal,  both  natives  of  Germany. 
By  this  happy  union  there  were  born  four  chil 
dren,  of  whom  all  but  one,  William  J.,  have 
died. 

Mr.  Bladel  is  a  member  of  the  M.  W.  of  A. 
lodge,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican.  He  is 
an  honorable  gentleman,  enjoys  the  comforts 
of  an  elegant  home,  and  commands  the  respect 
of  all  who  know  him. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


765 


CHAKLF.S  P.  ANDERSON,  of  Moline,  111., 
and  a  member  of  the  R.  H.  Graham 
Post,  No.,  312,  G.  A.  R.;  is  a  native  of 
Sweden,  where  he  was  born  January  i/th, 
1825,  and  where  he  was  reared,  and  where  he 
spent  the  early  part  of  his  life.  In  1854  he 
immigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  after  land 
ing  in  Boston,  went  direct  to  Moline,  111.,  and 
there  engaged  in  work  in  the  sawmill 
business.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion 
he  patriotically  responded  to  the  call  of  his 
adopted  country  for  soldiers,  and  enlisted  Oct. 
6,  1861,  as  a  private  in  Co.  D,  5/th  111.  Inf., and 
went  with  his  regiment  to  the  front,  and  after 
some  time  spent  in  camp  life,  marching  and 
drilling,  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Fort  Donel- 
son.  This  was  Mr.  Anderson's  first  experience 
in  war.  The  next  important  battle  in  which  he 
fought  was  Shiloh,  where  he  with  his  company 
was  hotly  engaged. 

From  the  field  of  Shiloh  he  went  to  the  siege 
of  Corinth.  His  constitution  was  not  strong 
enough  to  endure  the  hardships  of  war,  and  he 
was  obliged  to  go  to  the  hospital.  From  there 
he  was  discharged  July  7th,  1862,  on  account  of 
his  disability,  and  returned  to  his  home,  where 
after  careful  nursing  he  regained  his  health. 
Feeling  that  he  had  not  contributed  as  much  as  he 
ought  in  the  defense  of  his  country  and  believ 
ing  himself  strong  enough  to  endure  campaign 
life,  he  again  enlisted  Feb.  4th,  1864,  this  time 
in  Company  C,  66th  111.  Inf.,  joining  his  regi 
ment  at  Puluski,  Tenn.  His  first  engagement 
after  his  second  enlistment  was  at  Kenesaw 
Mt.,  then  participating  in  all  the  battles  en 
gaged  in  by  his  regiment  from  that  time  to  the 
fall  of  Atlanta. 

The  march  through  Georgia  to  the  sea  next 
occupied  the  attention  of  Comrade  Anderson, 
then  through  the  Carolinas,  closing  up  his 
fighting  record  with  the  battle  of  Bentonville. 
From  there  he  marched  on  to  Raleigh,  Rich 
mond  and  Washington,  where  he  took  part  in 
the  Grand  Review.  Later  he  was  sent  to  Lou 
isville,  where  July  7,  1865,  he  was  mustered  out 
and  returned  to  his  home  at  Moline,  and  again 
resumed  his  occupation  in  the  saw  mills.  Sub 
sequently  he  was  employed  by  the  Moline 


Plow  Co.,  continuing  there  until  1891,  when  on 
account  of  failing  health,  he  was  obliged  to 
give  up  active  work. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  married  in  1850,  to  Char 
lotte  Larson,  a  native  of  Sweden.  Four  chil 
dren  have  blessed  this  union,  who  are  now- 
living — Christina,  now  Mrs.  A.  W.  Lofstedt,  of 
Iowa;  Emily,  now  Mrs.  John  O.  Thompson,  of 
Moline;  Josephine,  who  was  married  toj.  B. 
Oakleaf,  of  Moline,  and  Ida,  wife  of  C.  H. 
Godehen,  of  Moline. 

Mr.  Anderson  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 


JAMES  B.  PATTON,  of  North  Peoria,  111,  our  pres 
ent  subject,  was  born  in  Ohio,  Nov.  29,1833, 
where  he  spent  his  boyhood  years  upon  a 
farm  and  attending  school.  In  1854  he  re 
moved  to  Illinois,  settling  upon  a  farm  in 
Orange  Prairie,  where  four  years  later  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Harriet  E.  Bowling.  In  1861 
when  the  47th  111.  was  being  formed,  Mr.  Pat- 
ton  enlisted,  but  it  was  found  that  the  com 
pany  was  complete  without  him.  He,  with 
some  others,  endeavored  to  form  a  new  com 
pany,  but  a  sufficient  number  of  volunteers 
were  not  obtainable  at  that  time.  Notwith 
standing  he  had  a  wife  and  three  children,  he 
enlisted  and  became  a  member  of  the  I4th  111., 
Feb.  17,  1865.  He  joined  his  regiment  at 
Buford,  N.  C.,  going  by  way  of  New  York, 
then  marched  across  the  country  to  Raleigh 
and  skirmished  with  Johnston's  army  in  that 
vicinity.  He  followed  the  enemy  to  Neuse 
River,  but  by  this  time  the  war  had  about 
closed.  With  his  command  he  moved  to  Rich 
mond,  then  on  to  Washington,  where  he  joined 
in  the  Grand  Review.  After  this  he  was  sent 
to  Parkersburg,  W.  Va.,  then  to  Louisville,  then 
to  St.  Louis,  thence  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  and 
from  there  marched  to  Fort  Kearney,  Neb.,  a 
distance  of  330  miles,  after  which  they  re 
turned,  marching  over  the  same  course.  This 
occupied  them  from  July  22,  until  Sept.  I5th. 
Mr.  Patton  was  mustered  out  at  Fort 
Leavenworth  and  discharged  at  Camp  Butler, 


;66 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


after  which  he  returned  home,  having  marched 
on  foot,  upwards  of  1,500,  and  covered  a  total 
distance  of  6,000  miles  in  nine  months.  Re 
turning  to  citizen  life,  he  resumed  farming, 
which  he  continued  until  1889,  when  he  was 
appointed  Government  Store  Keeper  in  the 
5th  Dist.  of  111.  He  has  now  seven  children 
Marietta  A.,  wife  of  George  H.  Heller;  Flor 
ence  M.,  wife  of  John  Finck;  Franklin  A.; 
William  S.,  Town  Clerk  and  P.  O.  employe; 
Zoa,  wife  of  William  Williams;  Alice;  and 
Rutherford  Roscoe.  Mr.  Patton  is  a  Republi 
can,  and  has  been  elected  to  the  position  of 
Township  Clerk,  Assessor,  Collector,  and  was 
for  many  years  School  Director  for  his  district. 
He  has  served  eight  years  as  Assessor  of  the 
town  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R. 


DOCTOR  EDGAR  McCoNKEY,  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  born  there  Aug.  24,  1842,  where 
he  continued  to  reside  until  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  left  his  parental 
roof,  determined  to  rely  upon  his  own  resources 
for  a  living.  He  went  West  to  Tabor,  Iowa, 
and  was  employed  by  a  Mr.  Mathews,  a  strong 
abolitionist,  and  assisted  the  latter  in  helping 
slaves  escape  from  their  masters  from  Missouri. 
Leaving  his  employer,  Mr.  McConkey  moved 
south  to  Missouri,  being  employed  with  a  Mr. 
Brown,  cutting  cord-wood,  who  was  also  an 
abolitionist.  A  Mr.  Knuckles,  of  Nebraska,  had 
three  slaves,  two  girls  and  a  boy,  the  former  es 
caped,  and  went  to  Mr.Brown,  who  induced  them 
to  move  on  and  get  out  of  the  way.  They  had 
not  departed  more  than  half  an  hour  before 
Knuckles,  the  owner,  with  forty  men  appeared 
armed  with  guns  and  other  weapons  and  offer 
ed  $2,000  to  any  person  who  would  disclose 
the  whereabouts  of  his  slaves.  A  posse  of 
abolitionists  from  Tabor  hearing  of  Knuckle's 
search,  appeared,  also  well  armed,  causing  the 
owner  and  his  men  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat 
homeward,  and  thus  the  colored  girls  escaped 
and  finally  reached  the  border  lines  of  Canada, 
where  they  were  forever  free.  The  boy  was 


taken  South  and  sold,  although  he  was  married 
and  owned  some  property.  This  was  a  mild 
case  of  the  many  incidents  in  slavery,  which 
finally  culminated  in  the  late  rebellion.  Many 
a  time  Mr.  McConkey  has  seen  the  famous 
John  Brown,  with  his  wagon  train  and  follow 
ers  on  the  move. 

When  about  fifteen  our  subject  removed  to 
Pocahontas,  Ills.,  where  he  was  employed  upon 
a  farm  until  the  early  days  of  the  war,  when  he 
enlisted  Aug.  24,  1861,  and  was  mustered  in  as 
a  private  in  Company  D,  3rd  111.  Vol.  Cavalry. 
Unfortunately  he  was  born  with  a  club  foot,  but 
was  recognized  as  a  good  horseman,  and  at 
muster  was  brought  before  General  Prentiss, 
who  upon  looking  at  him,  suggested  he  stand 
aside,  intimating  he  could  not  accept  a  person 
so  maimed  and  that  he  could  not  and  would 
not  take  him  although  Mr.  McConkey  protested, 
saying  he  was  quite  fit  for  service.  He  moved 
back  into  the  ranks  and  when  the  regiment 
was  being  sworn  in  he  held  up  his  hand,  along 
with  the  others,  which  ended  the  ceremony  of 
his  being  introduced  to  soldiership.  He  moved 
with  his  regiment  to  Jefferson  City,  and  joined 
in  the  pursuit  of  Price's  army,  being  in  the  en 
gagement  at  Wilson's  Creek.  He  was  with 
General  Fremont,  when  his  body  guard  made 
that  celebrated  charge  which  resulted  in  Spring 
field,  Mo.,  falling  under  Government  control, 
and  rode  into  that  town,  just  as  the  guard  was 
raising  the  flag  over  the  Court  House.  He  was 
in  the  battles  at  Pea-Ridge,  and  Helena,  where 
his  regiment  was  in  the  fiercest  part  of  the 
fights;  then  participated  in  the  desperate  battle 
of  Arkansas  Post,  which  was  captured.  Subse 
quently  he  joined  in  the  Vicksburg  Campaign, 
being  in  several  of  the  smaller  engagements  as 
also  the  assaults  and  siege  of  that  city  which 
culminated  in  its  surrender.  During  the  first 
charge  a  shell  exploded  as  it  passed  above  his 
head,  causing  him  to  see  stars,  and  to  conclude 
that  all  things  earthly  had  an  end.  When  at 
Young's  Point,  his  boots  gave  out,  and  being 
without  a  last  shaped  to  his  foot,  and  unable  to 
obtain  a  furlough,  the  Captain  sent  him  to 
Memphis  as  a  nurse,  where  he  expected  to 
leave  the  sick  and  wounded  and  get  a  boot 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


767 


made,  but  the  hospitals  there  being  filled,  he 
was  sent  to  St.  Louis  by  boat,  and  on  arrival, 
men  came  on  board,  and  took  charge  ordering 
the  nurses  to  return.  The  Captain  finally 
dumped  our  suhject  in  with  the  sick  and 
sent  him  to  the  hospitals  and  whilst  there  ob 
tained  his  boot,  and  when  ready  to  return  to 
his  regiment,  his  discharge  was  handed  him. 
Being  the  owner  of  his  own  horse,  which  he 
left  at  Young's  Point,  he  returned,  obtained  the 
animal,  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  and  from  there 
rode  across  the  country  to  Pocahontas.  then 
back  to  Ohio,  and  visited  his  mother  on  the 
long  and  tiresome  journey. 

The  Doctor  subsequently  went  to  Chicago, 
where  he  became  employed  by  his  uncle,  W.  S. 
Hamlin,  the  originator  of  "The  HamlinWizzard 
Oil."  He  has  been  continuously  employed 
traveling  for  the  Wizzard  Oil  business,  man 
aging  a  troupe  of  singers  and  players.  Since 
quitting  the  army,  his  business  calling  him  to 
nearly  every  State  in  the  Union  and  enabling 
him  to  see  and  travel  over  many  of  the  old 
spots  and  battlefields  which  during  wartimes 
were  scenes  of  the  rebellion's  most  sanguinary 
conflicts. 

He  was  a  son  of  Addison  McConkey,  and 
grandson  of  Daniel  McConkey,  who  was  a  sol 
dier  in  the  war  of  1812,  whilst  his  great  (pater 
nal)  grandfather  fought  and  was  killed  in  the 
Revolutionary  war  at  the  time  General  St.  Clair 
was  defeated  in  Ohio.  Dr.  McConkey  married 
Myra  W.  Humphrey,  in  1866,  daughter  of  law 
yer  Isaiah  Humphrey,  of  Ohio,  and  four  chil 
dren,  three  boys  and  one  daughter,  have  resulted 
from  the  union,  viz.:  E.  Vernon,  married  and  in 
business  in  Chicago;  Archibald,  also  in  same 
business,  residing  in  Chicago;  L. H. McConkey, 
railroading  with  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Freight 
Department,  and  Jane  H.,  a  promising  young 
lady,  who  travels  with  her  parents  taking  part 
in  the  performances,  and  bears  every  promise 
of  some  day  being  able  to  take  a  prominent 
part  in  the  most  celebrated  plays  of  the  stage, 
should  she  feel  disposed  to  accept  an  en 
gagement.  He  is  a  member  of  Lyon  Post, 
G.  A.  R.,  of  Oakland,  Cal.;  member  of  the 
Capital  City  Lodge,  No.  97,  Knights  of  Pythias, 


of  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  and  of  the  Order  of  Elks, 
No.  94,  Tiffin,  Ohio.  Mrs.  McConkey  had  a 
brother  in  the  war,  in  the  2nd  Ohio  Cavalry. 


HARRISON  REED,  of  Peoria,  111.,  was  born  in 
Cincinnati,    Ohio,    June    30,   1837.      In 
1844   he  removed   with    his   parents  to 
Jacksonville,  111.     Two  years  later  he  removed 
to  Rushville,  and  the  winter  of  1850,  settled  in 
Peoria,  which   place  he    has  always  called  his 
home.     In  1857  ne  started  out  in  life  as  a  farm 
er  in  Logan  township,  removing  from  there  two 
years  later  to  Knox  Co. 

The  29th  day  of  September,  1861,  found  him 
a  soldier,  enlisted  under  J.  I.  Bennett.  He  went 
into  camp  at  Princeton,  going  from  there  to 
Chicago,  where  he,  with  others,  was  mustered 
in  as  Co.  H,  57th  Illinois  Infantry.  On  Feb. 
8th  he  went  with  his  regiment  to  Cairo,  thence 
to  Fort  Donelson  and  took  part  in  the  battle  at 
that  place.  From  there  they  went  to  Fort 
Henry,  where  they  took  a  boat  for  Pittsburg 
Landing.  While  on  the  way  up  they  were  fired 
into.  With  the  exceptions  of  this,  the  wound 
ing  of  the  Orderly  Sergeant,  and  marching  out 
to  Adamsville  on  a  very  rainy  night,  no  other 
accident  or  incident  of  note  occurred. 

The  Orderly  being  disabled,  it  fell  to  the  lot 
of  Sergeant  Reed  to  act  as  Orderly,  which  he 
did  to  the  Satisfaction  of  both  men  and  officers. 
He  also  acted  as  Commissary  Sergeant  and  was 
the  means  of  requiring  a  receipt  for  all  rations 
not  issued^  which  gave  each  company  quite  a 
fund,  which  was  spent  for  the  benefit  of  the 
company  and  regiment. 

He  also  participated  in  the  battles  of  Shi- 
loh,  Siege  of  Corinth,  and  the  battles  of  luka. 

On  the  3d  of  October,  1862,  he  was  chosen 
as  Color  Sergeant  of  his  regiment,  carrying  the 
colors  through  the  bloody  battles  of  Corinth, 
which  position  he  filled  with  credit  and  honor 
both  for  himself  and  regiment,  until  mustered 
out. 

Discarding  his  military  clothing,  he  returned 
to  Peoria  County.  That  same  fall  he  went  to 
Kansas,  and  one  year  later  returned  and  was 


768 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


married  to  Miss  Maggie  VanArsdall,  March 
7th,  1867.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  but 
has  never  sought  office  at  his  party's  hands. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  a  member  of 
the  K.  of  L.,  and  also  a  charter  member  of  P. 
O.  S.  of  A.,  and  is  a  staunch  worker,  and  has 
always  worked  generally  for  all  labor  organiza 
tions. 

In  1872  he  moved  to  Kansas  City,  where  he 
lived  five  years,  working  at  his  trade  as  a  coop 
er,  then  returned  to  Peoria,  where  he  has  since 
resided,  following  the  same  occupation. 

Mr.  Reed  and  wife  are  comfortably  settled 
in  their  own  cheerful  home  at  the  foot  of  the 
bluff  on  7th  Avenue.  His  health  failing,  and  he 
being  unable  to  perform  manual  labor,  and 
through  the  persuasion  of  his  friends  he  applied 
for  position  as  storekeeper,  and  received  the 
appointment  as  such  from  the  Hon.  J.  S.  Starr. 
This  position  he  has  held  until  the  present  itme 


M 


AJ.-GEN.  M.  C  MEIGS.  Was  born  at  Au 
gusta,  Ga.,  May  3,  1816.  Educated  at 
West  Point  Millitary  Academy,  where 
he  graduated  in  1836.  Entered  military  service 
as  Lieut,  of  Artillery  in  the  regular  army  the 
same  year  in  which  he  graduated.  Was  pro 
moted  in  regular  succession  to  the  position  of 
Colonel  in  the  regular  service,  when  he  was 
appointed  Quartermaster  General  to  rank  as 
Brigadier,  May,  1861;  to  Brevet  Maj.-Gen.  July 
5,  1864.  As  engineer  he  designed  and  built  the 
Washington  aqueduct  across  the  Potomac,  at 
Washington  City,  one  of  the  most  costly  and 
beautiful  structures  in  America.  It  is  located 
above  the  Capitol  at  the  foot  of  the  great  falls 
of  the  Potomac,  and  was  erecte^  for  the  pur 
pose  of  supplying  Washington  with  pure  water 
from  the  river.  It  has  one  of  the  finest  arches 
in  the  world — a  single  span  of  220  feet,  and  an 
arch  of  solid  masonry  100  feet  high.  Gen. 
Meigs  also  designed  and  superintended  the 
construction  of  many  of  the  extensions  to  the 
Capitol  at  Washington,  among  which  was  the 


Iron  Dome,  a  work  of  great  skill    and   elegant 
proportions. 

As  Quartermaster-General  he  equipped  and 
supplied  millions  of  Union  soldiers:  furnished 
transportation  for  all  the  Govt.  troops,  and 
managed  successfully  a  business,  which  for 
extent,  variety  and  responsibility,  has  had  no 
parallel  in  the  history  of  our  country.  During 
the  National  troubles  growing  out  of  the  late 
rebellion,  the  life's  blood  of  the  Nation  ran 
through  the  channels  of  the  Quartermaster's 
department.  Purchases  and  contracts  were 
made  involving  many  millions  of  money,  and 
affecting  every  department  of  the  army.  In 
1861,  Gen.  Meigs  planned  an  expedition  to  re 
inforce  Fort  Pickens.  So  well  did  it  succeed, 
that  the  harbor  of  Pensacola  and  all  its  immense 
fortifications  were  saved  from  falling  into  Rebel 
hands.  When  Washington  City  was  besieged 
in  the  fall  of  1864,  he  furnished  a  full  division 
of  troops  from  the  employes  of  the  quarter 
master's  department.  Clerks,  agents  and  oper 
atives  were  alike  ordered  into  the  trenches, 
while  the  Quartermaster-General  commanded 
in  person.  He  remained  in  service  at  the  close 
of  the  war,  and  closed  up  the  vast  and  compli 
cated  affairs  of  his  position  with  entire  satis 
faction  to  the  Government.  Born  in  the  far 
South,  his  native  State  was  among  the  first  to 
secede,  yet  secession  and  rebellion  had  no 
charms  for  him.  Faithful  among  the  faithless, 
Gen.  Meigs  stood  among  the  Southern  officers 
loyal  to  his  Government  and  true  to  the  coun 
try.  Such  men  are  worthy  of  a  good  govern 
ment,  and  well  deserve  the  gratitude  of  posterity . 


IRA  DuBois  was  born    in    New   York   State, 
March  I,  1844,  son  of  Ira  DuBois,  who  was 
of  old  French  Huguenot  stock,  the  ancestor 
having  landed  in  this  country  in  the  early  part 
of  the  I7th  century.       Ira    continued    with  his 
parents  until  II  years  of  age,  when  he  launched 
out    upon   the  ocean  of  life  to  earn    his    own 
bread  by  his  own  industry   and    toil.       He  ac- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


769 


cepted  Greeley's  motto,  which  was,  "Go  West, 
young  man,"  and  after  visiting  many  places  in 
the  West,  finally  selected  Peoria  as  his  abiding 
place,  and  there  we  find  him  at  the  outbreak  of 
the  Rebellion.  The  Peoria  "boys"  had  filled 
that  part  of  the  I7th  111.,  raised  in  Peoria,  there 
fore,  young  DuBois  went  to  Lacon,  where  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B.,  for  the  same  regiment. 
He  proceeded  from  place  to  place,  reaching 
Pilot  Knob,  there  moved  against  Generals  Price 
and  Thompson,  and  then  on  to  Cape  Girardeau. 
He  next  moved  to  Fredericktown,  where 
Thompson's  forces  were  met  and  defeated,  the 
principal  fighting  on  the  Union  side  having 
been  done  by  his,  the  i/th  Ills.  Regt,  the  ist 
Ind.  Cav.  and  Taylor's  battery,  and  when  the 
battle  ceased  upwards  of  100  rebels  were  found 
dead  upon  the  field.  This  was  one  of  the  first  victo 
ries  of  the  Union  arms  during  the  war.  He  next 
fought  at  Fort  Henry,  then  at  Fort  Donelson, 
and  was  then  left  in  charge  of  the  camp  at  Fort 
Henry.  At  the  opening  of  the  battle  of  Fort 
Donelson,  his  company  was  resting  behind  a 
log  cabin  some  distance  from  the  main  army, 
where  it  was  attacked  by  a  large  number  of 
rebels.  After  an  hour's  engagement,  24  men 
out  of  80  had  been  killed  or  wounded,  and  the 
survivors  were  obliged  to  cut  their  way  through 
the  enemy's  lines  to  escape  capture.  Subse 
quently,  he  marched  across  to  Metcalf  Landing, 
and  in  order  to  avoid  wading  in  water,  he 
walked  on  the  top  rail  of  a  fence,  using  his 
musket  as  a  balance  pole.  A  rail  gave  way 
under  him  and  he  fell  across  the  fence,  causing 
him  an  injury  from  which  he  has  never  recov 
ered.  He  continued  with  the  regiment,  how 
ever,  to  Savannah,  enduring  great  suffering, 
and  on  arrival  was  placed  in  the  hospital  for 
some  time.  We  next  find  him  in  the  great  bat 
tle  of  Shiloh,  fighting  away  with  great  bravery 
for  the  preservation  of  his  country,  at  the  same 
time  a  very  sick  man  and  excused  by  the  phy 
sicians  from  attendance,  although  he  did  not 
accept  it.  After  Shiloh  he  accepted  a  60  day 
furlough  and  returned  home.  Rejoining  his 
Regt.  at  Jackson,  moved  on  to  Bolivar,  then 
marched  day  and  night  to  the  Hatchie  River 
to  cut  off  Price  and  VanDorn. 

48 


He  joined  Grant's  expedition  to  Holly 
Springs  and  took  part  in  the  operations  against 
Vicksburg,  fought  in  the  battles  of  Champion 
Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  the  assaults  upon 
Vicksburg  on  May  igthand  22nd,  1863,  respect 
ively,  then  in  that  long  and  tedious  siege  which 
lasted  some  47  days.  He  was  one  of  the  few 
volunteers  who  assisted  in  digging  the  rifle 
pits,  at  night,  right  under  the  rebel  works,  and 
so  close  that  they  could  hear  those  on  the 
other  side  of  the  wall  talking.  After  the  fall 
of  Vicksburg  he  participated  in  the  Meridian 
campaign,  which  lasted  for  31  days.  He  re-en 
listed,  and  with  the  others  received  a  furlough, 
but  at  the  time  he  preferred  staying  with  his 
regiment.  The  I7th  having  been  disbanded, 
he  was  transferred  to  the  8th  111.,  and  marched 
to  Clinton,  where  he  assisted  in  defeating  the 
rebels,  following  them  to  Jackson,  and  there, 
also,  joined  in  that  desperate  encounter.  Later, 
he  went  to  Duvall's  Bluff,  then  to  Memphis, 
Morganzia,  and  to  Knoxville.  About  this  time 
Mr.  Du  Bois  was  detailed  as  Ordnance  Steward 
at  Fort  Pickens,  Fla.  Afterwards  he  went  to 
New  Orleans,  where  he  had  charge  of  colored 
troops,  whom  he  distributed  to  their  regi 
ments.  He  joined  his  company  at  Marshall, 
Tex.,  then  went  to  Shreveport,  where  he  con 
tinued  until  April,  1866,  and  in  the  following 
month  he  was  mustered  out  at  Baton  Rouge  and 
discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  May,  16,  1866, 
after  a  service  of  5  years,  I  month  and  5  days. 

He  returned  to  Peoria,  which  has  since  been 
his  home,  save  18  months'  service  at  Chicago 
in  the  Government  secret  service.  Since  that 
he  has  been  a  traveling  salesman,  having  also 
visited  the  old  battle  grounds  of  the  South, 
notably  those  of  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Vicksburg, 
Jackson,  Bolivar  and  La  Grange. 

A  few  months  ago  he  was  appointed  Deputy 
Sheriff  of  his  county.  In  1868  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Bella  Stone,  by  whom  he  has  two 
children,  Lizzie,  a  finely  educated  young  lady, 
and  Henry.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican  and 
an  energetic  worker  in  his  party's  interests. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Elks,  of  the  Druids,  and 
of  the  Central  City  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is 
Senior  Vice  Commander. 


770 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


M 


AJ.-GEN.  GEORGE  STONEMAN  was  born  in 
N.  Y.,  in  the  year  1826;  educated  at 
West  Point,  where  he  graduated  in 
1846;  entered  service  as  Brevet  2nd  Lieut., 
First  Dragoons  in  the  regular  army,  July,  1846. 
From  the  time  of  entering  service  until  the 
beginning  of  the  late  war,  Stoneman  was  em 
ployed  in  the  frontier  service  in  the  Western 
territory.  As  a  cavalry  officer  he  has  marched 
and  fought  over  the  West,  from  the  Miss,  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean.  He  was  engaged  in  quell 
ing  the  Mormon  difficulties,  and  in  many  petty 
Indian  wars  in  the  far  West,  and  is  one  of  our 
most  experienced,  accomplished  and  trust 
worthy  cavalry  leaders.  At  the  outbreak  of 
the  Rebellion  he  was  appointed  Major  of  the 
4th  U.  S.  Cav.  Upon  the  organization  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  by  Gen.  McClellan,  he 
was  appointed  Brig.  Gen.  in  the  Infantry  line, 
but  was  afterward  made  Chief  of  Cav.,  in  which 
position  he  served  until  the  close  of  McClellan's 
campaign.  When  Burnside  assumed  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  Stoneman  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  corps,  and  won  dis 
tinction  for  skill,  constancy  and  efficient 
generalship.  He  was  afterwards  transferred  to 
the  West  and  joined  Gen.  Sherman  in  his  cam 
paign  against  Atlanta,  Ga.  During  the  summer 
of  1864,  he  led  a  cavalry  expedition  through 
the  interior  of  Ga.,  and  when  near  Macon,  was 
surrounded  by  a  large  body  of  Rebel  cavalry 
and  infantry.  To  save  his  command  he  formed 
his  lines,  and,  with  a  part  of  his  force,  held  the 
position  while  the  main  body  of  his  troops 
made  good  their  retreat.  He  commanded  the 
forlorn  hope,  and  remained  with  a  portion  of 
his  army  which  was  sacrificed,  and  was  himself 
captured  and  confined  in  a  Rebel  prison,  from 
which  after  a  few  months  he  was  released  by 
exchange  and  restored  to  his  command.  In 
the  spring  of  1865,  Stoneman  led  an  expedition 
into  East  Tenn.,  Va.,  and  N.  Carolina.  In  this 
expedition  he  captured  Salisbury,  North  Car 
olina,  and  disposed  his  forces  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  cut  off  the  retreats  of  the  Rebel  Gen. 
Johnston,  and  the  flight  of  Jeff.  Davis.  An  ex 
perienced  soldier,  atried  and  successful  leader, 
he  rendered  most  efficient  service  throughout 


the  war.  In  the  winter  of  1862,  he  led  our  first 
great  cavalry  raid  to  the  rear  of  the  Rebel 
army,  and  to  the  very  gates  of  Richmond. 
Upon  this  occasion,  his  forces  were  divided 
into  three  columns,  under  himself,  Averil  and 
Buford.  Cutting  the  railroad  between  Lee's 
army  and  Richmond,  he  greatly  alarmed  the 
Confederates  and  did  them  much  damage — 
burning  bridges,  depots  and  army  stores  within 
two  miles  of  the  capital.  This  was  one  of  the 
most  daring  and  successful  raids  made  during 
the  war,  and  in  its  results,  most  damaging  to 
the  Rebel  cause.  Nov.  29,  1862,  Stoneman 
was  made  Maj.-Gen.  for  gallant  conduct  \vhile 
Chief  of  Cavalry  during  the  Peninsular  cam 
paign.  He  was  retained  in  service  after  the 
war. 

In  person,  this  distinguished  officer  was  six 
feet  high  and  well  proportioned,  his  features 
were  regular  and  stern  and  his  manner  com 
manding,  hair  auburn,  eyes  blue,  whiskers 
brown  and  worn  full. 


JUDGE  WALTER  QUINTON  GRESHAM,  the  em 
inent  jurist  whose  name  heads  this  biog 
raphy,  was  born  near  Lanesville,  Harrison 
Co.,  Ind.,  March  17,  1832.  He  was  reared  on 
the  farm  home,  receiving  his  preliminary  edu 
cation  in  the  country  schools  of  that  locality. 
Subsequently  he  spent  one  year  in  the  State 
University  at  Bloomington,  Ind.  From  there 
he  went  to  Corydon,  Ind.,  where  he  studied 
law,  and  where  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1852,  opened  his  law  office  and  acquired  a  large 
and  successful  practice,  taking  front  rank  as  a 
lawyer.  In  1860,  he  was  elected  to  the  State 
Legislature,  but  his  legislative  career  was  inter- 
upted  by  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion.  He 
resigned  his  seat  in  1861  to  accept  the  appoint 
ment  of  Lieut. -Colonel  of  the  38th  Ind.  Inf. 
He  was  as  quick  to  master  the  military  as  he 
was  the  legal  profession,  and  he  was  soon  pro 
moted  to  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and  placed  in 
command  of  the  53rd  Ind.  Inf.  After  the 
termination  of  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  in  which 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


771 


he  took  a  prominent  part,  with  his  regiment, 
he  was  made  a  Brig.-General,  his  commission 
bearing  date  Aug.  12,  1863.  He  continued  to 
serve  in  the  Western  Army,  and  in  May,  1864, 
was  with  the  army  that  moved  out  for  the  At 
lanta  campaign.  He  bore  an  active  and  dis 
tinguished  part  in  this  campaign  up  to  the 
battle  of  Atlanta,  where  he  commanded  the  4th 
Div.  of  Blair's  Corps,  and  he  was  severely 
wounded  and  taken  from  the  field.  This  wound 
disabled  him  for  over  a  year,  and  prevented 
him  from  further  active  service. 

Mar.  13,  1865,  he  was  breveted  Maj.  Gen 
eral  of  volunteers  for  gallant  conduct  on  the 
field  at  Alabama. 

Returning  to  his  State  after  the  war,  he  re 
sumed  his  practice  at  New  Albany.  In  1866 
he  was  brought  out  by  the  Republican  party 
for  Congress,  but  was  defeated.  During  the 
years  1867-8,  he  was  financial  agent  of  his 
State  in  New  York  City.  When  Gen.  Grant 
became  President  in  1869,  he  appointed  Gen. 
Gresham,  whom  he  held  in  high  esteem,  U.  S. 
Dist.  Judge  for  Indiana.  This  position  he  ably 
and  honorably  filled  for  over  16  years,  and  re 
signed  the  same  to  accept  a  place  in  President 
Arthur's  cabinet  as  Postmaster  General,  taking 
his  seat  in  April,  1882.  After  the  death  of 
Secretary  Folger,  in  July,  1884,  he  was  made 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  This  position  he 
filled  with  the  same  ability  that  had  distin 
guished  him  throughout  his  public  career.  In 
October,  1884,  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Arthur,  U.  S.  Judge  for  the  7th  Judicial  Circuit, 
which  position  he  still  holds  and  has  filled 
with  marked  ability.  In  1888,  Judge  Gresham 
became  quite  a  prominent  candidate  of  the 
Republican  party  for  nomination  at  the  Repub 
lican  Convention  held  at  Chicago,  the  Illinois 
delegation  supporting  him,  and  many  delegates 
from  the  different  States.  His  public  record 
was  so  able,  his  life  so  pure,  and  his  name  so 
popular  with  the  people,  that  it  was  thought  at 
one  time  he  would  receive  the  nomination,  but 
through  the  manipulations  of  politicians  he 
was  defeated.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  and  the  Loyal  Legion 
of  111.,  of  which  he  has  been  Commander. 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  M.TURNBULL.  There  were  few 
regiments  engaged  in  the  late  rebellion 
that  were  more  distinguished  for  their 
gallantry  and  effective  fighting  than  the  36th 
111.  Inf.,  and  there  was  no  soldier  who  took 
part  in  the  late  war  for  the  Union,  who  returned 
with  a  better  record  for  devotion  to  the  cause 
and  gallant  conduct  on  the  field  of  battle  than 
the  veteran  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  and 
who  was  a  member  of  that  regiment.  He  en 
listed  at  Monmouth,  111.,  Aug.  18,  1861,  in  Co. 
C,  and  was  mustered  in  as  2nd  Lieutenant, 
Sept.  23,  at  Camp  Hammond,  near  Aurora,  111., 
where  the  regiment  was  organized  by  the  elec 
tion  of  Nicholas  Greusel  as  Colonel.  Mr. 
Turnbull  had  a  wife  and  several  children  when 
the  war  broke  out,  and  was  rather  loth  at  first 
to  leave  them  for  the  battle  field,  but  after  the 
disastrous  battle  of  Bull  Run,  his  patriotism 
became  stronger  than  family  ties;  he  felt  that 
the  country  needed  his  services,  and  he  was 
willing  to  make  the  sacrifice,  even  at  the  cost 
of  his  life. 

The  regiment  upon  organization  left  for  St. 
Louis,  where  it  was  armed  with  old  style  U.  S. 
muskets,  and  then  moved  by  rail  to  Rolla, 
Mo.,  and  went  into  camp,  remaining  until  Jan. 
14,  1862,  the  time  being  occupied  with  severe 
drill,  camp  and  post  guard  duty,  and  an  occa 
sional  scout.  At  the  above  named  date  it  left 
for  Springfield  in  the  movement  against  Price, 
with  the  3$th,  44th  111.,  and  25th  Mo.,  which 
formed  the  Brig,  under  the  command  of 
Osterhaus.  They  passed  through  Springfield, 
thence  to  Bentonville,  Ark.,  and,  moving  on, 
met  and  defeated  the  enemy  at  Leetown.  March 
6,  and,  March  7,  engaged  in  the  fierce  battle  at 
Pea  Ridge,  with  like  results.  After  a  rest  at 
Keitsville,  Mo.,  Captain  Turnbull,  with  his  com 
mand,  moved  out,  skirted  the  Ozark  Mts.,  and, 
after  much  marching,  arrived  at  Cape  Girar- 
deau  May  22nd.,  the  Brig,  then  under  com 
mand  of  Asboth.  May  23,  embarked  for 
Hamburg  Landing,  and  moved  to  Corinth, 
arriving  there  as  the  enemy  was  evacuating, 
and  went  into  camp  at  Rienzi,  where  they 
remained  until  the  following  September. 
While  there  Company  C,  then  commanded 


772 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


by  Captain  Turnbull,  was  detached  and  placed 
in  the  command  of  Col.  Phil.  Sheridan, 
who  had  charge  of  a  Brig.,  and  took  part  in  the 
numerous  scouting  expeditions.  Then,  in  the 
changing  of  the  lines,  he  was  ordered  to  Cin 
cinnati,  thence  to  Louisville,  and  later  fought 
in  the  battle  of  Perryville.  After  this  engage 
ment  it  was  a  race  between  the  Union  troops 
and  Bragg's  army  for  Nashville,  the  former  ar 
riving  there  first.  The  Regt.  remained  in  camp 
at  Nashville,  Seven  Mile  Creek  and  Mill  Creek, 
until  Dec.  26,  when  it  was  ordered  out  for  the 
Murfreesboro  campaign.  It  took  a  leading  part 
in  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  being  in  Sheridan's 
Div.  and  McCook's  Corps,  and  in  the  latter  fight 
Captain  Turnbull  was  slightly  wounded  in  the 
chest  by  a  glancing  ball.  After  the  battle  and  the 
evacuation  of  Murfreesboro  the  Regt.  went  into 
camp  on  the  banks  of  Stone  River,  on  the  Shelby- 
ville  Pike,  where  it  remained  until  June  24, 1863. 
After  this  long  rest,  the  boys  of  the  36th  were 
in  prime  condition  for  the  Tullahoma  campaign, 
in  which  they  took  a  conspicuous  part;  although 
the  campaign  ended  with  but  little  fighting,  yet, 
as  a  result,  Bragg  was  driven  out  of  Middle  Ten 
nessee.  After  much  marching,  and  making 
several  camps,  the  command  crossed  the  Ten 
nessee  and  entered  upon  the  Chattanooga  cam 
paign  at  the  memorable  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
in  which  the  36th  particularly  distinguished 
itself  for  its  gallant  conduct. 

After  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  Captain 
Turnbull  was  detailed  as  staff  officer  to  Gen. 
Frank  T.  Sherman,  first  acting  as  Provost  Mar 
shal.  He  then  was  assigned  as  Brig.  Inspec 
tor,  ist  Brig.,  2nd  Div.,  4th  A.  C., acting  in  this 
capacity  during  the  remainder  of  his  service. 
He  was  kept  very  active  during  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga  in  arranging  and  looking  after 
the  lines.  He  was  on  the  lamented  Gen. 
Lytle's  staff  during  this  battle,  who  was  killed 
while  forming  new  lines  under  a  heavy  fire. 
Capt.  Turnbull  had  a  horse  shot  from  under 
him,  but  he  escaped  unhurt,  though  his  com 
pany  and  regiment  suffered  many  losses. 

Sunday  morning  before  the  battle  opened, 
Gen.  Lytle  and  Captain  Turnbull — between 
whom  there  was  a  strong  friendship — were  sit 


ing  on  a  log  together,  talking  in  a  confidential 
way.  The  General  had  called  the  Captain  to 
him,  saying  he  wanted  to  have  a  talk.  While 
they  were  sitting  there,  he  asked  the  Captain 
if  he  thought  there  would  be  a  battle  that  day 
and  upon  his  replying  in  the  affirmative,  the 
General  said:  "I  think  so  too;  I  do  not  tliink 
it. will  make  me  a  coward,  yet  I  feel  that  I  shall 
be  killed  in  the  coming  battle,  and  I  have  one 
request  to  make,  one  favor  to  ask,  and  this  is 
that  you  will  not  leave  me  during  the  day." 
The  Captain  replied:  "Do  you  feel  this  way, 
General?"  The  General  said,  "I  do."  "Then, 
remarked  the  Captain,  "we  will  not  be  sepa 
rated."  When  the  battle  opened  they  were 
still  together  and  balls  were  flying  like  hail 
about  them,  yet  they  remained  untouched  by 
the  enemy's  deadly  lead,  although  the  soldiers 
of  the  Union  were  falling  thick  and  fast  upon 
the  bloody  field.  A  little  while  and  the  lines 
below  began  to  break  and  required  attention. 
There  was  one  there  whose  duty  it  was  to  look 
after  them  and  that  was  Turnbull,  but  he  moved 
not;  he  was  thinking  of  his  pledge.  Soon  Gen. 
Lytle  told  the  Captain  to  go  down  and  reform 
them,  but  he  paid  no  attention  to  this  order. 
The  General  then  looked  at  him,  and  pointing 
his  finger  down  where  the  battle  was  raging 
fiercely  said,  "Go!"  He  left  without  saying  a 
wrord.  Later,  in  the  maneuvering  of  the  con 
tending  forces,  he  saw  the  General's  steed  gal 
loping  by  riderless. 

It  needed  no  prophet  to  judge  the  result. 
The  noble  General  had  fallen,  shot  to  death  by 
rebel  bullets.  He  who  had  but  a  few  moments 
before  so  prophetically  spoken  of  his  approach 
ing  end,  and  who  had  but  a  few  hours  previous 
completed  that  immortal  poem — 

"  I  am  dying,  Egypt  dying, 
Ebbs  the  crimson  life-tide  fast — ' 

—  He  "perished  like  a  Roman,"  and  went  down 
amid  the  "Stygian  horrors  of  battle,"  while 
about  him  were  his  brave  soldiers  fighting  for 
the  cause  for  which  he  perished.  The  next 
day  his  body  was  recovered  from  the  enemy 
under  a  flag  of  truce.  After  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga  the  Captain,  with  his  command, 
fell  back  to  Rossville  and  then  to  Chattanooga, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


773 


it  being  his  duty  to  quietly  withdraw  the  last 
pickets.  He  thus  believes  to  have  been  the  last 
man  to  leave  Rossville. 

He  remained  at  Chattanooga  until  his  regi 
ment  was  recalled  to  the  field  of  Missionary 
Ridge,  when  he  took  part  in  that  celebrated 
battle,  Nov.  26,  1863.  His  regiment  was  in  the 
charge  to  relieve  the  center  of  the  line  to  draw 
the  enemy  away  from  Sherman.  The  line  was 
broken  and  soon  after  the  battle  was  ended,  and 
the  36th  was  the  first  to  plant  its  colors  on  the 
Ridge.  Nov.  28,  they  were  ordered  to  Knox- 
ville  to  relieve  Burnside.  When  they  arrived, 
Dec.  6,  Longstreet  had  withdrawn,  and  they 
moved  to  Elaine's  Cross  Roads,  where  the 
members  of  the  regiment  veteranized  and  re 
turned  to  Chattanooga  to  take  their  furlough. 
After  their  return  they  went  into  camp  at 
Cleveland,  Tenn.,  and  on  the  morning  of  May 
3,  1864,  they  moved  out  for  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign.  Captain  Turnbull's  first  fight  in  this 
campaign  was  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge.  He  then 
fought  at  Resaca,  Adairsville,  New  Hope 
Church,  where  he  was  wounded  in  the  knee  by 
a  buck-shot  the  night  of  the  25th,  while  out  on 
a  picket  line.  He  was  placed  in  the  field  hos 
pital  and  the  next  day  his  leg  was  amputated. 
Some  twelve  days  after  he  was  removed  to  the 
hospital  at  Ackworth,  where  he  was  in  hearing 
of  the  battle  at  Kenesaw  Mt.  While  there  his 
father  came  and  took  him  home.  In  October, 
being  able  to  move  about  on  crutches,  he  could 
not  resist  the  desire  to  see  his  old  comrades 
again,  and  he  started  for  the  front,  meeting  and 
going  with  his  regiment  as  far  as  Atlanta,  where 
he  tendered  his  resignation  and  was  mustered 
out  Nov.  4th. 

He  returned  home,  going  out  on  the  last 
train  leaving  Atlanta.  Captain  Turnbull  entered 
the  service  as  2nd  Lieut.  When  the  Captain  of 
his  company  was  detailed  as  PostQ.  M.,he  was 
appointed  1st  Lieut.,  and  from  that  time  had 
charge  of  his  company.  This  was  March  12, 
1863,  but  his  commission  was  dated  back  to 
Nov.  6,  1862.  In  1865,  Captain  Turnbull  was 
appointed  P.  M.  at  Monmouth,  by  President 
Lincoln,  but  before  his  commission  was  issued 
Lincoln  was  assassinated,  and  it  was  signed  by 


Johnson.  Not  long  after  he  was  removed  by 
Johnson  for  offensive  partisanship,  but  during 
his  impeachment  trial  he  was  reinstated.'  He 
held  his  position  until  March  30,  1887,  when 
President  Cleveland  substituted  a  Democrat,  and 
the  brave  soldier  who  lost  his  leg  in  the  de 
fense  of  the  Republic  was  retired.  He  then  en 
gaged  in  real  estate  and  insurance,  and  also 
gave  his  attention  to  pension  claims. 

In  May,  1891,  he  was  appointed  by  the  Rail 
road  and  Warehouse  Commission,  Register  for 
the  city  of  Chicago,  where  he  has  his  head 
quarters. 

Captain  Turnbull  was  born  July  23,  1833,  at 
Xenia,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Nancy 
(Mitchell)  Turnbull.  His  father's  name  was 
William,  and  he  was  born  in  the  south  of  Scot 
land.  The  Mitchells  were  of  Irish  descent, 
with  a  mixture  of  Swedish  blood  through  the 
Springer  family.  William  Turnbull  emigrated 
to  the  U.  S.  soon  after  the  close  of  the  Revolu 
tion,  settling  first  in  Tennessee,  and  subse 
quently  removed  to  Xenia,  O.,  where  David  was 
born,  and  where  he  was  reared  and  was  mar-  • 
ried.  William  Turnbull's  home  while  in  Tenn., 
was  near  Nashville  and  joined  that  of  Gen.  Jack 
son,  between  whom  there  was  a  strong  friend 
ship.  The  former  had  rendered  young  Andrew 
financial  aid  when  he  came  to  Nashville,  friend 
less  and  alone  in  the  world.  David  was  a  farmer 
er  by  occupation  and  removed  to  111.  in  1833,  set 
tling  on  a  tract  of  land  near  Monmouth.  Later 
he  removed  to  Hale  township,  locating  at  a 
place  afterwards  known  as  Turnbull's  Point.  He 
was  at  one  time  Sheriff  of  Warren  County,  and 
held  many  other  important  positions.  Was  an 
active  and  zealous  worker,  both  in  Church  and 
State.  He  died  at  Monmouth,  in  1871,  at  his 
son's  residence,  aged  63  years.  His  wife  had 
preceeded  him  a  few  years.  They  were  the 
parents  of  12  children,  8  of  whom  grew  to  ma 
turity,  and  4  of  whom  are  still  living — the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Anne  E.,  now  Mrs.  Payne,  of. 
Little  York,  111.;  Mary  A.,  now  Mrs.  Craw 
ford,  of  Colorado;  David  A.,  living  on  the  old 
homestead,  and  a  soldier  of  the  late  war;  and 
Thomas  B.,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  at  Argyle, 
N.  Y.  . 


774 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  raised  at 
home,  where  he  secured  a  good  common  school 
education.  When  the  rebellion  broke  out  he 
was  farming  and  left  the  ploughshare  to  take 
up  the  sword.  He  was  united  in  marriage  at 
Washington,  Iowa,  Nov.  7,  1854,  to  Anna  P., 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Ann  Orr,  natives  of 
Scotland.  By  this  marriage  they  have  had  five 
children — Ralph  who  died  in  infancy;  Mary 
Emma,  Clara  O.,  Nancy  A.,  and  Jennie  R. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post  No. 
81,  of  Kirkwood,  111.  The  family  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Capt.  Turnbull  is  a  man  of  fine  physique, 
tall  and  well-proportioned,  of  good  presence 
and  pleasing  address.  He  has  a  strong  and 
winning  personality;  is  big-hearted,  genial  in 
nature,  benevolent,  charitable,  and  true  in  his 
friendships.  His  career  has  been  highly  hon 
orable;  as  a  soldier,  steadfast  and  brave,  and 
as  a  citizen,  worthy  and  most  useful. 


JOHN  A.  McQuEEN,  of  McQueen,  111.,  and  a 
member  of  Veteran  Post,  No.  49,  G.  A.  R., 
of  Elgin,  enlisted  Aug.  17,  1861,  at  Udina, 
111.,  in  Co.  B  (Cav.),  which  was  attached  to 
the  36th  111.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  as  cor 
poral.  After  camping  at  Hammond,  the  Regt. 
proceeded  to  Rolla,  Mo.,  where  it  encamped 
until  Jan.,  1862.  Co.  B  was  chiefly  engaged  in 
scouting.  The  Regt.  then  moved,  under  Cur 
tis,  to  Pea  Ridge  and  took  part  in  that  battle, 
losing  heavily.  It  had  a  position  on  the  left 
with  Gen.  Sigel.  It  then  moved  with  Asboth's 
Div.  to  Corinth,  and  took  part  in  that  siege, 
after  which  it  went  into  camp  at  Rienzi,  Miss. 
In  the  fall  the  Regt.  marched  to  Louisville, 
where  it  was  assigned  to  Sheridan's  Div.,  in 
which  it  fought  at  Chaplin  Hills,  with  heavy 
loss.  It  was  again  in  action  at  Stone  River,  in 
McCook's  Corps,  where  it  lost  its  Brig,  com 
mander,  Gen.  Sill,  and  its  Colonel  (Greusel) 
took  command.  The  36th  lost  in  that  battle 
very  heavy.  From  the  sanguinary  field  of 
Stone  River,  it  went  toChickamauga,  and  took 


a  prominent  part  in  that  battle,  the  Brig,  being 
commanded  by  Gen.  Lytle.  Mr.  McQueen's 
Regt.  was  again  a  heavy  loser.  Its  next  im 
portant  battles  were  those  about  Chattanooga, 
Mission  Riclge,  Orchard  Knob,  and  Lookout 
Mt.,  fought  from  Nov.  23,  to  25,  1863,  in  all  of 
which  the  36th  added  to  its  already  wide  fame 
as  a  fighting  Regt.  During  the  remaining  two 
years  of  its  time  it  served  in  the  4th  A.  C., 
took  an  active  part  in  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
and  was  in  the  battle  of  Resaca,  New  Hope 
Church,  Adairsville,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mt., 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  Fayctteville,  and  Atlanta. 
Mr.  McQueen,  with  his  Co.,  went  with  Sher 
man  in  his  march  to  the  sea,  and  then  through 
the  Carohnas,  making  camp  for  a  time  at  Ra 
leigh,  thence  marched  to  Washington. 

Mr.  McQueen  was  promoted  at  Benton  Bar 
racks  in    Nov.,    1 86 1,  to    Q.  M.  Sergt.;  Feb.  28, 

1864,  to  2d  Lieut.;  March  13,  1865,  to  1st  Lieut. 
He  was   in   the    hospital  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  in 
1862,  and  again  at  Camden,  S.  C.,  in  1865.     He 
was    wounded    near  Darlington,  S.  C.,  Feb.  27. 

1865,  by  a  pistol    ball  in  the  groin  in  a  cavalry 
fight  at  night;  was  left  on  the  field,  and  was  taken 
prisoner.     He  was  taken    to  a   citizen's   house 
and    treated  with  great  kindness  until  April   I, 
when  he  was  taken  to  the  Confederate  hospital 
at  Camden,   S.  C.     He  rejoined  his  command 
June  I.  1865.     While  in  the  service  he  had  three 
furloughs — one    in   March,    1863,   one    in  Dec. 
same  year,   and    his    veteran  furlough  in  Feb., 
1864.     While  at  Beaufort  by  a  special  order  he 
was  placed  in  charge  of  a  scouting  party,  serv 
ing  in  that  capacity  until  he  was   taken  prison 
er.     He   was   mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
June  20,  1865,  and  returned  home. 

Lieut.  McQueen  was  born  at  Sing  Sing,  N. 
Y.,  Apr.  14,  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  George  and 
Margaret  (McCormick)  McQueen,  who  were 
born  in  Scotland,  respectively,  in  1805  and  1807, 
and  died,  the  father  in  1859,  and  the  mother  in 
1860.  By  this  union  they  had  seven  children 
Ellen,  William,  Andrew,  John  A.,  Elizabeth, 
Janet  and  Mary  H.  His  father  was  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Kane  Co.,  111.,  locating  there 
in  1839,  and  engaged  in  farming  at  Cato.  Here 
young  John  was  sent  to  the  common  schools 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


775 


for  his  preliminary  education.  He  closed  his 
school  studies  at  the  Elgin  Academy.  At  the 
age  of  i6he  went  to  Elgin  to  learn  the  carpen 
ter's  trade.  While  pursuing  this  trade  he  taught 
school  winters.  Upon  the  death  of  his  father, 
he  was  called  home  to  take  charge  of  his  large 
farm  where  he  remained  until  he  enlisted.  Re 
turning  from  the  war  he  resumed  his  farming 
operations,  which  he  carried  on  until  1881,  when 
he  went  into  the  mercantile  business,  which  he 
conducted  until  1885,  when  he  went  back  to 
farming,  which  he  still  continues,  holding  large 
landed  interests.  He  held  the  position  of 
Postmaster  at  McQueen  from  1882  to  1886.  He 
was  married  at  Bloom,  111.,  Nov.  28,  1865,  to 
Martha  E.,  daughter  of  Stewart  B.  and  Cather 
ine  McEldowny,  by  whom  he  has  five  children 
—Catherine  M.,  Alice  J.,  William  C.,  George 
S.  and  Walter  J. 

In  politics  Mr.  McQueen  is  a  Republican, 
casting  his  first  vote  for  Lincoln.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  49,  at  Elgin. 

Lieut.  McQueen  was  a  brave,  gallant  sol 
dier,  always  ready  to  take  his  place  where  the 
battle  raged  the  fiercest.  As  a  citizen  his  record 
is  no  less  honorable,  being  held  in  high  esteem 
and  as  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  the 
county. 


M 


AJOR  GENERAL  WILLIAM  B.  FRANKLIN  was 
born  in  Pa.,  in  1821,  and  entered  West 
Point  Military  Academy  in  1839,  where 
he  graduated  at  the  head  of  his  class  in  1843. 
He  entered  service  as  2d  Lieut,  of  Topograph 
ical  Engineers.  Promoted  to  ist  Lieut.  Feb. 
23,  1847  ;  to  Captain,  July  i,  1857  ;  to  Colonel, 
May  14,  1 86 1,  and  assigned  to  the  I2th  Regt.  U. 
S.  Vol.  Inf.  He  was  further  promoted  to  Brig. 
Gen.,  July  i,  1862,  and  to  Maj.  Gen.,  July  4, 
1862.  Gen.  Franklin  served  with  distinction  in 
the  war  with  Mexico,  and  was  promoted  for 
meritorious  conduct  in  the  battle  of  Buena 
Vista,  Feb.  27,  1847.  He  commanded  a  brigade 
under  Gen,  McDowell,  and  took  an  active  part  in 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  4, 1861.  Uponthere- 
organization  of  the  army  after  that  disaster,  he 


was  placed  in  command  of  the  ist  Div.  of  the 
ist  A.  C.,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Gen.  Franklin 
acted  a  conspicuous  part  and  displayed  mili 
tary  talents  of  the  highest  order  in  the  Penin 
sular  campaign.  Such  was  the  esteem  and 
confidence  with  which  McClellan  regarded  him, 
that  through  his  influence  he  was  made  Major 
Gen.,  and  placed  in  command  of  an  army  corps, 
in  which  position  he  acquitted  himself  with  the 
highest  honors  on  the  field  at  the  battle  of 
Williamsburg.  In  all  the  sanguinary  scenes  of 
the  seven  days'  fighting,  he  was  among  the 
most  prominent  actors.  He  soon  became  a 
favorite  and  honored  leader  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  Throughout  the  Rebellion  he  main 
tained  a  high  position,  being  distinguished  for 
efficient  generalship,  daring  bravery  and  con 
stant  success. 

No  one  among  the  brave  and  patriotic 
leaders  of  the  United  States  armies,  in  any  por 
tion  of  the  country,  won  a  more  enduring  fame, 
and  the  memory  of  none  stands  higher,  both 
with  the  army  and  with  the  Nation,  than  does 
Gen.  W.  B.  Franklin. 


M 


AJ.  GEN.  LOVEL  H.  ROSSEAU  was  born  at 
Stanford,  Ky.,  Aug.  4,  1818.  Entered 
military  service  as  Captain  in  an  Indian 
Regt.  during  the  Mexican  War  in  1846,  and 
served  under  Gen.  Taylor  until  the  fall  of  the 
City  of  Mexico,  when  he  returned  to  Ky.  and 
continued  the  practice  of  law.  When  the  Rebel 
lion  broke  out,  Capt.  Rosseau  was  a  member  of 
the  Legislature  of  Kentucky,  and  grappled 
madly  with  secession  under  the  disguise  of  Ky. 
neutrality.  This  form  of  treason  was  approved 
by  Bela  McCoffin,  then  Governor  of  the  State, 
and  advocated  by  John  C.  Breckinridge,  Hum 
phrey  Marshall,  Billy  Preston,  and  Gen.  Buck- 
ner.  Almost  alone  in  the  Legislature,  Rosseau 
met  these  willy  and  eloquent  advocates  of 
treason  and  disguise,  and  beat  them  on  the 
threshold;  tore  off  the  masks  of  S.  Neutrality, 
exposed  the  hideous  form,  and  branded  it  as 
disunion-more  hateful  than  open  treason.  In 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


this  great  crisis  Rosseau  was  as  true  as  steel. 
By  the  magic  power  of  his  eloquence,  resistless- 
ness  of  his  logic  and  withering  denunciations,  he 
defeated  the  hollow  pretense  of  State  neutrality, 
and,  as  he  had  predicted,  saw  Breckinridge  and 
Co.  go  straight  into  the  Rebel  army.  Rosseau 
then  declared  that  the  Ky.  Legislature  should 
declare  openly  for  the  Union.  The  Rebel  influ 
ence  was  too  strong  and  his  noble  efforts  in 
behalf  of  the  Government  failed. 

Leaving  the  Halls  of  Legislature,  Rosseau 
hastened  to  Washington,  and  obtained  a  com 
mission  to  raise  troops  for  the  Union  service. 
So  great  was  the  excitement  and  prejudice  in 
Kentucky,  a  rendezvous  had  to  be  made  out 
side  of  the  State.  Camp  Holt  was  established 
opposite  to  Louisville,  on  the  Indiana  side  of 
the  Ohio  River.  After  raising  two  regiments 
and  a  full  battery  of  loyal  Ky.  men,  Rosseau 
recrossed  the  river  and  again  entered  the  State 
at  the  earnest  entreaty  of  the  citizens  of  Louis 
ville,  at  that  time  threatened  by  an  army  of 
Confederate  soldiers  under  Gen.  Bragg.  We 
next  hear  of  Rosseau  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
where  he  was  in  command  of  a  brigade,  and 
won  a  wide  renown. 

In  what  was  known  as  the  great  military 
foot  race  between  the  Rebel  forces  under  Bragg 
and  the  Union  troops  under  Buell,  Rosseau 
took  part,  and,  at  its  conclusion,  again  distin 
guished  himself  at  the  battle  of  Perryville,  in 
the  fall  of  1862.  Going  on  South  under  Gen. 
Rosecrans,  Rosseau  took  a  leading  part  in  the 
battle  of  Stone  River,  and  proved  himself  one 
of  the  best  officers  and  boldest  leaders  on  that 
bloody  field.  Continuing  in  the  field  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  General  Rosseau  had  the 
proud  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  old  flag  re 
stored,  the  Rebellion  conquered,  the  Govern 
ment  re-established,  and  the  life  of  the  Nation 
saved. 


LIEUT.  MARTIN  KINOMAN,  Peoria,  111.     The 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  April  1st, 
1844,  in  Deer  Creek  Tp.,  Tazewell    Co., 
111.      His   early   years    were    passed    in    Deer 
Creek,  where  he  attended  the  district  school. 


He  then  attended  school  in  Tremont,  Tazewell 
Co.,  two  terms,  and  then  attended  Washington 
Academy,  Washington,  Tazewell  Co.,  for  three 
years  prior  to  the  war,  and  was  engaged  in 
teaching  school  near  Peoria  at  the  outbreak  of 
the  war. 

In  the  spring  of  1862  young  Kingman,  a 
frail  boy  eighteen  years  old,  enlisted  in  Co.  G, 
86th  111.  Vol.  Inft.,  being  the  first  of  a  large 
number  of  boys  from  Deer  Creek  to  enlist. 
His  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Lyon, 
Peoria,  and  he  was  elected  second  lieutenant  of 
Co.  G,  being  the  youngest  lieutenant  in  the  reg 
iment,  and  afterwards  in  the  division,  and  in 
consequence  received  the  cognomen  of  the 
young  lieutenant.  Even  at  this  time  he  was 
more  proficient  in  drill  and  military  tactics 
than  many  of  his  superior  officers,  having  when 
fourteen  years  old  joined  the  Dan  Mills  Wash 
ington  Guards,  in  which  he  took  great  pride  in 
drilling  and  studying  the  science  of  war.  Being 
a  close  student  and  observer,  he  had  thoroughly 
mastered  drill  and  military  tactics,  so  when 
elected  lieutenant  he  was  thoroughly  familiar 
with  his  duties,  and  was  detailed  a  number  of 
times  to  drill  other  officers  of  his  regiment 
and  instruct  them  in  their  duties,  consequently 
young  Kingman  became  conspicuous  from  the 
time  of  his  enlistment. 

Early  in  Sept.,  1862,  the  regiment  went  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  joining  Buell's  army,  and  pass 
ing  in  the  great  review  in  Louisville  in  which 
hundreds  of  men  fell  exhausted  by  the  heat. 
Lieut.  Kingman  participated  in  the  campaign 
against  Bragg,  whose  army  was  encountered 
Oct.  8th,  1862,  on  the  famous  battle-field  of 
Perryville,  and  later  at  Crab  Orchard.  In  the 
battle  of  Perryville  the  86th  111.  led  in  the  as 
sault,  and  suffered  a  loss  of  one  man  killed  and 
thirteen  wounded.  Then  it  marched  to  Nash 
ville,  Tenn.,  arriving  Nov.  7th,  where  it  contin 
ued  on  garrison  duty  until  the  following  June. 
While  stationed  at  Nashville,  Lieut.  Kingman 
was  on  detached  service  in  command  of  a  com 
pany  of  the  8oth  111.  Inft.,  which  had  been  capt 
ured  and  lost  its  officers. 

He  left  with  his  regiment,  on  Sept.  4th, 
1863,  for  Huntsville,  Ala.;  thence  the  regiment 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


777 


went  to  Chattanooga,  Tcnn.,  arriving  there  on 
Sept.  i6th,  where  the  brigade  was  assigned  to 
Granger's  Reserve  Corps.  On  the  igth  and 
20th  of  Sept.  it  participated  in  the  celebrated 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  holding  a  position  on 
the  extreme  left  of  the  army,  and  was  the  last 
to  leave  that  blood-stained  field.  His  brigade 
assisted  the  last  battery  off  the  field,  and  to 
prevent  noise  wrapped  their  blankets  around 
the  gun-carriages'  wheels.  His  division  retired 
through  the  gap  at  Chickamauga,  and  on  the 
2Oth  of  September  went  to  North  Chickamauga, 
where  it  guarded  the  ford.  On  Nov.  24th 
Lieut.  Kingman's  regiment  crossed  the  Tennes 
see  River,  and  led  in  the  opening  scenes  of  the 
battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  gaining  a  promi 
nent  position  on  the  northern  end  of  that  ele 
vation,  which  it  held  until  the  battle  was  won, 
and  giving  it  a  full  view  of  the  Union  army 
in  its  assault  on  Mission  Ridge,  presenting  a 
view  of  a  line  of  battle  more  than  six  miles 
long.  The  regiment  then  joined  in  the  pursuit 
of  the  enemy  in  the  retreat  to  Ringgold,  capt 
uring  many  thousand  prisoners. 

His  division  was  then  ordered  to  join  Sher 
man  in  his  desperate  march  to  the  relief  of 
Knoxville,  then  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Burnside.  When  within  eight  miles  of  Knox 
ville  they  learned  that  Burnside  had  raised  the 
siege,  and  Sherman's  army  settled  down  on  the 
banks  of  the  East  Tennessee  River  to  forage 
and  rest  for  a  few  days. 

During  this  resting  spell,  Lieut.  Kingman 
with  forty  men  and  twenty  teams  started  up 
one  of  the  valleys  on  a  foraging  expedition. 
After  filling  their  wagon^vith  all  kinds  of  for 
age,  they  were  about  to  return,  when  Lieut. 
Kingman  discovered  that  one  of  his  men  was 
absent,  and  was  probably  captured  by  the  bush 
whackers  wrho  were  in  that  section.  To  retal 
iate,  Lieut.  Kingman  ordered  his  men  to  take 
into  custody  an  old  man  and  a  young  girl,  and 
sent  word  to  the  bushwhackers  that  the  capt 
ives  would  be  held  as  hostages  until  the  return 
of  the  captured  soldier,  and  that  their  fate 
would  be  the  same  as  that  of  the  Union  soldier. 
While  the  army  was  still  there,  the  soldier  was 
returned  unharmed  to  his  comrades,  and  the 


man  and  girl  set  at  liberty,  much  to  the  relief 
of  Lieut.  Kingman  and  his  gallant  body  of 
men. 

He  then  joined  on  the  return  march  to  Chat 
tanooga,  where  he  arrived  on  Dec.  igth,  1863. 
This  expedition  to  Knoxville  was  one  of  the 
hardest  of  the  Rebellion,  and  the  patriotism, 
fidelity  and  bravery  of  the  men  were  tested  to 
the  utmost.  They  had  received  no  clothing 
since  the  previous  June,  and  the  men  were 
practically  bare-footed,  some  of  them  abso 
lutely  so  (among  them  Lieut.  Kingman),  while 
they  had  no  overcoats,  and  their  scanty  gar 
ments  hung  upon  them  in  shreds.  In  this  con 
dition,  suffering  the  pangs  of  hunger,  they 
marched  on  that  wearisome  return  from  Knox 
ville,  with  the  ground  at  times  frozen  and  at 
times  covered  with  snow,  consequently  the  suf 
ferings  of  the  men  were  very  great — too  great  to 
be  accurately  portrayed  by  any  language. 
Gen.  Sherman,  in  his  memoirs,  referring  to  the 
march  to  Knoxville,  states  that  the  suffering 
was  equal  to  that  at  Valley  Forge. 

Lieut.  Kingman  remained  during  the  winter 
of  1863-64  in  the  vicinity  of  Chattanooga,  par 
ticipating  in  some  heavy  skirmishing  at  Buz 
zard's  Roost  and  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  which  re 
lieved  camp  monotony.  On  May  3d,  1864,  he 
marched  to  Ringgold  and  took  part  in  the  ad 
vance  against  Tunnel  Hill,  and  then  through 
Snake  Creek  Gap,  taking  an  active  part  in  the 
battle  of  Resaca. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  Atlanta  cam 
paign,  he  participated  in  the  battles  of  Rome, 
Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Marietta,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro.  In  all  these 
battles  Lieut.  Kingman's  Regiment  suffered 
terribly  in  killed  and  wounded.  At  Kenesaw 
Mountain  it  lost  26  killed,  70  wounded  and  12 
missing.  At  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  Lieut. 
Kingman  was  shot  in  the  left  breast  and  also 
received  a  slight,  wound  through  his  left  leg, 
the  ball  striking  his  horse,  which  fell,  with  its 
rider  occupying  an  uncomfortable  position  be 
neath.  Fortunately,  his  wounds  were  slight, 
so  he  remained  at  his  post,  and  on  Sept.  4th,  re 
turned  to  Atlanta  and  participated  in  taking 
possession  of  the  city. 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Throughout  this  campaign,  Lieut.  Kingman 
was  on  the  staff  of  Col.  Dan  McCook,  and  had 
charge  of  the  Ambulance  Corps  of  the  Third 
Brigade,  Second  Division,  Thirteenth  Army 
Corps.  After  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  his 
Brigade  started  to  head  off  Hood,  and  his  Am 
bulance  Corps  and  men  were  left  in  Atlanta, 
and  he  was  detailed  to  clear  a  part  of  the  city 
of  its  inhabitants  and  to  notify  those  wishing 
to  go  North  that  they  would  receive  transpor 
tation,  as  the  city  was  to  be  destroyed.  This 
was  one  of  the  saddest  duties  of  his  life,  but 
the  exigencies  of  war  demanded  its  fulfillment. 
For  more  than  two  weeks  his  men  and  teams 
were  used  to  transport  the  citizens  of  Atlanta 
who  wished  to  go  North,  to  the  depots,  and 
those  who  wished  to  go  South,  to  a  field  south  of 
the  city.  On  the  night  of  Nov.  I4th,  after  all 
the  inhabitants  had  been  removed,  the  torch 
was  applied,  first  to  the  stores,  then  to  the  resi 
dence  portion,  and  although  two  miles  distant 
that  night,  he  could  plainly  see  to  read. 

Nov.  1 5th,  he  started  upon  the  march  to  the 
sea,  arriving  in  front  of  Savannah  on  Dec.  nth, 
1864.  Soon  aftei  the  city  surrendered,  and  was 
presented  by  Gen.  Sherman  to  President  Lin 
coln  as  a  Christmas  present.  While  on  the 
march  to  the  sea,  his  Division  was  at  the  head 
of  the  column  of  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps, 
and  was  the  first  to  enter  Milledgeville,  where 
the  Legislature  had  been  in  session  the  day  pre 
vious.  The  troops,  while  in  Milledgeville,  were 
stationed  about  the  State  House,  and  the  sol 
diers  who  were  familiar  with  Legislative  pro 
ceedings,  held  a  mock  Legislature  in  the  State 
House,  a  soldier  taking  the  name  and  place  of 
each  of  the  Legislators  who  had  so  recently 
left. 

Lieut.  Kingman's  Corps  was  ordered  from 
Savannah  to  South  Carolina,  and  marched  by 
the  way  of  Sister's  Ferry  into  that  State,  thence 
northward  through  the  Carolinas,  being  at  Co 
lumbia  when  it  was  burned.  This  march  being 
made  in  the  spring,  during  the  heavy  rains,  the 
streams  were  very  high,  and  had  to  be  spanned 
by  pontoon  bridges,  and  roads  had  to  be  made 
of  corduroy  to  permit  the  passage  of  the  teams 
and  artillery.  It  was  one  of  the  most  difficult 


marches    \yhich    the    army,  during  all  its  cam 
paigns,  had  made. 

Lieut.  Kingman  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Averysboro,  and  Bentonville,  N.  C.,  and  im 
mediately  after  the  latter  was  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant.  Bentonville  was  the  last  battle  of 
the  Rebellion,  in  which  any  large  number  of 
men  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  which  should 
not  have  been  fought,  as  the  war  was  then 
practically  over. 

The  night  after  the  battle  of  Bentonville, 
Lieut.  Kingman  walked  into  the  camp  of  the 
rebel  army,  which  was  getting  supper.  He  saw 
his  mistake  and  walked  out  without  being 
noticed.  He  reported  to  Gen.  James  D. 
Morgan,  then  commanding  the  Division,  that 
they  were  within  the  enemy's  lines,  who  at  first 
ridiculed  the  idea,  but  was  soon  convinced  of 
the  astounding  truth.  Gen.  Morgan  withdrew 
his  men  and  threw  out  a  picket  line.  The  next 
morning,  relief  reinforcements  from  the  corps 
on  the  right  and  left  came  marching  in  and  the 
enemy  withdrew,  and  on  the  succeeding  day 
the  army  took  up  its  march  to  Golclsboro,  N- 
C.,  where  young  Kingman  spent  his  twenty- 
first  birthday,  having  been  a  soldier  nearly 
three  years.  One  of  the  presents  made  to  him  on 
that  day  was  a  peck  of  raw  onions  from  the 
Division  Surgeon.  He  next  moved  to  Raleigh 
and  Cape  Fear  River.  While  near  Raleigh  the 
news  of  the  surrender  of  Lee  was  received,  and 
soon  after  the  surrender  of  Johnston. 

On  May  ist,  1864,  he  started  on  the  march 
from  Raleigh  to  Richmond.  While  in  Rich 
mond,  he  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  a  few 
days,  and  visited  his  mother's  uncle  and  aunt, 
then  living  in  Richmond.  When  the  army  left 
Richmond  he  rejoined  his  command  and 
marched  northward,  visiting,  on  the  way,  many 
of  the  great  battlefields.  As  the  close  of  his 
army  life,  he  marched  in  the  grand  review  in 
Washington,  May  25th,  1865.  He  was  mustered 
out  in  Washington  on  June  6th,  and  finally  dis 
charged  in  Chicago  on  the  2ist.,  after  an  active, 
oyal,  and  continuous  service  of  nearly  three 
years,  without  being  absent  from  his  command 
for  a  single  day,  except  the  few  days  at  Rich 
mond  after  the  war  was  over. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


779 


Returning  home  to  Deer  Creek,  111.,  he  re 
mained  with  his  mother  until  August,  when  he 
went  to  Peoria,  going  to  work  for  Clark,  Hanna, 
&  Co.,  Millers.  On  June  7th,  1866,  he  went  in 
to  the  grocery  business  as  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Clauson  &  Kingman.  He  remained  in  the 
grocery  business  three  months,  and  then  en 
gaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  boot  and  shoe  store,  after 
which  he  visited  Massachusetts,  his  father's 
native  state.  Returning  to  Peoria,  he  went  into 
the  farm  machinery  business,  as  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Kingman  &  Dunham,  afterwards 
Kingman,  Hotchkiss&  Co.,  and  later,  Kingman 
&  Co.,  which  has  been  the  firm  name  since  1872- 
Kingman  &  Go's,  business  has  grown  until  it  is 
now  the  largest  wholesale  farm  machinery,  ve 
hicle,  and  cordage  house  in  the  United  States, 
having  houses  in  Peoria,  St.  Louis,  Kansas  City; 
Omaha,  and  DesMoines.  From  these  houses 
goods  are  shipped  south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
and  west  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Mr.  Kingman  is 
also  interested  in  several  other  companies — the 
Peoria  Cordage  Co.,  the  Central  National  Bank, 
the  Peoria  Savings  Loan  &  Trust  Co.,  the  Na 
tional  Hotel  Co.,  the  Peoria  Electric  Light  and 
Power  Co.,  the  Newell  Coal  Co.,  all  of  Peoria, 
the  Marseilles  M'f'g.  Co.,  Marseilles,  111.,  the 
Milburn  Wagon  Co.,  Toledo  O.  All  are  success 
ful,  and  all  are  of  value  to  the  cities  in  which 
they  are  situated. 

Mr.  Kingman  was  the  son  of  Abel  and  Mary 
Ann  (Bingham)  Kingman.  His  father  was  born 
in  Pelham,  Mass.,  and  came  to  Tazewell  Co., 
111.,  in  1834.  Henry  Kingman,  the  first  of  the 
name  in  the  United  States,  came  to  Weymouth, 
Mass.,  from  Weymouth,  England,  in  1635.  On 
July  8th,  1890,  a  reunion  of  the  family  in  the 
United  States  was  held  in  Brockton,  Mass.,  it 
being  the  two  hundred  and  fifty-fifth  anniver 
sary  of  the  arrival  of  Henry  Kingman  and  wife 
in  America.  A  history  of  the  Kingman  family 
is  now  being  written  by  one  of  its  members,  to 
include  all  the  living  members  of  the  family, 
and  in  this  history,  Mr.  Kingman  will  justly 
hold  a  prominent  place. 

Mr.  Kingman's'  mother  was  born  in  Norfolk, 
Va.,  and  with  her  parents  came  to  Tazewell 
Co.,  111.,  in  1834. 


Mr.  Kingman  was  married  to  Emeline  T., 
daughter  of  Peter  S.  Shelly,  of  Peoria,  on  May 
21,  1867.  They  have  had  five  children,  Louis 
S.,  Walter  B.,  Martin,  Mabel  D.,  and  Arthur. 
Martin  and  Arthur  died  while  quite  young. 

Mr.  Kingman  is  a  member  of  the  Loyal 
Legion  and  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  been  a  mem 
ber  of  the  First  Congregational  Church,  Peoria, 
for  twenty-four  years.  His  liberal  contribu 
tions  did  much  towards  building  its  handsome 
house  of  worship.  He  also  generously  con 
tributed  for  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  in  Peoria. 
He  assisted  in  purchasing  the  lot  and  holding  it 
until  the  present  handsome  building  was  erect 
ed. 

Mr.  Kingman  is  a  staunch  Republican,  and 
has  always  worked  hard  for  his  party.  He  has 
never  been  a  candidate  for  public  office,  but 
was  appointed  canal  commissioner  by  Gov. 
Cullom  in  1877,  and  filled  the  position  until 
1883. 

He  has  traveled  extensively,  having  been 
in  every  state  and  territory,  in  Mexico,  Yuca 
tan,  Central  America,  the  West  India  Islands, 
and  Europe.  His  late  trip  in  Europe  afforded 
him  an  opportunity  of  seeing  grand  reviews  of 
the  armies  of  England,  France  and  Germany. 
When,  from  every  point  of  view,  commercial, 
political,  and  social,  it  appears  that  the  life  work 
of  a  man  has  ripened  into  a  full  harvest  of  success, 
honor  and  usefulness,  the  fact  is  revealed  that  the 
author  of  such  results  must  be  a  man,  not  only 
of  well-rounded  character,  but  of  noble  aspira 
tions,  of  systematic  and  conscientious  work. 
Of  no  man  could  this  be  more  truly  said  than 
of  Mr.  Kingman.  With  high  natural  endow 
ments,  both  of  mind  and  person,  he  has  trusted 
nothing  to  chance  or  genius.  By  linking  to 
gether  natural  gifts  with  habits  of  patient  and 
concentrative  work,  he  has  rounded  out  his 
life  work  to  its  full  completeness  and  attained 
a  high  distinction  as  a  financier,  a  patriot,  and 
a  citizen. 


;8o 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ISAAC  COOK,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Fairfield 
Co.,  O.,  Aug.  8,  1837.  His  parents  soon 
moved  to  Peoria  Co.,  111., settled  near  Farm- 
ington,  and  when  their  son  was  16  years  old. 
they  changed  their  residence  and  located  in 
Stark  Co.,  near  Osceola,  where  he  lived  until 
1855,  when  he  went  to  Kewanee.  He  lived  at 
Withersfield,  adjoining  Kewanee,  and  was  mar 
ried  in  1855,  to  Caroline  M.  Segur.  He  then 
lived  in  Kewanee  until  he  enlisted  in  Aug., 
1862,  in  Cov  A,  I24th  Regt.  Ills.  Vol.,  and  went 
to  Tenn.,  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  movement 
to  Oxford.  He  was  sent  by  boat  to  Memphis 
and  Milliken's  Bend,  where  the  men  were  put 
to  work  on  the  two  canals  that  were  cut  at 
that  place.  The  forces  were  sent  to  Lake  Prov 
idence,  where  they  cut  the  levee  and  flooded 
the  country.  They  then  crossed  the  river  and 
the  next  day  met  the  enemy  at  Port  Gibson, 
where  the  I24th  had  its  first  experience  in 
battle.  Mr.  Cook  was  here  wounded,  and  taken 
to  the  hospital,  12  miles  away,  while  he  was  en 
tirely  unconscious  of  the  trip.  He  was  the 
teamster  and  going  along  in  the  darkness  of  the 
night,  where  the  road  was  lined  with  scattered 
groups  of  men,  one  asked  for  a  ride,  but  as  it 
was  contrary  to  strict  order  to  grant  a  favor  of 
this  kind,  he  told  the  man  he  might  put  his 
knapsack  on  the  wagon  and  mount  one  of  the 
mules,  to  act  as  driver.  The  wagon  and  load 
were  heavy,  weighing  about  8,000  pounds  and 
Cook  took  a  place  on  the  front  of  the  wagon 
and  went  to  sleep,  as  he  had  been  up  the  night 
before.  At  least  this  is  all  he  remembered  un 
til  he  was  in  the  hospital.  It  was  discovered 
that  the  front  wheels  had  passed  over  him.  He 
rejoined  his  regiment  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg, 
in  the  middle  of  June.  He  had  been  put  in  the 
hospital  at  Grand  Gulf,  and  as  he  was  anxious 
to  meet  his  regiment,  he  finally  stole  away 
with  a  comrade,  Howard  Van  Cleave,  who  was 
also  eager  to  be  in  the  front.  Van  Cleave  was 
strong  and  Cook  was  weak,  so  on  the  march  of 
13  miles  they  had  to  make,  Van  Cleave  carried 
Cook  a  part  of  the  time.  They  found  the  regi 
ment  in  front  of  Fort  Hill. 

Shortly    after  the    fall    of  Vicksburg,    Mr. 
Cook  was  detailed  for  duty  in  the  supply  train 


for  the  i /th  Army  Corps,  and  he  was  the  first 
man  that  reported.  He  was  sent  to  Cairo,  Ills., 
where  he  staid  sometime  and  then  went  up  the 
Tenn.  River  to  Clifton,  where  the  train  was  un 
loaded,  and  then  sent  with  Gen.  Sherman  on 
the  march  to  the  sea,  taking  part  in  the  battles 
of  that  campaign,  Lookout  Mountain,  Kene- 
saw,  Rome,  and  others,  including  the  siege  and 
fall  of  Atlanta,  when  he  was  wagon  master  of 
a  train  of  twenty-five  wagons  that  went  with 
Sherman  through  to  Savannah  and  were  put  on 
vessels  and  landed  at  Hilton  Head,  N.  C.  Mr. 
Cook  was  at  Raleigh  when  Richmond  fell  and 
soon  after,  when  Johnston  surrendered,  was 
sent  to  Washington  for  the  grand  review  and 
then  to  Springfield,  111.,  where  he  was  dis 
charged,  reaching  Kewanee  June  22,  1865.  Mr. 
Cook  resided  6  years  in  Bureau  Co.,  and  then 
made  his  permanent  home  in  Kewanee,  where 
he  has  established  a  prosperous  livery  business. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cook  have  had  6  children,  3  of 
whom  are  living.  They  are  noted  as  follows: 
Clarence,  with  wife  and  child,  a  resident  of  Ke 
wanee;  Milton  O.,  a  barber,  living  in  Aurora, 
Ills;  Charles  M.,  a  young  man,  at  home,  and 
Velma  Don  Zettea,  an  adopted  daughter,  6 
years  of  age.'  Mr.  Cook  is  a  Republican,  and 
has  been  Constable  and  Deputy  Sheriff  for  his 
town,  and  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and 
Modern  Woodmen.  He  is  a  gentleman, upright 
in  business,  with  good  executive  ability,  which 
has  brought  him  a  comfortable  competence 
for  use  in  these  more  peaceful  years  of  his 
life. 


LLOYD  UNDERWOOD,  of   Freeport,  111.,  was 
born    in     Hopkinsville,    Ky.,    April    ist, 
1848,  a  son  of  John  and   Lucy  (McAfee) 
Underwood,  (the  former  a  native  of   Ky.  and 
the  other  of  Va.)     In  the  year  1845  his  parents 
removed    to    Lafayette    Co.,    Wis.,   where    the 
father  was  employed  in  mining  and   farming, 
and  became  the  father  of  thirteen  children,  who 
with  one  exception  all  lived  to  be  adults,  whose 
names  are  as  follows:   Mary,  married  Samuel 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


781 


Hardy;  Lloyd,  our  subject;  Cordelia,  wife  of 
Edward  D.  Southwick;  Nathan;  Thomas  H.; 
Sarah,  wife  of  Christopher  Whitman;  Ferdinand; 
Lucy,  wife  of  B.  F.  Munger;  Josephine,  dead; 
Florence,  wife  of  E.  Darginan;  Alice,  wife  of 
E.  White;  Samuel,  dead;  and  Emma,  wife  of 
John  Rogers.  Nathan  was  a  soldier  in  the  late 
rebellion,  having  served  in  the  i6th  Wisconsin, 
being  wounded,  and  Thomas  H.  was  also  in  the 
army,  having  enlisted  in  the  5th  Wisconsin,  and 
was  wounded  in  the  hand.  The  father  was 
formerly  a  Clay  Whig  in  politics,  but  on  the 
formation  of  the  Republican  party  tendered 
his  allegiance  thereto,  continued  such  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death  in  1872 — the  wife  having 
survived  him  some  years,  dying  in  1890. 

Lloyd  received  his  education  in  the  com 
mon  schools  and  then  learned  the  gas-fitting 
and  plumbing  trade,  at  which  he  was  employed 
when  the  war  broke  out.  On  Pres.  Lincoln's 
second  call  for  troops  young  Underwood 
responded,  enlisting  Aug.  5th,  1862,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  service  as  a  private  in  Co.  C. 
33d  Wis.  Vol.  Inf.,  at  Racine,  Wis.,  where  the 
Regt.  remained  a  short  time  drilling  and  pre 
paring  for  the  terrible  conflict  they  were  after 
ward  called  upon  to  sustain. 

Leaving  Racine,  it  proceeded  to  Cairo, 
then  embarking  on  transports  for  Memphis, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1863,  accompanied  Grant's 
army  to  Holly  Springs,  on  its  way  to  Vicks- 
burg,  but  the  supplies  gathered  at  West  Point, 
having  been  captured  by  the  enemy,  returned 
to  Moscow,  Miss.,  and  then  on  to  Memphis. 

In  the  raid  to  Pautatauk  it  stood  all  the 
hardships  and  took  part  in  all  the  skirmishes 
of  that  rapid  moving  march  and  raid,  then  par 
ticipated  in  the  expedition  to  and  battle  at 
Guntown,  after  which  it  returned  to  Memphis. 
The  Regt.  then  proceeded  to  Vicksburg,  where 
it  joined  in  the  assaults  upon  that  place,  May 
1 9th  to  22d,  which  being  unsuccessful,  the  place 
was  besieged  and  surrendered  finally  on  the 
4th  of  July,  1863.  It  remained  in  the  vicinity 
of  Vicksburg  for  a  time  and  the  following  win 
ter  moved,  with  the  army,  on  the  Red  River 
campaign  with  General  A.  J.  Smith  as  com 
mander  of  the  invading  army.  In  the  follow 


ing  spring  it  moved  for  Mobile  Bay  and  took 
part  in  the  operations  at  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort 
Blakely,  arriving  at  the  objective  point  April 
1 2th,  1865.  It  then  proceeded  to  Montgomery, 
Ala.,  in  pursuit  of  Kirby  Smith  and  his  forces, 
but  the  war  closed  before  that  point  was 
reached,  when  the  Regt.  was  placed  upon 
guard  duty  for  some  time,  and  was  not  mus 
tered  out  until  the  gih  of  Aug.,  when  our  sub 
ject  immediately  returned  home  to  Lafayette, 
Wis. 

Mr.  Underwood  was  married  at  Warren,  Joe 
Daviess  Co.,  111.,  on  the  5th  of  Dec.,  1869,  to 
Helen  Lichtenberger,  who  was  born  in  the  last 
named  Co.  Nov.  ist,  1841.  They  have  one 
daughter,  Jennie. 

He  is  a  member  of  John  A.  Davis  Post,  No. 
98,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is  Senior  Vice  Com 
mander  and  a  charter  member.  He  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Pres.  Lincoln,  and  never  since 
failed  to  vote  on  the  Republican  side.  Mrs. 
Underwood  was  a  charter  member  of  the 
Woman's  Relief  Corps,  at  Freeport,  of  which 
she  is  Senior  Vice  Pres.,  and  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  its  affairs  ever  since  its  organiza 
tion. 


THOS.  J.  SHERK,    a  farmer  residing  2  miles 
S.  W.  of  Warren,  111.,  was  born  in  Ontario, 
Canada,  1832.     His  father  Joseph  Sherk, 
born  in  Canada,  married  Ann  Thurston,  a  native 
of  England.     The  father   was  a  sheriff  7  years 
in  Canada,    and  was  also  engaged    in  farming. 
In  1853  he  moved  to  the  United  States  locating 
in   Jo    Daviess  Co.,    but    is   now  a    resident  of 
Warren,  in  business  as  undertaker. 

Thos.  J.  Sherk  is  the  eldest  of  5  sons  and  4 
daughters;  of  these  Wm.  H.,  now  a  resident  of 
Minneapolis,  Minn.,  was  in  the  army  in  the 
1 53d  111.  Inf.  during  the  last  year  of  the  war, 
through  the  Georgia  campaign,  being  too  young 
to  enlist  earlier.  Thos.  J.  grew  to  manhood  on 
a  farm,  receiving  a  common  school  education. 
He  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  and  mar 
ried  in  1856,  Almira  Woodworth,  born  in  Lake 


782 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Co.,  daughter  of  Luther  C.  and  Martha  M.  Wood- 
worth,  natives  of  N.  Y.,  moving  to  Ohio  and  in 
1853  to  Jo  Daviess  Co.  111.,  where  the  mother 
resides  since  the  death  of  her  husband. 

Thos.  J  Sherk  enlisted  Aug.  6,  1862,  in  Co. 
K,  g6th  111 .  Inf. and  remained  with  this  regiment 
until  its  muster  out  at  Nashvile,  Tenn.,  June  10, 
1865.  The  96th  Regt.  has  a  fighting  record  sec 
ond  to  none,  and  its  members  were  by  no  means 
idle  or  inactive.  In  almost  every  month  from 
Feb.,  1863  to  Dec.,  1864  it  was  in  some  battle, 
and  in  a  number  of  months  took  part  in  from  4 
to  5  engagements.  The  first  fight  in  which  Mr. 
Sherk  met  the  enemy,  was  at  Franklin,  followed 
shortly  by  the  battle  of  Triune,  Tenn.,  against 
Van  Dorn.  This  regiment  was  then  placed  in 
the  Reserve  Corps,  and  was  on  guard  duty 
while  marching  through  portions  of  Tenn.,  Ala. 
and  Ga.,  until  the  fight  at  Chattanooga,  taking 
part  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Georgia  campaign 
to  Atlanta.  The  regiment  followed  Hood  into 
Alabama,  and  was  ordered  to  Lynchburg,  Va., 
and  back  to  Nashville,  where  it  was  mustered 
out,  receiving  its  discharge  June 30,  1865.  The 
96th  regiment,  during  its  service,  traveled  over 
5000  miles  and  participated  in  the  most  promi 
nent  battles  of  the  war,  beginning  at  Ft  .Don- 
elson  and  including  Liberty  Gap,  Chickamau- 
ga,  Lookout  Mt.,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Lovejoy's  Station,  Frank 
lin,  Nashville  and  many  others.  Was  also  in 
the  movements  and  marches  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  from  Murfreesboro  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  It  suffered  heavy  loss  in  battles, 
as  the  records  show  that  268  men  were  killed, 
died  of  wounds  and  missing  in  action,  and  187 
were  discharged  for  wounds  or  disease.  It  also 
bravely  bore  privations  and  suffering  at  Moc 
casin  Point,  where  with  bad  weather,  lack  of 
clothing,  one-fourth  rations  were  issued  for 
sometimeand  Oct.,26,one  ear  of  corn  was  issued 
to  each  officer  and  man  for  the  day's  rations. 
Mr.  Sherk  was  never  captured  or  wounded,  but 
was  sick  for  a  short  time  in  the  hospital  at  Dan 
ville,  Ky.,  and  the  Division  hospital  at  Nashville. 
He  served  as  bugler,  and  states  that  he  marched 
over  3,000  miles  on  foot,  and  the  only  march 


the  regiment  made  that  he  was  not  in  was 
from  Danville,  Ky.,  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  when 
he  was  sick  and  was  then  conveyed  by  boat. 
After  the  war  he  was  engaged  7  years  as  a  sash 
and  blind  manufacturer,  and  since  that  time  in 
farming.  He  held  the  office  of  Township  Asses 
sor  for  five  years,  is  an  influential  member  of  the 
School  board  and  a  charter  member  of  Warren 
Post,  No.  315,  G.  A.  R.,  in  which  he  has  held 
responsible  positions. 


OLIVER  N.  GOLDSMITH,  Adjutant,  Geo.  G. 
Meade  Post,  No.  444,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Engle- 
wood,  111.,  the  son  of  John  M.  and 
Martha  (Davis)  Goldsmith.  His  family  were 
among  the  earliest  settlers  in  America,  and  they 
are  mentioned  in  the  chronicles  of  the  English 
colonies  prior  to  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims  at 
Plymouth,  Mass.,  in  1620. 

John  M.,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  was  by  trade  a  carpenter.  By  his  mar 
riage  with  Martha  Davis  he  had  seven  children, 
Annie  E.,  Charles  D.,  Oliver  N.,  George  E., 
Lewis  E.,  John  W.  and  Alvaretta.  Oliver  N., 
the  third  child  and  second  son,  was  brought  up 
on  a  farm  and  received  a  common  school  and 
academic  education. 

He  enlisted  Feb.  28,  1862,  at  Brooklyn,  N. 
Y.,  for  three  years,  as  a  private  of  Co.  F,  5th 
N.  Y.  Heavy  Art.,  re-enlisting  Feb.  29,  1864,  in 
same  Co.  and  Regt.,  and  was  mustered  out  and 
discharged  July  19,  1865,  at  Harper's  Ferry,Va. 
During  1862-3,  he  was  engaged  with  his  com 
mand  in  guarding  the  fortifications  around  the 
city  of  Baltimore.  In  the  summer  of  1862,  Co. 
F  was  detached  from  the  Regt.  and  sent  to 
Harper's  Ferry  to  man  the  Naval  Mounted  Bat 
tery  on  Maryland  Heights,  commanding  the 
Potomac  and  Harper's  Ferry.  This  post  was 
surrendered  by  Gen.  Miles  during  the  battle  of 
Antietam,  and  the  garrison,  as  prisoners  of  war, 
were  paroled  and  sent  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chi 
cago,  pending  their  exchange.  In  Dec.,  1862, 
he  returned  with  his  regiment  to  Baltimore, 
thence  proceeding  to  the  Relay  House  at  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


783 


junction   of  the  Baltimore  and  Washington  R. 

R.,  where  for  over  a  year  they  performed 
guard  duty.  In  the  summer  of  1864,  the  Regt. 
was  ordered  to  Harper's  Ferry  to  garrison  the 
town  and  guard  the  fortifications  around  it,  a 
service  rendered  until  the  campaign  against 
Gen.  Early,  the  regiment  then  going  into  the 
field  with  the  troops  from  W.  Va.,  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Crook,  of  the  8th  Corps.  Mr. 
Goldsmith  was  taken  prisoner  at  Cedar  Run, 
near  Strasburg,  Oct.  13,  1864;  conveyed  to 
Lynchburg,  and  placed  in  a  pen,  where  he  suf 
fered  all  the  inconveniences  and  deprivations 
of  captivity.  He  was  subsequently  removed  to 
Richmond,  and  on  the  way  separated  from  his 
comrades,  who  were  taken  to  Andersonville. 

He  was  released  from  prison  Feb.  17,  1865, 
and  afterward  for  three  months  was  in  a  hos 
pital  at  Baltimore,  and  for  two  months  in  the 
convalescent  hospital  at  York,  Pa.  He  rejoined 
his  Regt.  in  June  at  Harper's  Ferry.  In  the 
battle  of  Opequan  Creek,  the  first  important 
engagement  with  Early  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley,  Mr.  Goldsmith  was  an  active  partici 
pant  and  bore  himself  bravely.  He  was  also 
in  action  at  Fisher's  Hill  at  the  most  critical 
juncture,  and,  serving  with  the  artillery,  was 
necessarily  subjected  to  great  peril,  but  escaped 
unhurt.  His  regiment  was  also  engaged  in 
several  skirmishes  at  Charlestown,  Va.,  and 
afterward  cooperating  with  the  1st  and  2nd 
Brigades  of  the  1st  Div.  of  Crook's  Corps, 
while  on  a  reconnoissance,  encountered  Early's 
whole  army  and  suffered  defeat.  Mr.  Gold 
smith  was  here  again  made  a  prisoner.  At  his 
release  from  prison  in  April,  1865,  he  rejoined 
his  regiment  at  Baltimore  and  was  furloughed 
for  30  days.  Mr.  Goldsmith  had  a  narrow  es 
cape  from  instant  death  at  Opequan  Creek  in 
the  battle  with  Early.  He,  with  his  command, 
had  found  shelter  among  the  rocks  growing 
from  which  were  clumps  of  bushes  which  were 
resorted  to  as  insuring  greater  protection, 
from  behind  which  the  troops  returned  the  fire 
of  the  rebels. 

Just  as  he  was  getting  behind  one  of  these 
bushes  preparatory  to  firing  a  shot  at  the 
enemy,  a  grape  shot  struck  the  bush  which  it 


penetrated  far  enough  to  be  observed  in  direct 
line  with  his  forehead.  On  another  occasion 
his  life  was  saved,  doubtless  through  his  nat 
urally  unselfish  disposition  in  yielding  to  the 
request  of  one  of  his  comrades.  It  was  at 
Cedar  Run,  where  two  brigades  of  the  command 
were  posted  in  a  road  on  either  side  of  which 
was  a  stone  wall  or  fence. 

Being  surrounded  by  the  enemy,  rendered 
firing  over  these  walls  a  very  dangerous  exper 
iment.  Even  to  show  one's  head  was  to  be  met 
with  a  deadly  missile.  By  the  side  of  Mr. 
Goldsmith  was  a  sergeant  of  a  Mass.  Regt.; 
their  guns  had  been  almost  simultaneously  dis 
charged,  but  were  quickly  reloaded,  and  Mr. 
Goldsmith  in  the  act  of  firing,  having  found  a 
sheltered  position,  was  induced  to  give  way  to 
the  sergeant,  who  wished  to  fire  first,  the  result 
being  that  the  impetuous  sergeant  fell  dead 
with  a  rebel  bullet  through  his  brain. 

Mr.  Goldsmith  was  mustered  out  and  finally 
discharged  at  Hart's  Island,  July  19,  1865.  He 
was  married  Feb.  16,  1870,  at  Monticello,  N.Y., 
to  Miss  Gumair,  whose  father  was  a  native  of 
Middletown,  N.  Y.,  and  grandfather,  Davis,  a 
soldier  of  the  War  of  1812.  Since  he  returned 
from  the  war,  Mr.  Goldsmith  has  been  gener 
ally  employed  in  teaching  and  as  a  professor 
of  penmanship.  He  was  principal  of  Mil-ford 
Academy,  Milford,  N.  Y.,  3  years  —  iS/o-'/i- 
'72;  principal  of  Otisville,  N.  Y.,  schools  3  years 


In  the  fall  of  1876  he  was  elected  school 
commissioner  of  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y.,  for  three 
years.  While  teaching  at  Milford  he  read  law 
with  Col.  John  Nyce;  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Middletown,  N.  Y.,  in  the  spring  of  1882.  In 
1888  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Engle- 
wood.  He  was  married  a  second  time  Mar.  30, 
1881,  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  to  Miss  Myra  Irwin, 
daughter  of  Major  D.  B.  Irwin,  and  they  have 
had  one  child,  Oliver  N.,  Jr.  Mr.  Goldsmith  is 
a  Democrat;  a  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the 
Union  Veteran  Club.  Charles  D.  Goldsmith, 
his  brother,  served  as  a  member  of  Co.  G,  I56th 
New  York  Infantry,  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Van.  Wyck.  Throughout  his  career  as  a 


784 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


soldier  and  a  citizen  Mr.  Goldsmith  has  ever 
kept  before  him  the  rule  of  his  conduct  to  the 
best  and  highest  ends. 


JOHN  C.  MCCARTHY  is  a  native  of  N.  Y.  State, 
having  been  born  there  April  9,  1841,  a 
son  of  Dennis  and  Bridget  (Curran)  Mc 
Carthy.  He  enlisted  the  moment  Lincoln's 
proclamation  was  announced  April  17,  '61, 
in  Co.  B.,  Chicago  Zouaves,  encamped  at 
Chicago  fora  few  days,  then  left  for  Cairo  and 
three  days  latter  passing  through  Centralia' 
where  the  men  received  two  rounds  of  ammuni 
tion,  and  even  in  usingthose,  the  balls  required 
to  be  pared  down.  Mr.  McCarthy's  command 
then  moved  to  Springfield,  111.,  going  into 
camp  for  three  weeks,  when  it  was  ordered  to 
Chicago  to  act  as  escort  at  the  funeral  of 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  there  went  into  camp, 
long  afterwards  known  as  Camp  Douglas. 
Whilst  in  camp  the  Zouave  organization  was 
disbanded,  and  a  new  Regt.  known  as  the  iQth 
111.  Vol.  Inf.  was  mustered,  of  which  Mr.  Mc 
Carthy  was  in  Co.  K,  with  John  B. —  — as  Col. 
of  the  Regt.  During  the  time  the  Zouaves 
were  at  Cairo,  they  captured  the  rebel  steamer 
Hilman  passing  down  the  river  loaded  with 
arms,  clothing,  ammunition,  etc.,  on  her  way  to 
the  confederacy,  for  which  the  men  received  no 
prize  money,  as  is  usual  in  such  cases.  The  igth 
left  Chicago  for  Quincy  June  17,  then  took 
boat,  arriving  at  Palmyra  where  it  remained 
two  weeks  making,  during  its  stay,  raids  out  to 
Philadelphia  and  Emersonville,  Mo.,  but  not 
encountering  any  enemy,  returned  to  camp.  It 
next  moved  down  the  river  to  St.  Louis,  and 
while  there  the  men  were  furnished  with  new- 
Springfield  rifles,  after  a  protest  had  been  en 
tered  by  Gen.  Pope,  who  declared  the  old  cab 
bage  stalks  they  carried  were  good  enough  for 
horse  thieves  and  mutton  jerkers,  to  which  the 
Colonel  objected,  and  touching  the  hilt  of  his 
sword  said  in  plain  vernacular,  "You  are  a  liar," 
which  caused  the  whole  Regt.  to  be  placed 


under  arrest.  After  being  released  it  pro 
ceeded  to  Pilot  Knob,  remained  there  a  week, 
raising  the  stars  and  stripes  at  that  point,  then 
went  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  under  Price  and 
Van  Dorn,  and  proceeded  as  far  as  Cape 
Girardeau,  then  on  to  Cairo,  when  it  crossed  the 
river  to  Ft.  Holt.  Returning  to  Cairo,  the 
Regt.  took  train  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac,  and  in  passing  through  Indiana  the  train 
broke  through  a  bridge,  killing  and  wounding 
136  comrades.  It  then  moved  to  Cincinnati, 
where  the  killed  were  buried,  then  went  into 
Camp  Dennison,  and  few  days  later  was  or 
dered  to  Louisville  (the  former  order  having 
been  revoked),  being  the  first  Union  troops  to 
enter  the  State.  Mr.  McCarthy's  Co.  was  sent  to 
guard  a  town  on  the  Lebanon  R.  R.  for  ten 
days,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  returned  to 
Lebanon  Junction.  Subsequently  the  Regt. 
moved  to  Elizabethtown,  thence  on  to  Bowling 
Green,  Nashville,  Murfreesboro,  Huntsvillc 
and  Stephenson,  the  rebels  in  force  being  on 
the  move,  and  to  avoid  an  unequal  contest  the 
1 9th  retired  to  Nashville,  where  it  was  besieged 
for  three  months.  Shortly  after  the  siege  was 
raised  Mr.  McCarthy  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Stone  River,  and  the  Regt.  charged  over  the 
river  driving  the  rebels  from  their  guns;  he  was 
one  of  the  first  to  reach  the  rebel  works,  and 
for  his  bravery  and  courage  his  name  was 
placed  upon  the  honor  roll  by  Gen.  Rosecrans. 
His  next  battle  of  importance  was  Chicka- 
mauga,  which  lasted  two  whole  days;  his  Regt. 
lost  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded;  returning 
the  second  night  to  Rossville,  when  the  enemy 
again  attacked  them,  but  was  repulsed.  He 
was  destined  soon  again  to  be  in  open  combat, 
taking  part  in  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain, 
then  in  the  victorious  conflictof  Mission  Ridge, 
afterwards  pursuing  the  retreating  enemy  and 
engaged  him  at  Ringgold,  starting  him  on  the 
retreat.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he  joined  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign  and  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Dallas  and  Resaca,  shortly  after  which  his 
term  of  service  expired,  when  he  was  ordered 
back  to  Chicago,  and  then  mustered  out  July 
6th,  1864.  In  1862  he  was  promoted  to  Corpo 
ral  and  later  to  be  a  Sergeant. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


785 


Mr.  McCarthy  married  Miss  Mary  Fleming, 
by  whom  he  has  the  following  children,  viz. : 
Evelyn,  Thomas  F.,  William  J.,  David,  John, 
Mary  E.,  Katie  and  Alice.  He  is  a  Repub 
lican. 


JOSEPH  H.  GUNSAUL,  of  Lena,  111.,  was  born 
in  Montgomery  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  27,  i834> 
a  son  of  Gabriel  and  Nancy  (Marcellus) 
Gunsaul,  also  natives  of  the  same  State.  In 
1842,  the  parents  with  their  family  removed  to 
Stephen  Co.,  111.,  locating  at  Wadman's  Town 
ship,  where  they  purchased  goverment  land  and 
started  to  build  up  a  home.  They  were  the 
parents  of  four  children,  three  of  whom  are 
now  living,  viz.:  Mariah,  Joseph  N.,  and  James 
F.  Informer  days  Mr.  Gunsaul,  Sen.,  was  an 
old  H..  Clay  Whig,  and  in  the  formation  of  the 
Republican  party,  he  became  one  of  its  ardent 
supporters — he  died  in  the  year  of  1884,  his 
wife  having  preceeded  him  many  years. 

Joseph  attended  public  schools,  then  grew 
to  manhood  upon  a  farm,  and  in  obedience  to 
President  Lincoln's  call  for  300,000  troops,  is 
sued  in  the  spring  of  1862,  he  responded  and 
was  subsequently  mustered  into  the  service  as 
a  private  in  Co.  A,  92nd  111.  Vol.  Inf.  After  a 
stay  in  camp  of  a  few  weeks,  the  Regt.  pro 
ceeded  to  Cincinnati,  and  assisted  in  the  move 
ments  protecting  the  city,  and  in  driving  Gen. 
Morgan's  forces  out  of  Ky.  On  Nov.  16,  1862, 
it  proceeded  to  Nicholasville,  Ky.,  passing 
through  Lexington,  then  on  to  Danville,  and 
on  the  way  drove  the  rear  of  Bragg's  army  out 
of  Camp  Dick  Robinson,  capturing  800  barrels 
of  pork,  500  stand  of  small  arms,  and  one 
brass  cannon,  and  took  part  at  Danville.  To 
ward  the  end  of  Jan.,  1863,  the  Regt.  began  its 
march  to  '  Louisville,  thence  by  steamer  to 
Nashville,  and  some  weeks  later  marched  to 
Franklin  and  assisted  in  the  movements  which 
drove  Gen.  Van  Dorn  south  of  Columbia,  then 
fortified  Brentwood,  and  afterward  participated 
in  the  repulse  of  Van  Dorn's  Cav.,  that  had 
made  a  furious  attack  upon  Franklin.  It  joined 

49 


Rosecrans'  army  in  its  movements  resulting  in 
the  evacuation  of  Murfreesboro  and  Shelby- 
ville,  by  Bragg's  forces,  and  also  in  the  battle 
of  Guy's  Gap,  and  in  the  capture  of  the  latter 
place,  when  500  rebels  were  taken  prisoners. 
Subsequently  the  Q2nd  was  defeated  and  moved 
to  Duck  River,  and  rebuilt  a  bridge  destroyed 
by  Bragg's  men,  and  after  being  mounted  on 
horses  confiscated  from  the  surrounded  coun 
try,  took  part  in  Rosecrans'  movement  to  flank 
Bragg  out  of  Chattanooga.  About  this  time 
the  Regt.  was  detached  from  Gen.  Granger's 
corps,  and  assigned  to  Wilder's  Brig,  and  ac 
companied  it  over  the  mountains  into  the 
Tenn.  Valley,  north  of  Chattanooga,  driving 
in  the  rebel  Cavalry. 

On  Sept  4th,  was  again  detached,  and 
crossed  the  mountains  and  Tenn.  River  at 
Bridgeport,  reporting  to  Rosecrans  in  Trent 
Valley,  southwest  of  Chattanooga.  Climbed 
up  Lookout  Mt.  on  the  west  side  by  Nickajack 
trace,  pushed  the  enemy  off  the  mountain,  and 
brought  back  the  first  authentic  intelligence  to 
Rosecrans  that  Bragg's  army  had  evacuated, 
and  on  the  following  day  was  the  first  Regt.  to 
enter  Chattanooga.  It  was  ordered  to  report  to 
its  Commanding  General,  and  on  the  march  en 
countered  the  enemy  a  mile  north  of  Ringgold, 
and  commenced  a  vicious  assault  under  Forrest, 
but  held  its  ground  until  the  balance  of  the  Brig, 
under  Wilder,  came  up,  when  the  rebels  were 
driven  out  of  Ringgold  and  through  Ringgold 
Gap,  and  again  the  same  evening  repulsed 
another  attack  from  the  enemy.  It  did  the 
scouting  for  Gen.  Thomas  prior  to  the  Chicka- 
mauga  engagement,  and  during  the  battle  at 
that  place  participated  for  two  long  and  weary 
days,  in  which  it  covered  the  retreat  of  the 
Brig.,  and  later  Gen.  McCook's  retreat  to  Chat 
tanooga.  Subsequently,  it  crossed  the  moun 
tains  to  Bridgeport,  and  marched  to  Huntsville 
for  forage  and  winter  headquarters.  Towards 
the  end  of  January,  1864,  Mr.  Gunsaul,  with  his 
Regt.,  started  through  Athens  to  Shoal  Creek 
to  intercept  a  rebel  raid,  and  meeting  a  rebel 
column  at  Shoal  Creek,  after  a  skirmish  turned 
it  back  across  the  Tenn.  River,  and  as  it  pro 
ceeded  west  encountered  another  column,  and 


;86 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


after  a  desperate  fight  turned  it  also  back  after 
killing  the  officer  in  command  and  capturing 
many  prisoners,  then  returned  to  Athens  in  time 
to  drive  a  third  rebel  column  on  the  right  about. 
On  the  8th  day  of  April,  he  began  the  march 
from  Huntsville  to  Ringgold  to  assist  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  and  was  assigned  to  Murray's 
Brig.,  Kilpatrick's  Cav.  Div.,  and  participated 
m  all  the  movements  of  Kilpatrick's  Cav.  until 
its  successful  completion,  terminating  in  the 
capture  of  Atlanta.  When  Gen.  Sherman's 
forces  were  organized  on  his  march  to  the  sea, 
our  subject  was  also  found  among  the  daring, 
courageous  men  who  formed  that  expedition, 
as  also  in  his  march  through  the  Carolinas 
taking  part  in  all  the  important  battles  of 
his  brigade,  including  that  of  Bentonville,  hav 
ing  passed  through  upwards  of  60  battles  and 
skirmishes  during  his  2J4  years'  service. 

The  war  being  jver,  the  Q2d  proceeded  to 
Concord,  N.  C.,  thence  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chi 
cago,  where  the  men  were  mustered  out  and 
officially  discharged,  July  10,  1865.  Mr.  Gun- 
saul  immediately  returned  home  and  resumed 
work  upon  his  frrm  until  1870;  later  he  entered 
into  hotel  business.  He  is  Commander  of  Ma 
jor  VV.  A.  Goddard  Post,  No.  251,  G.  A.  R.,  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  has  twice 
represented  his  lodge  at  the  meetings  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  He  is  genial  and  enterprising, 
and  commands  the  respect  of  his  ever  increas 
ing  acquaintances. 


ANGUS  CAMERON,  born  in  Argyll,  Scotland, 
Sept.    1 5th,    1812,  and  came  to  the  State 
of  New   York  in  1851,  and  is  the  son  of 
E.  and  Jennette  Cameron.     The  mother  was  a 
native  of  Inverness  and  died  in  Scotland.     The 
father  in  1852  migrated  to  111.  and  settled,  where 
he  has  since  remained. 

:- Angus  Cameron  became  a  blacksmith  and 
Was  engaged  in  this  avocation,  working  at  Mor 
ris  and  Wilmington,  until  the  call  for  soldiers 
for  the  defense  of  the  nation  reached  him,  and 
he  enlisted  in  1862  in  Co.  C,  76th  Regt.  111.  Vol. 


Inf.  He  was  one  of  those  faithful  and  devoted 
patriots  who  served  until  the  Rebellion  was 
ended.  He  first  smelled  the  smoke  of  bat 
tle  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  and  participated  in  oilier 
skirmishes  until  he  took  his  place  in  the  trehch- 
es  in  front  of  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  where  he  was 
engaged  forty-seven  days.  After  this  long  and 
stubborn  siege  he  was  engaged  in  the  battle  at 
Jackson,  Miss.,  and  later  in  another  engagement 
on  the  Tallahatchie  River.  In  the  latter  part 
of  1864  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Meridian, 
Miss.,  and  then  to  Natchez  on  the  Mississippi 
River,  where  it  lay  until  early  in  1865,  when  it 
set  out  for  New  Orleans  and  took  transporta 
tion  by  boat  for  Fort  Morgan.  On  this  voyage 
a  furious  storm  made  it  necessary  to  throw  over 
several  hundred  horses,  the  munitions  of  war, 
and  in  fact  almost  everything  except  the  sold 
iers,  who  were  returned  to  New  Orleans  and 
sent  by  the  way  of  the  lakes  to  reach  Fort 
Blakely,  where  they  arrived  in  time  to  take  part 
in  the  battle  at  that  place.  On  the  march  from 
Pensacola,  Florida,  on  the  way  to  Fort  Blake 
ly,  the  rebels  were  encountered  and  a  sharp 
skirmish  was  had  with  their  forces. 

At  Fort  Blakely,  in  the  last  battle  of  the 
war,  Mr  Cameron  was  struck  by  a  ball  which 
passed  through  his  thighs,  making  a  serious 
and  dangerous  wound.  He  was  sent  to  the 
hospital  in  New  Orleans,  then  to  Mobile  and 
finally  to  Galveston,  Texas,  where  he  received 
his  discharge.  Shortly  after  reaching  his  home 
in  Illinois,  he  made  a  journey  to  Scotland  to 
visit  the  scenes  and  friends  of  his  childhood. 
On  his  return  from  this  trip  he  made  his  home 
with  his  brothers  and  sisters,  who  are,  like  him 
self,  unmarried.  Mr.  Cameron  is  a  Republican, 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  communicant  of 
the  Scotch  Presbyterian  church. 


ALLEN  VEDDER,  of  Utica,  Illinois,  was  born 
at  Rodesdam,  N.  Y.,  in   1827,    and  is  a 
son  of  David  and  Sarah  Vedder.      His 
ancestors  emigrated  from  Europe  over  a  cen 
tury  ago;  settled   in    the  State  of    Massachu- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


787 


setts,  where  his  paternal  grandfather,  Peter  P. 
Vedder,  was  living  in  the  year  1812,  when  he 
enlisted  as  a  soldier  to  support  the  U.  S.  cause 
in  its  war  that  year  with  Great  Britain.  Our 
subject's  early  life  was  spent  upon  the  farm  in 
his  native  state,  and  afterward  he  learned  the 
coopering  trade,  at  which  he  was  principally 
engaged  up  to  the  time  of  the  war.  He  en 
listed  in  the  army  for  the  war  of  the  Rebellion 
in  the  month  of  July,  1863,  at  Troy,  in  his  na 
tive  state,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in 
the  2 ist  New  York  Cavalry,  but  was  subse 
quently  promoted  to  the  position  of  Corporal 
of  his  Company.  After  the  organization  of  his 
Regt.  he  proceeded  with  it  to  Shenandoah 
Valley,  where  it  operated  during  the  greater 
part  of  his  term  of  service.  He  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Winchester  and  New  Market. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  his  Regt.  was  ordered 
to  Washington,  and  there  took  part  in  the 
Grand  Review,  and  subsequently  received  an 
honorable  discharge  from  the  army.  His 
brother,  David  L.  Vedder,  was  also  in  the 
Union  army,  he  having  enlisted  in  1861,  in  the 
1 5th  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  his  country  for 
two  years. 

Subsequently  to  his  retirement  from  the 
army,  our  subject  proceeded  West,  settling  at 
Utica,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  cooperage 
business,  which  he  followed  for  three  years. 
He  then  entered  the  employ  of  a  grain  ware 
housing  company  at  Utica,  as  an  engineer  and 
manager,  and  was  so  engaged  for  many  years, 
when  he  finally  retired  therefrom  and  took  up 
market  gardening  as  a  business,  which  he  has 
continued  until  the  present  time.  He  married 
Miss  Frances  Bogert  in  the  year  1862.  She  is 
also  a  native  of  New  York. 


JACOB  BANE,  ex-Commander  Seth   C.   Earl 
Post,   No.    156,  of    Ottawa,   111.,  enlisted 
April   28,   1861,  at   Minonk,  111.,  for  the 
three  months'  service.     The  recruits  were  ren 
dezvoused  at  Camp  Yates,  where  they  were  or 
ganized  and  mustered  into  service  as  Company 
K,   nth    111.  Inf.     They   were   ordered  out  of 


camp  to  Big  Muddy  Bridge,  and  put  on  guard 
duty.  In  July  were  ordered  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo., 
where  they  were  mustered  out,  and  Mr.  Bane 
returned  home  after  his  brief  period  of  service. 
Believing  that  his  country  had  further  claims 
upon  his  services,  he  re-enlisted  Aug.  11,  1862, 
in  Company  I,  iO4th  111.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered 
in  Aug.  23,  at  Ottawa,  where  the  regiment  was 
organized  with  A.  B.  Moore  as  Colonel.  This 
regiment  was  made  up  almost  entirely  from  La 
Salle  County.  They  were  ordered  to  Jefferson- 
ville,  Ind.,  where  they  remained  in  camp  until 
Sept.  15,  and  then  were  ordered  to  Louisville, 
Ky.  In  the  reorganization  of  Buell's  army  the 
I04th  was  assigned  to  Dumont's  Division,  Lim- 
berg's  Brigade,  and  in  the  pursuit  of  Bragg  was 
on  the  left  of  the  army,  going  first  to  Frankfort, 
where  they  remained  until  Oct.  26,  when  the 
army  moved  to  Bowling  Green,  thence  to  Glas 
gow,  Tompkinsville,  Hartsville,  Tenn.,  reach 
ing  the  latter  placd  in  December,  with  Lieuten 
ant-Colonel  Hapeman  commandiug  the  regi 
ment.  The  command  then  consisted  of  the 
I04th  and  io8th  Ohio  Inf.,  two  companies  of 
cavalry,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery — in  all 
about  900  efficient  men,  and  commanded  by 
A.  B.  Moore.  Four  companies  of  the  iO4th 
were  detached,  three  at  Gallatin,  and  one  at  the 
village  of  Hartsville.  The  rebels  determined 
to  make  an  attack  on  this  little  band  of  soldiers, 
who  had  left  their  homes  to  fight  for  the  Union, 
and,  in  December,  sent  a  force  of  3, 500  of  Mor 
gan's  army  from  Murfreesboro  to  join  in  the 
battle.  They  crossed  the  river  between  Harts 
ville  and  Gallatin,  and  approached  the  brigade 
early  in  the  morning  of  the  7th,  and  opened 
the  fight.  The  Union  troops  were  called  out  so 
unexpectedly  that  many  of  them  formed  in  line 
with  empty  guns.  The  Ohio  regiments  were 
composed  of  raw  recruits,  and  did  not  stand  the 
fire,  but  retreated,  leaving  the  brunt  of  the  bat 
tle  on  the  I04th.  It  bravely  held  its  ground, 
however,  and  fought  against  the  superior  num 
bers  of  the  enemy,  not  only  repulsing  the  attack, 
but  driving  them  back. 

At  this  point  Morgan's  cavalry  came  up  and 
attacked  them  on  the  right  flank  and  in  the 
rear,  then  surrounded  and  made  them  prison- 


;88 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


ers.  This  fight  lasted  an  hour  and  fifteen  min 
utes.  The  iO4th  lost,  in  killed  44,  •  wounded 
150.  Company  I  had  4  killed  and  8  wounded, 
and  Mr.  Bane  lostthe  little  fingerof  his  left  hand. 
The  prisoners  were  taken  to  Murfreesboro, 
where  they  were  paroled,  and  the  next  day 
were  marched  on  to  the  Union  lines  at  Nash 
ville.  From  there  they  were  sent  to  Louisville, 
thence  to  Cincinnati,  Columbus,  Camp  Lew 
Wallace,  and  then  to  Camp  Chase,  from  which 
place  they  took  "  French  leave"  and  went  home. 
Only  about  100  men  of  the  regiment  were  left 
for  duty.  The  commanding  officers,  Colonel, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Major,  were  captured, 
and  the  command  devolved  upon  Captain 
Wadleigh.  With  this  number,  Captain  Wad- 
leigh,  Sr.,  Captain  in  command,  was  ordered  to 
the  front.  The  Captain  telegraphed  to  the 
Secretary  of  War  that  nearly  all  of  his  regiment 
were  gone.  Captain  Wadleigh  was  sent  with 
the  remainder  of  the  regiment  to  Camp  Doug 
las,  with  orders  to  muster  the  men  for  pay. 
The  regiment  was  reorganized,  and  on  being 
exchanged,  was  ordered,  in  April,  1863,  to  rejoin 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  at  Edgefield,  after 
wards  to  Brenwood,  Tenn.,  where  it  remained 
until  the  latter  part  of  May.  It  then  moved  to 
Murfreesboro,  and  was  assigned  to  the  1st 
Brigade,  2nd  Division,  I4th  Army  Corps.  They 
remained  at  Murfreesboro  until  the  advance 
onTullahoma.  They  marched  through  Hoosier's 
Gap  with  slight  skirmishing  with  the  enemy, 
passing  through  Manchester  and  on  to  Elk 
River.  When  Bragg  crossed  the  Tennessee 
they  went  into  camp  at  Decherd  Station,  where 
they  remained  on  account  of  inclement  weather 
and  blockaded  roads,  until  Aug.  25,  1863.  The 
next  important  battle  was  Chickamauga,  in 
which,  after  several  skirmishes,  much  marching 
and  many  camps,  the  iO4th  took  a  prominent 
part,  and  suffered  severe  losses.  In  that  battle 
the  1st  brigade  was  at  Owen's  Ford  Septem 
ber  19,  supporting  Bragg's  battery.  During 
this  fight  a  shell  burst  at  the  head  of  Company 
I,  killing  Corporal  Chapman.  Mr.  Bane  .was 
struck  on  the  elbow  of  the  right  arm,  mangling 
it  from  shoulder  to  wrist.  Another  piece  of  the 
same  shell  struck  his  left  heel,  tearing  off  the 


flesh.  He  started  for  the  rear,  when  he  was 
ordered  into  the  ranks  by  Major  -  -  in  a 
very  emphatic  manner.  He  was  complying 
with  the  order  when  his  bleeding  wounds  were 
discovered,  and  he  was  sent  to  the  rear,  and 
there  lay  down  in  a  hole  near  a  tree  to  escape 
the  bullets  that  were  whizzing  about.  Soon  the 
stretcher  gang  came  along  and  carried  him  be 
yond  the  range  of  shot  or  shell,  with  his 
wounded  arm  dangling  from  the  stretcher.  On 
the  way  they  met  Dr.  Dyer,  the  Regimental 
Surgeon,  who  examined  his  wounds,  had  him 
placed  in  an  ambulance  and  taken  to  Crawfish 
Springs  Hospital,  where  his  arm  was  amputated 
and  his  wounds  dressed.  He  was  the  first  man 
taken  from  the  ambulance  and  placed  on  the 
amputation  table.  While  in  the  hospital  the 
surviving  members  of  his  company  came  in 
and  bade  him  good  bye.  September  21,  he  was 
taken  prisoner,  and  remained  a  prisoner  on  the 
battlefield  two  weeks  after  being  paroled.  His 
wearing  apparel  was  very  light.  While  lying  at 
Crawfish  Springs  Hospital  for  two  weeks,  an 
armistice  was  entered  into  between  Bragg  and 
Rosecrans,  the  terms  of  which  permitted  the 
Federal  wounded  to  be  removed  through  the 
Confederate  lines  to  Chattanooga.  Comrade 
Bane's  wardrobe  at  that  time  consisted  of  a 
pair  of  pantaloons,  which  had  been  saturated 
and  stiffened  by  the  blood  which  had  flowed 
from  his  wounded  arm,  and  a  piece  of  army 
blanket.  The  pants  could  have  been  washed, 
but  he  was  advised  the  rebels  would  take  them 
as  soon  as  removed.  The  ambulance  reached 
Longstreet's  headquarters  near  the  rebel  lines 
in  front  of  Chattanooga  about  noon,  and  there 
they  were  halted  and  not  permitted  to  pass  the 
lines  until  after  dark.  Then,  passing  the  lines, 
the  ambulance  passed  into  Federal  hands,  and 
were  driven  into  Chattanooga. 

After  receiving  his  wound,  for  two  or  three 
days  his  appetite  was  very  poor — food  nauseat 
ing  him.  The  crackers  contained  worms,  and 
the  mush  was  made  from  corn  ground  with  the 
cob,  old  stuff,  full  of  worms  and  musty.  Re 
turning  appetite  relished  this  food,  for  which  he 
was  voracious.  While  at  the  Springs  Hospital 
he  had  four  bedfellows,  three  federals  and  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


confederate — the  Federals  dying.  Arriving  in 
Chattanooga,  remained  two  days  and  one  night. 
A  command  ordered  the  slightly  wounded  to 
be  removed  over  the  mountains  to  Stephenson, 
Ala.  Mr.  Bane  hobbled  down  to  an  abidance, 
when  a  doctor  came  along  and  asked  him  about 
the  character  of  his  wound,  to  which  he  replied 
he  was  slightly  wounded.  The  Doctor  examin 
ing  ordered  him  out,  to  which  he  gave  apparent 
consent,  but  when  the  doctor  turned  his  back, 
he  resumed  his  reclining  position  and  was  car 
ried  away.  They  were  five  days  getting  to 
their  destination,  and  while  en  route  first  day, 
bandages  came  off  his  arm.  After  thirty-six 
hours  in  Stephenson  where  he,  with  52  others 
took  "  French  leave"  and  boarded  a  flat  car,  Mr. 
Bane  took  position  astride  the  brake  rod  and 
with  feet  on  the  trucks,  he  sat  all  day  and  a 
night  and  although  it  rained  he  says  he  enjoyed 
refreshing  slumber.  Arriving  at  their  destina 
tion,  he  was  taken  to  hospital  No. i,  Cottage  Hill, 
and  introduced  to  a  bath  tub,  and  had  his  ward 
robe  replenished.  Near  midnight  the  hospital 
steward  visited  him  and  inquired  if  he  would 
have  his  meals  sent  in  or  go  to  the  table.  Bane 
asked  which  came  first.  Steward  said  the  wards. 
"All  right,"  said  Bane,  "I'll  have  my  grub  sent 
in."  After  eating  he  went  into  the  dining  room 
and  ate  again.  Leaving  the  table,  he  went  into 
the  yard,  and  from  a  huckster  woman  bought  a 
chicken  pie  and  other  dainties,  which  he  de 
voured  with  gusto,  and  he  successively,  every 
Friday,  gorged  himself  with  good  things  for 
the  stomach.  He  remained  here  until  November 
28,  when  he  received  a  furlough  of  thirty  days 
and  went  home  to  La  Salle  County.  His  fur 
lough  was  extended  30  days,  but  before  time 
extended  was  half  out,  he  went  to  Chicago  and 
reported  to  the  city  Hospital,  where,  April  28, 
1864,  he  was  discharged  and  returned  home  In 
the  winter  of  1864-5,  ne  was  appointed  recruiting 
officer  at  Camp  Fry,  Chicago,  for  Hancock's 
Reserve  Corps.  In  this  service  he  was  very  ef 
ficient  and  was  instrumental  in  securing  a  good 
many  recruits.  He  continued  in  this  service 
until  March,  when  he  was  relieved  and  returned 
to  his  home.  He  had  discharged  his  duty  to 
the  Republic  as  a  sovereign  citizen,  and  had 


honorably  acquitted  himself  as  a  soldier  of  the 
Union.  He  left  one  arm  and  a  finger  upon  the 
battle  field,  yet  he  felt  duly  recompensed  for 
his  sacrifices  in  seeing  the  flag  that  he  had  so 
gallantly  fought  for,  again  proudly  waving  over 
every  foot  of  American  soil. 

Twenty-six  years  after  the  war  Mr.  Bane 
attended  a  reunion  of  the  "Blue"  and  "  Gray" 
on  the  old  battle-field  of  Chickamauga.  While 
at  this  reunion  he  met  and  recognized  a  rebel 
soldier  who  had  been  his  bed-fellow  at  the  time 
he  was  wounded,  while  lying  in  the  hospital  at 
Crawfish  Springs,  and  also  had  an  opportunity 
to  make  an  honest  confession  to  a  woman,  Mrs. 
Lee,  from  whom  he  had  confiscated,  just  before 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  six  of  her  nicest 
chickens. 

Mr.  Bane  was  born  in  Marshall  Co.,  W.  Va., 
July  4,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Nimrod  and 
Seanna  (Bowers)  Bane,  who  were  natives  of 
Green  County,  Pa.  His  father  was  of  Scotch, 
and  his  mother  was  of  German  descent.  They 
were  born,  respectively,  April  12  and  December 
15,  1815.  His  grandfather  and  great-grand 
father  Bane  were  born  in  Pennsylvania,  the 
family  originating  in  Scotland. 

Nimrod  Bane  was  by  occupation  a  farmer, 
and  was  but  six  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
moved  to  Virginia.  He  lived  there  until  1850, 
when  he  removed  to  Marshall  Co.,  111.,  where 
he  purchased  and  improved  a  tract  of  land. 
They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children — Henry, 
James,  Ephraim,  Jacob,  William,  Joseph,  Aman 
da,  Minor  and  Franklin.  Amanda  and  Frank 
lin  died  in  infancy.  William  was  a  member  of 
Company  D,  66th  Reg.  of  the  111.  Inf.  He  died 
and  was  buried  at  Baltimore.  His  mother  died 
at  Rutland,  111.,  Oct.  30,  1876.  His  father  is 
still  living. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  at 
home  where  he  enjoyed  such  educational  ad 
vantages  as  were  to  be  obtained  in  the  public 
schools.  The  war  interfered  for  a  time  with  his 
studies,  but,  after  his  return  home,  he  again  di 
rected  his  attention  to  his  education.  He  first 
attended  the  district  schools,  and  in  1866  went 
to  the  High  School  at  Rutland,  111.  Subse 
quently,  he  entered  the  Northwestern  College 


790 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


at  Fulton,  111.,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1868,  and  returned  to  Rutland,  La  Salle  County. 
Later,  he  located  in  Marshall  County,  and  soon 
after  was  elected  Coroner.  Subsequently  he 
returned  to  La  Salle  County  and  commenced  a 
theological  course  under  private  instruction. 
In  1870,  having  completed  his  course,  he  was 
licensed  to  preach  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  filled  the  pulpit  of  his  church  un 
til  1879,  when  he  removed  to  Ottawa  and  began 
the  study  of  law  under  Norman  Kilbourn,  which 
he  continued  for  two  years,  when  he  opened  an 
office  as  a  pension  and  claim  agent.  This  bus 
iness  he  has  continued  since  and  has  been  emi 
nently  successful,  to  which  many  an  old  soldier 
can  gratefully  testify.  He  completed  his  theo 
logical  course  in  October,  1889,  passed  his  ex 
amination  and  was  ordained  Deacon.  Mr. 
Bane  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  1885, 
and  again  in  1889.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Seth 
C.  Earl  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  No.  156,  of  Ottawa,  and 
has  held  the  positions  of  Sergeant,  Major, 
Chaplain,  Adjutant,  Delegate  and  Commander. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  No.  399,  and 
was  Noble  Granu  for  three  consecutive  terms. 
He  is  a  Republican  and  takes  an  active  part  in 
politics.  Mr.  Bane  was  married  Sept.  7,  1868, 
to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  ( Betts) 
Henderson,  of  New  York  City.  To  them  were 
born  Flora  M.,  Bertha  S.,  Ollie  L.  and  William 
Mahlon. 


WELLS  BRIGGS,    Sycamore,    111.     Belvi- 
dere,  Boone  Co.,  111.,  claims  the  hon 
or   of   being   the    birthplace    of  Mr. 
Briggs.     He  is  a  son  of  Royal  Briggs,  whose 
grandfather  was  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
and  his  father  in  the  war  of  1812.      Mr.  Briggs' 
mother's  name  was  Lucinda  Holly. 

At  an  early  period  of  the  rebellion  which 
threatened  this  Republic  with  disintegration, 
and  when  patriotic  young  men  in  every  state 
were  offering  their  services  for  the  support  of 
their  country,  Mr.  Briggs'  patriotic  pride  was 
aroused  and  he  accordingly  concluded  to  lend  a 


hand  for  the  preservation  of  the  Republic,  there 
fore  hastened  to  Rockford  and  enlisted  Aug.  2, 
1862,  where  he  rendezvoused  until  Sept.,  4, 
when  he  was  mustered  into  Co.  G,  95th  111.  Inf. 
as  corporal.  The  Regt.  continued  at  Rockford 
until  Nov.  4th,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Jackson, 
Tenn.,  and  proceeded  by  way  of  Cairo  and  Co 
lumbus.  It  then  proceeded  to  Holly  Springs, 
skirmishing  all  along  the  march;  then  went  to 
Yorkney,  then  back  to  Holly  Springs.  From 
here  his  Regt.  took  transports  for  Vicksburg, 
landing  at  Lake  Providence,  La.,  and  did  some 
skirmishing  in  the  surrounding  country  and 
then  participated  in  the  inarch  to  Grand  Gulf 
and  all  the  battles  between  there  and  Vicks 
burg,  and  helped  drive  the  rebels  behind  their 
fortifications  in  the  latter  place.  Here  they 
remained  for  some  months,  when,  in  the  open 
ing  of  spring,  Gen.  Sherman  after  examining 
so  far  as  practicable  the  enemy's  fortifi 
cations,  disposed  of  his  army  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  permit  a  simultaneous  attack  on  every 
part  of  the  rebel  works  surrounding  Vicksburg, 
which  was  ordered,  and  took  place  the  I9th 
day  of  May.  The  95th  111.  was  in  Ransom's 
Brig,  and  was  located  near  the  Jackson  Road 
and  near  Fort  Hill,  occupying  one  of  the  im 
portant  points  in  the  brigade  line.  The  ad 
vance  was  ordered  at  2  P.  M.,  and  his  Regt. 
commenced  the  battle  and  continued  fighting 
without  a  let  up  until  after  dark  when  it  was 
ordered  to  withdraw.  In  their  assault,  his 
Regt.  lost  7  killed  and  fifty-odd  wounded.  On 
the  22nd  of  the  same  month,  the  assault  was  re 
newed,  the  95th  being  placed  in  an  advance 
position  exposed  to  the  murderous  fire  of  the 
enemy,  who  were  protected  by  their  fortifica 
tion. 

In  another  charge  his  Regt.  suffered  severely 
in  the  loss  of  officers  and  men,  25  being 
killed,  124  wounded  and  10  missing.  Seeing 
it  was  impossible  to  carry  the  place  without 
undue  exposure  of  the  army,  it  was  ordered  to 
fall  back,  therefore  a  siege  was  commenced  and 
continued  until  the  4th  of  July,  when  the  95th 
was  one  of  the  first  to  enter  the  place  in  triumph. 
His  Regt.  then  proceeded  to  Natchez,  where  it 
remained  until  the  I5th  Oct.,  when  it  returned 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


791 


to  Vicksburg  and  there  remained  and  during  the 
fall  and  following  winter  assisted  in  strengthen 
ing  its  fortifications.  In  the  beginning  of 
March,  his  Regt.  joined  in  the  Reel  River  ex 
pedition  under  Col.  Ward;  joined  the  army 
under  Gen.  Banks,  and  was  .engaged  at  the 
capture  of  Fort  De  Russey,  and  the  battles  of 
Old  River,  Chancellorsville,  Mansura,  Yellow 
Bayou,  and  all  the  movements  of  that  advance 
and  retreat.  Then  moved  to  Memphis  and 
from  there  to  Guntown  and  engaged  in  that 
battle,  where  it  fought  with  undaunted  bravery, 
losing  many  officers  and  men.  During  the 
battle  one  officer  after  another  of  the  Regt.  fell 
killed  or  wounded  and  a  similarly  disastrous 
fate  overtook  the  rank  and  file.  The  Regt., 
overpowered  by  superior  numbers,  the  enemy 
succeeded  in  turning  both  flanks  of  the  Regt., 
whereupon  their  only  escape  from  annihilation 
lay  in  retreat,  which  was  done,  but  Briggs  hav 
ing  been  wounded  and  rendered  helpless,  was 
captured  on  the  field  and  sent  to  Andersonville 
and  subsequently  held  captive  at  the  following 
places:  Milan,  Ga.,  Savannah,  Blackshire  and 
Florence,  S.  C.  During  the  greater  part  of 
the  time  he  was  a  prisoner  his  only  food  was 
i  pint  of  corn  meal  daily.  Afterward  was 
taken  to  Richmond  and  paroled  about  the 
1st  day  of  March,  1865.  From  that  place  he 
was  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  transferred  to 
Baltimore,  there  receiving  a  furlough.  It  is  be 
yond  the  power  of  human  mind  to  successfully 
describe  in  language  the  sufferings,  privations 
and  hardships  endured  by  the  boys  during  his 
months  incarcaration  in  the  rebel  prison.  He 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service  Aug.  1st,  1865, 
at  Chicago  and  paid  off. 

A  brother  of  Mr.  Briggs  was  also  in  the  95th 
during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  through 
illness  contracted  whilst  in  the  army,  died 
Aug,  1864.  He  also  had  one  sister,  Maria  Briggs. 
He  married  Miss  Maria  Valentine  (who 
was  a  daughter  of  Alex.  Valentine)  and  by  this 
union  has  2  children,  Cora  and  May.  Mrs. 
Briggs  was  unanimously  elected  President  of 
the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  at  Sycamore,  being 
also  a  charter  member  of  that  institution.  Mr. 
B.  has  always  been  a  staunch  Republican. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  Captain  Rich 
ard  A.  Howk,  of  Monmouth,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  22, 
1834,  a  son  of  Horace  and  Fannie  (Crouch) 
Howk,  also  natives  of  New  York  State,  where 
they  spent  their  lives.  Capt.  Howk  had  one 
brother  and  three  half  brothers;  he  was  born 
upon  the  farm  and  received  his  early  education 
in  the  country  schools.  He  was  first  married 
in  his  native  state  in  1852  to  Catherine  Gedding, 
who  died  in  1864  at  Rochester,  in  the  same 
state.  In  the  year  1858,  during  the  period  of 
the  gold  excitement  in  Colorado,  he  started 
overland  to  Pike's  Peak,  but  in  reaching  Bur 
lington,  la  ,  met  many  who  were  then  on  the 
return  trip  from  what  they  had  previously  sup 
posed  was  an  El  Dorado,  and  the  information 
gathered  from  them  caused  him  to  abandon 
that  long  and  uninviting  journey,  upon  which 
he  had  proceeded  hundreds  of  miles.  He  then 
went  railroading,  and  continued  to  be  engaged 
at  that  work  until  he  enlisted  in  the  army,  an 
event  which  took  place  on  Apr.  21,  1861.  He 
enlisted  at  Quincy,  111.,  and  was  mustered  as  a 
private  in  Co.  G,  ist  111.  Vol.  Cav.  His  Regt. 
rendezvoused  at  Ouincy  for  a  time,  then  pro 
ceeded  to  Lexington,  Mo.,  where  it  was  engaged 
with  troops  of  Gen.  Price,  where  Capt.  Howk 
and  2  others  of  the  Regt.,  were  taken  prisoners. 
The  next  morning  they  were  taken  before  Gefi. 
Price  from  whom  they  expected  rough  treat 
ment,  but  to  their  amazment  were  kindly  treated, 
being  paroled  with  the  privilege  of  going  any 
where  within  the  city,  on  condition  they  report 
to  the  General  each  morning  at  8  o'clock. 
After  the  lapse  of  a  few  days,  information 
reached  Gen.  Price  that  Gen.  Custer  with  a  large 
force  was  marching  upon  that  town,  which 
news  rather  disconcerted  the  former,  and  de 
cided  him  to  move  with  his  army,  leaving  his 
prisoners  of  war  behind.  Capt.  Howk  then 
walked  to  Jefferson  City,  there  embarked  for 
St.  Louis,  where  heapplied  for  a  transfer,  which 
was  refused  him.  Not  discouraged  he  pro 
ceeded  to  Springfield,  111.,  obtained  a  permit  to 
raise  a  Co.  in  Warren  county,  during  the  fall  of 
1861.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  of  which  he  was 
first  Lieutenant,  of  the  nth  111.  Vol.  Cav.  Bob 


792 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Ingersoll  was  Col.  of  the  Regt.  The  Regt.  spent 
the  winter  in  Peoria  and  St.  Louis,  principally, 
however,  at  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  and  in 
the  following  spring  went  by  transports  to 
Pittsburg  Landing,  and  on  the  6th  and  ;th  days 
of  April,  1862,  participated  in  the  famous  battle 
of  Shiloh,  in  which  our  subject  was  wounded  by 
a  bullet  shot  through  the  leg  below  the  knee, 
but  not  seriously.  Capt.  Howk  was  then  de 
tailed  as  escort  to  Gen.  Lew  Wallace,  and 
marched  to  Corinth,  then  back  to  Shiloh  and 
on  to  Union  Hill  and  Memphis.  Whilst  at 
Memphis  he  was  engaged  in  several  scouting 
expeditions  into  the  surrounding  country.  Dur 
ing  his  stay  at  Memphis  he  resigned,  returned 
to  111.  and  raised  another  Co.,  of  which  he  was 
chosen  Capt.,  and  afterward  was  mustered  in  as 
Co.  L.,  I2th  111.  Vol.  Cav.,  with  Col.  Hazelett 
Davison  as  C;l.  of  the  Regt.  The  winter  of 
1862-3  was  spent  in  Chicago,  and  the  following 
spring  it  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  thence  to  New 
Orleans,  where  it  was  on  guard  duty,  etc.,  then 
up  Bayou  La  Fourche,  where  the  Captain  and 
22  men  were  detached  upon  special  service, 
and  whilst  performing  it,  were  captured,  and 
held  prisoners  for  a  day  and  a  half,  and  then  re 
leased  by  the  commanding  officer,  who  was  a 
Mason  and  recognized  several  of  hiscaptivesas 
brethren.  The  Captain  and  men  rejoined  the 
Regt.,  and  were  for  a  time  stationed  at  Baton 
Rouge  on  guard  duty,  and  from  there  made 
what  was  known  as  Davidson's  raid  to  Bayou 
Pascagoola,  reaching  New  Orleans  in  the  same 
month,  when  the  Capt.  was  made  Quartermaster, 
stationed  at  the  Hospital  Barracks  until  Aug. 
1865,  when  he  was  ordered  to  Springfield,  111., 
where  he  was  mustered  out.  During  his  army  life 
he  was  almost  continually  upon  the  move,  en 
dured  untold  hardships  and  privations,  and  had 
numerous  hairbreadth  escapes  and  thrilling 
experiences.- 

Capt.  Howk  married  a  second  time  in  1866, 
to  Margaret  Harper,  who  was  born  in  Ohio. 
After  leaving  the  army  he  proceeded  to 
Monmouth,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
butchering  and  ice  business,  in  which  he  has 
been  successful.  He  is  a  Charter  member  of 
the  McClannahan  Post,  No.  330,  G.  A.  R.,  also 


a  member  of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows  Lodge, 
No.  577,  and  is  a  spirited  citizen,  who  carries 
with  him  the  esteem  of  many  friends  and  ac 
quaintances. 


ANDREW  CHRISTENSON,  of  Rock  Island,  111., 
was  born  in  Norway,  Oct.  I,  1843.     His 
father  was  a  foreman  in  the  iron  melting 
works,  and  when  Andrew  was  about  ten  years 
of  aee  he  commenced  to  learn  this  trade  with 

o 

his  father,  giving  a  liberal  part  of  his  time  to 
acquiring  an  education.  At  times  he  was  also 
employed  in  herding  cattle  about  the  neighbor 
hood.  Thus  he  was  engaged  until  his  i8th  year, 
when,  having  a  desire  to  see  more  of  the  world, 
he  concluded  to  become  a  sailor,  and  shipped 
from  his  native  town,  Oster^  Rieson,  on  a  mer 
chant  ship  bound  for  the  White  Sea.  The  voy 
age  was  made  without  any  special  incidents  of 
note,  and  at  the  Russian  port  the  ship  was 
loaded  with  lumber  and  tar,  and  set  sail  for 
Marseilles,  France.  While  rounding  the  Shet 
land  Islands  they  were  visited  with  a  fearful 
storm,  which  occasioned  the  loss  of  the  greater 
part  of  the  cargo,  but  the  lives  of  the  ship's 
crew  were  saved,  making  port  finally  in  Nor 
way,  where  the  ship  was  repaired,  and  then  set 
sail  again  for  Marseilles.  There  he  sailed  for 
Alexandria,  Egypt,  where  his  ship  was  loaded 
with  cotton-seed  for  the  British  market.  After 
disposing  of  this  cargo  the  ship  sailed  for  the 
U.  S.,  making  the  port  of  New  York,  where  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  left  the  ship  that  had 
carried  him  over  so  many  seas.  Not  finding 
employment  to  his  liking,  he  again  concluded 
to  go  to  sea,  and  shipped  from  New  Haven 
bound  for  the  West  Indies,  returning  by  the 
Turk's  Islands,  with  a  cargo  of  salt  which  was 
taken  to  New  Haven.  This  was  in  the. latter 
part  of  1863,  when  the  Rebellion  was  at  its 
height.  Mr.  Christenson  had  now  concluded  to 
become  a  citizen  of  this  country,  and  thought 
he  could  no  better  establish  his  claims  to  citizen 
ship  than  by  taking  part  in  the  defense  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


793 


great  Republic,  and  acting  upon  this  belief  he 
enlisted  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  and  was  mustered 
as  a  private,  Dec.  I,  1863,  in  Company  G,  2nd 
N.  H.  Inf.  He  was  sent  to  Boston,  and  from 
there  to  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  where  the  men 
were  guarding  rebel  prisoners  until  the  follow 
ing  spring,  when  they  joined  the  Army  of  the 
James,  under  Gen.  Butler.  They  were  in  many 
hard  actions  and  skirmishes  between  Peters 
burg  and  Richmond,  and  were  engaged  in  tear 
ing  up  railroad  tracks  and  the  destruction  of 
other  property.  Mr.  Christenson,  with  his  com 
mand,  then  in  the  2nd  Div.,  i8th  A.  C.,  parti 
cipated  in  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  Va. 
Crossing  the  James  he  fought  in  the  battle  of 
Cold  Harbor,  June  2d-4th,  1864,  where  his  com 
pany  and  regiment  suffered  severely,  and  the 
command  was  forced  to  retreat.  He  was  pres 
ent  at  the  blowing  up  of  Fort  Hell,  when  he 
marched  to  Yorktown,  where  he  was  taken  sick 
and  compelled  to  go  to  the  hospital.  He  was 
sent  first  to  Fortress  Monroe,  where  he  remained 
until  the  following  spring,  and  the'n  was  t^ans- 
ferred  to  the  hospital  at  Manchester,  N.  H., 
where  he  remained  until  June  5,  1865,  when  he 
was  discharged.  Subsequently  he  drifted  west 
ward,  and  for  two  years  was  engaged  working 
on  railroads.  In  July,  1867,  he  became  an 
employe  of  the  Government  on  Rock  Island, 
and  in  1868  was  made  foreman  of  a  crew,  which 
position  he  held  for  twelve  years,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  one  of  the  guards  to  the  Gov 
ernment  bridges  and  other  parts  of  the  Island. 
Mr.  Christenson  was  married  Dec.  15,  1871,  to 
Anna  Olfsen,  a  native  of  Norway,  by  whom  he 
has  had  nine  children,  viz.:  Clarence  S.,  Nor 
man  A.,  Andrew,  Emma  T.,  Thomas  O.,  Olf  W., 
John  E.,  Annie  M.,  and  Benjamin  W.  Mr. 
Christenson's  father  died  in  Norway.  His 
mother  came  to  the  U.  S.  in  1867,  and  died  at 
Rock  Island  in  1876.  He  has  two  sisters  living, 
one  in  Rock  Island  and  the  other  in  Chicago. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  John  Buford  Post, 
No.  243,  G.  A.  R.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr. 
Christenson  has  never  regretted  of  making  this 
country  his  home,  and  taking  part  in  its  defense. 
He  has  been  a  worthy  and  useful  citizen. 


M 


OSES  L.  TULLIS,  of  Peoria,  111.,  was  born 
in  La  Salle  Co.,  Oct.  27,  1837,  where  he 
lived  until  the  late  war.  His  father, 
Jonathan  L.  Tujlis,  as. also  his  five  sons,  served 
in  the  Rebellion,  the  father  being  in  the  88th 
111.  James  O.  was  Capt.  of  the  I47th.  Amos  K., 
Chaplain  of  the  iO2d.  Charles  W.  was  1st  Sergt. 
in  the  20th,  and  finally  in  the  I04th.  Henry  C. 
Sergeant  of  the  I47th,  and  our  subject  was  in 
the  2Oth.  Moses  had  five  cousins  (brothers) 
who  also  served  in  the  army  at  the  same  time. 
Among  the  first  to  enlist  for  service  in  the  town 
of  Tomica  was  Moses  L.  Tullis,  which  he  did 
on  the  day  after  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter.  His 
Co.  was  raised  in  one  hour,  then  drilled  for  sev 
eral  days,  but  was  not  accepted.  He  and  his 
brother  Charles  then  went  to  Granville,  Put 
nam  County,  and  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  2Oth  111.; 
then  proceeded  to  Joliet,  where,  after  an  exam 
ination,  the  brother  was  rejected  on  account  of 
his  being  too  young.  The  Reg.  then  went  to 
Alton,  thence  to  St.  Louis,  and  from  there  to 
Cape  Girardeau,  under  General  Fremont. 
Shortly  after  arrival,  it  was  sent  upon  a  forced 
march  of  20  miles  during  the  night,  and  capt 
ured  13  wagons  of  salt  pork  which  was  being 
forwarded  to  Price's  army.  He  participated  in 
the  battle  of  Frederickstown,  and  took  part  in 
the  operations  against  Fort  Henry  in  the  spring 
of  1862.  Closely  following  this,  Mr.  Tullis  was 
discharged  on  account  of  deafness  and  returned 
to  his  home.  He,  however,  longed  for  the  din 
of  battle,  and  in  the  fall  of  1864  again  enlisted 
in  the  iO4th,  which  he  joined  at  Louisville,  pro 
ceeded  to  Nashville  and  Chattanooga,  then 
back  to  Louisville.  Subsequently  he  was  sent 
to  Philadelphia,  then  to  New  York,  where  he 
took  steamer  for  Savannah,  Ga.  He  sailed 
round  the  coast  to  Cape  Fear  River,  then 
marched  across  the  country  to  Goldsboro, 
where  he  joined  his  Reg.,  and  from  there  went 
with  it  to  Raleigh,  and  was  confronting  John 
ston's  army,  ready  to  attack,  when  that  General 
surrendered.  He  marched  to  Richmond  and 
on  to  Washington,  where  he  joined  in  the  Grand 
Review.  Subsequently  he  was  transferred  to 
Co.  K,  34th  111.,  and  ordered  to  Texas  by  way 
of  Parkersburg.  The  Reg.  however,  on  arrival 


794 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


at  Louisville,  was  ordered  to  be  mustered  out. 
After  his  discharge  Mr.  Tullis  returned  to  Men- 
dota,  where  he  had  married,  in  1862,  Miss  Car 
rie  Longnecker,  of  Peru.  He  engaged  in  car 
penter  work  until  1867,  when  he  removed  to 
Gelman;  111.,  where  he  continued  12  years,  then 
removed  to  Peoria  in  1880,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  In  1887  he  started  a  bakery,  where 
his  business  has  thrived  and  prospered,  and 
where  he  now  commands  a  fine  trade.  Jan. 
3ist,  1891,  saw  his  beloved  wife  released  from 
excruciating  pain  arising  from  cancer,  which 
terminated  in  her  death  on  that  day,  leaving 
one  daughter,  Fanny  L.,  now  a  young  lady, 
surviving  her. 

Mr.  Tullis  has  been  afflicted  with  deafness, 
which  was  very  much  aggravated  by  reason  of 
hardships  and  exposure  during  his  army  serv 
ice.  His  political  sympathies  when  a  young 
man  were  Democratic,  but  at  the  election  for 
the  first  Republican  President  he  voted  Repub 
lican,  and  at  Lincoln's  election  he  developed 
into  a  public  speaker  in  the  interest  of  that  em 
inent  statesman.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R. 


CAFF.  CHARLES  F.  TAGGART,  of  Freeport, 
111.,  was  born  at  Northumberland,  Pa., 
Dec.  8,  1822.  His  paternal  grandfather, 
David  Taggart,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and 
came  to  America  with  two  brothers  previous  to 
the  War  of  the  Revolution,  settling  near  Phila 
delphia,  Pa.  David  Taggart  married  a  Miss 
Van  Sant,  and  located  upon  a  large  tract  of 
land  in  Northumberland  Co.,  Pa.  At  the  out 
break  of  the  War  of  the  Revolution  he  and  his 
family  were  driven  from  home  by  the  Indians. 
His  sons  returning  to  the  Frceland  Fort  to 
gcther,  their  Corps  were  made  prisoners  by  the 
Indians  and  conveyed  to  Canada,  where  one  of 
them  died  with  camp  fever.  David  Taggart 
returned  to  Northumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  at  the 
close  of  the  Revolution,  there  passing  the 
remainder  of  his  days.  He  had  a  large  family 
of  children,  the  father  of  Capt.  Chas.  F.  Ta^- 

a 


gart,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  being  the 
youngest.  Capt.  Taggart's  father  remained 
with  his  parents  in  Northumberland  Co.,  Pa., 
until  his  I4th  year,  when  he  went  to  Philadel 
phia,  where  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the 
cabinet-maker's  trade.  He  was  in  Philadelphia 
during  the  cholera  visitation.  He  was  three 
times  married:  First  to  a  Miss  Cox,  by  whom 
he  had  14  children;  second,  to  Miss  Mary 
Israel,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  and  third, 
to  Elizabeth  State,  by  whom  he  had  6  children, 
five  of  whom  are  living — James  S.,  who  died  in 
Freeport  in  1886;  Charles  F.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch;  Samuel  S.,  of  Grant  Co.,  Kan.; 
Mary  J.,  the  wife  of  Thomas  J.  H.  Murray,  of 
Northfield,  Minn.,  and  Caroline,  the  wife  of  L. 
McNeal  of  Shelby  Co.,  111.  Mr.  Taggart  was  a 
soldier  of  the  War  of  1812,  and  bore  the  com 
mission  of  Major.  In  politics  he  was  a  Demo 
crat  of  the  Jeffersonian  school.  He  died  in  Pa. 
in  1848,  his  wife  in  111.  in  1858. 

Capt.  Taggart,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
recejved  his  preliminary  instruction  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  birth-place.  His 
uncle,  with  whom  he  had  been  living  up  to 
his  nth  year,  died,  and  he  returned  to  his 
father,  with  whom  he  continued  to  reside  until 
he  attained  his  majority. 

Thinking  to  improve  his  prospects,  he  went 
West,  locating  primarily  in  St.  Clair  Co.,  111., 
where  he  engaged  in  farm  labor,  the  following 
winter  teaching  a  district  school.  His  next 
move  was  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  remained  for 
a  year,  and  then  returned  to  his  home  in  Pa., 
where  he  was  married  Sept.  27,  1846,  to  Miss 
Margaret  Smith,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Han 
nah  B.  (Murray)  Smith.  Immediately  after 
marriage  he  set  out  with  his  wife  for  the  "wild 
West,"  and  located  near  Ridcout,  Stephenson 
Co.,  111.  This  section  of  country  was  at  that 
time  but  sparsely  settled,  and  there  was  a  plenty 
of  government  land.  He  selected  a  tract  for 
settlement  and  started  in  to  make  a  home  and 
a  living.  Hastily  constructing  a  cabin  of  rough 
logs,  .they  moved  in  and  began  their  house 
keeping  in  the  most  primitive  manner.  The 
door  of  this  rude  domicile  was  so  low  that  an 
adult  person  had  to  stoop  in  order  to  enter. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


795 


Their  furniture  was  of  the  simplest  description 
and  was  literally  "home  made."  In  1858  he 
removed  to  Freeport,  and  was  nominated  and 
elected  sheriff  of  Stephenson  Co.  In  1862  he 
wrote  to  Adjutant  General  Fuller  for  permission 
to  raise  a  company,  which  he  was  instructed 
to  do.  Placing  his  name  at  the  head  of  the 
list,  he  succeeded  in  enlisting  108  men,  who 
were  mustered  in  as  Co.  D,  93d  111.  Inf.,  with 
Mr.  Taggart  as  Captain.  The  Co.  proceeded 
to  Chicago,  where  it  remained  encamped  for 
about  two  months,  afterward  being  ordered  to 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  from  there  going  to 
Holly  Springs  during  the  time  Grant  was  inves 
tigating  with  reference  to  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg,  later  returning  to  Memphis  and  remain 
ing  there  until  the  succeeding  April.  Next 
going  to  Milliken's  Bend,  the  command  were 
detained  there  until  May  8,  when  they  were 
ordered  to  Vicksburg,  and  while  on  the  march 
participated  in  the  engagements  at  Port  Gib 
son,  Jackson  and  Champion  Hills,  subsequently 
bearing  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg. 

In  Aug.,  1863,  Capt.  Taggart  went  home  on 
a  thirty-day  furlough,  at  the  expiration  of  which 
he  rejoined  his  company  at  Vicksburg  and 
was  ordered  to  Helena,  Ark.,  to  assist  Gen. 
Steel  in  projected  plans,  but  before  reaching 
Helena,  Gen.  Steel  having  accomplished  his 
aims,  he  returned  with  his  Co.  to  Vicksburg. 
Gen.  Grant  having  now  been  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  and 
Sherman  to  that  of  the  West,  the  93d  was  or 
dered  to  Chattanooga  and  was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Mission  Ridge.  In  this  great  con 
flict  fell  Col.  Holden  Putnam,  whose  body 
Capt.  Taggart  brought  back  to  Freeport.  After 
the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  the  93d  was  so 
disabled  as  to  be  unfit  for  active  service  and 
was  detailed  for  guard  duty  until  alter  the 
fall  of  Atlanta.  They  were  then  ordered  to 
Allatoona,  where  they  were  in  action  with  Hood's 
army  of  8,000  men,  the  Union  force  numbering 
2,126.  The  rebel  loss  in  this  battle  was  1,500, 
and  that  of  the  Federals  706  in  killed, wounded 
and  missing.  Captain  Taggart  was  unfit  for 
duty,  at  this  time,  having  been  seriously  sick, 


but  he  commanded  his  Co.  through  the  fight 
with  the  grand  courage  which  ever  distin 
guished  him.  He  was  now  obliged  from  sick 
ness  to  return  home.  He  now  resigned  his 
commission,  being  badly  broken  in  health,  and 
the  war  drawing  rapidly  to  a  close.  For  fifteen 
years  after  his  return  to  Freeport,  he  was  em 
ployed  as  a  postal  clerk.  Capt.  Taggart  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  John 
A.  Davis  Post,  No.  98,  G.  A.  R.,  and  was  its  first 
Vice  Commander.  He  is  the  father  of  four 
children  —  Mary  E.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  14; 
Frank,  Supt.  of  the  Malleable  Iron  Works,  St. 
Louis,  Mo.;  Anna  B.,  at  home;  and  Wil 
liam  H.,  one  of  the  leading  and  most  promi 
nent  dentists  of  the  state  of  111.,  President 
of  the  Northern  Dental  Association,  and  Chair 
man  of  the  Dental  Association  of  Illinois  at 
the  World's  Columbian  Exposition. 

Capt.  Taggart  is  enjoying  the  fruits  of  a 
well-spent  life,  surrounded  by  the  blessings 
vouchsafed  to  him  in  a  happy  home  and  chil 
dren  of  whom  any  father  might  be  proud. 


WILLIAM  O'BRIEN,  of  Kingston,  111,  the 
subject  of  this  notice,  was  born  on 
Easter  Monday,  1843,  iri  Ireland, 
that  country,  which  has  sent  forth  so  many 
brilliant  sons  to  seek  their  fortunes  beyond  its 
shores,  and  few  of  whom  fail  in  finding  it.  Mr. 
O'Brien  came  to  this  country  when  quite  young 
and  made  his  home  in  New  York.  Having 
determined  to  adopt  this  as  his  country,  he 
deemed  it  his  duty  when  its  laws  and  institu 
tions  were  threatened  by  rebellion  to  lend  a 
hand,  and  if  the  fates  should  so  decree,  offer  his 
young  life  as  for  the  preservation  of  the  Re 
public,  and  therefore  enlisted  in-the  fall  of  1863, 
in  New  York  City,  with  the  i8th  N.  Y.  Vol. 
Inf.,  in  Gen.  Meagher's  Brigade.  Under  Col. 
Brown  he  proceeded  to  camp  in  Maryland, 
where  he  was  mustered  into  the  service.  From 
here  his  Regt.  proceeded  to  Chickamauga  and 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  the  same  name. 
Their  next  move  was  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and 


796 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


from  there  to  Corinth,  and  participated  in  the 
engagment  at  the  latter  place.  After  the  latter 
conflict  he  was  ordered  back  to  Nashville  and 
joined  in  the  skirmish  after  Gen.  Hood.  Sub 
sequently  he  was  ordered  to  Atlanta,  and  from 
there  proceeded  under  Gen.  Sherman  in  his 
now  famous  "march  to  the  sea"  campaign. 
Along  the  line  of  that  march  he  was  engaged 
in  several  severe  skirmishes,  all  resulting  favor 
ably  to  the  Union  troops  engaged,  and  after 
wards  participated  in  the  Carolina  campaign, 
taking  part  in  the  battles  of  Lawtonville,  Ave- 
rysboro  and  Bentonville,  and  at  the  close  of 
the  war  returned  to  Washington,  where  he  took 
part  in  the  Grand  Review,  and  was  discharged. 
After  being  discharged  he  returned  to  his 
home  in  New  York  and  resumed  his  trade  of 
stone  mason,  afterwards  moving  to  Chicago, 
and  at  times  living  in  Kingston,  111.,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  married  Johanna  Dougherty, 
by  whom  he  has  two  children,  John  W.,  and 
Joseph  A.  He  is  a  Republican. 


JAMES  BRADBURY,  engineer  for  the  Insane 
Asylum,  at  Kankakee,  111.,  was  born  at 
Hyde,  Cheshire,  England,  Dec.  26,  1844, 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  When 
17  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  U.  S.,  and 
first  located  at  Lawrence,  Mass.  In  1862,  be 
coming  enthused  with  the  war  spirit  that  swept 
over  the  land  and  made  its  influence  felt  in 
every  household,  he  enlisted  in  the  4Oth  Mass. 
Inf.,  Co.  C,  and  at  Camp  Lynn,  Aug.  22,  1862, 
was  mustered  into  the  service  of  his  adopted 
country,  even  before  he  was  old  enough  to  ac 
quire  the  rights  and  privileges  of  citizenship. 
The  Regt.  was  immediately  ordered  South,  and 
went  to  Arlington  Heights,  where  3  months 
were  spent*  with  but  little  to  do  in  warfare,  ex 
cept  an  occasional  skirmish.  Then  a  move  was 
made  to  Chancellorsville,  Frederick  City  and 
Mare  Island,  S.  C.,  where  it  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Ft.  Wagner.  After  a  short  season 
of  active  service  in  Florida,  it  was  ordered  to 
the  James  River  and  Cold  Harbor,  in  which  the 
regiment  lost  heavily.  .  I  lore  Mr.  Bradbury  was 


taken  sick  and  sent  to  the  hospital,  at  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.,  then  transferred  to  Portsmouth 
Grove  or  Lowell's  Grove,  Rhode  Island,  where 
he  was  given  his  discharge  Feb.  4,  1864.  When 
he  returned  home  and  had  recovered  his  health, 
Mr.  Bradbury  became  an  engineer  at  Andovcr, 
Mass.  In  1866,  looking  for  a  wider  field  and 
wishing  to  see  more  of  the  country,  he  came 
West  and  located  in  Chicago,  where  he  engaged 
in  business  of  steam  fitting,  in  which  he  became 
a  recognized  expert  and  master  of  his  business. 
He  worked  in  Chicago  until  Oct.,  1878,  when, 
being  employed  to  assist  in  putting  in  the  steam 
appliances  of  the  Insane  Asylum  that  was 
erected  at  Kankakee,  including  the  engines,  he 
removed  to  that  city,  and  has  had  charge  of 
the  engines  of  this  State  Institution  during  the 
past  13  years.  This  fact  alone  speaks  volumes 
for  the  ability,  skill  and  faithfulness  of  Mr. 
Bradbury,  who  is  a  gentleman  possessing  in  a 
marked  degree  the  characteristics  of  energy, 
industry  and  reliability,  and  is  justly  entitled 
to  the  creditable  position  he  has  won  by  the 
exhibition  of  these  honorable  qualities.  He  has 
been  twice  married,  the  first  time  May  12,  1868, 
to  Catharine  Hellock,  who  died  July  1st,  1885, 
leaving  a  family  of  children,  of  whom  John, 
George,  Don  B.,  Maggie  and  Mary  J.  are  living. 
He  contracted  his  second  marriage  June,  1889, 
with  Elizabeth  Darob. 

Mr.  Bradbury  is  a  member  of  Whipple  Post, 
No.  414,  G.  A.  R.;  and  in  politics  a  most  decided 
Republican,  well  posted  in  all  state  and  national 
affairs,  as  becomes  one  who  intends  to  act  intel 
ligently  and  vote  conscientiously.  He  is  a  gen 
tleman  of  positive  opinions  and  thorough  in 
every  investigation  he  undertakes,  standing  well 
in  the  esteem  of  his  friends,  and  known  by  all 
as  a  man  of  decided  uprightness  of  purpose 
and  character. 


JW.  CAMP,  of   Rock    Island,    111.,    enlisted 
in  the  Union   army    Dec.     11,     1863,  and 
•  was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Roches 
ter  as  a  private  in  Co.  B,  22nd  N.  Y.  Cav.     Im 
mediately  after  its  organization,  the  Regt.  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


797 


ordered  to  Washington,  where  it  lay  for  several 
weeks,  after  which  it  was  attached  to  the  2nd 
Brig.,  3rd  Div.  of  the  Cav.  Service,  under  com 
mand  of  that  gallant,  but  now  mourned  Gen. 
Custer.  The  Regt.  participated  in  and  passed 
through  its  first  baptism  of  fire  in  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness,  in  which  it  was  heavily  en 
gaged,  after  which  its  Col.  and  Lieut,  were  dis 
honorably  dismissed  from  the  service  for  al. 
leged  incapacity,  caused  by  excessive  indul 
gence  in  the  "flowing  bowl"  resulting  in  one 
third  of  the  Regt.  falling  into  the  enemy's 
hands.  Our  subject,  however,  fired  with  the  en 
thusiasm  of  youth  and  confidence  in  the  running 
capacity  of  his  spirited  mount,  seeing  the  cap 
ture,  put  spurs  to  his  steed  and  escaped  be 
yond  the  reach  of  rebel  bullets,  which  at  first 
came  after  him  almost  like  driving  rain.  The 
spirited  animal  that  bore  him  safely  and  with 
dispatch  from  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  car 
ried  him  until  shot  beneath  its  rider  in  an  en 
gagement  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  The  cav 
alry  was  the  most  active  arm  of  the  service, and 
Mr.  Camp's  Regt.  like  the  others,  was  always 
on  the  move  and  engaged  in  daily  skirmishes, 
and  took  part  under  Gen.  Wilson  in  the  raid 
around  Richmond  in  which  the  command  was 
badly  cut  up,  those  escaping  doing  so,  by  adopt 
ing  the  motto  of,  "  every  fellow  for  himself 
and  the  devil  take  the  hmdermost."  His  next 
experience  was  in  the  battle  of  Winchester;  his 
Regt.  having  left  Berryville  on  the  preceeding 
night,  moved  on  a  rapid  march,  arriving  at  the 
battle  ground  about  daylight,  immediately 
joined  in  that  terrible  conflict  which  was  fought 
with  unabated  desperation  throughout  the  day, 
and  which  only  ceased  when  the  armies  became 
enshrouded  in  darkness  which  terminated  the 
fearful  slaughter  In  this  battle  Mr.  Camp's  will 
ing  and  noble  animal  fell  dead  beneath  him, 
pierced  by  a  cruel  rebel  bullet,  and  in  the 
fall  he  sustained  injuries  from  which  he  has 
since  been  a  constant  and  great  sufferer.  He 
did  not  leave  the  field,  however,  but  stuck  to 
his  post  like  a  brave  patriotic  soldier.  The 
next  heavy  battle  in  which  he  was  engaged 
was  Cedar  Creek,  wherein  the  rebels  were  led 
by  Gen.  Early.  In  a  clever  night  movement, 


assisted  by  the  dense  fog  they  surprised  the 
Union  army  located  there  under  Gen.  Sheridan 
who  was  temporarily  absent  at  Washington. 
The  detachment  of  the  enemy  under  Kershaw 
having  stealthily  crept  over  a  hill  and  captured 
seven  of  the  Union  guns,  turned  them 
against  the  owners,  who  were  soon  forced 
to  retreat  in  confusion.  At  this  point  Mr. 
Camp's  Regt.  and  other  cavalry  advanced 
and  took  part  and  endeavored  to  stem  the  tide 
which  was  started  to  flow  so  precipitately  in 
favor  of  the  enemy,  but  the  confusion  was  be 
yond  their  control  and  in  a  short  time  the  cav 
alry  also  was  retreating  hurriedly. 

Sheridan  had  reached  Winchester  at  7 
o'clock  that  morning  and  hearing  guns,  rode 
hurriedly  to  the  front  and  met  the  troops  from 
the  broken  lines,  whom  he  immediately  rallied 
under  a  promise  to  return  "  and  lick  them  out 
of  their  boots,"  which  promise  he  faithfully  per 
formed,  destroying  the  rebel  army  and  capturing 
many  prisoners,  besides  large  quantities  of  sup 
plies  and  war  material.  Mr.  Camp  sat  in  his  sad 
dle  all  that  day  and  throughout  the  following 
night  and  in  the  retreat,  with  his  Regt.  formed 
the  rear  guard  of  the  main  army,  and  was  all  this 
time  under  a  continual  fire  from  the  pursuing 
enemy.  He  then  joined  in  the  raids  through 
the  Shenandoah  Valley,  the  "  granary  of  the 
confederacy,"  which  he  assisted  to  lay  in  ruins 
burning  mills,  barns,  railroads,  and  generally 
confiscating  or  destroying  everything.  Shortly 
after  this  came  the  grand  coup  d'etat,  wherein 
Gen.  Grant  held  Gen.  Lee  before  Richmond 
and  Petersburg,  whilst  Sheridan  with  recog 
nized  skill  threw  his  command  in  the  rear  of 
Gen.  Lee,  thus  preventing  the  junction  of  the 
relief  forces.  In  this  manceuvering  Mr.  Camp 
and  his  Regt.  did  some  splendid  work  and 
assisted  in  a  cavalry  charge  which  was  made 
so  suddenly  and  with  such  irresistible  force 
that  they  captured  1,400  rebel  prisoners,  who 
were  taken  with  loaded  muskets  in  their  hands. 
In  conducting  the  prisoners  away,  they  were 
intercepted  by  a  rebel  general,  who  attempted 
a  rescue,  whereupon  occurred  a  pretty  cavalry 
charge.  The  opposing  columns  charged  at 
each  other  across  an  open,  level  plain,  meeting 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


at  break  neck  speed,  passing  through  each 
other's  ranks  and  immediately  returning  and 
engaged  in  a  hand-to-hand  conflict,  finally 
forcing  the  rebels  to  retreat  with  a  command 
much  reduced.  He  was  later  in  the  battle  of 
Five  Points,  afterward  at  Appomattox,  which 
was  his  last  engagement.  The  Regt.  then 
returned  to  Winchester,  where  it  received 
orders  to  return  to  Rochester,  where  the  men 
were  mustered  out,  on  Aug.  1st,  1865. 

His  father,  A.  J.  Camp,  was  a  son  of  the 
Rev.  Wilson  Camp,  a  native  of  Vt.  His 
mother,  Naomi  Hitchcock  is  a  relative  of 
Senator  Hitchcock,  of  New  York.  Our  sub 
ject,  after  the  war,  returned  home  and  after 
wards  apprenticed  himself  at  the  boot  and 
shoe  trade  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  on  acquiring 
that  business,  removed  to  Penn.,  subsequently 
to  Detroit,  remaining  at  the  latter  place  for  five 
years,  when  he  concluded  to  go  further  west, 
and  accordingly  located  at  Rock  Island,  where 
he  has  continued  since  the  year  1871.  He 
engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account,  which 
has  been  continued  up  to  the  present  time. 

Our  subject  married  Anna  Helmky,  by 
whom  he  has  three  children,  viz.:  Cora,  George, 
and  Nettie.  He  is  a  member  of  the  fraternal 
Order  of  Red  Men: — O-San-Kee  Tribe,  No.  15; 
also  a  member  of  the  John  Buford  Post,  No. 
242,  G.  A.  R. 


WILLIAM  H.  REED,  the  popular  and 
highly  respected  sheriff  of  Kane  Co., 
111.,  is  a  resident  of  Geneva,  and  hails 
from  Albany,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  born  Aug. 
12,  1836,  a  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (McClel- 
lan)  Reed.  His  parents  were  natives  of  the 
Empire  State,  and  in  1844  moved  to  Geneva, 
111.,  where'  they  now  both  lie  buried.  They 
begot  four  sons,  truly  four  patriots,  and  one 
daughter.  Blessed  be  the  memory  of  that 
mother  who  gave  up  her  last  boy  for  the 
defense  of  the  grand  "old  flag."  Indeed, 
every  one  of  them  went  forth  to  enlist  in  the 
service  of  their  country.  George,  the  eldest, 
served  in  the  $2nd  111.  Inf.,  and  Marins  and 


David  both  enlisted  in  the  I44th  111.  Inf.  When 
William  was  seven  years  old  his  parents  located 
at  Geneva.  Here,  after  receiving  a  good  school 
education,  he  commenced  life  as  a  stone-cutter. 
This  calling  he  followed  till  he  took  the  "war 
fever,"  and  Aug.  9,  1862,  we  find  him  duly  en 
listed  in  Co.  K,  89th  111.  Inf. 

The  Regt.  was  organized  at  Chicago  and 
mustered  into  service  Aug.  27.  Sept.  4,  it  was 
ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky.  Shortly  the  "boys" 
started  out  after  the  rebels  under  Bragg,  and 
after  a  month's  wearisome  march,  reached 
Bowling  Green.  Oct.  8,  we  find  comrade  Reed 
thoroughly  baptised  as  a  son  of  war  in  the 
bloody  battle  of  Perryville.  The  next  clay  he 
fought  at  Lawrenceburg.  The  last  day  of  the 
year  he  was  under  fire  almost  constantly  in  that 
tragic  and  stubbornly-fought  battle  of  Mur- 
freesboro,  Tenn.,  and  during  the  next  day's 
engagement,  Jan.  I,  1863,  we  find  him, together 
with  several  others,  including  Gen.  Willich, 
captured  by  the  enemy.  He  was  marched  to 
Richmond,  into  Libby  Prison,  and  after  six 
weeks  of  confinement,  was  exchanged  at  City 
Point,  and  transferred  to  Benton  Barracks,  Mo. 
Rejoining  his  Regt.,  comrade  Reed  again  went 
forth  "to  do  or  die"  in  defense  of  the  stars  and 
stripes.  He  subsequently  participated  in  one 
continual  round  of  fighting,  including  many  of 
the- bloodiest  battles  of  the  rebellion,  namely: 
Chickamauga,  Orchard  Knob,  Lookout  Mt.t- 
Mission  Ridge,  Rocky  Face,  Buzzard's 
Roost,  Resaca,  Pickett's  Mill,  Dallas,  Kcncsaw 
Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jones- 
boro  and  Lovejoy  Station. 

In  all  of  these  engagements  the  gallant 
8gth  was  invariably  in  the  advance,  each  time 
losing  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded,  indeed, 
as  many  as  21 1  in  the  battle  of  Atlanta. 
Crowned  with  victory,  the  "  boys,"  under  Gen. 
Thomas,  moved  into  Tenn.,  and  again  partici 
pated  in  the  brilliant  achievements  of  Sping 
Hill,  Columbia,  Franklin  and  Nashville.  Sub 
sequently  they  chased  Hood's  army  South  into 
Alabama,  and  after  going  into  winter  quarters 
at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  returned  to  Nashville,  Tenn., 
where  they  were  mustered  out  June  10,  1865, 
returning  to  Chicago  and  were  duly  discharged 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


799 


June  24th,  atter  nearly  three  years  of  hard 
marching  and  hard  fighting,  in  all  of  which 
the  Sgth  did  noble  service.  After  the  war 
comrade  Reed  was  engaged  as  brakesman  for 
four  years,  when  he  was  promoted  to  conductor 
on  a  freight  train,  and  later  to  passenger  con 
ductor,  in  which  entrusted  position  he  con 
tinued  till  1889,  when  he  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  Sheriff  of  Kane  County,  being  the 
first  Democrat  who  had  been  elected  to  the 
office  for  26  years. 

Mr.  Reed  was  married  in  Michigan  in  1871, 
to  Louisa  Tinsley,  the  estimable  daughter  of 
Edward  Tinsley,  who,  when  a  young  man,  emi 
grated  from  England. 

He  has  been  a  member  of  the  city  council 
of  Geneva;  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Gen. 
Spaulding  Post,  No.  60,  in  which  he  is  serving 
his  second  term  as  commander;  a  Mason;  a 
member  of  the  Fox  River  Chapter,  No.  14;  of 
the  Shrine,  and  of  the  Bethels  Commandry, 
No.  36,  Elgin.  Mr.  Reed  is  a  true  soldier  and  a 
whole-souled  gentleman,  whom  it  is  a  pleasure 
to  know. 


SAMUEL  C.  ELDER,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  was 
born  at  Dry  Run,  Franklin  Co.,  Pa.,  March 
30,  1839.  His  American  progenitors  were 
of  Scotch-Irish  extraction,  and  devout  Pres 
byterians.  His  father,  Matthew,  was  the  son 
of  John,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Matthew, 
the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  served 
in  the  War  of  1812.  The  family  of  John  Elder 
were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  section 
of  Pa.  now  known  as  Path  Valley,  in  Franklin 
Co.  The  mother  of  Samuel  C.  Elder  was  Nancy 
McConnell,  whose  gentle  hand  led  her  son  in 
proper  paths.  He  enlisted  in  the  military 
service  in  Co.  H,  I26th  Pa.  Inf.,  in  1862,  and 
proceeding  to  Washington,  was  with  his  regi 
ment  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  go 
ing  thence  to  Martinsburg  and  joining  in  the 
long  march  with  Burnside,  over  roads  deluged 
with  water  from  incessant  rains  and  enduring 
many  hardships  and  privations  from  cold. 


After  five  days  seeking  to  make  their  way  along 
the  muddy  and  frozen  roads,  they  returned  to 
camp  over  corduroy  roads  which  they  had  to 
construct  in  order  to  get  through  the  mud, 
which  was  in  some  places  waist  deep,  placing 
the  logs  upon  the  bodies  of  horses  and  mules 
that  had  perished  by  the  way.  At  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg  Mr.  Elder  was  knocked  sense 
less  by  the  fall  of  a  rail  upon  his  head  as  he 
was  getting  over  a  fence,  from  which  he,  for 
some  time,  lost  both  speech  and  hearing.  He 
has  ever  since  been  partially  deaf,  unable  to 
distinguish  an  ordinary  conversation,  or  to  hear 
unless  spoken  to  in  a  loud  tone  of  voice.  He 
was,  in  consequence  of  this  affliction,  mustered 
out  and  returned  home,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business.  In  1865  he  came  to 
Henry  Co.,  111.,  locating  at  Woodhull,  where  he 
kept  a  store  and  superintended  a  farm.  In 
'1881  he  removed  to  Galesburg,  where  he  has 
since  conducted  the  mercantile  business.  He 
married  Sarah  M.  Roush,  and  they  have  two 
children — Elton  A.,  bookkeeper  in  the  1st 
National  Bank  at  Knoxville,  and  Stella.  Mr. 
Elder  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and 
an  enterprising  merchant  and  a  worthy  citizen. 


M. 


V.  WILDER,  of  the  prominent  firm  of 
Oleson  &  Wilder,  dealers  in  groceries, 
queensware,  drugs,  etc.,  at  De  Kalb, 
111.,  was  born  at  Jerico,  Vt.,  in  1836,  a  son  of 
Oliver  and  L.  (Lee)  Wilder,  natives  of  Ver 
mont,  where  they  resided  until  1844,  when  they 
came  to  Winnebago  Co.,  111.,  where  the  father 
died  in  May,  1863,  and  the  mother  in  May, 
1865.  Oliver  Wilder  was  a  prosperous  farmer, 
who  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  when  about  eight 
een  years  of  age,  in  the  eastern  department  at 
Plattsburg,  etc.  The  father  of  Oliver  Wilder 
was  Ransom  Wilder,  a  native  of  Mass.,  a  sol 
dier  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  a  direct  de 
scendant  of  one  of  3  brothers  who  came  from 
England  with  a  widowed  mother,  from  whom  it 
is  supposed  all  the  Wilders  in  the  U.  S.  de 
scended.- 


8oo 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


M.  V.  Wilder  was  the  youngest  of  a  family 
of  10  children — 5  sons  and  5  daughters — and 
came  West  with  his  parents  when  8  years  of 
age.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  a  locality 
where  school  privileges  were  limited  as  the 
country  was  then  new  and  unsettled.  In  1857 
he  went  to  Nebraska  and  spent  2  or  3  years 
working  in  the  woods  on  the  Mo.  river,  camp 
ing  in  the  woods,  exposed  to  all  the  changes  of 
weather  and  suffering  with  the  ague.  He  went 
to  Colorado  in  1860,  and  engaged  in  mining  and 
experiencing  all  the  privations  of  the  rough 
camps  of  the  mining  country  until,  at  Central 
City,  N.  M.,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  4th  N.  M. 
Cav.,  which  was  not  mounted  for  a  year  or  two. 
Soon  after  enlistment  the  Regt.  was  mustered 
into  the  2nd  N.  M.  Cav.,  and  spent  the  summer 
at  Santa  Fe  and  other  points  in  N.  M.  under 
Gen.  Canby,  doing  escort  duty,  and  often  en 
gaging  in  battles  with  the  enemy.  In  the  lat 
ter  part  of  the  year  the  regiment  was  ordered 
to  Ft.  Lyon  on  the  plains  of  Colorado,  where 
the  winter  was  spent.  In  the  spring,  orders 
came  to  march  to  Ft.  Scott,  and  in  June  this 
Regt.  with  the  1st  Col.  battery  escorted  a  sup 
ply-train  of  about  450  wagons  to  Ft.  Gibson, 
arriving  there  early  in  July.  Here  headquar 
ters  were  established  for  some  time,  from  which 
were  sent  out  various  expeditions  and  recon- 
noitering  parties,  on  one  of  which,  to  Honey 
Springs,  there  was  an  engagement  resulting  in 
the  capture  of  a  store  of  supplies  and  a  number 
of  prisoners,  and  also  the  loss  of  a  few  men. 
Camped  en  the  field  the  night  after  this  fight, 
and  next  day  buried  the  dead  and  returned  to 
Fort  Gibson.  Subsequently  Mr.  Wilder  was 
prostrated  by  disease,  and  remained  in  hospital 
at  Ft.  Gibson  while  his  comrades  marched  to 
Canadian  River  and  afterwards  to  Weber  Falls, 
where  he  joined  them  in  Aug.,  and  went  with 
them  to  Ft.  Smith,  thence  to  Van  Buren,  Ark. 
From  this  place  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
escort  a  quartermaster's  train  to  Springfield, 
Mo.,  thence  to  Bella,  where  it  boarded  cars  for 
St.  Louis.  Here  after  having  marched  on  its 
feet,  since  its  enlistment,  over  1,800  miles,  the 
regiment  received  its  first  equipment  of  horses 
Dec.,  1863,  and  in  Jan.,  1864,  went  by  rail  to 


Sedalia,  Mo.,  then  the  terminus  of  the  Mo. 
Pacific  Ry.  Here  went  into  camp  and  drilled 
in  the  cavalry  tactics  until  in  April  when  it  was 
sent  to  Independence,  Mo.,  to  patrol  the  coun 
try  under  Gen.  Curtis  in  search  of  bushwhack 
ers,  remaining  in  this  section  until  late  in  the 
season,  when  the  raid  of  Price  through  Mo. 
made  it  necessary  to  checkmate  him.  For  this 
purpose  the  regiment  started  under  Gen.  Blount, 
and  first  met  the  enemy  at  Lexington,  and  fell 
back  to  Little  Blue,  Independence,  Big  Blue 
and  West  Point,  where,  meeting  re-enforce 
ments,  the  rebels  then  were  driven  back  through 
Ft.  Scott,  Newtonia,  Mo.,  Fayetteville,  Ark., 
Prairie  Grove,  and  to  Weber  Falls  in  the  Indian 
Territory.  From  this  point  the  regiment  went 
to  Ft.  Gibson  for  supplies,  being  entirely  out  of 
breadstuff,  but  arriving  here  the  garrison  was 
found  to  be  on  an  allowance  of  2  ounces  of 
flour  per  day,  and  men  were  at  once  dispatched 
on  the  fleetest  horses  to  Ft.  Scott.  At  Ft.  Gib 
son  the  regiment  was  supplied  with  clothing, 
etc.,  and  started  for  Ft.  Scott  and  m.et  the  sup 
ply  train  when  within  about  two  days'  march  of 
that  place,  having  been  14  days  with  nothing  to 
eat  but  meat,  coffee  and  sugar.  After  one  day's 
rest  at  Ft.  Scott  set  out  for  Ft.  Leavenworth, 
arriving  with  10  horses  left  of  the  80  in  the 
company  when  Price  was  met  at  Lexington, 
and  these  were  turned  over  to  the  6th  Q.  M.  for 
inspection,  but  only  four  were  accepted.  At 
Ft.  Leavenworth  the  regiment  was  re-mounted 
for  the  third  time,  and  a  start  made  for  Ft. 
Riley  and  Ft.  Lamed.  At  the  latter  place  it 
was  ordered  to  act  as  escort  for  the  Govern 
ment  mail  between  Ft.  Lamed  and  Ft.  Lyons, 
a  distance  of  280  miles.  The  plan  was  for  a 
party  to  start  from  each  of  these  points  at 
the  same  time  and  meet  at  a  half-way  place, 
making  a  single  trip  in  a  week,  then  rest  a 
week  before  starting  again.  The  Indians  were 
troublesome,  and  the  undertaking  was  some 
times  hazardous,  there  being  4  or  5  wagons  of 
mail  to  guard. 

This  cavalry  regiment  was  kept  in  active 
service  until  May,  1865,  when  it  went  to  Ft. 
Riley  and  was  discharged.  A  number  of  the 
discharged  men  hired  some  citizens  to  take 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


80 1 


them  to  Manhattan,  on  the  Kansas  River. 
When  arriving  at  that  place  the  water  was 
found  to  be  so  high  that  they  were  compelled 
to  make  other  arrangements.  On  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river  men  were  seen  building  a  flat 
boat,  so  a  skiff  was  secured,  and,  crossing  the 
river,  they  purchased  the  flat  boat  for  $50.  By 
this  time  they  had  been  joined  by  others  from 
Ft.  Riley,  and  as  the  boat  would  not  carry  all, 
the  plans  of  the  first  party  were  kept  secret 
until  they  were  ready  to  embark,  then  they 
made  a  rush  for  the  boat  and  pushed  off,  start 
ing  down  stream,  and  the  2nd  night  were  at 
Topeka,  where  they  sold  the  barge  for  $5,  and 
hired  teams  the  next  day  to  Lawrence,  where 
they  took  a  train  for  Kansas  City.  Finally 
Mr.  Wilder  reached  Chicago  and  arrived  at 
home  July  22nd,  after  8  years  of  camp  life  and 
the  roughest  kind  of  exposure  to  the  vicissi 
tudes  of  climate  and  dangers  in  peace  and  war. 
Mr.  Wilder  was  with  his  regiment  in  every  en 
gagement  and  was  never  captured,  wounded  or 
absent  from  duty  except  a  few  weeks'  sickness 
at  the  hospital  at  Ft.  Gibson.  When  the  regi 
ment  left  Ft.  Gibson  for  Ft.  Scott,  Mr.  Wilder 
was  corporal,  and  from  that  time  was  Com. 
Sergt.  During  its  term  of  service  this  regi 
ment  wore  out  by  hard  duty  three  equipments 
of  horses.  At  one  time  in  Mo.  it  marched  no 
miles  in  about  20  hours,  and  when  Gen.  Price 
made  his  appearance  in  Central  Mo.  the  Regt. 
made  a  march  from  Independence  to  Lexing 
ton  and  return,  90  miles,  without  feeding  or 
watering  but  twice.  It  made  the  round  trip 
from  Independence,  Mo.,  via  Ft.  Gibson, 
Indian  Territory  and  Ft.  Scott  to  Leavenworth, 
in  60  days,  riding  every  day  without  one  ex 
ception. 

Since  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Wilder  has 
been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in 
DeKalb,  111.  He  was  married  in  1867  to  Clara 
A.  Whitmore,  a  native  of  111.  He  is  a  charter 
member  of  Merritt  Simonds  Post  No.  283, 
G.  A.  R.,  where  he  holds  the  office  of  P.  P.  C. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  School  Board 
for  7  years  and  holds  membership  in  De  Kalb 
Lodge,  No.  144,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  Few  men 
have  had  wider  experience  in  different  parts  of 

50 


the  wilder  portion  of  the  country  than  Mr. 
Wilder,  and  the  history  of  the  scenes  coming 
under  his  observation  would  make  a  romance 
more  thrilling  than  any  printed  pages,  and 
conclusively  prove  again  the  truth  of  the  old 
adage  that  "  truth  is  stranger  than  fiction." 


JOHN  W.  EVERETT,  proprietor  of  Everett's 
Music  House,  Quincy,  111.,  dates  his  birth 
at  Farmettsburg,  Pa.,  and  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Lydia  (Neusbaum)  Everett,  who 
were  born  in  1808,  and  1813,  respectively.  Of 
the  eight  children  born  to  parents,  our  subject 
and  his  brother,  who  now  resides  at  Mount 
Union,  Pa.,  are  the  only  ones  living.  John  spent 
his  early  days  attending  the  district  school  and 
assisting  his  father  on  the  farm.  When  in  1861, 
our  Union  was  threatened  with  dissolution,  he 
responded  to  the  first  call  for  volunteers,  but  the 
quota  having  been  filled  before  their  organi 
zation  was  completed,  he  had  to  content  him 
self  with  camp  duty  at  Camp  Curtin. 

The  following  year  came  another  call,  and 
he  accordingly  enlisted  —  — ,  1862,  in  Co.  H, 
1 26th  Pa.  Inf.  The  regiment  was  ordered  to 
the  front  at  once  and  assigned  to  Fitz  John 
Porter's  corps.  It  was  present  in  an  unorgan 
ized  shape  at  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run; 
and  subsequently  after  an  all  night's  march 
through  rain  and  mud,  they  reached  the  bat 
tlefield  of  Antietam,  but  the  hottest  fighting 
was  over.  Then  onward  to  Fredricksburg, 
the  "  boys"  suffering  intolerably  from  cold  and 
exposure.  After  frequent  brushes  with  the 
rebels  en  route,  they  participated  in  that  bloody 
battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Dec.  13,  1862.  After 
this  tragic  engagement  in  which  the  I26th  did 
gallant  service,  but  suffered  a  loss  of  177  in 
killed  and  wounded,  the  "  boys  "  started  out 
and  participated  in  the  hardships  of  the  disas 
trous  Burnside's  mud  march.  Returning  to 
camp,  their  term  of  service  expired  May  10, 
1863.  About  this  time  the  Chancellorsville 
campaign  began,  and  the  regiment  was  allowed 
to  vote  whether  or  not  it  would  join  in  that  ex- 


802 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


pedition  The  result  was  "  in  favor,"  and  ac 
cordingly  the  brave  "  boys "  started  onward. 
The  march  through  the  deep  mud  was  exhaust 
ing,  and  the  suffering  from  the  cold  rain  was 
intense.  May  I,  1863,  the  regiment  went  into 
the  battle  with  the  5th  corps,  and  on  the  second 
day  of  that  sanguinary  battle,  when  the  nth 
corps  broke  in  front,  the  5th  corps  gallantly 
took  its  place.  On  this  occasion  originated 
the  famous  statement,  viz.:  "  Ve  fights  mit 
Siegel,  but  runs  mit  Howard,"  the  Germans 
of  tliQ  nth  corps  not  liking  the  substitution  of 
the  preacher  soldier  for  the  German  Com 
mander  of  Blue  Ridge  fame.  Following  this 
battle  the  I26th  moved  on  to  Washington, 
where  it  was  mustered  out,  having  served 
about  one  month  over  time.  Comrade  Ever 
ett  re-enlisted  Feb.  27,  1864,  at  Harrisburg,  Pa., 
in  the  U.  S,  Signal  Corps.  After  receiving  in 
structions  at  Cumberland,  W.  Va.,  under  Capt. 
Torone,  of  the  U.  S.  Army  Signal  Corps,  our 
subject  moved  with  Gen.  Siegel  into  the  Shen- 
andoah  Valley.  He  was  actively  engaged  in 
the  battles  of  New  Market  in  Piedmont,  and 
Lexington,  after  crossing  the  Blue  Ridge. 

The  next  engagement  was  the  three  days'^, 
fight  at  Lynchburg,  Va.  The  ammunition  and 
supplies  being  exhausted,  they  recrossed  into 
West  Virginia  to  Parkersburg.  During  this 
raid  the  command  had  traveled  900  miles 
through  the  enemy's  country,  had  no  commun 
ication  with  the  outside  world,  knew  nothing  of 
the  movements  of  our  own  armies  and  subsisted 
entirely  off  the  country  traversed.  After  a 
week'  srest,  they  resumed  activities,  moved  into 
Maryland,  and  drove  the  rebels  under  Early 
back  into  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  At  Harpers' 
Ferry,  Sheridan  took  command  and  moved  up 
as  far  as  Beverly,  where  they  encountered  a 
severe  fight.  Sept.  19,  1864,  they  fought  the 
bloody  battle  of  Opequan,  Va.,  and  Mr.  Everett 
says  that  to  Gen  Custer  is  due  the  honor  of  carry 
ing  that  day.  Then  followed  the  desperately 
fought  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  Oct  19,  1864. 
"With  Sheridan  eighteen  miles  away,"  his  ride 
was  rendered  immortal.  The  army  then  went 
into  winter  quarters  at  Winchester,  and  the 
signal  corps  "boys"  were  quartered  in  the 


"Mason  House,"  of  Mason  and  Slidell  fame. 
Feb.  27,  1865,  we  find  our  subject  starting  out 
with  Sheridan  and  his  20,000  cavalry,  up  the 
valley.  At  Stonesboro,  Va.,  they  again  fought 
victoriously,  and  the  next  month  was  spent 
within  twelve  miles  of  Richmond,  tearing  up  rail 
roads,  destroying  property,  and  making  things 
generally  "  lively"  for  the  Johnnies.  March  31, 
comrade  Everett  was  active  in  the  battle  of  Din- 
widdie  Court  House,  Va.,  on  the  next  day  we 
find  him  under  fire  at  Five  Forks.  Then  fol 
lowed  the  battles  of  Sailor's  Creek  and  Farm- 
ville.  April  9,  the  enemy  was  driven  back  to 
Appomattox,  and  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing  the  flag  of  truce  appeared  in  front  Sheri 
dan's  forces.  The  General,  with  his  staff, 
including  our  subject,  met  the  rebel  Gen.  Gor 
don,  who  assured  him  that  he  was  sent  by  Gen. 
Lee  to  ask  a  cessation  of  hostilities  to  consider 
terms  of  surrender.  Word  was  sent  to  the  dif 
ferent  commands  to  cease  firing.  Generals 
Grant  and  Lee  were  notified  to  meet  at  the 
point  where  the  flag  of  truce  first  met  Gen. 
Sheridan,  and  here,  after  a  short  and  friendly 
chat,  the  terms,  "  unconditional  surrender," 
were  made  known  to  Gen.  Lee,  who  was  given 
until  4  o'clock  that  afternoon  to  accept.  The 
terms  were  accepted  and  our  subject  moved 
out  with  Sheridan's  forces,  who  were  ordered 
to  N.  Carolina,  to  assist  Gen.  Sherman.  After 
clays  and  weeks  of  hard  marching,  came  the 
news  of  Johnston's  surrender,  and  the  command 
returned  to  Petersburg,  then  on  to  City  Point 
and  embarked  for  Washington.  May  22,  they 
started  for  Texas  to  bring  A.  J.  Smith  to  terms, 
and  Sept.  23,  1865,  our  comrade  was  finally  dis 
charged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  after  having  gal 
lantly  served  the  grand  "  old  flag "  for  ovcr 
three  years.  From  here  he  went  directly  to 
Quincy,  111.,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since. 

Mr.  Everett  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah 
Starke  in  1868.  Mrs.  Everett  died  in  1878. 
Three  years  later  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Mary  C.  Bernard,  a  native  of 
Quincy,  111. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Everett  are  worthy  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Mr.  Everett  is  a  member  of  the  M.  W.  of  A. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


803 


and  A.  O.  U.  W.  He  is  a  prominent  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  has  held  the  office  of 
Quartermaster  of  his  post,  for  four  years.  He 
is  a  staunch  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  a 
substantial  citizen  with  a  clean  record. 


DAVID  BATCHELLER,  of  Ottawa,  111.,  and 
ex-Post-commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post 
No.  68,  of  Streator,  now  of  Seth  C.  Earl, 
Post  No.  156,  enlisted  Oct.  17,  1862,  in  Hen- 
shaw's  Battery,  of  111.  Light  Art.;  was  mustered 
into  the  U.  S.  service  Dec.  3,  1862,  and  went  into 
the  camp  at  Ottawa,  where  the  battery  remained 
until  April,  1863.  April,  11,  they  were  ordered 
out,  making  their  first  camp  in  the  enemy's 
country  at  Louisville,  Ky.  After  remaining 
there  awhile,  they  moved  to  Glasgow,  Ky., 
where  they  were  brigaded  with  the  I3th  Ky., 
23d  Mich.,  iiith  Ohio,  io;th  111.  Inf.,  the  5th 
Ind.,  1 4th  111.  Cav..  and  the  Elgin  Battery, 
forming  the  ist  Brig,  by  Gen.  Manson,  ist  Div., 
23d  A.  C.,  commanded  by  Gen.  Hartsuff.  This 
was  the  first  organization  of  the  corps.  They 
remained  at  Glasgow  until  June  22,  when  they 
received  orders  to  march  to  Scottsville,  Ky., 
and  thence  on  to  Tompkinsville.  This  Brig, 
was  organized  for  the  purpose  of  suppressing 
Morgan,  the  guerrilla,  and  was  made  up  of  as 
fine  a  body  of  soldiers  as  ever  entered  an  army. 
It  required  the  greatest  activity,  the  strongest 
endurance,  and  shrewdest  maneuvering  to  look 
after  that  wily  chieftain.  July  4,  1863,  they 
were  ordered  out  on  quick  time  to  march  after 
Morgan,  who  was  making  a  flank  movement 
for  the  purpose  of  invading  Ohio.  They  re 
turned  to  Glasgow  at  night,  after  marching  all 
day.  The  next  morning  they  were  ordered 
out  for  Mumfordsville,  where  one  of  the  bat 
teries,  under  command  of  Capt.  Henshavv,  was 
detached  to  join  the  Cav.  to  follow  up  Morgan, 
who  was  making  another  desperate  attempt  to 
get  into  Ohio  from  Louisville.  After  a  short, 
decisive  fight,  Morgan  was  captured,  with  1,000 
prisoners,  near  Buffington  Island,  while  .at 


tempting  to  cross  the  Ohio  river  into  W.  Va. 
The  dismembered  sections  of  Art.  and  Inf.  of 
the  Brig,  were  reunited  after  the  "surrender  of 
Morgan.  After  this  action  the  command 
moved  to  Lebanon,  Ky.,  and  remained  until 
Aug.  17,  when  it  was  ordered  to  East  Tenn. 
During  that  long  and  tedious  march,  the  sup 
ply  trains  were  delayed  and  the  soldiers  were 
obliged  to  forage  for  food,  with  meagersuccess. 
Their  suffering  was  intense.  They  were  re 
duced  to  three  hard-tacks  and  three  ears  of 
corn  a  day  for  three  days,  and  had  no  salt  to 
use  with  this  food. 

About  this  time  a  change  was  made  in  the 
brigades  and  Henshaw's  Battery  was  placed  in 
the  2 ist  Brig.,  2 ist  Div.,  commanded  by  Col. 
Chapin  of  the  231^!  Mich.  They  marched  into 
East  Tenn.  to  London  and  then  moved  to  Salt- 
ville,  W.  Va.,  to  destroy  the  salt  works,  but 
before  arriving  there,  orders  were  received  to 
re-enforce  Rosecrans  at  Chattanooga.  They 
reached  the  Tenn.  River,  where  their  horses 
gave  out,  being  afflicted  with  some  disease  of 
the  tongue  and  hoofs.  They  went  to  Knox- 
ville  for  a  new  supply,  and  out  of  a  corral  of 
8,000  they  succeeded  in  securing  enough  for 
their  battery.  Mr.  Batcheller  was  on  this 
detail  which  required  a  week's  time.  As  soon 
as  their  battery  was  filled  out  they  were  ordered 
to  London,  where  they  remained  until  Nov.  ist, 
the  pickets  having  during  that  time,  several 
skirmishes  with  the  enemy.  When  Longstreet 
made  his  advance,  the  battery  was  ordered 
back  across  the  Tenn.  They  went  into  camp 
about  two  miles  from  the  river  and  remained 
until  the  loth.  When  Longstreet  crossed  the 
river  six  miles  below  London,  one  section  of 
battery  and  one  Regt.  of  Inf.,  was  ordered  out 
on  a  reconnoitering  expedition  and  had  several 
lively  skirmishes.  Orders  were  received  by 
Burnside,  who  had  returned  from  Knoxville  to 
advance  to  where  Longstreet  was  crossing  the 
river.  A  severe  engagement,  known  as 
Hough's  Ferry,  occurred.  Being  outnumbered 
they  returned  to  camp.  During  the  night 
Burnside  received  orders  from  Grant  to  fall 
back  to  Knoxville,  a  distance  of  40  miles,  with 
the  hope  of  drawing  Longstreet  after  him  if 


804 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


possible,  even  at  the  sacrifice  of  the  Cav.  arm 
of  the  Army  of  Ohio.  Before  daylight  the 
next  morning  they  formed  a  line  of  battle  and 
remained  all  day  and  part  of  the  night.  At 
this  time  it  was  developed  that  Longstreet  \vas 
marching  on  the  Kingston  road  toward  Knox- 
ville,  to  head  off  Burnside.  The  Union  troops 
moved  on,  destroying  their  supply  trains,  and 
arrived  at  Campbell  Station  about  noon,  when 
they  formed  their  line  of  battle  before  Long- 
street  came  up.  The  roads  were  heavy,  as  was 
usual  when  important  war  movements  were 
pending.  When  the  movement  began  not  a 
cloud  was  to  be  seen  to  mar  the  beauty  of  the 
day,  but  soon  after,  the  sky  became  overcast 
with  black  clouds  and  it  rained  for  four  clays. 
The  battle  opened  immediately  after  they  had 
formed  in  line.  Longstreet  was  held  in  check 
until  after  dark,  Henshaw's  Battery  taking 
an  important  part.  The  battery  had  four  six 
pound  smooth  bores  and  two  James  rifle  can 
non.  For  their  gallantry  in  this  battle,  the 
members  of  Henshaw's  Battery  received  the 
thanks  of  Gen.  Burnside.  It  lost  two  men. 
The  command  fell  back  to  Knoxville  and  occu 
pied  Fort  Smith  during  the  siege,  in  which  the 
battery  took  an  active  part.  Sherman  came  to* 
the  relief  of  Burnside  and  Longstreet  returned 
with  great  loss  toward  W.  Va.  The  siege  began 
November  17,  and  continued  for  three  weeks. 
The  battery  was  ordered  out  to  assist  the  corps 
which  had  pursued  Longstreet,  but  did  not 
arrive  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  action  at 
Dandridge,  and  was  ordered  back  to  Knoxville, 
where  it  remained  ui.til  March,  1864.  About 
this  time  the  batter}-  was  transferred  to  the  2nd 
Brig.,  4th  Div.,  23rd  A.  C. 

Pending  the  preparations  of  the  Atlanta 
Campaign,  charges  were  preferred  against 
Henshaw  for  irregularities.  A  court  martial 
was  called,  .before  which,  these  charges  were 
sustained,  and  he  was  retired  from  the  U.  S. 
service.  Many  of  the  members  of  the  battery 
were  summoned  as  witnesses.  This,  together 
with  the  trial,  prevented  the  battery  from  be 
ing  called  to  take  part  in  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
From  Knoxville,  the  battery  under  the  com 
mand  of  Lieut.  Putnam,  moved  to  London, 


where  it  remained  until  July  8,  1865,  when  it 
was  ordered  home  for  muster  out.  The  battery 
was  mustered  out  of  the  U.  S.  service  at  Spring 
field,  111.,  July  18,  1865.  Mr.  Batcheller  hav 
ing  discharged  his  duty  to  his  country,  returned 
home  to  receive  a  hearty  welcome  from  his 
friends.  He  was  promoted  Corporal,  May, 
1863,  and  subsequently  to  1st  Duty  Sergeant. 

Mr.  Batcheller  was  born  in  Freedom  Town 
ship,  La  Salle  County,  111.,  Sept.  II,  1842,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Holden)  Batch 
eller.  His  father  was  born  at  Homer,  N.  Y., 
the  family  coming  from  New  England  stock. 
Sarah  Holden  was  born  at  Plattsburg,  and  was 
of  English  ancestry.  His  maternal  grand 
mother  (Allen)  was  a  descendant  of  Ethan 
Allen.  His  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation 
and  went  to  111.  in  1836,  locating  at  Freedom. 
By  his  wife,  Sarah,  he  had  eight  children,  three 
of  whom  are  living — Lucian;  Susan,  now  Mrs. 
A.  J.  Dudley,  of  Churdan,  Iowa;  and  the  sub 
ject  of  this  sketch.  They  are  now  living  at 
Ottawa.  He  was  raised  at  home,  where  he  re 
ceived  a  good  common  school  education. 
When  he  enlisted  for  the  war  he  was  clerking 
in  a  dry  goods  store,  and  after  his  return,  he 
again  engaged  in  the  same  business,  at  Streator, 
which  he  followed  up  till  1885.  His  health 
failing  him,  he  retired  from  business  for  two 
years,  removing  to  Ottawa.  He  is  now  in  the 
employ  of  Mr.  Colley. 

Mr.  Batcheller  was  married  at  Ottawa,  Feb. 
i,  1874,  to  Benjamina,  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Caroline  Baker,  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  Four 
children  have  been  born  to  them — Blanche, 
born  April  29,  1875;  Harry,  born  Sept.  6,  1877: 
Edward,  born  Dec.  2,  1879;  and  Grace,  born 
Oct.  26,  1884.  Mrs.  Batcheller  died  May  9, 
1885. 

Mr.  Batcheller  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
Post  No.  156,  of  Ottawa,  and  was  commander 
of  the  Streator  Post,  No.  68;  he  is  also  con 
nected  with  the  Occidental  Lodge,  No.  40,  of 
which  he  is  secretary;  Secretary  of  Shabbona 
Chapter,  No  37;  Recorder  of  Oriental  Council, 
No.  63;  Recorder  of  Ottawa  Commandery,  No. 
10,  Knight  Templars;  and  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


805 


LIEUT.  GEORGE  A.WOODRUFF,  of  Kankakee, 
111.,  became  a  soldier  in  the  Union  Army 
on  Aug.  7,  1862,  rendevoused  at  Chicago, 
and  was  mustered  in  as  Lieutenant  in  Co.  K, 
ii3th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  The  Regt.  continued  at  its 
place  of  organization  drilling  and  performing 
camp  duty  until  the  6th  of  Nov.  following, when 
it  proceed  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  on  arrival, 
became  part  of  Gen.  Sherman's  Army,  which 
immediately  set  out  on  the  "Tallahatchie  Ex 
pedition."  Returning  from  this  campaign,  the 
Regt.,  under  the  same  command,  started  down 
the  river  on  the  movement  against  Vicksburg, 
and  three  days  later  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Chickasaw  Bayou,  and  on  Jan.  11,  1863,  was 
heavily  engaged  in  the  fight  at  Arkansas  Post, 
in  which  it  lost  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded, 
several  of  its  companies  being  afterward  or 
dered  to  Springfield  to  recruit,  as  they  were 
much  depleted  by  casualties  in  battle,  over 
work  and  the  exposure  of  the  several  expedi 
tions  in  which  they  had  borne  a  part.  In  the 
last-named  engagement,  besides  inflicting  a 
heavy  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  upon  the 
enemy,  6,000  of  his  soldiers  were  taken  prison 
ers  of  war.  The  other  companies,  including 
that  of  Lieut.  Wooruff,  proceeded  to  Young's 
Point  with  the  army,  and  there  the  men  of  the 
1 1 3th  had  their  first  experience,  in  the  ditches 
on  picket  duty.  Subsequently,  the  section  of 
the  1 1 3th  at  Young's  Point  moved  up  Black's 
Bayou,  where  Admiral  Porter,  in  six  of  his  gun 
boats,  was  surrounded  by  the  enemy.  After  a 
forced  march,  part  of  the  way  over  a  marsh  where 
the  men  had  to  walk  in  single  file  over  an  im 
provised  bridge,  they  came  up  with  the  enemy, 
with  whom  they  had  a  sharp  skirmish,  driving 
him  back  to  seek  refuge  in  the  timber.  The 
gun  boats  having  been  relieved,  returned,  reach 
ing  camp  after  an  absence  of  10  days.  The 
following  spring,  with  the  army,  Mr.  Woodruff 
went  to  Milliken's  Bend.  After  a  delay  there 
of  three  weeks,  moved  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg, 
and  on  the  following  day  (May  igi.li)  partici 
pated  in  the  first  assault  upon  that  place,  and 
again  on  the  22d,  losing  heavily  in  each  con 
flict,  then  joined  in  the  siege  which  terminated 
in  the  surrender  on  the  4th  of  July.  From  here 


the  Regt.  was  detailed  on  provost  duty  at 
Chickasaw  Bayou,  an  unhealthy  place,  where 
the  men  nearly  all  became  sick  and  disabled 
for  any  duty  whatever.  They  were  given  as 
medicine  sulphur  water  and  quinine,  the  former 
so  unpalatable  as  to  preclude  all  hope  of  being 
taken  by  many  of  the  sick.  The  next  move 
was  to  Corinth,  Miss.,  and  afterwards  to  Mem 
phis,  where  they  were  located  at  the  time  of 
the  rebel  Forrest's  raid  upon  that  place,  with 
whom  the  ii3th  had  several  skirmishes,  some 
times  with  success,  whilst  at  others  the  results 
were  not  satisfactory  to  the  main  forces.  They 
afterwards  went  upon  the  Gun  Town  raid,  and 
took  part  in  the  battle  at  that  place,  subse 
quently  moving  to  Memphis. 

On  one  occasion  in  retreating  after  a 
skirmish  with  the  rebel,  Forrest,  Mr.  Wood- 
worth  injured  his  hip,  for  which  he  suffered 
very  much,  and  has  continued  to  be  a  great 
sufferer  ever  since.  With  the  others  of  his 
Regt.  he  was  mustered  out  June  19,  1865,  at 
Memphis.  During  his  long  period  of  service, 
our  subject  was  a  faithful,  competent  officer  of 
his  Co.,  and  always  found  at  his  post  with  the 
exception  of  one  occasion,  when  prostrated 
with  typhoid  fever,  he  was  compelled  to  seek 
the  protection  of  a  hospital. 

Lieut.  Woodruff  inherited  the  daring  and 
spirit  of  a  warrior  from  his  great-grandparents, 
Samuel  Oviatt  and  Elias  Woodruff,  both  of 
whom  participated  in  the  war  of  the  Revolu 
tion,  the  former  of  whom,  after  a  heavy,  long 
march,  being  placed  on  duty,  involuntarily 
slept,  and  being  reported,  was  reprimanded  by 
Gen.  G.  Washington  in  person.  Our  subject 
was  born  in  Sharon  Litchfield,  Conn.,  Oct.  27, 
1862,  and  was  a  son  of  the  Hon.  John  Hardline 
(Keeler)  Woodruff,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  in  1810,  and  married  in  the  year  1828. 
The  father  had  seven  children,  beside  Geo.  A., 
only  five  of  whom  attained  their  majorities. 

Lieut.  Woodruff  was  educated  in  the  Com 
mon  Schools. 

At  the  age  of  19  he  started  to  learn  the 
foundry  business,  which  he  pursued  until  he 
became  a  master  mechanic  in  that  line,  then 
engaged  as  a  journeyman  until  1858,  when  he 


8o6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


removed  West,  locating  in  Kankakee,  111. 
Having  saved  sonic  money  he  purchased  rail 
road  lands,  and  started  raising  wheat,  in  which 
he  expected  to  reap  a  fortune,  but  his  first  crop 
was  totally  destroyed,  somewhat  cooling  his 
ardor  as  to  the  results  of  farming.  He  married 
in  1860,  and  is  the  father  of  three  children, 
viz.:  William,  John  M.,  and  Hazel.  Politically 
he  allied  himself  with  the  Democrats,  and  has 
always  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  interests 
of  his  party,  who  looked  upon  him  as  one  of 
their  leaders  in  that  section.  He  was  elected 
to  the  State  legislature,  in  which  he  served  a 
term,  and  always  by  his  voice  and  vote  in 
dicated  the  noble  character  of  an  able,  loyal, 
patriotic  representative. 

He  is  a  Charter  member  of  Whipple  Post, 
No.  414,  and  has  held  several  positions  in  the 
lodge,  including  that  of  Commander.  He  has 
always  taken  an  active  interest  in  educational 
matters,  and  by  reason  of  his  fitness  for  the 
position  has  been  member  of  the  school  board 
for  several  years. 

Lieut.  \VocJruff  is  a  man  well  informed 
upon  nearly  all  subjects,  a  close  reader,  broad 
thinker,  ami  being  agreeable  in  manners  and  of 
exceptional  character,  he  is  much  respected  in 
the  community  in  which  he  resides. 


SILAS   M(;Oi;.\i(,(i,  an    old  settler  of  Kanka 
kee  Co.,  111.,  and  one  of  the  veterans  of 
the  civil  war,  was  born  in  Morris  Co.,  O., 
April  — ,  1842.     He  was  a  son  of  John    A.  Mc- 
Quaigg,  a  native  of  Pa.,  and    Sarah    (Orr)  Mc- 
Quaigg,  who  was  born  in  Ohio.     The    parents 
were  married   in  Monroe  Co.,  O.,    and   had  six 
children     Jane,     now   deceased,    the    wife    of 
Adam    Miller;     Margaret    died   at     Kankakee; 
George  who  died  in  early  youth;  Silas  of  whom 
this  history    is    written;- James    died    in    Ohio; 
James  (  second  ),  who  enlisted  in  the  4th  111.  Cav., 
and   died    in    Springfield    before   reaching    the 
'field. 

The   father  and    mother  lived    together  as 
man  and  wife  for  more  than  half  a  century,  and 


died  at  the  ages  of  86  and  79  respectively. 
The  former  was  a  believer  in  spiritualism,  and 
the  latter  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Silas  McQuaigg  received  a  common  school 
education,  which  was  about  all  in  that  direc 
tion  that  the  youth  of  those  days  expected  to 
secure.  In  April,  1861,  he  moved  from  Ohio  to 
Kankakee  Co.,  111.,  and  Nov.  7,  1861,  enlisted 
in  Co.  C,  58th  111.  Inf.  At  Camp  Douglas, 
where  the  company  was  mustered  in,  he  was 
made  sick  by  exposure  and  received  a  fur 
lough  to  go  home.  Regaining  his  health,  he 
joined  the  regiment  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  on 
Wednesday  before  the  battle,  but  having  been 
exposed  to  small-pox  en  route,  was  ordered  to  a 
field  hospital,  which  received  some  of  the  bul 
lets  from  the  guns  of  the  contestants  on  that 
bloody  field. 

At  Shiloh  a  large  part  of  the  58th  Regt.  was 
made  prisoners  and  so  reduced  by  this  loss  and 
by  losses  in  killed  and  wounded  that  it  was 
consolidated  with  the  8th,  1 2th  and  I4th  Iowa 
regiments  and  formed  the  Union  Brigade,  which 
participated  in  the  siege  and  capture  of  Corinth. 
After  the  captured  portion  of  the  58th  was 
paroled,  it  was  sent  to  Springfield,  111.,  to  reor 
ganize  and  recruit,  and  while  there  guarded  the 
prisoners  captured  at  Arkansas  Post.  A  part 
of  the  regiment  was  ordered  south  and  another 
portion  mustered  out  to  re-enlist  and  veteran 
ize.  After  the  expiration  of  the  30  clays'  fur 
lough  the  command  was  ordered  to  Vicksburg 
and  sent  on  the  Meridian  campaign,  afterward 
returning  to  Vicksburg.  Soon  it  joined  Gen. 
Banks  in  the  Red  River  Expedition,  then  went 
north  to  St.  Louis  and  took  part  in  the  raid  in 
pursuit  of  the  rebel  forces  massed  under  Price, 
in  Missouri.  Returning  to  St.  Louis,  the  next 
objective  point  was  Nashville,  which  was 
reached  in  time  to  be  present  when  Hood 
made  the  attack  on  "  Pap  "  Thomas,  as  Gen. 
Thomas  was  familiarly  designated  by  his  sol 
diers.  The  regiment  now  formed  a  part  of  the 
2nd  Div.,  2nd  Brig.,  of  the  i6th  A.  C.,  under 
Gen.  A.  J  Smith.  From  Nashville,  Hood  was 
pursued  by  this  command  up  the  Cumberland 
River  to  Eastport  and  from  thence  the  regi- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


mcnt  was  ordered  to  New  Orleans  and  was  at 
Ft.  Hlakely  and  participated  there  in  the 
memorable  charge  which  was  daring  and 
disastrous,  but  gained  victory  as  its  reward. 
After  the  surrender  of  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort 
Blakcly,  this  actively  moving  regiment  pro 
ceeded  to  Montgomery,  Ala.,  arriving  Apr.  25, 
1865,  and  remained  until  Apr.  12,  1866,  when  it 
received  final  discharge  from  service. 

In  1868  Mr.  McQuaigg  was  joined  in  wedlock 
with  Susan  Barnett,  and  has  had  five  children 
all  of  whom  have  died.  He  is  an  active  mem 
ber  of  Trego  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Kankakee,  and 
in  politics  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Repub 
lican  party,  and  is  largely  interested  in  all  that 
pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his  State  and  of  the 
country  he  gave  some  of  the  best  years  of  his 
life  to  defend  and  maintain. 


WILLIAM  H.TILLSON,  426  Jersey  St.,  is  a 
native  resident  of  Quincy,  111.,  born 
Jan.  5,  1842.  He  is  the  eldest  son 
and  second  child  in  a  family  of  2  sons  and  3 
daughters  born  to  Robert  and  Charlotte  F. 
(Topliff)  Tilson. 

The  family  were  among  the,early  settlers  of 
Quincy,  the  father  coming  here  in  1828,  when 
the  present  site  of  Quincy  was  the  abode 
of  wild  animals.  The  father  spent  his  life 
largely  in  merchandising  and  real  estate.  Was 
at  one  time  P.  M.  of  Quincy.  Is  now  living  at 
the  home  of  subject,  in  his  Q2d  year. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  secured  his  edu 
cation  in  Quincy.  Was  a  student  in  the 
Quincy  High  School  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
war.  He  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862,  in  Co.  E,  84th 
111.  Inf.,  under  Col.  L.  H.  Walters.  Went  into 
camp  at  Quincy,  and  in  Sept.  went  to  Louis 
ville,  going  at  once  into  the  Army  of  the  Cum 
berland.  Was  in  the  battle  of  Perry ville,  which 
resulted  in  driving  Bragg  out  of  Ky.  Next  the 
engagement  at  Stone  River,  where  his  Regt. 
suffered  a  heavy  loss.  Was  on  the  raid  which 
flanked  Bragg  out  of  Tullahoma  and  on  to 
Chickamauga.  In  this  battle  subject  was  taken 


prisoner.  Was  in  the  Pemberton  and  Crew's 
buildings  at  Richmond,  and  in  Military  Prison 
No.  i,  Danville,  where  he  was  exchanged  after 
five  months'  confinement.  Was  sent  to  parole 
camp  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  afterward  transferred 
to  St.  Louis,  from  which  place  he  was  fur- 
loughcd  home,  the  same  being  extended,  and 
he  was  then  discharged  at  home.  This  occurred 
April  22,  1864.  Mr.  Tillson  spent  about  4 
years  in  recruiting  his  health,  then  he  went 
into  merchandising  at  Springfield,  111.,  subse 
quently  removing  his  stock  to  Quincy,  and 
afterward  closed  out  the  business  of  saddlery 
and  hardware  and  retired. 

He  has  not  been  in  active  business  since 
1875.  His  health  has  always  been  poor  since 
his  discharge,  and  he  has  not  felt  able  to  con 
duct  active  business.  His  brother,  Edward  F., 
is  located  at  Platora,  Col.,  interested  in  mining 
having  stock  in  two  prospective  mines,  our 
subject  being  also  interested  in  one  of  them. 

Of  his  family,  his  sister,  Emily  S.,  now  Mrs. 
Boom,  resides  in  Watertown,  N.  Y.;  Sarah 
Brinton  resides  in  Philadelphia;  Miss  Ilia  is 
unmarried  and  resides  with  her  brother  and 
aged  father. 

Subject  is  a  member  of  John  Wood  Post, 
No.  96,  G.  A.  R. 

The  family  are  Presbyterians  in  religious 
belief.  Politically  Mr.  Tillson  is  a  Republican. 
He  is  unmarried. 


DAVID  KENNY,  foreman  of  the  carpenters' 
shop  at  the  I.  S.  &  S.  H.,  at  Quincy,  111., 
was  born  in  Cork,  Ireland,  Sept.  25,  1842. 
He  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1852, 
locating  in  N.  Y.  for  a  few  years,  and  afterward 
came  to  111.  Father  died  in  1864;  mother  now 
resides  at  Moline,  Kan.,  and  is  84  years  of  age. 
He  had  one  brother  and  two  sisters.  Our  sub 
ject  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  before  the 
war,  and  has  worked  at  that  business  since. 
He  enlisted  in  the  3  months'  service  in  Lee 
County,  111.,  Sept.  i,  1861,  in  Co.  G,  loth  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  with  Gen.  Prentiss  in  command  of  the 


8o8 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Rcgt.  Gen.  J.  D.  Morgan  was  Col.  for  a  time 
in  the  3  yrs.  service,  he  being  promoted  to  a 
Brigadier.  Gen.  Jeff.  C.  Davis  commanded  the 
Div.  for  a  period,  and  afterward  the  corps,  be 
ing  designated,  respectively,  I4th,  i6th  and 
1 7th.  The  first  duty  of  our  subject  was  at 
Mound  City,  111.,  drilling,  and  doing  police  duty. 
He  went  into  Ky.,  and  afterward  to  New  Ma 
drid,  under  Gen.  Pope,  where  the  loth  was  en 
gaged,  then  went  on  transport  to  Fort  Pillow, 
and  from  there  returned  and  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing.  After  the  battle 
he  followed  over  to  Corinth  and  engaged  in  the 
siege  at  that  place.  From  Corinth  he  with  the 
command  went  to  Tuscumbia,  Ala.,  where  he 
camped  a  couple  of  weeks.  Here  Mr.  Kenny 
was  prostrated  with  sunstroke,  and  was  left  be 
hind.  He  was  sent  to  luka,  and  thence  to 
Nashville,  where  he  did  guard  duty  for  several 
months,  then  rejoined  his  Regt.  and  marched  to 
Louisville,  Ky.  He  then  went  to  Murfreesboro, 
where  the  Regt.  held  a  position  on  the  extreme 
right,  guarding  a  crossing,  and  was  not  engaged 
except  in  skirmishing.  He  next  participated 
in  the  Chattanooga  battle,  and  later  in  the 
Chickamauga  campaign,  then  took  part  in  the 
forced  march  toward  Knoxville  to  relieve  Burn- 
side.  He  re-enlisted  Jan.  I,  1864,  at  Rossville, 
Ga.,  the  Regt.  holding  its  organization.  After 
returning  from  veteran  furlough  he  joined  Sher 
man  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  participated 
in  all  the  hardships,  maneuvers  and  battles  of 
that  illustrious  expedition.  He  then  took  part 
in  the  march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea,  and  again 
in  the  march  through  the  Carolinas;  the  capture 
of  Johnston's  army;  the  march  to  Washington, 
and  participated  in  the  Grand  Review  of  the 
victorious  armies  at  Washington,  in  May,  1865. 
Ik-  was  mustered  out  as  a  corporal  at  Louis 
ville.  Ky.,  July  4,  1865.  He  then  returned  to 
LIT  Co.,  111. ,%  and  engaged  in  farming.  Subse 
quently  he  went  west  on  the  U.  P.  R.  R.  as  a 
bridge  carpenter,  etc.  In  '69  he  made  a  trip  up 
on  the  N.  P.  R.  R.,  and  returned  on  the  U.  P. 
He  was  married  in  Mo.  to  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Thomp 
son,  whose  maiden  name  was  Dykes.  Two 
sons  were  born  to  this  union,  Edward  and  John, 
aged  1 1  and  3  yrs.,  respectively.  Comrade 


Kenny  is  a  member  of  John  Wood  Post,  No.  96, 
G.  A.  R.  He  is  a  Republican,  but  was  formerly 
a  Democrat.  He  was  wounded  at  Kenesaw, 
Ga.,  June  24,  1864,  by  a  shell  in  the  right  ankle, 
and  was  also  severely  injured  while  tearing  up 
the  Wilmington  &  Charleston  R.  R.  in  S.  C., 
and  is  a  pensioner  by  reason  of  these  injuries. 
Mr.  Kenny  has  been  foreman  of  the  carpenters' 
shop  at  the  I.  S.  £  S.  H.  for  the  last  two  years, 
and  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  State  since 
the  House  was  opened. 


WILLIAM  BRADY  enlisted  from  Grundy 
Co.,  111.,  Aug.  9,  1862,  in  Co.  D,  gist 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  at 
Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  8th,  as  a 
private.  He  went  to  the  front  in  Ky.,  where 
the  Regt.  was  assigned  to  duty  along  the  line 
of  L.  &  N.  R.  R.,  for  a  time,  then  participating 
in  the  battle  of  Elizabethtown,  Ky.,  and  was 
taken  prisoner  Dec.  2/th  by  the  rebel  Gen. 
Morgan,  after  which  Mr.  Brady  was  paroled 
and  sent  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Here  he  was  com 
pelled  to  go  into  the  hospital  for  treatment, 
having  received  injuries  to  his  eyes  which 
eventually  caused  him  to  become  totally  blind 
in  the  right  eye.  After  the  exchange  of  the 
Regt.  at  St.  Louis,  in  July,  1863,  it  was  ordered 
to  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  but  did  not  arrive  there 
until  after  the  battle  had  taken  place.  It  was 
then  on  duty  at  Port  Hudson  and  afterward  at 
Carlton  and  Morganzia  Bend,  during  the  time 
being  actively  engaged  in  many  small  battles 
and  skirmishes.  The  Regt.  was  attached  to 
the  2nd  Div.,  I3th  A.  C.,  and  went  to  Texas, 
where  it  was  stationed,  guarding  the  posts  until 
July  28th,  1864,  when  it  was  ordered  to  New 
Orleans,  where  it  remained  on  duty  until  Dec. 
25th,  1864.  At  this  time  and  place  it  joined  the 
Mobile  campaign,  taking  a  conspicuous  part  in 
the  successful  battles  at  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort 
Blakely,  April  9th,  1865.  Here  the  "boys" 
were  made  happy  by  the  news  that  Lee  had 
surrendered  to  Gen.  Grant.  From  this  point 
the  men  were  ordered  to  Mobile  and  up  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


809 


Tombigbee  River,  where  they  commenced  to 
build  a  fort,  called  Ft.  Granger,  which  it  was 
not  necessary  to  complete,  as  "  Dick  "  Taylor 
soon  surrendered  his  forces  with  24  transports, 
2  gunboats  and  I  blockade  runner.  The  war 
soon  coming  to  a  close,  this  Regt.  was  mus 
tered  out,  July  I2th,  1865,  and  the  men  returned 
to  their  homes. 

In  addition  to  his  military  record,  Mr. 
Brady  has  a  personal  history  that  is  in  many 
respects  full  of  interest  and  may  be  briefly 
recounted.  Born  in  New  York  City  in  1843, 
soon  after  the  arrival  of  his  parents  from  Ire 
land,  he  was  left  an  orphan  when  but  a  mere 
child  and  bound  out  to  an  uncle.  The  restive 
Irish  spirit,  inherited  from  his  parents,  who 
came  to  America  that  they  might  be  free,  took 
strong  possession  of  the  boy  and  he  rebelled 
against  the  arrangement  that  was  made  in  his 
case  and  at  the  age  of  1 1  years  he  "  struck  out " 
for  the  Great  West  to  fight  the  battle  of  life  in 
its  broad  arena.  Landing  in  Henry,  Marshall 
Co.,  111.,  he  spent  some  time  on  a  farm  and 
then  at  the  age  of  14  undertook  to  learn  the 
harness-maker's  trade,  but  in  1859  he  changed 
to  Grundy  Co.,  and  engaged  in  farming  until 
the  date  of  his  enlistment  in  the  army.  Since 
the  war  he  has  made  his  home  in  different  parts 
of  Grundy  and  Livingston  counties  and  was  8 
years  in  Ind.,  wThere  he  worked  at  his  trade 
until  1883,  when  he  came  to  Wenona,  111.,  and 
engaged  in  the  harness  business,  in  which  he 
still  continues.  Mr.  Brady  is  an  active  and 
prominent  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at 
Wenona,  is  one  of  the  oldest  member  of  this 
order  in  the  State,  and  a  life-long  Republican. 
He  was  married  Mar.  8th,  1866,  to  Lydia  M. 
Woolsey,  a  native  of  111.  Four  children  have 
been  given  to  them,  named  as  follows:  Sarah 
E.,  born  in  1869;  John  Fred,  born  in  1878; 
Millie,  aged  6  years,  and  little  Maggie,  who 
died  Sept.  2ist,  1880,  at  the  age  of  3  years. 


PATRICK    M.    FITZGERALD,    a    stone-cutter 
now  residing  at  Batavia,  111.,  was  born  at 
Cork,  Ireland,  in   1835,  anc^  came  to  the 
United  States  with  his  parents  about  1850.     His 


father  was  Patrick  Fitzgerald,  a  native  of  Ire 
land,  who  married  Dorinda  McNish,  a  native  of 
Scotland,  who  died  in  Ireland.  Patrick  Fitz 
gerald,  the  father,  married  again,  and  in  1850 
emigrated  with  his  family  to  America,  living  a 
few  years  in  New  York,  and  in  1853  went  to 
Chicago  and  moved  to  Aurora,  where  he  worked 
as  a  stone-cutter,  and  died  in  1870,  being  buried 
on  Christmas  day.  Of  the  family  of  six  chil 
dren  two  sons  died  in  Ireland  at  an  early  age; 
one  daughter  has  not  been  heard  from  for  forty- 
four  years;  one  daughter  died  in  Chicago;  one 
son  resides  in  Aurora,  111.,  and  Patrick  M.,  a 
sketch  of  whose  life  is  here  given,  is  living  at 
Batavia. 

Patrick  M.  Fitzgerald  was  educated  in  Cork, 
Ireland,  and  learned  the  trade  of  stone-cutter  in 
New  York.  In  April,  1861,  at  the  first  call  for 
troops,  he  enlisted  at  Aurora,  111.,  in  Co.  C,  7th 
111.  Inf.,  the  first  Regt.  organized  in  the  State. 
Mustered  in  at  Springfield,  it  went  soon  to  Al 
ton  and  Cairo  for  garrison  duty  until  sent  up 
the  Ohio  to  Mound  City,  where  it  was  mustered 
out  at  the  end  of  90  days'  enlistment.  Return 
ing  to  Aurora,  Mr.  Fitzgerald  re-enlisted  Aug. 
22,  1862,  in  Co.  E,  I24th  111.  Inf.,  which  in  the 
field  was  often  designated  the  "  one  hundred 
and  two  dozen  111."  This  Regt.  gained  celeb 
rity  after  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  in  the  Excel 
sior  contest,  in  which  it  won  the  Excelsior  flag, 
the  prize  offered  for  the  best  drilled  Regt.  in 
its  Div.  The  movements  of  the  I24th  Regt., 
after  its  enlistment,  may  be  briefly  noted:  First 
to  Springfield  for  muster;  to  Jackson,  where  it 
was  assigned  to  the  ist  Brig.,  3d  Div.,  I7th  A. 
C.,  Dept.  of  the  Tenn.,  and  ordered  to  assist 
Gen.  Grant  in  the  Tallahatchie  expedition,  in 
which  there  were  many  skirmishes  and  tedious 
marches.  Returning  from  this,  it  marched  in 
the  dead  of  winter  to  Memphis,  where  it  lay  in 
camp  until  it  embarked  to  move  down  the  Mis 
sissippi  River  and  landed  at  Lake  Providence, 
where  General  Grant  cut  the  levees  to  flood 
Louisiana  bottoms  and  bayous,  that  he  might 
go  around  the  batteries  at  Vicksburg.  The 
next  move  was  to  Milliken's  Bend,  from  thence 
beginning  the  march  through  the  country  to 
Hard  Times  Landing,  below  Vicksburg  and 


Sio 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


embarking  on  the  steamer  Mound  City  to  Port 
Gibson,  where  the  regiment  was  in  its  first  bat 
tle  after  a  march  of  twelve  miles,  and  acquitted 
itself  bravely.     May  12,  it  fought  at  Raymond, 
and  Co.  K  lost  its  first  man,  a  comrade  of  Mr. 
Fit/gcraltl.     May   14.   it  was  at  the  capture  of 
Jackson,  and  May  16,  took  a  prominent  part  in 
the  battle  of  Champion  Hills,  where  it  captured 
more   men   from  the  43d  Ga.,  after  killing  its 
Colonel  and  Major,  than  its  own   ranks   num 
bered,  and  also  captured  a  rebel  battery.     The 
Regt.    did    not    engage    in    the    fight  at  Black 
River,  but  crossed  the  river  there  soon   after, 
and  went  into  the  intrcnchments  around  Vicks- 
burg,  its  position  being  in  front  of  Fort  Hill. 
Here  it  was  in  the  fearful  charge  of   May  22, 
which  broke  the  rebel  line,  and,  holding  its  ad 
vanced    position,   fought   almost    continuously 
for  43  days,  the  regiment  losing  several  men 
when  Fort  Hill  was  blown  up,  and  Vicksburg 
surrendered.     Vicksburg  was  then  made  head 
quarters,  from  which  a  number  of  expeditions 
into  Miss,  and  La.  were  started,  the  first  under 
Maj.-Gcn.  John  D.  Stevenson,  to  Monroe,  La., 
Aug.,  1863.     Mr.  Fitzgerald  at  this  date  went 
home  for  30  days,  rejoined  his  Rcgt.  at  Black 
River  in  time  to  share  in  the  fight  at  Brown- 
villc,  Miss.,  in  Oct.     In  the  spring  of  1864,  went 
in  Sherman's  expedition  to  Meridian.     In  this 
campaign,  on  Feb.  15,  the  Regt.  marched  rap 
idly  about    15  miles  and  entered  the  fight    at 
Chunky    Station,   drove   back  the   rebel  force, 
which  greatly  outnumbered  it,  and  by  2  o'clock 
had    marched    27    miles.       Returning    toward 
Vicksburg,  in  April,  fought  at  Benton  Station 
under  Gen.  McArtluir;  July  5  at  Jackson  Cross 
Roads  under  Slocum,  and   Oct.,  1864,  went  on 
the  White  River  campaign.     The  Regt.  during 
these  movements,  after  April,  1864,  made  Vicks 
burg  its  headquarters,  and  here  Mr.  Fitzgerald 
was  placed  ih  charge  of  the  Military  Prison  No. 
i,  and  Jan.  I,  1864,  was  commissioned  Sergeant. 
Feb.  24,  1865,  the   Regt.  was  ordered  to  report 
to  Gen.  Canby  at   New  Orleans,  and  the  next 
day  embarked  on  the  Gray  Fagle,  and  landed 
at  its  destination.      March    I  I,  took  passage  on 
the  Guiding  Star  for   Dauphin  Island,  then  up 
Fish  River,  passed  Spanish  Fort  March  27,  laid 


siege  to  that  fort,  which  fell  April  9.  After  this 
beean  a  march  of  nearly  200  miles  to  Mont- 

o  » 

gomery,  which  required  13  days.  At  this  place 
it  was  employed  in  provost  duty  until  July  14, 
when  a  steamer  was  boarded  for  Selma,  where 
it  took  train  for  Meridian  and  Jackson,  being 
compelled  to  march  from  the  latter  point  to 
Vicksburg,  on  account  of  the  railway  being  de 
stroyed.  July  28,  started  for  Chicago,  and  was 
mustered  out  Aug.  16,  1865.  Mr.  Fitzgerald 
was  in  every  skirmish,  battle  and  march  his 
regiment  was  engaged  in,  and  was  never  capt 
ured,  wounded  nor  sick,  and  scarcely  missed  a 
roll  call.  After  the  war  he  resumed  his  busi 
ness  as  stone-cutter  in  Kane  and  adjoining 
counties,  acting  tor  several  years  as  foreman  of 
the  masonry  department  of  the  C.  &  N.  W.  Ry. 

In  1866,  he  married  Kate  Collins,  born  in 
Ireland,  who  died  in  1868,  leaving  one  daugh 
ter.  He  was  married  again  in  1871  to  Mary 
Quinn,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  alone  to 
the  U.  S.  She  is  the  mother  of  8  children,  5  of 
whom  are  living. 

Mr.  Fitzgerald  has  served  as  Past  Com 
mander  of  Post  No.  48,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Batavia, 
and  is  regarded  as  an  industrious  and  capable 
citizen.  • 


ALEM  H.  HAMPTON,  a  son  of  Russel  P.  and 
Sarah  F.  (Marr)  Hampton,  was  born  at 
Milton,  Pa.,  May  4,  1843.  His  father, 
who  was  a  master  mechanic  by  trade,  was  of 
English  ancestry,  and  his  mother  of  Scotch, 
being  a  distant  relative  of  the  Duke  of  Mar, 
of  Scotland.  Both  are  buried  at  Fort  Madison, 
la.,  the  former  having  died  at  the  age  of  69, 
and  the  latter  at  53  years  of  age.  Eli  W.  and 
Alexander,  brothers  of  our  subject,  both  served 
in  the  army.  The  former  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862. 
in  Co.  P>,  igth  Iowa  Inf.,  and  after  nearly  three 
years  of  active  service,  being  with  his  Regt.  in 
all  its  marches,  sieges  and  battles,  he  died  July 
9,  1865,  at  Marine  Hospital,  Mobile,  Ala.  When 
Alem  was  eight  years  old  his  parents  moved 
from  Pa.  to  Fort  Madison,  la.  Here  he  attended 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


811 


the  public  schools,  and  subsequently  com 
menced  life  as  a  cook  and  steward  on  a  Miss. 
steamer.  This  he  followed  for  three  seasons, 
devoting  his  winter  months  to  the  plow  fitting 
trade.  About  this  time,  notwithstanding  that 
both  the  captain  and  pilot  Of  the  steamer  pre 
vailed  on  young  Alem  to  remain,  even  offering 
him  a  position  as  pilot,  he  was  determined  to 
go  to  war,  and  accordingly  enlisted  at  Fort 
Madison,  la.,  Aug.  9,  1862,  Co.  E,  igth  Iowa 
Inf.  The  Regt.  was  mustered  in  at  Kcokuk, 
la.,  and  Aug.  19,  embarked  for  Bentori  Barracks, 
Mo.  Shortly,  they  proceeded  into  Mo.,  and 
after  wee'ks  of  constant  marching,  camped  at 
Keytesville.  While  here,  Lieut. -Colonel  Mc- 
Farland, wishing  to  test  the  mettle  of  the  "  boys," 
ordered  the  long  roll  beat  at  midnight.  Soon 
came  the  order  all  along  the  line  to  "  Fall  in, 
the  enemy  is  upon  us!"  The  soldiers  stood 
ready  for  fight  when  the  notice  of  false  alarm 
came,  and  the  patriots  returned  to  their  respect 
ive  couches  to  fight  the  battle  in  dreamland. 
Shortly,  it  was  reported  that  the  rebels  were 
about  to  cut  off  their  supply  train,  which  was 
coming  in  from  Springfield.  Onward  the  boys 
tramped  to  intercept  the  enemy,  marching  for 
three  days  and  nights,  with  only  an  occasional 
"catch  nap,"  and  covering  120  miles.  Return 
ing  to  Twin  City,  they  engaged  in  a  ten  days' 
scout,  and  on  Dec.  3,  1862,  our  subject,  with 
three  comrades,  was  ordered  out  on  a  foraging 
expedition.  Returning,  they  found  the  army 
had  been  ordered  to  reinforce  Gen.  Blunt,  130 
miles  off.  Soon  our  loyal  soldiers  overtook 
them,  again  marching  three  days  and  nights, 
with  little  or  no  rest.  Dec.  7,  1862,  after  a 
forced  march  of  four  miles,  they  met  the  enemy, 
who  outnumbered  them  three  to  one,  at  Prairie 
Grove.  Soon  the  deadly  firing  opened  with 
the  gallant  igth  la.,  2oth  Wis.  and  94th  111. 
heroically  facing  the  entire  rebel  army,  28,000 
strong.  Victory  crowned  the  heroes,  but  Hamp 
ton's  regiment  alone  suffered  a  loss  of  205  in 
killed  and  wounded,  with  brave  Col.  Me  bar- 
land  and  the  Sergeant  Major  both  dead.  The 
rebel  army  retreated,  abandoning  their  1,500 
dead  and  wounded,  who  lay  piled  three  and 
four  high.  Early  in  Jan.,  1863,  the  army 


proceeded  via  the  Boston  Mts.,  for  St.  Louis, 
Mo.  After  months  of  almost  constant  and 
arduous  marching,  skirmishing  with  bush 
whackers,  camping  out  nights  and  frequently 
awakening  in  the  morning  buried  in  deep  banks 
of  snow,  they  arrived  at  their  destination  early 
in  June.  Shortly,  they  embarked  down  the 
river,  crossed  the  peninsula,  and  were  ordered 
in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  taking  their  position 
on  the  extreme  left.  After  taking  active  part 
in  that  arduous  and  memorable  siege,  remain 
ing  until  the  surrender  of  the  city,  July  4,  1863, 
the  Regt.  moved  up  the  Yazoo  River,  marched 
to  the  Black  River,  countermarched  and  sub 
sequently  embarked  for  New  Orleans.  Here, 
Sept.  i,  they  participated  in  the  grand  review 
of  Gon.  Grant's  and  Banks'  commands.  Later, 
while  in  camp  at  Morganzia,  La.,  with  comrade 
Hampton  on  picket  duty,  they  were  sur 
prised  by  the  enemy.  The  hot  and  spirited 
conflict  continued  about  an  hour,  resulting  in 
quite  a  loss  for  the  Regt.  and  the  capture  of 
over  200  Union  men,  among  whom  was  our 
subject.  Thus  a  prisoner,  Hampton  was  soon 
transported  into  the  "gates  of  Hell" — into  that 
living  tomb,  Andersonville  prison. 

He  was  mustered  out  after  nearly  three 
years  of  active  and  faithful  service,  and  returned 
to  Fort  Madison,  la.,  Aug.  2,  1865.  During  the 
summer  of  1866-67,  he  followed  steamboating. 
The  subsequent  two  years  we  find  him  con 
nected  with  a  U.  S.  engineering  corps.  Return 
ing  to  Fort  Madison,  he  resumed  the  calling  of 
plow-fitter,  moved  to  Rock  Island  in  1874,  and 
continued  his  trade.  In  1887  he  was  obliged  to 
discontinue  it  on  account  of  a  disabled  hand 
and  established  himself  in  the  confectionery 
and  restaurant  business,  which  he  successfully 
continued  till  Aug.,  1891,  since  which  time  he 
has  been  in  the  service  of  the  Govt.  as  a  trust 
worthy  mail  carrier. 

Mr.  Hampton  has  been  a  member  of  the 
city  council  of  Rock  Island,  from  1885  to  1889, 
and  was  respectively  honored  with  the  chair 
manship  of  the  printing,  ordinance,  and  street 
and  alley  commitees. 

He  was  married  at  Davenport,  la.,  March 
20,  1871,  to  Augusta  Hieland,  and  they  have 


812 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


four  children:  Clara  B.,  Russell  P.,  Hattie  M. 
and  Olivette  B.  Comrade  Hampton  is  a  mem 
ber  of  the  John  Buford  Post,  No.  243,  of  which 
he  was  first  Chaplain.  He  is  an  Odd  Fellow 
and  a  member  of  the  M.  W.  of  A.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  in  politics  is 
a  Republican. 


CAPT.  WJLLIAM  J.  RANSON,  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  and  a  resident  of  Rock  Island, 
111.,  was  born  July  20,  1841,  at  Seahon 
Harbor,  County  Durham,  England,  and  is  the 
son  of  John  and  Louisa  (Hutchinson)  Ranson. 
In  1854  the  family  sailed  for  America,  landing 
at  New  York,  and  the  following  year  our  sub 
ject  settled  at  Rock  Island,  111.  Here,  after 
finishing  his  studies,  he  learned  photography, 
which  he  followed  up  to  the  time  of  the  great 
rebellion.  He  enlisted  Aug.  9,  1862,  at  Coal 
Valley,  111.,  in  a  company  raised  by  Dr.  Thomas 
Martin.  This  Co.  went  into  camp  at  Dixon, 
111.,  later  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  where  the 
"  boys  "  were  equipped  and  drilled,  and  shortly 
moved  on  to  Alton,  111.  Here  he  was  mustered 
in  Sept.  4,  1862,  as  First  Sergt.,and  assigned  to 
Co.  H,  1 26th  111.  Inf.,  and  was  engaged  in 
doing  guard  duty  and  guarding  the  prison  till 
Nov.  2oth,  when  they  moved  to  Columbus  and 
thence  to  Bolivar,  Tenn.  From  here  Co.  H, 
which  during  part  of  the  time  was  under  com 
mand  of  Sergt.  Ranson,  the  other  officers  hav 
ing  been  sick,  was  despatched  to  Johnson's 
Mill.  Here  it  remained  a  short  time  engaged 
in  guarding  the  railroads  and  supply  houses, 
and  on  Nov.  28th,  marched  to  LaGrange,  to 
watch  the  rebels  under  Gen.  Forrest.  Subse 
quently  they  were  transported  in  box  cars  to 
Jackson,  Tenn.,  and  immediately  on  arrival 
commenced  the  construction  of  breastworks, 
bivouacking  the  entire  night,  and  the  follow 
ing  morning  were  sent  out  on  flat  cars  and 
encountered  the  rebels  about  2  P.  M.  After 
running  on  trestle-work  they  were  driven  back, 
and  abandoning  the  cars,  Ranson's  command 
was  assigned  in  the  advance  of  the  entire 


forces.  "Forward!  march!"  and  on  they 
moved,  repulsing  the  rebels  and  rescuing  three 
companies,  who  were  located  in  the  stockade. 
As  orderly  sergeant,  Capt.  Ranson  was  the  first 
man  to  ascend .  and  scale  the  trestle,  and 
although  the  ascension  might  have  meant 
immediate  death,  he  did  not  shrink  from  duty, 
but  heroically  advanced  in  face  of  the  firing  of 
the  entire  enemy.  The  conflict  though  short, 
was  a  spirited  one,  resulting  in  many  killed  and 
wounded,  the  rebels,  who  fled,  evacuating  their 
fort  at  Humboldt,  at  which  the  Regt.  rende- 
voused  till  the  following  spring.  Mar.  25, 
they  moved  on  to  Jackson,  thence  by  rail  to 
Memphis,  where  they  embarked  for  Haines' 
Bluff,  joining  Grant's  army  under  Gen.  Sher 
man,  and  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  were 
engaged  in  the  rear,  checking  the  rebels  under 
Gen.  Johnson,  with  Capt.  Ranson,  in  command 
of  the  Co.  July  13,  our  gallant  sergeant  was 
appointed  Captain  of  Co.,  vice  Dr.  Martin, 
resigned,  and  shortly  embarked  for  Helena, 
Ark.,  joining  Gen.  Steele's  army  and  parti 
cipating  in  the  capture  of  Little  Rock,  Sept.  10, 
1863.  On  this  occasion  Capt.  Ranson's  Co. 
was  detailed  as  sharp  shooters,  and  did  most 
gallant  service. 

The  marching  had  been  most  difficult  and 
the  "  boys  "  suffered  so  severely  from  the  tropi 
cal  heat  and  water  famine,  that  many  took  sick 
and  died.  Sept.  13,  1863,  Capt.  Ranson,  who 
had  acquitted  himself  so  gallantly,  was  detailed 
in  charge  of  a  force  of  300,  to  move  to  Duvall's 
Bluff  and  guard  a  supply  train.  Shortly  he 
was  again  detailed,  this  time  with  a  force  of 
300,  one  commissioned  officer  and  three  ser 
geants,  on  a  reconnoissance.  A  third  time  he 
was  detailed  in  charge  of  50  men,  to  move  up 
the  river  on  board  the  Str.  Dove,  receiving 
orders  from  Col.  Geiger,  that  he  should  com 
mand  his  men,  while  the  captain  of  the  boat 
should  command  his  boat.  As  they  plowed  up 
the  river,  the  hatch  of  the  boat  was  opened 
and  the  stored  salt  was  exchanged  for 
cotton  in  the  enemy's  country,  regardless 
of  the  strong  protest  of  the  soldiers,  Capt. 
Ranson  being  crippled  by  his  order  from  Co.. 
Geiger,  whose  brother  was  interested  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


salt  trade,  thus  having  no  command  of  the 
boat.  On  their  return  the  Captain  had  a  con 
sultation  with  Capt.  Morris,  and  they  decided 
to  place  the  matter  relative  to  the  proceedings 
of  this  exchange  into  the  hands  of  a  detective. 
The  result,  as  reported,  was  that  the  Str.  Dove, 
together  with  all  the  cotton,  aggregating  in 
value  to  about  $75,000,  were  confiscated  to  the 
government,  the  owner  of  the  boat  having 
failed  to  bribe  Capt.  Ranson,  who  informed 
him,  he  was  "  not  for  sale."  About  this  time 
the  union  gunboat  "Queen  of  the  West"  was 
sunk  at  Clarendon,  Ark.,  by  a  battery  of  rebel 
forces,  when  the  brigade,  under  Gen.  Kimball, 
together  with  a  gun-boat,  was  despatched  to 
attack  them. 

During  this  engagement  Capt.  Ranson  was 
struck  on  the  right  ear  by  a  piece  of  shell. 
Returning  to  Duvall's  Bluff  along  a  route  of 
constant  skirmishing  and  fighting,  the  Captain 
was  sent  out  on  several  other  expeditions,  and 
subsequently,  with  his  company,  embarked  on 
a  steamer  after  a  large  quantity  of  cotton.  On 
their  arrival  they  encountered  a  squadron  of 
rebels,  participated  in  a  skirmish,  wounding 
several  of  the  enemy,  and  returning  with  the 
entire  cargo,  together  with  a  rebel  prisoner  and 
his  Corses.  Aug.  19,  1864,  the  enemy  marched 
to  Pine  Bluff,  Ark.,  and  shortly  Capt.  Ranson 
was  detailed  as  assistant  field  officer,  whose 
duty  it  was  to  visit  the  outposts.  On  one  occa 
sion,  with  his  escorts  of  eight  cavalry,  while 
three  miles  out,  the  loyal  little  band  met  a 
force  of  about  150  of  the  enemy,  having  a  hair 
breadth  escape  of  losing  their  lives.  While 
here  they  were  mustered  out  July  12,  1865,  and 
returning  homeward  marched  to  St.  Charles, 
fording  streams,  losing  one  man,  who  was 
drowned,  and  in  fact  had  one  of  the  severest 
marches  during  their  entire  service. 

Arriving  at  Springfield,  111.,  the  Captain, 
who  had  served  the  stars  and  stripes  so  faith 
fully,  was  paid  off,  and  returning  to  Coal  Val 
ley,  established  himself  in  the  grocery  and 
butcher  business.  Three  successive  times  he 
represented  his  constituents  in  the  county 
board  of  supervisors,  being  one  of  the  leading 
spirits  on  the  finance  committee.  In  1881 


Capt.  Ranson  moved  to  Rock  Island,  and  at 
the  present  time  is  traveling  salesman  for  the 
Magee  Marble  and  Granite  Co.,  of  Chicago. 
At  Coal  Valley,  Aug.  11,  1862,  he  was  married 
to  Sarah  A.  Connelley,  of  Preemption,  111.  By 
this  union  nine  children  were  born,  of  whom 
are  living  Mary  A.,  now  Mrs.  Wilbur  Barker, 
John  J.,  Sarah,  Jennie,  William,  Fannie  and 
Lizzie.  The  Captain  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O. 
U.  W.  and  M.  W.  of  A.  A  finely  developed  man, 
he  is  a  typical  looking  soldier,  who,  loyal  as  he 
has  been  in  his  country's  service,  could  not  but 
make  an  excellent  citizen. 


M 


ARTIN  RAY  HARLAN  lived  until  he  was  17 
years  old  on  a  farm  near  Muncie,  Ind., 
where  he  was  born  Oct.  I3th,  1838.  At 
this  age  he  went  to  town  and  learned  the  har 
ness-maker's  trade,  in  which  avocation  he  has 
been  engaged  to  the  present  time.  When  21 
years  old  he  settled  in  Neponset,  111.,  where  he 
is  now  a  resident.  Mar.  20,  1861,  soon  after 
beginning  in  business,  he  married  Miss  Alice 
Wetherell,  a  native  of  Conn.,  but  residing  in 
Bureau  Co.,  111.,  near  Sheffield.  Her  parents 
were  William  and  Mary  Wetherell. 

Leaving  a  young  wife  and  child,  Mr.  Harlan, 
at  the  call  of  his  country  for  soldiers,  enlisted 
in  Co.  H,  93rd  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  Aug.  1862,  a 
company  raised  by  Col.  Buswell,  and  mustered 
in  at  Chicago,  Oct.  13,  1862.  From  Camp  Dunn, 
the  93rd  was  sent  to  Cairo  and  on  to  Memphis 
to  join  Gen.  Grant's  army  where  it  became  a 
part  of  a  brigade.  It  marched  to  Holly  Springs 
and  returned  to  Memphis  about  Christmas, 
spending  that  day  at  Lumpkin's  Mills.  The 
force  was  then  sent  to  Ridgeway,  White's  Sta 
tion  and  to  Helena  to  join  the  expedition  down 
the  Yazoo  Pass.  In  this  movement  the  Regt. 
started  out  and  wandered  in  the  woods  for  18 
days  and  was  finally  compelled  to  return  to  the 
sand  bars  at  Helena.  The  93rd  was  then 
transferred  to  Gen.  Quinby's  Div.,  and  sent 
below  Vicksburg  and  below  Grand  Gulf  en  route 
for  Jackson,  Miss.  It  was  sent  on  the  double 


814 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


quick  to  the  fight  at  Port  Gibson,  but  did  not 
fire  a  gun.  On  the  march  from  Raymond  to 
Clinton,  Mr.  Harlan  was  on  the  skirmish  line. 
Reaching  Jacksonville,  the  men  had  oppor 
tunity  to  participate  in  the  battle.  Turning 
toward  Yicksburg,  on  the  second  day  of  the 
march,  came  the  fight  at  Champion  Hills, 
where  the  93rd  suffered  severe  loss  in  men  and 
officers,  but  captured  about  800  rebels  at  Black 
Run  Bridge.  An  incident  at  this  place  shows 
how  a  little  thing  will  make  a  man  forget  dan 
ger  to  himself  and  others.  The  night  the  men 
were  lying  on  their  arms  at  Black  Run  Bridge, 
the  enemy  was  so  near  that  it  was  policy  to 
remain  as  quiet  as  possible,  but  one  of  the  men 
got  a  bug  in  his  ear  and  he  howled  long  and 
loudly  for  the  Doctor,  who  came  and  pouring  a 
little  sweet  oil  in  the  ear,  all  was  quiet  again. 
The  next  day  the  Regt.  reached  the  rear  of 
Vicksburg,  and  while  in  camp  there,  one  of  the 
soldiers,  standing  within  a  few  feet  of  Mr. 
Harlan,  had  his  head  shot  off.  On  May  22nd 
the  93rd  was  in  the  engagement  with  a  posi 
tion  on  the  left  of  York  Hill,  but  just  before 
the  surrender,  \\as  ordered  to  the  rear  to  guard 
against  Johnston's  approach.  After  the  surren 
der  of  Vicksburg  this  Regt.  went  with  Gen. 
Sherman  to  Little  Rock,  going  as  far  as  Helena, 
Ark.,  from  thence  by  cars  and  marches  to 
Bridgeport,  Tenn.  Camped  here  two  days  and 
started  for  Lookout  Mt.  and  Mission  Ridge, 
arriving  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  second  day's 
battle.  From  this  point  a  return  was  made  to 
Bridgeport  and  I  hmtsville,  Ala.,  where  camp 
was  made  for  the  winter.  In  the  spring  of  1864 
the  93rd  Regt.  became  i  part  of  the  I5th  A.  C. 
and  was  placed  under  command  of  Gen.  John 
A.  Logan. 

These  men  were  sent  to  Allatoona  Pass, 
where  the  attack  was  made  by  the  rebel  army, 
and  received  the  historic  message,  "  Hold  the 
fort  for  I  am  coming."  Mr.  Harlan  continued 
on  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  then  with  his  Regt. 
joined  den.  Sherman  on  his  "  march  to  the  sea," 
and  went  through  the  rebel  opposition  to  the 
city  of  Savannah.  While  in  camp  at  this  place 
small-pox  prevailed  and  2  men  in  the  mess  of 
Mr.  Harlan  died  of  this  disease.  Going  with 


Gen.  Sherman,  the  men  had  hard  marching 
through  the  sand  and  wet  marshes  through  the 
Carolinas  to  Columbia,  a  city  of  7.OOO  inhabit 
ants,  which  was  mostly  destroyed  by  fire.  This 
was  a  night  long  to  be  remembered.  Next 
came  Raleigh  and  Goldsboro,  where  severe  fights 
occurred.  Here,  while  guarding  an  ammuni 
tion  train,  a  wagon  wheel  passed  over  Mr. 
Harlan's  feet,  but  as  the  ground  was  sandy  no 
bones  were  broken,  and  he  was  soon  ready 
again  for  duty.  He  was  getting  on  to  the 
wagon  while  the  horses  were  trotting  and  his 
feet  slipped.  The  last  battle  he  was  in  was  at 
Goldsboro,  as  he  was  detailed  for  duty  as  a 
mechanic  at  Division  Headquarters. 

The  Regt.  held  its  place  in  the  Grand 
Review  at  Washington  and  went  to  Louisville, 
where  it  was  mustered  out  June  23rd,  and  paid 
July  6,  1865,  in  Chicago. 

Feb.  ist,  1866,  Mr.  Harlan  resumed  his  busi 
ness  in  Neponset.  Nine  children  have  been 
born  to  his  home,  of  whom  7  are  living.  They 
are  Laura  Estelle,  Fred,  Philip  R.,  Mary  Julia, 
Morris,  Grace  and  George. 

A  Republican  politically,  Mr.  Harlan  has 
been  School  Director,  a  member  of  the  Town 
Council  for  several  years,  is  Quartermaster  in 
Post  284,  G.  A.  R.,  and  also  agent  of  a  Life  Ins. 
Co. 

The  father  of  Martin  Ray  Harlan  was 
Samuel  W.  Harlan,  born  at  Mayville,  Ky.,  of 
Irish  descent.  He  had  seven  sons  and  4  of 
them  were  in  the  army.  The  mother's  maiden 
name  was  Juliet  S.  Buffey,  a  native  of  Cincin 
nati,  Ohio.  She  is  of  English  parents,  and  is 
still  living  at  Logansport,  Ind. 


LAWRENCE    MORRISEY,    La  Salic,    111.,   was 
born  in    La  Salle   Co.,  near  Ottawa,  his 
parents   having   migrated    to   that  place 
and   settled   upon   the   prairie.     He   continued 
upon  the   homestead   with  his    parents,  doing 
such  farm  work  as  he  was  capable  of,  when  not 
attending  school.      Being  a  bright,  intelligent 
lad  and  endowed  with  an  indomitable  persever- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


815 


ancc,  he  was  enabled  to  lay  the  foundation  of 
a  good  practical  education,  fitting  him  to  suc 
cessfully  fill  any  position-  to  which  he  might,  by 
an  admiring  constituency,  be  elected.  With 
these  attributes,  and  possessed  of  an  ardent  dis 
position,  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  remain 
at  home  while  his  country  was  threatened  with 
dissolution  at  the  hands  of  traitors.  He  felt 
that  the  Republic  was  entitled  to  his  services, 
and,  if  needs  be  to  maintain  its  existence,  his 
life.  To  think,  with  him,  was  to  act,  and  in  the 
early  part  of  August,  1862,  we  find  Mr.  Morrisey 
on  his  way  to  Chicago  to  offer  his  services  to 
the  Army  of  the  Union,  where,  Aug.  15,  he  was 
mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Co.  H,  goth  111.  Inf. 
The  Regt.  remained  in  Chicago  until  Nov.  7, 
performing  guard  duty  at  Camp  Douglas,  when 
it  was  ordered  to  the  front  by  way  of  Cairo. 
From  thence  it  proceeded  by  transports  to 
Columbus,  Ky.,  thence  to  La  Grange,  Tenn., 
where  it  arrived  Dec.  2,  and  went  into  camp,- 
naming  its  first  village  of  tents,  in  the  South, 
Camp  Yates,  in  honor  of  the  great  Governor  of 
Illinois.  After  a  delay  of  three  days,  they 
marched  in  the  direction  of  Holly  Springs, 
establishing  a  camp  at  Cold  Water,  where  the 
Regt.  was  assigned  to  guarding  the  railroad 
bridges  on  the  roa^d  which  supplied  Grant's 
army,  and  by  which  communication  was  main 
tained.  Mr.  Morrisey 's  Regt.,  whilst  at  Cold 
Water,  was  attacked  by  the  enemy,  but  the 
latter  was  repulsed  without  difficulty,  they  hav 
ing  seen  proper  to  withdraw.  The  Regt.  was 
subsequently  commended  by  Gen.  Grant,  for 
the  bravery  displayed  by  the  men  on  that  occa 
sion.  Holly  Springs  having  fallen,  this  Regt. 
again  occupied  Camp  Yates,  and  after  a  repose 
of  a  few  weeks  there,  moved  to  Lafayette, 
where  it  remained  until  May,  1863,  when  orders 
were  received  to  move  via  Memphis,  down  the 
Mississippi  to  Vicksburg.  After  the  fall  of 
Vicksburg,  Mr.  Morrisey,  with  his  Regt.,  took 
part  in  the  Jackson  campaign,  resulting  in  the 
driving  of  Johnston  out  of  Jackson  and  across 
Pearl  River.  The  march  on  this  occasion  de 
serves  more  than  a  passing  notice.  It  was  under 
taken  in  the  hot  season,  under  a  burning  sun,  by 
men  clad  in  suits,  while  certainly  too  light  for 


inclement  winter  weather,  became  intolerably 
heavy  and  burdensome  for  a  march  through  such 
a  country  at  the  season  spoken  of.  It  was  suffi 
ciently  difficult  to  sustain  life  and  keep  march 
ing  day  after  day  in  such  heat  with  other 
conditions  favorable,  but  to  be  continually 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy,  on  short,  poor 
food,  and  for  hours  at  a  time,  without  a  drop 
of  water  to  moisten  their  parched  tongues, 
made  soldier  life  almost  unbearable.  Mr.  Mor 
risey  and  his  comrades,  however,  looked  at  the 
subject  philosophically,  concluding  that  all  this 
toil  and  hardship  was  necessary  to  be  performed 
by  some  one;  hence  made  up  their  minds  to 
continue  forward,  notwithstanding  the  hard 
ships,  as  well  as  the  dangers  incident  to  such 
an  expedition.  The  Regt.  afterwards  returned, 
went  into  camp  at  Big  Black  River,  and  re 
mained  until  Sept.  27,  when  it  set  out  for  Mem 
phis,  then  along  the  railroad  to  Chattanooga. 
Oct.  nth,  it  received  orders  to  proceed  to  Col- 
liersville,  where  Sherman  had  been  surrounded 
by  Confederate  Cavalry,  supported  with  guns, 
under  command  of  Gen.  Chalmers,  and  on 
arrival,  they  found  the  enemy  had  receded  upon 
their  approach.  The  march  was  resumed  to 
ward  Trenton  Valley,  opposite  Lookout  Mt., 
then  on  toward  Chattanooga.  Nov.  24th  it 
crossed  the  Tenn.  River,  and  on  the  following 
day  was  in  line  of  battle  for  that  desperate 
struggle — the  battle  of  Mission  Riclge.  Mr. 
Morrisey's  Regt.  at  this  battle  occupied  an  im 
portant  and  prominent  position,  and  whilst  it 
performed  magnificent  service  in  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  enemy,  the  men  themselves,  were 
pained  to  behold  the  havoc  that  had  been  made 
among  their  comrades.  Brave  Colonel  O'Meara 
and  gallant  Lieut.  James  Comvay  were  unfor 
tunately  among  the  slain,  besides  many  officers 
and  men  wounded.  The  total  of  killed  and 
wounded  in  this  Regt.  was  upwards  of  100,  Mr. 
Morrisey  himself  being  among  the  latter,  hav 
ing  been  struck  in  the  left  side  with  a  bullet. 
Although  seriously  wounded  and  suffering  in 
tense  pain  and  much  anxiety,  he  positively 
refused  the  counsel  of  his  comrades  to  go  into 
a  hospital,  preferring  so  long  as  his  strength 
endured,  to  be  present  with  his  comrades,  who 


8i6 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


had  always  shown  him  so  much  attention  and 
with  whom  he  was  a  general  favorite.  He  con 
tinued  poorly  for  a  time,  but  soon  took  his  old 
place  with  the  boys  in  the  ranks.  His  Regt., 
now  under  command  of  Capt.  Flynn,  was  sent 
in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  rebel,  Bragg,  and 
proceeded  as  far  as  Graysville,  Ga.,  and  from 
there  to  the  relief  of  Burnside  at  Knoxville, 
Tenn.  Dec.  5,  it  retreated,  marching  to  Chat 
tanooga.  From  Chattanooga  it  went  to  Scotts- 
boro,  Ala.,  and  finally  into  camp  at  Fackler,  a 
station  between  Stevenson  and  Scottsboro. 

Karly  in  May,  1864,  the  movement  toward 
Atlanta  begun,  and  Mr.  Morrisey's  Regt.  bore 
its  full  share  in  that  campaign.  The  march  was 
by  way  of  Ship's  Gap,  Villaneuve,  and  through 
Snake  Creek  Gap  upon  Resaca,  where  a  lively 
battle  was  fought,  in  which  the  Regt.  sustained 
some  loss.  It  next  moved  to  Dallas,  where  an 
active  skirmish  took  place;  thence  moved  to 
New  Hope  Church,  Big  Shanty,  Kenesaw  Mt., 
Marietta.  Nickajack  Creek,  Rosswell  and  across 
the  Chattahoochee  River,  on  July  Qth.  On  July 
22,  it  was  engaged  in  one  of  the  fiercest  battles 
of  the  campaign,  and  in  which  engagement 
several  of  his  Regt.  were  taken  prisoners  and 
sent  to  Andersonville.  This  was  the  day  on 
which  Gen.  McPherson  was  killed.  On  the  28th, 
another  hard  battle  was  fought  at  Ezra  Church, 
which  was  followed  by  heavy  skirmishing  at 
intervals,  until  the  2^th  of  the  following  month, 
when  another  move  of  the  army  brought  them 
to  Jonesboro,  and  on  the  30th  to  another  hot 
encounter  with  the  rebel  army,  which  resulted 
in  its  retreat  and  the  occupation  of  Atlanta  by 
Gen.  Sherman.  The  Regt.  now  fell  back  to 
East  Point  and  went  into  camp,  after  having 
been  on  the  move,  marching,  flanking,  and 
fighting  for  five  months.  Nov.  16,  it  started  in 
that  famous  expedition,  known  as  the  "march 
to  the  sea.",  This  campaign  was  one  more 
laborious  than  dangerous,  road-making  form 
ing  the  greater  portion  of  the  work,  the  fight 
ing  being  mostly  confined  to  skirmishes  at  the 
crossing  of  streams.  On  Dec.  20,  the  enemy 
evacuated  Savannah,  which  was  occupied  the 
following  day  by  the  Union  army.  From  there 
the  Regt.  was  transported  to  Beaufort,  S.  C., 


and  on  Jan.  24,  moved  to  Pocotaligo,  and  Feb. 
i,  begun  the  march  toward  Columbia,  which 
point  they  reached  on  the  I7th,  and  were  spec 
tators  of  its  destruction  on  that  night — a  fire 
having  broke  out  and  raged  with  ceaseless  fury 
and  with  disastrous  results.  From  there  it  took 
its  departure, and  by  devious  routes  and  marches, 
reached  Bentonville,  where  it  fired  its  last  hos 
tile  shot;  then  marched  to  Goldsboro.  and 
thence  to  Raleigh,  where  the  Regt.  was  en 
camped  when  the  news  was  received  that  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  was  so  cruelly  slain.  The  war 
being  over,  the  Regt.  marched  to  Petersburg, 
thence  to  Richmond  and  on  to  Washington 
and  took  part  in  the  grand  Review  of  Sherman's 
army.  June  17,  it  took  its  departure  for  Chi 
cago,  and  was  the  first  to  arrive  home  from  the 
scene  of  the  war,  where  it  was  finally  mustered 
out  and  discharged.  After  the  war  Mr.  Mor- 
risey  returned  to  his  home  in  La  Salle,  and 
subsequently  engaged  in  the  farm  machinery 
business.  Besides  occupying  a  position  in  the 
field,  he  has  since,  on  several  occasions,  been 
elected  to  fill  prominent  and  responsible  posi 
tions  in  the  district  in  which  he  resides,  having 
served  as  sheriff  in  his  county  for  four  years, 
from  1886  to  1890,  filling  that  office  with  dig 
nity  and  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  those 
who  elected  him.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  and  has  passed  all  the  minor  offices, 
as  well  as  the  honorable  position  of  Com 
mander,  in  his  Post. 

He  married  Marie  McGuire,  Dec.  28,  1867. 
Since  his  retirement  from  the  office  of  Sheriff, 
he  has  resumed  his  former  business,  and  by 
strict  attention  to  the  same,  has  been  enabled 
to  build  a  nice  comfortable  home  and  lay  aside 
sufficient  means  against  a  rainy  day. 


HENRY    E.   DANIELS,  of  Turner  Junction, 
111.,  was  born  at   Naperville,  111.,  Feb. 
loth,  1841,  the  son  of  H.  C.  and  Sarah 
(Pierce)   Daniels.     His  father  is    a  native  of 
New  York  State,  and  is  now  practicing  medi 
cine   in    Naperville.     He    has    been    married 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


817 


twice,  and  our  subject  is  the  eldest  son  of  the 
first  marriage.  Mrs.  Daniels  (our  subject's 
mother)  died  at  Naperville,  some  35  years  ago. 

Henry  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  neighborhood,  and  during  his 
leisure  time  assisted  his  father  in  the  drug 
store. 

He  enlisted  in  1862,  as  a  private  in  Co.  H, 
I24th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  His  two  brothers,  John 
Wesley  and  Hibbard  C.,  were  also  engaged  in 
the  war.  The  regiment  was  mustered  in  at 
Camp  Butler,  Chicago,  Sept.  loth,  1862.  At 
Barry's  Landing,  La.,  Mr.  Daniels  was  detailed 
as  Regimental  Druggist,  May  I4th,  1863. 
July  iQth  Gen.  John  A.  Logan,  Commander  of 
the  3rd  Div.,  appointed  him  as  Druggist  for 
the  3rd  Division  Hospital  at  Vicksburg,  under 
Surgeon  L.  H.  Angle.  Aug.  :6th  following, 
he  was  detailed  as  Steward  ot  the  Army  Hos 
pital,  and  received  his  appointment  Jan.  I,  1864. 
He  was  discharged  from  service,  Aug.  I4th, 
1865,  by  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  H.  W.  Slocum. 
-  Mr.  Daniel's  then  returned  home.  He  has 
been  a  resident  of  111.  since  the  close  of  the 
war,  and  has  lived  at  Napersville,  Lee,  West 
Warsaw  and  Turner  Junction,  where  he  now 
resides.  He  followed  his  calling  of  a  druggist 
wherever  he  has  lived. 

He  was  married  Jan.  28th,  1864,  at  Aurora, 
111.,  to  Miss  Francis  D.  Goodman,  and  this 
union  was  blessed  with  six  children,  of  whom 
are  living:  Laura  M.,  Eva  B.,  Alice  E.  and 
Frank  L. 

Comrade  Daniels  is  a  member  of  the  E.  S. 
Kelly  Post,  at  Wheaton,  111.,  and  is  also  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican.  Mrs.  Francis  D.  Daniels  (our 
subject's  wife)  was  also  engaged  in  the  war, 
and  indeed  in  the  capacity  of  Cook  and  Hos 
pital  Nurse,  at  Vicksburg  (U.  S.  Gen'l  Hospi 
tal,  No.  2),  and  rendered  much  practical  and 
excellent  service,  on  behalf  of  the  Union  cause. 
Leaving  Aurora,  111.,  Sept.,  1864,  she  at  once 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  her  position.  Sym 
pathetic,  and  naturally  kind-hearted,  she 
assisted  many  in  obtaining  furloughs.  She 
relates  many  interesting  anecdotes  concerning 
those  under  her  charge.  One  night  some  60 

51 


soldiers,  who  had  been  prisoners,  were  brought 
to  the  Hospital.  It  was  about  10  P.  M.  and 
the  inmates  had  all  retired.  Upon  being  called 
the  Doctor  gave  instructions  that  they  were  to 
have  nothing  but  bread  and  strong  coffee. 
This  they  were  glad  to  get,  remarking  "  it 
seemed  like  getting  back  into  God's  country." 
Neither  the  privations  nor  the  hardships  they 
had  endured  seemed  to  blunt  their  spirits,  and 
they  conversed  freely  of  their  farms,  their  chil 
dren  and  their  loved  ones  at  home.  After 
washing  and  making  themselves  presentable 
the  Doctor  inspected  them,  deciding  they 
would  have  to  remain  several  days,  until  suita 
ble  clothing  could  be  obtained.  When  the  old 
clothing  was  taken  off  the  entire  lot  was  sold 
for  $9,  and  the  money  used  to  purchase  postage 
stamps  for  them  to  send  their  letters  home, 
which  they  had  written  during  their  stay  at  the 
Hospital. 

After  performing  many  arduous  duties  and 
assisting  both  friend  and  foe  alike,  at  the  con 
clusion  of  the  war,  Mrs.  Daniels  returned  home. 
Though  not  pensioned,  there  were  few  who 
more  deserved  one  than  she. 

John  Daniels,  a  brother  of  our  subject,  was 
killed  by  Rebel  guerrillas,  hung  up  to  a  tree, 
his  tongue  cut  out,  and  there  they  left  his  body 
hanging. 


BREVET  MAJ.  GEN.  GILES  A.  SMITH  was 
born  in  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  12, 
1829;  raised  a  company  of  volunteers  at 
Bloomington,  111.,  in  1861,  and  entered  military 
service  as  Captain  in  a  Mo.  Regt;  promoted 
Lieut.  Colonel  of  the  8th  Mo.  Vol.  Inf.,  May 
30;  and  to  Colonel  of  the  same  Regt.,  June  30, 
1862;  Brig  Gen.  of  Volunteers,  Aug.  4,  1863; 
and  to  Maj.  Gen.  by  brevet,  Sept.  i,  1864.  The 
last  promotion  was  for  distinguished  conduct 
in  the  battle  of  Atlanta,  Ga.  As  Captain  act 
ing  as  field  officer,  he  took  part  in  the  battles 
of  Donelson,  Shiloh  and  Corinth.  As  Colonel, 
in  command  of  a  brigade  in  the  battles  of 
Chickasaw  Bluffs,  Arkansas  Post,  Champion 


8i8 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


Hills,  Jackson  and  siege  of  Vicksburg.  As 
Brig.  Gen.,  in  command  of  the  division  at  the 
battles  of  Mission  Ridge,  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mt. 
and  Atlanta,  Ga. 

On  July  22,  1864,  Gen.  Smith  had  command 
of  the  left  of  the  Union  lines,  in  the  assaulting 
column  before  Atlanta.  Hood,  the  Rebel 
commander,  made  his  last  desperate  effort  to 
break  the  Union  lines.  Gen.  Smith's  division 
was  at  one  time  completely  surrounded  and 
literally  overwhelmed  by  the  sweeping  tide  of 
infuriated  Rebels.  Seven  long  hours  of  inces 
sant  fighting  under  a  withering  fire,  and  against 
superior  numbers,  at  last  repulsed  the  enemy 
with  great  slaughter  and  saved  the  fortunes  of 
the  day.  In  this  charge,  and  on  this  occasion, 
the  noble  chief  and  lamented  leader,  Gen. 
.McPherson  was  killed.  For  efficient  general 
ship,  intrepid,  daring  and  skillful  tactics  on 
that  bloody  field,  General  Smith  was  made 
Major  General.  From  Atlanta  to  Savannah, 
and  in  the  campaign  through  the  Carolinas, 


General  Smith  still  followed  the  flag.  Was 
present  in  the  movements  that  compelled  the 
final  surrender  of  Gen.  Johnston's  Rebel  army 
at  Greensboro,  N.  C.,  and  continued  in  service 
until  the  close  of  the  war. 


BREVET  MAJOR  GENERAL  SAMUEL  P.  HEINT- 
ZLEMAN  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1806.  In  charge  of  a  brigade,  he  took  a 
conspicuous  part  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21,  1861.  Served  with  General 
McClellan  in  his  Peninsular  campaign  against 
Richmond;  took  part  in  all  the  bloody  cam 
paigns  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac;  shared  in 
its  hardships,  reverses  and  final  triumph  at 
Appomattox  Courthouse  under  General  Grant 
in  1865.  A  soldier  by  trade,  an  efficient  officer 
and  an  able  commander.  He  died  May  I,  1880. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


819 


HISTORY  OF  THE  GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC, 


THE  plan  for  the  organization  of  a  society 
that  should  preserve  in  some  way,  the 
friendships  and  associations  formed  among 
the  soldiers  of  the  late  rebellion,  had  its 
conception  long  before  its  close,  and  its 
maturity  was  the  product  of  the  exchange  of 
incidents,  reminiscences  and  cordial  greetings 
among  the  veterans  of  the  Civil  War,  after  the 
"restoration  of  the  Republic.  The  "honor  of 
founding  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
may  justly  be  given  to  B.  F.  Stephenson,  who 
was  Major  of  the  I4th  111.  Inf.,  and  W.  F.  Rut- 
ledge,  who  was  Chaplain  of  the  same.  It  is 
authentic  that  as  early  as  February,  1864,  while 
they  were  companions  and  tent-mates  in  Sher 
man's  expedition  to  Meridian,  Miss.,  they  con 
ceived  the  idea  of  this  grand  association.  It 
became  the  absorbing  theme  of  their  conver 
sation,  and  they  made  pledges  to  each  other, 
that  should  they  survive  the  war,  they  would 
establish  a  brotherhood  composed  of  the 
soldiers,  whose  object  would  be  the  preservation 
of  the  friendships  and  associations  formed  in 
the  ranks  during  the  war  and  made  strong  and 
enduring  by  the.  sufferings  and  dangers  they 
had  undergone  in  the  great  conflict.  After  they 
were  mustered  out  of  the  army,  these  veterans 
corresponded  with  each  other  until  the  spring 
of  1866,  the  result  of  which  was  a  conference  at 
Springfield,  111.,  and  the  formation  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  The  following 
persons  were  present:  B.  F.  Stephenson,  John 
M.  Snyder,  James  Hamilton,, Robert  M.  Woods, 
Robert  Allen,  Wm.  J.  Rutledge,  Martin  Flood, 
Daniel  Grass,  Edward  Prince,  John  S.  Phillips, 
John  A.  Lightfoot,  B.  F.  Smith,  A.  A.  North, 


H.  E.  and  B.  F.  Hawkes.  It  was  determined 
that  the  organization  should  be  a  secret  one, 
with  signs,  passwords  and  grips,  as  was  cus 
tomary  with  other  secret  societies.  Dr. 
Stephenson  in  completing  the  ritualistic  work, 
constitution  and  by-laws,  was  assisted  by  Fred 
J.  Dean,  James  Hamilton  and  Geo.  H.  Allen. 
Those  present  took  an  oath  of  secrecy  and  a 
ritual  was  prepared  which  included  an  initi 
ation  ceremony,  signs  and  passwords. 

The  furtherance  of  the  organization  was 
discussed,  and  the  plan  and  practicability  of 
organizing  Posts  throughout  the  State  was  de 
termined  upon.  This  necessitated  the  prepar 
ation  of  a  multiplicity  of  copies  of  the  ritual. 
It  was  ascertained  that  the  Tribune  office  at  De- 
catur,  111.,  was  equipped  with  men  who  had 
been  soldiers  who  could  be  made  members, 
and  under  their  oath  the  required  copies  could 
be  made  without  endangering  the  secrecy 
which  was  to  be  the  feature  of  the  organization. 
They  accordingly  proceeded  to  Decatur,  where 
the  first  Grand  Army  Post  was  organized  Apr. 
8,  1866.  The  proprietors  of  the  Tribune  and  the 
compositors  were  made  members,  and  four 
hundred  copies  of  the  ritual  were  printed  and 
ready  for  use.  The  meeting  was  an  enthusiastic 
one.  Maj.  Stephenson  was  made  Department 
Commander,  with  a  charter  membership  of  12 
whose  names  are  here  appended: — J.  C.  Pugh, 
Jas.  M.  Prior,  J.  L.  Coltrin,  M.  F.  Kanan,  Geo. 
R.  Steele,  B.  F.  Sibley,  J.  T.  Bishop,  J.  W. 
Routh,  Jol>n  H.  Nale,  Geo.  H.  Dunning,  C. 
Riebsame  and  J.  A.  Toland.  The  Post  was  or 
ganized  in  the  Hall  of  the  Sons  of  Malta  and 
was  given  the  title  of  "Post  of  Honor,"  as  De- 


820 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


catur  Post  No.  I.     Maj.  Stcphcnson  issued  the 
following    manifesto: 

1  I  KAIHJUAKTKKS,  GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC, 

SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.,  June,  1866. 

The  undersigned  hereby  assumes  com 
mand  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
Maj.  Robert  M.  Woods  is  appointed  Adjt.  Gen 
eral;  Col.  Julius  C.  Webber  and  Lieut.  John  S. 
riielps,  arc  appointed  Aid-de-Camps.  They 
will  be  obeyed  and  respected  accordingly.  By 
order  of  B.  F.  Stephenson. 

R.  M.  WOODS,  Adjt.  Gen. 

From  this  beginning  has  grown  the  pres 
ent  magnificent  institution.  When  its  found 
ers  conceived  the  idea  that  the  banding  to 
gether  of  the  veterans  of  the  Civil  War  for 
their  common  welfare  and  interest,  the  present 
magnitude  of  the  order  and  the  results  it  was 
to  accomplish,  were  probably  not  even  imag 
ined  among  the  possibilities. 

Antedating  the  organization  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  were  formed  various 
Corps,  Divisions,  Brigade  and  Regimental  So 
cieties,  some  ^f  them  as  early  as  1862.  The 
purpose  of  these  societies  were  to  continue  af 
ter  the  war  the  social  ties  and  friendships  that 
had  been  formed  in  the  bivouac,  the  march  and 
on  the  field.  These  societies  no  doubt  fur 
nished  an  inspiration  and  were  accessory  to 
the  founding  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub 
lic. 

Posts  were  organized  rapidly,  and  July  12, 
1866,  Dr.  Stephenson  issued  a  call  for  a  meet 
ing  of  delegates  from  the  numerous  Posts  of 
Illinois,  at  Springfield.  At  this  assembly  the 
Department  of  Illinois  was  created,  and  John 
M.  Palmer  was  chosen  Department  Commander. 
Following  this,  Posts  were  organized  in  other 
States,  all  recognizing  Maj.  Stephenson  as  head 
of  the  order.  The  Posts  increased  so  rapidly 
that  Maj.  Stephenson  decided  to  issue  a  call 
for  the  organization  of  a  National  Encamp 
ment,  which  order  read  as  follows: 

"I  1  KAI )(  M.AKTI.KS  Gl<AN  I .  A  l<  M  V  OF  THE  REPUBLIC, 

Si'KiNfiMKi.i),  ILL.,  Oct.  31,  1866. 
GENERAL  (  )KDI:K   No.  13: 
A  National  Convention  of  the  Grand  Army  of 


the  Republic  is  hereby  ordered  to  convene  at 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  at  10  o'clock,  on  Tuesday, 
Nov.  20,  1866,  for  the  purpose  of  perfecting  the 
National  organization,  and  the  transaction  of 
such  other  business  as  may  come  before  the 
Convention.  The  ratio  of  representation  shall 
be  as  follows:  Each  Post  shall  be  entitled  to 
one  representative,  and  when  the  membership 
exceeds  one  hundred,  to  one  additional  repre 
sentative;  and  in  the  same  ratio  for  every  ad 
ditional  one  hundred  qr  fractional  part  thereof. 
All  Department  and  District  officers,  ex  officio, 
shall  be  members  of  the  said  convention.  All 
honorably  discharged  soldiers  and  sailors,  and 
those  now  serving  in  the  army,  desirous  of  be 
coming  members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  are  respectively  invited  to  attend  the 
convention.  All  comrades  are  requested  to 
wear  "  the  blue,"  with  corps  badges,  etc.  Offi 
cial: 

B.  F.  STEPHENSON, 

Commander-in-Chief,  G.  A.  R.  U.  S." 
J.  C.  WEBER, 
Adjt.  Gen.  Dept.  111. 

Eleven  States  responded  to  this  call  with 
about  250  delegates,  and  two  days  were  spent 
in  transacting  such  business  as  came  before  the 
convention  and  in  perfecting  the  organization 
of  the  National  body.  Stephen  A.  Hurlbut 
was  elected  Commander-in-Chief,  to  serve  one 
year,  and  B.  F.  Stephenson  was  chosen  Adjt. 
General.  A  platform  of  principles  was  framed 
and  adopted.  In  May  following  the  organiza 
tion  of  Decatur  Post,  the  Constitution  and  By- 
Laws  of  the  order  were  perfected  and  printed, 
and  additions  to  the  Rules  and  Regulations 
were  made  in  i868-'9.  These  can  be  found  in 
the  numerous  Grand  Army  publications.  The 
second  National  Encampment  was  held  at  Phila 
delphia,  Jan.  15,  1868,  when  21  States  were 
represented  at  this  Encampment. 

Gen.  John  A.  Logan  was  elected  Command- 
er-in-Chicf  and  by  him  the  Memorial  Day  was 
established.  The  growth  of  the  Order  up  to 
1868  was  magical..  In  that  year  the  member 
ship  in  the  entire  country  was  estimated  at 
240,000.  Then  the  order  began  to  decline.  It 
was  asserted,  and  with  some  degree  of  truth 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


821 


that  it  was  being  used  for  political  purposes: 
that  ambitious  men  were  taking  advantage  of 
their  membership  and  using  the  Order,  which 
was  intended  purely  as  a  fraternal  organization, 
to  advance  their  political  ends.  Factions  crept 
in  which  sapped  its  life  blood  and  threatened 
its  annihilation.  In  1871,  it  reached  its  lowest 
mark,  declining  to  a  membership  of  only 
30,024.  It  had  become  evident  from  this  show 
ing  that  some  fatality  was  at  work  in  the  Order, 
that  would  cause  its  ultimate  death.  From 
various  dissensions  it  was  revealed  that  the 
organization  was  regarded  as  a  political  one, 
and  as  such  it  would  be  a  dangerous  institution 
in  the  body-politic  of  the  country.  In  conse 
quence  it  was  regarded  with  great  disfavor  by 
the  public.  About  this  time  occurred  the  death 
of  its  founder,  Dr.  Stephenson,  who  died  with 
out  realizing  the  fond  hopes  he  had  cherished 
for  the  Grand  Army  and  the  fruitage  of  devoted 
efforts  in  its  behalf.  In  his  own  State  the  De 
partment  maintained  only  a  nominal  existence, 
and  there  was  hardly  a  Post  in  active  operation; 
in  many  of  the  States  they  were  entirely  dead. 
He  had  dreamed  of  a  grajid  organization  of 
veterans  moving  and  operating  together,  that 
would  have  a  potent  influence  in  fastening  and 
moulding  public  sentiment  in  favor  of  those 
who  had  fought  and  shed  their  blood  that  the 
Republic  might  live;  that  should  secure  recog 
nition  of  their  services  in  places  of  honor  and 
profit,  and  while  preserving  and  strengthening 
the  ties  of  comradeship,  should  be  a  help  to 
all  who  had  followed  the  flag;  to  the  widows 
and  orphans  of  the  dead,  who  needed  the  aid 
of  sympathizing  friends.  He  did  not  live  to 
see  his  hopes  realized,  but  since  his  death  ele 
ments  have  been  at  work  that  have  brought  the 
Order  up  to  his  fondest  expectations.  Reor 
ganization  of  the  Order  was  effected  and  an 
article  introduced  into  its  constitution  which 
forbade  its  use  for  political  purposes,  and  any 
discussion  of  political  subjects  at  its  meetings. 
Rules  were  also  fixed  for  the  qualification  of 
membership. 

Soldiers  and  sailors  who  entered  the  service 
between  April  12.  1861,  and  Aug.  20,  1866,  who 
had  received  an  honorable  discharge,  from  the 


Government,  were  made  eligible,  and  the  same 
rule  declared  the  ineligibility  of  all  who  had 
borne  arms  against  the  United  States. 

At  the  grand  Encampment  held  at  Washing 
ton  in  May,  1870,  the  badge  to  be  used  by  the 
Order  was  adopted. 

When  the  Grand  Army  by  its  Constitution, 
declared  that  it  was  non-partisan  in  politics 
and  unsectarian  in  religion,  its  decay  was 
prevented  and  its  future  growth  and  usefulness 
were  assured.  From  that  time  to  the  present  its 
condition  has  been  heathly  and  its  increase  in 
membership  rapid,  extending  into  almost  every 
State  and  Territory  of  the  Union. 

Under  the  present  organization,  and  carry 
ing  out  the  principles  of  its  motto — Fraternity, 
Charity,  and  Loyalty,  the  Order  can  not  but 
be  beneficial  to  the  country.  Total  number  of 
Posts  up  to  July  i,  1891,  was  7,219,  with  an 
aggregate  membership,  tothe  same  date,  of  445, 

336. 

Below  is  given  the  list  of  National  Encamp 
ments  held,  with  dates  and  places  of  meeting 
and  names  of  the  Commanders-in-Chief. 

1866 — Nov.  20, — Springfield,  111.,  Stephen  A. 
Hurlbut,  111. 

1868— Jan.  15,— Philadelphia,  Pa.,  John  A. 
Logan,  111. 

1869— May  12, — Cincinnati,  Ohio,  John  A. 
Logan,  111. 

1870 — May  11, — Washington,  D.  C.,  John  A. 
Logan,  111. 

1871 — May  10, — Boston,  Mass.,  Ambrose  F. 
Burnside,  R.  I. 

1872  May  8, — Cleveland,  Ohio,  Ambrose 
E.  Burnside,  R.  I. 

1873 — May — 14,  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Charles 
A.  Devens,  Boston,  Mass. 

1874 — May  13, — Harrisburg,  Pa.,  Charles  A. 
Devens,  Boston,  Mass. 

1875 — May  12, — Chicago,  111.,  John  F.  Hart- 
ranft,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

1876 — June  30, — Philadelphia,  Pa.,  John  F. 
Hartranft,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

1877 — June  26, — Providence,  R.  I.,  John  C. 
Robinson,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

1878 — June  4, — Springfield,  Mass.,  John  C. 
Robinson,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 


822 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


1879— June  17, — Albany,  N.   Y.,  Win.  Earn-  dette,  Washington,  D.  C. 

shn\v,  Ohio.  1 886 — Aug.  3, — San  Francisco,  Cal.,  Lucius 

1880 — June  8, — Dayton,  O.,   Louis  Wagner,  Fairchild,  Madison,  Wis. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  1887— Sept.  28,— St.  Louis,  Mo.,  John  P.  Rea, 

iSSi — June  15, — Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Geo.  S.  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Merrill,  Lawrence,  Mass.  1888 — Sept.   12, — Columbus,  Ohio,  William 

iS82— June  21, —  Baltimore,    Md.,   Paul  Van  Warner,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Der  Voort,  Omaha,  Xeb.  1889 — Aug.    28, — Milwaukee,    Wis.,  Russell 

1883  —July    25,— Denver,    Robert  B.  Bcath,  A.  Alger,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  1890— Aug.    11,— Boston,      Mass.,     W.      G. 

1884  --July  23, — Minneapolis,  Minn.,  John  S.  Veazey,  Rutland,  Vt. 

Koimtx.  Toledo,  Ohio.  1891— Aug.  5, — Detroit,  Mich.,  John  Palmer, 

iSS;  -June   24,— Portland,  Me.,  S.    S.  Bur-  Albany,  New  York. 


G.  A.  R.  DBPAKTMBNT    OF  ILLINOIS. 


AS  Maj.  B.  F.   Stephenson   and  Chaplain 
W.  J.  Rutledge  were  the  originators  and 
founders  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re 
public,  in  the  United  States,  so  they  may  justly 
be  credited  with  its  organization    in  the  State 
of  Illinois.     For  the  causes  that  led  up  to  this 
organization  and  the   details,   see   the  account 
of  order    in  another  part  of  this  volume. 

Pending  the  foundation  of  this  order,  Dr. 
Stephenson  and  Chaplain  Rutledge  had  many 
conferences  with  several  comrades  in  regard 
to  it  who  aided  them  largely  in  its  ulti 
mate  formation.  Among  those  who  partici 
pated  in  the  various  conferences  that  resulted 
in  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Krpublic,  may  be  mentioned,  John  M.  Snyder, 
James  Hamilton,  R.  W.  Woods,  Robt.  Allen, 
Win.  J.  Rutledge,  Martin  Flood,  Daniel  Grass, 
Edward  Prince,  John  S.  Phclps,  J.  A.  Lightfoot, 
15.  F.  Smith,  A.  A.  North,  H.  E.  Howe,  and  B. 
I  .  Ilawkcs-.  One  of  Dr.  Stephenson's  active 
assistants  uus  comrade  Phelps.  These  confer 
ences  were  held  and  work  began  in  the  early 
part  of  1866. 

When  the  ritual  was  ready  for  printing,  to 
preserve  secrecy,  Gov.  Oglesby,  who  had  been 
taken  into  their  confidence,  suggested  that  the 
printing  be  done  in  Decatur,  by  the  Tribune, 


the  proprietors  and  printers  of  which  had 
served  in  the  army.  It  was  finally  arranged 
that  the  Tribune  office  should  do  the  work,  the 
proprietors  Messrs.  Caltrin  and  Prior,  with 
their  staff  to  take,  the  obligation  of  secrecy. 
While  the  work  was  under  progress,  Dr.  J. 
W.  Rauth,  of  Decatur,  who  knew  Maj.  Stephen- 
son  well,  went  to  Springfield  to  make  personal 
inquiries  regarding  the  proposed  organization. 
Among  those  he  interested  was  M.  F.  Kanan. 
They  called  on  Dr.  Stephenson,  and  the  con 
ference  determined  then  to  at  once  organize  a 
a  Post  at  Decatur.  On  their  return  to  Deca 
tur,  signatures  were  immediately  secured  to 
an  application  for  a  charter.  They  did  not 
depend  on  the  facilities  offered  by  the  U. 
S.  mail,  but  proceeded  in  person,  back  to 
Springfield  to  present  their  petition  in  person 
and  arrange  for  the  muster.  In  accordance  with 
which  Maj.  Stephenson,  assisted  by  Captain 
Phelps,  Apr.  6,  1866,  organized  at  Decatur  the 
first  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

THE  CHARTER. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  ILLINOIS. 
GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC. 
To  all  whom  it  may  concern,  greeting: 

Know  ye,  that   the  Commander  of  the  De- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


823 


pnrtment  of  Illinois,  reposing  special  trust  and 
confidence  in  the  patriotism  and  fidelity  of  M. 

F.  Kanan,  G.  R.  Stecle,<jeo.  H.  Dunning,  I.  C. 
Pugh,  ].  H.  Hale,  }.    T.  Bishop,  C.  Riebsame, 
}.  W.  Rauth,  B.  F.Sibley,  I.  N.Coltrin,  Joseph 
Prior,  and   A.   Toland,   does,  by  the  authority 
in  him   vested,   empower  and    constitute  them 
charter    members  of    an    Encampment  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  to  be  known  as 
Post  i,  of  Decatur,  District  of  Macon,  Depart 
ment  of  111.,  and  they  are    hereby    constituted 
as  said  Post,  and  authorized  to  make  by-laws 
for  the  government  of  said  Post,  and  to  do  and 
perform   all    acts    necessary   to    conduct   and 
carry  on  said  organization,  in  accordance  with 
the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re 
public. 

Done  at  Springfield,  111.,  this  6th  day  of 
April,  1866.  B.  F.  STEPHENSON, 

Commander  of  Department. 
ROBT.  M.  WOODS, 

Adjt.  General. 

The  minutes  of  the  first  meeting  read  as 
follows:  At  an  informal  meeting  held  April 
6,  1866,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  an  En 
campment  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub 
lic,  the  following  named  persons  were  mus 
tered  by  Maj.  Stephenson,  and  constituted 
charter  members:  I.  C.  Pugh,  Geo.  R.  Steel, 
J.  VV.  Rauth,  Jos.  Prior,  J.  H.  Hale,  J.  T.  Bishop, 

G.  H.  Dunning,  B.  F.  Sibley,  M.  F.    Kanan,  C. 
Riebsame,  I.  N.  Coltrin,  Aquilla  Toland;  when 
upon  motion,  the  Encampment  entered  into  an 
election  of  officers,  which  resulted  as  follows: 

OFFICERS    OF    THE    DISTRICT. 

I.  C.  Pugh,  Commandant;  J.  H.  Hale, 
Quartermaster;  J.  W.  Rauth,  Adjutant. 

OFFICERS    OF  THE    POST. 

M.  F.  Kanan,  Commander;  G.  R.  Steele, 
Adjutant;  G.  H.  Dunning,  Quartermaster; 
C.  Riebsame,  Officer  of  the  Day;  J.  T. 
Bishop,  Officer  of  the  Guard;  J.  W.  Rauth, 
Post  Surgeon.  All  of  whom  were  duly 
mustered  by  Maj.  Stephenson,  who  hten  de 


clared  the  Encampment  duly  organized  and 
ready  for  the  transaction  of  any  and  all  busi 
ness  that  might  come  before  it,  and  assigned 
to  it  the  Post  of  Honor  as  Decatur  Encamp 
ment,  No.  I.  On  motion  a  committee  of  two 
was  appointed  to  procure  a  suitable  room  for 
the  Encampment  and  report  at  the  next  regu 
lar  meeting — Captains  Kanan  and  Dunning, 
Committee.  On  motion  Tuesday  was  decided 
upon  as  the  night  for  regular  meetings. 

On  motion  adjourned  to  meet  April  10, 
1866.  (Signed)  M.  F.  KANAN,  P.  C. 

G.  R.  STEELE,  P.  A. 

At  the  next  meeting,  April  10,  N.  G.  Burns, 
Henry  Gorman,  N.  E.  Winhaltz,  W.  H.  An 
drews  and  W.  H.  B.  Roane  were  mustered  as 
the  first  recruits  to  the  Post. 

A  Constitution,  By-Laws  and  a  Ritual  were 
duly  adopted.  And  thus  was  organized  and 
started  on  its  march  the  first  Post  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic.  The  order  prospered 
for  a  time,  and  then  there  was  an  ominous  lull, 
caused  by  dissensions  arising  from  the  use  of 
the  order  for  political  and  partisan  purposes. 
Wisely,  the  organization  at  the  National  En 
campment  held  in  Philadelphia  in  1868, 
amended  its  Constitution,  inhibiting  the  use  of 
the  order  for  political  or  partisan  purposes.  At 
the  Indianapolis  Convention  the  word  "sailors" 
which  had  been  left  out  of  the  Springfield  Con 
stitution  was  added.  Later  changes  were  made 
in  titles  of  some  of  the  officers.  In  May,  1869, 
the  Rules  and  Regulations  now  in  use  were 
adopted.  The  new  growth  of  the  Department 
of  Illinois  may  be  dated  from  1870,  since  which 
time  the  Order  has  rapidly  increased.  There 
are  in  the  State  very  few  Posts,  but  what  arc  in 
a  healthy  condition. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Department 
Commanders: 

1866 — B.  F.  Stephenson. 
1867-8 — John  M.  Palmer. 
1869-70 — Thos.  O.  Osborn. 
1871 — C.  E.  Lippincott. 
1872 — Hubert  Dilger. 
1873— G.  T.  Gould. 
1874-6— H.  Hilliard. 


824 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


1877 — J.  S.  Reynolds. 
1878— T.  B.  Coulter. 
1879-80 — -Edgar  D.  Swain. 
1881— J.  W.  Burst. 
1882 — Thos.  G.  La\vler. 
I883—S.  A.  Harper. 
iSS4— L.  T.  Dickinson. 
1885     \Y.  \\'.  Berry. 


1886— Philip  S.  Post 
1887— A.  C.  Sweetser. 
1888— J.  A.  Luxton. 
1889— James  A.  Martin. 
1890 — Wm.  L.  Diston. 
1891 — Homer  M.  Clark. 
1892 — Edwin  Harlin. 


WOMAN'S    KBLIBP    CORF'S. 


IT  is  generally  conceded  that  this  noble  aux- 
illiary  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  grew  out  of  the 
organization  which  was  established  during  the 
war,  and  known  as  the  Sanitary  and  Christian 
Commission,  whose  noble  deeds  are  still  affect 
ionately  remembered  by  the  soldiers  of  the  late 
war.  In  hospita1  and  on  the  field  the  women  of 
this  Commission  soothed  the  last  moments  of 
many  soldiers  who  had  offered  up  their  lives 
for  the  preservation  of  their  country,  and  nursed 
and  brought  to  health  many  others,  who  would 
otherwise  have  passed  away  to  that  other  land. 
The  members  of  this  Commission,  in  connec 
tion  with  other  charitable  ladies,  continued  their 
good  work  after  the  war  by  aiding  the  needy  sol 
diers  and  their  families.  This  was  largely  done 
through  local  societies,  and  attracted  the  atten 
tion  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  which 
recognized  the  great  benefits  that  would  arise 
from  such  organizations,  and  earnestly  encour 
aged  them  in  their  good  work.  Maine  took  the 
initiatory  step  in  the  woman's  relief  work. 
That  State,  with  New  Hampshire,  Massachu 
setts,  Connecticut,  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  had 
inaugurated  the  movement  under  the  Relief 
Corps,  and  have  operated  under  a  chartered  or 
ganization,  which  was  known  as  the  "Union 
I'.oard."  But  in  Portland,  Me.,  about  a  quarter 
of- a  century  ago.  the  members  of  the  Basworth 
Post  brought  together  ail  association  of  women, 
which  was  known  as  the-  Relief  Corps,  and  had 


its  work  been  fully  known  and  the  society  fos 
tered  from  outside  sources,  it  would  have  been 
to  the  National  Association  to-day  what  the  first 
post,  known  as  the  "Post of  Honor,"  organized 
at  Decatur,  111.,  was  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  The  Union  Board,  however,  created 
an  interest,  and  stimulated  exertion  in  their 
work  in  the  Eastern  States,  and  attracted  wide  at 
tention  among  the  members  of  the  Grand  Army. 
At  the  National  Encampment  in  1881,  Chap- 
lain-in-Chief,  J.  F.  Lovering,  of  Massachusetts, 
brought  the  matter  before  the  order  and  advo 
cated  the  importance  of  having  some  auxiliary 
to  the  Grand  Army,  the  final  result  of  which 
was  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions: 

First — That  we  approve  of  the  project  of 
organizing  a  Woman's  Relief  Corps. 

Second — That  such  Woman's  Relief  Corps 
may  use  under  such  title  the  words,  "Auxiliary 
to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  by  special 
endorsement  of  the  National  Encampment  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic." 

Thus  encouraged  and  fortified,  the  Union 
Board  workers  took  on  new  life,  and,  being  ap 
pealed  to  by  veterans  from  various  parts  of  the 
country  for  the  formation  of  corps,  a  united  and 
systematic  national  work  was  deemed  to  be 
necessary  and  required  by  the  best  interests  of 
the  Grand  Army.  The  work  was  encouraged  by 
many  eminent  comrades,  among  whom  may  be 
mentioned  Chaplain  Lovering,  John  A.  Logan, 
Paul  Van  Der  Voort  and  R.  B.  Beath.  There 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


825 


was  some  opposition  by  members  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
which  was  strengthened  by  the  conflict  of  opin 
ions  among  the  women  themselves  inthematter 
of  government  and  nature  of  the  society,  et 
castera,  which  at  one  time  became  so  formidable 
as  to  create  considerable  apprehension  as  to  its 
perpetuation.  These  elements  of  opposition 
were  finally  removed,  harmony  was  established, 
and  a  new  and  healthy  interest  was  awakened  in 
the  society  and  its  objects,  later  in  a  call  for  a 
convention  to  perfect  its  organization.  The  call 
was  made  in  the  General  Orders  of  Commander- 
in-Chief  Van  Der  Voort,  and  the  Women's  Re 
lief  Corps  was  permanently  organized  aj:  the 
National  Encampment  which  met  at  Denver, 
Colo.,  July  23,  1883,  and  Mrs.  E.  Florence  Ba 
ker  was  chosen  the  first  National  President. 
This  Corps  is  now  one  of  the  most  popular  or 
ganizations  that  has  grown  out  of  the  late  Civil 
War,  and  the  good  it  has  accomplished  among 
the  poor  soldiers,  their  widows  and  families,  is 


almost  beyond  estimate.  According  to  the  re 
port  of  their  Secretary  at  their  annual  meeting 
at  the  National  Encampment  at  Detroit,  Mich., 
in  1891,  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps  has  a  mem 
bership  of  117,000.  The  relief  work  for  that 
year  was  $150,000,  and  to  begin  the  following 
year's  work  they  had  in  the  treasury  $168,000. 

The   following  is   a  list  of  the   Presidents  of 
the  Order,  with  the  date  of  their  election  : 
1883-  Mrs.   K.   Florence    Barker,   of    Maiden, 

Mass. 

1884— Mrs.  Kate  B.  Sherwood,  of  Toledo,  Ohio. 
i885™-Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Fuller. 
1886—  Mrs.  Elizabeth    D'Arcy   Kinney,  of  San 

Francisco,  Cal. 

1887— Mrs.  Emma  S.  Hampton,  Detroit,  Mich. 
1888 — Mrs.  Charity  Rusk  Craig,  of  Viroqua, 

Wis. 

1889— Mrs.  Emma  B.  Lowd. 
1890 — Mrs.  Annie  Wittermyer. 
1891 — Mrs.  Mary  Sears  McHenry. 


SO2VS 


THIS  Order  is  comparatively  of  but  recent 
growth.  The  main  purpose  of  its  organiza- 
ization  was  to  perpetuate  the  principles 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  to 
take  up  its  labors,  to  wear,  in  other  words, 
its  mantle  when  its  members  shall  have 
passed  over  to  the  silent  majority.  Through 
its  organization  will  be  perpetuated  the 
spirit  of  the  volunteer  soldier,  who  fought 
to  preserve  the  principles  of  liberty  and  to 
save  the  Union  established  by  the  patriots 
of  the  Revolution.  The  existence  of  the  Sons 
of  Veterans  to-day  clearly  emphasizes  the  fact 
of  the  full  appreciation  of  the  value  of  the  work 
accomplished  by  their  fathers — the  volunteer 
soldiers — and  the  appreciation  of  the  great 
sacrifices  and  privations  endured  by  them  in 
order  that  the  Republic  might  live.  .It  is  one 
of  the  strongest  evidences  of  the  undying  pat 
riotism  which  is  inculcated  by  our  free  institu 
tions.  The  principles  of  the  order  are  the  same 


as  those  upon  which  the  Republic  stands  and 
may  be  expressed  in  one  word — Patriotism. 
Sanctified  and  made  holy  by  the  memories  of 
the  brave  men  who  fought  and  died  for  the 
Union,  it  will  increase  in  strength  and  become 
more  endurable  as  time  goes  on. 

The  first  organization  of  the  sons  of  Union 
soldiers  and  sailors  was  formed  in  the  city  of 
"Philadelphia  in  1878.  The  records  of  Anna  M. 
Ross  Post,  No.  94,  G.  A.  R.,  of  date  Aug.  27, 
1878,  show  that  on  motion  of  James  P.  Holt,  a 
committeeof  five  was  appointed  to  devise  means 
for  a  G.  A.  R.  Cadet  Corps,  to  be  attached  to 
that  post,  the  committee  consisted  of  Comrades 
Levi  W.  Shcngle,  Carl  Frederick,  James  P. 
Holt,  Chas.  Weiss  and  Win.  H.  Morgan,  Sept. 
29,  Anna  M.  Ross  Post,  No.  I,  of  Philadelphia, 
Order  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  was  formally 
and  duly  organized.  The  organization  of  other 
Posts  in  Philadelphia  and  other  parts  of  the 
State  soon  followed.  In  July,  1880,  a  division 


826 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


organization  was  completed  and  Conrad  Linder 
elected  Colonel.  In  1882,  he  was  succeeded  by 
Jas.  H.  Closson.  The  order  extended  into 
several  of  the  Eastern  States,  and  during  the 
year  iSSi,  a  Rational  organization  was  formed, 
and  Alfred  Cope  was  elected  Commander.  At 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  in  November,  Maj.  P.  P.  Davis 
formed  an  organization  in  that  city,  under  the 
title  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  prepared  for  it  a  con 
stitution,  rules,  regulations  and  ritual,  provid 
ing  for  local  and  State  organizations  and  a 
National  organization.  Some  dissensions  had 
arisen  among  the  members  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Div.,  above  noted,  and  in  1883,  33  of  its  Camps 
withdrew  from  the  parent  organization  and 
joined  that  founded  by  Maj.  Davis.  This  left 
but  three  Camps  of  the  original  order,  but  the 
National  Div.  in  Pennsylvania  remained  solid, 
and  Commander  Cope  created  a  Provisional 
Div.  in  that  State,  with  L.  M.  Wagner  as  Pro 
visional  Colonel.  A  permanent  organization 
for  Pennsylvania  was  completed  Feb.  22,  1882, 
and  what  remained  of  the  original  Order  con 
tinued  in  existence  until  Aug.,  1886,  when  a 
consolidation  was  effected  with  the  Sons  of 
Veterans  of  the  U.  S.  A. 

At  the  23d  national  encampment  held  at 
Milwaukee  in  1889,  the  order  received  special 
recognition.  It  claims  no  rights,  privileges  or 


benefits  for  themselves  except  the  privilege  of 
assisting  the  Grand  Army  of  theRepublic  in  its 
work  and  is  free  from  political  or  sectarian  in 
fluences.  This  noble  purpose  surely  ought  to 
receive  the  support  of  all.  The  order  has 
grown  rapidly,  and  is  in  a  prosperous  condition, 
mcmbering  now  over  one  hundred  thousand 
members,  and  has  Camps  not  only  in  nearly 
every  State  and  Territory  of  the  Union,  but  in 
Canada  and  far-away  Alaska.  It  has  gathered 
within  its  folds  the  best  of  the  rising  young 
Americans  in  the  land.  They  are  now  all 
united  in  one  order  and  under  one  banner,  that 
under  which  their  fathers  fought. 

A  military  order  has  also  been  added,  and  is 
regulated  according  to  military  methods.  It 
has  Camps,  Divisions  and  a  higher  body  known 
as  the  Commandery-in-Chief,  with  an  official  to 
preside  over  that  body,  called  Commander-in- 
Chief. 

The  Commanders-in-Chief  elected  after  the 
Provisional  National  organization,  arc  Henry 
R.  Rawley,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.;  Frank  P.  Merrill, 
Me.;  H.  W.  Arnold,  of  Johnston,  Pa.;  Walter  S. 
Payne,  of  Fostoria,  Ohio  (two' terms);  G.  B. 
Abbott,  of  Chicago  (two  terms);  Chas.  F. 
Griffin,  Indianopolis,  Ind.;  Lcland  J.  Webb, 
of  Topeka,  Kan.;  and  Bartow  S.  Weeks, of  New 
York  City. 


LOYA.L    LBGION. 


THIS  society  is  composed  of  commissoined 
officers,  and  was  the  first  organization 
formed  by  officers  honorably  discharged 
from  the  service.  It  undoubtedly  had  its  in 
ception  from  the  assassination  of  President 
Lincoln,  for  on  the  day  after  that  saddest  of  all 
events,  S  .B.  W.  Mitchell,  Peter  D.  Keyser  and 
T.  I-;.  Zell  met  in  Philadelphia  to  arrange  for  a 
meeting  of  ex-officers  of  the  army  and  navy  to 
adopt  resolutions  on  the  death  of  the  martyred 
President.  At  the  called  meeting  the  subject  of  a 


permanent  organization  came  up  and  was  dis 
cussed,  resulting  in  a  favorable  action  looking 
toward  a  permanent  organization.  Another 
meeting  was  held  April  20,  and  after  the  adop 
tion  of  favorable  resolutions,  it  adjourned  to 
meet  in  Philadelphia,  May  3,  1865,  in  the  hall  of 
the  HiberniaFire  Co.  At  this  meeting  Lieut.Col. 
Henry  A.  Cook  presided,  and  Chas.  S.  Greene 
was  secretary.  The  officers  elected  were:  Presi 
dent,  T.  E.  Zell;  istVice-President,  H.  A.  Cook; 
2d  Vice-President,  Casper  M.  Berry;  Secretary, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


827 


S.  B.  Mitchell;  Treasurer,  Peter  D.  Keyser.  In 
May,  1865,  a  constitution  and  by-laws  were 
adopted,  which  provided  for  a  Commander, 
Senior  and  Junior  vice-Commanders;  Recorder, 
Correspondent,  Treasurer,  Chancellor,  Chap 
lain  and  Council.  The  organization  also  pro 
vided  for  District  Commanderies,  Grand  Com- 
manderies,  and  a  Commander-in-Chief.  Nov. 
i,  a  full  corps  of  officers  were  duly  elected. 
The  Constitution  for  the  classes  of  membership: 
the  first,  officers  who  have  been  honorably  dis 
charged  from  the  army;  second,  their  sons,  and 
third,  those  patriots  who  greatly  aided  the 
Government  in  putting  down  the  Rebellion 


through  money  contributions,  or  by  their  dis 
tinguished  services  in  numerous  ways.  There 
are  now  in  the  United  States  twenty  Comman 
deries,  with  a  membership — 1st  class,  6,323;  2d 
class,  329;  3d  class,  93.  Total,  6,745.  Com- 
manders-in-Chiefs  who  have  served  since  the 
organization  formed:  T.  Edward  Zell,  Me  M. 
Greeg,  Winfield  S.  Hancock,  Philip  S.  Sheridan, 
and  R.  B.  Hayes. 

The  Commandery  of  Illinois  was  instituted 
at  Chicago,  May  8,  1879,  with  Philip  H.  Sheri 
dan  as  Commander.  The  present  Commander 
is  Geo.  L.  Paddock. 


THE: 


G1YILWAR INTHE  UNITED  STATES 


A  CHRONOLOGICAL  SUMMARY  AND  RECORD  OF  ENGAGEMENTS  BETWEEN  THE  TROOPS 

OF  THE    UNION    AND   OF  THE   CONFEDERACY. 


SHOWING    TOTAL    LOSSES    AND    CASUALTIES    IN    EACH    ENGAGEMENT. 


DATE. 
1861 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDERATE. 

DATE. 
1861 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDEBATF,. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 

M  i 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 

Missing. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

Ap).   12 

"    19 
M;i\  l<> 
"    10 
Jane    1 

"     3 

-  10 

'    11 
\% 

:,': 
'    26 
"    27 
July    2 
••    r> 

"      5 
•      H 
•      7 
'     8 
'    10 
'    11 
'    12 
'    12 
•    11 
'    IB 
'    17 
'    17 
"    17 
"    17 

"     18 

"18-W 

"    21 
"    22 
"    24 
"    2ti 
"    27 
AUK.    2 

"    '•' 

"      7 
"      8 
"    10 
"    17 
"    I'.i 
••    ;><• 
"    26 

Fort  Sumpler.  v  ('. 
Baltimore-,  Mil.,  Kiot 
Camp  JaCKBon,  MIL 

0 
4 

4 
1 

16 

5 
2 
1 
20 
,  1 
1 
- 
13 

1 

3 

5 
1 

11 

1 

11 

7 
1 
1 
I 

]< 

1 
1-1 

1 

1 
I 

1 

22 

l 
1 

• 

0 
30 

4 
2 
34 
1 
6 
19 
4 
40 
1 
4 
15 
31 
6 
6 

B 

35 

40 
'  \ 
15 
38 
1 

88 

1011 
1 

12 

i 

37 
6 

a 

721 
7 
1 

4A 

0 

1460 

400 

291 
200 

0 
9 

1 

1 
2 
6 
14 
15 
4 
7 

31 
30 

7 
12 

4 

60 
10 

20 
7 

4 

15 

11 
269 
5 

1 

40 
12 
II 
3 
.     1 
265 

40 
1 

0 

14 
16 

7 

1 

20 

20 
2 

50 
125 
3 

20 
140 

10 

58 

1483 
10 

3 
41 

14 
B 

5 

800 

3 

0 

639 
27 

45 

75 
100 

600 
50 

300 

Au«.  27 
"28-29 
"   29 
"    31 
Sept.    1 
"     1 
"     2 
"     2 
'     2 
:    10 
'    11 
'    12 
'  12-13 
'    13 
'    15 
•  12-20 
'    17 
'    17 
'    18 
'21-22 
'   22 
'    23 
'   25 
'    26 
'    29 
Oct.     3 
"     4 
"      8 
"     9 
'    12 
'    13 
'    13 
'    15 
'    15 
'    16 
"17-21 

"    19 

"    19 
"    22 
"    23 
"    23 
"    25 

"    26 
"    2tt 
"    27 

Ball's  Cross  Roads,  Va. 
Fort  Hatteras,  N.  C.  .. 

1 

1 

2 
1 

2 
4 

16 
6 

9 
1 
1 

42 
2 
11 
1 
17 
1 
3 
4 

9 

8 

3 
14 
1 

2 

1 
4 

6 

2 
223 

18 
2 

% 

2 

2 

2 
8 
6 

9 

102 

8 

12 
4 

108 
6 
30 
1 

5 
50 
9 

25 
32 

2 
29 
4 

5 

6 

7 
60 

14 
2?6 

2 

3 

37 
15 
4 

1624 

:(3 
445 

5 
8 

30 
3 

5 

12 
8 
25 
7 
10 
7 

35 
20 
4 

100 
11 
11 

8 
1 

62 
5 
63 

14 
36 
17 
10 
8 

106 
20 

8 
8 

51 

5 

80 
30 
75 
75 

60 

50 

75 
30 
29 
350 

2 

4 
40 

200 
264 
5 

15 
17 

715 
50 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Riot     . 

Fairfax.  C.  H.  Va.  .1 
Philippi.  W.  Va. 

Munson's  Hill,  Va.  .. 
Bennett's  Mills,  Mo.  .  . 
BooneC.  H.,  W.  Va.... 
Dallas  Mo 

Big  Bethel,  Va.... 

Honuiey.  W.  Va  
Vienna,  Va  

Fort  Scott,  Mo. 

Browiiville   Md. 

Carnifex  Ferry,  Va.  .. 
Lewisville,  Va. 

Edwards  Ferry,  Md.  .  . 
Camp  Cole,  Mo  
Patterson  (reek,  Va. 
Mathais  Pi..  Va.,  Naval 
Falling  Waters,   Md. 
Carthage,  Mo...     
Newport  News.  Va. 
MHdleCreek  Fork.Va. 
Great  Falls,  Va. 

Black  River,  Mo.  
Cheat  Mountein.W.Va. 
Booneville,  Mo. 

Pritchard's  Mills,  Va.. 
Lexington,  Mo.  
Morristown,  Mo.  ... 
Blue  Mills,  Mo.   
Barboursville,  W.  Va.  . 
Papinsville,  Mo.          r 

LaorelHill.  W.  Va.... 
Monora  Station,  Mi>. 

liirh  Mountain.   Va.. 
Barboursville.    \'a. 
Heverley,    \V.  Va. 
Carrick's  Ford,  \V.  Va. 

Millsville,    Mo. 

Eliott's  Mills,  Mo.... 
Romney,  W.Va.  
Chapmansville,  W.  Va. 
Lucas  Bend,  Ky.  
Camp  Advance,  Va.  .. 
Greenbrier,  W.  Va.  

Fulton.  Mo. 

Scarrjtown,  \V.  Va. 
Martiiisnurg,  Mo. 
Hunker  Hill.  Va. 
Blacklmrri's    Ford.  Va. 
Harrisonvillc  A    I'ark- 
ersville.  Mo. 
Hull    Hint.  Va. 

HillsborouKh,  Ky.  
Santa  Rosa,  Fla. 

Cameron,  Mo.  

Beck  with  Farm,  Mo... 
Shanghai,  Mo. 

Big  River  Bridge,  Mo. 

FnrsUh.    Mo. 

Holivar  Heights,  Va... 
Fredoricktown  &  Iron- 
ton,  Mo  

Hlne  Mills.  Mo. 
l.ane'w  I'rairie.    Mo. 
Forl  Filui'.re.  N.  MX. 
Dim  Springs.  M". 
N.  MX  
Atln'iis.  Mo  

Big  Hurricane  Creek, 
Mo. 

Hall's  Bluff,  Va. 

Buffalo  Mills,  Mo  
West  Lil>erty,  Ky. 
IIod-,.vill«.,  Ky  
Zayony'e  Chg.,  Spring- 
tield.  Mo. 

Hainjiton.  Va  

I.ovett>ville.  Va.  

Wilson's  (  'reek,  Mo. 
Hnins«  irk.  Mo. 
Hird's  Point,  Mo. 
HawkV  N.-st.  VV.  Va... 
Cross  Lanes,  W.  Va.  .  . 

MilH'reokMills.W.Va. 
Saratoga,  Ky  

Plattbburg,  Mo.  .. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


829 


DATE. 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDEBATE. 

DATE. 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDERATE. 

^ 
1 

2 

? 
-3 
a 
a 

0 

& 

5 
1 
14 
6 
173 
8 
23 
26 
20 
16 
9 
1 
15 

7 
2 
1 

15 
10 

1 

107 
22 
8 
61 
5 
6 
2 
8 
63 

10 
1 
10 

16 
6 

25 
194 

4 

40 
1 
200 

5 

1735 
9 
3 
140 
1 
1 
5 
3 
2 
972 
5 
2 
2 
108 

2 
5 
1 
50 
41)6 

4 
10 
8 
2 
1 
4  tO 
22 
75 

Captured 

and 
Missing. 

Killed. 

Wounded 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

T3 
I 

5 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

"d 

0> 
§ 

15 

1728 
17 
15 

1 

a 

185 
( 
1 

• 

30 

100 

100 
14 
13 
1C 
2 
1 
2 

7 

2 
12 
10 
9 

40 

12 
35 

100 
5 

2 

3 

2800 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

1861 

Oct.   27 

"   29 
Nov.    1 

44     6 

!'     7 
"      7 
"     ? 
"     9 
"    10 
"    10 

"  11 

"    12 
"    17 
"    18 
"    19 
"    23 
"   24 
44    27 
"   26 
"   29 
Dec.     3 
"     4 
4     4 
1    11 
'   18 
'    17 
'    18 
'   20 
"   21 
"   22 
"   24 
"   28 
44   28 

1862 

Jan,     1 

"     4 
44     4 
"     7 
"     8 
"     8 
44     8 
"     9 
"   10 
4  19-20 
'   22 
'   29 
Feb.    1 
'     4 
'     8 
'     8 
'    10 
'    13 
"    14 
14-15-16 
"   17 
"   18 
"  21 
"   24 
"  26 
Mch.    2 
"     3 
"     5 
"6-7-8 
"     7 
"     8 
'     9 
'     9 
'    10 
4    10 
4    11 
4    12 
'    13 
'    14 
'   16 

"    18 
"  21 
"   22 
"  23 
"   23 
"   26 
"26-7-8 

Spring  Hill,  Mo. 

2 

90 
1 

8 
4 
7 
2 
7 
3 
10 

5 
1 
1 

6 
1 

20 
10 
2 

7 

1 

5 

1 

8 
6 
5 
5 
2 
38 
1 
1 

1 

35 
3 
2 

446 
5 
1 
62 
2 
2 
5 
1 
2 
203 

1 

10 
261 
1 

5 
1 

91 

5 
8 
1 

103 
1 
32 

235 

1 

150 
174 

24 
35 

261 

11 

18 
3 

3 
1 

5 
13 

2 
17 
16 
7 

7 

20 
33 

43 

10 
10 

30 
25 

7 
15 
6 

40 
190 

10 
3 
5 

8 
16 

13 
4 
231 

4 

1 

20 

1100 
4 

7 
3 
2 

9 
64 

7 

80 
9 
36 

427 
8 

39 
45 
10 

i 

5 
6 

93 

20 
10 

96 
50 

143 

20 

150 

30 

80 
160 

2 
11 

7 
39 

4 

1007 

5 
150 

200 
2500 

17 

5 
4 
10 
3 
100 
106 

100 

342 
17 
60 

2-78 
200 

1300 

2527 
13829 

1600 

413 

269 
93 

1862 

Mch.  28 
Apl.     1 
"     4 
"     4 
"6.7 
"      8 
"     8 
"     9 
"    10 
"    11 
'    11 
'      '    12 
'    12 
'    14 
4    14 
4    14 
4   14 
'    15 
'    It) 
1    16 
'    16 
'    17 
1    18 
'    18 
"  18-28 

"    19 
"    19 

"    23 
'    25 
'   26 
4    26 
'   26 
'    27 
"   28 

"    28 
41    29 
May     1 
"      3 
'     4 
'     5 
'     5 
'     5 
'     7 
7 

"     8 
"     8 
44     9 
"     9 
"    10 
"    11 
"    13 
44    15 
"    15 
."*   15 
"    15 
15-16-18 
41    17 
44    19 
44   19 
"   21 
44   22 
44   22 
44   23 
41   23 
44   23 
44    24 
44   24 
44   25 
44    27 
44    27 
44    27 
44    2s 
44    29 
"    30 
"    30 
"    31 
"    31 
44    31 
Juno    1 
44  1-2 

Warroneburg,    Mo  
Putnam's    Ferry,   Mo 
Great  Bethel,    Va  
Crump'sLanding.Tenn 
Pittsburg  Landing 
Island  No.  10,Tenn  
Near  Corinth,    Miss... 
Owen's  River,  Col. 
Ft  Pulaski     Ga 

4 

1735 

1 

1 

o 

1 

1( 

7882 

8 

1 
i 

( 

sr 

12$ 

i( 

- 

193 
98 
11 

3 
16 

6 

1 

21 
12 
2 
25 
16 
1400 
104 

1 

225 
4 

3 
3 

2 
I 

14 
3 
1 
70 
31 
27 
5 
3 
2 
8 
60 
122 
6 
10 
4 
155 
341 
3 
2 

9 

8 
3 
1 

3627 
2 

3956 

68 
372 
41 

24 
43 

14 

750 
711 

1222 

20 
8012 

21 

4 

10 

er 

75 

197 
19 
18 
30 
8 

72 

400 

200 
16 

14 

1 

3 

8 

14 

50 

66 
25 

100 
25 

3 

2 
3897 

959 
3(M) 
200 

360 
200 

50 
19 

400 

450 
62 

350 

66 
500 

100 

100 
27 
730 

2000 
156 

1300 

Woodbury,  Ky. 

Renick,  Mo. 

Little  Santa  Fe,  Mo... 
Belmont,  Mo. 

Galveston  Harb.,  Tex. 
Port  Royal,  S.  C  
Piketown,  Ky.  

Guyandot,  W.  Va  

Gauley  Bridge,  W.  Va. 
Little  Blue,  Mo..      ... 

Huntsville,  Ala. 

Occoquan  Creek,  Va.  . 
Cypress  Bridge,  Ky  
Palmyra,  Mo.  . 

Little  Blue  River,  Mo. 
Monterey,  Va. 

Pollocksville,    Va..__ 
Diamond    Grove,  Mo 
Walkersville,    Mo  

Wirt  C't  House,  W.Va. 
Ft.  Pickens,  Fla. 

Lancaster,  Mo. 

Little  Blue,  Mo  

Pechacho  Pass,  Ariz.. 

Drainesville,  Va  

10 

3r 

36 
1 
12 

I 
3 

c 
I 

1 

] 

2 
1 

6 
4 
456 
49 

2 
28 
1 
5 
4 

1 

12 
1 
3 

30 
10 

18 

3 
14 
32 
2 
1 
2 

as 

53 
3 
2 

5 
'   2 

890 

Black  Walnut  Cr'k.Mo. 
Salem,  Mo.  

Wilmington  Island,Ga 
Lee's  Mills  Va 

Anandale,  Mo.  

Dunksburg,  Mo.   

Holly  River,  W.  Va... 

Hertrand,  Mo. 

Edisto  Island,    S.  C... 
Fts.     Jackson  and  St 
Phillip   and  Capture 

"ampAllegheny,W.Va. 
Rowlett's  Station,  Ky. 
Milford,  Mo 

Drainsville,  Va.  
Hudson,  Mo  

falbott's  Ferry,  Ark... 
Camden,  N.   C. 
Grass  Lick,  W.  Va... 
Fort  Macon  N  C 

New  MarketBridge,Va. 
Wadesburg,  Mo.  

Sacramento,  Ky.    _ 

Turnback  Creek,  Mo. 

Mt.  Zion,  Mo  

Port  Royal,  S.  C  

Yorktown,  Va. 

Horton's  Mills,  N.  C... 
Paint   Rock    Railroad 
Bridge 

Huntsville.  Va  

Calhoun,  Mo. 

Blue  Gap,  Va  

Clarks  Hollow,  W.  Va. 
Farmington,  Miss  
Licking,  Mo. 

Charleston,  Mo. 

3heat  River,  W.  Va.  .. 
Silver  Creek,  Mo  
Columbus,  Mo. 

Lebanon,  Tenn. 

Lockbridge  Mills,  Ky. 
Williamsburg,    Va. 
West   Point    Va 

M  iddle  Creek,  Ky  
Mill  Springs,  Ky  

Knob  Noster,  Mo. 

Sommerville    Heights, 
Va. 

3ccoquan  Bridge,  Va. 
Bowling  Green,  Ky  
Fort  Henry,  Tenn  

VlcDowell.Va.  . 

Glendale,  Miss. 

Linn  Creek,  Va. 

Elkton  Station,  Tenn. 
Slatersville,  Va. 

Roanoke  Island,  N.  C. 
Elizabeth  City,  N.  C... 
Blooming  Gap,  Va.  ... 
Flat  Lick  Fords,  Ky... 
Port  Donelson,  Tenn.  . 
Pea  Ridge,  Mo. 

Fort  Pillow,  Tenn  
Bloomfield,  Mo  
Monterey,  Tenn. 

Linden,  Va 

Fort  Darling  Va 

(independence.  Mo.  
Fort  Craig,  N.  MX  
Mason's  Neck,  Va  
Keytesville,  Mb 

Chalk    Bluffs,  Mo. 
Butler,  Mo.      . 

Princeton,  W.  Va  
Corinth,  Miss  
Searcy  Landing,  Ark. 
Clinton,  N.  C 

PittsbureL'n'dg,Tenn. 
New  Madrid,  Mo  

Dccoquan,  Va. 

Phillips  Creek,  Miss. 
Florida  Mo 

Pea  Ridge,  Ark.  .. 

Fox  Creek,  Mo. 

^ear  NewBerne,  N.  C... 
Lewisburg,  Va. 

l^ear  Nashville,  Tenn.. 
Mountain  Grove,  Mo.. 
Sampton  Roads,  Va... 
Burke's  Station,  Va... 

Front  Royal,  Va  
Bnckton  Station,  Va. 

3ig  Creek  Gap,  Tenn.. 
Paris,  Tenn. 

!/hickahominy,  Va.  
Winchester,  Va  
Hanover,  C.  H.,  Vn. 
Big  Indian  Creek,  Ark. 

Lexington,  Mo. 

Sew  Madrid,  Mo. 

*Jewberne,  N.  C. 

Black     Jack   Forrest. 
Tenn    ..      . 

Wardensville,  Va  

Salem    Ark    .. 

Booneville,  Miss  
Front  Roval,  Va. 

Vlusquito  Inilet.  Fla.  . 
Independence,    Mo  
Carthage,    Mo. 

Nf'osho,  Mo. 

Winchester,    Va. 

Seven  Pi  TIPS  and  Fair 
Oiiks,  V<i.  ... 

iVarrensburg,    Mo  
Apache  Canon,  N.  Mex. 

Strashurg,  Va. 

830 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


DATE. 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDEBATE. 

DATE. 

NAMI  OF  BATTLE, 

UNION. 

CONFEDERATE. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 

Missing. 

T3 
• 

5 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

'fl 

hi 

a  cs  E 
a     £ 
U     S 

| 

•  1-4 

M 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

1862 

June  3 
4 

"       4 
5 
'       6 
6 
8 
9 

•    10 

'      11 
'      12 
'      13 
'      13 
'     14 
'      16 
1      17 
•      17 
•      17 
1      18 
'     21 
'     22 
"     23 
•'"> 
"     25 
"     25 
"26-29 
"     2« 
July     1 

June  27 
"     27 
"     27 
"     29 
"     30 
July     1 

"       3 
'       6 

'       7 

K 

•'       9 
'       9 
'     11 
'      11 

1      12 
'      12 
'      13 
'      14 
'      15 
'      15 
'      15 
'     17 
"     1* 
July   2" 
to 
S.-|.t   30 
July  23 
"      2:; 
"      2» 
'      21 
•21-:, 

'       2.-, 

•  2.%-r, 

'       -l'\ 

•    2»; 

"     28 

•'    2* 

"      29 
"      29 
"      2W 
"     30 

Legares  Point,  8.  C.. 
Jasper,  Swedens  Cove 
Tenn. 

125 

e: 

a 

10 

] 

51 
10 

1582 
2 
2 
4 

1, 
45 
4 
8 
1 
7 
1 
1 
1 
4 

10 
2 

33 
1 

17 
13 

77 

2 
1 
2 

2 
19 

4 

14 

63 
574 

12K 

64 
5958 

65 
800 

347 
100 

20 

30 
17 

42 
88 
17 

28 
1! 

51 

100 

65 

2820 
4 

2 

40 
24 
110 

2 
3 

6 

1 

50 

8 
23 

.    506 
3 

12 
1 

4 

30 
10 

4 

27 

20 

50 
50 
230 
535 
30 

6 

144 

100 

3 
100 

35 
15 

11 

752 

46 

65 
26 

150 
560 

1862 

July  31 
Aug.    1 

"       2 
"       2 
•"       2 
"       2 
"       2 
"       2 
"       4 
4 

5 
5 
"       6 
t> 
6 
6 
"       1 

8 
"       ! 
9 
"     10 
"11-14 
"     11 
"      11 
"     11 
"      12 
"      13 
"     13 
"     15 
"      16 
"     19 
"     19 
"     20 
"     20 
"     20 
"     21 
"     22 
"     23 
"     23 
"23-25 
to 
Sept.    1 
Aug.  24 
"     24 
"25-2ti 
"     26 
"     26 
"     27 
"     28 

"28-29 

"     29 
"     30 
"     30 
"     30 
"      30 
"     30 
"     30 
Sept.    1 

1 

2 
3 
"       6 
"       7 
"       9 
"       9 
"     10 
"     10 
"  12-5 
'     14 

"14-fi 
"     17 
"     17 

Coggin's  Point,  Va... 
Newark,  Mo  .  . 

1 

1 

8 
2J 

450 
40 
1- 

8( 
60 

1 

1 
1 

3£ 

25 
1 

6 
12 

23 

660 

18 

50 

6 

100 

t 

10 

1 

22 
11 

12 

200 

5 

4000 
18 

700 
13 
10 
51 

6 

36 

6 

80 
120 

1806 

10 
9416 

6 
2 
3 

7 
5 

290 
312 

200 
200 

30 

3000 
.    64 

4000 
43 

52 

11583 

3566 
1043 

5 

i 

i 

84 
128 

g 

30 

13 

229 

8 

1 

6 

20 
50 

4 

3 
8 
1 

8 
25 
27 

1500 

10 
50 

40 
700 
30 
1 
250 

179 

3 
30 
3 
18 
12 
4 

200 

500 
200 

H 

ar>oo 

f 

] 

1 
31 

20 

4 
2 

8 
104 
1 

1 

60 

12 
18 

94 

8000 

20 
20 

250 

60 

3000 
70 
20 
500 

100 

2 
100 
6 
45 

80 
300 

2343 
514 

1f>H9<4 

52 

28 
78 
100 

11 

81 

700 

25 

1500 

r.oiHi 

Ozark,  Mo  . 

Blackland,  Miss. 

Orange  C.  H.,  Va  
Clear  Creek,  Mo  
Coahomo  Co.,  Miss  ._ 
Jonesboro,  Ark 

Tranter'sCreek,  N.  C._ 
Memphis,  Tenn. 

11 

500 
361 
13 

12 

19 
8 
472 

* 

i 

4 

57 
3 
8 
1 
401 

2 

7709 
4 
30 
4 

3 

32 
21 
57 
3 
20 

6 
19 

62 
4 
1 

4 

34 
35 

156 

22 
2 
11 
2 
13 

7 
5 

21 
1 
1 
6 

Harrisonbnrg,  Va.  
Cross  Keys.  Va  
Port  Republic,  Va.  
James  Island,  8.  C.  ... 

Lauguelle  Ferry,  Ark 
Sparta,  Tenn..  .. 

White  Oak  Swamp 
Bridge,  Va 

Waddel's  Farm,  Ark... 
Old  Church  Va 

Baton  Rouge,  La.. 
Malvern  Hill,  Va 

James  Island,  S.  C  
Turnstall's  Station,  Va 
Seceseionville,  8.  C... 
St.  Charles,  Ark 

Montevallo,  Mo    . 
Beech  Creek,  W.  Va._ 
Kirksville,  Mo 

15 

4 

9 

465 

14011 

15 

17 
11 

60 
60 
200 

8 
5 

5 
100 

29 
1800 

30 
12 

13 
100 

6 
39 

Matapony,  Va 

Warrenshnrg,  Mo  
Smithville,  Ark 

Tazewell,  Tenn  

Trenton,  Tenn 

Williamsburg  Rd,  Va. 
Battle  Creek,  Tenn... 
Haceland,  La  .  

Panther  Creek,  Mo... 
Stockton,  Mo.. 

Cedar  Mountain,  Va.  . 
Nueces  River,  Tex  
Independence,  Mo  
Helena,  Ark  

Uavtown.  Mo 

Oak  Grove,  Va  
Germantown,  Tenn... 
Little  Red  River,  Ark. 
Vicksburg,  Miss 

Wyoming  C.  H.,  W.Va 
Kinderhook,  Tenn  
Galatin,  Tenn.  .  . 

The  seven  day's  retreat 
Army  of  Potomac  in 
following      engage 
ments:  Mechanics  ville, 
Games'  Mills,  or  Cold 
Harbor,   and    Chieka- 
hominy,   Peach   Orch 
ard  and  Savage  Station, 
White    Oak    Swamp. 
Glendale,    Nelsons' 
Farm,  Fraziers'  Farm, 
Turkey  Bend  and  New 
Market    Cross    Roads, 
Malvern  Hill.    Total, 
Williams  Bridge,  La.  . 
Village  Creek,  Ark  .. 
Waddi-lls'  Farm,  Ark 
Willis  Church,  Va  
Lurav,  Va 

Galatin,  Tenn 

Hlarendon,  Ark.  
Merriweathers'  Fy,  Ten 
Lone  Jack,  Mo  

Clarksville,  Tenn  . 

White  Oak  Ridge,  Ky. 
Brandy  Station.  Va  
Edgeville  Ju'c,  Tenn.. 
Union  Mills,  Mo 

Pinckney  Island,  S.  C. 
'^ourtland,  Tenn 
Big  Hill,  Ky    . 

10 

• 

2( 
IOC 

800 

200 
8 
3 

5 

1 

8 
2 

13 

80 

443 
50 
1 
2010 

Skirmishes  on  Ra'ph'k 
(  Popes'  Cam'gn  in  Va. 
]  Union  7,000  killed, 
(  woun'dand  missing. 
Dallas,  Mo 

Boon  ville.  Miss 

Fort  Donelson,  Tenn.. 
Bloomfield,  Mo. 

Morning  Sun,  Tenn... 
Haxais,  Va 

Rienzi  &  Kossuth,  Miss 
Kettle  Run,  Va._  . 

Grand   Prairie.  Ark. 
Ha\ou  Cache     

Readvilie    or    Round 
HiU.Tenn.  .    .. 

Black  River,  Mo  
Hamilton,  N.  C  . 

'Groveton  and  Gains- 
ville,  Va.,  U.   S.  7000 
•{  kil'd,woun'd  Amiss- 
ing.  C.  8.  7000  killed, 
I  woun'ed  and  missing 

Aberdeen  Ark 

Tompkinville,  Ky  
Wilhamsburg,  Va  
Pleasant  Hill,  Mo  
Lebanon,  Ky        

Ni-ar  Culpeper,  Va  
Marfreesboro,  Tenn  .  .  . 
Batecrille,  Ark 

2nd  battle  Bull  Run",  Va 
bolivar,  Tenn  
tfcM  inn  ville,  Tenn... 
Richmond,  Ky 

A  ppache  Pass,  Ariz  .  .  . 
Favctt  ville.  Ark 

Medon  Stat.,  Tenn 
Yates'  Ford,  Ky  .. 

N-'ar  Dccatur,  Tenn... 
Cynthiana,  Ky 

Britten's  Lane,  Tenn  . 
f  Cl  antilly,  Va.,  U.  8. 
1300  killed,  wounded 
-J  and  missing.    C.   S. 
1  800  killed,  wounded 

>Ii-mi>hiH,  Mo 

(  General     Bchofield'n 
<  Camp'gn  ajjainst  the 
(  Guerrillas  in  Mo 
Florida  Mo 

•  olumbuH,  Mo  

Vienna  Va 

I  rinitv,  Ala 

ilaughterville,  Ky  
tVashington.  N.  U  

V'ar    Florida,  Mo 
Santa  Fc,  Mo 

(  'ourtland  Bridge,  Ala. 

Mountain  Stone,  Mo 
Young's  Cr's  Kds.,  N.C 
Greenville.  Mo 
Bayou  Barnard,  I.  Ter. 
Moor.-'*  Mill.  Mo  
Bellinger'*   Mills,  Mo 
K  is-.lvill...  K. 

Columbia,  Tenn  
3es  Allemands,  La... 
'old  Water,  Miss  
?ayettville,  W.  Va  
rfarper's  Ferry,  Va... 
Turner's  ACrampton's 
So.  Mountain,  Md  
M  imfordsville,  Ky  
)urhamvill<',  Tenn  
Aiitietaui,  Md... 

Brownsville,  Tenn 
I'aris,   Ky 

BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


831 


1 
DATE. 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDERATE. 

DATE. 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDERATE. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 

Missing. 

T3 

• 

s 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

C'aptured 
and 
Missing. 

1862 

Sptl9-20 
"     20 
"     3( 
Oct.     1 
"    3-4 
5 
7 
"       8 
"     10 
"     11 
"     17 
"     18 
"     22 
"     23 
"     24 
"     28 
Nov.    1 
"    2-3 
"       3 
"       5 
"       5 
'       6 
'       7 
'       7 
'       8 
'     17 
4     18 
'     24 
"     26 
"     28 

"     28 
Dec.    1 

"       5 

"       7 
"       ri 
"       c 
"     12 
"12-18 

!!   1J 

"     18 
'     20 
'     2(7 
'     21 
'     24 
'     24 
Dec.  25 
'     26 
'     27 
'     27 
'     28 
'28-9 
'     30 
'     30 
'     30 
'   31- 
1863 
Jan.     2 

1863 

Jan.     1 
"    7-8 
"     11 
"     11 
"     14 
"     24 
"     30 
"     31 
Feb.     3 
"      14 
"     16 
"     21 
"     24 

Mch.    1 

"       4 
"    4-5 
"       6 
"     1C 

luka,  Miss 

144 

92 
50 

315 

200 
5 
916 

4 
4 
1 
43 
1 

1 
2 
10 
5 

3 

1 
6 

4 
4 

10 

167 
55 
5 
1 

90 
1180 
40 
7 

1 

1 
1 

191 
I 
20 
23 

1533 

200 
14 
125 

10 

4 

24 
16 

598 
131 
80 
12 
1812 
800 
9 
2943 

13 
24 
6 

258 
2 
3 

14 

10 
3 
10 
26 

20 
3 
10 

36 

9 

54 

798 

48 
2 

478 
9028 
120 
10 

c 
1 

23 
8 

982 

41 
139 

7245 

400 
144 

108 
115 

232 

489 

350 
23 

300 

200 

183 
1800 

2145 

124 

1000 
250 

500 
756 

58 
2800 

50 

1306 
33 

263 
33 
220 
60 
1423 
150 
80 
500 

14 

10 
8 
10 
5 
3 
3 
36 

17 

20 
16 

16 

5 

75 

5 
7 
8 
300 
21 

11 

71 

579 
50 

7 

17 
22 
9 
'  i 
•j 

25 
30 

IE 

50 

1700 

10 
40 
100 

15 
35 

12 
140 

35 

15C 
2f 

692 
231 

280 

5692 
250 

1500 

102 
30 
20 
2 
10 
15 
20 

85 
30 

20 
300 

18 
43 

1200 
114 

30 

268 
8870 
75 

28 

50 
50 
11 

j 

22 

40 
176 
207 
15 
50 
150 

8000 

40 
200 
400 

50 
12 
400 

27 
28 

450 

561 

2248 

175 

500 
1600 

23 
185 

28 

400 
127 
400 

20 

51 
273 
300 
4860 

5000 

180 

300 
130 

100 

1863 

Mch.  14 

"     17 
"     20 
"     22 
"     24 
"     25 
"     25 
"     28 
"     29 
"      30 
"      30 
Apr.  2-3 

7 
"      10 

"12-14 

"    12- 
May      1 
Apr.    15 
"    17- 
May     2 
Apr.  20 
"     26 
"     26 
"    27- 
May     3 
Apr.  29 
"     29 
"     30 
Apr.  30- 
May     1 
1 
1 

'    i-4 

3 

'       11 
'       12 
'       13 
'       14 
"      16 
"     17 
"    18- 
July    4 
May  25 
"     25 
"     27 
July    9 
June   1 
"       5 
"   6-8 
9 
"       9 
•'     11 
"13-15 
"      14 
"      16 
"      17 
"     17 
"     20 
"20-21 

"     21 

"     22 
"     23 
"23-30 

"     28 
"     29 
"     80 
Joly  1-3 
"  1-26 
"       4 
"    4-5 
"    4-5 
5 
"    7-9 
"    7-9 
"  9-16 

"    10- 
Sept.    6 

Port  Hudson,  La 

9 

7 
4 

1 

4 

4 
9 
10 
1 

1 
2 

20 
20 

44 
1 

12 

2 
6 

12 
1 

26 

8 

2 

•  130 
3 
1512 
1 
10 
69 

40 
426 

29 

545 
10 
1 

500 

« 

154 
4 

50 

500 

15 
24 
14 
7 

8 
94 
4 

46 

85 

2 
12 

2834 
22 
57 

10 
9 
5 
9 

100 
200 

65 
35 
48 
10 
6 
4 
19 
14 
29 
25 
3 

8 
20 

80 
80 

202 
2 

1 

6 
6 

69 

6 
54 

50 

11 

718 
9 
9518 
16 
20 
341 

240 
1842 
242 

3688 
14 
1 

2500 
20 
35 
223 
26 
100 

1000 

30 
41 

6 

28 

40 
74 
10 
40 

462 

7 
43 
13701. 
80 
117 

20 
15 
5 

45 

800 
800 

300 
40 
99 

200 

41 
1466 

30 
5000 

40 

189 
303 

115 

350 

2000 
200 

89 
30 

28 
300 

6643 
790 
32 

400 

100 
757 

11 

63 
8 
3 
1 

25 
20 

10 
4 

19 

90 
30 

60 
30 

150 
1581 

12 
100 
12 
50 
500 
50 

690 

100 

50 

125 
20 
60 
8 
200 
1 

53 
20 

3 

186 
39 
3 
75 
3500 
86 
173 

71 
100 

88 
300 
13 
11 
5 

65 

25 

40 
10 

35 
400 

409 

70 

75 
70 

1000 

8700 
15 
30 

869 

200 

83 
2000 

400 
500 

200 

500 
2000 
58 

1800 
2500 

18587 

6408 

200 
490 

60 

168 
150 

60 
13621 

3000 
776 
2000 
100 
6 

764 

Blackf  ord's  Fort,  Va.. 
Newtonia,  Mo 

Kelleys'  Ford,  Va. 
Vaught's  Hill,  Tenn._ 
Mt.  Sterling,  Ky 

ijhepherdf-town,  Va  
Corinth,  Miss 

Ponchatoula,  La 

VIetamora,  Miss  
La  Vergne,  Term      

Brentwood,  Tenn  
Franklin,  Tenn 

Perryville,  Ky 

Patterson  ville,  La  
Somerville,  Tenn... 
Dutton's  Hill,  Ky 

Harrods  ville,  Ky  
La  Grange,  Ark 

Lexington,  Ky 

Point  Pleasant,  W.Va. 
Woodbury   and   Snow 
Hill,  Tenn 

Hay  market,  Va 

Pocotaligo,  8.  C. 

Waverly,  Tenn      .  

Bombardment    of  Ft. 
Sumter 

3rand  Prairie,  Mo  
Clarkson,  Mo 

Franklin  &  Harpette 
River,  Tenn 

Philomont,  Va 

Uloomfield,  Va. 

Irish  Bend,  La 

Harrisonville,  Mo  
Barbee's  Cross  R'ds,Va 
Nashville,  Tenn. 

j  Siege  of  Suffolk,  Va. 
Dunbar's  Plan't'on,  La 
|  Grierson's  Road  
Peterson,  Mo  .. 

Garrettsburg,  Ky. 

Big  Beaver  Creek,  Mo. 
Marianna,  Ark      .  .     . 

Hudson  ville,  Miss  
Gloucester,  Va  

Whitewater,  Mo 

Jape  Girardeau,  Mo  _  . 
|  Straight's  Raid  

bairmonnt,  W.  Va  
3rand  Gulf  ,  Miss  
Spottsylvania  C.  H.,Va 

|  Chalk  Blaff,  Mo  

Port  Gibson,  Miss  
LaGrange,  Ark. 

Rural  Hill,  Tenn 

Beaver  Creek,  Mo  
Summerville,  Miss  
Cave  Hill,  Boston  Mtn. 
and  Boonesboro,Ark 
Hartwood  Church,  Va, 
Charleston  and  Berry- 
ville,  Va. 

Cofifeeville,  Miss 

Helena,  Ark 

Chancellorsville,  Va 

Prairie  Grove,  Ark  
Hartsville,  Tenn 

Warrenton  Jc.,  Va  
Horse  Shoe  Bend,  Ky. 
Raymond,  Miss 

Dobbins'  Ferry,  Tenn. 
Little  Bear  Creek,  Ala 
Expedition  to  Golds- 
boro,  N.  C 

Hall's  Ferry 

400 
2000 
550 

2000 

700 
150 

400 
80 
150 
42 
650 
2 

100 

150 
100 

18 

1280 
112 
15 

14500 
385 
687 

30 

504 
461 

Jackson,  Miss. 

Champion  Hills,  Miss. 
Big  Black  River.Miss. 
j  Siege  of  Vicksburg, 
(  Miss  

Fredericksburg,  Va._. 

Kingston,  N.C  

Lexington,  Tenn 

Holly  Springs,  Miss.. 
Trenton,  Tenn    . 

Near  Helena,  Ark  
Lake  Providence,  La. 
5  Siege  of  Pt.  Hudson, 
7  La  ... 

Davis  Mills,  Miss  
Middleburg,  Miss 

Glasgow,  Ky         

Franklin,TfiTin 

Green's  Chapel,  Ky... 
Bacon  Creek,  Ky  

Franklin  Crossing,  Va, 
Milliken's  Bend,  La.. 
Monticello,  Ky  ... 

Elizabeth  town,  Ky  
Dumfries,  Va 

Beverley  Ford,  Va.  
Middleton,  Va. 

Elk  Fork,  Tenn 

Hliickasaw  Bayou,  Miss 
Wautauga  Brdg.,  Tenn 
Jefferson,  Tenn... 

Winchester,  Va. 

Martinsburg,  Va 

Triplett's  Bridge,  Ky. 
Aldie,  Va.... 

Parker's  Cross  Roads  _ 
<  Stone  River,  Tenn_  . 

Galveston,  Tex 

Westport,  Mo.  

Rocky  Crossing,  Miss. 
La  Fourche  Crossing, 
La 

Upperville,  Va 

Hill's  Plantation,  Miss 
Brashear  City,  La  
Rosecrans'  Campaign, 
Tenn 

Springfield,  Mo  . 

Fort  Hindman,  Ark... 
Hartsville,  Mo  

831 

64 

21 

81 

60 
15 
72 

1 

300 

Donaldsonvillc.  lja_.. 
Westminster,  Md  

Bayou  Teche,  La 

Wood  bury,  Tenn 

Hanover.  Pa  

Deserted  House,  Va... 
Rover,   Tenn 

Gettysburg,  Pa 

Morgan's  Raid  in  O.. 
Helena,  Ark  

Fort  Donelson,  Tenn. 
Brents  ville,  Va  

Bolton  Ferry,  Miss  
Monterey  Gap,  Pa  

Romney,  W.  Va 

Prairie  Station,  Miss. 
Gunboat  Indianola 
Near  Vicksbnrg,  Miss 
Bradyville,  Tenn 
Skeet,  N.  C. 

\ 

IOC 

luka.  Miss  

Boonsboro,  Mo 

Jackson  Rienzi,  Bol 
ton  Depot,  Clinton 
and  Canton,  Miss... 

\  Scigi1  of  Ft.  Wagner, 
I  S.  C... 

Thompson  Sta.  Tenn. 
Fairfax,  C.  H.,  Va.... 
Covington.  Tenn    . 

832 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


DATE. 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDERATE. 

DATE. 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDERATE. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

7 

2 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

1863 

July  12 
"     13 
"     18 
"      13 
"13-15 

"      14 
"      14 
',      14 

••    ir. 

"      15 
"      1") 
"      17 
"      17 

••a-a 

..   ._,,. 

"     30 
Aug.  1-i 

''       1 

"     9 

"      13 
"     21 

"     24 

"     26 
"25-31 
Sept.    1 
1 
5 
8 
9 
"     11 
"      12 
"      13 
"     13 
'     14 
'      14 
'      19 
T.'-jn 

1      -J-J 
.      .„ 

'      2- 
'     'J7 

•    ii'.i 
Oct.     1 
"       2 

3 
4 
"       5 

B 
"       7 

"      11 
"      12 
"      14 
"15-18 

"     16 
"     18 

••      1- 

"20-22 

..      .,, 

'•      •£> 
•'     27 
"     27 
Nov.    ;- 
'"    3-4 
H 
fi 

"       7 
"     11 

"      U 
"      14 
"      H 
"      15 
"      11, 

Ashby  Gap,  Va  

4 
i 

t 

100 

29 
10 

17 
17 
35 

4 
It 
2 
1 

6 

2 
16 
13 
2 
4 
12 
8 

8 
3 
3 
10 
8 
2 
4 
1614 
I 
• 

6 
2 
14 

8 

25 
7 
1 

15 
10 

12 
51 

12 
2 
20 
7 
11 
5 
77 

ti 
5 
31 

too 

10 
4 

20 

10 
4 
60 

8 

20 
200 

36 
30 

20 

61 
61 
102 
17 

134 
2 
1 

25 

3 
113 
72 
4 
12 
20 
114 

19 
3 
40 
40 
40 
4 
19 
9262 
20 
22 

20 
2 
40 
30 

45 
.  31 
14 

6 
3 
60 
20 
20 
11 
80 
329 

13 
4 

80 
31 
27 
21 
:«<) 

57 
19 

94 

270 
DO 
H 

HO 

26 

90 
12 
340 

200 

27 

240 

4945 

40 
400 

350 
43 

44 

100 

60 
400 

879 
354 

no 

38 

25 
60 
2: 

If 
25 
150 
75 
100 

1 

2 
56 

25 
6 

1 

10 
10 

6 
2389 

15 

10 

5 

50 
3 

10 

6 
5 

200 

50 
2 

5 
15 
10 
53 

300 
15 

10 
50 
11 
5 
4 

6 
70 

150 

1CX 

2i 

10 
75 
400 
125 
200 

18 

65 

40 
4 

100 

40 
10 

2000 
18 

40 
40 

11 
13412 

50 
24 

20 

150 
20 

13 
60 

60 
25 

550 

150 
8 

20 
82 
30 
164 

1200 

100 
20 
250 

98 

r.9 

8 

10 

500 

250 

1500 
100 

50 

75 

2003 
100 

240 
150 

450 
111 

100 

1629 
295 

1863 

Nov.  29 

"     19 
"  23-5 
"     2f> 

"     27 
Dec.  1-4 

i 

"  8-21 
"10-14 

"      19 

"  24-:> 

"     28 
"     30 

1864 
Jan  1-10 

3 
"     13 
"  16-7 
"     23 
"     24 
"     27 
"     28 
"     29 
Feb.    1 
"       1 
Mch.    8 

Feb.    3 
Mch.    5 

Feb.     5 
"       6 
"10-25 

"     19 

"     20 

"     22 
"     22 

"     25 

"     28 
Mch.    4 

"     14 

"     21 
"     24 

"     25 
"     26 

"     28 

April  1 
"       2 
3 

5 
5 

"       7 
"    8-9 

"10-13 
"     12 
"15-16 
"17-20 
"     18 
"23-24 
"     25 
"     30 
May  1-8 
"    5-7 
"    5-9 

Ft.  Sanders,  Knoxville 
Tenii 

20 
74' 
100 

2. 

I 
100 

10 
12 

i: 

2( 
10 

35 

56 
10 
43 

193 

17 

30 

7 

14 

4 

2 
8 
10 
16 
5 
19 
14 

300 
10 

50 

20 
113 
50 
100 
MO 
33 
5597 

80 
4529 
400 

150 
39 

33 

41 

300 

90 
105 

460 
256 

450 

2100 

1500 
68 

100 
10677 

8 
1 
36 

100 

15 
25 
15 

200 
50 

8 

1' 

6 

65 

35 
100 

6 
100 

20 

20 
5 

8 

10 
12 

3 
15 
10 
15 
18 
15 
15 

600 
50 
75 

60 
110 

300 
25 
2000 

40C 
2181 

40(1 

732 
39 

10 
12 

2 

32 
100 

9( 
403 

50 
10 

400 

• 

120 

200 
4 

40 
35 

4 
45 
90 
60 
30 
25 
40 

2400 
50 
150 

225 

340 

228 
800 
100 
6000 

300 
53 
6142 

200 

40 
50 

200 
150 

121 

100 

212 
50 
100 

300 

98 
260 
250 

300 
12 

11 

100 

500 

200 
40 
3400 

Yazoo  Citv,  Miss  

Jackson,  Tenn      

Union  City.  Tonn 

IJonaldsonville,  La... 
Dfl.  Uiots  N.  V.  City, 
1000  Rioters  killed.. 

Mission  Ridge,  etc  
Operations  at  Mine 
Run,Va 

Falling  Waters,  Md 
Elk   Kiver,  Tenn 

Cleveland,  Tenn  
Ripley  &  Moscow   Sta 

Miss 

New  Bolivar  Hgts.  Va 
I'ulaski,  Ala            

Walker's  Ford,  W.Va. 

Haltown,  Va 

60< 

8 
15 
6 

19 

48 

150 

8( 
7( 

121 

138 
6 
201 

267 
4 

1175 
13 

272 

300 
41 
1 

46 

18 

8 
16 
35 
74 
38 
11 
39 

1600 
90 
7 
205 
80 
88 
300 
250 
955 
87 
21463 

Shepardstown,  Va  
Honey  Springs,  Ind.T. 
Wytheville,    W.  ?a.... 
ManuBeas  (iap,  Va.  ... 
Pottacasey  Creek,  N.  I' 
Irvine,  Ky 

Averill's  Raid  in  Va_. 
Bean's  Station,  Tenn._ 
Barren  Fork,  Ind.  Ter 
Bolivar  &  Summer- 
ville,  Tenn 

Happaliannock  Sta.  Va 
Jackson,  La.    ...  

Waldron,  Ark 

Rectortown  &  Mos 
cow  Station,  Miss  
Jonesville,  Va 

New  Madrid,  Mo 

Sparta,  Tenn      

Pineville,  Mo. 

(  Quantrell's    plunder 
i  and  Massacre  of  Law- 
"1  rence,  Kas.,  140  citi- 
i^zens  killed,  .1  wou'd 
Coyle  Tavern,  Va  
Rocky  Gap,  Va 

Mossy  Creek,  Tenn  
Dandridge,  Tenn 

Rolling  Prairie,  Ark_. 
Baker  Springs,  Ark... 
Fair  Gardens,  Tenn... 
TunnelHill,  Ga... 
Medley,  W.Va... 
Smithfield,  Va 

Brownsville,  Ark  
Barbee's  Croes  Rds.,Va 
Devil's  Back  Bone,Ark 

I.illlc-Ioiie  Sla.,  Tenn 

Fort  Suinter.  S.  <  ' 
Cumberland  Gap,Tenn 
Riuggold,  Ga 

(  Expedition  up  Yazoo 
<  River 

(  Expedition  from 
<  Vicksburg  to   Meri- 

Sterling's  Planta'n,  La 
Calpeper,  Va.    

Lett's  Tan  Van!,  (ia 
Uapiduu  Sta.,  Va 

^ualltown,  N.  C  
Morton's  Ford,  Va  
Smith  and  Grierson's 
Raid. 

Vidalia,  Ga 

Rapidan  Sta.,  Va  

Chic  Kamaugua,  Ga  
Madison  C.  H.  Tenn... 
Blountsville.  Tenu... 

Batesville,  Ark 

Olustee  or  Silver  Lake, 
Fla 

Rockville.  Md  

Mulberry  Gap,  Tenn__ 
Johnson'sMills,Tenn., 
24  men  of  5th  Tenn. 
Cav.     captured    and 
massacred  by  Fergu 
son's  guerrilas. 
Suzzard  Roost.  Tunnel 
Hill  and  Rocky  Face, 

C'alhoun,  Tenn 

Moffat's  Station,  Ark- 
Near  Morganzia,  La.  .  . 
Anderson's  Gap,  Tenn 
Anderson's  (  'ross 
Roads,  Tenn  

McMinnville,  Tenn.  .  . 
Neosho,  Mo. 

Stockade     at      Stone 
River,  Tenn  
Glasgow,  Ky 

JKilpatrick's  Raid, 
Stevensburg  to  Rich- 

Farmington,  Tenn  
Kapidan,  Va 

?ort  De  Russy.  La  

Blue  Springs,  Tenn  .  .  . 
Henderson'sMill,Tenn 
Jeffersonton,  Va  

Union  City,  Ky. 

?aducah,  Ky 

Longview     and      Mt. 
Elba,  Ark_ 

Bristoe  Station,  Va.. 
Canton,     Brownsville 
and  Clinton,  Miss 
:nt)iTS,  Mo. 
(  'harlestown,  W.  Va... 
H.-rryville,  Va.     . 

Charleston,  111.,  Cop 
perheads 

Augusta,  Ark  

Spoonville,  Ark. 

Philadelphia,  Tenn... 
Cheroki-e  Station,  La. 
Pine  Blfiff    \rk 

ilkins'  Ford,  Ark  
ioseville.  Ark 

Brown's  Ferry,  Tenn. 
Wau  hatch  ie,  Tenn  

Centers  illf-,  Tenn  
''ollinsville,  Tenn  

lintferr-ville,  T'TiJi. 

Droop  Mountain,  Va. 
Bappahan'ok  Sta.,  \'a. 
K.-ll,.j's  Ford.  Mo  ... 
Natclii-/,,   Miss 

\\  ilson's  Farm,  La  
Sabine  Cross  Rds.  and 
Pleasant  Hill,  La.. 
3rairie  D'Ann,  Ark  ... 
'leas.Hill  Landing,  La 
Liberty  P.  O.,  Ark  
Plymouth,  N.  C 

Poison  Springs,  Ark 
Monet  i's  Bind,  La 
Marks'  Mills,  Ark.... 
lenkins'  Kerry,  Ark., 
ludnot's  Planta'n,  La 
rVilderneKM,  Va  
Rocky  Face  Rid^e,  Ga. 
Tunnell    Hill,    Mill 

Hull's  1-Vrry,  Tenn  
liockford,  '1'enn  
Marysvilli-.  'IViui 
London  (  'reek,  Tenn. 
Campbell'*  Sta.  Tenn. 

SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS 


833 


DATE. 

NAME  OF  BATTLE, 

UNION. 

CONFEDERATE. 

DATK. 

NAME  OF  BATTLE. 

UNION. 

CONFEDERATE. 

j§ 

2 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

£ 

£ 

Wounded. 

•a 
<u      tx 

s-s-s 

—  -   ' 

6  g 

3000 
500 
300 

100 

100 
1000 

1000 
1400 

500 
1060 
250 

3500 

400 
370 

200 

200 
200 

1183 
2017 

1000 

2344 
400 

2000 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 

Missing. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Captured 
and 
Missing. 

1864 

May  6-7 

8 
"  8-18 

"  9-10 
"  9-10 
"  9-13 

"12-16 

"13-16 
"      15 
"16-30 
"      18 
"      IS 
"19-22 
"23-27 
"     24 
"     25 
June    4 
May 
26-29 
.  "27-28 

June 

..'-: 

::   ! 

"      9 
"  9-30 

"      10 

•'      10 

"     in 
"     11 
"11-12 
"      13 

"15-19 

"17-1M 

"2<>-30 
"22-23 
"22-30 
"23-24 
"25-29 

Julyl-31 

"    2-5 
"    :j-9 

"    5-7 
"  5-18 

'  6-10 
'       9 
'      12 
'17-18 
'      20 

'23-24 
'26-31 

"     2b 
Aug. 
"  1-31 

"  5"2;1 

"14-18 
"18-21 

"18-22 
"      19 

Creek  Gap  and  Buz 
zard's  Roost 

200 

48 
40 

4177 
90 
126 

50 

422 
600 
120 
200 
16 
60 
10 
228 
2 

400 
8 

25 

1905 
25 
130 
40 
35 

1370 
20 
223 
21 

50 

85 

50 
1298 
lOu 

112 
604 
9 
54 

898 
60 

16 

85 
80 
90 
54 
30 
80TI 
500 

200 

50 
100 

87 
75 
9 
400 

212 

30 

637 

256 
150 

19687 
400 
585 

174 

2380 
2147 
560 
1000 
59 
300 
46 
1460 
24 

600 

40 

119 

10570 
100 
650 
70 
150 

6500 
67 
394 
71 

100 

490 

250 
7474 
500 
506 
24!'4 
317 
235 

200 

4060 
310 

150 

82 

567 
450 
579 
319 
181 
1410 
2141 

1000 

50 
600 

484 
170 
22 
1755 

1115 

400 
3 

2577 

200 
210 
240 

290 
1400 

200 
2456 

800 

1H23 
980 

160 

1814 
100 

800 
2217 
734 
300 

3110 

200 
1290 

100 
1000 

900 

100 
1400 
3176 

200 

50 
30 

1000 
200 

400 
300 
85 
500 

75 

500 
20 

600 
10 

100 

500 
25 
460 
20 
50 

500 
131 
ICO 

50 

100 
50 

400 
40 

20 
110 

50 

1118 

2482 

100 
642 

20 

400 

200 
150 

5000 
400 

2000 
1500 
320 
1500 

425 

1500 
100 

1000 
50 

375 

700 
75 
1450 
80 
200 

600 
475 
200 

150 

300 
2  5 
150 

200 

600 
60 

200 
80 

600 

400 

450 

2500 
4000 

500 
3000 

80 
1000 

2000 

1864 

Aug.  M 
"24-27 
"     29 
"    31- 
Sept.    1 
1 
Oct.    30 
Sep.  3-4 
4 

"     16 
"16-18 
"      19 
to  22 
"     23 
"26-27 
"     27 

"28-30 
"     29 
"   30- 
Oct.     1 

5 
"  7-13 
"      15 
'      19 
'26-29 
'     27 
'27-28 
'28-30 
Nov.  1  3 
"     21 
"29-30 

"      30 
D'c.1-14 
"  1-31 

"     5-8 
"    6-9 
"10-21 
"      13 
"15-16 
"     28 

1865 

Ja.  12-15 

Feb.  18 
22 

"     22 

"      27 
Mch.  25 
"  8-10 
"      16 
"19-21 
"     22 
Apr.  24 
Mch.  25 

"      25 
"     21 
Apr.     9 
1 

8 
"       6 
"       7 
"    8-9 
"       9 
"     26 
May  10 
10 

"      11 

"     26 

ed  were  put  to  death 
by  Mosby. 
emphis,  Tenn 

30 
39 
10 

149 

170 
30 

50 

38 

693 

28 

122 
400 
10 

141 
142 
105 

588 
10 
156 
120 

5 

10 

189 
66 
16 
40 
30 
39 

25 
400 
23 

184 
40 

5 
80 

191 
63 

68 
103 

213 
124 

296 

166 
100 
50 

100 
178 
90 

1000 

822 

182 
6 

300 

4033 

56 

2 

2029 
25 

788 
352 
502 
25 
3516 
45 
1047 
783 

36 
52 

1033 
645 
100 
329 
175 
690 
200 
110 
1740 
88 

749 

204 
40 

30 
421 
477 
1168 

345 

337 

864 

1211 

7015 
2565 

1014 

555 
150 

812 
100 

48 

623 
930 
100 

1756 
212 
206 
375 
1801 
100 
699 
400 

200 
1104 

20C 

600 
287 
'    63 

506 
209 

500 

25 
30 
50 

500 

25 
10 

10 

500 
1 

300 

400 

231 

400 
60 
500 
100 
200 
60 

50 
1750 

100 

100 
70 

200 
108 

267 

22 
800 

300 
500 

1000 

500 

75 
100 
150 

800 

100 
60 

40 

2750 
25 
1200 

1600 

800 
500 
700 

2000 
300 
600 
311 
250 

200 
3800 

300 

300 

400 
26 

600 

r.ln 
1200 

::- 

200 
2500 

1800 

700 

1000 
70 
75 

3600 

100 
411 
350 

1200 

200 

80 

400 
702 

197 

800 
250 
4462 
500 

2083 
875 

1667 
700 
217 
1625 

6766 

1881 
834 

2952 
5500 
3006 
6000 
6000 

26000 
29924 

8000 

7454 
20000 

Richmond  and  Peters 
burg  Railroad,  Va.  .- 
Todd  V  Tavern,  Va._._ 
Spottsylvania,    Laurel 
Hill    Va 

Halltown,  VH 

Smithfield,  Va  

|  Jonesboro,  Ga  

Swift  Creek,  Va  
Cloyd's  Mountain,  Va_ 
Sheridan's     Cavalry 
Raid,  Va  

(  In  front  Petersburg, 
<  Va._  

Berry  ville,  Va... 

Greenville,  Tenn 

FortDarling,  Drewry's 
Bluff,  Va 

Gen'l  John  Morgan 
killed. 
Sycamore  Church,  Va 
Ft.  Gibson,  Ind.  Ter._ 
Winchester  &  Fisher's 
Hill,  Va 

Resaca.  Ga 

New  Market,  Va 

Bermuda  Hundred  
Rome  &  Kingston.  Ga. 
Bayou  De  Glaize,  La__ 

Athens,  Ala 

Cassville,  Ga  .  . 

Pilot  Knob  Mo 

North  Anna  River,  Va 
Wilson's  Wharf,  Va... 

Centralia,  Mo.,  Massa 
cred  by  Price 

\  Dallas  or  New  Hope 
I  Church,  Ga      ...     . 

Laurel  Hill,  Va  .. 

Centreville,  Tenn  
5  Poplar  Sp'gs  Church 

\  Decatur,  Ala  .. 

Salem  Church.  Hawes' 
Shop   and  Hcnover- 
ton,  Va      .      .      . 

Allatoona,  Ga..  

Darby  town  Road,  Va.  . 
Glasgow,  Mo 

Games'     Mills,     Cold 
Harbor    and    Salem 
Church,  Va 

Cedar  Creek,  Va 

Decatnr,  Ala 

Hatcher's  Run,  Va.. 
Fair  Oaks,  Va 

Bermuda  Hundred,  Va. 
Piedmont,  W.  Va  
Lake  Chicot,  Ark 
Mt.  Sterling,  Ky 

Newtonia,  Mo 

Bulls  Gap,  Tenn  

Griswoldsville,  Ga  
Franklin   and    Spring 
Hill,  Tenn 

Kenesaw      Mountain, 
Marietta      or      Big 
Shanty,  Ga 

Honey  Hill  S  C 

Petersburg,  Va 

fn  front  Nashville  
In  fro't  Petersburg,  Va 
Murf  reesboro,  Tenn  .  .  . 
Deveaux's  Neck,  S.  C  . 
Siege  Savanna,  (Ja.... 
Fort  McAlister,  Ga  
Nashville,  Tenn 

B  rice's  CrossR'ds,Miss 
Cynihiana,  Ky    _. 

Cynthiana.  Ky  .  . 

Trevilian  Station,  Va 
White     Oak     Swamp 
Bridge,  Va 

Petersburg,  Va. 

Egypt  Sta.,  Miss  

Fort  Fisher.  N.  C   .. 
^  Ft.  Anderson,  Town 
-,  <"k  and  Wilmington, 
[N.  C 

Lynchburg,  Va  _ 

Petersburg,  Va 

Welc  Ion  Railroad,  Va. 
Wilson's  Raid,  Va  
Jones  Bridge,  Va  
Clarendon,  St.  Charles 
River,  Ark  

Front  of    Petersburg, 
Va    

Douglas  Landing,Pine 
Bluff  Ark 

Nickajack  Creek,  Ga.. 
Expedition   from 
Vicksburg  to  Jack 
son,  Miss 

\  'Sheridan's  Raid  in 
1  Virginia..  

Wilcox's  Bridge,  N.  C. 
Avcrvsboro,  N.  C 
Bentonville,  N.  C  
j  Wilson's  Raid  to  Ma- 
/  con,  Ga 

John's  Island.  S.  C  
Smith's   Expedition, 
Lagrange,  Tenn  

Chattah'chee  River,Ga 
Monocacy,  Md... 

Ft.  Steadman,  Peters 
burg,  Va 

Ft.  Stevens,  Wash.D.C 
Snicker's  Gap,  Va  
Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga. 
Atlanta,  Ga 

Ft.  Steadman,  Assault 
<  Siege  Mobile.  Spa'sh 
)  Fort,  Port  Blakely.. 
Five  Forks  Va 

Kernstown  &  Winches 
ter,  Va 

Fall  of  Petersburg,  Va. 
Capture  Richmond,  Va 
Sailor's  Creek,  Va  
Farmville,  Va 

Stoneman's  Raid,  s 
Macon,  Ga           

Atlanta,  Ga 

Appomattox  C.  H.,Va. 
Lee's  Surrender 

Front  Pettersburg,  Va. 
Ft.  Gains  &  Morgan,  Ala 
Moorefield,  Va 

Johnston's  Surrender. 
Capture  of  Jeff.  Davis 
Tallahassee,  Fla.,  sur 
render  of  Sam  Jones' 

Strawberry  Plains,  Va. 
Six  Mile  House,  Wei- 
don  R.  R.,  Va      . 

Surrender     of     Jeff. 
Thompson  at  Chalk 
Bluffs,  Ark 

Kilpatrick's    Raid  on 
Atlanta  Road 

Snicker's  Gap  Pike,  Va. 
Prisoners  &  Wound- 

Surrender  of   General 
Kirbv  Smith  

From  1861  to  1865  there  were  three  million,  thirty  two  thousand,  two  hundred  and  eleven  soldiers  of  all  arms  in  the  United  States' 


Service. 

from  wounds  rece 


Out  of  this  army  there  were  sixty-seven  thousand,  and  fifty-eight  killed  in  action,  and  forty-three  thousand  and  twelve  died 
nds  received  in  action.    There  were  two-hundred  and  twenty-four  thousand  five  hundred  and  eighty- six  died  of  disease. 


GENEALOGICAL    TREE. 


GENEALOGICAL    TREE. 


GENEALOGICAL    TREE. 


GENEALOGICAL    TREE. 


GENEALOGICAL    TREE. 


GENEALOGICAL    TREE. 


GENEALOGICAL    TREE. 


GENEALOGICAL    TREE. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


843 


IMD 


PAGE. 

A 

Abel,  T.  J 427 

Ackermann,  A 401 

Adams,  S.  E 754 

Addis,  Wm.  H 144 

Aldrich,  O.  J 762 

Alexander,  T 650 

Anderson,  C.   P 765 

Anderson,  A.  L 695 

Anderson,  Robt 636 

Andrus,  F.  M 745 

Angell,  W.S 569 

Aschermann,   B 284 

Ashmore,  H.  H 742 

Atkins,  S.  D 72 

Austin,  H.  M 644 

Avery,  G.  S 646 

B 

Bacon,  Elmer 30 

Bailey,  W.  F 712 

Baker,  Jno 319 

Baldwin,  E 76 

Ball,].  S 613 

Bane,  Jacob 787 

Banks,  N.  P 501 

Barber,  J.   L 244 

Barnard,  L 193 

Batcheller,  D 803 

Batterman,     H 643 

Beal,  Wm 565 

Beamer,  J.  W 277 

Beamer,  H.  H 332 

Bedel,  1 761 

Beers,].  P 250 

Beidelman,  G.    L 313 

Belt,  D.  M 694 

Benell,  R.  M 494 

Benneson,  J.  H 255 

Bennett,  M.  L 350 

Bennett,  M.   W 518 

Betts,  Thos 183 

Bibel,  L 201 

Bigelow,  E 640 

Bladel,    A 763 

Blacke,  S.  L.  B 367 

Blair,  F.  P 692 

Blakesley,  A.   M 570 

Blanchard,  J.  S 392 

Blossom,  E.  W 75 

Boland,  M 1352 

Boone,    E 36 

Boring,  Wm 239 


PAGE. 

Bowman,  E.  H 380 

Boyd,  W.   T 278 

Brackin.R 227. 

Bradbury,    J 796 

Bradshaw,  D.  W 716 

Brady  \Vm 808 

Brewer,  L.  W 121 

Brewer,  H.  L 407 

Briggs,  Wells 790 

Brintnall,  H.  C 455 

Bristol,  J.  H 679 

Brody,  Jas 114 

Brown,  W.  J 497 

Brown,  J.  V 432 

Brown,  F 152 

Brown,  J.  M 697 

Brown,   G 335 

Brown,  W.  H.   H 400 

Bucher,  C.  A 41 

Buell,  D.C 606 

Bumstead,    S.  J 161 

Bunker,   F 464 

Burgess,  Geo 359 

Burneson,  N.  W 617 

Burnside,  A.  E 443 

Burrill  R.  F 245 

Burson,  M.  L 212 

Busey,  M 665 

Bushnell,  D.  R 140 

Bushwell,  N.  C 546 

Butler,  B.  F 432 

Buzzell,  W.  R 240 


Calhoun,  A.  T 237 

Calkin,  S.  N 477 

Cameron,   A 786 

Camp,  J.  W 796 

Campbell,  L.  L 265 

Campbell,  R.  M 306 

Campbell,  Thos 372 

Campbell,  W.   J 588 

Carnahan,  R.  H 638 

Carter,  Joel 97 

Cary,  W.  T 112 

Challender,  J.  S 329 

Champney,  O.  B 289 

Christenson,  A 792 

Church,   E.  S 341 

Churchill,   A 50 

Churchill,  G.  W 73 

Claremont,    L 176 

Clark,   S 548 


PAGE. 

Clay,  H.    H 625 

Clemmons,   F 29 

Clendenen,   F 189 

Cline,  R 644 

Climo,  C 334 

Coakley,  I.   N 431 

Cole,  J.   S 49 

Coleman,  J.  S 484 

Colleps,  J.  G 653 

Comstock,  H.  S 326 

Conn,  Jos 677 

ConklinJ 607 

Conklin,  K.  S 652 

Conover,    L 289 

Cooper,  D.  D 594 

Cooper,  E.  S 508 

Cook,  Isaac 780 

Corbett,  J.  G 292 

Corbus,  W.  F 564 

Corey,  J.   H 353 

Craig,  D.   W 267 

Craigmile,  A 240 

Crampton,  W.  M 124 

Crinigan,  T 219 

Crocker,  L.  B 540 

Crossley.T 231 

Culver,  T 458 

Curtis,  I.  B 641 

Custer,  G.  A 498 

Custer,  W.  C 657 

Cutler,  A.  S 435 

Cutler,  C.  A 309 


Danforth,    R 474 

Daniels,  H.  E 816 

Dean,  E.  H 611 

Dean,  M.   H 611 

DeBord,  T.  C 252 

Denny,  F.  J 317 

DePue,   H.  J.  D 28 

Derrick,  W.  H 456 

Dibble,  Geo.  E 324 

Dick,  G.  F 210 

Diller,  Thos 422 

Dillon,  Moses 581 

Dinsmore,  W.  J 305 

Distin,  W.  L 14 

Dixon,  J.  P 626 

Doll,  B 336 

Dorsey,  S 108 

Drake,  C.  B 492 

Drenning,  T.  G 690 


844 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


PAGE. 

Du  Bois,  Ira 768 

Dunn,  Wm.  F 718 

Dunbar,  Jno.  C 586 

Dustin,  A.  M ±>2 

Dustin,  D 361 

Dyer,  R.  F 79 


Eames,  M.  V 737 

Ebner,  J 17 

Edmond,  J.  N 525 

Edwards,  J.  W 618 

Edwards,  Jno 671 

Eisfielt,  Henry 46 

Eisile,  Jacob 704 

Elder,  J.  G 500 

Elder,  S.  C 799 

Elliott,  J.  F 102 

Elliot,  W.  M 519 

Emrich,  H :J7S 

Enderle,  Jos 523 

Engomar,  Joseph 32 

Enyart,  M 264 

Estabrook,  E.  A 220 

Evans,  J.  G 275 

Evans,  J 393 

Everett.  J.  W 801 

Ewing,  L.  W 331 


Fenimore,  G.  W 647 

Fenton,  W.  W 339 

Ferrell,  H.  M .V_'T 

Fick,  Adams 485 

Fina,  Peter 652 

Finch,  M 502 

Fish,  W.  J.  M 559 

Fitzgerald,  J.  M 37 

Fitzgerald,  P.  M 809 

Fitch,  E.  E 221 

Flack,  D 573 

Ford,  Byron 20 

Ford,  D.  J 520 

Forrer,  J.  T 248 

Foster,  D.  L 449 

Foster,  W.  W 133 

Fox,  David 297 

Franks,  Wm 689 

Franklin,  W.  B 775 

Freer,  F.  A 667 

Frederick,  J.  C 226 

Fuller,  F 748 


Gahagen,  Wm.  J 43X 

Garrett,  T.  P 129 

Geer,  W.  H 729 

German,  C.  A 481 

Germain,  L .".20 

Gibbs,  J.  P '. 623 

Gibson,  T.  C 172 

Gilmore,  O.  A 75i; 

Gmelich,  G 562 

Godfrey,  Wm 723 

Goldsmith,  O.  N 782 

Gordon,  F.  W ."4 

Gould,  M.  A 491 

Graham,  O 388 

Grant,  D.J :,'.» 

Grant,  O.  B 186 

Grant,  U.  S 5 


PAGE. 

Gray,  B.  T 473 

Gresham,  W.  Q 770 

Griffin,  H.  G 447 

Grover,  L.  L 188 

Gruhn,  J.  J 256 

Gruver,  J.  A 234 

Gunsaul,  J.  H 785 

Curler,  G.  H 413 

H 

Haas,  C 351 

Hakes,  H.  H 670 

Haker,  F 174 

Halen,  J.  F 21 

Hall,  W.A 662 

Halleck,  H.  W 632 

Hamblen,  J.  P 550 

Hamilton,  D 411 

Hamilton,  E.  M 194 

Hamlin,  I.  W 325 

Hampton,  A.  H 810 

Hancock,  W.  S 291 

Hanna,  D.  C 753 

Hanna,  R.  J 445 

Hapeman,  D 38 

Harding,  A.  C 622 

Harding,  I.  N 247 

Harding,  A.  A 710 

Harlan,  M.  R 813 

Harrington,  G 364 

Harris,  H.  C 733 

Harris,  ].  W 552 

Harrison,  J 304 

Harrison,  W.  N 462 

Hartmann,  H 373 

Harvey,  J.  O 708 

Harvey,  G.  W 262 

Haselwood,  W.  K 721 

Hawkins,  H 566 

Hawkins,  J.  S 344 

Hayes,  P.  C 147 

Hayes,  R.  B 677 

Haynes,  C.  I 614 

Hays,  M 479 

Hecker,  D.  S 533 

Heintzleman,  S.  P 818 

Held,  F.  C 218 

Helm,  E.  M 642 

Hemenway,  F.  C 385 

Henry,  M.  S 142 

Hershey,  A.  H 668 

Hippen,  A 635 

Hitchcock,  J 536 

Hitt,  D.  F 656 

Hiteshew,  J.  T 280 

Holcomb,  B.  F 373 

Holmes,  A.  N 219 

Holmes,  J 558 

Holmes,  H 206 

Holt,  J.  M 453 

Holt,  D.  A 714 

Homuth,  H.  M 165 

Hoofstitler,  J.  H 94 

Hooker,  Jos 355 

Hopkins,  L.  S 525 

Hosford,  J.  M 620 

Hosier,  T.  A 464 

Howard,  O.  0 437 

Howe,  G.  W 199 

Howe,  L.  D 115 

Howk,  R.  A 791 


PAGE. 

Hubbard,  J.  T 43 

Hughes,  R 338 

Hug,  J.  F 285 

Hunter,  D 705 

Huston,  T.  J 633 

Hutchins,  A 470 

Hyde.O.  P 312 

Hyman,  J.  M 731 


I  jams,  L.  E. 


060 


Jansen,  M 727 

Jeffers,  S 493 

jenks,  H.  L 412 

Jobling,  F 506 

Johnson,  J.  C 735 

Johnson,  1 109 

Johnson,  L.  L 58 

Johnson,  P.  C 299 

Jones,  G.  W 2X0 

Jordan,  A.  R 415 

Josenhans,  C 573 

K 

Karstens,  H 444 

Kay,  T.  F.  M 741 

Kearney,  Phil 739 

Keeney,  R 476 

Kennedy,  }.  M 314 

Kennedy,  M.  G 601 

Kenny,  D 807 

Kerns,  W.W 346 

Kieffer,  P 555 

Kier,  W.  C 47 

Kilpatrick,  J 557 

Kimberk,  L.  G 342 

Kincaid,  E.  C 486 

King,  J.  W 88 

Kingman,  M 776 

Kinnear,  G.  L 441 

Kinsloe,  A.  L 692 

Kirkpatrick,  I.  N 736 

Kitchen,  C.  A 580 

Knapp,  L.  H 496 

Knott,  G.  H 232 

Knox,  C.  B 630 

Kuter,  S.  A 37* 


Landis,  W 139 

Larabee,  J.  W 732 

Lartz,  C 169 

Lauer,  0 356 

Laughlin,  M.  F 288 

Lawrence,  J 556 

Lawrence,  W.  B 150 

Lee,  L.  M 166 

Lehnus,  C 543 

Le  Pert,  G.  F 70 

Lester,  D 16 

Lester,  J.  B 510 

Leatherman,  A 472 

Lighthart,  W.  H 217 

Lincoln,  A 1 

Lloyd,  G.  O 1ST, 

Logan,  J.  A 127 

Long,  D.  C 519 

Lorenz,  E 507 

Lott,  J.  H 511 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ALBUM. 


TAGE. 

Love,  T.  T 750 

Lowe,  J.  W 261 

Lynd.W.  R 404 

Lynn,  R.  R 469 

M 

Mack,  T.  H 69 

Magee,  D 627 

Magill,  D.  R 751 

Mahannah.H 54 

Mahood,  J 486 

Magner,  W.  C 125 

Manahan,  A 233 

Mann,  S.  M 700 

Manning,  T.  B 596 

Marlin,  J.  M 314 

Marsden,  R 208 

Marsh,  S * 675 

Mason,  T.  M 26 

Mateer,  A 40 

Maurer.F 128 

Mayback,  J.  F 658 

McCarty,  J.  C 784 

McClellan,  G.  B 323 

McClure,  D 759 

McConkey,  E 766 

McConochie,  W 369 

McCready,  C 214 

McDaniel,  J.  A 616 

McDowell,  1 522 

McGrew,  J.  A 225 

McGuffin,  J.  G 294 

Mclntire,  E 375 

McKahim,  J.  D 107 

McKee,  W 722 

McMann,  W.  W 337 

McMaster,  J.  T 155 

McPherson,  J.  B 399 

McQueen,  J.  A 774 

McQuaigg,  S 806 

Meade,  G.  G 310 

Means,  A 582 

Meigs,  M.C 768 

Mellen,  W 53 

Meredith,  A.  A 340 

Merrill,  O.  B 329 

Miller,  C.  E 231 

Miller,  A.  F 224 

Miller,  H 648 

Miller,  J .685 

Mills,  L.  C 135 

Mills,  J.  M 728 

Mite-hell,  ).C 347 

Mitchell,  J.  W 509 

Mock,  A.  R 440 

Mollenkemp,  H 158 

Montgomery,  J.  A 368 

Moore,  D 174 

Moore,  E.  W 100 

Mosher,  B.  H 228 

Morrisey,  L 814 

Morrill,  J 89 

Murphy,  A 62 

Murchinson,  A 241 

Murray,  W 706 

N 

Neal,  J.  M 649 

Neff,  J.  1 19 

Nelsch,  J.  P 254 

Nelson,  E 367 


PACK. 

Nelson,  N :>,!):> 

Newton,  S.  S •_':!:> 

Nicolet,  H.L 5:',:> 

Niles,  J.  W 467 

Norris,  W.  A 725 

Norton,  W.  H 119 

Norton,  W.  H 130 

Nott,  A.  S 409 


O'Brien,  Wm 795 

Ogan,  T.  W 17* 

Ohlweiler,  Jno 482 

Olson,  S.  H 515 

Ord,  E.  O.  C 673 

Osborn,  B 686 

Osborn,  E.  H I'.iT 

Outhouse,  Wm 612 


Palmer,  M.  I) 328 

Palmer,  J.  M 516 

Park,].  H 490 

Parker,  Wm Ill 

Patterson,  J.  0 259 

Patton,  J.  B 765 

Peckham,  J.  A 345 

Pepoon,  G.  W 420 

Perry,  J.  W 600 

Perry,  W.  M 295 

Petteys,  F.  D 563 

Pettit.C.  E 163 

Phillips,  A.  V.  B 151 

Phillips,  Jacob 57 

Phillips,  {no.  W 102 

Pierson,  Peter 268 

Pike,  Ivory  H 318 

Piper,  L.  B 516 

Platt,  M.  J 71 

Plumb,  Ralph 11 

Pollard,  A.  H 584 

Pope,  Jno 585 

Post,  P.  S 271 

Powell,  L.  C 609 

Powell,  O 363 

Pringle,  N 182 

Prichard,  T 316 

Proudstone,  R 400 

Proudstone,  G.  C 430 

Provost,  P.  B 61 


Quayle,  W.  P. 


Ranney,  N.  C 263 

Ranson,  W.  J 812 

Raymond,  E.  C 530 

Raymond,  J.  0 343 

Ream,   H 3*!> 

Reed,  H 767 

Reed,  W.  H 798 

Redman,  J.  W 215 

Reese,  CM 542 

Reynolds,  J.  F 650 

Richardson,  J.  L 521 

Richardson,  W.  E 23 


Richmond,  J.  H 120 

Riebsame,  Christ :  . .   197 

Rifenberick,  J.  M 568 

Rippberger,  J 626 


PAGE. 

Rittenhouse,  J.  S 274 

Rmck,  Wm :W7 

K  obinson,  G.  W 544 

Roche,  X.  T -7 

Rock,  A.  J r.'.tx 

Rocklin,  Adam .",21 

Roedell,  H.  F.  A r,i;i; 

Rolofson,  A.  N 1174 

Rosebrook,  F.  D 425 

Rosseau,  L.  H 775 

Rosecrans,  W.  S 417 

Ropp,  J.  M ):;:> 

Rowe,  E.  M 41* 

Rowe,  J.  L 2*1 

Ruark,  A.  J :!19 

Rudisill,  H.  C 145 

Ryan,  J.  S.. 17!) 


Sacra,  Allen 390 

Sadler,  John  H 7-".s 

Sadorus,  G.  W 5'.H 

Sadorus,  H.  W 512 

Sanders,  U.  B '..       44 

Sands,  J.  H 6*0 

Sandford,  J.  P.. 5<)6 

Sawdey,  O.  B 746 

Scharian,  Jno 407 

Schimpff,  A.  L 282 

Schmitt,  Wm.  A 391 

Scott,  T.  J 608 

Scott,  F.  I) 549 

Searle,  E.  J 574 

Sedgwickjohn 661 

Servise,  B 398 

Sheldon,  F.  F 371 

Shepherd,  F.  P 387 

Sherk,  T.  J 781 

Sherman,  Wm.  T 190 

Sheridan,  P.  H 63 

Shockley,  Elias 243 

Short,  Jno 2X6 

Shurz,  Carl 45* 

Shull,  F.  A 526 

Sigel,  Franz 4'-"-> 

Sigler,  S si 

Simons,  W.  V Sfi 

Simmonds,  L.  I) 688 

Slade,Jno 637 

Smith,  A.  A 537 

Smith,  C.  C 22 

Smith,  G.  A *17 

Smith,  S.  M :V>7 

Snyder,  F.  M 246 

Snyder,  W.  R 77 

Spalding,  T.  B *3 

Specie,  G 2<*5 

Starkey,  C.  H 52!) 

Stearns,  G.  G 360  . 

Stevens,  A.  C 2<>3 

Steward,  H.  A 251 

Stewart,  A.  M 461 

Stewart,  Wm 542 

Stief,  Jno 260 

Stilson,  E.  H 366 

Stone  A.  L 170 

Stone,  Geo.  H 598 

Stoneman,  Geo 770 

Stout,  L.  G 25 

Straub,  A.  B 587 

Sullivan,  Jno 312 


846 


SOLDIERS'  AND  PATRIOTS' 


PAGE. 

Simmer,  E.  V 678 

Sunderland,  \Vm.  H 195 

Swartwout,  S 41 H 

Swengel,  A.  M 505 


Taggart,  C.  F 704 

Tail,  W.  F 358 

Tart.S 532 

Temple,  J.  L 319 

Thierey,  F.  F 68 

Thomas,  Geo.  H 256 

Thompson,  G.  W 679 

Thompson,  L.  R 554 

Thrush,  G.  H 465 

Tilden,  L.  H 228 

Tillson.Wm.H 807 

Toll,  P.  R 503 

Totten,  W.  A.  P 450 

Trask,  R.  H 138 

Trask,  A 420 

Tripp,  D.  E 137 

Tripp.S.  S 801 

Tullis,  L".  M 793 

Tully.Jno 249 

Turnbull,  Jno.  M 771 

Tuttle,  S.  S 53 

Tyrrell,  D.  W 487 


Ulrich,  Jno. 


U 


322 


PAGE. 

Underwood,  L 780 

V 

Van  Brunt,  S 702 

Van  Sant,  N.G 593 

Vedder,  Allen 786 

Voller,  Joseph 604 

W 

Wadleigh,  John 177 

Wagenseller,  Wm.  H 659 

Waggner,  W.  B 229 

Walker,  Jno 91 

Walters,  Geo 230 

Walther,  Wm 158 

Ward,  W.  E 619 

Ward,  G.  W 683 

Ward,  Jno 82 

Ware,  J.  C 539 

Ware,  Jos 504 

Warner,  Wm 560 

Watlington,  H.  L 45 

Watson,  E.  B 489 

Way,  E.D 269 

Webb,  T 419 

Weed,  A.  L 251 

Weidner,  Wm 106 

Wells,  A.  G 673 

Welles,  J.  G 481 

Welsh,   R.  G 744 

Welton.F.G 602 


PAGE. 

Whitfield,   A 200 

Whittaker,  J 333 

Whitzell,  E.  M 776 

Wilcox,  E.  M 683 

Wilder  M.  V 799 

Wildberger,  J.  C 18 

Williamson,  A.  W 592 

Williams,  P.  R 154 

Willis,   LaFayette 253 

Willsie,  H.  H 629 

Wilkins,].  L 514 

Wilson,  Wm 402 

Wilson,   1 118 

Wilson,  J.  M 236 

Wiltheis,  A 405 

Wingate,  0 132 

Winters,    H 452 

Winters,  E.  C 98 

Wood,  W.W 159 

Woodbury,   A.  G 416 

Woodworth,  W.   H 67 

Woodward,  Chas 105 

Woodruff,  G.   A 805 

Wolfersberger,  P 409 

Wunder,   Geo 156 

Wyman,  Henry 167 


Yetter,  H.   C 518 

Youngblood,  W.  H 531 


PORTRAITS. 


PAGE. 

Hlakesley,  A.  M 570 

Bowman,  E.  H 450 

Campbell,  Thorn 450 

Carnahan,  R.  H 638 

(  hampney,  O.    B 510 

Culver,  Truman 710 

Freer,  F.  A 667 

Grant,  U.   S 5 

Hancock,  W.  S 291 

Hapeman,  Douglas 375 

Harding,  A.  C 622 

Hartmann,  H.  F 510 


PAGE. 

Howe,  Geo.  W 375 

Huston,  T.  J 633 

Jobling,  Fryar 710 

Kennedy,  J.  M 375 

Kingman,   Martin 776 

Lester,  J.  B 510 

Lincoln  Abraham Front 

Logan,  J.  A 127 

Lynn,  R.   R 510 

Mahannah,  H 710 

Meade,  G.  G...  .310 


PAGE. 

Means,  Archibald 582 

McClellan,   G.  B 323 

Mills,  L.  C 375 

Montgomery,  J.  A 450 

Plumb,  Ralph 11 

Riebsame,  C 197 

Searle,  E.  J 450 

Sherman,  W.  T 190 

Sheridan,  P.  H .". . .  63 

Thomas,  G.  H 256 

Walther,  Wm 710 


MISCBLLANBO  US. 


PAGE. 

Biographical 1 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. .  819 

Department  of  111.  G.  A.  R -JJ 

Woman's  Relief  Corps >-L'4 


PAGE. 

Sons  of  Veterans 825 

I  .oyal    Legion 826 

Chronological  Summary  and  Re- 


PAGE. 

cord  of  Engagements  between 
the  Troops  of  the  Union  and 
Confederacy 828 


"^:-- 


t^^^^'on^ 


• 


'V*  V>*>- 


^rriiww 


•:,< , 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


W^& 
rfe^lg 


*3*r  >fy  ^tf&fc 

W&Mfsm 

\  /•^*r<*i_     A     Xi    Lr        >— ^      -V*  .    V^W  •*" 


r  ^v^nr^/ . 

"^vrw       /    ^^T-\L     A\i*f~ 


»)T>dl^iyf5?6#;»i*! 

*L€4^7<^.^ 


m 


I 


•Hi 


-